When you’ve hit it big and viewed things from the great heights of success, it takes a lot of intestinal fortitude to take a serious look at your life and step away from it all.
Séan McCann, one of the founding members of Newfoundland’s Great Big Sea phenomenon, though, did just that a couple of years ago after looking back at his 20 years with the popular band.
And we’re not just talking navel gazing here – McCann has completely stepped away from his former Sea life, opting for an entirely self-supported solo operation. He’s even left his beloved Newfoundland to live in small town Ontario with his wife and two sons.
The results of his solo efforts can be heard, Sunday (Nov. 15) at Communitea Café. McCann is touring across Canada in support of his second solo release, You Know I Love You, which follows Help Your Self (2014). Both albums were produced by Joel Plaskett.
At this point, of course, you’re asking yourself, ‘why, why would Sean leave the band, international tours, hit songs, adoring fans and the long-running party that is Great Big Sea?’
One of the main reasons he walked away is that Great Big Sea was just that; a party. McCann found himself lost musically, dealing with alcoholism, not enjoying being part of the band and paying a price in his personal relationships.
He believes music is meant to connect, heal, and bring happiness. He was giving that to fans, but he was slowly losing his own way. Instead of seeking truth he was hiding behind his music. His solo albums have at the heart of them a man who has recognized his demons and is facing them.
“I told the boys in 2012 that I’d do one last tour,” said McCann. “I said time’s flying and I needed change. I had a drinking problem and Great Big Sea was a great place to hide. (As he recalls, at a 2011 solo show at Communitea Café, “I wasn’t sober, but I remember it was really nice”).
“It was a party band, we were drinking every night – wherever we were was where the party was. Quite often, we had liquor-soaked gigs.
“I’d sobered up 16 months before I left the band, but I had decided it was the best thing to do for all concerned. I thought we weren’t moving forward. We didn’t agree on almost anything for the last six or seven years and we went from being great friends to not talking while on a bus touring around.
“We were on the same bus, but not on the same bus and I couldn’t drink enough to keep doing it. It also affected my home life; that’s on me and that was from drinking too.”
Now 48, “going on 20,” McCann has accepted the challenges of going it alone, made suitable lifestyle changes and is looking toward the future.
Of local interest is the fact that, while many of the songs on You Know I Love You had their origins in Newfoundland, many were polished while McCann was working at The Banff Centre in 2014.
“I like to start writing at sea level in Newfoundland and at some point, get to the mountains. I’ve had a long relationship with The Banff Centre and at altitude I seem to get better at it and maybe change direction.
“I enjoy nature, and the ocean and mountains have different energies. They’re great, living behemoths and are things that can kill you. I could have easily moved to the mountains.”
Now living about 20 minutes from Ottawa in a “very rural, very pretty” spot, McCann said scaling back his life is working for him. On this tour, he’s playing smaller, more intimate venues, like churches, clubs and small theatres, “like back in the old days, when Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton would tour like that. I love small venues.
“I’m also my own agent, manager and promoter, although I’ve hired a publicist (Amy Doary). This is all kind of an experiment, because I think the business is in a state of denial.
“I want to go with no funding. I need to know if there’s a true economy for music or if it’s taxpayer’s money keeping it going. Hopefully there’s an economy, because hospitals need money for beds too.
“I’m going without grants; it’s all bare bones. There are so many reasons not to go to a large show these days; like people’s phones. So many people are always looking at their phones. Music is up against a lot because phones and the Internet are amazing and convenient.
“It’s all made music very disposable.”
In quitting drinking, McCann had worried that his inspiration might have dried up, but he’s found that not to be the situation.
“I’m writing exponentially more. Some songs are new, or come from bits and pieces I’ve had for a while. “Little Miss Know-it-All” was written for my wife, because she is, and all the songs are me. It’s very sincere.”
Going into the studio with Plaskett for You Know I Love You, McCann had about 40 songs in hand, “and Joel said, ‘these are all over the place.’ He said they seemed happier and I told him I wanted a new groove, because I was in a happier place.”
The new songs have no particular genre, “they’re just me. They have a positive energy.”
Album artwork, the cover and a piece for each song, was created by singer-songwriter Meaghan Smith.
“I sent her a song and she sent it back with a You Know I Love You Sweet-Tart (candy) over my face. I thought that was cool and I think my former self would have shot that down. I think I missed a lot in my first 30 years.
“But right now I’m feeling good and I’m saying ‘you’re good.’ ”
