About the

Collaboration

Renowned Canadian songwriter Stephen Fearing is posed to once again captivate listeners with the release of his next album, The Empathist. The 10-track record, produced in collaboration with Grammy-nominated drummer Ken Coomer (Wilco, Uncle Tupelo), showcases Fearing’s ability to blend heartfelt storytelling with rich, immersive soundscapes. Recorded in Nashville over a whirlwind week, The Empathist features contributions from longtime Blackie & The Rodeo Kings bassist John Dymond and Nashville multi-instrumentalist Jim Hoke, whose mastery of pedal steel, piano, and saxophone adds depth and texture to the album. 

Following the release of The Empathist, Fearing will hit the road with his longtime collaborators, the award-winning Danish indie-folk band The Sentimentals. Their dynamic partnership, which began in 2018, has lit up stages across Europe and Canada, bringing a unique fusion of classic Tin Pan Alley songwriting and innovative folk elements to life. Their collaboration was first celebrated on Fearing’s 2022 album Vejpoesi (Danish for “Road Poems”), recorded over three days in Denmark’s Maskinhallen theater. Together, Fearing and The Sentimentals have developed a distinctive sound, blending tradition and experimentation into performances that captivate audiences night after night. 

As Stephen Fearing and The Sentimentals tour The Empathist, fans can expect an emotionally charged live experience that highlights the creative risks and bold musical interplay that have defined Fearing’s career. With each performance, they continue to push the boundaries of roots music, weaving together authenticity and innovation in a way that resonates deeply with listeners.