Musician Emma Beaton is so popular that when residents heard word-of-mouth she was coming back to the area to perform this month, they quickly began reserving their seats.
“The Dec. 18 show is almost sold out with basically no promotion,” Beaton told The News last week.
That’s why she’s putting on another show, a house concert at her parents residence. The first show (the nearly sold-out one) will take place at the Qualicum Beach Rotary Hall on Dec. 18 and the second will happen on Dec. 27.
Beaton grew up in Qualicum Beach and currently lives in New York where her burgeoning music career keeps her happily busy.
She’s been playing the cello for many years and also plays a mean banjo.
At age 18 Beaton won Young Performer of the Year in 2008 at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and was nominated for Traditional Singer of the Year in 2011. Known for her captivating and haunting voice, Beaton was described in American Songwriter magazine this year as having a delivery combining “Ella Fitzgerald, Janis Joplin and Adele, if you can believe that.”
She’s the lead singer for Boston-based band Joy Kills Sorrow and the group had a feature video on Rollingstone.com last year. They have toured extensively through the United States, Europe and Canada.
The five-piece band plays original music with catchy string arrangements that have a fresh, bluegrassy feel. They recently played on the radio variety show A Prairie Home Companion and turned heads at the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park.
Beaton has recently been on tour in New Zealand with another group and is currently rehearsing in Boston with Joy Kills Sorrow.
Although her band won’t be joining her this time around she will be joined in her performances in Qualicum Beach by mom Joyce Beaton and friend Dave Barta.
The Dec. 18 show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Rotary Hall. The House Concert will take place at 384 Mant Rd. Tickets for both shows are $20 available from Vintage Candy Store in Qualicum Beach. There will be coffee, tea and desserts at both shows.
