Katherine Wheatley most recently performed in the Sault at a sold-out show at The Loft as part of the duo, Wendell and Wheat in November.
Wheatley will be returning to the city for a special performance on Friday, April 7 as a member of the acclaimed acoustic trio, Boreal to kick off their latest tour.
In addition to Wheatley, the trio is rounded out by Tannis Slimmon and Angie Nussey.
Together they have performed at some of the best festivals and venues across the country.
More than just the music, the members of Boreal have a special friendship.
“Tannis and Angie are spectacular human beings both on and off stage,” says Katherine Wheatley.
“I feel lucky to be sharing so much time with them. I love our rehearsals. I love travelling to shows with them.”
Wheatley likens getting ready for a show backstage with the other members of Boreal to being on a “high school sports team or glee club.”
“We laugh a lot and kind of get kind of goofy when we warm up our vocals for the show,” she says.
“It puts us at ease and makes us feel more present before going on stage. The whole musical experience is more fun, uplifting and in the moment because of working with these two amazing women.”
For Angie Nussey, that sense of joy and having fun in the moment is something the trio loves to share with others.
“It is absolutely important to us to share fun and laughter with our audience,’ she says.
“It’s also important that we connect on a heart level as we like to share the stories that go along with some of our songs… always hoping they resonate with others.”
Nussey knows that sometimes people in attendance come to the show as an escape and may be going through something personal and unique to them.
“If we can help create an environment which allows for laughter, tears and joy, it starts to feel like we’re uniting on a deeper level,” she says.
“I think that’s what every human wants in the end…to feel connected to each other.”
Although the three singer-songwriters each have their own longstanding solo careers, together they create something magical when they weave their harmonies together.
One of the secret weapons of the trio is the sheer wealth of material they can choose for the performance.
“There is so much great material to draw upon when putting together recordings or performances,” says Tannis Slimmon, noting that there are thirteen solo albums between the three members.
“But what we really love to do is create new ideas. Sometimes new ones are inspired by old ones, but we seem to have the most fun creating, changing, or refining things.”
Boreal will be performing Friday, April 7 at The Loft at 8 p.m.
The show is being presented by Black Fly Jam and The Algoma Conservatory of Music.
For tickets to the performance and more information, click here.
To find out more about Boreal, visit their website or Facebook page.