Music

First Play Live: William Prince, Reliever

Watch the Winnipeg-based singer-songwriter perform songs from his sophomore album.

Watch the Winnipeg-based singer-songwriter perform songs from his sophomore album

William Prince performs songs from Reliever in Studio 211. (CBC Music)

William Prince followed up his Juno-winning debut album, 2015's Earthly Days, with Reliever on Feb. 7, and as Prince describes it, the new record is "almost an antibiotic."

The songs on Reliever took shape at a time when Prince was grappling with three big life events: his father's passing, the birth of his son and subsequent separation from his son's mother — all at a time when Prince's music started gaining worldwide attention.

"I say that humbly: that maybe someone could enjoy [this record] and see this as a bit of a testament to resilience … let's sing a song for survivorship, you know, and surviving a difficult time in your life," Prince said, while in Toronto to record his First Play Live session for Reliever.

Originally hailing from the Peguis First Nation (two hours north of Winnipeg), Prince is genuinely proud and moved that his music continues to reach bigger and bigger audiences. "My dad would have died of happiness now … getting excited and celebrating the things we get to do and where we get to be," Prince added.

There's a reflective gratefulness to Prince. He has connected with slowing down, taking in the lesson at hand in the present moment, while looking forward to what's down the road (hopefully: his third album).

Watch below as Prince performs songs from Reliever in Studio 211.

If you want to listen to the audio in full, head to our CBC Listen page.

William Prince | Heaven and Hell | CBC Musc

5 years ago
Duration 5:10
William Prince performs "Heaven and Hell" from his latest album Reliever live for CBC Music.

William Prince | The Spark | CBC Music

5 years ago
Duration 4:19
William Prince performs "The Spark" from his latest album Reliever live for CBC Music.

William Prince | The Gun | CBC Music

5 years ago
Duration 5:12
William Prince performs "The Gun" from his latest album Reliever live for CBC Music.

William Prince | Reliever | CBC Music

5 years ago
Duration 5:44
William Prince performs "Reliever" from his latest album of the same name live for CBC Music.

William Prince | That's All I'll Ever Become | CBC Music

5 years ago
Duration 4:15
William Prince performs "That's All I'll Ever Become" from his latest album Reliever live for CBC Music.

William Prince | Wasted | CBC Music

5 years ago
Duration 2:56
William Prince performs "Wasted" from his latest album Reliever live for CBC Music.

William Prince | Leave it By the Sea | CBC Music

5 years ago
Duration 4:50
William Prince performs "Leave It by the Sea" from his latest album Reliever live for CBC Music.