By GAC Staff member Preetam Sengupta

Each month we’ll feature a video from one of Guelph’s musical community members. If you’re a musician and have a video you’d like us to feature, please send a YouTube link our way along with a short bio.

While looking outside might have us wondering if it will ever arrive, spring will be upon us soon, and as we appear to be on course to slowly start peeking our heads out from behind this pandemic just as the buds start to poke out of the ground, today’s Monthly Musical Member video will surely put a little spring in your step. This month’s video comes courtesy of another singer-songwriter who has been on the Guelph scene for a number of years, Alanna Gurr. Another fascinating artist with an array of skills within the music industry, if you don’t know Alanna from her music, you may have had her tune your piano at some point (so cool, right?), or you might recognize her as one of the founders and organizers of the wonderful Holy Smokes Music Festival, which ran for a couple of years here in Guelph. Today’s video features the title track of Alanna’s album that came out in October, Life of the Party. We don’t know Alanna’s actual intent (the beauty of music meaning something different to different people), but the song seemingly takes us on a bit of a juxtaposed journey—a happy-go-lucky, free spirited life on one side, while the other is dealing with questions/struggles—with each side having a bit of both facetime and internalization within these 3 minutes and 42 seconds. We’re sure many of us can relate to one side, the other, or likely both. While we encourage readers to exercise caution when it comes to hitchhiking and sitting in the back of trucks, we firmly believe that if you enjoy watching people smile and enjoy themselves while dancing, this is just the video for you. 

Alanna Gurr

(from official website) A graceful storyteller and a mesmerizing performer, Alanna Gurr is a bold and unique voice in the world of contemporary Canadian song writing. With work that presents stories of personal growth, paired with the desire to experience life and love in their fullest and most honest forms, Gurr’s thoughtful and introspective lyrics are both comforting and assertive. Gurr’s new material, currently being recorded with producer Jim Bryson (Kathleen Edwards, Sarah Harmer, Tanya Davis), strides into a domain of deepened self-reliance and confidence. Her sophistication and sensibility present in both her lyrics and arrangements, earned through years of hard work in the Canadian music industry, they shine boldly and brightly. Whether she’s supported by her minimal rock outfit, or solo on stage, Gurr’s deeply felt and carefully conceived songs are served sublimely by her smooth voice and precision.

You can visit Alanna’s official website at alannagurr.com, and we’re happy to say that her latest album is available for download on Bandcamp, from where we always encourage people to purchase their favourite Monthly Musical Members’ and other artists’ music on the first Friday of each month. Bandcamp Fridays continue on March 4th, April 1st, and May 6th, when a higher portion of your purchase price goes into the pocket of the artists, so mark those dates on your calendar and please continue showing your support for musicians.

We’ll be back with you again next month, but for now, please watch and enjoy Alanna Gurr embodying the “Life of the Party”.

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