The Once

The Once
Name	The Once
Background	group_or_band
Origin	St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Genres	Folk, Traditional, Contemporary Folk
Years active	2004–present
Labels	Borealis Records, Company House Records

The Once is a Canadian folk trio from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador noted for close three-part harmonies and a repertoire blending traditional Newfoundland material with contemporary songwriting. The ensemble has toured across North America and Europe, recorded multiple albums, and collaborated with artists and institutions from Atlantic Canada and beyond. Their work engages with regional song traditions, modern folk networks, and festival circuits.

Introduction

Formed in the early 21st century in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, the trio emerged amid revitalized interest in Atlantic Canadian song traditions championed by artists connected to Ron Hynes, Great Big Sea, Lennie Gallant, and institutions like the Folk Alliance International and Canadian Folk Music Awards. The Once's recordings have been released on labels associated with artists such as Borealis Records and have been distributed through networks overlapping with CBC Music, NPR Music, and independent folk promoters in Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver.

History and Formation

The trio coalesced from the St. John's music community that includes venues such as The Ship Pub (St. John's), events like the St. John's Folk Festival, and educational programs linked to Memorial University of Newfoundland. Early personnel participated in local sessions and collaborative projects alongside figures from the Newfoundland folk revival, drawing on repertoires preserved by collectors linked to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic and archives at the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador. Their first EPs and albums circulated via regional radio played on stations such as CBC Radio One and Radio-Canada.

Musical Style and Influences

The group's harmonic approach reflects influences from artists and ensembles including Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, The Chieftains, Peter, Paul and Mary, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and contemporary trios like The Wailin' Jennys and The Staves. Their arrangements echo modal melodies found in collections associated with folklorists like Maud Karpeles and Violet Gordon Woodhouse and repertoire overlaps with traditional Newfoundland performers such as Cecilia Begg and songwriters like Andy Irvine and Kate Bush in terms of narrative sensibility. Production choices on recordings have involved engineers and producers with credits alongside acts appearing at Newport Folk Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Celtic Colours International Festival.

Discography

Studio albums, EPs, and collaborative releases document evolving repertoire and production contexts; releases have been noted in listings alongside albums by Stan Rogers, Anne Murray, Gordon Lightfoot, and The Rankin Family on folk catalogues. Titles have been distributed through platforms linked to Bandcamp, physical distributors tied to Warner Music Group and independent distributors servicing festivals such as MerleFest and Bonnaroo where folk stages curate similar artists. Compilation appearances include projects associated with Rough Guide to the Music of Newfoundland and charity compilations promoted by Musicians Without Borders.

Band Members and Personnel

Core membership includes three vocalists and multi-instrumentalists who have collaborated with session musicians and producers connected to studios in Toronto, Halifax, and London (UK). Touring lineups have featured accompanists with credits alongside artists who perform at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, and festivals like Glastonbury Festival and Solas Festival. Collaborative partners have included songwriters and arrangers linked to Leonard Cohen’s circle, production teams associated with Daniel Lanois and T Bone Burnett, and guest performers from projects curated by Garth Hudson and Emmylou Harris.

Critical Reception and Awards

Critical responses have been published in outlets including The Globe and Mail, The Guardian, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and folk-specific journals allied with Songlines and fRoots. The Once have received nominations and awards in competitions and institutions such as the Canadian Folk Music Awards, East Coast Music Awards, and have been referenced in programming by CBC Television and BBC Radio 2. Reviews often compare their harmonies to ensembles like The McGarrigle Sisters and soloists including Shawn Colvin and Joanna Newsom.

Tours and Live Performances

Touring history encompasses North American circuits from venues like The Dakota Tavern (Toronto) and The Gramercy Theatre to European appearances at clubs and festivals including WOMAD, Roskilde Festival, and the Cambridge Folk Festival. The group has appeared on broadcast stages associated with Later... with Jools Holland, A Prairie Home Companion, and sessions for Mountain Stage, often sharing bills with artists represented by agencies such as Creative Artists Agency and William Morris Endeavor. Residency and outreach programs have connected them to cultural institutions like the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council and international exchange programs supported by Canada Council for the Arts.

Category:Canadian folk music groups Category:Musical groups from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador