Award-winning Canadian recording artist Andru Branch named his band Halfway Tree after the bustling music district in Kingston, where he has worked with many of Jamaica’s most celebrated musicians.
Back in 2021, they unveiled the album, Weather The Storm, now the album gets the full dub treatment by masterful sound engineer Dartanyan Winston. In January of 2023, Weather The Dub was released.
On July 22, Andru Branch & The Halfway Tree will hit the StanFest stage with their reggae tunes.
Listen to Weather The Dub below and learn more about Andru Branch & The Halfway Tree via our StanFest interview.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
I grew up studying music amidst a vibrant Rastafarian community in Toronto, where I learned the subtle nuances of reggae music from some of the masterful Jamaican musicians who made Toronto their home. I formed my group Halfway Tree in 1995, which I named after the bustling music district in Kingston, where I have had the great fortune to play and record with some of Jamaica’s most celebrated musicians. While members have changed over the years, I have endeavoured to maintain a consistent sound, based on Bob Marley contemporary Peter Tosh’s philosophy that reggae is spiritual music with spiritual ingredients for spiritual purposes.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
Myself and my group are always working on new songs. Our most recent album Weather The Storm was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic. These dark times are reflected in both the music and the lyrical content, but there is a thread of hope that shines through and the message is always Love.
You’re playing Stan Rogers Folk Festival this year. Is this your first time playing at the festival? If so, have you ever attended?
I have aspired to play at Stanfest since I first met Troy Greencorn at the International Folk Alliance Conference, where we showcased back in 2013. I have been to the festival twice before and we are looking forward to bringing our positive vibrations to the wonderful crowd at Stanfest.
With a stellar, hugely-Canadian lineup, who are you excited to check out at the festival?
Dave Gunning and J.P. Cormier are always crowd-pleasers. I’m looking forward to seeing Slowcoaster play again but I’m probably most excited to see the Irish Descendants.
For someone who has yet to see you perform live, describe your performance in 3 words.
Roots. Rock. Reggae.
On Saturday, July 22, there will also be a tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, so I have to ask, what is your favourite Gordon Lightfoot song?
Gordon Lightfoot has been a presence throughout my life. “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald” is great but I especially love the picture he paints in “Sundown”.
Do you have any other upcoming shows or festivals to tell us about?
July 23 Nova Multifest @ Alderney Landing
July 27 Afrifest @ Sackville Landing, Halifax
July 28 Afrifest @ Sackville Landing, Halifax
July 30 JCANS Celebration @ Alderney Park
Aug 5 The Jubilee, New Glasgow, NS
Aug 13 The Lobster Factory, Pugwash, NS
Aug 14 Victoria Playhouse, PEI
Sept 21 The Seahorse, Halifax, NS
Oct 7 The Osprey Theatre, Shelburne, NS
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