In my conversation with Séan, we spoke about sharing record collections, gardening in -7, and finding best swells to paddle in Owen Sound, but mainly he talked to me about the importance of building purpose and connection for his upcoming shows.
Séan McCann has been many things: a lifelong singer-songwriter, a bonafide band-founding international folk star, and more recently an author. But at this stage in his journey, he’s seeking something that is often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of single promotion and Google Analytics: real life, unadulterated connection.
For years, Séan toured with Great Big Sea and as a solo artist, filling venues around the world, but what was once a free-flowing climate of opportunity and wealth has now shifted to something very different. Now, tribute acts are booked multiple nights a week, while songwriters who craft original Canadian content seem to fall by the wayside.
Rather than learning forty cover tunes and joining the next iteration of the “so and so’s greatest hits,” Séan has been pulled to try something that some might consider revolutionary. For these shows he will go back to the start, following a no-frills policy where focus is placed on the music, the stories and the concert goers in attendance.
Going back to basics and touring without the typical backline provided by large venues, allows him to broaden his search for spaces that were built specifically for art’s sake “with no signs of corporate intention”. He tells me that toting his own speakers around is exactly how he started, and reminds him of the early days of touring.
The Historic Leith Church was chosen by Mudtown Records for this portion of the tour because it represents everything the tour does. It was built for sharing, for art, for kinship; and has been maintained based on those same principals. Not to mention, the acoustics in the space are unbelievable.
With the noise of excess often pulling at every fibre of our attention spans, asking us to sign up for promotional offers, or to agree to terms and conditions, it can be easy to forget what lies at the root of all concerts: the actual music, and more than that; the connective response it elicits.
As we speak, Séan mentions his disappointment about the lack of a “free love” resurgence when the world reopened in 2022. You’d think after years of unprecedented shut-ins, we would’ve moved closer to each other as people, not further apart. We speak about the divisiveness of modern wealth, the communication gap and the importance of maintaining community throughout that.
Something he aims to accomplish in both his future songwriting pursuits and in his upcoming performances is to bridge that gap; to remind people how it feels to be present, to connect with those around you, to share your feelings and to have a genuine memorable experience.
It’s obvious that Séan has amassed an arsenal of powerful tools that allow him to do just that. With key components of the tour being: vulnerability, heartfelt stories, shared moments of group singing, and of course the cheerful celebration of hit songs, it’s clear that he intends to do everything he can to facilitate connection for those who long for it.
The May 24th show at the Historic Leith Church presented by Mudtown Records might make you laugh, might very well bring a tear to your eye, but above all else will ensure that you leave with a newfound sense of positivity and a reminder that you aren’t alone.
To get your tickets for this powerful showcase of a revered Canadian musician with an integral message and the means to make you sing your heart out, find more information here.
To listen to Séan’s latest record, to learn about his book and to find more upcoming dates, click here.
Written by Marshall Veroni
