Spinning stories into songs is nothing new for a Winnipeg roots/folk trio that derives its lyrics from personal experience, both good and bad.
During its six years of entertaining, Red Moon Road has been sharing stories of success, strife and struggles. Take for example their third album Sorrows and Glories released in 2015 – with the aim of relating to audiences around the world.
The Winnipeg trio will connect with listeners in Alberta during a short tour that includes a stop at the On the Edge Concert Series in the Red Deer Lake United Church Jan. 22 at 3 p.m.
“Some of it is inspired by our own ancestors, some of it is things we’ve heard along the way,” said band leader Daniel Jordan of their music. “The feedback we get is it really connects people to the music more. All three of us have made a study of that in terms of connecting with real experiences, whether they are ours or someone else’s and sharing it with a song.”
Jordan’s parents immigrating to Canada from Germany in the 1950s inspired the song Leisl Friedl. Jordan learned his grandmother fled the soviet army.
“When she told the story it blew my mind,” he said. “With what’s going on in the world today those songs have become just as relevant or more relevant again. It has a personal connection with people with experiences like that.”
Jordan said Red Moon Road recently spent two months in Europe and the lyrics seemed to resonate with his European listeners.
“The further we go people really do have much more in common,” he said. “So many of the people have similar experiences.”
The song I’ll Bend but I Won’t Break was inspired by band member Sheena Rattai breaking her leg two years ago, where the songstress had to endure five operations.
“She was very affected by that experience,” said Jordan. “It’s a call to stay resolute and strong during hard challenges.”
Red Moon Road performs three-part harmonies complete with drums, acoustic guitar - also rigged to be a bass guitar - mandolin, lap steel, banjo and the organ.
Jordan said member Daniel Peloquin-Hopfner is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to playing instruments.
“Every time we do a new album Daniel learns a new instrument,” he said. “We have a couple songs where he switches between two instruments in one song.”
Every member of Red Moon Road contributes something, said Jordan, thanks to their past musical talent and influences.
“The three of us have progressed a lot as songwriters,” he said. “The harmony is a central part of the show. Sheena grew up singing in a church. She’s very good at it and worked us through our process.”
Jordan said Peloquin-Hopfner came from a five-generation farming family in Manitoba. When the grain was in the bin and everything put away, they often performed at dance halls around the province.
As for Jordan, he grew up listening to the Beatles and Motown music and took jazz in school.
Rattai, on the other hand, studied opera and spent her evenings at funk clubs.
“I don’t know how we ended up playing folk music,” laughed Jordan. “Daniel says it’s because we’ve tried everything else.”
Despite their varied musical experiences, Red Moon Road has found a cohesive balance.
“When it comes to arrangements it’s more my field,” Jordan said. “Daniel takes the lead on more instrumental. When it comes to vocals Sheena is the leader - she comes from a musical family. That’s been so second nature for her for so long.”
Red Moon Road has been gracing small audiences at house concerts and larger ones at folk festivals.
South of Calgary this weekend, the folk trio will offer a cross section of all three of its albums as well as some covers the audience will recognize.
“What we always try and do for each show is try to do something familiar in our own interpretation,” he said. “The last show we did in 2016 was all covers from doing so many festivals where they have themed workshops. We will probably do something recognizable from one of the fallen heroes of 2016 like Prince and David Bowie.”
The trio will also perform in Camrose, Grand Prairie and Edmonton during this month’s Alberta tour.
“We are really looking forward to being back to Alberta,” Jordan said. “We’ve been treated so well. Alberta is a particularly hospitable province and we are looking forward to being back.”
Tickets to see Red Moon Road perform cost $25 for adults and $10 for teens and can be purchased by calling 403-256-3181 ext. 5 or going to rdlunitedchurch.org.
Children ages 12 and under are free.
