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Runs Mar. 7-11th.
Pretty Archie is a Country/Folk/Bluegrass band from Cape Breton. Long-time friends Brian Cathcart (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Matt McNeil (Lead Guitar, Mandolin) and Colin Gillis (Harmonica, Bass, Vocals) and Redmond MacDougall (Banjo, Percussion, Vocals) make up this quartet. Always jamming together growing up, they guys decided in May 2012 to form a band. The band chose the name Pretty Archie after a local (Cape Breton) character known for playing with 2 strings outside shopping malls in any weather and not always (or ever) in key. The guys thought the name Pretty Archie embodied the love of playing and performing music along with representing their hometown.
Being in a band these days, you really have to work at it. Putting out a record alone isn’t going to reach the same audience that going on tour could bring you,” he says. “It’s been a steady climb for us but we’ve reached the point where, in some cities, we are seeing the fruits of our labour pay off by playing bigger venues or just all around better clubs. Touring is definitely a process but it’s an enjoyable one, at the very least. The four of us are such close friends, I consider myself lucky to be able to do this with three of my best buddies.”
Pretty Archie’s first full length album was recorded in January 2013 at the famed Grant Ave. Studios in Hamilton, Ontario with well-known producer/engineer Bob Doidge. The debut 11 song LP ‘Steel City’ was released on March 9th 2013 and is available on iTunes. ‘Steel City’ was nominated for Music Nova Scotia’s 2013 Country/Bluegrass Album of the Year. Pretty Archie’s recorded their second album ‘North End Sky’ at Soundpark Studios with Jamie Foulds. The highly anticipated ‘North End Sky’ was released January 27th 2015.
Pretty Archie has had the opportunity to be a showcasing artist at Nova Scotia Music Week 2014, East Coast Music Week 2014 and NXNE 2014 along with playing some of the best Canadian venues; The Horseshoe Tavern, The Dakota Tavern (Toronto, ONT), Stan Rogers Folk Festival (Canso, NS), The Ironwood Stage and Grill (Calgary, ALB) Fairmont Banff Springs (Banff, ALB) and many more across Canada. Pretty Archie is known for their entertaining, high energy, foot stomping shows.
They showcased at this year’s Molson Canadian Music Nova Scotia Week in Yarmouth, and their album ‘North End Sky’ was nominated for the 2015 Music Nova Scotia’s ‘Americana/Bluegrass Album of the Year’. They have a very busy November as they headed out on a Canadian tour.
Pretty Archie is known for their entertaining, high energy, foot stomping shows. Their unique sound (a catchy blend of country, bluegrass, blues and folk components) has lead to the band developing a following that grows after each show they play.
