Graven and the O-town Scene

Alright, I know my buddy Matty McKechnie has a new band called The New Band but, between you, me and that guy who doesn’t look at me sideways when I pour ten pounds of vanilla powder in my Bridgehead cup of java, I gotta’ say Graven and the O-town Scene is a pretty vanilla caked coffee sweet runner up.

When wanting to learn about the Ottawa music scene, Matty (aka: Graven; aka: that dude who works at Irene’s), is one of the perfect people to have bending your hear. For one, he’s a gentle bender. Though he may not have the longevity of some of the musicians still kicking around te pubs and festivals, Matt’s just a guy you see popping up everywhere.

The proof is in the pudding, orrrr vanilla laced coffee if that’s your thang. Within the last few weeks he’s played McCloskey’s in Chesterville, veered on down to Renfrew for a gig at Batstone’s Norther Ramble, made a return to the PH8 in Toronto, and took the stage at The Mansion in Kingston. He’s calling it The Longer Days tour but, from the look of his traveling/performing regiment, it’s more like The Endless Day tour.

Though he’s often seen flying solo, Graven says he most enjoys jamming with other musicians as it’s a way to learn new tunes, meet new friends and keep things from going stale.

“For me, variety is the spice of life,” says McKeKechnie. “I think playing with new local acts helps you to up your game, and to connect you to different ambitious musicians in your neighbourhood.”

This spring sees him at the legendary Blacksheep Inn for a show with Megan Nash on May 23 but first he’s back at Irene’s Saturday night for a gig with Welcome the Ghost and Birdie Whyte.

Alrighty, Matty, I’m pouring another cup of jitter juice. I think my left ear could use a little bending.

Andre Gagne: You’ve been roaming about stages through the O-town music scene now for a while. What are some of the changes you’ve seen since you started out here?

Matty McKechnie: Luckily, I think I have seen some great changes (and great strides towards) musical diversity and equality in the 613 since the early 2000’s and late 90’s. I see a lot more motivated women making waves, and making records, which is awesome for the scene. I also have seen more venues popping up – and some that are more on the intimate side (Robo, Backdrop, Black Squirrel) and I think those venues create more opportunities for artists to upsell their ticket value, and really dial in a show and a set that connects with people.

While the plethora of summer fests showcase local music, what do you feel can be done to keep that spotlight burning brighter all year long?

People need to go out and support local venues – end of story. There’s no other answer, really. Over my 30+ years of living in the Cap region, I’ve seen Ottawa grow massively, but I definitely have met more than a few folks who buy a few festival passes, and then they are ‘done for the year’ with music. That’s a branded way to look at the arts, and it’s really not enough. If a scene is going to emerge, people have to really want it. They have to be hungry for it. They have to be fired up to go to House of Targ on a Wednesday to check someone out. They have to hunt for seats at Irene’s on a Saturday, even though it’s packed, and nudge their way through people. They need to see different artists on different stages. Avant Garde. Queen Street Fare. Pressed. Mavericks. Those places all need love and they all need to pay their staff, and their musicians. We all grow together, or we fade together.

What do you feel some of the hurdles a musician in Ottawa faces in contrast to one who starts in, say, Toronto or Vancouver?

There is definitely a fear of over-playing in this town. And that fear is real. And if people see someone doing a residency or a recurring gig, they’ll most likely say ‘oh (insert name) is playing every Thursday in January? Oh cool! Well, I’ll go to the next one’ – and they never come out. It’s just harder to make the shows special unless you really space them out and build them up nicely.

You’re coming show dives on into Irene’s, one of my personal favourite live music venues in the city. What are some of the others you would suggest people check out and why?

I’m biased because I work there, but I think Bar Robo (in Chinatown) has a great intimate vibe. We’ve been able to secure some award winning acts and it’s just a warm room with a beautiful stage, and it gives you a chance to see a performer you might admire in an up close and personal setting. Live on Elgin is also great, with a real NYC comedy club style feel, and they do a lot to promote music in our city every night of the week.

The Irene’s gig also will feature performances by Birdie Whyte and Welcome The Ghost, two other Ottawa locals. Why does it continue to be important to you to showcase other city talents on the bills you’re on as opposed, to say, flying solo? 

I just love playing with other people and learning new songs and making friends. There’s nothing more boring to me than seeing the same bills with the same two of three bands over and over again. I’ve loved Birdie’s music for eons, so I’m excited to play my first show with her – and Welcome The Ghost are pals and powerhouse performers – so it should be a rockin’ Saturday.

Speaking of not flying solo, tell me about The New Band!

The New Band is really just the fine group of pals that makes the songs shine in the full band setting. I started calling it The New Band, because it’s pretty impossible the keep the same crew of folks around all the time – so many of my shows have a new look. It feels like there’s less commitment and more fun. Getting older in music, people have kids or move to other cities or take on new jobs, and I see the idea of the exact same band for life as a bit of a high school concept. Right now, I mostly play with Shawn Brown (pedal steel), Rehuel Ernest (drums), Gideon Yellin (guitar) and Landon Kotchapaw (bass) but Jamie Kronick and Phil Charbonneau hop in there sometimes too. It’s always new and we try to keep it fun.

Social media as obviously a good start to promote local gigs but how else might you suggest bands/musicians get their names out there?

It’s hard to know what else works outside of social media, to be honest. Postering? Some people might see it, but if it rains or snows, all that work you did is shredded. Word of mouth? It can work, but people are forgetful. It’s a sad reality, but most of us live on our phones now, so we sort of have to play within the rules of that game.

Name droppin’ time. Who would you say are some of folks really pushing the music in Ottawa and supporting local talents like yourself? 

I really see Scotty (from the Dant Danners, Welcome The Ghost, Forgotten In The Woods Again, Paragon Cause and about 3 other bands) as someone who is great for Ottawa music. I love that guy. I don’t know where he finds the hours in the day, but he puts the time in, he promotes online, he messages people and reminds them – and all of his bands are different styles, and genres, and he’s a great guitarist and bassist. He hustles hard. And I love it.

And, hey hey, since we’re talking promotion, after the Irene’s gig what’s coming up for Graven and The New Band?

We’ve got a bunch of fun stuff in the tune-hopper and it will be fun to roll it out! A few jaunts down to the GTA, the east coast, and beyond. A few summer festivals. Some cool collabs with talented friends and artists. A new album. Some shows with a JUNO nominated artist. Some house concerts. Some new shirts. Some broken strings. Some more sunsets and sunrises. I’m grateful for all of it.

How do you see the scene here moving ahead, say, five years?

It would be nice to see a few more venues, and even maybe an app that lists all of the shows happening in town – in an easy and readable format. There are a few publications that try to advertise what’s happening, but it’s never cut and dry, and there’s really nothing digital yet that cuts the mustard.