A London, Ont. band hopes to pair their original harmonies with Christmas classics at their upcoming Collingwood show.
The Pairs, who hail from London, Ont., will be playing a show called The Magic of Music at the Simcoe Street Theatre on Dec. 17 as part of The Collingwood Christmas Market Concert Series. It will mark the band’s first time ever playing a show in Collingwood.
Twin sisters Renee and Noelle Coughlin, Hillary Watson (who is also a twin) and drummer Steve Plimmer make up The Pairs.
“We have known each other pretty much all of our lives. Our moms are best friends,” said Renee Coughlin. “Being twins, our lives kind of have this duality.”
“Growing up, we were involved in a lot of music, including kitchen jams at home or campfire songs, but we also were in choirs,” said Watson. “The three of us girls found ourselves in crossroads in our lives and decided that music was something we wanted to pursue.”
After the trio started getting shows, they decided to add a fourth – drummer Steve Plimmer – to the group.
“We have been inseparable ever since,” said Watson.
Coughlin describes The Pairs’ music style as acoustic harmony pop tunes, with a main emphasis on vocals and three-part harmonies.
“We’re three classically trained vocalists, but Steve comes from the punk-rock world,” said Coughlin. “It’s a really unique meshing.”
At the Dec. 17 show, Watson says the band will play some of their original music, but will also intersperse Christmas songs to encourage audience members to sing along.
“It’s something new. It’s going to be more interactive, family-friendly and fun for the holiday season,” said Watson.
Coughlin recalls her family took one ski trip every year growing up, and it was always to Collingwood, so she and her sister are familiar with the area.
“We’re looking forward to meeting new people and building more of a community around music that we really haven’t connected with before,” said Coughlin. “With COVID-19, we’ve all experienced such separation from one another, and for us, music has had this healing capacity that pulls you together with others.”
“Music has always been a really big part of the holiday season for me,” said Watson. “We’re so excited to be putting on a show in a brand new place.”
The Pairs will be playing at the Simcoe Street Theatre on Dec. 17 at 8:30 p.m. Proof of vaccination and masks are requirements for entry. Tickets are $25 per person, and can be purchased here.
