Stephen Fearing crafts storytelling through song

By Melissa Jameson

Folk music fans are in for something special when consummate storyteller Stephen Fearing takes the stage in Revelstoke.

His mix of powerful lyrics, superb guitar playing and original arrangements have earned Fearing a dedicated international following.

Fearing is the Canadian Folk Music Award winner for Contemporary Singer of the Year in 2017, winning for his latest album Every Soul’s a Sailor.

Fearing was born in 1963 in Vancouver, but grew up in Dublin, Ireland, where his schoolmates included future members of U2. He returned to Canada in 1981 and began to seek out a career in music. Fearing released his first album, a self-titled cassette only endeavour in 1986.

Since then, he’s travelled the globe as a performer. Recently, he relocated from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Victoria, B.C., where he’s put down roots with his family.
For Fearing very little has changed about the musical scene over the years.

“Somethings have changed hugely and other things haven’t changed at all,” said Fearing.
Fearing said many musicians in today’s world have returned to relying on live music performances rather than record sales and radio play — something he has always been used to. Fearing is a road warrior, fulfilling duties with several notable acts, in addition to his solo career. He plays with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, duo Fearing & White with U.K. singer-songwriter Andy White, and in a supergroup with Colin Linden and Tom Wilson.
“On the one hand it becomes quite familiar and comfortable. Mostly I love travelling,” he said.

It was Fearing’s storytelling craftsmanship that caught the eye of Revelstoke Arts Council executive director Miriam Manley.

“He has top notch storytelling. He’s not only musically gifted, but his lyrics are so interesting. He is a real storyteller and that comes across in his music,” said Manley.
Fearing said as he gets farther out of larger cities people seem to become more passionate when it comes to experiencing live music. Playing smaller venues such as Revelstoke creates a greater enthusiasm. As he puts it, the smaller venues are full of animated fans who are excited to come and see the show.

This time around in Revelstoke Fearing will be performing as a trio. Something he is looking forward to. Fearing said he tends to play smaller theatres as a solo artist but looks forward to playing at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre as a trio. It pushes him to be a better musician, he said.

Fearing also has roots as a producer. He produced fellow Canadian blues artist Suzie Vinnick’s solo recording Happy Here. He has also collaborated with a number of other well-known Canadian musicians including Shawn Colvin, Sarah McLachlan, and Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies.

Fearing said working as a producer over the years has taught him a lot about being a performer.

“Most artists have a way too critical view of their own voice and their own playing. It’s the producer’s job to say ‘we got it.’ You have to be a cheerleader and encourage (the singer/performer) and make it really tight and edit things down,” he said.

Fearing will be preceded on stage by fellow folk musician Oh Susanna. Oh Susanna, much like Fearing, crafts songs with a focus on storytelling. Her most recent release, 2017’s A Girl in Teen City, an album of songs set in 1980s Vancouver featuring a punk girl named Suzie, was met with critical acclaim.

Stephen Fearing performs at the Revelstoke Performing Arts Centre on January 31 at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets visit revelstokeartscouncil.com, call 250-814-9325 or email [email protected]. Tickets may also be available at the door prior to the performance.

This story first appeared in the January, 2018 issue of Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine.