The Deep Water Project
A Musical Journey through the Heart of the Rift Valley
“The lake remembers every scene: Fire, ice, water, and steam.”
Welcome to The Deep Water Project, an original theatrical production told through twelve songs and narration. This is more than a history of the Temiskaming region; it is a story of the land itself—a deep dive into the geological, spiritual, and human forces that have shaped this rugged corner of the North.
The Songs
The Deep Water Project is a musical production of a collection of 12 original songs that tell the story of the Temiskaming Region.
Concept, Roy Dittmann
Lyrics and Arrangement, David Laronde, Erica Dittmann, Roy Dittmann
Deep Water Lying Between
Long before there were towns, roads, or even names for this place, the Earth split open here along the Temiskaming Rift. Fire rose from the fractures, mountains heaved against the sky, and glaciers a mile thick carved the land into the shape we know today.
Lake Temiskaming became the heart of this region, holding the stories of every era that followed, leaving traces carried in the Water, the Stone, and the quiet spaces between.
Grandfathers Teachings
From the beginning this land carried teachings and wisdom shared through generations by the First Peoples of the Temiskaming Valley.
Truth…Respect…Love…Courage…Humility…Honesty…and Wisdom
These are the seven teachings to guide a life lived in balance with the land and all our relations.
Song of the Canoe
The world was changing. In the south, men were hungry, for pelts, for prestige, for the wealth of the wild, for adventure. They came in boats of birch bark and were guided by the very people who knew the Lake’s every contour and mood… the Anishinaabe.
They found that every rapid they crossed, every safe harbour they landed could not have been achieved without the knowledge and help of the People of this land.
Little People
Stories were known to those who travelled the Lake, of the elusive “Little People”. These small cliff dwellers were feared for their mischievous tricks if your paddles ventured too near to them.
In an effort to show respect, gifts were often tossed in the waters in hopes to gain approval for safe passage.
Manidoo’s Stone
Devil’s Rock, long before was once known as Manidoo’s Stone. To the First People of this land it was sacred grounds, a place where the spirit world merges with the living. The imposing face which is etched into the rock has solemnly witnessed all that has ever passed on this Lake. The Stone… a sacred guardian revered by all above the water, and all below.
When miners sought treasures deep within the rock base and caused a wound to be tunnelled into it’s depths… it created a stir…
Iron Wakes
As the North opened up other kinds of vessels took to the water. By the late 1800’s the “Deep Water’ became a highway to iron hulls, paddle wheels and engines that shook the shores. Steamships carried settlers, mail, ore, freight and hope across the lake. They carved their wakes through mist and moonlight, binding communities together.
This is the story of three great ships who once sailed these “Deep Waters”…the Meteor, the Lady Minto and the Temiskaming
Iron Road North
In 1902 the government sent the steel north looking for farmland. The Temiskaming and Northern Ontario rail line brought workers, settlers and new hopes into the region. The “Iron Road” didn’t just carry people… it carried a fever that would change the North forever!
Here is the story of all those who made the “Iron Road” a successful means of transportation to our Northern towns.
Gillies Depot Line
By the late eighteen hundreds, the Gillies Brothers who were established lumbermen, followed the timber frontier north toward Lake Temiskaming.
Along the Montreal River the Gillies Brothers built logging camps and a railway stop known a Gillies Depot. This song tells the story of that hard working community.
Cobalt
On an warm August day, two members of a rail crew, inadvertently discovered silver near the Mile 103 post and the North changed overnight.
By 1905 a full scale silver rush was underway. The rails brought people from around the world to seek their fortunes. The wealth of Cobalt changed the world in many ways. It transformed Toronto into a financial centre and Canada into a world powerhouse in mining..
The Villain in the Wind
The parched land of the North was about to experience a life altering event. On October 4th a storm front moved in from the west. Not with rain but with wind! Gusts swept across Temiskaming, fanning dozens of small bush fires into one vast inferno.
That day is still known as the Great Fire of ’22…a fire so fierce it turned noon to darkness…drove families into the lake for safety, and left thousands homeless by nightfall. Find out who will tell this story of major destruction?
Little Clay Belt Dream
Even when life leads us far away, the lake, the land have a way of calling us back home. This is the story of three generations of a farming family. The grandfather who first settled the land. The father who fought through its challenges and the son, who as a young man, couldn’t wait to leave.
.
