Tennyson King gets the coast vibe. The alternative folk rock singer from Toronto will prove it when he performs his new single ‘Coast’ and more original music at Char’s Landing this Friday, July 13.
King’s style of rock and roll is infused with earthy roots and blues while subtly laced with, as he puts it, “psychedelic ear candy. It’s a raw, gritty and organic sound that makes the soul feel wild and the heart comforted.”
King kicks off his Vancouver Island tour July 11 at The Chapel in Duncan at 7 p.m. with additional shows at the Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet on July 12 (7:30 p.m.), Char’s Landing in Port Alberni July 13 (8 p.m.), Tofino Public Market in Tofino July 14 (12 p.m.) and the Nanaimo Bar in Nanaimo July 15 (9 p.m.). It’s part of a two-month tour that will see him play his way back to Toronto through B.C. and the prairies.
He released his single ‘Coast’ on July 6 off the album with the same title; it’s the first glimpse into the newer, more advanced version of King’s music.
“That song was inspired by my tour in Australia in 2017,” he said: “Half living out of my van, living along the coast” and being on the beach all the time. While he toured the entire eastern coast of Australia, his music is influenced by the time he spent on the surfing-rich Gold Coast and the white sand beaches of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Spending three months immersed in the Aussie music scene, there’s no doubt he picked up a thing or two. “I think there’s still my sound in there,” he says of his new release.
“I feel I took more of a risk in playing with my creativity. There’s definitely some Australian influence to it.”
King expects to carry that laid back, hanging-on-the-beach chill vibe to his Island tour. With a solo act featuring vocals and an electric guitar, he’s looking forward to the acoustics at Char’s Landing, a church-turned-performance space. Coast, produced by Dan Hosh, was recorded at Catherine North Studios, an open concept music production facility located in a church in downtown Hamilton. “I got such amazing sound recording there,” King said.
He’ll be staying in Tofino for part of his tour and says he’s got time to do some sightseeing while there. “And maybe even do some surfing.”
The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets for Kings’ show on July 13 are $12 in advance, $15 at the door and kids $10. Charge by phone at 778-421-2427, pay by cash at Rollin Art Centre on Eighth Avenue at Argyle Street.
Charge by phone at 778-421-2427, pay by cash at Rollin Art Centre on Eighth Avenue at Argyle Street.
