Good Lovelies

Good Lovelies - From Riches to Rags to Life on the Road Funny and upbeat, with just a pinch of sass, the Good Lovelies‘ textbook three-part harmonies, constant instrument swapping and witty stage banter have enlivened the folk music landscape since they joined forces in 2006 for their first show at Toronto’s funky Gladstone Hotel. The Good Lovelies (Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore) were friends first when they decided to take the leap from their day jobs and head out on the road making music across Canada. Their tireless rain or shine outlook and undeniable mutual respect have helped the trio weather years of constant touring. With jaunts to Australia, the UK and the US, the Good Lovelies’ road-tested tenacity will bring them further afield than ever before. Lighthearted songwriting and irresistibly buoyant dispositions have made them the darlings of the summer festival circuit, including spots at the storied Mariposa and Hillside Festivals and the Montreal Jazz Festival. They have toured with Stuart McLean and the Vinyl Cafe and appeared on stages and in studios with Broken Social Scene, Kathleen Edwards and Jill Barber. In addition to their acclaimed holiday album, Under the Mistletoe (2009), which showcases old and new seasonal tunes (including three original songs), the Good Lovelies’ self-titled full-length album (also released in 2009) proved their blithe brand of folk music has year-round appeal. With this record, the Good Lovelies won New Emerging Artist at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. In 2010, this same album received a Juno for Roots/Traditional Album of the Year. Let the Rain Fall, their third full-length album, was nominated for the 2012 Juno for Roots/Traditional Album of the Year. With equal parts city and country, highway and home, wistfulness and sass, the Good Lovelies’ good humour and self-assurance shines through from the toe-tapping start of “Made for Rain” to the sweet final notes in the French-flecked “Mrs. T.” In between, you’ll hear reflections on urban imperfections with “Backyard”, straight-up love songs like “Best I Know” and upbeat numbers like “Kiss Me in the Kitchen.” Their newest release, Live at Revolution — and winner of two 2013 Canadian Folk Music Awards for Best Vocal Group & Best Ensemble — highlights the energy and variety of their live show. The album includes a few choice cover songs, including the 1930s tune “The Heebie Jeebies,” Bruce Springsteen’s “State Trooper” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” as well as well chosen collection of their original songs, including two previously unreleased tunes. Their albums, like the Good Lovelies, have a universal appeal, sure to please not just their fellow Canadians, but like-minded folks south of the border and across the ocean. Watch for their upcoming tours of Australia (March 2014), Western Canada (April 2014), and summer festivals across Canada and the US.