After the impressive success of the first performance of the Stars for Saskatchewan concert series featuring Lisa Brokop, the Canora Arts Council is eagerly preparing for the next installment.
Lion Bear Fox is a rock and folk band who will be featured in the second Stars for Saskatchewan concert. The band is touring with the Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) to locations such as Macklin, Kindersley, Leader, Shaunavon, Watrous, La Ronge, Humbolt and Yorkton, and on November 15, the tour will perform at Canora Composite School.
Created in Vancouver, Lion Bear Fox is described as “three huge voices joined as one, telling the truth through compelling story, honest narrative and unbridled passion,” according to a biography on their website. The band has been praised by several publications, being called “a musical force of nature” by Nanaimo Daily News, an “emotional awakening” by Songs in the Valley and a group that will “be around for a lifetime,” according to Terry David Mulligan.
The members of Lion Bear Fox originally took part in music through solo careers, but in May of 2012, Christopher Arruda, Ryan McMahon and Cory Woodward set out on tour together to promote their own acts, only to discover that “they were meant to join their voices as one,” said information from the Canora Arts Council.
The members decided to join forces as Lion Bear Fox in 2012, with Arruda representing the lion, Woodward representing the bear and McMahon representing the fox. Lion Bear Fox was immediately selected as one of the top 20 unsigned bands of British Columbia. Following this success, the band released its first extended play (EP) album, We’d Be Good Men. The band proceeded to “take Western Canada by storm” and toured 15 times over the next two years in cities including Toronto for Canadian Music Week, Charlottetown for Contact East, Regina for the OSAC Mission Folk Festival and Vancouver in The Commodore Ballroom.
“They have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with artists like Tom Wilson, Good For Grapes, Elliot Brood and Kim Mitchell,” the bibliography stated.
In 2014, the band was announced as a Peak Performance Project finalist. Today, after hundreds of concerts, Lion Bear Fox has cemented itself as “the new Canadian band to watch” as the three “demonstrate an uncompromising devotion to their craft.”
The trio recently spent 10 days in the wilderness of Vancouver Island to create a self-titled album, Lion Bear Fox, with their friend and producer Nygel Asselin. The album has been described by information on the band’s website as “one part folk, one part rock, a pinch of gospel and a dash of growl,” and features acoustic and electric guitar, organs, percussion, and harmonies by the band.
“All three artists are known for the passion they bring to their performances and the honest songs they write,” said the Ladysmith Chronicle, “and they have succeeded in creating gripping, dynamic songs while capturing a sincerity rarely heard this side of the 2000s.”
On November 15, the band will be bringing “stompy blue, rock grooves and howling, unbridled passion” to audience members at the Canora Composite School auditorium. Those interested in finding more information or purchasing tickets may contact the Canora Arts Council.
