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Christopher Ford has been attacking acoustic guitars on stages throughout Western Canada for the past half-decade, grinding out a soulful, energetic form of folk that demands a second listen. Don't let the bright banter between songs fool you: once he starts playing, he brings a profound-yet-paranoid urgency to the stage that has earned him a devoted following in both Alberta and B.C.

After cutting his teeth standing out from amongst the cowboy hats in Calgary and the blue-collar bars of Edmonton's winter, Christopher moved westward to the land of long beards and thick-rimmed glasses, and the transition has helped him to find his true voice.  In December, Christopher hosted a wildly successful release party at The Media Club - one of Vancouver's classiest listening rooms - for his latest EP, Heroes and Heathens.  Marking the culmination of half a year of writing and recorded largely in Christopher’s East Van laneway home, Heroes and Heathens features an eclectic mix of alt-folk influenced by the work of inscrutable 1970s music giant Cat Stevens.

Christopher has become a fixture at Vancouver open mics, coffee shops, and shady dive-bars, playing dozens of shows and appearing on local radio programs, but the release of the new EP marks a distinct turning point for his career and a commitment to a fuller, more mature sound.  Heroes and Heathens has been receiving acclaim in the blogosphere, with indie reviewer Wordkrapht declaring that “[Ford’s] clever lyrics, smooth voice, and gifted hands will strike a chord with you and bring you back to listen to his music for years to come.”  Vancouver's Fresh Independence blog praised him as "one of the greatest singer/songwriters to watch out for," The Permanent Rain Press called him "powerful and entertaining," and Vancouver arts magazine The Georgia Straight noted in a preview that Christopher’s vocal delivery “conjures Phoenix’s Thomas Mars … with a twangin’ accent.” 

In response, Christopher is embarking on a tour in April 2014 to support the record, spanning 13 shows in the Pacific Northwest.  Thanks to the inscrutable powers of the internet, you can follow his adventures on his blog at www.c-ford.net or on Twitter at @toolestooles.