From their beginnings as three actors who also loved to sing together, The Once has embraced a different vision of Newfoundland music. Their sounds do not come from the noisy pubs and dockside taverns that fuel so much of the Island’s energy. Instead, their music comes from a quieter and more thoughtful place. Lead singer Geraldine Hollett, has an instrument of rare power. She is a singer who can still a noisy room, so compelling she can tell a novel-length story with a few words. Accompanied by Phil Churchill and Andrew Dale on guitar, mandolin, fiddle and bouzouki, they create a perfect blend of voice and melody. Hope and tragedy are intertwined in their music, whether they are singing an old lament from World War I, original songs that speak of love defeated, or tasteful songs from the artists whose music inspires them. Their debut album has built a fervent following, and their live show is unique in its combination of intimacy and power. They have won several East Coast Music and Canadian Folk Music Awards, and with ROW UPON ROW OF THE PEOPLE THEY KNOW, The Once will take its place amongst Canada’s finest performers.