Peterborough Blogs
Hometown PTBO: Neil Sanderson of Three Days Grace on the Release of the Band's New Album
/This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday speaks with Three Days Grace drummer Neil Sanderson about attending Adam Scott, the band's new album Explosions and some of his tour stories.
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.
The position will consist of 35-varying hour work weeks with evenings and weekends required through July and August.
Please send a cover letter and resume via email Tracey Randall, General Manager at info@ptbomusicfest.ca with the subject: Marketing & Communications Coordinator.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 16. The hired applicant will start immediately.
For more details on qualifications and duties, click here.
Hometown PTBO: Greg Wells About Supporting Musicians With the Don Skuce Memorial Music Collective
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
