Vancouver Island singer-songwriter Sarah Smith tunes her guitar for Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 next summer concert at Willows Park 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 4), bringing a love for West Coast folk amid her roots in OntarioB次元官网网址檚 rock music scene.

Smith, who grew up in London, Ont. and recently relocated to Pender Island, took a particular liking to Victoria despite touring regularly across Canada, the U.S., Europe and the Caribbean.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always had this vibe about it thatB次元官网网址檚 peaceful,B次元官网网址� she explained.

B次元官网网址淲hy am I going to wait until I retire?B次元官网网址� Smith, 44, recalled asking herself. B次元官网网址淲hy not make the plunge now?B次元官网网址�

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The major musical difference she notices between her old and new home is that, while rock seems to drive Ontarians, Victoria thrives on folk.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 OK for me to show my less rocky side here,B次元官网网址� she reasoned, adding sheB次元官网网址檚 been able to enjoy the best of both worlds so far in her career as both a solo acoustic artist and electric guitarist backed by her band.

COVID-19 initially bringing life to a grinding halt has served as an important artistic theme for Smith, who in 2021 released a series of tracks on a USB titled Songs From When The World Went Still. A career highlight for her was performing mid-pandemic on the Melissa Etheridge Cruise to the Bahamas in front of mostly women.

She credited longtime bass guitarist Lonnie Glass as her B次元官网网址渟taple in the Victoria music world.B次元官网网址� Initially taking Smith on the road when she was 20 to perform around Sweden and Finland, Glass would later reconnect with her in B.C. and become a B次元官网网址渂uilt-in band partnerB次元官网网址� for her act.

Another local musician and longtime friend, percussionist Brad Hawkes, joins Smith at Willows Park this week as the newest addition to her band. Born and raised in Prince George, but now based in Victoria, Hawkes has supported Smith throughout her musical journey and not only performs with her on occasion but also writes lyrics for her songs.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always great when we can get together and perform the songs we wrote,B次元官网网址� she said.

But for Smith, the music itself matters most, rather than the words. If you find yourself around Willows Beach this Thursday evening, keep an ear out for B次元官网网址�(Meet me at) The Crossroads,B次元官网网址� which she composed with Hawkes in 2021.

Do you have a story tip? Email: evert.lindquist@blackpress.ca.

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