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Tara Mackenzie-Local Musician Profile

June 12, 2007

Tara Mackenzie
Tara has called Canada, Ireland ,Hungary and the Netherlands home in her 34 years, and is passionate about indigenous languages and music. Since posting her music on the web and playing out at festivals occasionally, Tara has received many accolades from renowned irish artists, songwriters and canadian folk heroes alike. Her CD, “simple irish ballads and other songs for singing” had excellent customer reviews and strangely, individuals seemed to buy multiple copies at a time. Then they came back and bought more copies till there were only a handful left. One customer ordered a spool of 40 copies for their school!

Irish Music has been a natural part of Tara’s daily life since childhood. It was said early that Tara could sing on pitch before she could speak words. The daughter of a West Belfast man (a wonderful singer himself) and an English woman from Barrow in Furness, both were strong advocates of traditional singing and rebel music, which in all cases the apple did not fall very far from the tree. For Tara, growing up in the cultural melting pot of Malton, Ontario in the 70’s, it was easy to continue on with the culture imported with her parents and live-in Irish grandmother. The standard was having to take Irish dancing lessons and she started playing any instrument she could get her hands on.

Tara spent most of her 20’s roaming/playing gigs around Europe (Ireland, Hungary,Romania, Netherlands) with YWAM in various Christian rock outfits doing everything from busking to sometimes playing at very large concert venues in many countries.

After falling for her handsome husband, she decided to move permanently to Canada in late 1998. The traditional music was always nearby and active for Tara as a solo artist. Primarily a singer, Tara also plays Harp, Tin whistles, keyboard and guitar on the recording.

One evening after being asked to open for a David Francey concert (he is a wonderful human being), She fell into playing several Ontario folk festivals, notably on main stage at Summer Folk. One interesting story regarding this evening is that Don Bird (an artistic director of note) uncharacteristically hired Tara, an unknown to him, on the spot for a main stage gig opening the festival. This is an accolade many would chew their own arm off for.
Since then, Tara has had the privilege to meet and share stages with many wonderful Trad/Celt groups in Southern Ontario, earning a modest reputation as a Trad singer with a memorable voice. For this, Tara is eternally grateful for the blessing of sharing time and space with passionate people who continue to hone the art of the historical and future music of the Celtic countries.

Tara Mackenzie
Tara has an alter-ego musical project that she has just started to release music under. She has dubbed her new project “The Daisy Tree” and she uses the project as a vehicle to write music about her personal experiences. Daisy Tree is a joint project with her husband Trevor and other talented friends to bring a more textural leaning to Tara’s ability to get right to the heart and matter of things.

In partnership with her husband Trevor (An Absolute Guitar Monster/God) she runs VERT Productions. They have a very cool modern project studio facility, an on location recording arsenal and live sound provider. They also offer services in post-recording production and editing, the creation and publication of podcasts, voice-overs and sound edits over video. They offer session musician services and vocal coaching. Also their space can be rented as a small house concert facility. More information can be found by following the VERT Productions link in this article’s “Tara’s Links & Contacts” section.

Listen to Tara’s Tunes

Track 1: my cavan girl

Track 2: the curragh of kildare

Tara’s Collaborators

Kiera McArthur, Trevor MacKenzie, Tammy Kroezen, Nick Barclay, Joel Morelli, Bob Robins.

Tara’s Links & Contacts

  • Tara’s Myspace
  • The Daisy Tree Myspace
  • VERT Productions
  • Tara’s CD Baby Site

    • A special thanks out to Tara for lending us her tracks, and a gentle reminder that it’s easy to find more local musicians or create profiles at theOwen.com!!

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    Written by adam · Filed Under Local Musician Profile, Music, Audio, theOwen 

    Trevor MacKenzie-Local Musician Profile

    June 12, 2007

    Trevor MacKenzie
    Trevor MacKenzie was born in Tara Ontario. From an early age he had a fascination with making strange and musical noises. He started recording at age 6. With the help of his friends they would create their own radio shows, getting the music from Trevor’s brother’s record collection. In 1987 he began his exploration of the electric guitar while simultaneously beginning his career of performing in blues/rock bands. Amazingly his first project, a band called “Darafuzz”, is still together and going strong. Few musicians can make this enviable claim. Perhaps their longevity has to do with just how humble and friendly this group of musicians really are. Darafuzz is made up of Trevor, Jesse Clements and Tommy Brown.

