Jul. 15, 2009 - Issue #717: Edmonton Musicians Directory 2009

100 Mile House

The long cold winter: Duo trades in a high cost of living for chills

 After first meeting at an admittedly awkward open-mic show in Toronto, Peter Stone and Denise MacKay quickly struck up a musical partnership that has spanned six years and several continents. Most recently, the two found themselves fleeing the bustle of London's music scene for the more down-home comforts of our fair city.

"We came over in early December last year—just in time for a month of -30 weather," laughs Stone, a native of the UK. "We used to live in Edmonton about five or six years ago, before we moved out to London. But, it's not like I was dreading coming back here—we don't really get any snow in the UK, so it's still kind of a novelty for me. But, you know, we'll see how I feel in a few years."

After stripping their six-piece band down to just a guitar and their two voices, Stone and MacKay started 100 Mile House by hiding out in a converted warehouse space in South London and writing their debut EP On That Organ In the House By the Field in summer of 2008.

"Living in London was just such hard work—it's a really expensive city," explains Stone. "It has a reputation as a real music centre, and there is a lot of different music there and a ton of different venues. But it's almost like the city is just too saturated with music. There really is much more of a community spirit here in Edmonton, in part because it is so much smaller. But there's an open-mindedness and kind of kinship among the musical community here."

The pair not only found a sense of camaraderie among its newfound peers, but was also able to reconnect with old friend and collaborator Scott Zubot, an ex-pat who had also once again found himself back in Edmonton. He quickly found a place in 100 Mile House for his talents with both the mandolin and violin.



Tue, Jul 21 (9 pm)
100 Mile House
With Deon Blyan
Brixx Bar & Grill, $8

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