Alanna Gurr & the Greatest State captivated a hushed audience at the Kathmandu Cafe (aka Rocky Raccoon’s) in Owen Sound on Saturday, October 18th, with a rapturous performance that included songs from the Guelph based singer-songwriter’s most recent album “Late At Night” released on Missed Connection Records, plus some new material yet to be released. The usually raucous crowd at Rocky Raccoon’s was reduced to graceful silence as Gurr and fellow Guelph based openers Lowlands, confidently held the audience’s attention with a stirring series of songs and stories.
This – Gurr’s first visit to Owen Sound – served as bookend to a tour of mainly South Western Ontario in support of her sophomore record, which enjoyed several weeks atop Canada’s Earshot Folk / Roots / Blues chart. Supported by the members of Lowlands in her own band the Greatest State, Gurr proved that her sound transfers well from the studio to live performance. And, Lowlands showed that they can hold their own with an opening set that brought the packed venue to a comfortable stillness.
Both groups display that they are deserving of their growing reputation within the Canadian independent music community with moving performances which showcased their skilled and thoughtful songwriting.
