Sitting at home in January 2008, Kirk Ramsay found himself watching The Devil and Daniel Johnston, a documentary about the famous outsider artist. Like many people in that situation, he found himself inspired to make the same kind of honest, unprocessed folk music.
At the time, Kirk didn't own a guitar -- nor, in fact, did he even know how to play one. But where most people would let that be the end of a brief flirtation, for Kirk it was the first step in his transformation to Giant Hand. Gathering up a few belongings, he walked down to his local music store and traded them in for an acoustic guitar. He spent the next few weeks teaching himself how to play a few basic chords, wrote a few songs (after finding it too difficult to learn other people's), and recorded his first demo on a old microphone he happened to have lying around his apartment.
Things started happening fairly quickly after that. A few weeks later -- just two months after picking up a guitar for the first time -- Kirk had adopted the name Giant Hand, and was playing his first ever show, opening for Vancouver band, Immaculate Machine in the basement of a record store. A month later he found himself opening for Born Ruffians. And then a few months later, he played his third show ever at the prestigious Ottawa Bluesfest.
Over the year since, Kirk has garnered opening slots for a number of high-profile Canadian acts, including Handsome Furs, Ohbijou, Human Highway, Bruce Peninsula, Timber Timbre and Azeda Booth. As well as opening for the one and only Daniel Johnston. Giant Hand also played two shows at Pop Montreal 2009.
On the strength of his demo, influential Canadian music blog i(heart)music raved that "Giant Hand might just be one of the most interesting, unique and exciting artists to come out of Ottawa in a very long time", while a reviewer for Exclaim! said of his live show that "(his) songs pierced the audience with innocence, clarity and a vulnerability that lesser artists often fake". Giant Hand was nominated for "Best Band", "Best New Artist", and "Best Album" in Ottawa Xpress' "Best of 09" Readers Poll.
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING:
"Ramsay has made clear progress that vaults him from simply having the potential to be one of the most exciting artists in the city, to actually being one of those most exciting and interesting artists Ottawa has to offer (which is meant as a far bigger compliment than it may come off as)."
-I(Heart)Music
"One of the most creative artists I’ve heard in a long time, he's my favorite of 2009."
-Jarah Riley
"Giant Hand’s songs pierced the audience with innocence, clarity and a vulnerability that lesser artists often fake." (concert review)
-Exclaim! Magazine
"his compositions remain so undyingly captivating and earnest that Coming Home might spell out the beginnings of a brilliant career from a musician striving to find his inner oddball." (album review)
-Exclaim! Magazine
"Giant Hand has got that all-important talent for creating a unique sound, and his slightly off-key, sometimes hesitant warble gives him the makings of an indie icon."
-Apt.613
Giant Hand Happy & Prosperous 2010 http://www.myspace.com/quinnmaybach When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go, only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly! 'The power of one sentence! God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in your favor.
If you believe, send it. If you don't believe, delete it. God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close. If you need God to open some doors for you... send this to all your friends. ... Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing.
Giant Hand i noticed you're from Ottawa. Were touring there on January 16th. Check out our music, if you dig it, it'd be great to see you out at the show,
Ho! Ho! Ho! We thought we'd contribute to the holiday spirit by sharing a new song which we hope functions as an antidote to the madness of consumption that seems to have since long overshadowed the birth of love! It's an alternative Christmas carol & we'd love it if you check it out! May this Holiday season be filled with Kindness! All true blessings upon you & your loved ones, light, mercy & compassion for all!
Hey Giant Hand . I just read the new issue of of Ottawa Life, love the photo's. I work in a magazine warehouse and all i can say is it made my day when i saw thousands of that magazine with ya on it. Painted Forest want you to come play Cornwall. You will be guaranteed an awesome time.
Hey there...whats happening??? Just wanted to let you know that I have my 2008 Demo CD up for download at purevolume. Definitely stop on by and pick it up because once its taken off, its taken off forever so get it while its hot!
We're playing a show in Ottawa next wednesday, and we'd REALLY like it if you came! Here are the details.
Wednesday November 18th @ Zaphod Beeblebrox (27 York St., Ottawa) Doors Open at 8pm
HotShotCasino - 8:30 Andrew Allen (Vancouver) - 9:10 Epyllion - 10:00
It would be real awesome if you could come to the gig. Honestly, we need to get some warm bodies in there - cause playing to nobody really sucks. :) And venues like Zaphods can only exist if awesome people like yourself go and support local bands like us.
Anyways, it would be really rad if you could come.
Props on being listed as one of the Hottest Bands In Canada on i(heart)music 'Less than two years ago, Kirk Ramsay had never even picked up a guitar. Then we watched a documentary on Daniel Johnston, was inspired to start playing...and a year and a half later, he was opening for Johnston himself. Throw in an amazing debut (Coming Home), appearances at Pop Montreal and the Ottawa Bluesfest, and opening spots for the likes of Handsome Furs, Ohbijou, Timber Timbre and The Lovely Feathers, and you've got yourself one impressive year'
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