Smokin' Contra Band began playing jigs and reels in the fall of 2006 in kitchens and living rooms around Halifax. Soon they were hosting monthly contra dances in the New England style at local dance halls. The band tried on a few different venues for size before settling on its current home of St. Matthias Church on the corner of Chebucto and Windsor Street.
In summer 2007 the band decided to try its hand at bluegrass. Dave's rippin' mandolin and Amy's searing fiddle licks fit nicely in between Ben, Amy and Dave's sweet 3-part harmonies, while Graham's rollickin, punchy bass lines and Jason's foot-stomping and washboard-scrubbing made the band a local dance favourite. The following summer SCB took its show from bar(n)s in Ontario to youth centres and community gardens in Quebec and back around the Maritimes; in the winter they had the good fortune to work with CBC producer Glenn Meisner and sound engineer Pat Martin to record their first album, Slim' Pickins, available to the public ever so soon!
Smokin' Contra Band is playing a smattering of venues around Nova Scotia this summer and fall in anticipation of the album's release. Fall will also see the resumption of monthly Halifax contra dances.
You guys---fiddler included-- smoke that "grass" as well. "Working on a Building" was written by a Holiness preacher who lived up the road from me---copperhead got him!! Life is a hell of a lot more interesting than anything else!
Thats great news! I'm looking forward to hearing it. I am mainly based in NB around fredericton and saint john, so if you guys are ever headed this way just send me a message! hope to see you soon!
I think that it would be wonderful to do a show together! I haven't played in Halifax yet and I see thats where you guys are...if you ever need an opening act just send me a message, I'd love to come up and play. Do you have a cd out?
