Peterborough Musicfest Seeking New Marketing and Communications Coordinator
/Peterborough Musicfest is looking to hire a new marketing and communications coordinator for a year-round position announced on Wednesday.
File Photo.
Peterborough Blogs
Hometown PTBO: Greg Wells About Supporting Musicians With the Don Skuce Memorial Music Collective
/
This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with record producer, songwriter and musician Greg Wells about the Don Skuce Memorial Music Collective, growing up in Peterborough and catching up on his life in Los Angeles.
Wells will be working alongside famous artists such as Josh Groban, Ryan Tedder and Adam Lambert.
Peterborough Musician Releases New Song While Recovering From Severe Chronic Illness
/Peterborough based musician, Paul L. Clark, released his new song ‘The Purgatory Blues’ on Monday.
While sitting on the edge of a hospital bed at 3 a.m., physically and mentally drained as he recovered from a severe chronic illness that left him gaunt and exhausted, and brought him to the brink of death, Clark had what he calls an epiphany.
“I kept hearing an earworm. I smiled as I realized what I was hearing wasn’t any existing music. I buzzed my nurse and asked for a piece of paper and a pen and the words that fit the tune in my head poured out of me. The entire song flowed out all in one shot,” he said.
Clark says he soon found - or was found by - people that could help him.
One of those people was Don Skuce, the longtime owner of Ed’s Music Workshop in Peterborough. Clark met Skuce at a weekly breakfast that saw a number of musicians get together to swap tales over eggs and bacon.
Both were ill, Skuce in the final stages of a tough battle with cancer and Clark on the cusp of his own debilitating illness.
“It was obvious that both of us were rapidly losing weight but our dark humour begged us to ask the question ‘So who is going to die first?’ We’d laugh and often I told him ‘The devil doesn’t want me and the Lord won’t take you, so what are we going to do.’”
Skuce passed in June 2018 but Clark’s memory of their special relationship never faded. When he found himself critically ill facing his own death, Clark discovered strength in their bond. But more to the point, the poignant words he shared with his friend never left his head, eventually forming the basis of one very special song.
Back home recuperating, Clark brought ‘The Purgatory Blues’ to life.
After recording his percussion tracks, he enlisted some of his favourite musicians - vocalists Bridget Foley and Lindsay Barr, guitarist Brandon Humphrey, and bassist Rob Foreman – to round out what he had been hearing in his head.
They recorded The Purgatory Blues under the name The Smirky Waters Band.
The result is a piece that unites elements of R&B, soul-jazz and reggae that deny it being buttonholed into any particular identified music genre.
“I don’t write and play genres…I write and play moods,” said Clark. “I’ve learned to go with the flow as opposed to thinking so much you wreck it. Surpass any fears or nervousness. When you trust, you’re on a different foundation and it takes you to another level. The verses are what I learned - laugh at the noise, your dreams know the way. The Purgatory Blues is a very personal piece that pays homage to my friendship with Don and each of my fellow travelers.”
To purchase the studio version of The Purgatory Blues by The Smirky Waters Band from any one of a number of major distribution platforms, visit https://songwhip.com/the-smirky-waters-band/the-purgatory-blues.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough Family Band Spreads Their Faith With New Children's Program 'Yes,Lord'
/A local family band, Rhythm and Grace, has partnered with Salt and Light media to create an advent series for children.
Photo courtesy of Rhythm and Grace Music.
The Duketow family lives just outside of Peterborough and consists of Alex, Miriam and their nine children, aged 4 -19 years old.
Their original music draws inspiration from celtic, blues and gospel and includes fiddles, step-dancing, singing, accordion, electric bass, guitar, piano, and the Irish whistle.
When the Duketow’s were approached by Salt and Light Media and asked if they would create a music program to help children learn about and celebrate the Lenten season they jumped at the chance.
“The Easter programs were kindof a pilot program, then Salt and Light said they went over really well and asked us to do another series on Advent and Christmas,” said Duketow.
