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Local Guides
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LADYBIRD SIDESHOW
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by
Ric Taylor
May 6 - 12, 2004 |
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“We offer straight–up good, original music in four
delicious flavours,” smiles Melissa McClelland,
one–quarter of the Ladybird Sideshow coming to town
this weekend.
Two years ago, McClelland hooked up with songbirds
Lisa Winn, Erin Smith and Janine Stohl with a plan to
gather resources with like-minded souls. The four
realized an ethereal bond and translated that to the stage
in song. The project took flight, and the Ladybirds were
born. Four stellar voices intermingle into a resounding
mix of pop, blues, funk, folk, soul and comedy from a
different vantage point.
“We've had tons of fun together right from the very first
day in the van, so right off the top there was one of those
strong girlie–bonds that people write so many bad movies
about,” quips Smith.
“We were four friends wanting to travel together and play
music,” explains McClelland. “We started messing
around on each other's stuff and suddenly we were
coming up with beautiful parts, being completely
inspired by each other's music.”
“When we first started we mostly left each girl alone to
sing their own song and we would play in turn,” adds
Smith. “Now we’ve spent time crafting really intricate
four–part harmonies and add all kinds of nuances and
sass to each other's songs. We can be witty, we can be
bawdy, and we can just be doorknobs. But it seems to
work in our favour.”
Touring nationally, the Ladybirds have experienced the
folksinger’s blues—they document their world as they
deem fit. Still, it’s a few steps away from popular folk
convention.
“I bring in a little pop flava’, Neen [Stohl] plays edgy folk,
Skee [Smith] is all about the funk and Lease [Winn] writes
the stunning folk ballads,” exclaims McClelland on the
elements that make this Sideshow special. “First and
foremost we're all singer/songwriters placing huge
importance on words and stories and the format in which
we choose to deliver varies from one artist to the next.”
“There are lots of vivid stories painted in our
set—everything from a girl on her way to being a porno
queen, to a mining disaster in Northern Ontario,” offers
Smith. “We've got fictional murders, we've got straight up
catchy tunes with some saucy language, and we've got a
few unconventional love songs.”
These Ladybirds write and sing from their particular
perch, poetically and honestly. Yet, some more stoic
audience members might malign such forthright women.
“The music speaks for itself and as for our stage banter
we're simply ourselves,” says McClelland. “[We’re]
X–rated and vulgar if we feel so inclined. Some nights we
put on quite a respectable folk show.”
“That doesn’t mean we should act like serious-minded
music-heads when really we are awfully silly quite often,”
Smith interjects refering to the occasional use of more
bawdy language. “I think we just figured we’d give our
fans a glimpse into what we talk about when we're in the
van touring around. We’re all musicians with the clout to
be taken seriously, but a little underpants talk now and
then keeps things all in perspective.
“We do work as we see fit and use language as it pertains
to our point and purpose,” Smith adds. “Sometimes the
swearing is tongue–in–cheek, sometimes it’s the best way
to get the tone of a story across and sometimes it just
feels good to say, ‘I'm not fucking stupid.’ But ultimately,
art that challenges in one way or another is often the best
kind of art.”
These Ladybirds seem to turn heads wherever they go;
they’re currently attracting the attention of some labels
courting for their debut full–length. In the interim, the
Ladybird Sideshow continues to tour, inspire, delight,
incite and smile.
“It’s sickening how much we truly adore and support
each other,” McClellan laughs. “It’s such a pure thing
and it continues to astonish me. We have yet to have any
nail scratching, hair–tearing fights—although we have
had a few drunken wrestling matches.”
“How often do you get to hear/see four songbirds of
stellar talent collaborating and playing alongside one
another,” Smith asks. “ Not often,
and certainly not with the kind of charisma that you’ll see
at a Ladybird show. Plus if you’re lucky, we’ll talk about
underpants some more.” V
LADYBIRD SIDESHOW
with AARON WRIXON
Friday May 7
PEPPER JACK CAFE
38 King William St.
905.525.6666
[RIC TAYLOR]
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