Gordie Mackeeman & His Rhythm Boys will bring their foot tapping old-time roots dance music from Prince Edward Island (Canada) to the 2014 Rainforest World Music Festival. The band won the Galaxie Supernova Award at the Ottawa Folk Festival 2012 and was voted the 2011 Music Prince Edward Island Showcase Artist of the year.
The band is scheduled to perform on Sunday, June 22nd at 9.45 – 10.45 pm at the Tree Stage at the Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak (Malaysia).
Gordie Mackeeman provides details about the band in this interview with World Music Central.
Can you give our readers a brief history on how the band was formed?
We were all really good friends and have played in a few bands together in one form or another. Mark and I were roommates at the time, and we decided to make a fiddle CD for fun. We created this band for the CD launch. Three and a half years later, we have toured Canada Scotland, England, Australia, Tasmania, Isle of Man, Belgium, the US, and now Malaysia. To travel the world with your best friends and get to do a job that you all love. There is no better feeling than that.
What do you consider as the essential elements of your music?
I would say the essential element of our music is the energy and fun. Performing is our forte. Our favorite place to be is to be on stage in from of an audience.
Who can you cite as your main musical influences?
We have a huge range of musical influences from old time fiddle to heavy metal. Personally I draw influence from old time fiddlers like Al Cherney and Ned Landry, and am also a fan of artist like George Jones and Buddy Holly.
Tell us about your first recordings and your musical evolution.
Our first recording was recorded mainly on a weekend, in Mark’s and my bachelor pad. We used a bottle of bacon bits as a shaker on one of the songs. Innovative, eh? Now we will spend months working on an album, from song selection to recording.
Can you share some information about the program you’ll present at the Rainforest World Music Festival?
We will be there with a high energy show with a variety of entertainment from dancing, to fiddling, to rockabilly.
How’s the current traditional and roots music scene in Canada?
There has been a big revival in Roots music in Canada the last few years. With bands like Mumford and Sons, and Old Crow Medicine Show, bringing this music back to the lime light. It’s nice seeing kids with banjos and fiddles.
What musical instruments do you use?
I play the fiddle and dance. Mark plays a snare drum and stand-up bass. Tom plays guitar, banjo, and stand-up bass. Peter plays acoustic and electric guitar.
Do you have any upcoming projects to share with us?
Right now we are gearing up for tours in US, UK, Ireland, and Canada.
Discography:
Gordie MacKeeman And His Rhythm Boys (2010)
Pickin ‘n’ Clickin (Gordie Mackeeman, 2013)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Geordie,saw you in Glasgow in Scotia Bar when you were in Blue Grass Hoboes…please come back!!!