“It’s a real privilege for us to be able to help other children and families enter into the Advent and Christmas season,” said Alex Duketow. “It’s so special to have the role of reminding other the reason behind Christmas. It’s something that our whole family tries to remember because that brings true peace to our hearts- that God loves us unconditionally - so we share that with anyone that watches.”
Through October and November the Duketow’s were busy writing new music, and filming episodes.
“The kids have really enjoyed being part of the process,” he said. “As you can imagine you can’t just start practicing a couple days before. We’d be at the dinner table every day practicing.”
Now, ‘Yes, Lord’ releases a new episode every Friday morning for a kid-friendly approach to the Sunday Mass readings and homily.
“I’m so proud of the kids, especially the younger kids because they’ve just really shown how responsible they can be. We tell them often ‘The better you’re prepared to share songs with a bright smile, the more you’ll help other children have a bright smile on their face.’.”
Episodes can be watched online, or on Salt + Light TV LIVE
“It’s geared towards children, but a lot of people find that whether you’re a child or a child at heart you tend to appreciate this.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Local Art-Folk Band Ptarmigan Has Released Their Third Album “Cocoon"
/Local art-folk band Ptarmigan released their third album, titled ‘Cocoon’ on Nov. 19.
The album title “Cocoon” speaks to the insular and fragile comfort of home and place and the transformations people go through throughout their lives.
“With this album entitled ‘Cocoon,’ we’re exploring the concept of home and how people build their homes literally and figuratively,” said Peter McMurtry, a bandmember, who grew up in Peterborough and now lives in Toronto.
Filtering stories of home through the lens of his own experiences, McMurtry draws inspiration from science fiction, fantasy, and stories of his own family history on Cocoon.
Bandmembers Peter McMurtry (vocals, banjo, guitar), Aaron Hoffman (vocals, mandolin, synthesizer, keyboards), and Sam Gleason (guitar) grew up in Peterborough and met while attending the former Peterborough Collegiate Vocational School, where they started playing music together.
“We explored folk music in high school, performing at coffee houses, and experimenting with different types of music in an environment that fostered creativity,” said McMurty. “With the school being so close to downtown, we were fortunate to perform in venues such as The Spill. That’s where we developed our strong grass roots, folk foundation.”
The song “Once I Knew” is accompanied by a video shot in the countryside south of Rice Lake, directed by Adrienne McLaren. Dancer Oriah Wiersma brought the lyrics to life in her choreographed movements. Viewers can see that and other music videos on www.ptarmiganband.com.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Alice Cooper and Buckcherry Taking the Stage at the Peterborough Memorial Centre
/Rock ‘n roll star Alice Cooper with special guest Buckcherry will perform at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Mar. 27 next year announced on Monday.
Alice Cooper was originally scheduled for Nov. 7 last year but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo Courtesy of the Peterborough Memorial Centre.
The concert is part of Cooper’s “Monsters of Rock Cruise” tour that had announced several new spring dates including Peterborough.
Tickets are on sale Friday in-person at the Grant Thornton Box Office, by phone at 705-743-3561 and online at www.memorialcentre.ca. The exclusive pre-sale for PMC Scoop members begins Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
Tickets are $49.00 to $89.00 per ticket with VIP packages also available. All ticket prices are subject to applicable taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change.
Any tickets purchased for the cancelled Alice Cooper Ol' Black Eyes is Back Tour in 2020 will not be valid for this show. New tickets must be purchased if you wish to attend this show.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Peterborough Singers Accompanist Steps Down After 25 Years of Music
/Gael Morrison, accompanist with Peterborough Singers for 25 years, has stepped down from her position, announced on Monday in the Peterborough Singers newsletter.
Gael Morrison and her husband Ev. Photo courtesy of Peterborough Singers.
Following her training at the Royal Conservatory of Music and the University of Toronto, Morrison worked with the Peterborough Pop Ensemble, the Peterborough Children’s Chorus and the Cambridge St. United Church Voices of Victory.
