Rockglen welcomes veteran singer-songwriters Saskia and Darrel to a concert presented by Wesley United Church on Friday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. The duo, who now perform under the band name,
The Great Plains, are on a 14-town tour of Canada that includes Rockglen as well as Swift Current and Weyburn.
The two performed in Rockglen a few years ago and “we’ve been trying to get back ever since,” Saskia added. Although she was born and raised in Europe, Saskia is captivated by the beauty of Saskatchewan’s south country. They revel in playing in rural Saskatchewan which has inspired their music and reflects “the essence of the Prairies.”
The duo also relishes playing for the small town audiences. “It’s about the connection with the audience,” she added. In fact, Saskatchewan is “home” for Darrel who was born and raised on the Prairies and lived in the province. Now the duo lives in Courtenay, B.C.
Saskia described their music as being influenced by many styles including folk, bluegrass, Celtic and gospel. They are foremost songwriters though, with musical backgrounds that stretch from childhood. They have written their own songs that they sing on tour and recordings. They were commissioned to write songs for others.
They write about Canadian life and culture, war brides, prairie towns, voyageurs and rodeos – all set to intriguing melodies.
“Darrel writes beautiful songs about Saskatchewan and its history such as Louis Riel, Gabriel Dumont and Prairie ways of life,” she explained, while her own songwriting focuses on people, places and things. Their Great Plains band consists of the two of them singing in harmony and playing a variety of instruments from guitars and mandolins to the penny whistle.
Darrel and Saskia have been touring for 15 years throughout Canada and Europe. The duo finds Rockglen a great audience. “Rockglen is culturally interested,” Saskia explained the small town’s thriving music scene. Notably, their Canadian style of music also finds fans in Europe. “There’s a little bit of prairie in all of us” Saskia noted about the audience interest in Europe and how they react to Canadian style of music. “They love it. They get lost in the romance of Canadian Prairie lifestyle.”
Saskia and Darrel are excited to have the Rockglen audience hear their newest songs, “The auctioneer” which tells the story of a person coming in to dispose of a Prairie farm, and “Sam Kelly”, a historical song about the infamous Southern Saskatchewan criminal.
The duo plans to deliver a fun and enjoyable performance for the Rockglen audience.
