SEAN ROWE plays the Dakota (249 Ossington), Thursday (April 14), 7 pm. $11.50. RT, SS. See listing.
Troy, New York-based singer/songwriter and naturalist Sean Rowe walked a long path to his recent signing with Anti- Records. For 2009’s Magic sessions in an old building his grandfather once owned, his intentions were simple: “I didn’t have any ambitions to promote the hell out of it or tour,” he says. “I just wanted to record a really good record.”
Written partly during a year-long stay at a Cherry Valley wilderness survival camp and partly in the studio, it’s testament to Rowe’s 60s-inflected writing and rich baritone, and to Troy Pohl’s intimate yet clear production, that Anti- picked up the album as is.
“I can’t stand Myspace,” says Rowe, yet it was through that site that Magic got to former Australian record exec (now Rowe’s manager) Peter Bond and his son Mark, which led to a UK tour opening for Noah and the Whale and eventually to signing with Anti-.
Rowe’s been active for about 15 years, but good luck getting your hands on old recordings. “I won’t play them for anybody,” he says. “My music has evolved, and I’ve performed so much since then.”
This is Rowe’s first appearance in Toronto.
