Midnight Shine Explained

Midnight Shine
Label:	Midnight Shine Music

Midnight Shine is a Canadian roots-rock band from Northern Ontario and Manitoba, consisting of lead vocalist/guitarist Adrian Sutherland (Attawapiskat First Nation^[1]), bassist/vocalist Stan Louttit (Moose Factory First Nation), guitarist/vocalist Zach Tomatuk (Moose Factory First Nation) and drummer Charnelle Menow (Norway House Cree Nation). They have released three studio albums and three music videos and have been actively touring across Canada since 2016.^{[2] [3]}

History

In 2011, Adrian Sutherland was given the opportunity to open for the band Trooper at their performance in Timmins, Ontario.^[4] He recruited 3 other musicians from the James Bay area to create Midnight Shine.^{[5] [6]}

The band mixes roots, classic, and modern rock, with elements of their Indigenous language, Mushkegowuk Cree.^[7] In 2017, original drummer George Gillies departed the band. A year later, they recruited Charnelle Menow from Norway House, Manitoba as replacement.^[8]

In 2021 Sutherland released the solo album When the Magic Hits.^[9] The album was a Juno Award nominee for Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2022.^[10]

Members

• Adrian Sutherland – lead vocals, guitar (2011–present)^[11]
• Stan Louttit – bass, vocals (2011–present)^[12]
• Zach Tomatuk – guitar, vocals (2011–present)
• Charnelle Menow – drums (2018–present)
• George Gillies – drums (2011–2017)

Discography

• Midnight Shine (2013; Midnight Shine Music)
• Northern Man (2014; Midnight Shine Music)
• High Road (2018; Midnight Shine Music)

Music videos

• "I Need Angels" (November 8, 2018)^{[13] [14]}
• "Heart of Gold" (January 8, 2019)^[15]
• "Bobcaygeon" (January 14, 2019)
• "Leather Skin" (May 27, 2019)

Notes and References

1. News: Canadian band Midnight Shine hopes to prove there is talent and not just tragedy coming out of Attawapiskat. Ahsan. Sadaf. May 6, 2016. National Post.
2. News: Canadian Music Week: It's a long, long way to Toronto for this Attawapiskat rock band The Star. The Toronto Star. 5 May 2016. en. 2019-03-27.
3. Web site: Midnight Shine. Midnight Shine. 18 January 2019. en-CA. 2019-01-19.
4. Web site: Midnight Shine (ON). Vancouver Folk Music Festival. 2019-07-24.
5. Web site: First Nations Pop/Rock Band Midnight Shine. Doole. Kerry. November 17, 2016. SOCAN Words + Music.
6. Web site: Third-world conditions a reality even for Indigenous artists, Attawapiskat musician says. May 16, 2019. CBC.
7. Web site: First Words: Adrian Sutherland speaks Cree. March 5, 2019. CBC.
8. Web site: Midnight Shine frontman brings rock 'n' hockey skills to JUNO Cup Ottawa Citizen. Helmer. Aedan. April 3, 2017. Ottawa Citizen.
9. Dorothy Stewart, "Adrian Sutherland launches deeply personal solo album". CBC North, November 3, 2021.
10. Jackson Weaver, "Charlotte Cardin, The Weeknd, Justin Bieber lead 2022 Juno Award nominees". CBC News, March 1, 2022.
11. Web site: Adrian Sutherland. HuffPost Canada. en. 2019-03-27.
12. Web site: Attawapiskat band Midnight Shine chases mainstream dreams from northern Ontario. Friend. David. May 6, 2016. CBC.
13. Web site: Midnight Shine's New Video Tackles Suicide, Depression Crisis In Far North. Brophy. Aaron. November 12, 2018. Samaritan Mag.
14. Web site: Cree Band Midnight Shine Films 'I Need Angels' Music Video In Attawapiskat. Lewis. Haley. November 8, 2018. Huffington Post.
15. Web site: Midnight Shine highlights Cree language in video cover of Neil Young classic. Herodier. Christopher. January 16, 2019. CBC.