With a recent move to Los Angeles, award-winning Canadian musical artist Andrew Allen is coming home for Canada Day.
The singer-songwriter, best known for his acoustic guitar ballads, said he is excited to perform for a second time at the Steveston Salmon Festival in three years.
"When I came to play it the last time, it was so much fun," said Allen, who plans to be in town for a week. "The people were super responsive and everyone seemed to have a good time.
"I'm doing a show in Richmond, then I'm doing another show in Coquitlam that night.
Then I'm driving back to Vernon where the rest of my band is from, and we're spending my wife's grandmother's birthday with her on July 4," he said, laughing. "And then we're flying back to L.A. on the 5th."
Allen will be opening the main stage event at 1 p.m. and performing 11 or 12 songs from both of his albums - the self titled Andrew Allen EP and Living Room Sessions - including the single "Loving You Tonight" that shot Allen to fame two years ago. He is also debuting a brand new unreleased track called "Play With Fire" during the festival.
Prior to shifting his focus entirely on music, Allen worked as a restaurant server, worship pastor and even as a social host on a Caribbean cruise liner where he said he embraced his Canadian roots.
"I didn't really understand Canada Day until I left and worked onboard a cruise ship and realized not how patriotic I am, but how proud of our country I am. So it's exciting to come back and be able to celebrate with other Canadians."
Allen said he draws his inspiration from life, love, and by observing and dissecting other people's relationships.
He is currently writing new material and working with producer Ryan Stewart, who has been tied to other Canadian talent such as pop-singer Carly Rae Jepsen, and hopes to start thinking about putting together another album in the fall.
Although originally hailing from the Okanagan Valley, Allen actually has close ties to the village. His father owns Hot Wax Entertainment, a professional wedding and corporate DJ business located on Steveston Highway.
