Valery Gore - Vocals, Piano
Devon Henderson - Bass
Daniel Neill - Drums
Trent Reschny - Saxophones & Clarinets
Ben Bowen - Trumpet
Sometimes live, we additionally have:
RJ Satchithananthan - Trombone
Rebecca Hennessy - Trumpet
Steve Dyte - Trumpet
Joshua VanTassel - Electronics & Stuff
BUT THE NEW RECORD! Visit the store here:
Influences
EYE MAGAZINE, TORONTO - 11/20/08
Valery Gore
Avalanche To Wandering Bear
On an album whose dominant instruments are a piano and a soothing voice, it’s refreshing to hear Valery Gore avoiding the ubiquitous and tired cycle of laboured and introspective songs saturated in sombre minor chords. Gore’s first release on the genre-bending Do Right label incorporates a suitably diverse mix of the idiosyncratic and the meditative. Jazz-inflected piano stomps such as “Worried Head” and “Shoes Of Glass,” with their wayward key changes and sprightly ivory manipulations, do manage to challenge the more pedestrian conventions of the piano-led ballad or pop song, but her quirky approach also keeps her in the same company as the other kooky jazz-flavoured female pianists who came before. - By Christian Martius
DO RIGHT MUSIC ANNOUNCES VALERY GORE REMIX CONTEST WINNERS
Following the release of Valery Gore’s album Avalanche To Wandering Bear, Do Right Music hosted a remix contest for the single Shoes Of Glass back in April. The number of entries was overwhelming and we were impressed by the overall quality and creativity of the submissions. It wasn’t easy to narrow it down to one winner but after reviewing all the remixes we are pleased to announce Kidstreet, from Toronto as the winner with their up-tempo dance version of the song. The other entries worth honourable mention include remixes from “Teen” (Miami), “Devhender83” (Ontario) and “Nery Bauer” (Brazil). For the full track listing and to download these remixes please visit: www.dorightmusic.com/valerygore
The Kidstreet remix will also appear on the forthcoming Do Right Summer Sampler Free CD, available May 26.
Valery Gore returns with her self-produced sophomore album, Avalanche To Wandering Bear. Her debut on Do Right Music, it’s the record she’s wanted to make since she began writing songs, a waif whispering lost tunes in the basement so those above ground couldn’t hear.
Avalanche To Wandering Bear is borne of stubborn restlessness. The curiosity, trepidation, and victory of discovery are wrapped in a heavy dose of danceable rhythms, soul, and humour. With its tumbled lyrics, unconventional arrangements, and progressive piano, Avalanche sets the mood for a bold audio journey.
The album features a handful of singles; Shoes of Glass has lush vocals harmonies and a steady 1950’s momentum. Worried Head is charismatic in its lyrics and full with driving Motown horns. Scared pays homage to jazz fusion singer Karin Krog and lends an esoteric metaphor to the album name. Consolation’s harmonium arrangement and solid piano is a rough outline of Gore’s admiration of producer Jon Brion’s work.
The piano tones of Avalanche range from the prestigious Steinway of CBC’s Glenn Gould studio to the grittiness of The Hive’s cranky upright. The first blending seamlessly with the epic woodwinds of Sparrow, and the second setting the vaudeville-esque Red Eye Family against a backdrop of ticking pipes, settling rain and distant ghosts.
Engineered and mixed by Tim Abraham, this album’s depth and dynamic is matched by the musicians who made their mark on it: Devon Henderson on bass, Dan Neill on drums, Trent Reschny on saxophones and clarinets, and Ben Bowen on trumpet.
The Toronto-based pianist and songwriter began her musical journey from the age of eight, tapping unemotional melodies on the black keys. Valery’s performing repertoire grew from songs about bees and snack time to the classical masterpieces of Chopin, Debussy, and Liszt. All the while her ears were tuned to her dad’s playlist of 70’s - 90’s rock. Gore topped it off with jazz piano studies at Humber College and wove these disparate sounds into her own undefinable genre.
Her self-titled debut album was released in 2005 with Six Shooter Records in Canada and Europe. She toured Canada, Italy, and Japan, headlining and supporting such artists as Jorane, Josh Ritter, Joel Plaskett, and more.
Valery Gore’s words and music transcend emotions, force you to gear-down and listen, feel. Avalanche to Wandering Bear is Valery’s “lifejacket to the drowning.”
CONTACT:
Management: Jason Murray | jason@weareblackbox.com | Phone: 905 848 4040
Publicity: Craig Hill | craig@rightonmedia.ca | Phone: 416 929 7285
Bookings: Ian Stanger | ian@weareblackbox.com | Phone: 905 848 4040
Label: John Kong | john@dorightmusic.com | Phone: 416 531 6062
Hi there, wanted to drop by and say hello to you and to say that I hope you are having a great week. Keep in touch and look forward to hearing from you. Sara XXX
Hey Valery, thanks for your comment. I would appreciate it very much if you could manage it to hit my microcosm one day ;-) All the best for you and your music. Greetings from Munich, Thomas
Thanks for the add! keep spreading good sounds! Funky Seventy thanks ahead of time... Spreading the its Funk&Soul... Peace... Hugs Brazilian Greetings www.cdbaby.com/cd/funkyseventy
Hey Valery, I have been listening to your album a lot and I really love it! Great songs and playing, and the sound is fantastic. I will be playing with Fond of Tigers in TO at the Music Gallery on June 19 - outside I think. Come say hi if you can. Cheers, Skye.
thanks for stopping by :) funny, i was looking at your profile today because i was looking up jun miyake on dorightmusic's profile and... strange.. enjoy ottawa for me! i miss home...
