 To say Ben Sures boasts an eclectic musical background would be a severe understatement. The singer-songwriter has spent his career delving into a wide array of genres from traditional folk, blues and acoustic, to classical and world music.
Ben Sures takes us through what inspired the diversity in his songwriting. Can you take me through your musical history and what inspired you to start making music in the first place? In high school I was looking for something to excel at that was not competitive. I thought writing songs. There have been some good songwriters and good songs and bad songwriters and bad songs but ultimately real craft is so individual you can't compete. So it was perfect for a short 90 pound weakling in high school. Did you come from a musical family or is this something you picked it up? I came from an artistic family. My mother's father did cartoons for The New Yorker, movie posters and built Carmen Miranda's hat. My mother's mother was a painter and guitar player. She actually taught me some chords when I was a kid. My mother is a painter. My father, he had the Order of Canada Governor General's Award in ceramics and he studied classical guitar in the 60s. So not necessarily music but definitely creative. So did you start off playing guitar? I started out playing classical guitar. Then I heard all my friends were playing Neil Young, so then I quit my lesson and got a steel string. Can you go through how you develop your sound because every album sounds a little bit different melding different genres into each one? [Laughs] Yeah, it's not intentional. I'm not intentionally eclectic. I just have a wide-ranging musical background. I think in some ways I have a little bit more ability in terms of what I can play compared to some songwriters so that's led to a bit more of an eclectic background. I grew up playing blues in Winnipeg and Neil Young and folky stuff. Then I learned to play a little bit of jazz then a little bit of slide guitar. I like all kinds of old music like Klezmer music and Cajun music and everything really.
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 Photo: Chantelle Partyka Pulling inspiration from her favourite aspects of 90s pop and the storytelling skills of legendary songwriters, ATLAAS melds the best of both worlds and woos listeners with her unforgettable moody synth-pop vibes.
Heather Thomas, the brains and pipes behind ATLAAS, spoke to us about growing up in a music-centric family, how theatre school revived her love for music and what she’s most excited about playing Harvest Sun. What made you start making music? I played music with my dad when I was really young. We would sing together as a family. We would sing songs that had harmonies and so that kind of trained my ear to hear different parts of music. My dad was a musician as well and had a small studio in our childhood home. I started recording stuff with him when I was 11 or 12 and taking singing lessons at the same time. That really got me started in music. Ever since I started that it was always the one thing that I felt I was really good at, and the one thing that got me excited about the world and life. I knew I had to do something with music to be really happy. Since I was quite young, I had dreams of being the next Britney, and that obviously wasn't my thing [laughs]. I kind of had a weird experience when I went to university for music. I didn't have the best time, and I ended up quitting after a couple of years and just not making music. It wasn't until I was probably 21 and my parents moved away. They were like 'if you wanted to go back to school and finish a degree we would help you.' I was a little directionless then so they were like 'okay, here try this, ' so I went to theatre school. I took a couple of theatre classes, and I loved it. I kept doing theatre school, ended up doing an honours theatre degree. At the end of the process, I was like 'damn, all this did was make me more confident,' and I realized that I actually could achieve my dreams which are making music. After that, I was like 'this is what I want to do. Screw theatre! I'm not going to be an actor. I'm going back to music, back to my roots!' and that's when I started ATLAAS. Does any of that theatrical stuff seep into your performances? Well, I've always been really dramatic, like ever since I was little. I've always loved performances that were more performative. I've always been interested in performance art. I've always been interested in movement and the visual side of the performance of music. It was only increased by going to theatre school. Honestly, I think the most important thing that I got out of theatre school was self-confidence. Being in theatre school, I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about other people, how to read and listen to people. That was what made me more confident in my own thoughts and start really trusting my own self. When you started ATLAAS, where did that sound come from? I think at the very core, and the foundation of ATLAAS is solid pop vocals and emotional lyrics. There's music; there's sound around it, synths and stuff but I think the core would be good pop songs; an emotional thing rather than a really intellectual one, which I really appreciate. Whenever I write, there's more than just the top layer. I'm thinking of other things when I'm writing, so there are other layers to the song, so if you wanted to get into them you could delve deeper but at the surface, I hope, they're pretty relatable.  Sol James has a deep passion for singing her heart out, and it's obvious, especially when you talk to her about her craft. From her jazz roots, her blended mix of folk, blues, and rock music, to her now budding career in music therapy, Sol continues to follow her calling to use music to connect, heal and make audiences feel.
