The women of Winnipeg, Canada’s Wailin’ Jennys are like a cross between Irish songstresses The Corrs (not counting brother Jim) and the country-harmony-queen trio of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt The women of Winnipeg, Canada’s Wailin’ Jennys are like a cross between Irish songstresses The Corrs (not counting brother Jim) and the country-harmony-queen trio of Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt. Similar to both in their choice of songs, their impressive musicianship and attractive looks, the Jennys are something to behold. The trio’s first full-length, 40 Days, is a very fine collection of mostly originals, with a couple of traditional Irish tunes and a song each by Neil Young (“Old Man”) and John Hiatt thrown into the lovely mix. Each member penned three originals, and one of the highlights is vocalist/guitarist/harmonica player Nicky Mehta’s “Arlington,” precious not only for its beautiful vocals and fine playing, but also for its tender, imaginative lyrics: “Where is the sun in the night/ Is it coldǃ_/ Does it feel left behind/ All alone, all aloneǃ_” The Wailin' Jennys will be at the Bean Scene Sat., Sept. 18, 8 p.m. Call 345-8136 for details.
"Beautiful Dawn" - The Music Video
Hello all,Nicky here. I am in a public library in Seattle at the moment. I have been trying to stay on top of my email and my brother and I have also been trying to make sure we get the right email addresses for CMT and MuchMoreMusic so people can request the video. You'd think that would be a an easy thing, but my brain has been mush lately and my brother is doing his best with damage control. Poor guy!The show in Seattle was good - we weren't sure how it would turn out as it was in a bar and the start time was quite late (we'd also started traveling at 7 a.m. in a later time zone so we were a little zombie-like). But it ended up being a great show with a very enthusiastic crowd - we got a much-needed second wind. We had performed on KUOW earlier in the day which brought out some people (thanks to them!) and there were also some people who had attended the Vancouver Folk Festival. It was a good night.Seattle is a beautiful city and we are having a great time here. We leave for Portland tomorrow and we'll check back in soon. I am running out of time on this computer otherwise I would add a couple of new restaurants on the food page. Look for those soon. Also my brother just posted some videos from the "Beautiful Dawn" video shoot (some behind-the-scenes footage), so check that out. We will also have some new photos up imminently.Once again, if anyone feels like emailing CMT and MuchMoreMusic in Canada to request the video for "Beautiful Dawn", you can go to the links below. If you are in the States, you can go to the last link.Thanks for your support!The link to the CMT Canada comments webform is : CMT CanadaJust click on "Connect", choose "CMT Programming", select "Show or Video Request" or "CMT Programs" and then write your email.To email MuchMoreMusic, click on this link:Email Much More MusicTo email CMT (USA), click on this link:Email CMT (USA)
Hi again,
Sorry to bother everyone so soon after the last message - you have all been so wonderful with your requests, we can't believe how many of you already wrote in. We feel sheepish to say this but we gave you the email address for CMT U.S. instead of CMT Canada. Aaaaargghh!! I know this is asking a lot (this is Nicky speaking here, I shouldn't let Ruth and Cara take the blame for this gaff), but if you could click on the attached link and copy the text of your previous emails into the CMT Canada comments form, we would be so thankful. It certainly won't hurt that CMT U.S. got the message - actually, it could really help us down south - but it's the Canadian website we need to hit.
I promise that I'll check into these kinds of things more thoroughly in the future. I have road brain right now. Eeeek.
The link to the CMT Canada comments webform is : CMT Canada
Just click on "Connect", choose "CMT Programming", select "Show or Video Request" or "CMT Programs" and then write your email.
Thanks again and sorry for the confusion!
Hello everyone,
We're in Calgary at the moment and we just got word that the video for "Beautiful Dawn" has made its way over to CMT and will hopefully soon be at MuchMoreMusic. But we need your help! Unlike major label artists who have the muscle of a huge label behind them, we depend on our fans to let these stations know that there is demand for our kind of music. We would appreciate so much if you could go to one or both of the following links and request the video for "Beautiful Dawn". All you need to do is click on the links below, write a short letter saying that you know The Wailin' Jennys have a new video out and ask them to play it.
We know everyone is busy but we would appreciate your help so much. Your support has helped get us to this point and we thank you for that. We couldn't do it without you all!
To email CMT (USA), click on this link:
To email MuchMoreMusic, click on this link:
A New Accordian Backpack!
