Jazz-folkers experiment big-time on new LP
The Coast Magazine
Heather Kelday and Paul Cressman traded in life and music made on the shores of Lake Superior—Thunder Bay, Ontario to be exact—for Halifax a few years back. Their reasons for the move were fabled and practical. "The slow-paced lifestyle, welcoming music community and to find a new drummer," says Kelday.
And they found him. His name is Aaron Mangle and his hinting playing perfectly suits the dreamy jazz-folk vibe created by Kelday, who plays guitar and banjo and sings, and Cressman on acoustic standup and electric bass. "Rushing Love Song," from the band's new indie release Of Wood and Water, Stars and Song (official release on December 2 at the BusStop Theatre) demonstrates the trio's spellbinding powers.
Alongside the dreamy aspect, there's a healthy get-up to the Owls' recorded and stage work, rousing the crowd with bluegrass and tapping into their roots. "Our earlier albums"—when the outfit was called Barefoot—"are rooted in indie-rock and jam band styles conducive to dancing," Kelday explains. "Those albums highlight improvisational jams, ambience.
"Aaron, Paul and I have an affinity for experimental music," she adds. "We all grew up playing a variety of instruments."
Lately, Kelday has been writing on banjo and mandolin, along with guitar. The shared spirit of experimentation and acoustic music created a delightful surprise for Kelday and company on Of Wood and Water, Stars and Song. "To go from jazz to rockabilly to cabaret all in one album was pretty fascinating and unexpected," she says. "But somehow it works."
As for her songwriting, Kelday sings of the "natural world and social interaction …love, lust, loss—you know, the good ol' three Ls."
Once she has her words down, she shares them with Cressman and Mangle. "It is so beautiful when Paul and Aaron add their thoughts and lives to the story in musical instrumentation."
Beautiful too now that Band of Owls is in Halifax's musical life.
Sean Flinn
(November. 2006 December Pic - CBC Fresh Air [- Hide]
CBC Radio One
Fresh Air - Ontario
New Album "Of wood and water, stars and song" chosen by Mark Rheaume for December featured Albums.
A Band that gives a Hoot
Annapolis Spectator
"A blend of folk, roots music, blue grass, jazz, rock and ambient, they perform songs that soar through the heart, liberate the imagination, and bring us back down to earth with melodic poetry ground in the fertilit of nature and the human soul" Carolyn Sloan" (October, 2006)
Whats HOT at Lakehead!
Maclean's Magazine
Folk music band, comprising Lakehead alumni, has loyal following: played to capacity crowd during Orientation Week.
Maclean's Magazine – Guide to Canadian Universities (2003)
CD Release 2005
Halifax Herald
"Their sound has a life and energy that is infectious.
They have a keen sense of melody and motion with a mixture
of a Daniel Lanois-style studio sound and the
jangly acoustic feel and relaxed vocals of folk/rock."
Shelley Thompson – Halifax Herald (2005)
Creativity
Athenaeum
It was definitely some of the most creative music I've ever heard.
Megan Valois - Athenaeum (Acadia University Paper – 2004)
Frosh Week Review
Argus Paper
Playing a mix of folk and blues injected with a wholesome
dose of rock and roll ambition, their set was equivalent of musical opium, leaving everyone yearning for more.
Dave Briggs, Argus (2002)
Band of Horses, eat your heart out
Bridging the Atlantic
Last night Ottawa was graced by A Band of Owls, one of Canada's young folk acts with loads of promise. The band was pared down for the show, playing without drummer Aaron Mangle. Frontwoman and songwriter Heather Kelday was the star of the show, displaying some serious chops on guitar, banjo, and mandolin to accompany her soulful songs about embracing the natural world.
A Band of Owls bringing blended sound to the stage
South Shore Now
If you're looking for something to hoot about during some downtime at the Lunenburg Festival of Crafts, you may want to keep your eyes open for a low-flying owl — in fact, A Band of Owls, to be precise.
