Some artists perform songs. Some perform characters. Petunia lives an entire world.
When Petunia arrives at Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre this September for a rare solo performance, don't expect an ordinary singer-songwriter evening. Expect to step into a forgotten America where freight trains still howl through the night, neon signs flicker outside roadside diners, gamblers shuffle cards until dawn, and every song feels like it has travelled thousands of miles before finding its way to you.
Born in the rolling countryside of rural Quebec and now based in Vancouver, Petunia has spent his life chasing stories rather than success. Before international tours and festival stages, he earned his stripes busking on street corners across Canada and deep beneath the streets of New York in the subway system, learning the ancient art of captivating complete strangers with nothing more than a voice, a guitar and sheer charisma.
Trying to describe Petunia is almost impossible—and that's exactly why audiences fall in love with him.
Imagine if David Lynch and Nick Cave had a hillbilly child that yodelled. Imagine Tom Waits crossing paths with Elvis Presley at Woody Guthrie's mythical hobo junction. Imagine Hank Williams viewed through a wonderfully surreal dream. Somewhere in that extraordinary landscape you'll begin to understand the musical universe that Petunia inhabits.
His performances effortlessly weave together country, western swing, blues, early rock 'n' roll, jazz, gospel, folk, Cajun, rockabilly and Americana, yet somehow sound like nobody else on earth. Every note carries echoes of another era whilst feeling completely alive in the present.
Over the years he has become one of Canada's most treasured underground musical exports, touring extensively throughout North America and Europe both as a solo performer and alongside his acclaimed band, The Vipers. Away from the stage he has immersed himself in theatre, composing scores, acting and collaborating with performance artists, adding yet another layer to an already fascinating creative life.
Critics have struggled—in the best possible way—to put him into words.
Phil Alvin famously declared:
"One of the best bands in the world today, of any kind."
Bob Harris praised Petunia's "hybrid musical style" and celebrated an artist who effortlessly moves between genres with fearless originality.
The New York Post described his music as:
"Real underground music. Foot-tapping country & western laced with rock and jazz."
Meanwhile, Saving Country Music hailed Petunia and The Vipers as innovators who are "defining the cutting edge of what is considered creative in country and roots today, while still keeping alive what made country music great in the past."
Reviewers have praised his astonishing vocal control, his remarkable yodelling, and an ability to leap effortlessly between hillbilly boogie, western swing, blues, jazz and rock without ever sounding contrived.
For this special Barnoldswick appearance, you'll experience Petunia exactly as many believe he should be heard—alone with his songs. Stripped of everything except the stories, the humour, the heartbreak and that wonderfully unique voice, this promises to be an evening that feels less like a concert and more like discovering a long-lost travelling troubadour from another century.
Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre has built its reputation on bringing genuine originals to the UK stage. Artists who refuse to fit neatly inside musical boxes. Petunia may be one of the finest examples yet.
If your record collection includes Tom Waits, Johnny Cash, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Nick Cave, Leon Redbone, Ray Condo, Ry Cooder, Dave Van Ronk or the beautifully eccentric corners of Americana, this is a night that belongs firmly in your diary.
Some musicians preserve history. Others make it.
Petunia somehow manages to do both at exactly the same time.
Need help, lost your tickets, or have any questions? Click here for help