Sol spoke with us about her life as a musician and the importance of small community-oriented festivals like Harvest Sun. What inspired you to start making music? It's been a part of who I am my whole life. I was always involved in choirs, band, music classes, plays and all the things growing up. I went to school and went to university and took a performance degree in jazz voice. I got out of school and realized very quickly that I love jazz, but my writing didn't sound like jazz music, so I stopped resisting that and just let it come. That's the music that I perform now; it's more the style that reflects me. Did you come from a musical family, is that how it was always in your life? My family is musical, but my parents were all blue-collar people. They were parents who could afford to put me in music lessons. Thankfully, I was able to really foster this intrinsic motivation that I had thanks to [my parents] – who didn't get to pursue their passions the same way. I got out of school, and I just wouldn't accept music as not a career. I think to their chagrin; it was not their first choice for me but they know it's a part of who I am, and they've been very supportive. You mentioned your music formulated on its own. You started out with jazz, and now it's kind of like this roots/country vibe. So what inspired those stylistic changes? Jazz is taught in schools, and so that was what was fostered. That was what I was taught. They don't hold rock band classes, at least they didn't when I was going to school. My influences were, growing up, far more country and soul roots based anyways, especially country and folk. My dad was into all that 70s rock, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and all these crazy bands, so I was influenced a lot by that but going into school you have to choose. Jazz was the closest thing to that, and I think it's a good education because jazz musicians have to be pretty versatile. They have to understand music in a way that makes it so that they can delve in and out.  We have Dr. Seuss, the good ol’ Prairies and Rob Waddell’s mother for inspiring Rob’s music.
The roots/folk artist tells us about how his mom, other musicians, and Manitoba all helped shape him as an artist. How did you get your start in music? I believe I would have to blame my mother for the music. She’s quite a singer and I don't recall a time we weren’t encouraged (and sometimes politely forced) to sing in front of our neighbours, church, school etc. How has growing up on the prairies shaped your music? I almost entirely draw from my immediate surroundings when I write and I’ve never lived anywhere but Manitoba. The people and landscape of this province will most likely always provide the fabric of my songs. Who were your major influences when coming up with your style of folk? Louis L’amour, Dr Seuss, and my refusal to learn more than 5 chords. Likely, John Prine as well. Also.....the cadence of my father’s auctioneering is, at the very least, a fond memory of stringing some unusual words together off the cuff.  Acoustic singer/songwriter, Marcel Desilets, is a veteran Harvest Sun performer, having graced our stages every year since the festival’s start. Marcel spoke to us about his musical inspirations, his dedication to songwriting and the long list of things he loves about Harvest Sun.
Can you go into a little of your history and what inspired you to start making music? Well, I started playing music, started playing guitar, when I was maybe 15 or 16 years old. My friend who lived across the street from me when we were growing up, started playing guitar. We've known each other since we were three years old so we did everything together. When he started playing guitar, I thought, well I have to start playing guitar. My dad actually found a guitar for me and I started playing that thing and I never looked back. Would you say you came from a musical family? I would say that for sure. As early as I can remember, my dad played guitar. He could play the regular guitar, but he mostly played the dobro that you play with a steel bar. He would jam with his friend who played the accordion. He and his younger brother would play a lot of music together. My dad was always playing, and he was a very accomplished harmonica player. My mom could play the piano and could play the harmonica. So yeah, I grew up around music. When did you start writing your own music? When my friend and I started playing guitar, we started writing our own songs right from the start. We did some cover tunes as well back then. We were both really into Neil Young and we learned some Neil Young songs, but mostly we were into creating our own music. What other influences have you pulled from, from the time that you started writing to now? Well, in terms of styles, I love acoustic music. When I was growing up, I was into indie rock and all that kind of stuff. My growing-up years were kind of in the 70s. The late 60s and 70s were the heyday for rock 'n roll, so I was really into that, but I love acoustic guitar and acoustic music. The folksier elements of rock – folk-rock – really interested me and that sort of shaped the kinds of things that I was writing earlier on.  Keri Latimer from married country/roots duo Leaf Rapids takes us through her unexpected love for the genre and how she takes musical inspiration from the vastness of the Prairies.
