Sometimes the theme of a song appears unexpectedly; it happens that one phrase, one moment can radically change the course of thoughts. For Stephen Fearing, the singer and founder of the Canadian rock band Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (together with Colin Linden and Tom Wilson), the inspiration for the new single “Far From The Middle” came exactly like this -suddenly, in an ordinary friendly conversation.
It all started backstage, when the musicians were waiting for their stage appearance, munching on chips and sipping water from bottles. At that moment, Adrian Sutherland, a Cree singer and resident of the Far North, mentioned that drinking tap water was something new for him, as he grew up in Attawapiskat, where access to clean water and other basic amenities is a luxury, not a given. This unexpected moment, this piercing irony, became the beginning for Fearing.
“We’re talking about Canada, one of the most desirable places to live, but many Indigenous communities continue to face horrific conditions, such as the ban on boiling water, and the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered women – this is an undeservedly forgotten story. And it must be heard,” he shares. This contrast, according to the musician, became the real spark for creating the song, which, despite its harshness, captivates and outrages. “Far From The Middle” is an explosive song: powerful blues-rock with a touch of spy tension, refined horns, and a sparkling guitar, like in the legendary James Bond theme.
In this single, Fearing sounds like a protest, with Jim Hoke helping with his passionate saxophone and Sue Foley with her sharp, hardcore Texan wildness. All these elements merge into a powerful flow of music, emphasizing not only personal pain but also the pain of entire generations.
This is the first look at his 15th album, The Empathist, set for release in 2025. The single is already available on all major platforms, and the lyric video can be found on YouTube.
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