Quagmire: Definitions: 1: soft miry land that shakes or yields under the foot. 2: a difficult or precarious position. (Webster's Dictionary)
Quagmyre: A multi-talented Toronto-based ensemble adding an exciting contemporary twist to a Celtic-based sound. Widely known for inducing shaking of the feet.
From spontaneous origins fittingly centred upon a St. Patrick's Day gig in 2001, Quagmyre has expanded in both size and musical scope. Individual members have won international acclaim for their instrumental and stepdancing prowess including a 2005 Gemini Award (Canadian equivalent of the Emmy Award) and a 2006 Grammy Award nomination for a performance with The Chieftains. Now together they have made a real impact with their debut full-length CD Of Cabbages And Kings, garnering themselves a nomination for Best Instrumental Album at the 2005 Canadian Folk Music Awards.
Quagmyre is already a highly sought-after attraction on the North American theatre, festival and pub circuit. Their combination of musical virtuosity and high-energy dancing has proved irresistible in a live setting, and this CD showcases their refreshing stylistic diversity.
It also skillfully manages the tricky task of imprinting their patented performance prowess into the grooves. "We record as much as possible live off the floor," explains fiddler/dancer Jon Pilatzke. "That is where the energy exists."
Having bassist/songwriter/vocalist Ryan McLarnon work in a top-notch Toronto recording studio has paid dividends, as it gave Quagmyre the luxury of time to hone their sound for the recording. They decided not to allow themselves to be straitjacketed into a rigidly defined Celtic format, and the result is a refreshingly eclectic style. Of Cabbages And Kings mixes group originals with traditional Celtic material given a distinctive twist. Instrumentals nestle alongside vocal tracks, which in turn possess real variety. "Ryan has a pop-oriented writing style, one you can imagine on the radio," Jon Pilatzke explains. "The tunes from Jef (McLarnon) are quirky with lyrics about kings, realms, and such other-worldly themes." Add in Jon's songwriting prowess, as exemplified by the sparkling instrumental "Seventy-Four", and you have a triple threat of compositional skill.
Quagmyre are brave enough to integrate such elements as funk (on the horn-driven romp "Dinney O'Brien's") and reggae ("Congress Grove") into their sound, while the fluent fiddling of Jon Pilatzke, the tight vocal harmonies and the driving and contemporary-sounding rhythm are consistent sonic signatures.
The sibling element is a strong factor within Quagmyre, as the lineup also includes Jon's brother, dancer Nathan Pilatzke. Dancer Cara Butler and drummer Jon McCann complete the band personnel. The presence of two sets of brothers helps account for the musical empathy at work within the group. Band members have a freewheeling and spontaneous instrumental approach, as Jef describes, "There is no single leader expecting certain things out of the others. Everyone trusts each other enough to find their own path."
All members of Quagmyre are in demand outside the group. For the past five years, Jon, Nathan and Cara have been touring with The Chieftains, as on-stage fiddler and stepdancers. These legendary ambassadors of Irish music are renowned for spotting and promoting young talent, and this association has taken the young trio around the world and into appearances at the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize Awards and on Late Night with both David Letterman and Conan O'Brien.
Jon Pilatzke also tours extensively with popular violin ensemble Bowfire, while Jef McLarnon, an alumnus of such Toronto groups as Murmur and Wendal, tours alongside Ryan in Celtic dance troupe Pulse. The ever-busy Jon McCann plays with bands ranging from Caution Jam and Radio Nomad to Jack B. Nimble.
These other commitments have been put aside with the release of the highly anticipated Of Cabbages And Kings. Extensive touring will spread the word on this potential-packed band. This is one quagmire you'll happily fall into.
February, 2006