Day 244- Nov. 23- Arctic Rodeo (Cameron Jolicouer, Jess Dean and Colleen Hogan)

This band was birthed in a library mere hours before a performance in the Quaqtaq village-wide music celebration. The setlist was not long but the passion with which it was put together was palatable. The group started as Colleen and Cam decided to play a few tunes. But they were missing percussion to fill out the sound of the 'Ho Hey', a Lumineers' cover. Enter Jess and myself.

These cats had chemistry both on and off the stage, which had begun a year earlier during a late night, or maybe I should say early morning, digital percussion experiment which included multiple people playing a drum set on the iPad, at the same time, whilst Cam strummed the tunes on guitar and sang. Jamming came natural to us, as did laughing, eating sushi, photoshopping Justin Trudeau into awkward pictures while watching the federal election, harvesting icebergs for tea making and teaching students compassionately of course, the real reason we were first brought together.

We could never get Arctic Rodeo onto the tour circuit, but although those dreams were dashed, the memories remain. These three individuals, with whom I had the opportunity to make music, are stellar, stand up individuals in their own right. I'm glad I can feature them here and can call them friends.

Song of the Moment: Courage by Alien Ant Farm