    Trevor’s music has taken him touring through the United States, the Caribbean & Asia. He is currently playing in several local bands, including The Honeyhammers, Darafuzz, The Gregg Dechert Band & the Blueberry Blues Band. Trevor graduated from the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology (OIART) in 1997. He has been working as a professional engineer, and live sound technician since. He says of himself that he, “Love(s) to play guitar, every day, every minute, cool addiction without hazardous side effects (except for calouses) but the benefits of nimble fingers can be argued for hours…..”, and that his passions include, “playing all 30+ guitars… fishing with Rapala lures…. jamming, playing gigs, being a good husband, recording and kicking the cats (as gently as required). Trevor is currently recording his new solo recording on which he plays many of his own instrumentals, along with help from some of his collaborating jamming friends. The tracks that are provided below are gifts theOwen.com is grateful to have the opportunity to present. They are from Trevor’s current recording project.

    Trevor MacKenzieIn partnership with his wife
    Tara MacKenzie (An Amazing Traditional/Celtic Musician) he runs VERT Productions. They have a very cool modern project studio facility, an on location recording arsenal and live sound provider. They also offer services in post-recording production and editing, the creation and publication of podcasts, voice-overs and sound edits over video. They offer session musician services and vocal coaching. Also their space can be rented as a small house concert facility. Get more information by following the link provided in the “Trevor’s Links” section of this profile.

    Listen to Trevor’s Tunes

    Track 1: 3 Gypsys Stopped 2 Say

    Track 2: Timo Was a Good Friend (of Mine)

    Trevor’s Influences

    Jimi hendrix; SRV; Eric Clapton; the Jango Lito Fat Cat; Jimmy Page; John Mayall; Buddy Guy; Larry Jensen; and last but not least J.C climax, the amazing Bass alchemist.

    Trevor’s Collaborators

    Jesse Clements; Tommy Brown; Gregg Dechert; Beaker; Johnny Roy; Tara MacKenzie; Mike Weir; Justin Burgess.

    Trevor’s Links

  • VERT Productions
  • Trevor’s Myspace
  • The Honeyhammers Myspace

    • Trevor’s Upcoming Gigs

    14 Jun 2007 10:00 p.m.
    Mogals bar & grill, Collingwood, Ontario
    17 Jun 2007 5:00 p.m.
    Mogals bar & grill, Collingwood, Ontario
    24 Jun 2007 1:00 p.m.
    Meaford Music Festival, Meaford, Ontario
    30 Jun 2007 9:30 p.m.
    Blues 2 (Private Party), O Town, Ontario
    21 Jul 2007 7:30 p.m.
    the JohnnyRoy Wedding, Meaford, Ontario
    4 Aug 2007 8:00 p.m.
    Scott Campbell Fundraiser, Owen Sound, Ontario
    5 Aug 2007 8:00 p.m.
    London Blues, London, Ontario
    11 Aug 2007 8:00 p.m.
    Cargill Cargill, Ontario
    25 Aug 2007 7:00 p.m.
    Tobermory Legion, Tobermory, Ontario
    26 Aug 2007 7:30 p.m.
    Marine & Rail Museum, Owen Sound, Ontario
    28 Aug 2007 8:00 p.m.
    Lunar eclipse Tara, Ontario

    Ted’s Range Road Diner, Every Wednesday, Meaford

    We here at theOwen.com love watching Trevor play. He is a truly mesmerizing live performer. It is well worth it to make a special trip out to see him play. Special thanks out to him for providing the tracks and bio information for this profile and a pearl of wisdom for all you readers: it’s easy to find more local musicians or create profiles at theOwen.com!!

