It’s been a busy year of change and transition for Okanagan-based modern Celtic band Cod Gone Wild.
Having announced a new line-up over the winter, the Cods are gearing up for an extremely busy summer and have been in the studio recording their fourth studio album, The Islander, which will be released June 16 at the Caetani Cultural Centre in Vernon.
Founder and leader Andrew Mercer, along with band mates Susan Aylard, Sean Bray, Martyn Jones, and David Mihal, will be performing the album start to finish live at the Caetani Centre natural amphitheatre.
“This album represents evolution, growth, and hard work,” said frontman Mercer. “These musicians that I have the pleasure to work with have an unbelievable amount of talent and this album showcases that and unveils the new sound of Cod Gone Wild moving forward. (It’s) a sound that they all helped create, and I’m excited to share it with our biggest supporters.”
The album features a mix of original and traditional songs, including a couple of toe-tapping fiddle tunes.
“Growing up in Newfoundland and being exposed to traditional music at a young age, there will always be a strong East Coast influence in Cod Gone Wild’s music,” said Mercer. “Having musicians from various backgrounds including classical, folk, rock, and jazz allows us to create something a little more modern and a little more edgy that, with any luck, will have a broader appeal to audiences across the country and around the world.”
The June 16 performance is not only Cod Gone Wild’s album release party, it is also a major fundraiser for the Caetani Cultural Centre, a cause that Cod Gone Wild has supported over the years.
“The Caetani Centre is a hidden gem in Vernon and the number one goal is to get the doors of the building open to the public and it is our hope that we can play a small role in that while celebrating our album release at a place that we hold dear,” Mercer said.
Cod Gone Wild will be hitting the stage for two sets of music. The first set will be a full-length performance of the album and the second set will feature fan favourites from the bands previous albums. There will be a cash bar on-site and Basket Case Picnics will be offering food service. Following the show, the band will be doing an album signing session and meet and greet.
Tickets for the show are available online at www.caetani.org, by visiting the Caetani Centre (3401 Pleasant Valley Road), during business hours, or by phone at 250-275-1525. This is a family friendly event, tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for students, and free for kids 12 and under. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show time is at 7 p.m. As parking is limited, patrons are reminded to arrive early and park off-site and walk to the venue. For more information, visit www.codgonewild.com, www.caetani.org, or email events@caetani.org.
