Photos by Natalie Austin

Nicknames being slapped onto a musician are nothing new. We’ve got Kings and Killers, the Chairman of the Board, a Pope of Mope and even a Prince of Darkness. However, only one dude can lay claim to being named after one of the most popular characters from a galaxy far, far away. The Chewbacca of Alt. Rock doesn’t live on Kashyyyk. Rory Taillon’s making music right here in Ottawa!

Though he was first musically inspired by classic rockers before the first hairs sprouted on his chinny chin chin, the now bearded musician doesn’t quite agree with the rocker moniker. He prefers to call his music alternative-folk but he’s totally down with the Wookie connection. That beard ain’t going anywhere.

And what pairs itself perfectly with some good tunes? Some fine brews, of course! Not satisfied simply sipping suds while penning some new tunes, Taillon joined up with Whitby, Ontario’s 5 Paddles Brewing Company to unveil a truly unique blend of brewskie. Now he’s entering into local craft beer territory with a gig this weekend at Beau’s Oktoberfest with a Folkin’ Wake up Saturday at 12:45 PM.

Soundcheck’s Andre Gagne talks beer, beards and making music ahead of Taillon’s weekend gig at Vankleek Hill’s ultimate beer bash!

Andre Gagne: You were drawn to one particular style of music back in high school you’ve cited as being influential to you wanting to become a musician and that’s classic rock. What was it about the older stuff that grabbed? 

Rory Taillon: There were a couple factors I think that drew me towards classic rock at the beginning. I bought a Jimi Hendrix record on a whim because I thought he looked interesting in the photo on the front of the CD. I was immediately intrigued and blown away by his unorthodox approach to guitar playing and it seemed like he was writing music purely out of passion and emotion. My father is also a huge classic rock fan, so as soon as I showed any interest in the genre, he got excited and starting showing me more and more from his own collection. I still enjoy that era because a lot of the biggest and most popular bands were writing ground breaking, original and passionate music.

That said, how would you describe your own style?

I slapped the term “alternative-folk” on the latest album as a genre because there’s definitely a folk base to my music with me being a solo musician with an acoustic guitar, but I can be louder and more aggressive than most would consider folk. I’ve also been called Chamber Folk recently which I also thought was interesting and poetic.

Though it’s easier to get your music out there these days with social media, streaming sites, etc., what would you say are some of the hurdles new musicians face in getting their songs discovered?

I think the volume of music out there due to the ease of getting one’s songs out has created this vast ocean where everyone’s music gets lost. Most people have to have their music recommended by a mutual third party it seems to get attention from industry people, bookers, writers, etc. I can’t blame the people for this either. There is so much music out there I barely even come across an act I like on my own anymore. I get most of my new music through recommendations from friends, or bands I play with. I’ve also found being original or different doesn’t always help you anymore either. A lot of listeners these days –and I’m sure this has been true for a long time– don’t want to try out something new. Some prefer to hear something like everything else that they listen to.

You’ve said “The Last Iris” from your first release is one of your favourites of your own tunes. Can you share how that one came to light?  

I wrote that song shortly after losing someone very important to me and I was distraught. I wrote the song to try and make myself get past it a bit. My best friend got me into his home studio to record it shortly after and worked on the song with me to also help with the grieving process. It always reminds me of the person I wrote it about, so I love playing it or hearing it whenever I want to be taken back.

Now you actually started out in Toronto, right? What had you packing up and setting up here in O-town?

I spent a little time in Toronto and never really liked it. It just wasn’t me, so I spent a few years in Oshawa before finally being able to move up to Ottawa. This city had always been on the top of my wife and I’s list of places we’d like to live. Oshawa’s music and art scene was amazing for me and I love so many people and places involved in it, but it was time for me to move on. My wife got an offer for a job up here and as long as there’s a highway, I can still get out and tour.

You’ve been rolling around the Ottawa scene now for a bit. What are some of your favourite places to play?

