Stephen Fearing packed up his belongings earlier this summer in Halifax, N.S., put them into a 20-foot U-Haul and traded East Coast for West Coast.

B次元官网网址淚 actually drove the family car across the country,B次元官网网址� said the Juno award winning artist, with a laugh. B次元官网网址淚 got to do some playing as well but mostly I drove.B次元官网网址�

Fearing, who is no stranger to flying back and forth across the country for work, relished in the chance to literally drive coast to coast.

The journey reminded him of what a vast country Canada is.

After the drive, Fearing, his wife and their 10-year-old daughter planted roots in Victoria by buying a 1911 character home complete with shuttered windows.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a big, old beautiful houseB次元官网网址� But it needs some bringing back to make it a family home,B次元官网网址� he said.

Fearing, born in Vancouver before moving to Ireland and then returning back to Vancouver after finishing school, said the move to the Island was sparked by a number of things. Mostly because of all of the family the couple has in the province.

His enthusiasm about the area was hard to contain when asked what he likes about it. B次元官网网址淲here do you want me to start?B次元官网网址�

He loves how a local butcher, cafe, and fresh vegetable market are just steps from his front door. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something you take for granted until you live somewhere like Nova Scotia.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a good move for us all around,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot more work out here.B次元官网网址�

Fearing said a shift in the music industry has really pushed artists to be self-motivated and do a lot of self-promoting, which Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands really allow an artist to do. He is especially excited about the number of venues the area has.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very much looking forward to plugging into more local work out here.B次元官网网址� He cherishes the opportunity to preform at so many different venues and still be home that same night with his family.

One of FearingB次元官网网址檚 first gigs in the area is the Highlands Fling on Sept. 13 at the Caleb Pike Homestead, 1589 Millstream Rd, from noon till 5 p.m.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 something I havenB次元官网网址檛 done before so itB次元官网网址檒l be a challenge.B次元官网网址� But Fearing is revved up about that challenge and likes to try to captivate and surprise new audiences with his music. B次元官网网址淲hen itB次元官网网址檚 you, your guitar, and your song those three elements have to be really strong.B次元官网网址�

Fearing doesnB次元官网网址檛 like to categorize his work but credits some of his influences to everything from blues to country to folk.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 roots musicB次元官网网址� If I say IB次元官网网址檓 a folk artist then I have to be a folk artist.B次元官网网址�

He credits his bandmates from Blackie and the Rodeo Kings for opening him up to different influences and helping him sound believable when delving into different genres.

For the Fling, he plans on playing some originals, some songs heB次元官网网址檚 written for other artists, and maybe even a cover or two.

B次元官网网址淚 love performing, that was my start, songwriting came later,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪omewhere between being an artist and an entertainer is where I want to be.B次元官网网址�

After performing at the Highlands Fling and several shows in Ontario, Fearing hopes to spend a few weeks working on more house renovations so the family can finally move into their new home.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com