Pharis and Jason Romero have made it into the Smithsonian.

Well, into Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, that is.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 really exciting for us, it害羞草研究所檚 our first time doing a record with a record label,害羞草研究所� said Pharis, one half of the award-winning folk duo. Though they are usually self-reliant, producing, promoting and distributing their own records, the pair are happy to hand over those jobs for this release.

The pair害羞草研究所檚 latest album, 害羞草研究所楾ell 害羞草研究所楨m You Were Gold害羞草研究所� takes its name from one line in the song Souvenir.

The line stuck out for both of them, from the lyrics Pharis wrote, and which Jason then put the music to.

The video for the song was filmed in the historic 153 Mile Store, near Williams Lake.

Pharis said the location for the video came about after talking to Rick Magnell, a local photographer and videographer who she and Jason have worked with many times before.

害羞草研究所淗e害羞草研究所檚 the ultimate videographer and photographer because he is constantly pushing his skill set and his equipment set,害羞草研究所� said Pharis, of Magnell.

The folk duo have worked with Magnell on three records to make promotional photography and videos.

They were brainstorming historic and interesting locations which would fit with the song害羞草研究所檚 theme and title, coming up with Barkerville, their old barn and then Magnell suggested the historic store.

害羞草研究所淚 had never been in it, but that was the perfect idea,害羞草研究所� said Pharis, who explained the location seemed like a fit for a couple of reasons.

Pharis害羞草研究所� maiden name is Patenaude, so she is distantly related to Roger Patenaude, who along with his wife Alison, have been caretaking the store for the past few years on behalf of the Patenaude family.

Roger害羞草研究所檚 family used to own the 153 Mile Ranch and have been maintaining the historic store for a couple of generations now. The store is something of a museum, housing all manner of historic goods.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 this incredible time capsule of Cariboo history,害羞草研究所� described Pharis, referencing one line in the song: 害羞草研究所渁 souvenir of time.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所淎lthough the song is not a direct reference to things being physical, tangible souvenirs, the store felt like such a great representation of just the idea of things being a souvenir.害羞草研究所�

She said the filming of the video in the store, however, was a challenge. They were trying to convey a sense of intimacy in music and a sense of the place they were in, and to overcome working in such an old building.

害羞草研究所淲e had extension cords running all over the place,害羞草研究所� recalled Pharis, with only one electrical outlet to light the space.

But the video gives no hint of those hurdles, and the video glows with both light and the warmth of the folk power-couples害羞草研究所� voices.

The Souvenir video is the first for their new record, an album that seems different to them, she said because it has more of a thematic feel, focusing on banjos, with Jason playing seven unique banjos in the 16 songs.

The emphasis is on each of these instruments害羞草研究所� sounds and backstory, which is appropriate because this year marks 20 years of the couple害羞草研究所檚 banjo-making business and this year they will produce their 500th banjo.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 lots of like 害羞草研究所楾ing! Ting! Ting!害羞草研究所� moments,害羞草研究所� said Pharis. 害羞草研究所淚t feels quite incredible, actually.害羞草研究所�

Jason has been building and hanging onto banjos for the last few years to work towards this project, which also included a film crew coming up to Horsefly, documenting the making of the album.

This year also marks 15 years of marriage for Jason and Pharis.

While in some ways, Pharis said the 15 years can feel like they have gone by quickly, in other ways, it has been far from high-speed.

害羞草研究所淚f I sit back and just think about the last 15 years of my life and what害羞草研究所檚 happened, I think 害羞草研究所極h no, that害羞草研究所檚 not fast at all.害羞草研究所� It害羞草研究所檚 so full. So that害羞草研究所檚 a good feeling.害羞草研究所�

The pair so far produced two kids, five records, won three Juno awards and seven Canadian Folk music awards.

害羞草研究所淟ots of similarities and lots of difference, enough to keep it interesting,害羞草研究所� says Pharis, of the partnership.

Read more:

Read more:

ruth.lloyd@wltribune.com
Like us on and follow us on