First JUNO Nomination For Adrian Sutherland
When The Magic Hits – the remarkable debut from Northern roots-rocker Adrian Sutherland – was released September 17, 2021. The album has been earning much acclaim since its release, including the very first JUNO nomination for Sutherland.
“I couldn’t be happier about this news. Even though it’s my first JUNO nomination, I’ve been working hard at my music career since 2011. It’s been a long time coming, and it means a lot to see that my new album is being recognized by the industry,” says Sutherland, who has been nominated for Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. “
Recording In A Shipping Container
Like many musicians, Sutherland spent time during the pandemic recording an album. But unlike many, before he could even begin, he first had to construct a studio in his remote Northern Canadian location.
When the pandemic began in March 2020, Sutherland found himself fully isolated in Attawapiskat – a fly-in-only First Nation that cancelled all flights in and out. With zero access to studio infrastructure, he’d have to fully DIY it.
Adrian spent the summer of 2020 learning how to work remotely. By fall, he began constructing and gearing up recording space in a metal shipping container located in his backyard. By spring of 2021, he was finally able to begin working from inside his ‘SeaCan Studio’ to record album tracks.
About The Album
When The Magic Hits is an impressive solo debut for Sutherland. Seven tracks were produced, engineered and mixed by GRAMMY Award-winning Canadian-born producer Colin Linden, who worked remotely from Nashville while Adrian remained isolated in Attawapiskat. Colin brought his legendary guitar talents to the tracks, helping bring Adrian’s music to life with a whole new depth of heart and soul.
FUN FACT… Colin Linden was also nominated for this year’s JUNO Awards, in the category of Blues Album Of The Year for his record bLOW, which by coincidence was released on September 17 – the same day as Adrian’s album.
Featured on the tracks produced by Colin are his wife Janice Powers on keyboard and organ. Jerry Roe (Nashville) and Gary Craig (Toronto) both contributed drum tracks, with John Dymond (Toronto) on bass. Adding to the magic is Chris Carmichael. It was Colin’s 11th hour decision to bring Carmichael into the mix, who added stellar sounds of a full string quartet to two ballads – Once That Was You and Walk With Me. It was only later that Sutherland learned Carmichael has performed on seven GRAMMY-winning records and 25 gold and platinum albums!
Two of the album tracks – Right Here and Make Me Better – were produced, engineered and mixed by Tim Vesely, who also co-wrote the songs, and plays guitar and bass on the recordings. Adrian worked remotely with Tim, producing out of The Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Vesely brought in Colin Cripps for electric guitar, and Lyle Molzan for drums.
In addition to Vesely, When The Magic Hits features co-writes with brothers Chris Gormley (The Trews) and Matt Gormley (Daylight for Deadeyes), Jay Semko (The Northern Pikes), Scott Dibble (Hemingway Corner), Serena Ryder, and Colin Cripps (Blue Rodeo).