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december, 2021

Philadelphia Folksong Society 6156 Ridge Avenue , Philadelphia, PA 19128

31dec8:00 pm- 10:00 pmPOSTPONED: PFS Presents Dave Gunning

Event Details

POSTPONED: PFS Presents

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Event Details

POSTPONED: PFS Presents Dave Gunning

POSTPONED: PFS is rescheduling the May 15th performance of Dave Gunning. We will update the event with an exact date as soon as it’s decided. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding during this difficult time.


Doors 7:30pm | Music 8pm

$15 for Members *While Supplies Last* | $18 Not-Yet-Members | $20 Doors

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND MORE INFO

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK

About Dave Gunning

Dave Gunning is best defined as a master craftsman. Over the course of 23 years and 11 earlier albums, the Nova Scotian folk singer/songwriter has diligently sharpened his skills, developing into a poetic storyteller and emotionally convincing singer with few equals.

The fruits of those labours are now vividly on display in his latest collection of songs, Up Against The Sky. The relaxed and intimate feel of the record reflects its method of creation. “I focused a lot on tones and the vibe, rather than strategic parts on this one. Many of these tunes were sung and played at the same time, and that prevented me from being able to go back and edit, forcing a little more honesty.”

The sessions in Dave’s home studio were co-produced by Gunning and Jamie Robinson. Gunning contributed the bulk of the instrumentation, including all the bass parts and even drums on every song but one. Musical guests include his close musical comrade J.P. Cormier on fiddle on “Celebrate The Crop,” and Andrew Alcorn on horns on “In The Time I Was Away”, while the Atlantic String Machine added subtle yet atmospheric strings on four tracks.

Eight of the ten songs here are co-writes, with Dave’s writing partners including Jamie Robinson, Ray Stewart, Thom Swift, Paul McKenna, and Mark Lang. The two solo compositions are “The Loyal Fisherman,” an epic ballad of love and betrayal, and “Celebrate The Crop,” a lovely fiddle-fuelled celebration of the simple pleasures of the farming life “everyone’s coming over and we’ll share all that we’ve got.”

The first single taken from the album is “In The Time I Was Away,” a gently reflective look at the changes wrought by absence. “When you’re away from home for large chunks of time on a regular basis you miss things that have happened. Sometimes they’re big things and sometimes they’re the little things,” says Dave. Written with Mark Lang, it is punctuated by a horns accompaniment that shows Gunning’s ability to add unconventional yet effective musical touches to his material.

There’s also a philosophical feel to “All That’s Yet To Come,” the opening track on Up Against The Sky, and another highlight of an album devoid of lowlights. It faces the future with an optimistic tone – “I’m proud of the past and all that’s yet to come.”

Gunning explains that this is one of a number of songs influenced by a local Pictou County issue that has taken a great deal of his time and energy in recent years. He is a very active member of a group opposed to the release of 70-90 million litres of treated effluent, per day from an older style bleached kraft pulp mill. The proposal is threatening the Northumberland Strait fishery and a Legislated commitment made to the Pictou Landing First Nation community to end what even the Premier of Nova Scotia has called “Environmental Racism.”

Another song inspired by this situation is “Wish I Was Wrong,” a mournful yet defiant tune that reaffirms Gunning’s ability to pen potent protest songs. “We want a safe harbour, we want a clean shore” he declares, while playing banjo in a tribute to a key inspiration, Pete Seeger.

Another politically-tinged tune that has had a major impact is “Sing It Louder,” from Gunning’s previous album, 2015’s acclaimed Lift. It was the most played song on folk radio in the US for the month of May 2016, and Dave says “I think that it may have resonated with people because it was released during the US election and it’s a call to action song.”

Last year, Dave Gunning and J.P. Cormier released a duo album, Two, one recently nominated for a 2019 East Coast Music Award. “It was just two guitars and two voices. We have played together on and off for 20 years so it is comfortable for us,” explains Dave.

Along with richly-deserved peer respect, Dave Gunning has earned a shelf full of music industry honours. That tally currently stands at eight East Coast Music Awards and two Canadian Folk Music Awards, plus a 2012 Juno Award nomination in the Roots & Traditional Solo Album of the Year category for his album … a tribute to John Allan Cameron, a compelling homage to another of Dave’s Maritime musical heroes.

His songwriting skill has also been internationally recognized, with tunes scoring victories and high placings in major international songwriting competitions. As a fervent hockey fan, Dave was also thrilled to win the CBC’s hotly-contested Hockey Night In Canada Song Quest in 2014 with “A Game Goin’ On”, a co-write with David Francey. Gunning has also remained in demand as a producer working with many artists.

For now, though, his concentrated focus is on Up Against The Sky. The record, and all that’s yet to come from this compelling artist, can be looked forward to with great anticipation.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF DAVE GUNNING

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO DAVE GUNNING ON SPOTIFY

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DAVE GUNNING

Time

(Friday) 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm EST

Location

Philadelphia Folksong Society

6156 Ridge Avenue , Philadelphia, PA 19128

Organizer

Philadelphia Folksong Society

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Philadelphia Folksong Society | 6156 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19128   (215) 247-1300    © 2017 All Rights Reserved          
  • Our
    Organization
    • PFS History, Mission & Vision
    • PFS Team
    • Our Organization
    • PFS Online Store
    • PFS Coloring Pages
    • Financial Statements
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Contact PFS
  • PFS Digital
    Concert Venue
  • Philadelphia
    Folk School
    • Early Childhood Music Education
    • Youth Instrument Classes
    • Adult Instrument Classes
    • Voice Classes
    • Folk Dance
    • Professional Development Workshops
  • Concerts &
    Events
    • About our Home
    • Venue Rentals
    • Monthly Member Concerts
    • House Concerts
    • Open Mic at PFS
  • Odyssey of
    American Music
    • Odyssey Program Request
  • Philadelphia
    Music Co-op
    • Co-op Artists
    • Book Co-op Artists
    • Co-op Guidelines
    • Learn More / Apply
  • Philadelphia
    Folk Festival
    • PFF59 Tickets
    • 59th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival Lineup
    • “Camping” at PFF59
    • Fest Is Where The Heart Is: An Oral History of PFF
    • PFF59 T-Shirt Design Contest
    • 2020 Fest in Place: Best Campsite Contest!
    • 2020 PFF Sponsor & Advertising Opportunities
    • Philadelphia Folk Festival Book
    • PFF59 Scholarship Application
    • Contact Philadelphia Folk Festival
  • Music
    Getaways
    • Spring Thing
    • Fall Fling
  • Join
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