Now in its 11th year!

Jane Harbury's Discoveries

May 26, 2015:

featuring

Birds of Bellwoods

Piper Hayes

Our Shotgun Wedding

Frank Ryan

Now in its tenth year DISCOVERIES owes a great deal to Hugh’s Room which continues to partner with us as we showcase yet another very eclectic group of artists, most of whom are just beginning their creative journeys. The concept is a simple one, (none of these artists is yet able to fill the room on their own, although we have confidence that each one will get to that point) bring four talents together, give each 30 minutes on stage and have each one bring out their fans, family and friends. Suddenly you have a full room and everyone present cheers on their artist and in the process discovers new talent to support in the future.

birds-of-bellwood

Currently based in Toronto, Birds of Bellwoods are the city folk quartet with a natural sound and an urban heart. Known for rustic melodies and haunting lyricism, they are Stevie Joffe (Mandolin/Lead Vocals), Adrian Morningstar (Guitar/Vocals), Chris Blades (Banjo/Vocals), and Kintaro Akiyama (Upright Bass/Vocals). The group has enchanted venues including Soho House, The Mod Club, Lee’s Palace, The Horseshoe Tavern, and The Drake Underground. Their EP Livewires is now available worldwide through bandcamp.

“Combustible floor stompers and sweet love songs… Slow dancing and amorous embraces.”

-Exclaim!

“The group has staked out a place amongst the city’s most talented emerging songwriters.”

-BlogTO

“Lush harmonies… The intensity is enough to give you shivers… A treat to watch.”

-LIVEiNLIMBO

piper

In just a couple of years, Toronto singer, songwriter, performer Piper Hayes has taken the world of music by storm. Although she hesitates to define her music by a specific genre, because she feels that may sell it a bit short, she agrees to say, “soul-folk is closest!”

Hayes states, “I am eventually working towards a new genre of theatre/music/art/performance, where I will combine music, dance and performance to tell story and engage the audience with all their senses. More real than musical theatre, and more interactive than just music.”

Piper Hayes got her start in legendary venues around the city of Toronto including The Horseshoe Tavern, El Mocambo, C’est What, The Rivoli and The Cameron House, and has shared the stage with artists including Julian Taylor, Angela Saini, Jessica Stuart, Kevin Hearn, and Laura Barrett. It is clear Hayes has the art of performance in her blood and it did not take her long to make a name for herself on the list of hot spots in Toronto and New York City.

shot

Our Shotgun Wedding is the warm and honest collaboration of Dylan McMullin and Lauren Jewell. The infectious chemistry of this husband and wife duo simmers constantly, and boils over on stage. The style of these multi–instrumentalists is as infectious as the catchy toe-tapping songs they perform.

The couple met in 2010 at Summerfolk Music Festival in Owen Sound, Ontario and a 5 track demo EP entitled “Ghosts of the Bury Road,” was released in 2012. The track, “The Hitchhiker” was featured on CBC Radio’s Bandwidth.

The style they bring to the stage is warm, textured and honest, yet provocative and searching. They are a dynamic young band whose song writing abilities produce lyrics and melodies that fit their musical skills so well that the result is like polished pyrite, everyday ideas presented in a cleanly finished way that works so well. Our Shotgun Wedding’s music is fresh and new, confronting yet comforting. And while their music may be new to you, it still comes across sounding oh so familiar.

frank

A singer-songwriter from Dublin, Ireland, Frank Ryan has been playing and singing since age 11. Frank is a highly skilled and creative instrumental musician but his true gift lies in his hauntingly powerful and melodic vocals.

With talents far beyond his years, Frank has an ability to draw his crowd’s attention with a catchy brand of soulful rock that is inspired by musical influences ranging from The Beatles to John Mayer, and

most recently Big Wreck’s Ian Thornley. Brand new to Toronto, Frank had the opportunity to spend some studio time with Ian to hone his songwriting skills and be mentored by the veteran musician. Frank has played at Ottawa’s Juno Fest, opening for Big Wreck at Beerfest Toronto and for Andria Simone at the Mod Club.