Effect and Cause

It’s bleak, frozen, and ugly outside, and the guitar cases are sticking to their players’ hands. The van is almost out of gas, and they can’t see each other’s faces because of the breath-generated steam veiling them. As they load up their gear, a mild buzz the only combatant against the frigid Manitoba surroundings, a smile spreads across the frontman’s face. Turning to his brothers, he lets the simple words break the bitter wintry silence, “I love being in a band.” There is nothing more liberating than owing almost everybody you know money, putting guitar strings above hygiene, and forgetting about virtually all responsibilities to play rock music. These guys sound good. Mix cheap beer, cigarettes, second-hand leather shoes and teenaged regrets, and you’ll have one ugly brew; call it what you want, but it’s balls out southern rock from the north, so take it or leave it. Yells, foot stomps, and gang vocals permeate from their prairie basement at ungodly hours. With an energetic live show to back up their well-crafted material, these musicians appeal to indie kids, scenesters, and bearded bluesmen alike.

The band recently dropped their self-titled album to follow up last year’s release entitled "Gavroche". The new record was recorded and produced in three days at Unison Studios in Winnipeg, Manitoba with Jack Shapira (Quinzy, The Nods, Inward Eye). “The new Effect and Cause album shows the group’s growth since its last studio work. These guys have a very bright future ahead of them.” – Joanne Villeneuve, Brandon Sun. “This band is tighter than a nun’s habit.” – J. Monk, Winnipeg Free Press. The vast dynamics, direct lyrics, and thrash guitar solos on the 7 track disc speak of the time spent writing and practicing during the harsh Manitoba winters of their adolescence. The band is comprised of four distinctive musicians who come together to produce a fervent holler of sound. Lead vocalist and bassist Katlin Mathison has a distinct rock voice – rasping, melancholic, yet also powerful and raw. His creative, honest, and observant lyrics are set to equally honest music. Drummer Cody Iwasiuk has torn the seams of standard rock blueprints and stitched it back up again with his unique rhythms and inventive beats. Guitarists Lewis Parker and Darren Hebner complete the package, showing off their technical dexterity with ardent parts and innovative solos. The four young guns graduated high school, stepped into their torn jeans, and decided to play their signature brand of rock as loud as they could.

They've played in various venues across Western Manitoba, winning contests, rocking music festivals and packing the bars on any night of the week. To support their newest release, Effect and Cause spent July and August on the stages of Winnipeg, Brandon and surrounding area. Highlights for the band include opening for Hollerado and Social Code at Super Spike, winning Dauphin Countryfest’s Battle of the Bands, headlining Ridgefest and Rockin' the Fields of Minnedosa, The Forks in Winnipeg on Canada Day, and playing a showcase at the Western Canadian Music Awards. Their music was also featured in a short film that aired throughout Canada on CBC. With their youth, exposure, distinct sound and energetic live shows, Effect and Cause are sure to be around for sometime yet.