Ottawa is rich with really cool live music venues. I’ve played LIVE! on Elgin a number of times, and I just love the feel of that room, the owners are great people and the beer on tap is all craft beer. Bar Robo is one of the most interesting looking little venues I’ve ever been to, I’ve had some amazing evenings in that little room. House of Targ is a gem and a blast from the past. There’s something special about loading in early to a show so that you have enough time for perogies and pinball. Pressed is beautiful in its own way and I’ve had some incredible shows there where one even ended with me playing up on their bar because the speakers cut out. Irene’s is a staple, Atomic Rooster is always fun and Happy Goat is one of the most warm places in the city with the best damn coffee.

Only Whispers is your third album. Did you approach this one differently from the previous two?

There were a couple things that we did differently with this album compared to the first two. First off, the entire album was recorded live off the floor. I set up like I would at a show and mics were set up around me and I did the guitar, vocals and kick drum at the same time like a show so that our recordings could be as true to stage sound as possible. The other difference was that with the exception of friends of mine playing violin and upright bass on Strings and my wife doing a piano part on With Grace, the entire album was all solo. My other albums had both solo and band tracks, this is the first one that’s strictly a solo album.

It’s been called much darker than the other albums. Why do you think that is and was a darker tone something you were aiming for?

My music has always been dark leaning, but this album is definitely darker as a whole than the other two. When I was picking the songs for the album, I chose the ones that I did because they all fit together and worked as a whole. It touches on dark subjects like death, loss and battling personal demons and mental health. I like music with heavy subjects and it helps me express myself when I write music like that. I also find the concept of death completely fascinating. It’s something that we all share and yet no one really has any factual knowledge about what happens to us when we die.

Now, while musicians often have unique collaborations yours really “hops”. Ok, bad pun. Seriously, though, what got you involved with 5 Paddles Brewing Company to create a beer?

I love 5 Paddles and everyone there. When I lived in Oshawa, I started going to the brewery because I really enjoyed a number of their beers. I became friends with a number of the owners from being a regular and once it finally came out that I was musician, they started asking me to play for them at special occasions. At one of my shows, one of the owners approached me about collaborating on a beer with them that had a label that would play a song on a record player. I of course was onboard right away and we released Jukebox, a Coffee Vanilla Stout, in March of 2017 and most recently A Reason, an Imperial Wit, in June 2018.

How did you find the Coffee Vanilla Stout on first taste?

It was so good! Mike, the brewer I worked on the beer with, absolutely nailed it! It was such a treat.

As a coffee lover who usually puts vanilla soy in my java I totally have to try this! Did you find pairing up with the beer company introduced your music to a different audience that may not have discovered you before? It did seem to attract a lot of press.

Definitely! It was really awesome to see people go and check the beer and 5 Paddles out because they were fans of mine, but also to see all the people be introduced to me because of their love of 5 Paddles and all the awesome beers they produce.

Speaking of beers, you’ve been asked to play Beau’s Oktoberfest this year. That’s always a party. What are you expecting from this gig?

Beer! (laughs) Oh so much delicious beer. I am ecstatic to be playing Oktoberfest again. It’s one of my favourite parties of the year and to be asked to come back and play again is a real honour. Last time I played it was one of my favourite show experiences I’ve ever had. I’m also really excited to check out a lot of the other bands on the bill for the event. I’m expecting delicious new beers, lots of awesome food, great tunes and an awesome couple of days.

Ok, so you’ve been called the Chewbacca of Alt rock. Any beard grooming tips for us facial haired dudes?

Keep it trimmed and make sure you’ve got some good oil to keep it moist and a balm to keep its shape. Beards always look better, thicker and are healthier if you keep top of them with regular trimming. (Insert Chewbacca growl)

When you look back on 2018 what do you most remember?

2018 has been insane. I’ve played a number of awesome festivals such as the Dragon Boat Festival in Ottawa this past June and the Tay Creek Folk Festival in Fredericton in July. I’ve gotten the chance to play with some great Canadian artists like Matt Mays, Craig Cardiff, Amos the Transparent and Julian Taylor to name a few. I’ve had a lot of fun touring around including two trips to the east coast, and I had my second collaboration beer with 5 Paddles come out. I’m looking forward to a strong finish to this year as well with two more festivals and some more touring in the coming months.

Awesome! What’s in store for ya’ in 2019? 

I’m currently writing some new music, so hopefully I’ll get back into the studio either at the end of this year or the spring of 2019. I also want to tour Canada again this spring and hopefully head over to do Europe as well.