Labrador is Black Fly Heaven for 'folk-prog' musician Andrew Gagne
Have a First Listen to Harm/Resolve by Andrew Gagne
Andrew Gagne may be a Dartmouth, N.S.-based musician, but he says he is a Labrador artist, through and through.
Gagne's new EP, Harm/Resolve, includes a song called Black Fly Heaven, saluting one of the less appealing aspects of summer in the Big Land.
"I really wanted to talk about my longing to go back [to Labrador], and my appreciation for where I'm from," said Gagne.
Gagne grew up in a musical family in the mining town of Labrador City. His mother and aunts, he says, are beautiful singers, and he learned to play guitar to accompany them.
Even though life in Labrador City revolved around the iron ore industry, he said, most people he knew there had a deep appreciation for the arts.
"I think everyone's very accepting of new music, I was always welcomed to do so," Gagne said in an interview with CBC Radio's Weekend AM.
"I think people look for that creativity."
'Folk-prog'
Gagne describes his style as "folk-prog," using mostly acoustic instruments with some electronic and louder elements thrown in.
"And a little bit of weirdness," he added.
The tracks on Harm/Resolve range from the cheeky Black Fly Heaven to more reflective songs such as Folklore, which addresses some negative family situations.
Gagne is comfortable addressing both the dark and the light through his music.
"I feel that my best chance of expressing myself is through my music," said Gagne.
"I think it's a good opportunity to do some healing."
LISTEN | Heather Barrett explores Andrew Gagne's inspirations and new music in this segment of First Listen:
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