The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra
are taking the nation by storm! Two years ago, one may have said Tequila what-now?, but today it's a name on the breath of music lovers everywhere. Expanding their scope in popularity with a four month European tour in 2008, the Tequila Mockingbirds followed it up with a cross Canada (and parts of the US) tour that garnered much recognition. This summer, following their Monday Magazine 'M' Award for Most Promising Local Band, TMO are back on the road playing festivals and concerts in support of their first full length release and culmination of their success to date,
(engineered by Zak Cohen). Named after their beloved piano-carrying touring bus, Blanche is a beautiful melting pot of sounds, binding Eastern European/klezmer influences with African Rhythms and Americana/Traditional Roots to produce an undeniably addicting beat. It sways through 7 original tracks from dreamy indie rock to a gypsy beat that compels your feet to move, and back again through a gauntlet of hand drums to traditional roots pickin' and bowin'; never losing its continuity. Its an accurate reflection of this maturing band, whose M.O. has been described as "taking your favorite (musical) tradition, and then; playing it with precision and intensity, use it as a rhythm stick to alternately taunt, tremor, and keep the beat with an unrelenting pulse." (Ben Halts, New World Theatre).
The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra hail from the enthusiastic Victoria, BC music community, and got started towards international recognition through playing both the Victoria Ska Fest and Victoria Jazz Fest. They've since headlined at Artswells Festival (BC), played Toronto's Buskers Festival (where they sold over 800 CDS in three days) and continue to sell out venues across Canada such as Sala Rossa in Montreal. As their rise continues, catch Ian Griffiths (lead vox/accordion), Kurt Loewen (vocals/guitar), Patrick McGonigle (violin), Peter Mynett (upright bass) and Paul Wolda (djembe) during summer 2010 anywhere from west to east across Canada and the Northwestern US!
