July 15th, 2009 - Jon Rae Fletcher
Jon-Rae Fletcher is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He has recorded both as a solo artist and with a back-up band, The River.
Jon-Rae grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia, where, as the son of a minister, he sang in his church's choir. Eventual musical developments included his discovery of Kurt Cobain and the formation of his own garage band. Jon-Rae later moved and founded the original River band with a collective of Vancouver friends, but disbanded the group when he moved east.
The River was reformed with like-minded Toronto musicians in 2003, and they grew into a popular cult band with an ever-expanding audience. Combining country, gospel, rock, and soul, Jon-Rae & The River created a unique blend of music, sometimes complemented by an on-stage choir. Their critically acclaimed album, Knows What You Need, was released in 2006 and the band broke up sometime afterwards.
Jon-Rae Fletcher, now residing in Victoria, BC and working at the Market on Yates, a local downtown organic grocery store. Jon-rae Fletcher enjoys hunting for rare and exotic mushrooms, mountain biking near his home in Brentwood Bay, and hiking/trailing on his spare time. He released a full-length solo record entitled Oh, Maria on Weewerk February 3, 2009.
Dreamt up by Misha Bower and Matt Cully in the summer of 2006, Bruce Peninsula has slowly mutated, elaborating on the Alan Lomax archives that initially inspired them and taking a new turn every time a new member or instrument is added to the mix. Since their second show, Bruce Peninsula has ballooned out to include a large cast of hoot-and-hollerers. The band mutates often but the last couple of years has seen contributions from Neil Haverty, Andrew Barker, Steve McKay, Leon Taheny, Kari Peddle, Daniela Geshundheit, Katie Stelmanis, Caseey Mecija, Maya Postepski, Isla Craig and Doc Dunn (the latter two no longer perform with BP but are honourary members for life).
The instrumental elements have expanded into new terrain (unlike most folk bands, prog isn't a dirty word for this band), but Bruce Peninsula's focus is devoted to the singing, first and foremost. Singing from the gut, singing with gusto, singing the way we were made to sing…
Bruce Peninsula have spent the last year travelling through churches and slums to make A Mountain Is A Mouth, their forthcoming debut LP. They also dropped a 7" somewhere along the way. In the hands of engineer Leon Taheny (ohbijou, Final Fantasy, Germans), these recordings have turned into tiny mountains and the band is ecstatic that soon it will be let out into the world.
Astounding three part harmonies, matchless energy and rhythms that move you to the core are a few of the reasons The Stables are so quickly becoming a widespread name. Surprisingly, their big sound comes from instruments that may have you wondering what time period your concert ticket just entered you in. A wash-tub bass accompanied by a kit with a suitcase kick-drum may look simple, but when combined with the banjo, acoustic guitar and mouth-harp, it’s nothing short of an explosive resonance when this trio takes this stage.
It all began around a fire, along side a small lake in south-eastern Ontario, Canada when three long time friends resolved to embark on a musical journey together. For over ten years Aaron “Blind Billy” Blasko, Darren Clarke and Poor Pelly were admired and respected singer-songwriters on the Durham music circuit. After a couple of attempts of amalgamating with other local talent, the trio came to recognize the magic that transpired from their shared energies coming together musically. With their creative vigor comes a comradeship that combines to deliver to their audiences a show not to be forgotten.
The Stables (a name derived many concepts) have been placed into numerous musical genres, and rightfully so; their sound encompasses all facets from folk to bluegrass to punk. The Stables are fronted by three singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalists who each have a style unto their own; thus creating the unique sound that is The Stables. As quoted by Lonely Vagabond, “…rousing folk-country trio, a high energy sonic hoedown, catchy, charming, the spirit of steamrolling along the backwoods of the south, in our own backyard.” It’s The Stables eclectic vibe, in addition to their incredible talent that has grabbed the attention of music professionals and audiences alike.
The Stables are currently in Cobra Headquarters Recording Studio putting the finishing touches on their debut album due for release in early spring.
