If you are a Canadian music fan, you can’t help but ask the question.
The answer is no; Terra Lightfoot is not related to Gordon. However, she did collaborate with him on tour years ago.
She has also toured with The Posies, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Bruce Cockburn, and Blue Rodeo, and has even supported Willie Nelson.
Lightfoot is a folk and roots rock singer-songwriter from Hamilton, Ont. with four albums under her belt.
She has toured across Canada, and internationally, and is no stranger to the Algoma region.
“I have played the Sault in the past,” she says.
“I also went swimming at Bill Priddle’s [of the Sault’s Treble Charger, Priddle Concern] cottage on a beautiful lake.”
Lightfoot has professed a love of the great outdoors in many interviews over the years.
On Saturday, Lightfoot will get to enjoy the beauty of St. Joseph Island at the Go North music festival which is being held on the Centennial Grounds in Richards Landing.
Go North is bringing together an amazing roster of Canadian talent in a 'lush green space, nestled in the centre of old-growth maple trees.'
“I absolutely love connecting with nature and I think it goes hand-in-hand with enjoying music and community,” says Lightfoot.
“It sounds like this will be a great community event and we’ll also hear some rock ‘n’ roll from The Trews and Daniel Romano. I’m excited for it all.”
Lightfoot’s latest album is entitled Healing Power.
“It contains songs about the beauty of friendship, love, and travelling far from home,” she says, also describing it as her “poppiest” album.
“I wrote it about learning how to make yourself feel better during times of trouble. The inspiration for it started during a time when I was finding it difficult to feel happy about all the good things in my life.”
For the album, Lightfoot worked with producer Gus Van Go, who has worked on albums by the Arkells, Metric, Wintersleep, Sam Roberts Band and many more.
“I’ve worked with him on two of my albums,” she says.
“It was definitely really comfortable to get into studio with him again. We worked quickly and easily together.”
The musicians on the album, who are also part of Lightfoot’s touring band, include Glenn Milchem (Blue Rodeo), Rob Radford, Elijah Abrams, and Miles Evans-Branagh.
The album title, Healing Power, connects to a discovery made early on in Lightfoot’s life.
“I noticed even when I was a kid, if I was feeling sick or staying home from school, but I went to sit down at the piano, after playing for 10-15 minutes, I would feel a lot better,” she says.
“Sometimes the problems we experience seem insurmountable. I think music can be a big help, whether we listen to recordings on our own, or whether we see live music at a club, or even outside at a festival. Some of my favourite experiences have taken places at music festivals.”
After her Canadian shows end, Lightfoot is headed to the U.K. and Spain.
“Then in the fall, I’m starting to record my next album.”
Go North Music Festival and Richard’s Landing Community Night Schedule:
Thursday, July 25
The Go North Music Festival weekend begins with a special early event at the Old Town Hall in Richard’s Landing featuring Canadian folk favourite David Francey. This special show has already sold out.
Friday, July 26
This part of the weekend is free and no ticket required. The Richards Landing Community Night is held at the Centennial Grounds with the parade starting on Highway 548 at 7 p.m., followed by fresh baked pie, food vendors, kids’ games and games of chance, all in support of the Matthews Memorial Hospital NSHN Auxiliary to help provide equipment for the hospital.
After games end (8:30 p.m.) the fun moves down to the waterfront Marina for the Boat Parade of Lights, and a free live concert by L!ME.
Saturday, July 27
Get your tickets here for the Go North Music Festival.
Gates open at 3 p.m.
Performers are as follows:
- CASS FM
- Hollow Heads
- Handsome Sandwich
- Terra Lightfoot
- Daniel Romano’s Outfit
- Bleeker
- The Trews
Find out more about Go North here.
Find more about Terra Lightfoot here.