First Play Live: William Prince, Reliever

CBC Music | Posted: February 13, 2020 10:00 PM | Last Updated: February 14, 2020

Watch the Winnipeg-based singer-songwriter perform songs from his sophomore album

Image | William Prince in Studio 211

Caption: William Prince performs songs from Reliever in Studio 211. (CBC Music)

William Prince followed up his Juno-winning debut album, 2015's Earthly Days, with Reliever on Feb. 7, and as Prince describes it, the new record is "almost an antibiotic."

The songs on Reliever took shape at a time when Prince was grappling with three big life events: his father's passing, the birth of his son and subsequent separation from his son's mother — all at a time when Prince's music started gaining worldwide attention.

"I say that humbly: that maybe someone could enjoy [this record] and see this as a bit of a testament to resilience … let's sing a song for survivorship, you know, and surviving a difficult time in your life," Prince said, while in Toronto to record his First Play Live session for Reliever.

Originally hailing from the Peguis First Nation (two hours north of Winnipeg), Prince is genuinely proud and moved that his music continues to reach bigger and bigger audiences. "My dad would have died of happiness now … getting excited and celebrating the things we get to do and where we get to be," Prince added.

There's a reflective gratefulness to Prince. He has connected with slowing down, taking in the lesson at hand in the present moment, while looking forward to what's down the road (hopefully: his third album).

Watch below as Prince performs songs from Reliever in Studio 211.

If you want to listen to the audio in full, head to our CBC Listen page.

Media Video | (not specified) : William Prince | Heaven and Hell | CBC Musc

Caption: William Prince performs "Heaven and Hell" from his latest album Reliever live for CBC Music.