Written from the perspective of a whale reflecting on his kind being hunted by humans, the tune “A Blue Whale's Lament” was penned by Sudbury folk singer-songwriter Kevin Closs while on a ship.
For months at a time, Closs works aboard small adventure cruise ships in the Arctic and Antarctic, taking passengers out on Zodiac boats, and at night, entertaining in the ships' tiny bars.
He got the idea for the gig from Sudbury musician Jeff Wiseman, who also works for the adventure cruise company G Adventures.
Given Closs has been doing this for the past four years, naturally some of his experiences in the polar regions of the world have crept into his music.
“It certainly absolutely alters your perspective on the world,” Closs said. “You go to Antarctica, and suddenly you feel very, very small.”
He actually recorded the demo for “A Blue Whale's Lament” in the ship's forward storage area while the boat was anchored in the Beagle Channel off of the southern tip of South America.
“I thought that was kind of neat that I could do the whole process of writing, recording and record release on a ship in the southern ocean,” said Closs.
He said he's since properly re-recorded the song, although some people say they prefer the original, with the ambient noises of the ship in the background (that recording was just a little too rough for a single, he said).
You can listen to and purchase “A Blue Whale's Lament” here.
Closs is doing three roughly two-month-long contracts with the cruise company this year. But he's back home for now, and in the meantime, he's working on a new album he hopes to release in 2018.
The veteran musician has put out about a dozen albums in the past, both solo and group projects. An Ontario Arts Council grant has allowed him to focus on recording for now without scrambling to get a day job.
“There's songs (on the album) that aren't about the Arctic or Antarctica at all,” Closs said.
“But it just so happens I've been working in these regions so much that half of (the songs) are about travel and the feelings I've had in those places.”
If you'd like to get a taste of what Closs has been working on, he presents a concert at Cambrian College's Open Studio starting at 8 p.m. May 12.
As well as his music, Closs said he'll be showcasing some of the photos he's taken in the Arctic and Antarctic.
Admission to the show is pay-what-you-can ($20 suggested). Email Leesa Bringas at [email protected] for more information about the show. The concert is being co-presented by Northern Lights Festival Boreal.