I am the Stone
The story of this valley is not finished. The Lake, the Land, the Stone…they gather all the voices past and present holding all of it in its long memory and carries them forward.
The Performers
The Deep Water Project is performed by a talented group of local musicians
David Laronde
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
David is a Canadian Indigenous singer-songwriter and musician known for his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. His music, dubbed “Ancestral Beat,” weaves together contemporary styles with traditional Indigenous rhythms and wisdom. Through song and music he seeks to connect the human spirit to the wisdom of our ancestors, honouring the land, culture, and traditions of his people. With a passion for storytelling and a gift for crafting timeless melodies, David’s music inspires listeners to reflect on their own connection to the natural world and the rich cultural heritage that shapes us everyone.
Peter Cliche
Acoustic Guitar, Violin
Peter is a Northern Ontario multi-instrumentalist with a deep love for folky, bluesy, East Coast-flavoured acoustic music with a worldbeat twist. While the acoustic guitar is his trusted companion, harmonica, whistles, dobro and fiddle are never far behind. Over the years Peter has balanced a lifelong passion for music by backing up countless fine artists while also writing, performing and recording his own original material.
Kevin Sopchyshyn
Vocals, Bass Guitar
Kevin, guitar, bass, lead and background vocals, brings years of stage and studio experience with him, with brilliant vocals and a masterful ability of guitar and bass that is unmatched.
Jeff Manners
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
Jeff is a local musician playing guitar, lead and background vocals Jeff brings a multitude of stage and studio experience to the show, with smooth vocals and killer harmonies along with years of rhythm guitar.
Martin Drainville
Vocals, Keyboards
Martin is a talented vocalist, guitar and keyboard player, currently an active member of the local music scene.
In addition to performing, Martin is involved in organizing many of the local musical events.
Martin shares his love of music every chance he gets!
Julie Preston
Vocals, Bass Guitar
Julie is a nature enthusiast who loves to sing everything from hard rock to opera. She learned to play the acoustic guitar while working in Provincial Parks at the age of 16 and has been obsessed ever since, dabbling in percussion, piano, and bass. Julie mostly performs in a cover band at local festivals and private events, but can sometimes be spotted in the forest performing for wildlife.
Nathaniel Preston
Electric Guitar
Nathaniel was blessed with magical guitar powers at the tender age of 8 years old. With influences such as Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and Pantera, he mostly enjoys playing and writing hard, energetic rock licks at decibel levels that drown out fighter jets. He sings and plays the drums too!
Julian Cote
Vocals, Electric Guitar
Julian is an Ojibway composer, producer, and 2023 Dora Mavor Moore Award winner from Teme-Augama Anishinaabe, based in Cobalt, Ontario. His work spans film (Indian Horse, Falls Around Her, Aki – TIFF 2025) and recorded music, with early credits at Sundance (2002–2004). His sound blends abstract, poetic composition with a deep connection to culture, improvisation, and the electric guitar. He is currently developing the Deep Water Project—A Musical Journey through the Heart of the Rift Valley.
Dan Dalcourt
Vocals, Drums, Percussion
With over three decades of rhythm under his belt, Dan is a seasoned drummer whose career is defined by consistency, versatility, and a deep-rooted love for the groove. Dan brings 35 years of technical expertise and “stage-feel” to every performance, proving that while gear might change, a solid pocket is timeless. For the past 18 years, Dan has been the rhythmic heartbeat of The Mud Dogs. His nearly two-decade tenure with the band has forged a rare level of musical chemistry, helping the group establish themselves as a staple in the local live music scene.
Roy Dittmann
Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards
Roy has had an interest in music from a young age. Playing in multiple bands over the years, he is currently a member of the Mud Dogs and Mistaken ID, both regular performers at the New Liskeard Coffeehouse. Recently Roy has focused much of his time writing lyrics and composing music.
The Rehearsals
Some shots of the team hard at work bringing the songs to life
The Show
Celebrating the 100th year of the Classic Theatre, two shows will be performed.
Proceeds from the show will go to support the Classic Theatre and Coffeehouse New Liskeard.
Friday, May 8th
Saturday, May 9th
Meet the performers after the Saturday show at Branch 54 Legion in Haileybury
While researching content for the project, “The Ghost of Cobalt”, a song about the legend of Old Yellow Top, was written. Although not part of the show, it is an example of what you can expect from the music in the Deep Water Project.
Music performed by Jeff Manners, Kevin Sopchyshyn, Dan Dalcourt and Roy Dittmann