Gemini Rising

Coming soon, the album Gemini Rising – 12 original songs written and performed, by me, at the age of 15. This is unlike any other project I’ve undertaken. Gemini Rising pinballs between genres and features a 70’s inspired guitar epic, folk songs with pop sensibilities, a melodic funk tune, mournful acoustic ballads, and Texas blues inspired grooves to take the listener on a musical journey and multi-genre experience. I wrote and performed the songs and played all electric and acoustic guitars on this album. I hope you enjoy it!

The album title, and the theme of the title track, is derived from my study of Greek Mythology, specifically, the myth of the Gemini star constellation.

Castor and Pollux were twin brothers. Pollux was immortal, and Castor mortal. One day, Castor, during a fierce battle, was killed. Pollux could not bare to live through the grief. Distraught, he begged the Gods to grant Castor half of his eternal life. So the Gods, taking pity on Pollux said the only way it was possible for the brothers to share immortality was if they placed them in the heavens, as a star constellation, and thus, the brothers live for eternity by each other’s side.

The archetype of the Gemini constellation and myth of Castor & Pollux inspired my writing which was adapted to reflect the central themes of love, longing, loss, separation, pain, sacrifice, and redemption that touch each and every one of our lives.  The other songs on the album feature sharp social critiques and observations, and also some good times fun.

About Me

About Me: I’m an official partner of Taylor Guitars and have been playing publicly since the age of 7. My debut album Modern. Magic. Melody. sold records internationally and received TV, radio, and print media time from CBC, Globe & Mail, Vancouver Sun, Time Colonist, and Chek TV. It also yielded a nomination for New Act of The Year at the Maple Blues Awards and at 13 years of age, I became the youngest person in the history of the awards to be nominated.  I was also voted as winner of Best Original Song at the UK FAB Awards.

I have opened shows for the legendary Terry Robb, Ken Hamm, Mississippi Delta Bluesman Terry “Harmonica” Bean, and BC Hall of Fame Inductee Doug Cox among others.

 

 

“He’s not just a blues guitar player; he’s a great songwriter, and he’s playing pieces of music by people like Tommy Emmanuel, and Tony McManus, who are two of the finest players in the world, and he is just nailing it. He’s also a phenomenal Celtic guitar player. He blows me away; just a super talented kid.  He’s not a show-biz kid. He’s a musician. That’s one of the things I really love about him. No one is pushing him into this. He’s just doing it because he really, really loves to play, and that’s pretty cool.” Doug Cox, Producer

 

“The young musician does it with style too.  It’s not hard to hear why his record caught the ears of the nominating jury, comprised of some of Canada’s leading blues experts…. Among the standout originals on the album is the opening song.  Titled Wipe My Weeping Eyes, the song sounds like a long lost classic from the blue’s canon…. It’s quite a complicated piece with some delightful, and unexpected, rhythmic and melodic shifts”  Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun

 

 

 

Releases
Gemini Rising
30th June 2023

Gemini Rising

Album
Live
  • 15 Jul 2023
    Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds
    Courtenay, BC
  • 16 Jul 2023
    Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds
    Courtenay, BC
News
Press
  • "Nanaimo teen Liam Docherty is the red-haired hope of the blues." "British Columbia's Liam Docherty is a blues music wunderkind..." "The freckled phenomenon plays his prized GS-Mini acoustic with filigree..." "Come for the cowlick; stay for the guitar licks." - Brad Wheeler, The Globe And Mail.
  • The Globe And Mail
  • "The young musician does it with style too. It's not hard to hear why his record caught the ears of the nominating jury, comprised of some of Canada's leading blues experts." "Among the standout originals on the album is the opening song. Titles Wipe My Weeping Eyes, the song sounds like a long, lost classic from the Blues' canon... It's quite a complicated piece with some unexpected, and delightful, rhythmic and melodic shifts." - Stuart Derdeyn, The Vancouver Sun.
  • The Vancouver Sun
  • "His covers of classic material is truly impressive and over half the CD is original material. Liam impresses for his fingerpicking and understanding of subtle roots music guitar styles." - Holger Petersen, CBC Saturday Night Blues Host and Stony Plain Records Founder.
  • CBCMusic
  • "He's a great player, but what really impressed me was what a great songwriter he is. When I first heard him, I thought he sounded like a cross between Nick Drake and an old Blues player." - Doug Cox, Artistic Director - Vancouver Island Music Fest.
  • The Vancouver Sun
  • "He's a true musician... I hesitate to just call him a Blues musician, because he's a great songwriter, too. But he has reverence for the Blues masters, and takes the time to learn about them... He's got a depth to his writing, both musically and lyrically, that is amazing for a kid that age. He's the real deal." Doug Cox, quoted in the Times Colonist.
  • Times Colonist

For bookings & other enquires contact Liam Docherty

liam@liamdochertymusic.com