KEN TIZZARD
No Dark No Light

Very few Canadian musicians have had as fascinatingly diverse a career as Ken Tizzard. In over two decades as a professional musician, he has gone from plying his trade as the charismatic bassist in top Canadian rock bands The Watchmen and Thornley (he is featured on six gold and platinum records)
to then emerging as an eloquent roots-based singer/songwriter and guitarist with a prolific solo career.

His new album, No Dark No Light, is Tizzard's fifth solo studio record since his 2006 debut, Quiet Storey House...an Introduction. A work of real emotional and musical resonance, No Dark No Light is emerging as his strongest work to date. It continues Ken's pattern of never repeating himself stylistically, as its acoustic country meets folk ambience is in sharp contrast to his previous album, 2012's The Goodness of Bad Intent. 

"In the past, I've battled a lot with trying to find a character or niche with my music," Tizzard explains. "Now I realize that maybe I'm a guy who doesn't do the same thing twice. Every record I've done has moved me in a different direction and onto a different career path. That's fine and it's fun!"

He views No Dark No Light as "the most cohesive record I've made. It almost feels like a concept record to me, and in the early stages I had songs sequenced in order that told a complete story." That approach was modified, but a thematic coherence remains.

As the poetic title suggests, these are songs born, in Tizzard's words,  "during a very dark period for me. As I was writing the record, I went outside in the countryside one night, and I remember seeing so many stars. The darker it is, the more stars you can see, and that image stuck in my head. The darker I was getting at the time, the easier it was to craft these songs."

There is a soul-baring lyrical honesty to the material on No Dark No Light. The majority of the songs are focused upon his own emotions and experiences or those of close friends, but, in true folk music tradition, he also creates characters and stories. He takes those songs just as seriously, striving to imbue them with real authenticity. "I see those songs as research pieces," says Ken. "Rather like a method actor working on a role, I really immerse myself in those themes, searching to find the real story."

Tizzard has now moved out of the dark and into the light, and his luminous music is ready to shine.

ktizzard@kentizzard.com
www.kentizzard.com

"Resurrecting Music Row One Country Song At A Time" ...RKC

QUICK FACTS ABOUT ROSS KEY
• Vocals • Lead & Rhythm Guitar (6 & 12 string) • Bass • Dobro • Banjo (4 & 5 string) • Fiddle • Keyboard/Piano • Mandolin • Upright Bass
• Entertainer • Musician • Singer/Songwriter
• 30+ Years Professional Experience
• Sold through ASCAP
• Represented by BMI Nashville

BOOKING AGENTS
Terry Kelley • Terry Kelley Productions (AL)
(205) 483-4074 • terrykelleyproductions@gmail.com

Monique Roberts Booking Agency (NV)
(775) 423-3803 • mrobertsbooking@gmail.com

PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND INCLUDES:
• COUNTRY CIRCUIT - Roy Campbell and the Nashville Sound
• BLUEGRASS CIRCUIT - Lower 40 Grass
• GOSPEL CIRCUIT - Vessels of God

He has performed on stage with Willie Nelson and opened for Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Emmylou Harris, Ronnie Milsap, Jimmy Buffett, Hank Williams Jr., Freddy Fender, Joe Stampley, and numerous others.

HONORS AND AWARDS
• Third Palm Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America
• Recipient of the distinguished Virginia State Dobro Championship
• Boy Scouts of America Western Europe Music Ambassador (1976)
• Earned a private audience with King Gustaf of Sweden during European Tour (1976) 
• Commendation and Recognition from the Musicians In Action Guild (2011)
• Independent Country Music Association (ICoMA) 2012 "Best Musician" Nominee (2012)
• Independent Country Music Association (ICoMA) 2013 "Best Country Music Festival" Winner (2013)

The Scattered Coals unites a group of great friends and fine pickers who share a love for songwriting, performance, and the fine craft of music. 

