The members of Elliott
BROOD pose at the river
with Detroit in the
background. They are
Mark Sasso, left, Stephen
Pitkin and Casey Laforet.
Sasso and Laforet are
from Windsor. They say
they were heavily
influenced by music from
Detroit, but you might
not hear it in their songs.
Photo by Owen Jones
Daniel Victor, standing, is
the brains behind
Windsor-based Canadian
pop project Neverending
White Lights. He poses
with his dad, Jack
Genaro, in the basement
studio of the family
home, where Daniel
recorded all his music.
Photo by Owen Jones
Our diverse population
ensures a diverse
offering of musical
talent
something they couldn't pursue 20 years ago. But because of
all the possible ways to download music, bands like the Tea
Party will have a tougher time selling actual discs. Music
consumers today seem reluctant to pay for stuff they can
steal.”
According to Meloche, there may be a bit of an old boys’
club mentality at work too. “It’s tough to get a foot in the door
here,” she says. “People want to work with folks that they've
worked with before. It's tough to get that first break.”
Michele Law, artistic director for the upcoming Kingsville
Folk Festival, hasn’t been in the area long, but she’s already
favourably impressed by what’s happening musically. “There
seems to be lots of great music being made ... from garages to
open stages.” Law hopes area musicians will embrace the
opportunities to be found at the Folk Fest. “Folk Festivals are
where other festival organizers hang out to look for new acts.
It can really enrich your career.”
Law’s no stranger to the collaboration and support
Meloche refers to. Part of Folk Fest’s purpose is to support
new musicians.
“We settled in Wheatley and opened a music store, Rebel
Cowboy Music. We found that there were many area kids who
wanted to take lessons but purchasing an instrument and
paying for weekly lessons was a stretch for their family...we
put together a board of directors and incorporated as a non
profit society, Sun Parlour Folk Music Society.” The Society's
mandate is to raise funds through a concert series and annual
folk music festival, to provide financial assistance to area
youth to access the arts. The MAY Fund (Music and Arts for
Youth) will be available for youth to apply for everything from
lessons to mentoring sessions.
Our diverse population ensures a diverse offering of
musical talent. Enjoying the sounds of Windsor-Essex can be
done beyond the bars and festivals. The Greater Windsor
Concert Band and Windsor Symphony both play to crowds at
their free summer concerts in parks throughout the area.
June’s Caroussel of Nations brings music from around the
map to our own backyard, where locals of all ethnic descent
Continued on page 22