The Harmony Lounge & Music Club has received a $5,000 grant from the Anglican Foundation of Canada (AFC) in support of “Origin Story,” its first full-length album.
“When we stretched ourselves to launch a Young People’s Recording Studio last summer, we never imagined it would have taken off like this,” says Chris Yeomans, Chair of the Harmony Advisory Committee.
The album, developed in partnership with Basement Town Records, led by Napanee-based producer and recording engineer Matt Alkenbrack, features original music by under-20 musicians in Greater Napanee and surrounding communities, including Belleville.
“A full-length youth voices album that is also youth-led in terms of its production will be one of the most innovative arts offerings in Canada,” says Yeomans. “Youth-oriented recording studios are becoming fashionable in some urban centres, but this may be the first of its kind in a rural community, and it’s the only one of its kind supported by an Anglican Church.”
Yeomans is grateful to AFC for recognizing the project for its creativity and innovation.
“Harmony was started with a grant from the Anglican Diocese of Ontario who supported us in our risk-taking. It’s fitting that this next new thing that we’re doing is also being supported by our denomination’s Foundation,” added Yeomans.
The debut single from the album is “Nothingness” by Jade Peter, a mentor in Harmony’s vocal program. It was released during Harmony’s “Back in Blue” concert Dec. 1. The second single, “Two Ways” by Ethan Stein (also a Harmony Rock Skool alumnus and mentor) and Ava Nicholls, was released on Dec. 22. The full album will be released on all streaming platforms during the Harmony “Origin Story Release Party” on Friday, Feb. 23.