Jon-Rae grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia, where, as the son of a minister, he sang in his church's choir. Eventual musical developments included his discovery of Kurt Cobain and the formation of his own garage band. Jon-Rae later moved and founded the original River band with a collective of Vancouver friends, but disbanded the group when he moved east.
The River was reformed with like-minded Toronto musicians in 2003, and they grew into a popular cult band with an ever-expanding audience. Combining country, gospel, rock, and soul, Jon-Rae & The River created a unique blend of music, sometimes complemented by an on-stage choir. Their critically acclaimed album, Knows What You Need, was released in 2006 and the band broke up sometime afterwards.
Jon-Rae Fletcher, now residing in Victoria, BC and working at the Market on Yates, a local downtown organic grocery store. Jon-rae Fletcher enjoys hunting for rare and exotic mushrooms, mountain biking near his home in Brentwood Bay, and hiking/trailing on his spare time. He released a full-length solo record entitled Oh, Maria on Weewerk February 3, 2009.
Dreamt up by Misha Bower and Matt Cully in the summer of 2006, Bruce Peninsula has slowly mutated, elaborating on the Alan Lomax archives that initially inspired them and taking a new turn every time a new member or instrument is added to the mix. Since their second show, Bruce Peninsula has ballooned out to include a large cast of hoot-and-hollerers. The band mutates often but the last couple of years has seen contributions from Neil Haverty, Andrew Barker, Steve McKay, Leon Taheny, Kari Peddle, Daniela Geshundheit, Katie Stelmanis, Caseey Mecija, Maya Postepski, Isla Craig and Doc Dunn (the latter two no longer perform with BP but are honourary members for life).
The instrumental elements have expanded into new terrain (unlike most folk bands, prog isn't a dirty word for this band), but Bruce Peninsula's focus is devoted to the singing, first and foremost. Singing from the gut, singing with gusto, singing the way we were made to sing…
Bruce Peninsula have spent the last year travelling through churches and slums to make A Mountain Is A Mouth, their forthcoming debut LP. They also dropped a 7" somewhere along the way. In the hands of engineer Leon Taheny (ohbijou, Final Fantasy, Germans), these recordings have turned into tiny mountains and the band is ecstatic that soon it will be let out into the world.
Astounding three part harmonies, matchless energy and rhythms that move you to the core are a few of the reasons The Stables are so quickly becoming a widespread name. Surprisingly, their big sound comes from instruments that may have you wondering what time period your concert ticket just entered you in. A wash-tub bass accompanied by a kit with a suitcase kick-drum may look simple, but when combined with the banjo, acoustic guitar and mouth-harp, it’s nothing short of an explosive resonance when this trio takes this stage.
It all began around a fire, along side a small lake in south-eastern Ontario, Canada when three long time friends resolved to embark on a musical journey together. For over ten years Aaron “Blind Billy” Blasko, Darren Clarke and Poor Pelly were admired and respected singer-songwriters on the Durham music circuit. After a couple of attempts of amalgamating with other local talent, the trio came to recognize the magic that transpired from their shared energies coming together musically. With their creative vigor comes a comradeship that combines to deliver to their audiences a show not to be forgotten.
The Stables (a name derived many concepts) have been placed into numerous musical genres, and rightfully so; their sound encompasses all facets from folk to bluegrass to punk. The Stables are fronted by three singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalists who each have a style unto their own; thus creating the unique sound that is The Stables. As quoted by Lonely Vagabond, “…rousing folk-country trio, a high energy sonic hoedown, catchy, charming, the spirit of steamrolling along the backwoods of the south, in our own backyard.” It’s The Stables eclectic vibe, in addition to their incredible talent that has grabbed the attention of music professionals and audiences alike.
The Stables are currently in Cobra Headquarters Recording Studio putting the finishing touches on their debut album due for release in early spring.
- Categories: Concerts , Past Events , Indie Rock , Rock , Acoustic , Folk
