I was born and grew up in Montreal, and then moved to Toronto. I now divide my time between Toronto and Melbourne.
Joe and I have been playing together since 2004. Tom, Treasa and I then played a showcase at OCFF in a crammed hotel room in 2005. It was much fun. We took a monthly residency at Supermarket, a music venue in Kensington Market Toronto. Brad came to hear us play and asked if we wanted some drums. And then Sean, seeing that I was struggling with playing guitar and doing fun things with my hands, offered to play guitar. And then we were six.
‘As captured in all it’s glory’ - John Sakamoto, The Toronto Star/ Anti-Hit List
‘It was, without hyperbole, possibly the finest, freshest and funnest single song performance in a decade or so of covering the folk fest. The sweet voxed Jenkins -- while inexplicably performing the odd magic trick and bounding about in smiling, elfin glee -- belted out a pop anthem that would make a Beefeater weep with joy. It was as perfect a musical moment as you're likely to see.’ - Mike Bell, Calgary Herald
‘If you don't start smiling and swaying along to this plunky percussed folk track... well, you probably hate parties, sunshine and life in general.’ – HEROHILL, www.herohill.com
Crow's Nest/ Nid de Pie was recorded in sequence with no overdubs on a Tuesday in December 2006. Thank you to both the Canada Council for the Arts and Ontario Arts Council for making this album possible. The songs were arranged by Claire Jenkins Avec Band with Don Kerr. All songs were composed and written by Claire Jenkins except for: Strange Weather by T. Waits/ K. Brennan. It appears with permission in a French translation by Claire.
Heart As Furnace Live at Supermarket: October 15, 2007
It was great to meet you @ OCFF. Your recordings here are fab - I can't wait to see you live. If you ever need an opener in TO, or a gig in Ottawa, just let me know!
Your CD is one that keeps finding its way into our car or player. My wife and I love it and its charm. Seeing you and your very talented collective play at eaglewood years ago on a small stage in the middle of nowhere was a special day - a rare gathering. Stay well, Mario
Thanks sweet heart! How is the world treating ya? I was reminiscing the other day, remembering our infatuation with The police and Simon and Garf... I didn't realize it at the time but you were, even then, a great musician. Though I always knew you were an artist .
i was gifted a cello this weekend, crazy and amazing i know. my favorite thing to play on it is the opening line to secret heroes :) great to see you this weekend! xot