Toronto based songwriter Eamon McGrath will be travelling to Sackville, NB this August as Sappyfest’s 2017 Songwriter-in-Residence. Eamon’s work is based in a deep commitment to independent, grassroots arts and cultural production. He has released five full-length albums and published his first novel Berlin-Warszawa Express with ECW Press in May 2017. He is a member of Julie And The Wrong Guys, with Sappyfest co-founder Julie Doiron and Mike Peters and Jaye R. Schwarzer of The Cancer Bats. Eamon performed at Sappyfest in 2012 backed by members of Eric’s Trip, and as part of The Greville Music Tapes Revue in 2016.
“I'm thrilled at the opportunity to spend the month of August writing on the east coast as the Sappyfest artist in residence. This festival represents everything that's honest, grassroots and true-to-the-core of the Canadian music community, and is comprised of dedicated, hard-working and passionate people who exemplify the traits and characteristics of "Canadian" art: a spirit and attitude that transcends distance, and a unifying, diverse and eclectic outlook on musical styles and artistic approaches. Whether or not you play hardcore punk or folk music, if you've braved a winter snowstorm on the Trans-Canada to get to a gig, you come from the same place and can understand each other's experiences and stories, and Sappy really embodies that kind of genre-defying identity and outlook.
As a Torontonian I'm also ecstatic at the chance to leave the high pace and full-throttle speed of the city for the warm and welcoming summertime east coast air. With the pressures of having to support yourself in the competitive and expensive environment of TO, it's easy to get swept up in the more administrative aspects of the music industry and neglect the real reason why musicians do this in the first place. At Sappy this year I'll be focusing on completing a follow-up to 2014's "Exile" LP, as well as ironing out the first working draft of my second book.”
Eamon McGrath's participation in Sappyfest 12 is made possible by funding support from the Artist In Residence Program of ArtsNB.