Bruce’s songs are a reflection of the many roads he’s travelled over the decades since he first slung a guitar over his shoulder to tackle life a balladeer.
He's written and recorded hundreds of songs and performed at thousands of venues, ranging from coffee houses and folk clubs to a Canada Day performance on Parliament Hill!
Since recording his first LP in 1984, He’s recorded 14 albums of original and adapted traditional music across a broad range of the Roots Music genre. His songs have been recorded in turn by some of the most legendary names in Acoustic Music. Bruce Coughlan might be best recognised for his historically based ballads, written on Pacific Canadian themes. In 2015 his group Tiller’s Folly released Stirring Up Ghosts, a CD collection of 24 historically based songs.
Bruce has been welcomed internationally as a touring artist. His eclectic mix of original Roots-based songs are honest, timeless & authentic. His storytelling is intriguing, matched by his expressive voice and masterful guitar work.
“Bruce seems to be concerned with and committed to is “the song”. In the same regard that Lyle Lovett, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Joni Mitchell and folks like Darrell Scott are. He works at it with discipline, a sense of wonder, and trying to honor the very craft of it. I think his results speak for themselves.”
– John Cowan (John Cowan Band, Doobie Brothers, Newgrass Revival)
Beyond performing as lead vocalist/guitarist for Pacific Canadian Celtic group Tiller’s Folly, Bruce also performs with Voices for the Salish Sea (Regional/Folk Rock/World View) Waiting for Rain (Original Retro/Roots/R&B) Moondance: The Van Morrison Songbook, In My Life - A Beatles Songbook, as well as a number of collaborative creative initiatives. Bruce plays well with others and is accomplished in many Roots Music styles, including Celtic, Bluegrass, Americana, Folk, Maritime, Blues & more. From the traditional to progressive. Outreach, mentorship or just playing support, Bruce’s primary areas of expertise include songwriting, performance, flat-pick and finger-style guitar.
Today, Bruce Coughlan is an emerging solo performer, storyteller, compere and media host.
