Enveloped in chorus-like melody and echoing music, the sounds of Bruce Peninsula are engaging, alluring and thought-provoking.
Whether it is the blue-grass tinge of the song ‘Drinking All Day’ off their A Mountain Is A Mouth LP, or the harmonies that build to an alternative, gospel-infused chorus of ‘Shanty Town’, the of Toronto-based Bruce Peninsula succeed at creating a unique, rustic sound harking back to the music of bygone eras.
Speaking to Neil Haverty, singer and guitarist, the conversation involves new blood and dry wells, musical imagery and more than one mention of mystery.
Bruce Peninsula spent their summer on Canada’s west coast showcasing A Mountain Is A Mouth, released eight months ago.
The core of the band, Matt Cully, Misha Bower, Neil Haverty, Steve McKay, Andrew Barker and Kari Peddle were in Kingston yesterday for a show at The Mansion with acts Ruben DeGroot, Entire Cities and Share. Bruce Peninsula is no a stranger to Kingston. Haverty said the band commends Apple Crisp, local music promoter, for the first two festivals they played here.
“Apple Crisp is doing the under-the-radar shows. We feel spoiled. What I like about Kingston is that the music is recognized as an important part of the city.” Haverty said Bruce Peninsula takes a collaborative approach to songwriting.
“We’ve never been too strict ing talented people from other bands. We steer the ship and get the songs written, but draw on our local groups of friends for influence,” he said. “I really don’t feel like the well is dry yet.” Also playing to the distinctive sounds of Bruce Peninsula are the interesting side-projects that they were and still are involved in. Bower is a playwright and performs theatrical spoken word, Cully created a musical ‘treasure hunt’ on Toronto Island and the two of them began their union with a variety show, Haverty said.
The band’s name emerged from that variety show, as a prospect for the future.
“Bruce Peninsula immediately evokes the feeling of romanticizing nature – as city folk we long for it. It is also mysterious for people outside of Ontario. It could be someone’s name, for all they know.” Neil also discusses the phonetic sound of the name. “‘Peninsula’ is a strong word, and it’s a big, large mass. We wanted big, strong music, so it’s pretty apt.”
When asked about some of the band’s influences, Haverty was unspecific, but cited the Alan Lomax archives as a point of inspiration.
“We wanted ionate singing, where we open up our lungs and let go. I don’t like listing contemporary influences, because music is about a mysterious compellation.”
Bruce Peninsula’s tracks take you on a journey, combining classical, gospel, acoustic, and blues, layering sounds and many more genres.
“We are kind of Jekyll and Hide about things,” Haverty said. “We like the folkier, simpler quieter side, but also the complex, modern classical aspect.”
The next six months have a lot to offer the of Bruce Peninsula. By the end of October they will have toured every province in Canada, Kingston being their first stop on the eastbound trip. They will play the Halifax Pop Explosion and some shows with bands Attack In Black and Weather Station.
“We’re not exactly rolling in dough—we’re often sleeping on the floor—but after the west coast, we got the touring bug, for sure,” Haverty said. Haverty said the band plans to expand their tour into the U.S. next year, including the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, and eventually to Europe. A new record is also brewing for them, with writing set to begin early next year.
“We don’t want anyone to base their ideas of us on just one record. We want to combat that with new music.”
Haverty made a point of mentioning Kingston institution The Gertrudes.
“I saw them in their full glory, doing something similar to us, but doing it better!
“We’re afraid of hokey, overblown bullshit. It’s important for us to do it subtly.”
Bruce Peninsula have a show in Ottawa tonight and head east for the rest of their tour.
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