1. Who are you?
Rich Tyo. Along with some friends, I have started a little music and art collective in town called The Midnight Magic Rodeo Show. We raise awareness, inspire and make art and music together.
My friends, The Watters Brothers, will be coming from Ottawa to celebrate their new CD with us and a bunch of other local bands (From The Sun, Orange Alabaster Mushroom solo acoustic), poets, artists and good people.
2. What do you do?
I write a lot (poetry, songs, stories), play a bit of music, host a radio show on CFRC (Free Radio) and try to be a positive influence on the community.
3. How, when and where did the arts collective and The Watters Brothers form?
I think the Watters Brothers formed sometime 20-odd years ago in Douglas, Ontario when two brothers (Danny and Muddy) began to play music together in their childhood. They have refined their craft over the years, honing the best psychedelic blues and rock of the past to make their own unique sound.
The Midnight Magic Rodeo Show began this year among friends in Kingston. We had our first creative brainstorm/open jam at the Grad Club in January. We have them monthly. This show on Friday, Oct 1 will be our third event.
4. If you had a mission statement, what would it be?
To inspire and empower young and old alike. I like to challenge people and their notions of ‘normal’ and what they’re capable of doing. 5. What are your current obsessions?
The sitar (can’t play it), chimichangas (fun word, good snack), songwriting, making/iring collages, imagination, spontaneity and 88 mm cameras with expired film.
6. How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you jam?
Depends at any given time, but when we have MMRS jams it’s usually a mixture of hip-hop freestyle, poetry, bluesy guitar, shakers, clapping, laughter
and more.
The Watters Brothers’ sound is very eclectic, but you can hear some blues, rock, soul, R&B and Jimi Hendrix influence for sure. You can dance to it, quite easily I might add.
7. What’s the best thing someone’s said to you about your project?
The worst?
The best: ‘I’m in!’
The worst is when people don’t take the time to bother. But really, that’s their choice and their loss … we make it very open. The rest is up to you to find your niche.
8. What’s your idea of the perfect gig/event?
Good friends and enthusiastic soon-to-be friends together in a wild night of anything goes. Live music, live art, happy people. We also like to get a subtle message across (i.e. raise awareness about mental health, positive psychology, grass roots, etc.)
9. What inspires you?
People, relationships, struggle, other people’s art and music, positive people, film, literature, new ideas.
10. Do you see collaborating as an important part of the project?
Yes, to an extent. I like people doing their own thing, but it is important to have some ‘reciprocal inspiration’ going on as well. I get some inspiration from the old ‘happenings’ of the 1960’s: blurred boundaries of performer and audience, a bit of spontaneity and different art forms happening at the same time. We can feed off of each other.
11. What’s next for Midnight Magic Rodeo Show and The Watters Brothers?
The Watters Brothers are going to keep rockin’ no matter what! This show is part of their CD release tour. The album is called Rock and Roll Mansion.
As for the Midnight Magic Rodeo Show, we will continue working on new projects, whether a zine, events, public art performances, songs, awareness campaigns, etc. The more people that get involved, the more it becomes.
12. Where can eager ears/eyes find you?
Find us at the show! Friday Oct 1st at the Grad Club, 9 p.m. At monthly meetings (keep an eye out for posters around town). CFRC, The Artel, The Mansion, Grad Club, The Goat, Wolfe Island.
The Watters Brothers reside in Ottawa, playing gigs around town.
13. What inspires the visual aspects of the project?
It depends on the artist, but we also hope that when there’s live art making at the show, that people are inspired by the overall atmosphere, the music and the fact that they are comfortable doing it.
14. What can people expect from your live shows/workshops at The Grad Club?
A good time. Something they haven’t seen before. Positive, creative energy. They can expect to share their ideas and art if willing.
Zine, art making, video projections and an experimental drum circle are open to all tonight at The Midnight Magic Rodeo Show and The Watters Brothers album release party at the Grad Club at 9 p.m. Tickets are $5-$10.
—Ally Hall
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