The Melomaniacs’ music highlights their love of and exposure to a multitude of musical genres, blending folk, blues, rock, funk and reggae influences. With a new EP recorded by engineer Mark Bussieres, the band is establishing a loyal and interested fan base comprised of people with enthusiasm for music.
When Loretta Lynn sang, “If you’re lookin’ at me, you’re lookin’ at country,” she really hit a chord with Peterborough, ON’s The Kindness Killers. Fronted by Benj Rowland, taking turns between acoustic guitar and accordion, and featuring Julia Fenn on ukulele and vocals, Charity Justrabo on cello and Nick Ferrio on lap steel and back-up vocals, The Kindness Killers have quickly revealed themselves to be the bona fide flag-wavers of the genre and lifestyle that Loretta Lynn so proudly sang about.
With their innovative instrumentation applied to time-honoured song structures, the Kindness Killers’ sound is both familiar and daring. Rowland, Fenn and Ferrio all sing with enough twang to faithfully represent their influences, but in such a way that is neither contrived nor farcical. Though the band members were not raised in the Southern States, it is clear that their record collections were. This influence, in combination with the influence of Peterborough – a small Ontario blue-collar town – has resulted in a sound that, while unique to the Kindness Killers, can most certainly be labelled as country music.
Publican Pavilion MC
Michael Morritt is a Peterborough born singer-songwriter. His music is emotive and dynamic, ranging in style from folk to jazz to classical. Despite a wide range of styles, each of his songs are imbued with his distinctive voice. He performs alone with an acoustic nylon-string guitar. Lyrically, Morritt’s compositions are introspective explorations of love, the natural world, and contemplation his the struggles of existence. Thriving in an environment of community, you can usually catch him at the various Open Mic Nights in whichever town he finds himself in. Apart from being a musician, Morritt is also a writer, filmmaker and sound artist who has worked extensively throughout Ireland and Canada.
You can learn more about Michael by visiting his website.
