VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver-based singer-songwriter recording artist Norine Braun unveils her new album A Hero In The Wind, a project that captures lightning in a bottle — literally. The first five songs were recorded live-off-the-floor in just one hour each during Steve Dawson’s Henhouse pop-up sessions, a bold and exhilarating experiment in musical spontaneity. 100% Cancon and no ai

Known for her moving blend of roots rock, soul, blues, and folk, Braun found the one-hour format both challenging and liberating. “There’s no time to overthink or polish,” she says. “You just dive in, trust the song, and let the emotion lead. That immediacy brought out something raw and real in the performances.”

The title track, A Hero In The Wind was written to honour Braun’s birth father, who passed away just after Christmas. “It came from the heart — a song born of the powerful, healing conversations we shared as we got to know each other later in life,” she explains. The album continues Braun’s exploration of love, loss, identity, and reconnection with her Métis heritage.

Featuring stellar musicians Steve Dawson (bandleader, guitars, pedal steel), Darryl Havers (keyboards), Geoff Hicks and Liam MacDonald (drums), Jeremy Holmes (bass), and Alice Fraser (harmony vocals), each take feels alive with emotion and chemistry. Engineered by Sheldon Zaharko at Vancouver’s renowned Warehouse Studio, the result is a collection of songs that breathe with warmth and authenticity.

To complete the journey, Braun  added three bonus tracks produced by Adam Popowitz— “Bird With a Song to Sing (Remix),” “Eye of the Hurricane,” and “2020 Reprise” — rounding out the album with hope and reflection. All the songs words and music were written by Norine Braun.

The album’s striking cover art by Katarina Thorsen, drawn from a photo of Braun’s birth father, brings her musical and personal journeys full circle. Thorsen also designed Braun’s debut album cover Modern Anguish, with graphic design for the new album by Julian Bowers.

“A Hero In The Wind is about trusting the moment — in music and in life,” Braun reflects. “Sometimes the best takes are the first ones, when you’re fully in the flow.”

For interviews, review copies, or media inquiries, contact: norine@norinebraun.com
Website: www.norinebraun.com

WHAT ARE THE SONGS ABOUT:

Track 1 A Hero in the Wind is a tribute to Norine’s birth father who passed away just after Christmas last year. It’s a sketch of his life based on conversations they had during their brief encounter the last 4 years of his life. The title is universal for we are all heroes in the wind in our own lives.

Track 2 Just One Night reflects on the idea that a lifelong love can feel like only a brief moment that passed too quickly or sometimes it’s one tender night that passed too quickly yet still echoes years later. “There’s sorrow in this song, yes — but also grace. It reminds us that even brief connections carry a kind of boundless joy and wisdom, lifting us gently toward understanding, toward peace. Sometimes, one night is all it takes to change us forever.” Tinnitist

Track 3 “Bolts From The Blue” isn’t just a song about aging—it’s about resilience, humour, and refusing to let life’s curveballs turn you into someone you’re not. Norine Braun has turned personal reflection into a track that feels like a hand on your shoulder, urging you to stand tall, take a deep breath, and keep moving forward.” - Iain Johnson Odyssey Magazine

Track 4 “In "East Van Crossing", Norine Braun offers tribute to her hometown beyond mere tribute; she offers an invitation to all who have ever loved something so much that it becomes part of their own story. It is not a song—it's crossing into the heart of East Van itself. " Powhersound

Track 5 Cannonball is a slow-waltz roots-rock anthem about unity, resilience and courage in the face of bullying, betrayal and injustice set in a graceful 6/8 sway. “Norine Braun has given us the gift of a track that is at once calming and rousing, a piece of music to make you think, to bring you together, and to spur you on. With "Cannonball," Braun demonstrates that Americana and roots-rock are not just musical styles but rather avenues for storytelling, empowerment, and the human heart.” Zillions Magazine

Track 6 “Bird With a Song to Sing (REMIX)” from Gone To The Spirits album which was nominated for a Western Canada Music Award and received a Canada Council for the Arts Award.  The song expresses the longing and quiet devotion of someone who feels unseen yet steadfastly offers love and hope through their presence and voice. 

 Track 7 “Eye of the Hurricane” is more than a story about weathering a literal storm—it’s a metaphor for the quiet strength and connection people find in moments of uncertainty. With its cinematic production the song was inspired by a text exchange Norine had with a close friend sheltering in place with her husband and friends, sipping wine while sitting in the literal eye of the hurricane waiting for the hurricane to pass. A surreal experience Norine felt compelled to write about. 

Track 8  2020 Reprise was inspired when fellow musician Allan Luke sent Norine a set of chord progressions during lock down in April 2020. They both composed songs over the same progression and Norine released the merged 2 songs that Allan had put together as an acoustic experimental styled track. Later that year she recorded it as a solo song with the band further expressing what was once quiet and pensive to urgent and frustrating.