SONG FOLLOWS LEAD SINGLE COLD MANITOBA

PROCEEDS FROM BOTH TRACKS TO BENEFIT THE NATIVE ADDICTIONS COUNCIL OF MANITOBA

Toronto, ON – February 1, 2019 – In 2018, Michael Boguski (Blue Rodeo), Chris Mason and Lucas Goetz (formerly of Deep Dark Woods), Jim Bowskill (The Sheepdogs, Blue Rodeo), Chris Sleightholm and Dustin Bentall, teamed up to form The Cold Manitoba Project. Spearheaded by Boguski, the collective of like-minded creatives were moved by Gord Downie’s call for all Canadians to do whatever we can to help move towards healing and reconciliation through awareness, education and action, and began the search for a grassroots charity to support, and a creative way to do so.

Together, they recorded and released Cold Manitoba, with 100% of the proceeds from the track benefitting the Native Addictions Council of Manitoba – a Native-owned and operated treatment centre that directly targets the addictions problems facing First Nations Peoples in Manitoba and the surrounding area. Today, they share a new chapter in the Project, releasing a second single – Hometown Down Heart. Listen to/buy the song here and have a look at the video – which premiered yesterday with Exclaim.ca – for a deeper insight into The Cold Manitoba Project and their mission. 

Like its predecessor, Hometown Down Heart was originally penned by Toronto songwriter, Eddie Orso. The goal of the project is to move people towards healing – healing as individuals and as communities – and to help bring more awareness to unifying issues, such as substance abuse and mental health, and to think of ways to reconcile and move towards peace and togetherness.

“I couldn't be more passionate about this project,” reflects Boguski. “Great musicians working together to help a great cause. The musicians on these tracks are my favourite. I live to hear every note they play. This is a cause that is very dear to my heart. We're all connected. From the moment I heard Gord was fighting to do his thing, and having that brief moment with him side-stage before we did the Lost Together encore at Massey, I just felt an energy coming from him that went right into my core. Let's keep building on what Gord asked every Canadian to do. Don't let the negative news diminish your lovelight. It doesn't take much if we all do our part!”

He continues, “The particular line in Hometown Down Heart, ‘they don't have to feel’, resonates strongly. When you see someone on the street, struggling with addiction issues, lying in the cold, do you have a heart? Can you not feel? If you feel motivated to do more in your local community, do it. First Nations communities exist throughout this shared land of ours. Reconciliation is the supreme act of love. Don't be afraid to follow your heart.”

For more information on the Native Addictions Council of Manitoba please visit: www.nacm.ca

DOWNLOAD – artist collage photo | DOWNLOAD – Hometown Down Heart artwork

www.thecoldmanitobaproject.com