4x JUNO and 8x Canadian Folk Music Award Nominated Film Composer Robbie Teehan to Release Emotive Folk Singer-Songwriter Project “River” as Gentle Sparrow
Robbie Teehan, also known as Gentle Sparrow, has garnered acclaim for his heartfelt Folk music infused with soulful melodies and orchestral sounds. With two music degrees and a wealth of experience in the industry, Robbie has scored award-winning films, contributed to hit TV dramas, and collaborated with renowned producers and musicians.
Today, we delve into Robbie’s latest EP, River, and explore the deeply personal journey that inspired its creation.
First off care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, my name is Robbie Teehan! I go by the name Gentle Sparrow for my indie folk singer-songwriter project. I’m also a film composer and scored the Canadian indie film “Scarborough” which is probably my biggest claim to fame.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
“River” is my debut EP as Gentle Sparrow. I’ve worked as a musician for over twenty years, but have only been writing songs for about six years. Many of my songs touch on personal growth and mental health as the subject matter and that’s definitely true of River. I was very lucky to receive FACTOR funding for this EP which allowed me to work with a great producer, Dan Hosh, on two of the songs. The other three I recorded and produced myself from my home studio, which is a converted church in Eastern Ontario.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or
creative routine that you follow?
Sometimes I start with lyrics and find their inner music, other times with a little musical riff that I mumble along with and find the words that fit.
I’ll go 50/50 with either approach. But what has to come first is the feeling – usually, there’s a kind of deep build-up of emotional energy that wants to come out, and that’s what drives each song.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
I’ve released lyric videos for most of the songs on my YouTube channel at the moment, and I’m getting into the swing of posting more content on my Instagram page.
Probably you’ll see some more covers and behind-the-scenes content there in the coming months.
In the meantime, I’m playing quite a few shows in and around my area of Eastern Ontario this spring and summer – some club dates, festivals, and farmers markets which are my favourite thing in the summer (everyone’s always in such a good mood and the vendors will usually tip you in delicious produce!)
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
When I was studying classical music, I happened to attend a Gillian Welch concert and that moment changed my life. Up until that point, I felt like all my education was missing something and I wasn’t sure where my career was going to go in the long run. I witnessed her magic of communication and storytelling and it probably planted the seed for me to write my own songs – even though it would take me another ten years before I really got going with it. I think that moment influenced me to expand beyond classical music which eventually led me into my current career of writing music for film and TV.
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you
recommend your fans check out?
I did a show with a Montreal band called RedFox last year. They’re like a mashup of indie rock and bluegrass/Americana. They’re terrific live!
Show Dates:
April 18, 2024 – Toronto, ON – AM to FM Showcase, Art Bay
April 24, 2024 – Ottawa, ON – Ottawa Grassroots Festival
April 24, 2024- Perth, ON -The Golden Arrow
May 2, 2024 – Westport, ON – The Cove Inn
June 9, 2024 – Ottawa, ON – Irene’s Pub
June 12-16, 2024 – Toronto, ON – NXNE (Venue TBD)