Sunday Verse
Season Two of the Sunday Verse is a companion piece to the new William Prince offering, “Gospel First Nation,” a 21st century Northern Interlake geographical sound imprint that tells stories of family and faith in the age of grief. This album has been a hundred years in the making. On the cover is the Prince Memorial Chapel, a one-room, wood-sided building which has stood in Peguis First Nation in Manitoba, Canada since 1929. The chapel, no longer in use, holds in its name a story of family, identity and history that began a century before the chapel was built, and will continue long after it falls apart. Over ten episodes, William Prince tells us this story through the music of his childhood, songs of faith, struggle and grace.
Episodes
Throughout Sunday Verse, William Prince will share the stories behind his new songs as well as other observations and experiences. Recorded in Winnipeg at The Song Shop, where Prince recorded many songs from Reliever, Sunday Verse is produced by Julie Penner (The Vinyl Café).
Listen to "Reliever."
Throughout Sunday Verse, William Prince will share the stories behind his new songs as well as other observations and experiences. Recorded in Winnipeg at The Song Shop, where Prince recorded many songs from Reliever, Sunday Verse is produced by Julie Penner (The Vinyl Café).
Listen to "Reliever."
“The thing that relieves me and heals me the most is being around his beautiful, innocent spirit. My son, you are a lighthouse to me.” Healthy conversations. Join William this week as he talks about his son, community and health, mental and otherwise, and why it is so important to him.
Listen to "Reliever."
“This song was really born inside a Johnny Cash song - Flesh & Blood.” On this week’s episode of Sunday Verse, William talks about a difficult split, love language and working at a country radio station.
Listen to "Reliever."
“There’s nothing more helpless than distance. Especially distance you can’t cover quickly.” Crossing meridians in conversation, this week William opens up about helplessness, the wide open space of the sea and how he helps himself feel better when he’s missing home. Sit in for a row or a round. “Leave It By The Sea” is this week’s song on Sunday Verse.
“Everybody loses a father. Everybody loses a mother. Everybody loses a parent, is what I’m trying to say. It’s a thing, connects us in our grief in a beautiful way.” In the sixth episode of Sunday Verse, we hear William talk about time well spent, the loss of his dad and his own role as a father.
“That’s why they ask, you know, “Make a tape!” That’s always the big thing. “Can you make a cd? Sing these favourites.” William reflects on his song, Great Wide Open and growing up with his father, a traveling preacher and successful gospel musician, and keeping tradition alive. “‘Go live the best you can, and I’ll meet you again the Great Wide Open.’ is the hope.” Episode 7 is ready to receive you.
“Are they falling off a bed? Are they gonna be ok when they’re 70? It’s weird how hose two trains are always runnin’ side by side.” Parenthood is a major theme within Reliever. On this episode of Sunday Verse, William talks to the podcast’s producer, Julie Penner, about parenthood, purpose and what you can find when you’re searching for something bigger than yourself.
“Old Souls” with Scott Nolan “I have this theory that you get quieter as you get better.” On this special episode of Sunday Verse, William speaks with a special guest Scott Nolan, the producer of Reliever and co-writer of “Old Souls”. The two talk Song Shop and cover collaboration, confidence and the connection between William’s tattoo and Scott’s words. Two voices on the airwaves share one conversation.
“Be present, respectful. That’s how we can tackle all things. We can overcome.” The ASMR episode you never knew you needed! In the final episode of Sunday Verse, William Prince's soothing voice leads us through some deep breathing, allowing us the chance to relax as he delves into icebreakers, anxiety eradicators and nerve distillers - a reliever of an episode for these trying times.
“The title track tells of a special place in Fisher Bay, Manitoba. A muster point for the soul.” William Prince talks about his inspiration to make “Gospel First Nation,” and the inherent conflict presented in this music, which is at once a tool and symbol of colonization and oppression, and yet also the music of comfort and solace from his upbringing on Peguis Nation.
For Episode Two, “Indians and Christians,” William Prince explores names, how words can wield negative or positive impacts on personal and shared identities. As the episode title attests, Prince unpacks how such words have impacted his feelings about his own identity, and how the making of Gospel First Nation has helped him make peace with those conflicting parts. “It’s a delicate relationship,” Prince says of his faith, “and I’ve ...
“The time passes, the faces change, but the song stays the same.” In Episode Three, "When He Cometh" - the first song he remembers learning - William Prince delves further into his family history, expanding on the people in his life who helped shape him, including his unexpected “executive producer”, and the enduring memories of Prince Memorial Chapel.
“Just a Closer Walk With Thee”. What steals our joy? Where does hope come from? What does it take to believe in something so strongly that it pulls you through uncertain times? While discussing blind trust, music and grace, William explores one of humanity’s most complex questions: 'What is faith?' and, 'What does it mean to have faith when faced with not having enough to get by?'
“The God in the good time is the God in the bad time.” When confronted by hardship, we want to be able to turn to something to help get us through. Death and departures are at the centre of this week's episode, both in William's recollection of his childhood playing music with his father at wakes and his mother’s experience with the Sixties Scoop and the subsequent loss of culture, identity and family. Hear William’s answer to the ...
“When Jesus Needs An Angel”. “It’s a mature song for a 14 year old to write.” In episode six, William talks about the early days of songwriting, touring and the internet, his father’s record deal at age 50 and how "CDs from the gas station” helped to support his family.
Finding a reason, a way and a place to rejoice during these trying times seems a daunting feat. In episode seven, "Send the Light", William reminds us of the importance of celebration and recalls summer jubilees and choruses lit by candlelight, explains "Get under the power" and helps us "Feel the power of the music."
“Yes, my life is like a story. I was searching this world for fame in a world of wine and whiskey, but it only brought me shame.” After searching the internet for a week to clarify who wrote it and who else covered it, William delves into the song "Higher Power" and the man behind the song, and the stories behind the man.
Note from William: This episode mistakingly references the Dusty Plain Reserve. Bob Norman is from the Flying...
“It’s the conclusion of the longest ride you can take out in Peguis, MB.” In the second last episode of the season, we travel back through the eras and explore William’s memories of Fisher Bay, MB. From summer camp, where special connections strengthen your faith and failed pen pals can crush it, to his teen years of writing songs and performing with his father (who wrote, “This One I Know“), William reflects on his roots and how f...
“Gospel First Nation is a way of handling two common questions at the same time.” In the last episode of the season, “Love Don’t Ever Say Goodbye”, William expands on the paradoxical and compelling idea of Gospel First Nation, the complex and varied interpretations of Jesus and The Gospel, how to keep and pass on lessons learned, and how important conversations can shape our judgement and understanding of faith.
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