Its hard to imagine a Canadian folk musician and a British pop artist would have much in common musically.
Yet, ever since folk singer Stephen Fearing and British-born Andy White, who have 21 solo albums and numerous songwriting awards between them, met at the Winnipeg Folk Festival in 1998 they’ve been almost inseparable – except for the fact they live on opposite ends of the Earth.
“We both grew up in Ireland – he’s originally from Belfast and I was in Dublin,” said Fearing. “Andy and I just connected. He stayed with me for 10 years a couple weeks here and there and inevitably we started writing.”
Juno Award-winning solo performer Fearing is known for his work with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings and White, who received several prestigious songwriting awards in Ireland, collaborated with Sinead O’Connor and Peter Gabriel.
Fearing & White will be a strong force on the Flare ‘n’ Derrick stage at their concert for the Beneath the Arch Concert Series in Turner Valley Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m.
“The show has been on the books for almost two years,” said Fearing, adding they will also perform in Red Deer, Canmore and Festival Hall in Calgary. “We haven’t seen each other for months and we are going to have a day to rehearse.”
Fearing isn’t concerned because the two have performed together extensively in the past with Fearing on acoustic and electric guitar and White with his trademark half-sized 12-string guitar and pedal bass.
They will be joined by Calgary drummer Kent MacRae.
“There is a lot of banter,” said Fearing of their performances. “There’s just a bunch of back and forth. You’ve got two front people who are both used to running the whole show. We don’t step on each other’s toes, but we do have quite a bit of fun. There is always a point in each show where one or both of us is right on the edge of what we can do.”
Fearing’s influences are North American roots, country and Americana while White has a stronger connection to British pop.
“He can bring a bit more of a pop aspect and at the same time that kind of Irish Celtic mystic kind of thing,” Fearing said. “It’s something I recognize and love, but it’s not innate in me.”
Fearing said one musical connection they have is a love for The Beatles.
“With both of us being solo artists for so long being able to collaborate with someone who has a similar love for that kind of music when were writing songs it means we can build in harmonies,” he said. “Because we are both front people we have to find ways to create songs where we can both be involved.”
Together they released albums Fearing & White in 2011 and Tea and Confidences in 2014.
Fearing said they also enjoy Alberta, which he said has a strong heritage for roots music.
“I’m originally from B.C. so when you’re living in Vancouver if you are going to start getting out of the local scene you can’t go south because there is a border, so you go east and inevitably you go to the next big city so that was Calgary,” he said. “The Nickelodeon Folk Club in Calgary brought me in to play a couple of shows and help me out.”
Fearing had moved to Halifax, but returned west last summer and is now living in Victoria.
“Last winter sealed the deal,” he said. “It was one of the worst I’ve ever seen. We wanted to sell our house we couldn’t even see it. I got rid of the snow on the grass so the flowers would have a chance.”
Tickets to see Fearing & White perform cost $25 for adults, $10 for children and youngsters six years and under are free. They can be purchased at Coyote Moon Cantina & Espresso Bar in Turner Valley, Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond, the Millarville General Store and Okotoks Country Florist or call 403-933-7040.
For information go to beneaththarch.ca. To learn more about Fearing & White go to www.fearingandwhite.com
Beneath the Arch
Fearing & White
Where: Flare 'n' Derrick Community Hall, Turner Valley
When: Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $25 for adults, $10 for children. Six and under are free
