Acclaimed musician Ruth Moody’s first ever solo tour was on Vancouver Island in 2010, and she’s coming back with a stop in Errington on Sept 13.
The two-time Juno award winning musician is a member of the internationally renowned group The Wailin’ Jennys. She started a solo career a few years ago when the trio took a break so one of them could start a family.
In 2010 she released The Garden, which was nominated for a host of awards including two Junos and a Canadian Folk Music Award.
Her new album, These Wilder Things, was released this year with guest appearances by Mark Knopfler, Jerry Douglas, The Wailin’ Jennys and more.
Moody started a CD release tour in April beginning in Winnipeg, her home province, but had to end it in Edmonton.
“We couldn’t get as far as B.C. because we had an amazing opportunity in Europe to open for Mark Knopfler for a few weeks, so we had to limit the Canadian release tour.”
Moody will finish that tour, playing venues around the Island, before she heads into the United States to play a number of solo shows plus some shows with the Wailin’ Jennys.
After being part of a Celtic Band and lead singer for the Canadian roots band Scruj MacDuhk in her early twenties, Moody said she and a couple girlfriends started singing together for fun. They booked a show and that sold out, so they booked another, which also sold out.
The Wailin’ Jennys started playing to sold out shows around the world.
“None of us really anticipated it and suddenly we were getting offers for folk festivals and there was really something there.”
Moody said the three girls had a nice vocal blend, great chemistry and had a lot of fun playing together.
These days Moody is keeping extremely busy touring, but she’s managing quite well with her heavy work load.
“I’m really busy, it’s kind of crazy. But I do love touring, I’m okay with being on the road. And I love doing both, [playing] with the Jennys and solo. For me it’s nice to go back and forth, each experience sort of informs the other.”
Moody has been described in the press as “the soprano with the ethereal voice,” “classically elegant” and “quietly mesmerizing and sensuous.”
She will be playing at the Errington Hall with her band, composed of seasoned musicians who are all multi-instrumentalists.
Tickets for the show are $20 at the Errington Store, Cranky Dog Music in Parksville and Heaven on Earth in Qualicum Beach. Tickets are $5 at the door for 12 and under and under 5’s are free.
Doors open at 7:30 and the show starts at 8 p.m.
For more on Moody and to hear music samples visit her website www.ruthmoody.com.
