4th Line Theatre in Millbrook has released The Verandah Sessions, a digital EP of four original songs with music and lyrics by Peterborough’s Kate Suhr.
The four songs on the EP — “Tell Me Everything”, “Slow Living”, “Prayer Song”, and “On the Heels of Silence” — were originally performed during The Verandah Society in Residence at 4th Line Theatre at the Winslow Farm in Millbrook last summer.
Created and performed by Kate Suhr and Megan Murphy with support from musician Saskia Tomkins, and featuring a hybrid of storytelling and music, the production was an extension of The Veranda Café show that the Suhr and Murphy initially brought to people’s porches and backyards throughout the summer of 2020 to connect with and perform for people during the pandemic.
“It was an unbelievable gift to be able to create art with my dear friend Megan Murphy at the Winslow farm this past summer,” Suhr says in a media release. “After immersing myself in Meg’s inspirational stories and then spending time with my own thoughts and feelings surrounding the last few years, four new songs were born.”
Produced by James McKenty and Suhr, The Verandah Sessions was recorded at McKenty’s In Record Time Studio and was mixed and mastered by McKenty.
The four songs feature Suhr singing and playing acoustic guitar, with Murphy performing backup vocals on “Tell Me Everything”. Saskia Tomkins performs on violin, viola, and cello with McKenty performing on acoustic and electric guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, bass, and drums. Jennifer Moher designed the album cover.
AUDIO: “The Verandah Sessions” by Kate Suhr
“For those who were not able to see the show, Kate’s songs will give you a real sense of the beauty of the work,” says 4th Line’s managing artistic director Kim Blackwell, who directed last summer’s production in Millbrook as well as a holiday-themed Verandah Society show in December as Showplace Performance Centre in downtown Peterborough.
The 16-minute digital EP is available for $7 at Bandcamp and on Apple Music.
“I am truly thankful for 4th Line Theatre’s generosity and continuous support,” Suhr says. ” I am also indebted to the incomparable Saskia Tomkins and James McKenty for embracing my music and breathing life into everything I was hoping to convey. Without all of these wonderful people, this recording, and these songs would never have seen the light of day. I am humbled and I am grateful.”
