Original tunes keep on coming for Fort Simpson musicians
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Simpson (Nov 17/00) - Some things are just meant to be.
That's the general feeling among Ekuinox band members when they reflect on the dozen songs they have composed since July.
Keyboard player and bassist Daniel Allaire creates new melodies to which lead singer Richard Wright writes lyrics.
"This guy wrote two songs in one day, one day! You should read those lyrics," Allaire says, referring to Wright's prodigious talent.
"Not too many people could come out with so many songs in such a short time."
"It's just a gift for us. It just comes to us," said Wright. "It's a real nice chemistry in the band."
"I'd say our only problem as a group is time. We all have family and jobs," added percussionist Mike Canney.
Allaire is also spending most of his time in Fort Smith these days, where he is taking courses at Aurora College.
This past weekend, band members met for a marathon jam session at Richard and Sandra Wright's house. They rehearsed their repertoire many times and even added a couple of songs to the mix.
They are aiming to record a full-length CD next year. In October they went to Fort Smith to record a three-track demo CD at Shawdowland Records.
Summer House, Sunburst and Slippers were the tunes they selected to submit to the NWT Arts Council in hopes of attaining a grant to help get them back in the studio.
Their goals for the upcoming year include giving a local concert and performing at the annual Folk on the Rocks festival in Yellowknife.
Defining their sound isn't a simple task. Allaire has a strong grounding in classical music. Richard Wright has tested the waters in blues, jazz and rock and roll. Canney played in a band intermittently in his younger days. Sandra Wright is known in Fort Simpson for her powerful singing voice.
"Our songs are quite different," Allaire said. "They don't fall into one category."
The band's name came about in July. Formerly known as Vega, a transformation was under way with members coming and going. An equinox signals a natural transition and was deemed an appropriate handle for the band.
"It's an exciting time for us. It's just the beginning, just the tip of the iceberg," said Richard Wright.
The members of Ekuinox may have a sound that will land them fame and fortune, but if not, they have at least created something they can be proud of, said Canney.
Allaire concurred.
"I get a buzz out of this," he laughed.