Steeped in both tradition and modern sentiments, their influences are as varied as the paths that brought them together and their approach to bluegrass and old-time is “respectfully irreverent.” Their performances push the boundaries of the genre while seeking a balance of originality, musicianship, respect for the tradition, and a fiery passion for having a good time.

The Scattered Coals anticipate their first album in 2012.

The Band Consists of:

Edward Porter (bass/vocal): www.myspace.com/whiskeyjar
Christopher Suen (banjo/fiddle/vocal): www.myspace.com/shoutwhitedragon
Joe McLeod (guitar/mandolin/vocal): www.soundcloud.com/joemcleodsongwriter
Mark Vaughan (mandolin): http://www.vipercentral.ca/

Patrick Jacobson is a Yukon-based indie-rock songwriter who has spent the last decade crafting, recording and performing original songs all across Canada. He’s played everywhere from Lucky Bar in Victoria to the Seahorse Tavern in Halifax to The Pit in Dawson City. He’s played festivals, had songs used in television shows and movies, and he can be heard playing or singing on at least a dozen releases.

Originally hailing from Vancouver, Patrick earned his reputation as the front man of The Capitals by writing endearing, dulcet anthems with crackerjack choruses. He also co-wrote songs with retro garage-rockers, The Top Drawers, and psychedelic freak-rockers, The Luna Riot, both with which he played bass. Now, with a head full of new songs and a heart full of hope, Patrick is returning to his roots with a guitar in his hands to sing for anybody who still enjoys a good melody. His latest self-titled EP, produced by Winston Hauschild, is available now.

       Singer, songwriter, recording artist, guitar player, touring musician, composer, teacher, Jesse Griffith is no stranger to the world of six strings (or ten). After first successfully touring the country in the summer of 2006 with the release of Turnstiles' "13 Telephone Towers." Jesse pulled double duty on that first tour playing pedal steel and electric guitar for country tinged surf rockers "Red Barn." "I wouldn't have it any other way, I just love playing"

Jesse wrote and recorded under the name "Sad Goat" while Turnstiles went to hiatus status. Further honing his craft, and holed up Antigonish, NS, Jesse formed The Farley Mowats, described as "Gordon Lightfoot meets Sonic Youth." Debuting at the Evolve Music Festival in the summer of 2007 was probably the highlight of the short lived group. Relocating to Vancouver, BC in late 2007, with two LPs of material recorded but unreleased, the band soon fell into shambles. 

Not to be discouraged, Jesse continued writing, all the while getting calls to join other projects in the city. Playing pedal steel in Joel Battle's band led to the release of "Slow Learner" recorded in Washington, 2009. Jesse then joined recording and touring artist Stef Lang for a couple years both in the studio and on the road as lead guitar and doboro player. Jesse has also maintained an active role in the Chris Buck Band, playing steel and electric guitars, and also has played with Billy Jo Bryce, Peter La Grande, Lisa O'Neil and even had a regular jazz gig known as the SGB (Stecz Griffith Bell Trio). 

Countless shows, miles, provinces, borders and bands later, summer of 2011 found Jesse playing with Leeroy Stagger for his Vancouver show and subsequent tour of Alberta and BC. Highlighted at Calgary's Olympic Park on a balmy clear Canada Day evening, sharing the stage with Jim Byrnes and the Sojourners, to crowds in the tens of thousands it was a night to remember. 

The closing months of 2011 find Jesse finishing up a long overdue solo record, self produced with the help of some wonderfully talented musicians - the core being Paul Townsend on drums, Wynston Minckler on upright and electric basses and Jillian Lebeck on keys, the album was produced mostly in the live room, highlights real musicians playing off one another in real time.

2012 - Go Find a Mountain released.

2013 relocated to a Nova Scotia ranch on the Bay of Fundy, new LP on the way with Vancouver band Groundtruthing recorded with Andy Schichter at the Hive Studios.


Ocean Island Cafe Lounge is snug little nook in the heart of Victoria, BC catering to people from all corners of the world. 

We are currently booking bands/artists for Friday and Saturday nights! If you're interested please email Kristin@oceanisland.com

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