#ygkPlaylist: June 2017
With the Skeleton Park Arts Festival a mere 16 days away, the buzz surrounding Kingston’s best (free) outdoor summer music slash arts festival is reaching a fever pitch. And for good reason! This year’s mega-headliner, Sarah Harmer, will be preceded by an equally impressive lineup including: Minotaurs, The Hidden Cameras, Yuka, Justin Rutledge, Forty Seven Teeth, and Fred (frickin’) Penner, just to name a few! Once again, Kingston’s annual solstice celebration also boasts a formidable pack of local bands and artists, who we’re equally excited to see. The magical hometown goodness from this year’s Skeleton Park Arts Festival is prominently featured in this month’s #ygkPlaylist. Hit play, and get reacquainted with three of the many great musical acts who will take to the stage on Saturday, June 24th. See you there!
Orange Alabaster Mushroom: is the brainchild of bedroom D.I.Y. auteur Greg Watson, whose reproductions of classic circa-1967 psych-pop are so dead-on perfect in every detail that one could play on the band’s recordings for any fan of Nuggets-era obscurities, and they’d think it was authentic circa 1967 psych-pop. Orange Alabaster Mushroom are Greg “Grog” Watson (vocals, guitar, organ), Gord Mylks (guitar, vocals), Mark “Fuzzy” Fraser (drums), Ryan Bol (organ, vocals, guitar), and Andy Shurvell (bass). Find them on Facebook, and Bandcamp.
Lost Cousins: formed in the basement of a student house in Kingston, Lost Cousins are known for their lush harmonies, soulful lyrics, intricate arrangements and high-energy live performances. Their meteoric rise in popularity has seen them play festivals big and small, from the Wolfe Island Music Festival to Way Home and the Skeleton Park Arts Fest (of course). Regardless of their relocation to Toronto, we’re just happy they make time to come home for show now and again. Lost Cousins are Cam Duffin, Dylan Cantlon Hay, Thomas Dashney and Lloyd McArton. Find them on Twitter and Facebook.
Dave Barton: this jazz guitarist and composer began by trying to copy Chet Atkins at the age of 10, and by the time he turned 16, he was gigging in dance bands. Dave went on to study classical guitar, composition and education at Queen’s University (BMus 1981, BEd 1982). Over the years, he has taught high school band and guitar classes, and was also a guidance counsellor and special education teacher. Dave currently teaches in the St. Lawrence College Music and Digital Media program. Find Dave online on Youtube and Soundcloud.
Every month, we comb Soundcloud looking for sounds that are unique to Kingston. We are constantly seeking out active musicians to show off to the local community and beyond. If you’re a musician who wants to be included in a future #ygkPlaylist, the first step is to get your original music up on Soundcloud and then follow us. We promise to follow you back, listen to your work and consider it for the monthly #ygkPlaylist.
Credit to yours truly for the photo used in the background of of this month’s #ygkPlaylist.