MIDNIGHT SHINE, the root-rockers who have been lighting up the music world all the way from the James Bay released their debut music video today, with hopes of shining light on a difficult topic affecting all too many.
“I wrote I Need Angels because there are a lot of people struggling in Canada’s Indigenous far North communities. We’ve had a lot of loss, a lot of tragedies, and I think it’s important for me as an artist to shed light on these issues,” says Midnight Shine frontman Adrian Sutherland, who hails from the Cree community of Attawapiskat in remote Northern Ontario.
“Being isolated in the North can be very tough, and I know a lot of people who suffer from depression. The song is about that inner struggle to keep positive and not give up, and to hang on to hope and faith despite the darkness.”
Attawapiskat is no stranger to media attention. The community of roughly 2000 has been associated with many distressing issues over the years, including suicide. Adrian has had family members take their own lives, and he sometimes struggles with his own mental health.
ABOUT THE SONG
I Need Angels was written by Adrian Sutherland, with Midnight Shine bandmates Zach Tomatuk and Stanley Louttit as co-writers, and John-Angus MacDonald (The Trews) producing. It’s from Midnight Shine’s third album, High Road, which came out in spring 2018.
Sutherland hopes that ultimately, I Need Angels will serve to help others. Anyone who would like to have the song can download it for FREE from Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/midnightshineonline/i-need-angels
ABOUT THE VIDEO
A production crew of three travelled up to Attawapiskat on the coast of the James Bay in early October to shoot the music video for I Need Angels – the first music video ever to be shot in the community. The locations were absolutely stunning in the changing fall colours, and well worth the many logistical challenges of shooting in such a remote place.
Given the nature of the song, Sutherland thought it would be fitting to create awareness of mental health and the suicide epidemic in Canada’s North. To do this, a picture frame was used in the video, featuring haunting images of five different young people who have taken their own lives. The photos came in from families in different part of Canada, willing to share the precious memory of their loved one in order to try and help someone else.
The video was produced and co-directed by Midnight Shine’s manager RoseAnna Schick, and shot and directed by Vancouver-based cinematographer Cliff Hokanson. The two made one rock music video together nearly 20 years ago, and reconnected by chance this summer just in time to make I Need Angels. Watch the video now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2VWNONdnbY
ABOUT MIDNIGHT SHINE
They came together by chance. They stayed together for a shot.
When Adrian Sutherland from the isolated community of Attawapiskat was offered opening spot for Trooper in Timmins, he reeled in three other musicians from the remote James Bay region to form Midnight Shine. Their intention was to make the most of a one-off performance. Eight years, three albums, six Top 10 IMC radio singles, and 200+ media stories later… you could say they have.
Turning heads with a sound that seamlessly mixes roots, classic and modern rock with touches of Mushkegowuk Cree, Midnight Shine has been lighting up the music world with songs that share a glimpse of life in Canada’s far North. They continue to push musical boundaries and boldly take new strides, while staying true to who they are and where they come from. A must-hear band you’ll take a real shine to. www.midnightshineonline.com
Adrian Sutherland and Midnight Shine would like to thank Canada Council for the Arts for their support to make the music video I Need Angels, and Air Creebec for helping the band travel out of Ontario’s remote North.
The recording of the song I Need Angels was supported by the Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation. The Ontario Arts Council has also assisted Adrian Sutherland and Midnight Shine with previous projects.
About Canada Council for the Arts: The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s public arts funder, with a mandate to foster and promote the study and enjoyment of, and the production of works in, the arts. The Council champions and invests in artistic excellence through a broad range of grants, services, prizes and payments to professional Canadian artists and arts organizations. Its work ensures that excellent, vibrant and diverse art and literature engages Canadians, enriches their communities and reaches markets around the world. The Council also raises public awareness and appreciation of the arts through its communications, research and arts promotion activities. It is responsible for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, which promotes the values and programs of UNESCO in Canada to contribute to a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable future. The Canada Council Art Bank operates art rental programs and helps further public engagement with contemporary arts.
CONTACT FOR MIDNIGHT SHINE:
RoseAnna Schick, RAS Creative
rascreative@yahoo.ca / 204-783-7600
PUBLICITY – CANADA:
Eric Alper, Eric Alper PR
eric@thatericalper.com / 647-971-3742
PUBLICITY – US:
Liz Hill, Liz Hill Public Relations
liz@lizhillpr.com / 808-856-6012
CONTACT FOR BOOKINGS:
Ralph James, APA Agency
rjames@apa-agency.com / 416-646-7373
[Photo Credit: RoseAnna Schick]