Morrison made the drive from Lindsay to Peterborough every week to accompany the Peterborough Singers.
“It made me a better accompanist, since it requires a totally different skill from playing on your own. You need a certain quality and standard to do those big works. And certainly I’ve met some wonderful, interesting people — the music and the people are the highlights,” she said.
While Morrison says she already misses being a part of the Peterborough Singers, she is enjoying having more time for kayaking and hiking.
“A good choir accompanist is the choral conductor’s most important ally in the rehearsal room, and for me, Gael was that person,” said artistic director Syd Birrell. “She is a very fine pianist, an excellent sight reader, a true professional, and she played an integral role in establishing the high standards of the Peterborough Singers, helping build the choir in our early years and beyond.”
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Hometown PTBO: Beau Dixon On His Favourite Venue and Eats in Peterborough
/This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday catches up with actor and musician Beau Dixon about his favourite venue in Peterborough and who has the best homefries in the city.
Band 'I, The Mountain' Returns to Their Old Stomping Grounds for Last Leg of Tour
/Pop/folk band I, The Mountain has returned from their East Coast Tour and has one final local show at The Garnet, on Thursday.
Photo courtesy of I, the Mountain.
While the band is based in Kitchener they got their start at Trent University, where three of the five-member band had classes together.
Matt Rappolt, drummer, and Matt Lamers, lead singer and acoustic guitar, began busking around Peterborough when they met.
They played at Peterborough favourites like The Spill, The Red Dog and The Garnet.
“We’re a little biased to Peterborough because it’s where we started, it feels like home,” said Lamers. “The Spill, we played there too many times, it was like a second home. Sometimes we were there three nights a week, occasionally we were just playing to the bartender.”
Rappolt and Lamers met Matt Morgan and recorded their first EP, before parting ways after University.
After many moves and working for a few years, the three got back together, along with Allison Dyjach and Rory McLachlin, to form ‘I, the Mountain’.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic they had few opportunities to play live shows, and did a lot of online performances.
While this allowed them to keep performing, Lamers says nothing compares to performing live.
The band released their debut album ‘Little Wild’ early in 2020, before the start of the pandemic.
They, fittingly, began their tour at Trent University on Sept. 9, and travelled to Ottawa, Halifax and PEI throughout September and October.
“It was euphoric in a lot of ways,” said Lamers. “We’re in a band to perform, our favourite part is the performance and the interaction from the crowd. The online shows were fun in their own way, but it’s nothing compared to feeling that live energy and getting that natural high of people singing your songs with you.”
The band will play with RedFox, a band out of Montreal, at The Garnet on Thursday at 8 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the door at 7 p.m. for $10.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Local Musician Takes Trauma and Makes Music With Manic Music Makers
/New to Peterborough, musician Panicky Pete channels and processes negative experiences in his new album ‘Trauma’ coming out on Oct. 28 and will continue making music locally with his own label ‘Manic Music Makers’.
Image courtesy of Peter Steinke.
‘Panicky Pete’, otherwise known as Peter Steinke, has always loved music. He says the popular rock band Linkin Park is to blame for his love of guitar and rock music.
As a musician, Steinke and his guitar were once inseparable. In the past he was a music teacher, and played in a band with his friends.
It wasn’t until health complications took over, and he was unable to play the guitar, that Panicky Pete and Manic Music Makers were born.
“I had to stop the guitar, so I started focusing on building a home studio,” said Steinke. “I wanted to be able to do stuff with my friends that I used to play music with. It started out of wanting to be able to make music with other people again.”
When his health deteriorated, and he was unable to do the things he loved, Steinke’s mental health deteriorated too.
“The name Manic Music Makers and Panicky Pete, it’s all about mental health and honest communications through art.” he said. “Music is my most comfortable way of expressing myself, so I try to use it to express the things I can’t or won’t say because of anxiety and such. I feel strongly that it can be a tool for healing. I wanted to create a space that people could express any type of suffering and try to get that out.
Photo courtesy of Peter Steinke.
