Record Label Garden Records http://www.gardenrecords.ca Recorded at Summit Sound Lounge http://www.summitsoundlounge.com Rupert Songs is a compilation CD created by over 30 musicians and songwriters from Prince Rupert. Every song on the CD is about Prince Rupert. What comes through all the songs, is the mysterious and irresistible pull of this coastal town. Rupert Songs is a beautiful collection of songs produced by Tom Lehar at Summit Sound Lounge in Prince Rupert. The music is mostly acoustic and the production supports the song, allowing the magic of the words and melody to shine through. Garden Records' mission is to nurture and promote music from Prince Rupert and the northwest of Canada. We have done that with Rupert Songs and the support from the community has been astounding. We received donations from the Prince Rupert Community Arts Council, from Shutter Shack, from Northern Savings Credit Union and from Ridley Terminals. The Lester Centre donated its venue for our CD release party January 23rd, and 450 people showed up to see the Rupert Songs music performed live with some music videos and dances created for the songs on the CD. CBC played an interview about the Rupert Songs project across Canada, and we got calls from Vancouver to Newfoundland from former Rupertites who wanted to buy the CD. Creating the CD was actually very easy. We put out a poster saying “Wanted: Songs about Rupert”. The songs started coming in right away. We had no filtering process. We just recorded the songs as they came through the door. Each one was heartfelt and unique. Finally, when we had recorded 16 songs, we put them all together to see if they would work as an album. 15 of the songs were acoustic and they work very well together as an album. The 16th tune was hard rock, and we have put that song on the list for our next compilation release: Rupert Rocks. At every step of this project we have felt the support of the community of Prince Rupert. Putting together the release party was a constant experience of the generosity and spirit of the people who live here. Local videographers (Kelly Gerry, Alan Gilbertson, Bruno Hoy) made rock videos for the songs on the album. Local choreographer (Alison Shermie) and dancers from Spectrum Dance Studio performed at the party. We had a large screen TV loaned to us for the occasion by City Furniture, so we could play the Rupert Songs rock videos during the party after the show. Really though, it is the talent of the local musicians and songwriters that make this CD the treasure that it is. Professional, gifted, and so willing to work together to make great music, this city’s music community is an unparalleled pleasure to work with. We will have a few more opportunities this year to present the Rupert Songs album live. Feb 1st, Four of the songs will be featured on the Olympic Torch stage. The four artists that will be performing are Sall Gibson, Karin Ljungh, Mermaid Café, and Tom & Kate. March 10th is Prince Rupert’s centennial birthday and the Rupert Songs artists will have another opportunity to perform at the Lester Centre for that event. May long weekend is the Homecoming 2010 event, and we have been invited to perform music from the Rupert Songs CD at Chances May 21st. The Rupert Songs album is also available in Terrace at both Sight & Sound locations, and in Prince Rupert at Rainforest Books, Shutter Shack, and the Museum Gift Shop.