Returning from tour

Returning from a month-long tour in southern Ontario, Nick Sherman of Weagamow Lake First Nation found himself right at home with a welcome home show July 6.
“After I released my album in January, I’ve just been playing as much as I possibly can,” said Sherman. “It was really nice to just play for an entire month.”
Sherman said he tried to hit all the major cities: Toronto, Montreal, Windsor, and Ottawa while visiting smaller towns in between when he had the chance.
He said the vibe is different when he played in small towns compared to big cities.
Sherman said that in small towns, he got the type of crowd that came out to listen to live music.
“In the city, you’re basically helping create the atmosphere of the venue you’re playing at,” Sherman remarked.
He said that some of the challenges he faced were mostly physical.
“I got sick in the first week, so that was a huge obstacle,” said Sherman, who had to figure out how he was going to play in a “semi-proper state of mind.”
He said a lot of Tylenol, nasal drainage and drinking green tea with honey helped in getting him through his shows.
“After the show, I didn’t care what my condition was, but before the show, it was a two hour process of trying to make sure my face wasn’t going to fall off on stage,” said Sherman.
The weather was a big obstacle as well.
Sherman said that driving around southern Ontario in a ’98 escort he bought second-hand for $600 – where some days were as hot as 30 degrees – were just unreal.
“Trying to be motivated and have the energy to make it to the next show was a challenge,” said Sherman.
Sherman said that all in all, it was a positive experience.
He said he made some really good friends, people he’d be interested in working with down the road, and a couple of new fans.
“If someone bought a CD once a night, it was a success. So, in that sense, I’d say I made an impact.”
Sherman said he hoped to be touring again real soon.
Jean-Paul De Roover, a musician with many talents was at the show and had tagged along with Sherman for the last half of his tour.
“He was just finishing up his tour, so we decided to meet up and have some fun for a couple of shows,” said De Roover. “This is Nick’s first big tour, so I’m really proud of him and glad for what he’s doing.”
Sherman grew up mostly in and around the Weagamow Lake area, living on reserve as well as on the trap lines.
He said he took an interest in music in his early teen years, and started messing around with writing songs and performing as he got older.
Taking place in the basement of the Centennial Centre in Sioux Lookout, the welcome home show also featured the musical talents of Jean Paul De Roover, Natasha Quequish and Kaden Anderson.