Canadian singer-songwriter Abby Zotz contemplates the stories an old house could tell in her second video release from her solo recording, Local Honey. Good Bones, another co-write with long-time collaborator and former Two Roads Home partner, Bryan Williston, has a warm folk-country feel and features her live band with videography and direction by Ryan Osman.
“The song was inspired by the home of our friend Marney Simmons, a charming and traditional dwelling in Mulgrave, Nova Scotia that overlooks the Strait of Canso and Cape Breton Island,” Abby explains. “My mother’s family is from Belmont NS, and hers was another fine old place. It was easy to let our imaginations roam through time and create snapshots of lives lived within these walls.”
Ryan’s careful attention to detail and the presence of the band create the deep fondness and humour found in real human connection and add depth to the message of the song: “that we stand alone, but within a larger community, and that our bones, like a home’s, must be lived in and loved if we’re to make any sense of this life.”
Join Abby for her very special album release concert for Local Honey at Kingston Road United Church, 975 Kingston Rd, Toronto, ON M4E 1T1 on Saturday, October 13, 2018 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3603396
PORT HOPE, ON – Abby Zotz is a singer-songwriter with a penchant for hope, happiness and honesty in a world that seems to be rapidly diminishing in all three. She’ll be bringing her sweet and saucy musical perspective, along with her fabulous band, to Headwaters Community Farm and Education Centre on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. “Headwaters is the perfect location for a soft launch of my new CD, Local Honey,” says Zotz, a resident of Port Hope. “We get to try out all of the new songs, feature some great covers and build on that brilliant sense of community and beauty that the farm offers in spades.”
Zotz has been writing songs and arranging music since her early years in Whitby and then Toronto. An award-winning singer and actor, she is perhaps best known as one-half of the folk pop duo, Two Roads Home, and still writes with long-time pal Bryan Williston. She’s also founder of a cappella trio The MadriGALS and a member of Strings Attached with beloved Wonderful Grand Band fiddler, Jamie Snider. With touches of Joni Mitchell, Sarah Harmer and Sarah McLachlan influencing her vocals and songwriting style, Abby cut her teeth singing everything from pop to folk to renaissance music and plays guitar, ukulele, bodhran and whistles. Her passion for musical variety and her search to find her own voice led her to record Local Honey, a collection of intimate yet relatable tunes infused with rich melody and touches of blues, gospel and folk that explores everything from mature love to struggling immigrant families and bad ass bullies.
Big Hope is a co-write between Canadian singer-songwriter Abby Zotz and her former Two Roads Home partner Bryan Williston. Inspired by the challenges of a refugee family struggling to re-unite in Canada, it was shot by musician and videographer Joel Saunders. The gorgeous setting in the Scarborough Bluffs area of Toronto reflects the optimism and joy the song is infused with.
“Local Honey is my first solo CD, after 25 years of intense collaboration with other songwriters, singers and choirs,” says Zotz, one-half of former folk-pop due Two Roads Home, and a choral director and song arranger. “The album has its edges for sure, but its main message is hope, happiness and honesty. I refuse to lose sight of these. So Big Hope was the logical choice for a first video.”
Abby had a blast filming this video. It’s been a few years since she’s been in front of a camera – she was an actor for many years as well as a musician, but music ended up paying the bills better – imagine that! However, it all came back to her easily and Joel’s editing has enriched the look and feel so much.
Big Hope is a co-write between Canadian singer-songwriter Abby Zotz and her former Two Roads Home partner Bryan Williston. Inspired by the challenges of a refugee family struggling to re-unite in Canada, it was shot by musician and videographer Joel Saunders. The gorgeous setting in the Scarborough Bluffs area of Toronto reflects the optimism and joy the song is infused with.
Abby had a blast filming this video. It’s been a few years since she’s been in front of a camera – she was an actor for many years as well as a musician, but music ended up paying the bills better – imagine that! However, it all came back to her easily and Joel’s editing has enriched the look and feel so much.
Join me in congratulating my client Abby Zotz on this beautiful piece of work. I don’t know about you, but these days I feel as if we need Big Hope more than ever.
New lyric video (premiered by online music publication Canadian Beats) for the first single “Been So Long”
Toronto, ON, July 17, 2017 – Toronto singer, songwriter, and actress Melanie Peterson launches her new EP ‘Two’ (about two sides of love) at The Artists’ Garden outdoor stage in Toronto (presented by AGC/Plein Air Garden Concerts).
