bluessmyth Seeks Meaning in Its Music - June 22/ 2005

Ryan Starr - The Golden Star

The title of Calgary-based rock outfit bluessmyth's
debut album, 30 Pieces of Silver, creates quite the first
impression. While the reference (ie how much money
Judas was given to betray Christ) isn't exactly subtle,
neither is the strong message it's meant to convey.

"It's symbolic of the ultimate betrayal in our Western
way of thinking," says drummer and keyboardist Calvin
Becker. "We thought that that was a good symbol for our
album, as most of the songs on it are about betrayal and 
redemption." 
 
Heavy, yes, but based on a few listenings to their new disc,
bluessmyth is definitely a thinking-man's rock band,
presenting a solid blend of numerous genres - from straight-
ahead bluesy rock, to soul and gospel - and a sophisticated
lyricism that does much to separate the band from much
of what permeates popular music these days. 

"I think music is set for a change."says guitarist and lead
vocalist Chris Yaholkoski (or Chris Y, for short), who leads
bluessmyth into a two-night stand at Packers  next weekend
(no cover). "Music has taken a turn for the worse,  as far as the 
bling- bling and all that. Not that I'm like a bitter musician  - 
we're doing our thing, and doing great." 

bluessmyth first came together over a jam session in the
summer of 2000, and, for its first few years of exsistence,
mainly focused on gigging around Calgary, "providing  juke-
joint salvation to fans, in the wild bars and pubs of the 
stampede capital of Canada" according to the band's bio.

Before long, however, the group hunkered down and began
to write a lot of its own material - tunes that delivered
a powerful punch on the live circuit -  as the band expanded
 their horizons around Alberta,  and into eastern B.C.

In 2002, bluessmyth started working on what would ultimately
become 30 Pieces of Silver. The project became a bit of a drawn-out
 affair - with a few tours of the West Coast along the way  - 
but the band was ultimately able to put the finishing touches
on its debut in early 2004.

Chris Y and bassist brother Jason bring to the field the blues-rock
inspired motif, which Becker builds on with his well-versed
 big  band, jazz-fusion stylings (that said, though he digs on 
Seventies rock and blues as much as his band-mates).
"It's hard to do anything unique these days," says Chris Y. 
"It's like everythig's been done. So for us, it's basically to
blend - like trying to add gospel harmonies over top of blues
rhythms or different syncopations. Put your own stamp on it - 
create your own sound."

Indeed, when a group of white guys makes a concerted bid
to jump seamlessly from Hendrix to gospel and back again, 
you know they're well on their way to nailing down their
own sound. How that sound might go over with listeners
 is another matter.
"When we started and were uncertain about what direction to 
take, I was kind of leery about putting  gospel music in," says 
Chris Y. " I didn't know how people would react. But I think
if you do anything well, people really dig it and respond to it."

What's clear is that bluessmyth does what they do quite well.
What's more, if 30 Pieces of Silver can offer a sense of how strong
and tight the band will be live, it might be well worth the trek
out to their show when they hit town next weekend.  "I think music
has a great power," says Chris Y. "It can change the world."