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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-02-11, Page 15Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, February 11, 2009 - Page A15 Quarter Mile Lane to release New Direction 6111.111ffd Creel signal -star staff For Graig Harrison, Dave and Kati Suther- land of Quarter Mile Lane, it's all about pick- ing a New Direction. That's the title of the folk -country trio's de- but LSP, set to be released February 20 with a show at the Black Dog in Bayfield. "It's our first crack at it," said Dave. "I just want a lot of people to hear it." If their musical track -record means any- thing, a lot of people will. QML has been a staple on the Huron County music scene for years - though in dif- ferent incarnations and sometimes, different groups. Harrison and Dave Sutherland rocked stag- es with the Captain Rock Revival, Sal's Al- ley, the Empty Threats and others, while Kati captured the town's and the nation's hearts as a contestant on Canadian Idol. In late 2006, what would become Quar- ter Mile Lane was formed with Harrison on guitar, Dave on bass, Kati singing and Sam Daniels on the skins. Living the lives of weekend warriors, Har- rison said writing original material was tough for a band playing cover shows nearly every weekend on top of a 40 -hour work week. When Daniels left for university, Kati said the group began to play with a much more bare -bones setup. "(Sam) went to school so we started play- ing acoustic," she said. "We sort of found our 'new direction'." Already heavily influenced by country and folk music, QML decided to get serious about their writing. Harrison said that's when Quarter Mile Lane suddenly took shape. "Where it all clicked and we got really giddy was when we started doing the acoustic stuff," he said. Simplicity proved to be the key, and Quar- terMileLane's song writing approach took on an intimacy only one can only find at home. "All the songs were written around the kitchen table," said Harrison. "The same way we've played forever." Even in the dead of winter, QML's music creates the vibe of a liesurely drive down a dirt road on a sunny afternoon during harvest Every Wednesday Town Square Special Photo byGerard Creces Goderich music group Quarter Mile Lane includes Craig Harrison, and Dave and Kati Sutherland. season. Mixed in with this is the creeping notion that even this utopia isn't safe from the influ- ence of the outside world. A little bit country and a little bit folk, New Direction is a prime example of the old guard shining through in a new generation of musi- cians, with enough imagery to give any lis- tener a real down-home feeling. The group worked with Rob McKercher of DIG Productions to get the sound they were looking for. Of course, it wasn't always easy, as recording acoustic instruments required something hitherto unheard of for the band - complete silence. Dave said in order to get the cleanest guitar tracks possible, they had to make sure Har- rison took his shoes off and stood on a pil- low to keep the mics from picking up his... instinctual rhythm. "It's hard to play without tapping your foot," Harrison laughed. "You can't make a peep in there." If it was hard for Harrison, it will be equally difficult for listeners, who will no doubt find New Direction an easy one to follow. Discs are $10 each, and can be found on iTtines as well as HMV and Chapters online. Of course, the best way to get one is at the release party. The show starts at 10 p.m. A candlelit walk in the woods The annual Candlelit Winter Walk through the Maitland Woods, hosted by the Maitland Trail Association, attracts up to 400 walking and hiking enthusiasts each year on the Friday evening ding Winterfest weekend. 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