Chris Antonik to shine in the UK in November tour

by | Oct 10, 2022 | Uncategorised | 0 comments

Photo credit: Kirsten Sonntag

Off the back of his new album, ‘Morningstar’, which is achieving stellar review after stellar review, Toronto-based blues-rock guitarist, singer and songwriter Chris Antonik tours the UK in November 2022. A taster from those reviews:

“Morningstar… pushes the boundaries of blues/rock by folding soul, future-funk, psychedelia, late-1980’s-Clapton/Robbie Robertson/Daniel Lanois influences, and other experimental touches into its mix… a record that’s ferociously modern with deep blues roots and massive crossover potential…. Chris Antonik is an international recording artist who is clearly focused on making music that advances the state of blues/rock and guitar music in general. He’s not putting out musical history lessons in hopes of building credibility but is following his own desires and influences into new territory, as great musicians have always done…. Chris Antonik is most assuredly not your normal, everyday blues/rock guitar slinger, although his chops are beyond question. He’s got bigger game on his mind and is creating music that will stretch your soul when you hear it. He’s a fully-developed artist working on something big. We should all be listening.” – Rock and Blues Muse 

“10/10……..Chris has presented this album as a beacon; a lighthouse in the darkness. We can make our own way through the murkiness and create our own outcome instead of allowing the darkness to drown us.” – All Music Magazine 

“Morningstar is a vision for tomorrow in that you know where it’s been but where it’s going is anybody’s guess. Hot, hard, and heavy, it’s successfully exploring galaxies of its own making.” – The Mid-West Review 

Chris says, “The reaction to this album has been overwhelming, and I am very grateful for the incredible reception from fans, music writers, radio and, of course, the international blues community.  While I wanted to create a blues-rock-guitar-album, I really set out to do something different – to tell an epic, poignant, cohesive story about the human experience, and I am so happy the songs have connected with people the way I intended them to. I aimed to push boundaries, add to the conversation, and, maybe, help move the genre forward, focusing on creating a musicality that is modern and unique.  I am extremely thrilled and excited be to coming back to the UK and play these songs!”

The ‘Morningstar’ tour and album don’t just come from a determined attempt to push and reinvent musical boundaries, they also come from a troubled and healing heart.

The album

Chris, and pretty much the world, has been suffering, and coping, even as the album was written and produced. Navigating the process of any loss, for Chris a divorce, while dealing with life’s many other challenges, has not been easy. Even more challenging is trying to make sense of it all within the midst of a global pandemic. However, with hope, love, and community, anything is possible, and this is the story of ‘Morningstar’, the fourth studio album from Chris, a 3x-Maple Blues Award-nominee.  

‘Morningstar’ is a joyous blend of incendiary blues-rock guitar playing, poignant song writing, and lush sonic landscapes, that tells a cohesive story of Antonik’s experiences as he enters mid-life. The last few years’ worth of life, love, loss, and growth are synthesized into an epic collection of songs about new beginnings, building community, mindfulness, self-compassion, Antonik’s sobriety, and the power of home.  

Co-produced by Juno Award-winning producer Derek Downham and Antonik, the album’s 14 songs take you on an epic sonic journey rooted in blues and blues rock, with intriguing byways taken via routes of soul, future-funk, psychedelia, late-1980’s-Clapton/Robbie Robertson/Daniel Lanois and experimental turns into blues-based modern rock and hip-hop territories.  

While ‘Morningstar’ is mindful of blues tradition, it is an adventurous record of songs, weaving classic with contemporary, and stretching every idea across the aural spectrum. Through it all, Antonik plays his guitar with unbridled ferocity and passion, mining his soul deeper than he ever has before.  

Special guests on ‘Morningstar,’ include 2x-Grammy Award-winner Mike Mattison (Tedeschi Trucks Band, Derek Trucks Band), 3x-Blues Music Award-nominee Jarekus Singleton, and multiple-Maple Blues Award-winner Paul Deslauriers.

Impact

In August 2022, ‘Morningstar’ rocketed to #1 on Canada’s Roots Music Report album charts and spent two weeks on top. In the U.S., the album hit #3 for blues-rock and #20 for blues (U.S. Roots Music Report). All three of the album’s singles hit #1 in Canada on the Roots Music Report in summer 2022 (for all genres at once, not just blues). A total of 8 songs from the album have charted in Canada’s top 50 (also for all genres, not just blues). 

In a major professional accolade, ‘Morningstar’ has been embraced by leading contemporary Bluesman Joe Bonamassa: the album’s first three singles were added to the acclaimed guitarist’s Spotify playlists, “Cutting Edge Blues,” “Epic Guitar Solos,” and “Ultimate Blues Rock.” The third single from the album, “Back to the Good”, was added to Spotify’s official editorial playlist “Modern Blues Rock” (131K likes). 

Tour

Now, it’s time to take the trail-blazing phenomenon of ‘Morningstar’ to the UK. Chris’s hand-picked five-piece touring band is Ben Fisher (2nd guitar), Marc Wotherspoon (drums), Ben Hearn (bass), and Alberto Manuzzi (piano and organ). They can be seen in November as follows:

  • 4th – Ain’t Nothin But The Blues Bar, London
  • 5th – Borough Blues Club, Cwmbran, Wales – part of #CanadaGoesCymru
  • 8th – Red Arrow Music Club, Ramsgate, Kent
  • 9th – Flying Circus, Newark 
  • 10th – Backstage at the Green Hotel Kinross, Scotland
  • 11th – The Howlin’ Wolf, Glasgow, Scotland
  • 12th – The Source, Carlisle
  • 13th – The Bourne Music Club, Sittingbourne, Kent – double bill with Erja Lyytinen

Chris Antonik acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Links:

Morningstar: on Spotify here and on Soundcloud here

Videos from album:

  • Waves of Stone: released 3rd June, view here
  • Pilgrim: released 8th July, view here
  • Album release and Back To The Good: released 5th August, view here
  • Trust in Me: released 9th September, view here