Rideau Roots is a forthcoming album from local artist Kate Weekes, which was inspired by a songwriting residency with nine other musicians as they canoed along the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa.
She gained perspective during the journey, having only previously thought of the waterways from a colonial perspective.
Weekes worked as a canoe guide in northern Canada for over a decade and was looking for a way to connect her life experience and love of music.
Weekes realized she needed further education with the canal’s ties to Indigenous groups.
Weekes has upcoming tour dates which includes Indigenous speakers at a few of the shows, as well as fellow artists who participated in the residency.
Rideau Roots drops October 27th and can be found on all music streaming platforms.
Her tour dates are as follows:
- Nov. 1st Station Theatre in Smiths Falls (ft. Nathan Smith, b!WILDer, Christine Graves, Stephen Fuller, James Stephens, Brian Sanderson, Rob Graves)
- Nov. 2nd Broom Factory in Kingston (ft. Nathan Smith, Piner, Alan Weekes, James Stephens, Brian Sanderson)
- Nov. 9th Red Bird Live in Ottawa (ft. Moonfruits, Christophe Elie, James Stephens, Brian Sanderson, Rob Graves)
- Nov. 15th Old Church Theatre, Trenton (ft. Alan Weekes, Eva Mae Peringer, James Stephens, Brian Sanderson)
Learn more at kateweeks.com and listen to our full interview below.
Story by Grant Deme