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Band finds inspiration in history
Friday August 1 2008 By Kate Davis, for the Banner Folk — a genre of music typically associated with the freethinking, socially engaged era of the 60s — is making a well-intentioned comeback in the modern era.
Appreciated for its grassroots appeal and unpretentious expression, this genre speaks to music aficionados young and old, no matter the economic status or political inclination.
For Orangeville’s The Mainlanders, the many virtues of folk is a primary reason the group fell headfirst into the genre with their upcoming debut release, Old Country Store.
Despite varied musical backgrounds, singer Jeff Campbell, guitarist Ryan Reed and bassist Murray Abraham found linguistic and stylistic solace in the honesty of the genre, resulting in a solid group mentality and a disc of which they are immensely proud.
“It’s the kind of music that you can always find something to enjoy in it,” Campbell explains. “There’s so many opportunities to change up the music, and you have a lot more variation allowance.”
The Mainlanders began as an evolving assembly of musicians, founded by Campbell and Reed, who met by chance at a local music store 20 years prior.
The group went through a slew of members until a friend told them about Abraham, when he moved to the local area. Abraham, now a teacher, spent 10 years earning his income as a travelling musician.
“And that’s why our Murray never wants to play another cover tune again in his life,” Campbell quips during the band’s interview with The Banner.
After a year to settle into his new surroundings, the former musician conceded to re-engage in his craft and formed the present-day trio of The Mainlanders.
Although all three were musically inclined from a young age, it wasn’t until they embraced their creative tendencies in a self-produced effort that they felt fully engaged in their craft.
With the evocative nature of folk and East Coast flavor as a foundational sound, the group finds they have a natural tendency toward songs about Canadian culture.
“I’ll get an idea in my mind, or see a story on the History Channel, and then I’ll go and research that story out and write it in my own words,” notes Reed, who enjoys the lyrical flexibility to fashion stories that bring to mind Canada’s social past.
The group’s debut title, Old Country Store, is indicative of an historical perspective reflected in the majority of songs on the album.
“[The title is] about an old mom and pop store, and the changes these stores have gone through until today,” Reed says. “And the name of the album recalls a store full of history, which is what we’d like to evoke of ourselves.”
The band also takes on current issues, such as in Road to Kandahar, to approach contemporary Canadian history in an observational fashion.
The Mainlanders will release Old Country Store on Sept. 6, and anticipate taking a year to tour and promote the album. Eventually they would love to play in the locations referenced in their songs, as well as attend folk festivals across the country.
“We describe our live style as ‘come see us,’” Campbell laughs. “But ultimately if we see toes tapping and hands clapping, that makes it all worth it.”

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