Darcy Windover is going a long way out of his way, with his guitar in hand, to perform in the Prince George region.
The Toronto alternative country performer is normally linked into popular band The Ole Fashion along with pedal steel / banjo player Kevin Neal, Robin Pirson, Kurt Nielsen, Melanie Brulee and Sarah Burton. He and Neal hit the road this summer for some solo shows in Alberta, the Kootenays, the Prairies and Alberta. The pair also put a pin in this region for a festival destination.
"We are on our way to the Music On the Mountain fesitival in Fort St. James," he said. "Since we're in the area, and we love Prince George, we managed to arrange a show there, too. I played at Nancy O's last year when Sarah Burton was out here doing her solo work and I got to come along for the ride, so I was happy to get back there. It's a good room."
Last year was the first time the troubadour had ever toured outside of Ontario. Now he is picking off towns large and small this summer on the western side of the country.
"You get to connect with people on a personal level, and it's just a great way to see the country," he said.
Last year with Burton was also his first time at the Music On the Mountain Festival.
"The short nickname for the festival is MOM and it does have a sort of family vibe to it, which is why a lot of acts are attracted to it. I got to know the organizers a it last year, they are amazing people doing an amazing event so I really wanted to come back again."
Windover has been working with music producer Aaron Comeau on his latest solo album. The working title is called This Ain't the Opera which has a close ring to a certain CBC Radio program. Windover said there may actually be a literal connection to the show hosted by Sook Yin Lee called Definitely Not the Opera since he's a devoted CBC Radio 1 and 2 listener, especially when he's driving long distances.
"I think I was listening to her show as I was going to a funeral, and as I was driving, the song kind of came to me, and so it was kind of a spinoff of that," he said "Opera is dramatic and the theme of the song was no, lets talk about this rationally, lets not dramatize this"
Drama or no drama, Windover and Neal will hit the strings and lean into the microphones on Tuesday night at the Olive Bistro in Jasper, here in Prince George at Nancy O's on Thursday, then at MOM in Fort Saint James on Aug. 22 to 24.
