Trevor Tchir

Canadian singer-songwriter Trevor Tchir finally returns with the release of his fifth album of original songs, Sun & Moon.  This is Tchir’s first album in twelve years, and its songs speak to the midlife experiences of raising kids, losing loved ones, following dreams in a precarious economy, and acting as a citizen at time when democracy faces stark challenges.  If things get heavy, there’s a song about forgetting it all and enjoying a ball game, or dancing ‘til the band goes home. The sound is steeped in the Americana folk roots tradition, while Tchir’s imagery and stories are grounded north of the border.

This spring, Tchir, also a professor, received the distinguished faculty award for his efforts in indigenizing and de-colonizing the politics program at Algoma University, with its special mission of encouraging cross-cultural learning between Indigenous and other communities. This work, like his music, strives to build community by sharing our different perspectives and stories about the world we all call home.

Sun & Moon was recorded largely by Michael John DiSanto at the confluence of the Great Lakes, in beautiful Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Tchir’s home for the last seven years.  Additional tracks were recorded during pandemic lockdown in locations across Canada, and even as far as Zurich, Switzerland. 

The album features a talented supporting cast of musicians who have earned regional, national, and international recognition in their own or other projects. There are new collaborators from the Sault, including Frank Deresti [Lake Effect] on bass; Sheldon Jaaskelainen on violin;  Mark Gough on drums; Michael Kienhofer on dobro; and Keiko Larocque & Nancy Sylvestre singing harmonies.  Tchir also reunites with longtime bandmates from his prairie hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, including his brother, Stephen Tchir [Provincial Archive, Colleen Brown] on guitar, mandolin, and backup vocals, as well as Bramwell Park [Scott Cook] on banjo.  Finally, the album features favourites from the Ottawa scene, where Tchir’s musical journey took off, including Pierre Chrétien [Souljazz Orchestra] on organ, Al Bragg on pedal steel, and Lindsay Ferguson, featured singing on a country duet.  

Sun & Moon drops officially August 6, when it will be available on major online platforms including Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, and Bandcamp. 

In the meantime, Sun & Moon is now available exclusively at trevortchirmusic.com!

All songs written by Trevor Tchir 2021 (SOCAN/ASCAP) 

Notes to radio programmers:

There are no explicit lyrics on any tracks.

Top Recommended Tracks:

4. Gwendolyn (upbeat acoustic pop/rock)

2. Iron Mountain (contemporary folk)

1. Batchawana Bay (contemporary folk)

3. Lemon Dream (contemporary folk)

Traditional Country recommendations:

9. Poet and the Poor Boy (upbeat old country)

6. Mr. Speaker (upbeat country/folk rock)

Blues recommendation:

5. Starting Clean (acoustic blues)