Dez Loreen
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 14, 2008

INUVIK - The 20th Annual Great Northern Arts Festival is in full swing in Inuvik.

Hometown musician Bryce O'Connor was scheduled to kick off the event on Saturday night, opening for visiting singer Lucie Idlout.

O'Connor prepared a set of original music to perform.

"It's sort of a pop-blues, adult-oriented, middle-of-the-road kind of thing," he said.

His track list for the gig included songs he has written over his storied career as a musician who has travelled the country.

O'Connor used to be a full-time performer, taking his act on the road.

He started his own troupe as a high school student.

"When I was in my 20s, I was doing it full time, touring and being on the road."

Scheduled to play with O'Connor this weekend were bassist Ian Morrice, guitarist Laurie MacNabb and drummer Mike Eyers.

Although the band hasn't had too much time playing as a group, O'Connor is confident in their abilities.

"They have copies of the music we'll be playing, so we'll just have to work on the starts and stops," he said.

O'Connor has many inspirations for his music, from Leonard Cohen, to Neil Diamond and Pink Floyd.

O'Connor will play from his 1999 release Mother Earth. "It's my environmental anthem that I wrote."

"We're looking forward to performing with Lucie."