The road to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame has a stop in Burnstown for Tragically Hip guitarist Paul Langlois.
Langlois and his band will play two sold out shows at the Neat Cafe this weekend, just weeks following the announcement that Hip would be inducted in the hall. It’s an honour that reflects the hard work and motivation the band put into writing as a group, which Langlois says was key to making it.
This weekend’s performances will be Langlois first chance to perform with his band after some downtime, and crowds can expect to hear a mix of Hip classics alongside some of his newer work, especially from his latest release, Smooth Rock Falls.
While there are some nerves in the build up to his set at the cafe, Langlois says that dread will go away once the first verse plays.
He adds that there’s something uniquely cool to playing a smaller venue, as the band gets to see more faces and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. Everything he’s heard about the Neat Cafe from other acts has him feeling pretty good before the lights go up this weekend.
Langlois admits that he hasn’t had a chance to speak with his Hip bandmates about their Hall of Fame induction, but he does wish frontman Gord Downie were alive to share in what he says is a much deserved achievement.
(written by Kasey Egan)
Hear the full interview with Paul here:
