The Olympic Symphonium and Catherine MacLellan have enough in common for their sounds to mesh together and create music that can be compared to Canadian Greats such as, Martin Tielli of the Rheostatics, and Sarah Harmer.
And lucky for Frederictonians, they get to experience it at the Charlotte St. Arts Center Jan. 22.
Nick Cobham of the Olympic Symphonium describes their sound as, “chamber folk, which is a mix between folk music and chamber pop”. It melds well with the sound of Catherine MacLellan who focuses closely on her folk edge.
The group is a collaborative effort between Nick Cobham, Graeme Walker and Kyle Cunjak.
“It’s more reflective kind of music for us,” Cobham said. “ I think the songs are more introspective and come straight from the heart it’s a lot softer and there’s lots of nice melodies and stuff We try to work on three-part harmonies a lot, and I think that’s what people want to hear.”
MacLellan has a similar approach to her music, drawing personal feelings from the isolated feelings of growing up on Prince Edward Island, and putting them into her music.
“It’s mellow acoustic driven by my own personal stories, and the stories of people I’ve met or run into as well” she said. “Since I had a daughter four years ago, being a mother has kind of changed my perspective on music all together. I mean it’s always a bit about me, but I think my perspective is a little larger so there’s definitely more optimism in my music, than maybe my first record.”
The Olympic Symphonium met up with Catherine MacLellan almost three years ago, and are grateful to know one of Atlantic Canada’s prolific songwriters.
“We met her in Halifax maybe three years ago, and I think she came to one of our shows one time and she introduced herself to us and she was a pretty big fan of our stuff,” Cobham said. “Kyle and I got to record her last album with her, so I think right off the bat we got to be really good friends and fans of each other. Yeah, so any chance we get to play with her we’re up for it. She’s a great performer and a great songwriter.”
They have collaborated on acts in the past and for MacLellan’s latest album, Cunjak and Cobham acted as a part of her band.
MacLellan is used to collaborating with the Symphonium, and looks forward to the upcoming show,
“Basically I can’t wait to play with those guys again, with Olympic Symphonium, because we’ve had a lot some really great shows together, and it’s a really creative thing that happens between us all,” she said. “ They’re such amazing musicians as well, they’re kind of my band as well as their own band but then they become my band too, so we really share musically. “
The two join forces for the show at the Charlotte St. Arts Center for the quiet venue. Both have played the venue before, and enjoyed the sit down atmosphere and size of the auditorium.
MacLellan favours the vibe.
“People come specifically to see the music, and everybody has their [own] seat,” she said.
“There are other venues for bands to play in town but for bands who are softer sounding it’s hard for them to play a bar,” Cobham added. “ You’ve got people drinking all night, getting loud and rowdy and stuff where this is just where people just want to go and sit down and listen to the music.”
