Based in Victoria, BC, JUNO Award-winning roots troubadour Stephen Fearing releases his new album The Empathist on March 14th along with the focus track of the same name; and on March 16th he will be performing at Creekside Theatre in Lake Country for his Okanagan fans.
Finishing an East Coast tour, Fearing will be joined by Danish backing band and folk music pioneers The Sentimentals for a number of dates in Western Canada to promote the album. The Creekside Theatre in Lake Country affords Fearing an opportunity to perform for an intimate audience on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Fearing is revered for his vivid, lyrical songwriting, masterful guitar work, and a voice described as melodic and cobalt. Over a career spanning decades, he has released 16 critically acclaimed solo albums, earned two JUNO Awards, and collaborated with legends of modern roots music. As co-founder of the Canadian roots-rock giants Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Fearing has released 11 albums and built a legacy of genre-busting music that captures the human condition in all its messy splendour. “I am a storyteller much more than a singer/songwriter,” Fearing reflects, “because I realized *my* story was less interesting than The Story.”
His latest project, The Empathist, set for release this Friday, has been co-produced by GRAMMY-nominated drummer Ken Coomer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo) at his East Nashville studio Cartoon Moon Recording, the album features nine original songs and a cover of Daniel Lanois’ “Where Will I Be.” With contributions from John Dymond on bass and Nashville legend Jim Hoke on a range of instruments, The Empathist embodies Fearing’s passion for crafting songs that are authentic, exhilarating, and entertaining. Each track draws from the truths he observes in the world, solidifying Fearing’s reputation as a masterful and relatable storyteller.
"Fearing’s music crackles with ideas and collaborative energy…masterful guitar work from acoustic rock rhythm to elegant finger style." ~ Acoustic Guitar Magazine
“Being called a storyteller is one of the best compliments I've ever received,” he says. “I love telling stories, but it wasn’t until I realized that my story is just a small part of ‘The Story’ that I found my true voice as a songwriter. Writing songs means opening to the emotions and experiences of others, as well as my own. That’s what inspired the album title – these songs are my stories, written through the lens of all the truths I’ve seen and felt around me.”
Inspired by a conversation with Cree singer-songwriter and far North resident Adrian Sutherland, “Far From The Middle” is a hard-charging blues-rocker with a wicked groove, and elements that recall the twang of the James Bond theme, and the swaggering horn lines of the Peter Gunn main title. The song finds Fearing in a rage against the machine that holds Indigenous people down; he's aided and abetted by Hoke’s thick, rich sax, and the hardcore Texas-blues swagger of Sue Foley's stinging telecaster.
“Bring This Song” is an anthemic, majestic tribute to the healing power of music, and its ability to serve as a spark of inspiration.
“The Empathist” is a subtle, finger-picked folk song about a close, longtime personal friendship – though one that never quite crosses over into romance. Layered with nuanced shades of meaning, it plumbs memories of life from an elder's perspective, and deftly captures how vain musicians can be, and how put-upon women are.
Throughout this journey, Fearing has remained true to his roots, constantly pushing the boundaries of his artistry while staying grounded in the storytelling traditions that have defined his music. As he continues to evolve as an artist and storyteller, Stephen Fearing reaffirms his status as one of Canada’s most acclaimed guitarists and musical visionaries, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of contemporary folk music.
Get tickets to the March 16 performance at www.creeksidetheatre.com
For more information please visit Fearing’s website.
