He has handsome bearing, with a face that appears to be chiseled out of fine marble. Gordie Tentrees looks strong, determined. Like he means business, because he does. Gordie comes from the Yukon Territory, and has plans to tour through November! Busy, busy, busy! And that includes some dates with one of his influences, Fred Eaglesmith, on his Southern Picnics!

On Gordie's third album, Mercy or Sin, the song “Alfred” is a dark, poignant, acoustic tale. “Walks with a hitch, right side hip, reads a dirt palm, right before he spits, thinks on the rain, hollers for the end, Alfred is old his blood ain't thin.” Subject matter meets texture. I remember an interview with Bonnie Raitt from eons ago, where she said that the slide guitar's sound drew her in because it sounded human. Like mourning, wailing, crying. I love how evocative different instruments are. What tone Ken Hermanson gets. It immediately transports you. And then there is Jennie Sosnowski on upright. Sweet harmonies all around. Gordie Tentrees, "Alfred." And we did it on a bus!

- Jessie Scott