Tag Archives: Nöjesguiden
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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