An acclaimed Canadiana folk trio with a deep connection to Powell River will be playing at Max Cameron Theatre later this month while hoping to stir up some ghosts.
Tiller’s Folly, comprised of singer Bruce Coughlan, bassist Laurence Knight and fiddler Nolan Murray, has been crafting songs from the rich depository of BC history for the past 18 years. The group has been called the Stan Rogers of Western Canada, Knight said, explaining that they are doing for BC what Rogers’ folk tunes did for the Maritimes and Central Canada. The group is based in the Lower Mainland, but has played in venues across the country over its close to 20 years together.
The band has a deep connection to Powell River. It was at the Westview Pub’s historic jam sessions where Knight and Coughlan met and played together for the first time. However, it was not until years later that Tiller’s Folly formed.
Knight estimates he played the Westview more than 20 times during the 1980s. He even owned property of Atrevida Road for a while.
He said he is looking forward to returning to Powell River to play, not having been back since Sunshine Music Festival in 2004.
The band balances its paid concerts with free shows for elementary school students. Over the years Knight estimates the band has played over 1,000 shows for children. The shows are designed to not only engage younger listeners but also educate and entertain. Tiller’s Folly will play its Thursday night paid show followed by two additional shows for Powell River students on Friday during the school day.
The band released a successful 12-song album in 2008 called Stirring up Ghosts, which included much of its historical material to commemorate British Columbia’s 150th anniversary and Simon Fraser’s bi-centennial. With Canada’s 150th birthday coming up in 2017, the band decided to re-release the album and add to it. Stirring up Ghosts volume 1 and 2 was released earlier this year.
Tiller’s Folly will take to the stage at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 16, at Max Cameron Theatre. Doors open at 7 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students and are available at Breakwater Books and Fudge and at the door one hour before the show.
