Canadian Urban Roots Group Po’Girl visit Guelph on March 9 as part of their “No Shame” tour to help prevent child abuse. During the tour they will be raising money for Little Warriors in Canada and the National Children’s Alliance in the USA. Partial proceeds from all Po’Girl tour merchandise will also be donated to these organisations.
Alli Russell will also be running the Athens, Ohio marathon at the end of the tour on April 11 to further support these groups.
Russell is the survivor of ten years of sexual abuse at the hands of her adopted father. She wrote the song “No Shame” in 2006 when she found out that he had been released from prison. Po’Girl recorded “No Shame” on their critically acclaimed album Deer in the Night in 2009.
“No Shame” was featured on CBC’s The Vinyl Cafe in May 2009. Host Stuart Mclean wrote a beautiful piece about the song and Alli’s history; the reception from listeners was overwhelming.
Says Russell, “Stuart’s piece and the response to it, gave me the idea that perhaps I could be more actively using my past misfortune and our music to increase awareness and dialogue about the endemic issue of child abuse in North America. Whatever I can do to prevent what happened to me from happening to others, that’s what I have to do. It’s my responsibility as a survivor. Not everyone is so lucky.”
Hailing originally from Canada, Po’Girl weave a blend of musical influences, sweetness, grit & soul into their fresh and original sound. The interplay between (Alli Russell, Awna Teixeira, Benny Sidelinger, and Mikey “Lightning” August)is mesmerizing. Distinct voices with incredible harmonies; multiple instrumentalists who bring the perfect sound to each song and songwriters who pen poetic tunes you’ll find yourself humming.
Their latest release, Deer in the Night still includes many of the trappings of the trademark Po’ Girl sound – the echoes of speakeasy jazz, the western lament, the accordion-strapped ghosts of European folk – but it’s all delivered with a soulful clarity and depth only hinted at on previous records.
They recently released a live album, Po’ Girl Live that captures the energy and spirit of the live show, complete with special guests JT Nero and the Clouds. Po’Girl also spent part of January recording new album “Follow Your Bliss” in Chicago, IL. “Follow Your Bliss” will be released in Europe in May and in North America in June.
Po’Girl And The No Shame Tour To Combat Child Abuse
featuring Po’Girl (with special guest JT Nero) and Noise and the Ghost
When: March 9 at 7.30 p.m.
Where: Dublin St United Church, 68 Suffolk St W, Guelph
Tickets: $16/$20
Catch Alli Russell on Royal City Rag, February 27 at 8.15 a.m. Royal City Rag, Saturdays from 7-9 a.m. on CFRU 93.3 fm in Guelph. Listen live on CFRU 93.3fm, or, after the fact, via the website.
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