Nine musicians, seven days, one log cabin.
The result? Eighteen songs that will contribute to Pistol George Warren’s second full-length album, Mindemoya.
Jon Danyliw, one of the group’s vocalists, said a week of laid-back Manitoulin Island living ended on a good note for the Sudbury-based “country soul collective.”
“When you’re living in your studio for a week, there’s no doubt going to be a time when you’re at your best,” he said.
Over the course of several 14-hour days, everyone hit their high.
Finely tuned musicianship partnered with the low-key rustic ambiance of the lodge led to the “old country” sound of which the band members are so fond.
“If it felt really good while we were there, it would sound really good, too,” Danyliw said. He is confident the finished product will be just as notable as the process.
Since everyone in the group already had experience in a traditional recording setting, veering from the beaten path seemed logical, the vocalist said. It would also give the group, along with Dave Mackinnon (the one who recorded the album), the chance to work together without interruption or distraction.
Jen McKerral said spending quality time with the band was a musically productive experience.
“It kept the creative momentum going,” she said.
There was no need to put the brakes to the creative process, except to eat and sleep — no one had to leave to tend to work or life responsibilities.
For a group the size of PGW, that’s not an easy feat.
Performing at this year’s Northern Lights Festival Boréal with a number of women joining them on stage, the group agreed to add the gals to their roster permanently.
“You’ve got nothing without the girls,” Danyliw joked.
The addition has proven to be a good one. This October, Pistol George Warren was selected to represent northern Ontario at the 25th Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference in Niagara Falls and was part of North By North East.
To hear what they’ve been up to, stop by the Towne House Dec. 22 for a 10 p.m. show. Tickets will be available at the door.
For more information, search Pistol George Warren on Facebook.
Posted by Laurel Myers
