Creston native Daniel Huscroft returns to the Snoring Sasquatch on Nov. 9, along with Albertan songwriter J.J. Shiplett.
Behind the unpolished exterior of Huscroft’s bushy beard and dusty boots lies a masterful musician who cut his teeth on a piano, and picked up his first violin when he was five. He was schooled in Vivaldi concertos and old-time fiddle; by 12 years old, he had travelled the continent, competing nationally and performing alongside his musician father and sisters in the Huscroft Family Band.
In 2000, Huscroft began playing guitar with U.S. recording artist Sarah Kelly, and went on to write for her first two major albums, Take Me Away and Between the Lines, both of which garnished Grammy nominations and further awards.
In 2003, Huscroft returned to Canada and put together his own band in Calgary. Strada was a wildly popular indie rock band booked by Feldman, sharing tours with Switchfoot and Stabilo Tea Party, and winning numerous battles of the bands.
In 2006, Huscroft began experimenting with an acoustic approach to his instrumental work, replacing the pick with his fingers. In Vancouver, he connected with singer/songwriters Ryan McAllister and Barnaby McRae, and recorded the Cowboys and Indians album.
In the spring of 2010, Huscroft released his first solo album, Here Is Just For Now. Funded in part by a grant from the Canadian Council for the Arts, and co-produced by Mendez, the record is a stark departure from the electric guitar-driven rock and pop of his past. Recorded live with a finger style acoustic guitar and full string section, the album abounds with what he calls “Kootenay moments” — tracks inspired by the generations of Huscrofts who made their home and their lifeblood in the southern British Columbia, Canada hills and valleys. The result is a sense of haunting mountain solitude with unexpectedly sweet song and gruff soulful vocals that transition to serene falsetto and back again.
A songwriter in every situation and a dedicated player, Shiplett’s passion for quality music and sincere songs is only matched by his goal to get everyone dancing.
Recently he was the recipient of Rawlco Radio’s 10k20 grant program in his hometown of Calgary, Alta. Following the grant, he recorded his first full-length album, which was released April 2012. Recorded at Five Acres Studios in Aldergrove with the help of Mcallister, the album showcases heartfelt moments full of life experience, right alongside bursts of boisterous feel-good rock and roll.
Shiplett believes in creating and encouraging quality art in Canada; in entertaining and inspiring people across this great country.
Tickets to the Nov. 9 show are $15 in advance at Black Bear Books, Buffalo Trails Coffee House and Kingfisher Used Books, and $18 at the door, which opens at 6; the show begins at 7.
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