***Original published in South Mountain Press, February 1, 2019***
Logan McKillop Begins Western Canada Tour
Onanole musician Logan McKillop, accompanied by Winnipeg’s Sophie Stevens, recently began his latest Western Canada tour with a series of Westman shows including a packed house concert up in Onanole. In between gigs, Logan kindly spent some time with me to talk about his life, his music, and the pursuit of the great white buffalo.
From Logan’s press release, ‘In January/February 2019, Onanole, MB singer-songwriter Logan McKillop will be touring throughout Western Canada. He will be appearing on 21 stages across MB, SK, AB, and BC. Logan will be performing as a duo with accompaniment provided by Winnipeg pianist/guitarist/vocalist Sophie Stevens. Together, they will be introducing audiences to new songs from Logan’s upcoming album “Anchorless” (to be released on March 22nd, 2019).
Logan will be performing at a variety of venues including music festivals, cafes, community art spaces, lounges, and house concerts.’
This second album, which was funded with $10,000 raised through a Kickstarter campaign, follows Logan’s 20 song debut album “Prairie Sky” released in March 2013. A retro vinyl version of “Anchorless” along with CDs/download options will be offered to the public.
Logan performance style is a unique brand of melancholy, optimistic lyrics and soft guitar chords. His folksy crooning would be the perfect accompaniment for curling up by the fire on a brisk, winter evening while enjoying some quiet, self-reflection. Many of his songs dive deeply into the simple but complex stories of the everyday, ordinary people and places that he has encountered.
As Logan explains, “I base my songs on day to day life experiences and then share their stories. I also feel that as a songwriter, it is my duty to raise awareness on issues I feel that are important. Many of my songs are related to my personal experiences such as my mishaps with my first car or growing up in rural Manitoba. Some songs like ‘Gary’s Lament’ relate to people that I’ve met along all my travels. I find that my music appeals to a wide age range, teens to seniors.”
Hailing from an extremely musically inclined family, Logan was probably pre-destined to be a musician. His mother, Colleen, played in a Bluegrass band before concentrating on raising a family of four kids. His father, Cam, is described as an incredible musician. Logan has numerous aunts and uncles on both sides of the family with musical talent, including his Uncle Jim McKillop of Candle Lake, SK whom he will be touring with later in the spring. Then each of his siblings are active, talented singers, songwriters, and musicians. Even a couple of nieces are carrying on the family ‘business’ and actively playing and singing for audiences.
Logan’s musical path began shaping itself at a young age. He could have easily been a percussionist as his first instrument was the drums. Then a Christmas gift of a guitar helped him settle on his main form of musical expression. He has dabbled with the mandolin and banjo but he prefers the acoustic guitar. The works of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, the Irish Rovers, and Black Sabbath were his first few musical influences.
Over the years, Logan received the aid of numerous people who eventually helped him develop into a self-described ‘folk/roots singer-songwriter and storyteller’. In his own words, “From 2007 to 2010, I had my first taste of sharing my original songs when I was in a duo called the “Prairie Rovers” with local songwriter Troy Fleming (from Onanole). We recorded our first album in Troy’s Ditch Lake cabin.
Around the same time, my high school music teacher Tom Mathews introduced me to Martin Finnie and Jody Weger (the three of them were members of ‘The Farmers’). They were highly influential to me and showed me the ropes of what songwriting and playing in a band was all about. I ended up playing in several band configurations with Martin, Tom and Jody throughout the years (‘The Stray Arrows’ & ‘Old Bones Buffalo’).
I’ve played in several bands/accompanied several songwriters throughout the years (Sebastian Owl, The Micah Erenberg Band, The Route 10 Collective, Alana Levandoski, Carly Dow, Madeleine Roger, Brady Enslen, etc).”
Opening up more about his early years as a professional, touring musician, Logan described a life altering decision in October 2010 when singer/songwriter Alana Levandoski asked him to accompany her on a European tour. He had recently swapped vocational plans from Geology to the Jazz Guitar program at Brandon University. But he said yes to the tour, tossed his fate to the winds, had a great time, and decided ‘I want to do this!’
In due time, the budding, brash musician then boldly strode out on his first solo tour and ran head first into trouble in Sault Ste. Marie, ON. Logan is as much a storyteller as a singer and much of his show involves tales of his self-deprecating, humourous misadventures. Without spoiling the story of what happened in the Sault, it involves a wrong turn while searching for a Pizza Hut, U.S. border security, and a pocket full of weed. Then for good measure, his van got T-boned! Thankfully for his loyal fans, Logan did not listen to the deities and continued his singing career.
As for the rest of 2019, on the heels of this tour, Logan will off to the February Montreal Folk Alliance International Conference. Then he and his partner, contemporary folksinger Madeleine Roger, will do a Home Routes/Chemin Chez Nous Aurora Trail tour through Northern BC, Yukon, and North West Territories venues. Logan enjoys playing in Canada’s North and this will be his 4th time doing this tour. Later in the year, there are plans to tour Alberta and Eastern Canada. Plus the summer will be busy playing in various Folk Festivals.
For local fans, Logan will be back in the area for his favourite small town music festival, Kelwood’s Harvest Sun Music Fest held this summer on August 16 – 18. Meanwhile, you can keep track of this talented young man through his website at www.loganmckillop.com.
Blair is a personification of a ‘Jack of All Trades and Master of None’. He has held several careers and has all the T-shirts. Time to add the title Blogger to the list.