Who: Nine Mile
When: Monday, Feb. 20
Where: Boot Pub
Nine Mile guitarist DAri originally founded his own label Dreadrock Records because he didnt want a big evil company taking creative liberties with the music he produced, upholding honesty in his songs above all else.
However, when record giant Warner showed interest in partnering with his label to produce Nine Miles second yet untitled album, the Ontario boy couldnt say no.
Once Nine Mile completes a rigorous tour schedule including a Western Canada tour with a Whistler stop Monday, Feb. 20 at the Boot Pub followed by an umpteenth tour in Australia, the Nine Mile trio of DAri, David Tolley and newest addition Marie-Josee Dandeneau will head straight to the recording studio in June.
Honesty threads together Nine Miles patchwork quilt of rock, funk, Caribbean and folk music. The son of Jamaican immigrants who came to Canada in the 1960s, DAri grew up in a household listening to everything from Jimmy Hendrix and Bob Dylan to the Beatles and Janis Joplin.
The big criteria for me with music, regardless of whether it is hard rock, classical or folk is that it oozes with honesty, DAri said over the phone before heading to his next gig in Canmore, Alberta. We are out here for the right reasons. We are pretty eclectic listening in the (touring) van. The music is all over the place.Drummer Tolley, a Berklee Music student, has studied percussion all over the world and bassist Dandeneaus music prowess extends to jazz and funk.
There is an eclectic blend of lots of different styles,DAri said. Instead of going from reggae to country to a groove song, elements of each are within each song, so it ends up to be a unique listening experience. ðNine Miles credits include its sophomore indie release Close to Touch followed by a six-song EP The Almanac, which was released in Australia under the Dreadrock and MGM label partnership.
After establishing a strong fan base in Canada and northeastern U.S., the band headed Down Under to a place they now call their home away from home.
Nine Mile has kept great company, touring with Aussie heroes Xavier Rudd and The Beautiful Girls.
In Australia, the vibe of culture is to be outside, to get out on the beach and see live music, DAri said contrasting North Americas indoor fixation with the boob tube. A lot of energy is focused on getting out and living life. The music we are making is what some people classify as being pretty surf friendly. You can complain about a place that happens to have a summer during our winter either.
Nine Mile has also shared stages with Keller Williams, Gomez, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Blackalicious, Collective Soul, Sarah Harmer, Cowboy Junkies, Wide Mouth Mason and The Rheostatics, just to name a few.
I am surrounded by talented and successful people, DAri said. If we have three people focused on playing from our hearts, honestly and having the time of their lives that will translate to the stage and the audience.
Up and comer Matt York will warm crowds up with his groovy acoustic soul music.
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