Some musicians schedule tours because the timing fits between their other gigs as studio musicians, music teachers, or artists-in-residence. Trevor Tchir’s upcoming Edmonton show works because he has a break in his semester. He’s a political science professor at Algoma University in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Tchir’s new album, What Fools Endure, is the singer-songwriter’s sixth. “It’s my first album in five years,” says Tchir, “and the second one I recorded in Sault Ste. Marie.”
Trevor says, “The songs, for the most part, came out of a songwriting circle that my brother invited me to. It was an online weekly thing that started during the pandemic, to give people a chance to meet with other songwriters. So at least half of the songs on this album came from that workshop.”
Originally from St. Albert, Alberta, Tchir will be back in the province for one show in October, and he’ll have his brother, Stephen Tchir, with him. Stephen is a multi-instrumentalist who plays with indie-band The Provincial Archive.
The Tchir brothers grew up in a musical family. Trevor says, “Our parents were supportive of our music. We grew up playing piano, and then in our teens we started playing guitar. We’d play at places like the St. Albert Farmers’ Market and Whyte Avenue.”
He adds, “My dad is from the Redwater area, and came from a big musical family. All his uncles played in prairie barn dances.”
Tchir left St. Albert when he was seventeen. He was a page in the House of Commons, studied political science, and found what he describes as a “rich music scene” in Ottawa. “I started playing my songs at pubs and cafés. I met a lot of good friends and collaborators.”
Then, he says, “I would return to the St. Albert and Edmonton area every summer while I was in school. And when you’re there, you get exposed to such good music through CKUA, The North Country Fair, and the Edmonton Folk Festival. That was a big part of my musical upbringing.”
After seven years in Ottawa, Tchir returned to Edmonton to begin his PhD in political science at the University of Alberta. When his PhD was complete, he was hired at Algoma University, which he describes as “such good luck.”
He says, “It happened to be where my wife was born, where we were married, and where our kids had some grandparents. So even though it was tough to leave family, we were going towards something good, too.”
Tchir’s dual career as a musician and a professor aren’t as far apart as some might initially think. “They complement each other,” he says. “The thing I like the most about teaching is curating an experience for the students by planning the readings and themes we’re going to talk about. That’s a lot like curating an album or a set list. I just love engaging with people, whether it’s other musicians, or radio people, or listeners. In both pursuits, I’m thinking a lot about language and meaning.”
For one show in Edmonton on October 17, Stephen Tchir will play guitar. Bramwell Park will be on drums, and Steve Badach will play bass. Sahil Chugh will be on organ. “It will be cool to re-unite with those guys,” says Tchir. “They’re all pros, so they’ll be ready.”
Trevor Tchir will play The Aviary in Edmonton on October 17. Find info here.
“Drumheller” is a track from Tchir’s new album, What Fools Endure.