Can you tell me a bit about how Leaf Rapids began? Devin and I were asked to be on the Black Hen Music label roster and flew down to Nashville to record an album with Steve Dawson. It was a new project, so we needed a name, and I've always loved the name of the town where he grew up in Northern Manitoba – Leaf Rapids – so we basically stole it. What is it about the prairies that inspire your music? I definitely think that the wide open skies affect my writing and arranging. I really like there to be open spaces musically. Lately, I've been exploring the history of our family, so the physical and mental harshness of the prairies is seeping into the lyrics. What were your major influences when first coming up with your style of country/roots? It's weird that I love roots music, as I am a child of the eighties. I really loved bands like Eurythmics and the Police. I would beg my parents to please change the radio station if it was on a country station. Then I was introduced to Vic Chesnutt, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, the Carter Family, the Louvin Brothers, etc. I love the dichotomy of a folk song; it can be both intimate and universal at the same time. You’ve performed at the festival a few times already, what’s your favourite part about playing Harvest Sun? I love its laid-back feel. When we're not performing, we can hang out with musician friends and chat with audience members while spending too much money at the crafter’s booths. I also really love it when Al Simmons is there. For attendees, what would you say is the best thing about the Harvest Sun Music Fest? I would say that you really feel like part of the community as opposed to bigger festivals. By the end of the weekend you know everyone. Catch Leaf Rapids at The Harvest Sun Music Festival in Kelwood, MB - August 17 - 19th. Follow Leaf Rapids on Facebook, on their website, Instagram, and Twitter. Be sure to check out @harvestsunmusicfest on Instagram on June 13th, as Leaf Rapids takes over our account for the day!  Al Simmons has had a long, successful career making audiences laugh with his kooky brand of musical comedy! The Harvest Sun returning performer spoke with us about his inspirations, motivations, highlights and favourite outrageous gadgets!
What sparked the idea to do musical comedy? 50 years ago… Audiences quickly let me know that they preferred me doing comedy. They ignored me when I made attempts at being cool and hip and suave. I love combining comedy with music. What are your favourite parts about what you do? They say laughter is the best medicine. When I hear people laughing I feel good. Laughter is my life force. You’ve had a very long and exciting career, can you take me through some of your favourite highlights? Winning a Juno Award and being appointed a Member of the Order of Manitoba are obvious choices but some of the greatest little spontaneous events happen in every show. The audience seems to love it when something goes wrong and they get to see how I react. I stay positive and turn it into a magical moment most times.
Oh, there were good times too.
Tell me about your favourite gadget/musical device you’ve made? How do I choose? There were/are so many. For years I never did a show without my wearable bathtub and big bass drum one-man-band. I think my current favourite is my newest one, “Flame Head.” You have to see it to believe it. For those who have yet to see you perform, what can people expect to see (and with your style: hear, feel, and interact with!) at your Harvest Sun set? Don’t expect to sit passively and listen. You will be totally involved in the show. I expect everyone to be interacting and shouting stuff at me. No throwing tomatoes please. I’ll have my mechanical hats, silly school of fish, eccentric songs and poems and of course my Horse-Cycle Ol’ Spoke. You’ve played the festival many times, what is it about Harvest Sun that keeps you coming back? It is the audience that keeps me coming back. All performers agree the the Harvest Sun crowds are fantastic. As a viewer and as a performer, what would you say is the best thing about the Harvest Sun Music Fest? The intimate Harvest Sun Festival has always been a favourite of mine. I love the organizers and crew. If always feels like I’m coming home to a big happy family. See you soon cousins! Catch Al Simmons at The Harvest Sun Music Festival in Kelwood, MB - August 17 -19th. Follow Al on Facebook, on his website, Instagram, and Twitter. Be sure to check out @harvestsunmusicfest on Instagram on June 8th, as Al Simmons takes over our account for the day! |
AuthorSnapshots of Manitoba music and the artists making it! Archives
August 2019
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