The April Verch Band will make their Sundilla debut on Thursday, September 5, and it is sure to be one of those foot-stompin’ good times that end with people saying “So when are you having her back to Sundilla?” Showtime at the AUUF will be 7:30; $15 advance tickets are available at Spicer’s Music, Ross House Coffee, and online at www.sundillamusic.com, and admission at the door will be $20. We’ll have free coffee, tea, water and food, and as always the audience is invited to bring their own favorite food or beverage.
Verch began her full time touring career in 2000 and has performed around the world, including festival, theatre and performing arts center appearances in Canada, USA, China, Australia, United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, Spain, Czech Republic and the United Arab Emirates. The Ottawa Valley native has garnered praise from music’s heavy hitters including NPR, Rolling Stone, No Depression and more, for her fresh and feisty approach to deep North Americana.
Verch’s signature sound blends together regional Canadian, American old-time, bluegrass, country and Americana, resulting in a well-rounded tour-de-force of traditional sounds. On stage is where her diverse repertoire comes to life, with a presence that is versatile, robust, and masterfully executed. Her delicate voice, energetic footwork and stunning playing have brought her to stages across the globe, wowing audiences with her jaw-dropping performance. Verch’s ability to preserve the authentic folk traditions of the past and reintroduce them into the musical landscape of the present is a testament to her masterful musicianship and widespread appeal.
Verch won’t be the one to tell you about her championship titles, nominations, and awards, or the fact that she was one of 6 fiddlers who represented the Canadian fiddle tradition to the world at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, as part of a segment called “Fiddle Nation”. Instead, in speaking with her, you’ll hear about how passionate she is about sharing her music; in small gatherings in remote communities in Iqaluit, to large prestigious concert halls like Mozartsal in Vienna.
Even as she plays with the tradition she inherited, Verch keeps the community-fired celebratory side of her music at the forefront, honing a keen awareness of how to engage contemporary listeners. It’s why Rolling Stone cited her “One of the 12 best things we saw at MerleFest in 2016.”
You’ll call her “one of the best performers I have ever seen, anywhere,” which is just one reason that you don’t want to miss her first visit to Sundilla. So mark it on your calendar, in pen: Thursday, September 5, 7:30 at the AUUF.
“There is no doubting the quality of April Verch’s fiddle playing and her voice is exquisite.”
“To witness a performance by April Verch is to participate in a multi-sensory experience. Some of the many hats she wears include fiddler, singer and stepdancer, all of which she combines into a single performance.”
“April Verch stands out as a violin virtuoso playing ‘old style’ fiddle, as a stepdancer, and a vocalist with a character that combines early jazz with old time. ”