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Road to Go North: She keeps her skinny dipping a secret

This edition of Road to Go North features Guelph's Ambre McLean who will be part of the second annual music festival on St. Joseph Island this weekend
Ambre McLean
Ambre McLean. Photo provided

In preparation for the second annual Go North Music Festival, SooToday reached out to the participating artists to get to know these hard working musicians a little better. And to have a little fun.

Next on our Road to Go North series, we learn a little bit about singer-songwriter Ambre McLean out of Guelph, Ont.

What are your three favourite things about touring northern Ontario?

I'm an avid camper, so being able to combine my love of playing music with camping out in our trailer and taking in the nature and fresh air is great. I went to high school in Thunder Bay, and I've always loved the sense of peace I have doing the drive over Lake Superior. Visiting Science North!

What are the three most important things to pack for festival season?

Reusable water bottles, sunscreen, lawn chairs.

What are three ways you battle bugs in northern Ontario?

We use citronella candles, eco-friendly bug repellent, and our meshed-in kitchen tent is a must!

What are your top three road trip listening essentials?

If you mean items; I always make sure I have my "aux” cable (and an extra backup), my portable bluetooth Bose speaker, and my phone loaded with good tunes. If you mean music itself; Patty Griffin, Ray LaMontagne, and Led Zeppelin.

What are your three favourite Ontario skinny dipping spots?

There's a spot in Guelph, a spot near Orangeville, and a spot on Manitoulin Island. Exact locations are my secret ;)

What are your three favourite Ontario craft brews?

Very hard to pick just three, but I'll go with Wellington SPA, Muskoka Mad Tom and Beau's Lug Tread.

What are your three favourite topics to read about?

A good murder mystery always gets me, and I like reading anything full of interesting facts, as well as musician biographies. So, I suppose I'm quite a "non-fiction" gal.

What are your three favourite ways to pass time on a long tour?

I've recently become pretty addicted to podcasts. In our car we like to play movie trivia games, or if the kids are with us, a good game of 'eye spy'.

What are three things you know about St. Joseph Island and/or Sault Ste. Marie?

I know that Go North Music Festival on July 14 is going to be SO. MUCH. FUN. I know that I must grab a veggie burger from the Burger Don, and I've heard that the beach at Richards landing is beautiful.

Besides being a musician, what are three skills you'd like to learn?

I've recently been given the opportunity to learn how to wire home electrical and I'm looking forward to learning about that. I've always thought it would be fun to learn how to fix my own car, and I recently took my first painting class (I definitely have a lot to learn there LOL).

The Go North Music Festival is a one-day event in Richards Landing on St. Joseph Island held this year on July 14.

Headlining the 2018 lineup is the Juno award-winning trio, Elliott Brood. Also featured are the Fast Romantics, Shred Kelly, the Andrew Parkhouse Band, Jackpine, Ambre Mclean, Harrow Fair, and Andy Chillman.

Other festival highlights include food vendors, locally-crafted beer, and local artisans and producers. In addition to the main stage, there will be activities for kids and a kids stage with performances by the main stage acts (kids 12 and under are admitted to the festival free).

Overnight camping will again be available for tents and trailers and will feature the ‘camp stage’ after hours led by Andy Chillman.

For ticket information, please click here.

Full festival details can be found here.


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