LEAN TIMES

Bruce Coughlan

acoustic roots soul singer

Bruce Coughlan is a career performer. A songwriter, recording artist, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, compere, and storyteller par excellence with five decades of experience.

Long-time front-man and songsmith for Celtic Canadiana group Tiller's Folly, Bruce has recently emerged as a solo artist and raconteur. His eclectic mix of original Roots & Rhythm based songs are honest, timeless & authentic. His storytelling is intriguing, matched by his expressive voice and masterful guitar work.

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IN HIS OWN WORDS

the story behind "lean times"

"Lean Times" is the first single from Bruce Coughlan's "Waiting For Rain" LP. It's a gentle, yet soulful offering, inspired by a truly powerful discovery:

"It was a turbulent time for the Music Industry during the onset of streaming platforms. For the independent recording artist, it represented a formidable obstacle. All I'd worked so hard for crumbled to pieces. I found myself scrambling for gigs, ANY gigs. That unexpected turn would lead me to an epiphany about the power of song: Its therapeutic value in some of life’s darkest corners; particularly for those in hospice or battling debilitating illness.

Lean Times reminds us to reach out to those friends or family members who we suspect might be feeling lonely or vulnerable."

Lean Times

Bruce Coughlan w/ The Sojourners

Buy track

WAITING FOR RAIN (LP)

THE SOUND

Imagine the warm, woody tones of acoustic guitar, upright bass & trap kit, paired with the lush, distinctive timbre of Wurlitzer and Hammond organ, each played expertly by master musicians. Now, add the soulful, stirrings of songsmith Bruce Coughlan as they perform a collection of original Retro-esque Roots, Rhythm & Blues music.

THE TEAM

Bruce Coughlan: lead vocals & classical guitar
Simon Kendall: Wurlitzer, Hammond, Clavinet/Pianet, Steinway & thumbtack piano
Joby Baker: kit, congas & shaker
Rob Becker: upright bass (except Back of My Mind – Laurence Knight: upright bass)
Paul Pigat: Gretsch guitar on Take Me Back to Memphis and Yesterday’s News
The Sojourners (Marcus Mosley, Will Sanders & Khari McClelland): support vocals on Lean Times, Waiting for Rain and Peace, Love & Understanding.

Produced by Joby Baker
Recorded, mixed & mastered by Joby Baker at Baker Studios, Victoria, BC Additional direction & recording by Simon Kendall at Hammond St Studio, Vancouver, BC

Photography and design by Fred Armstrong
Warm thanks to all my extraordinary friends & family who continue to prop me up, help me along and keep me going. Thank-you to all the artists who lent their prodigious talents to this recording. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the Waiting for Rain Indiegogo initiative, and to Brigitte Bach Seib & Friends for hosting a fundraising concert. Thank-you all for making this dream project possible. – Bruce Coughlan

P&C Bruce Coughlan Music / Raincoast Records 2017 All rights reserved. All songs registered / Warning: Unauthorized reproduction if this recording is prohibited by Federal law and subject to prosecution / Raincoast Records / www.songsmith.ca / Made in Canada

All songs, music & lyrics by Bruce Coughlan (SOCAN/SESAC) except Step into My Kitchen (Coughlan/Daniel/Whittaker) and Peace, Love & Understanding (Nick Lowe)

Press photos