Tag Archives: Ben Kunder
Ben Kunder and Sarah Macdougall at Desboro Music Hall
Once again, this Saturday night, The Desboro Music Hall is bringing a pair of musicians with international reputations to entertain local fans. Again, as with the first two concerts in this year’s series, it is a man and a woman, except that this time they are not a couple. In fact Ben Kunder and Sarah MacDougall are songwriters who have separate careers and their collaboration is enhanced by their individual creativity.
They originally met at The Cameron House in Toronto, when Sarah came to Ben’s gig because he was being accompanied by the bass player they shared, Anna Ruddick of Ladies of The Canyon. Each of them was an established solo performer but interested in collaborating with someone, particularly in songwriting. With Ben living in Toronto and Sarah in Whitehorse they wrote their first song by email.
“We realized we had many, many things in common,” says Ben, while Sarah has commented, “He’s like a long lost brother.” Their collaboration led to touring together in Europe and the U.K earlier this year. It was a great success, particularly satisfying for Ben who found that he was well known, enjoying “a great response from the people” and “a few sold out shows.” He echoed many Canadian artists who have found success in Europe, noting that there is “a strong support for the arts there.” This was his first tour of Europe, “but it won’t be my last. I’ll be going back when I finish this new record.”
His first record, “Golden” was very well received, with Exclaim! saying , “Kunder’s extra special voice, along with gorgeous production, lends the record an almost velvety quality,”and NewCanadianMusic said the album: “features strong and warm vocals, nicely-crafted folk-rock songs, and top-notch production and playing.”
Sarah MacDougall, originally from Sweden, now living in Canada, was praised by the Swedish magazine Nöjesguiden as “One of Sweden’s best singer/songwriters”. Her record, “Grand Canyon”, was called by CBC “as vast and as varied as its namesake” while Greyowlpoint said, “Grand Canyon is a refreshing addition to Canada’s singer-songwriter genre, but it’s also so much more. The album is filled with Sarah MacDougall doing what she does best: taking indie-pop expectations and shooting them full of fresh turns and honest lyrics.”
Together the two artists collaborated on a song called “Better Days”. In concert they share the stage, “kind of like a song circle”, taking turns with their individual songs and singing together on some.
The Desboro Music Hall, a converted church, is developing a reputation among performers that has artists coming to them. Ben was directed to them by Suzie Ungerleider, who performs as Oh Suzanna, and played the venue last year.
“Suzie is a good friend of mine,” he says, “She said I should play there. Then I discovered that Josie [Phil’s wife] and I actually went to the same college together. So it’s a double connection.”
In addition to a great booking policy guided by the love of original music, the Klages brothers at The Desboro Hall always give great value, adding an opening act. This time around it is celebrated multi-instrumentalist Rob Elder, a highly respected local musician who opened last year’s series.
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Click on album covers to link to iTunes where you can preview, browse and download music by Ben Kunder and Sarah MacDougall
The Thursday Outlook – June 15 to 18, 2017
It’s always special when Victoria Yeh joins Chris Scerri at the Thursday Night Leeky Open Stage as she will tonight. She is usually willing to play along with anyone who asks and she is so talented and adaptable she adds a sheen to anything she accompanies, no matter what the style. The Leeky open mic starts at 9 now instead of 8 pm.
Don’t forget the other open stages that happen throughout our area every week. There are so many talented musicians locally an open stage is always a good bet. It makes for a great night out during the week, and there’s never a cover. Also on Thursday, Dave Russell regularly rocks out at the Corner Café open stage in Thornbury. Sunday afternoons at The Barn Coop are always inspiring, and on Tuesday nights Brianna McGowan hosts at Molly Blooms in The Village at Blue. Wednesday’s at Bruce Wine Bar is always crowded with Drew McIvor hosting an open mic.
Then there’s the granddaddy of all open mics every Wednesday at Ted’s Range Road Diner, the place where our area’s most impressive musicians learned their chops over the many years it’s been happening. Last night was a particularly auspicious night because Tara Mackenzie, indisputably the best vocalist for miles around (many miles, including the GTA) was able to perform again after being sidelined for many months by a concussion. This is good news for fans of the Mackenzie Blues Band, which may soon see them back in full force, with the combination of killer guitar from Trevor Mackenzie and those incredible vocals from the Tara.
Other legendary local favourites, Tinman and The Flying Monkeys, will be at The Leeky on Saturday night.
Saturday night also brings some impressive artists, fresh from European tours, to some out-of-the-way venues in the area. Christina Martin will be at Massie Hall on Saturday night, with a special appearance from Matt Epp. And in Desboro, Ben Kunder and Sarah MacDougall join forces at the Desboro Music Hall. They toured Ireland, Italy, UK, the Netherlands last fall and now they are in our area.
Friday night the place to be is Heartwood Hall to dance to K.C. Roberts and the Live Revolution, an 8-piece funk band that has excited fans and critics for years, being compared to Earth, Wind and Fire, Sly and The Family Stone, Tower of Power, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Review the listings on the right side of this page to find a long list of favourites who play often in our area so you can go check them out for the first time or revisit what you know will be a great performance.