Hello everyone,Well I just thought I'd leave a quick note before we head out on the road again. We've had a couple of weeks off and now we are gearing up for our first tour in the States, starting in Seattle on the 14th of this month.'Beautiful Dawn' is getting regular airplay on JRFM in Vancouver, and apparently a few other mainstream Country stations are starting to get on board as well, so we are pretty excited about this. If you'd like to request the song you can call 604 280 9370 in Vancouver (or email requests@jrfm). We would very much appreciate it - every call helps! As soon as I find out which other stations are playing the song I will post them on the site as well.I'm looking forward to hitting the road - for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that I am now the proud owner of a brand new accordion backpack. Not only practical but exceptionally stylish as well, it will be accompanying me on every trip I take from now on, and I'm happy to say that I think I will be making fewer trips to my chiropractor from now on. As you can see, Cara is not the only one excited about streamlining her luggage. It may sound odd, but you become excited by the strangest things when you travel for a living.That's about it for now. Thanks a lot to all of you who have been writing to us through the guestbook. We really appreciate your comments.See you on the road!~ Ruth
Hello again,
It's officially fall - woodsmoke is in the air and sweaters are back in rotation. And we're heading to California! Woohoo! Don't worry, we'll get our own back when we tour through Canada in January but for now, we're heading south. We'll be performing in Edmonton and Wayne, AB first and then making our way down the west coast of the States. Check out the dates on the "On Stage" page for more details.
We also just learned that we won an official showcase at the upcoming North American Folk Alliance in Montreal. This is the big folk conference we attend every year and we are thrilled to have been chosen this year to perform alongside some of the most exciting folk/roots acts from all over the world. There are lots of good things happening in the next few months and we'll be sure to keep you posted as they unfold.
ACT welcomes wailin' wall of sound
It's not Waylon Jennings - it's Wailin' Jennys It's not Waylon Jennings - it's Wailin' Jennys.
The Ridge Meadows Arts Council presents The Wailin' Jennys live on the main stage at the ACT on Oct. 9 at 8 p.m.
The Wailin' Jennys are an acclaimed Winnipeg acoustic roots trio, combining the talents of Cara Luft, Nicky Mehta and Ruth Moody.
"This is will be a terrific concert," says Robert Campbell, theatre director at the ACT. "The Wailin' Jennys have been on a rapid ascent in the folk world ever since their first 'one-off' performance together at Winnipeg's Sled Dog Music in 2002 and they have had great success on Country radio as well."
They are each recognized solos performers, but when the three sang together, the enthusiasm from the audience was so explosive and the word spread so fast, they were almost forced to form a band to keep up with the demand for performances and recordings.
Within months of their first performance, the Jennys were playing prestigious folk festival gigs across Canada and receiving serious media attention. They also released a self-titled EP, which charted at campus radio across the country.
Their performance at the Maple Ridge ACT will feature songs from their debut CD, 40 Days as well as other songs with the Jennys' trademark breath-taking harmonies, sweet folk/pop sound and impressive songwriting.
Released at the end of March, 40 Days has already received enthusiastic reviews. It prompted the Ottawa Citizen to declare, "There are now only four Juno nomination spots left open for next year's group album of the year." The Saskatoon Star Phoenix predicts "this trio could become the Dixie Chicks of folk." Meanwhile, the Jennys' single 'Old Man' received an impressive response from Canadian country radio, charting at #45 nationally and getting a great response from B.C. listeners.
The Wailin' Jennys feature alto Cara Luft, otherwise known as "Jenny Van Halen". She is known as much for her vibrant comical demeanor as for her powerful guitar playing. Born to folk-singing parents, her early exposure to traditional music combined with her self-directed love of '70s and '80s rock music has resulted in a fusion of driving acoustic rhythms and lively word play. She has played Lilith Fair and England's International Guitar Festival and her first full-length album was nominated for a 2001 Prairie Music Award.
Mezzo Nicky Mehta has been called a poet and songwriter of exceptional depth and maturity whose ability to "walk with sorrow" has made her music vital and hopeful; Mehta's songs reflect a wisdom sometimes hard-won but never uncelebrated. Her first album "Weather Vane" was nominated for a 2002 Canadian Music Award for Outstanding Roots Recording and she was recently counted among the most promising up and coming singer-songwriters in North America by the venerable Sing Out! publication.
Soprano Ruth Moody, former lead singer of the Juno-nominated roots act Sruj MacDuhk, rounds out the group with her pure voice and impressive multi-instrumentalism. A classically trained vocalist and pianist known first as an accomplished, versatile singer of traditional and Celtic music, her own writing shines in its diversity and maturity.
"This group is definitely one to watch in Canada," says Campbell. "I really encourage people to come out and see them here in Maple Ridge."
The Wailin' Jennys concert is the second concert of the 2004/2005 season for the Maple Ridge ACT.
The season includes international, national and regional artists from a variety of artistic disciplines. For more information, visit the website at www.artscentretheatre.org.
Howdy from Alberta
Howdy everyone!Cara here... I'm in Alberta, taking a bit of a break, visiting old friends and taking in the gorgeous scenery. Yesterday I went on a hike in BEAUTIFUL Kananaskis Country (my calves are feeling it a bit today). It was so cold my legs felt like flesh icicles. heeeeh. Tomorrow I'm heading to one of my former stomping grounds - Gull Lake Camp - to try and write some songs. I was able to rig up a VERY large goalie bag (with wheels!) to fit both my acoustic and electric so I am READY TO ROCK! :)After a few shows in Alberta we are heading on our first official US tour, down the West Coast. Should be lots of fun! If you live in WA, OR or CA check out our On Stage page to find out where we'll be playing.Well, I should hit the hay. My left eye is starting to droop.Peace out.