Boreal, a Canadian folk trio featuring Tannis Slimmon, Katherine Wheatley, and Angie Nussey, is coming to Highland Hills United Church in Minden Nov. 29.
It’s not the first time the band, or its members independently, have been to the County. Boreal last played in the big white tent at Abbey Gardens. In fact, Abbey Gardens is hosting Friday night’s concert.
With a late November concert, Nussey is asked if they will be doing Christmas songs. “We have to infuse some of the shows with a few Christmas songs but they’re really fun ones,” she replies.
They recently released their new single and video, Shepherd of the Road. The song, which tells the story of a truck driver who helped lead Nussey home during a ‘white knuckle’ drive through a snowstorm, marks the trio’s first single since 2022. Inspired by the real-life experience, it’s a heartfelt tribute to the kindness of strangers and has quickly become a fan favourite.
Shepherd of the Road is the first track on the album Winterbirds, a follow-up to the trio’s 2014 debut album Winter’s Welcome. The latest album is produced by Slimmon, Wheatley and Nussey and features musicians Lewis Melville, Sam Cino, Brian Kobayakawa and Tyler Wagler.
The band says it has been over a year in the making. Speaking to the single, Nussey said she is surprised at the response. “We’d had that in our back pocket for five years and one thing led to another and we didn’t release it. But we knew people liked it at the shows. A lot of people know a truck driver, or are related to a truck driver, and they know kindness. When you put those two topics together, all of a sudden, there’s a lot of people that resonate with that song. It’s nice.”
As for the album, Nussey said, “while a chilly theme is still predominant on many of the songs, it’s a collection that’s intended to bring joy year-round. The music presents a balance of soulful intensity and beautiful storytelling.”
Nussey said the band loves playing in churches, since most were built with sound in mind with their tall ceilings.
Asked what Boreal will bring to town, Nussey added, “we’re three distinctly different songwriters. It’s almost like a variety show except we’ve each taken on each others’ songs and done back-ups. Some songs you wouldn’t know who wrote what, so I think part of it would be the teamwork.
The other piece is you don’t just sit there and get the same kind of music all though the night. You basically go on a complete ride, complete journey of different things infused with each other… I’m really proud of this band. It’s really interesting.”
The church is at 21 Newcastle St., Minden. Doors open at 7 p.m. Concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $30 available online at abbeygardens.ca or in person at the Food Hub.
