Artist: Stephen Fearing
Album: The Empathist
Release Date: March 14, 2025
Genre: Singer-Songwriter
JUNO Award-winning roots troubadour Stephen Fearing returns with The Empathist, releasing March 14th alongside the album’s title track. Recorded in Nashville with renowned producer Ken Coomer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo), the album features an all-star lineup, including John Dymond, Jim Hoke, Colin Linden, Sue Foley, Dala, and Kelly Prescott.
“Being called a storyteller is one of the best compliments I’ve ever received,” he says. “I love telling stories, but it wasn’t until I realized that my story is just a small part of ‘The Story’ that I found my true voice as a songwriter. Writing songs means opening to the emotions and experiences of others, as well as my own. That’s what inspired the album title – these songs are my stories, written through the lens of all the truths I’ve seen and felt around me.”
“Bring This Song” is a spellbinding folk ballad, weaving poetic imagery with deep introspection. Fearing’s heartfelt lyricism and shimmering melodies evoke longing and resilience, while the refrain—“The King of Hearts will bring this song tonight”—shines as a beacon of hope, embracing fate, love, and redemption.
The Empathist, the focus track from Fearing’s album, sets the tone with its reflective, poetic storytelling. Exploring themes of relationships and self-discovery, it highlights deep, understanding connections with lines like “She was the patron saint of troubadours, and I was The Empathist.” This track perfectly introduces the album’s introspective journey, promising more emotional and insightful gems to come.
“Valentine’s Day” is a warm, uplifting anthem celebrating love’s power to heal. With vivid imagery and a nod to classic love stories, the song radiates hope in challenging times. The catchy refrain, “Take your lover on the town and kiss those blues goodbye,” reminds us of love’s simple, joyful beauty. Perfect for Valentine’s Day and beyond, it’s a heartfelt call to embrace love’s resilience.
Stay tuned to hear the whole album on March 14, 2025!
Upcoming Shows:
March 13 | Mary Winspear Centre (SF & The Sentimentals) | Sidney, BC
March 14 | Brackendale Art Gallery (SF & The Sentimentals) | Squamish, BC
March 15 | The Rogue Folk Club (SF & The Sentimentals) | Vancouver, BC
March 16 | Creekside Theatre (SF & The Sentimentals) | Lake Country, BC
March 19 | Capitol Theatre (SF & The Sentimentals) | Nelson, BC
March 21 | Festival Place (SF & The Sentimentals) | Sherwood Park, AB
March 22 | River Park Church (SF & The Sentimentals) (w/ Mia Kelly) | Calgary, AB
March 26 | The Bassment (SF & The Sentimentals) | Saskatoon, SK
March 27 | Artesian (SF & The Sentimentals) | Regina, S
March 29 | West End Cultural Centre (SF & The Sentimentals) | Winnipeg, MB
April 5 | Centre 64 (SF solo) | Kimberley, BC