Her voice jumps out at you … she makes a clear, direct hit and seduces you with a bit of smoky overtone.
Brodie Dawson was born in Hamilton, Ont., and grew up at first unaware of the magnitude of those musical seeds developing within her. Her father Brent Dawson a successful soul-blues musician, helping to form the grassroots core of the Hamilton music scene, pals with players such as Richard Newell aka King Biscuit Boy, Lance Kiernan, and Danny Lockwood.
Being immersed in a life of music, Brodie began to absorb this incredible energy that would soon be transformed into her own magical style. It was at age 19 that she began migrating west and with this, embarked on what would be a well-travelled journey of searching and finding her way.
Her musical voyage has come full circle, beginning on Vancouver Island in 2000 where she opened for Juno award winner Ray Bonneville, venturing to Montreal to perform and begin recording and performing in clubs, migrating up to Yellowknife for two years to warm the north, and eventually back to the Comox Valley where she now fondly calls Cumberland home.
Brodie’s voice has graced coffee shops, pubs, clubs, festivals, community events, and radio shows such as CBC North’s Homemade Jam with Norbert Poitras and CBC’s The Vinyl Café with Stuart McLean.
Brodie calls her style a mix of soulful ‘folky’ blues with a gospel flair, a twist of pop and a twang of old-school country. True to all those genres she sings of life, love, searching and finding your way. For those of you who haven’t heard her sing – you’re in for a treat! She’ll catch you at the door as the first notes of her voice seem to wrap you in a warm cloak made of sweet, earthy moodiness, and will speak deeply to your heart for the entire enchanted evening.
Her long-awaited debut CD The Lost Tapes (recorded 11 years ago in Montreal, put on the back burner during her adventurous ride in life, and actually did get lost!) has been ‘found’ and finally mastered and released this summer! It opens a personal and venerable window into her life that carries you through a magical musical journey leaving you spellbound and wanting more.
A CD release party will happen at the Waverley Hotel on Nov. 16 at 9:30 p.m.
Brodie’s ensemble is in full form and they are ready to knock your socks off. She will be joined by the incredibly multi-talented John Hughes on guitar and vocals, the funkmaster himself Darryl Milne on bass, the smooth finesse of Ron Casat on keys, and the ‘bang-on’ beats of Jacob Gregory on percussion.
The evening will be filled with giveaways, dancing, and true to Brodie’s form, a few surprise special guests.
— Brodie Dawson