Montreal-born and raised, former Athens, Ohio interloper and now living  in Toronto!   I’ve busked on the streets of Montreal, dabbled in bluegrass while living in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, and currently am gigging in and around Toronto solo and with my band, The Shiners.  

My latest musical incarnation as a singer-songwriter came on suddenly and with great passion - in the last year or so i’ve been writing and recording some original roots music.  My own musical style evolved out of a childhood steeped in The Band and Jimmy Cliff, to name a couple of influences, and a later immersion into the world of Appalachian music and alternative country.  The end result is soulful acoustic country roots with harmonies, syncopated beats and, at times, heavy on the bass.  Musical collaborators like Simon Law (a.k.a. The Funky Ginger and member of Soul II Soul) have added a soulful vibe and groove to the original works - just listen to the Hammond organ on “Succumb.”

Out of a musical flurry of gigging and writing came my EP, “Angel Ridge,” released in early 2009.  Amongst other things, it afforded me the opportunity to perform “Succumb” live in studio on CFRB’s Rock Talk. 

And the music and songs keep flowing - I am developing more material for a full-length recording in the new year, honing my own brand of mature and empathic songs that bring to life various personal yet universal stories and voices.  Check out my works in progress!

The Shiners consists of Simon Law on drums and keyboards, John Teshima on bass, keyboard and guitar, Jonathan Marks on violin and Blair Packham, an occasional Shiner, on guitar, piano and even drums.