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    Written by adam · Filed Under Local Musician Profile, Music, Events, Audio, theOwen 

    Joel Morelli-Local Musician Profile

    June 7, 2007

    Joel MorelliJoel Morelli was born into the Owen Sound music scene. His father played in many local acts, and little baby Joel was steeped in local musical culture from an early age. His father owned a music store that was located on top of Fulford’s Hardware through the 1980’s. Joel started playing the violin at the age of 7. Though he was chomping at the bit, it wasn’t until he turned 13 that his parents allowed him to play the guitar. Even this early a start would make many instrumentalists envious, and his relaxed smooth approach with the guitar must surely be the result of his juvenile experience and his constant dedication to practice and improvement. Growing up in Owen Sound he played the coffee houses, open stages and battle of the bands. His first collaborative project was a band called Icthus. Early venues that supported his development included the Bean Cellar (Hurray for Kay!) and the now defunct Rainbow Room.

    Joel attributes his growth of musical chops and teeth to time spent as a member of the host band for Ted’s Range Road Diner jams on Wednesday nights with local greats Beaker and Tyler Wagler. One night he had a big break while playing a small coffee house gig in Flesherton where one Sandi Hogg offered to sponsor Joel to enter the Last Chance Saloon. At that point in this suffering artist’s career he simply didn’t have the $25 dollars needed to enter the competition for Summerfolk’s precious last spot. Needless to say he won the Last Chance Saloon and was honoured to be able to play Owen Sound’s great and famous folk festival. As many of you will recall, he was so beloved by the fans that he was voted to be one of two returning acts for the next year.

    Joel then moved to Toronto to play guitar for a band called Blue Orange, filling in for Pete Devlin on guitar for a few years. Eventually Joel and Pete would collaborate with Rob Elder, another amazing local songwriter and musician from Chesley. This trio went through many incarnations as an electric ensemble and finally went acoustic, becoming “The Hungry Life”. With this project Joel again won the Last Chance Saloon and The Hungry Life was off to play the main stage at Summerfolk in August of 2006. The Hungry Life recorded an album featuring some of Joel’s strongest songs, including local favorite, “Mary”.

    Always busy with music, Joel was simultaneously jamming with The Hungry Life and with old friends Scott E. Farmer, Pete Devlin, and Adam Reese. With the addition of Morelli the band dubbed themselves FDR&M and made waves in the area gigging at Jazzmyn’s and the Uptowne Piano Bar (may she rest in peace).

    Joel and His FriendJoel has released two CD’s of his own: “Rumbleseat” and “Live at the Roxy”. A CD of FDR&M’s music was recorded at the end of the summer of 2006 with Joel featured on mandolin, bass, and soul-shaking four-part harmonies. All of these CD’s are still available. To get your hands on one, click on the link to Joel’s myspace, and send him a request for a disk. His “Live at the Roxy” CD is still available at Randy’s Records on 8th Street East.

    Joel is currently a full-time music teacher in Waterloo. He and long-time collaborator Adam Reese will be in the area many times this summer gigging at Jazzmyn’s, Norma Jeans, Greenhorns in Sauble Beach and Harbour Nights at the Marine and Rail Museum. He will also be appearing with FDR&M at Owen Sound’s 150th anniversary Homecoming celebrations at the Meet & Greet Tent at the Bayshore Community Centre. This will be a shared gig with another great local band, Backwoods Justice. Joel and Adam’s gigs can be found by visiting theOwen.com Live Music Listings, along with most other musical happenings around the area.

    Listen to Joel’s Tunes

    Track 1: Mary

    Track 2: They Say

    Joel’s Influences

    Joel lists amoungst his influences Michael Hedges, Jimi Hendrix, Don Ross, Michael Hedges, Andy Mckee, Michael Heges, Eric Mongrain, Preston Reed, Michael Hedges, Kaki King, Michael Hedges, Larry Jensen, Michael Hedges, Ani Difranco, Michael Hedges, Prince, and last but certainly not least, Michael Hedges.

    Joel’s Collaborators

    Throughout time Joel has and still does love to jam with Wade Robson, Adam Reese, Chris Rutan, Curtis Welland, Trevor and Tara Mckenzie, Katie Gleiser, Brian Moniz, Beaker, Tyler Wagler, Pete Devlin, Scott E. Farmer,
    Josh Richardson, Paul Danard, Rod Ramsay and (of course) Larry Jensen. We here at theOwen.com know that he has jammed with many more folks then this, and apologize on his behalf to anyone who’s name may have been excluded from this list. The man is a jammin’ machine!

