Madison Violet announce tour in support of news album
aaamusic | On 14, Jan 2012
Madison Violet
The Good In Goodbye
LABEL TRUE NORTH RECORDS
CAT. NO. TND546
RELEASE DATE OUT NOW
UK Tour ∙ January-February 2012
Including Celtic Connections
Finding the good in goodbye is always bittersweet. JUNO nominated roots duo Madison Violet (Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac) can attest to that with their latest release, The Good in Goodbye, out on January 9 (True North Records). An album born from their growth, both together and apart, The Good in Goodbye is an open diary of their personal and professional experiences together as friends and musicians, two very unique relationships that affect each other in profound ways.
Since releasing their last album, No Fool for Trying (2009), Madison Violet have won the 2009 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their track ‘The Ransom’, taken home the 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, and been nominated for multiple East Coast Music Awards and a 2010 JUNO Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year (Group).
As a follow-up to their breakthrough successes in 2010, The Good in Goodbye captures the duo’s growth and musical maturity. Their distinct take on iconic Americana-inspired up-tempo melodies beautifully contrasts with their breathtakingly sweeping and personal lyrics, creating songs that blend nods to Lucinda Williams and Gillian Welch with radio-friendly flecks of The Court Yard Hounds.
To capture the intimacy of The Good in Goodbye, Madison Violet returned to the studio with trusted friend and producer Les Cooper (Jill Barber) while bringing a collective of remarkable musicians into the fold, including Joel Stouffer (Dragonette) on drums, Adrian Lawryshyn (Andy Stochansky) on bass, and vocals from Ruth Moody (The Wailin’ Jennys) and singer/songwriter Blair Packham.
Though Madison Violet seemingly made their mark in the last year or so, success was hard earned, spending up to eight months a year on the road, winning fans and champions the old-fashioned way, one song at a time, one gig at a time.
Their first disc, Worry the Jury (2004), was an introduction to the lush arrangements and radio-friendly harmonies that would become a Madison Violet hallmark, with their sophomore album Caravan (2006) further exploring and incorporating country-infused, toe-tapping melodies.
Their breakthrough album, No Fool for Trying (2009) enlisted, for the first time, the help of producer Les Cooper. The record showcased Madison Violet’s heartfelt (and often heartbreaking) lyrics in brilliant contrast to their uplifting arrangements, pushing their graceful harmonies to the surface.
Receiving a mass of acclaim from outlets including the BBC, the CBC, Country Music People, Maverick Magazine, NPR, and Penguin Eggs Magazine, No Fool for Trying made dedicated fans of even the most hard-to-crack critics. Ultimately, Madison Violet captured the attention of Mojo Magazine, landing “Small Of My Heart” on the publication’s distinguished playlist, “Mojo’s Top 10”, in December 2009. Madison Violet also have the unique distinction of being the only Canadians to win The John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
The duo has sold-out venues across North America and Europe, had the prestigious distinction of touring with Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe, and has shared stages with contemporaries such as Chantal Kreviazuk, Ron Sexsmith and The Indigo Girls. With their newest effort, Madison Violet prove they’re among Canada’s brightest singer/songwriters.
Madison Violet ∙ UK Tour ∙ January-February 2012
January
Tuesday 24 Milton Keynes The Stables (Hall 1)
01908 280800 / www.stables.org £12.50, 7.30pm
Wednesday 25 London The Borderline
020 7688 9000 / 020 7734 5547 / www.meanfiddler.com £10, 7pm
Thursday 26 Sevenoaks Brandywine Music @ Stag Community Arts Centre
01732 450175 / www.stagsevenoaks.co.uk £12.50, 7.30pm
Friday 27 Norwich Olive’s
01603 230500 / www.olivesnorwich.co.uk £10, 7.30pm
Saturday 28 Newcastle The Cluny 2
0191 230 4474 / www.jumpinhot.com £12, 7.30pm
Sunday 29 Ripon Great Northern Wine @ The Warehouse
01765 606767 / www.greatnorthernwine.co.uk £10, 7pm
Tuesday 31 Glasgow O2 ABC 2 as part of Celtic Connections
0141 353 8000 / www.celticconnections.com £11, 7.30pm
February
Wednesday 1 Biddulph The Biddulph Arms
Staffordshire 01782 514896 / www.biddulphupinarms.com £12, 7.30pm
Friday 3 Whimple The Victory Hall
Devon 07548 278276 / www.onawhimpromotions.co.uk £6.50, TBCpm
Saturday 4 Ross-On-Wye St Mary’s Church
Herefordshire 01989 562175 £10, 7.30pm
Sunday 5 Sheffield The Greystones
0114 266 5599 / www.boohoomusic.co.uk £11, 8pm
Monday 6 Brighton The Greys
01273 680734 / www.greyspub.com £11, 8pm
Tuesday 7 Bristol St. Bonaventure’s Club
0870 4444 400 / www.crhmusic.com £11, 7.30pm
Praise for No Fool For Trying
A wonderful album. Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
The profundity and poetry of the songs are worn lightly and swathed in glorious harmonies and delectable melodies. There is not a weak track to be found on this magnificent and consistent album. Country Music People
…exquisite Canadiana of country, Celtic folk and fiddle-fuelled tumbleweed pop. The Independent
There is something magical about duets, the way the voices interlace to create a sound that is neither one singer nor the other but something else altogether. Canadian duo Madison Violet make it sound the easiest thing in the world, their voices blending as each backs up the other on these 11 self-penned, tear-stained tales of loneliness and life’s sorry harvest. The Irish Times
The double bass, lap steel, banjo and fiddle all dovetail into something sophisticated and mellow, and the two voices lock in with an almost Everly Brothers-style synergy. Manchester Evening News
An album of satisfying melodies leaving you moved by the music. Maverick
…a gorgeous-sounding roots-pop collection R2 (Rock ‘N’ Reel)
