The McDades - The Empress (2021)

The Empress is the third album from The McDades, an award-winning Canadian band led by three talented siblings who are accomplished virtuoso instrumentalists, vocalists, and songwriters. Although their music is grounded in Celtic traditions, The McDades introduce powerful folk-rock beats; multicolored world music musical elements such as India tabla and bansuri (flute), Peruvian cajón (box drum) and North African darbuka (goblet drum); and also include a song that celebrates Canada’s francophone tradition.

The album title and artwork are based on the third tarot card, The Empress, who signifies the richness of the subconscious, the sprouting of new ideas and who inspires strong bursts of creative and artistic vitality. The McDades provide more details: “The Empress is deeply connected to the natural world. When deciding on a title for our third album, we were drawn to the concept of The Empress and also to the symbolism of the number three, both having ties to creativity, growth, new ideas and expression, and because at the core of the band has always been the the combined forces of three distinct musical entities; the McDades siblings: Shannon, Solon and Jeremiah.”

The Empress is a captivating album with stellar performances, multifaceted melodies and masterful arrangements, demonstrating that The McDades is one of the most exciting bands in the current Canadian roots music scene.

The McDades includes Shannon Johnson on violin and vocals; Solon McDade on bass and vocals; Jeremiah McDade on whistles, bansuri, saxophones, guitar, and vocals; Andy Hillhouse on guitar and vocals; and Eric Breton on cajón, darbuka and percussion.

Guests: Simon Marion on guitar; Jean-Sebastian Williams on baritone guitar; John Joe Kelly on bodhrán; Rich Irwin on drums; Paul Shrofel on keyboards; Daniel Gervais on vocals; and Roger Dallaire on vocals.