‘Two’ (now available; official album release date, July 14, 2017) continues to embrace Peterson’s catchy folk-pop sound and love inspired lyrics. As with her prior records (2013’s first full-length album ‘Unbreakable’, 2014’s six-song cover EP ‘Read It On The Radio’, and second full-length ‘Anywhere From Here’ in 2016), it was produced by Mitch Girio (Emma-Lee, Tamara Williamson), and was recorded at Union Sound Company and Slow Cooker Studio, Toronto.
For the lead single/lyric video “Been So Long”, video motion graphics are by Andrey Sorokin (also worked with Lindi Ortega), who is based in Kirishi, Russia.
WHO: Melanie Peterson (guitar/lead vocal) as her trio, including Mitch Girio (guitar/backing vocals), Peter Collins (bass/backing vocals) – all of whom performed on the new EP.
WHERE: The Artists’ Garden, 345 Balliol Street, Toronto, ON, M4S 1E1
WHEN: Wednesday, July 26, 2017; Doors at 7:00 p.m., Melanie at 7:30 p.m.
ARTIST QUOTE: Melanie Peterson, who in 2016 received two FACTOR grants, states, “My new summer EP is about two sides of love. The, I can’t believe it, I’m falling in love side (#1, Been So Long) AND the now that the honeymoon is over, are we going to make it as a couple side (#2, Kiss Me Like You Mean It). My hope for the album release show is that folks enjoy the evening in the outdoor setting and they like the new songs!”
Peterson earned her spot within Toronto’s independent music scene when she was invited to host and perform her original songs in the monthly female singer-songwriter night called ‘Girls Girls Girls’ at the renowned Cameron House (September 2010 to December 2012) and in March 2012 when she initially showcased at Canadian Music Week. She was invited back to perform two showcases at CMW 2013 and in that same year she launched her first full-length album ‘Unbreakable’ in Toronto. Melanie followed that up with a triumphant 2013 NXNE showcase and a successful southern Ontario tour.
“Melanie Peterson is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter with a lovely lilting voice and strong songwriting chops.” ~ Kerry Doole, FYI Music News, 2016
“The songwriting is genuine and self-aware, and there is a positive tone even in the heartbreak.” ~ Cate McKim, Life With More Cowbell, 2016
“This is an artist who knows how to entertain an audience, playing three 45 minute sets to a packed house of admiring fans.” ~ Frank Mcfadden, Snapd Beach/Danforth
“…we have very much enjoyed playing a variety of tracks from ‘Unbreakable’, and my Saturday morning listeners have been quick to let us know they enjoy what Melanie does!” ~ Monica Winfield, host, BBC Radio Leicester, 2013
“A melodically enchanting songwriter and musically adept guitarist, she has the crowd eating out of her hand. I’d call her music smooth pop as it is as inviting as it is sweet.” ~Gary 17, Toronto Moon Magazine
“…check out Melanie Peterson, a terrific singer and songwriter. She sounds just as good live as she does on her album. She has a beautiful voice.” ~ Joe Warmington, Toronto Sun, 2011
“I can hear the Joni Mitchell influence in her voice, but there is a significant difference —Joni’s voice is cool, introverted and detached, whereas Melanie’s is warmth personified.” ~ Altrockchick.com
UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
August 5 – Bancroft, ON at Millennium Park, Bancroft Art & Craft Guild Summer Show and Sale
August 18 – Ottawa, ON at Avant-Garde Bar
ABOUT:
Blessed with a voice reminiscent of an early Joni Mitchell, and an ability to imbue her vocals with palpable and authentic emotion, Saskatoon born, Toronto based singer-songwriter and actress Melanie Peterson has become one of the brightest lights on the Toronto music scene. Previously, she has released a five-song EP called ‘After the Fall’ (2010), her first full-length album ‘Unbreakable’ (2013), a six-song cover EP titled ‘Read It On The Radio’ (2014), her second full-length album ‘Anywhere From Here’ (2016), a holiday single “Santa’s Sleigh” (2016), a single “Sunshine” (2017) and most recently, her newest EP ‘Two’ (July 14, 2017).
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For media info, CDs, digital albums, photos and interviews please contact:
Laurie Lockhart
GET THE MESSAGE Publicity
Tel: 416-988-2530 / Email: publicity@getthemessagepr.ca
Facebook.com/GETTHEMESSAGEpublicity / Twitter.com/getthemessagepr getthemessagepr.ca
For more artist information please visit: melaniepeterson.ca
Facebook.com/misswatermeloni
Twitter.com/MissWatermeloni
YouTube.com/user/mellysings
Soundcloud.com/melanie-peterson
