Image courtesy the artist.
Singing vibrant duets, writing deadly songs, playing handmade banjos and loving old acoustic guitars, Pharis & Jason Romero have a classic story.
When some scratchy old records and a custom banjo led to their meeting in 2007, they quickly knew they were in for the long haul. They've since released six records and toured across North America and the UK. They've won two Juno award, multiple Canadian Folk Music Awards, been featured on NPR Music, CBC, BBC, and Folk Alley, and have performed on A Prairie Home Companion and CBC's The Vinyl Cafe. They are passionate teachers and believers in many things folk, and their heartbreakingly harmonic live show is an ever-evolving and never-ending quest for good songs and beautiful sounds. Pharis is Artistic Director for Voice Works, a workshop for singers, as part of her work as a diverse singing teacher; Jason instructs all styles of banjo playing, especially old-time three-finger playing.
Sweet Old Religion, the newest release from the duo, is an all-original record that embraces the listener with the sounds of over a decade of playing and listening together. It won a 2019 Juno Award for Traditional Roots Record, Traditional Singer and Vocal Ensemble of the year at the Canadian Folk Music 2018 Awards, was the #1 most played record of 2018 on Stingray Folk-Roots, and was included on Best of 2018 Lists including No Depression, Folk Alley, CKUA, Radio Heartland, Folk Roots Radio, Front Porch Bluegrass, KPFA, KHUM, KBCS and more. Light, love and time lead the themes, with the duo at the forefront in their most beautifully gritty, honest and sweet record yet. Produced by Marc Jenkins, engineered by John Raham, with musical guests and a choir of family & friends, Sweet Old Religion follows up on the critical acclaim of 2015's A Wanderer I'll Stay. Called "sublime" (NPR) and "brilliant" (BBC), Wanderer won a 2016 Juno Award, a Western Canadian Music Award, and was nominated for an International Folk Music Award and four Canadian Folk Music Awards. The title track was 2015's #1 most-played song on the Folk-DJ Charts.
"Pharis & Jason’s luscious harmonies will get followers of any faith singing their praises.” - RNR Magazine