After 15 years, 23 Maple Blues Awards and two JUNOs, MonkeyJunk is celebrating their time as a band with a cross-Canada tour, making a stop in the Town of the Blue Mountains on May 10.
The three-piece Ottawa-based blues band will be stopping in at intimate venue Studio 79 at the base of Blue Mountain this week as part of their 15-year celebration tour. The band consists of lead vocalist/baritone guitar/harmonica player Steve Marriner, Tony D on lead guitar and Matt Sobb on drums.
In an interview with CollingwoodToday, Marriner describes the band’s sound as being heavily influenced by blues and rock-and-roll.
“We incorporate some funky bits, too. We dig New Orleans funk,” he said. “We’re big fans of Chicago blues, hill country and Mississippi blues. I’m also a big fan of chorus-y rock-and-roll like Tom Petty and Aerosmith.”
“We cast a pretty wide net,” he said, with a laugh.
Over the past 15 years, Marriner says MonkeyJunk’s sound has changed, starting with quieter, more traditional blues songs and transitioning into more original songwriting and non-blues influences. Over the course of their journey, they’ve released five studio albums and are planning on releasing new music in 2023.
“People still call us a blues band. It pushes a few boundaries,” he said. “We’ve got a bit louder and more original.”
While life circumstances have changed over the past 15 years for the three members of MonkeyJunk, Marriner says he still feels fortunate to be able to get together to play.
“We’re thrilled to still be playing music together and visiting this cool venue,” he said.
Marriner notes that Studio 79 is unique, in that it only holds about 40 seats. He says the band connected with owner Anna Potvin over the past year.
“She’s so passionate about putting on shows and presenting live music. She’s cultivated an audience of hard-core live music fans,” said Marriner. “You’re able to sell out and have a packed room of people who are really interested in being there.”
“It’s great to play for such a captive audience,” he said. “It’s a really great spot. It will be a high-energy show with a lot of instrumental features and songs that make you want to party.”
Tickets are limited for Wednesday’s show, which starts at 5:30 p.m. For tickets, contact Studio 79 on Instagram here.
