Band works to shine a positive light on Attawapiskat

Adrian Sutherland is doing his best to create a positive news story for his northern Ontario community.

Sutherland, a 36-year-old Cree musician, is from Attawapiskat, a First Nation that has made its share of headlines for its housing, infrastructure and water problems. Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence also had a well-publicized hunger strike, which fuelled the Idle No More movement last winter.

As for Sutherland, he’s generating some positive reviews with his band Midnight Shine. He’s the songwriter and singer for the four-person band, which recently released its self-titled debut album.

“I don’t think I’m out to change anything that is happening here,” Sutherland said. “I just want to shed a positive light on my community. It will require a lot more than anything we’re doing to change things.”

Midnight Shine was actually formed out of necessity. Sutherland, who had been performing as a solo artist since his teen years, was offered the opportunity to open for legendary Canadian rockers Trooper during a concert in August 2011 in Timmins, Ont.
The one stipulation was that he couldn’t perform solo. He needed a band. He contacted drummer colleague George Gillies from the Fort Albany First Nation, who, in turn, got in touch with a pair of his musical friends, Stan Louttit (bass) and Zach Tomatuk (guitar), who are both from Moose Factory.

Midnight Shine was thus formed. Sutherland said the name was chosen, in part, as he was keen to put a shine on his community, which has plenty of dark stories to tell.

As it turned out, Midnight Shine received plenty of positive feedback from its inaugural concert.

“We had such a good time, we had to keep it going,” said Sutherland, who also plays guitar, and at times, harmonica for the band. “We jelled really quickly and we have good chemistry. We feed off each other and we complement each other.”

As of early September, Midnight Shine had played a total of about 20 concerts. And bookings for the band were continuing to come in throughout northern Ontario and even Quebec.

Band members have also been pleased with the success of their inaugural album. An initial run of 1,000 copies had sold out.

“We’re told that’s pretty good for an indie band,” Sutherland said.
All four members of Midnight Shine are Cree. As might be expected, a First Nations theme is prevalent in the band’s material.

For example, the first song on the album, titled James Bay, pays homage to the people of that region.

A second Midnight Shine album is in the works and expected to be released next spring. Sutherland said that album is being made primarily to inspire the youth of the north.

Sutherland believes the band is capable of having a bright future.
“We’re doing all the right things,” he said. “And we have all the right people behind us.”

Besides being a musician, Sutherland keeps busy with plenty of other things. He works as a paramedic with the James Bay Ambulance Service. Plus, he’s the chief operating officer for Attawapiskat Resources Inc.

This past March, however, he took a one-year leave of absence from this job in order to further his education. He’s currently taking business courses via correspondence through the Timmins campus of Northern College.

Sutherland is also the father of four; he’s got a pair of teen daughters, aged 16 and 17, as well as two sons, who are seven and 10.

So how does he manage to juggle his family life, music career, as well as his work and education?

“It’s been tough, but I find a way to get it down,” he said.