Scott Roos
Special to the Herald
One of the real joys of Prince Albert’s EA Rawlinson Centre’s On Stage concert series is the way it pulls artists out from behind the big lights and places them right in front of the audience, close enough to see the expressions, hear the stories, and truly feel the music. The series transforms the theatre into something resembling a small club – intimate, relaxed, and welcoming – and on Friday, January 23rd, that atmosphere proved to be the perfect setting for Saskatoon’s The North Sound.
The North Sound – Forrest and Nevada Eaglespeaker – treated the audience to a warm, generous, career-spanning evening of music that celebrated both where the duo has been and where they are clearly heading next. Joined by a stellar backing band the Eaglepseakers affectionately dubbed “The Boys” – Darnell Stewart on guitar, Dana Remple on bass, and Tanner Wilhelm-Hale on drums – the group delivered two thoughtfully curated sets that showcased songs from their two acclaimed full-length albums, As The Stars Explode (2020) and What It Takes (2025).
The first set focused on material from As The Stars Explode, an album rooted firmly in country music but polished with a pop-friendly sheen. Songs like “Young, Dumb, Drunk and Not Doing So Good,” “Wild Rose Country,” and the album’s title track immediately benefitted from the presence of a full band. While the record itself earned plenty of praise upon its release, the group didn’t get the chance to tour it extensively at the time due to the pandemic. Hearing these songs fully realized onstage – rich, full, and confidently performed – felt like a long-overdue moment, and the audience was clearly happy to be along for the ride.
The second set shifted the focus to What It Takes, a record that marks an important turning point for The North Sound. The newer material leans more toward a singer-songwriter style, feeling a little more instrumentally reflective. Most notably, the album sees Nevada Eaglespeaker taking a more direct role in the songwriting process, particularly on standout track “’Til The Love Runs Out.” That creative partnership feels natural and exciting as the couple, in the real world, are married, and it strongly suggests a direction the duo will continue to explore moving forward.
Vocally, the evening was a real highlight. Forrest Eaglespeaker’s high tenor remains a distinctive and instantly recognizable sound, one that sets The North Sound apart from many of their contemporaries. Paired with Nevada’s voice, the harmonies were consistently beautiful and unforced. Nevada’s moments on lead vocals – especially on “Luxury Liner” and “Wayfaring Stranger” – were standout moments of the night as it provided a bit of variety to the occasion. Her voice carries a richness and emotional depth that brought an added layer of warmth and balance to the performance.
One of the strengths of the On Stage series is the space it allows artists to tell their stories, and Forrest made full use of that opportunity. Between songs, he shared candid reflections on his life, his struggles with addiction, and the journey toward recovery. These moments added emotional weight and context to the music and gave the evening a relaxed, VH1 Storytellers-style feel. The honesty and openness were met with quiet attention and appreciation from the audience, reinforcing the sense of connection that the series does so well to foster.
Instrumentally, the band was rock solid throughout the night. Guitarist Darnell Stewart brought a slightly different flavour to the group’s sound, drawing more from indie and shoegaze influences than traditional country twang. His textured, tasteful playing added atmosphere and subtle colour to the songs without ever overpowering them. The rhythm section of Dana Remple and Tanner Wilhelm-Hale provided steady, dependable support, keeping everything locked in and moving comfortably forward.
The evening wrapped up with the debut of a brand-new song, “The Other Side,” offering a glimpse into what may be coming next for The North Sound. It was a fitting conclusion to a night that felt both reflective and hopeful.
All told, The North Sound delivered a heartfelt, engaging performance perfectly suited to the intimate setting of the EA Rawlinson Centre’s On Stage series. It was an evening that reminded those in attendance just how special live music can be when the room is small, the stories are honest, and the songs are allowed to breathe.