    Joel’s Upcoming Local Shows (So Far)

  • Joel and Adam live @ Jazzmyn’s:

    • -June 29th
    -July 7th
    -July 28th
    -Aug. 4th

  • Joel live @ the Grey Roots Museum:

    • -July 6th

  • Joel and Adam live @ Harbour Nights:

    • -July 15th

  • Joel and Adam live @ Greenhorns:

    • -July 26th

  • Joel live @ Kelso Beach Amphitheatre:

    • -July 27th

  • FDR&M live @ the Homecoming Meet & Greet Tent:

    • -Aug. 3rd

  • Joel live @ Axis Gallery & Grill, Toronto:

    • -Aug. 11th

    Joel’s contacts and links

  • Joel’s personal website
  • Joel’s Myspace
  • FDR&M Myspace

    • Thanks Joel for lending us your tunes and information, and a word out to all you musicians and music appreciators, it’s easy to find more local musicians or create profiles at theOwen.com!!

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    Written by adam · Filed Under Local Musician Profile, Music, Community, Audio, theOwen 

    Joshua Richardson-Local Musician Profile

    June 5, 2007

    Josh RichardsonJoshua Richardson completed his undergraduate degree in philosophy at Trent University and while on respite from his graduate studies at Guelph, met his wife Melisa in his hometown of Owen Sound, where they now reside. Josh uses his philosophical knowledge as a background for his musical performance, creating original pieces through the synthesis of differing objects in nature. This dialectical process of thesis, antithesis, synthesis, extends to his two current projects: 1. die Baader-Meinhof Gruppe / Red Army Faction – an examination of violence in sound approaching the limits of personal distaste and 2. Tel Quel – a musical project using melody and more gentle sound sources, both of which find synthesis in Joshua himself.

    Tel Quel

    Joshua’s musical credits include gigs with the Nihilist Spasm Band (which count R.E.M. and Sonic Youth as fans), a festival appearance alongside Alexander Hacke (of German Industrial legends die Einsturzende Neubauten) and 2006 release on a tribute to English avant-garde musician Jhonn Balance (whose band Coil released music for Nine Inch Nail leader Trent Reznor’s record label).

    He is currently working on an album to be released in the Fall of 2007 and will have an installation in the summer of the same year at the Electric-Eclectic’s Festival.

    Josh’s Influences

    Under the persona of die Baader-Meinhof Gruppe Josh lists Bill Hicks, Primo Levi, and Francis Bacon (the painter) as his influences. Under his Tel Quel persona he lists Tinnitus as his influence. If you can figure out who Tinnitus is please let us know.

    Josh’s Collaborators

    Die Baader-Meinhof Gruppe / Rote Armee Fraktion:
    Pat Dorfman (guitar, garcy bird), Scott Farmer (keyboards, voice, guitar), Adam Reese (guitar), Sam Devos (keyboard), and Edwin Vanvinckenroye (violin). We are a musical collective exploring the principle of violence within the realm of leftist politics and *not* a defunct German urban guerilla group. Inquires regarding recordings and/or bookings email us at ulrike[at]dbmg-raf[dot]com.

    Tel Quel:
    Scott Farmer (keyboards), Patrick Dorfman (banjo, guitar), Adam Reese(the kitchen sink, water, guitar), Graham Dorfman (guitar), Joel Morelli (bass guitar)

    Listen to Josh’s Music

    Track 1: Musth (die Baader-Meinhof Gruppe/ Rote Armee Fraktion)

    Track 2: Mob Barley (Tel Quel)

    Track 3: A Podcast Interview With Joshua Richardson

    Right click the following link and choose “save as” to download this interview in podcast format.

    Josh’s Online Sites

    die Baader Meinhof Gruppe myspace site

    Tel Quel myspace site

    die Baader Mienhof Gruppe personal site

    A huge thanks out to Joshua for lending us his music, and a reminder out to the Sound that it’s easy to find more local musicians or create profiles at theOwen.com!!

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    Written by adam · Filed Under Podcast, Local Musician Profile, Music, Community, Audio, theOwen 

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