Originally published on July 21, 2019
While better known as an environmentalist and one of the co-founders of Greenpeace, some of Rex’s earliest memories involve singing. “Being with a group of people and making music together is one of the most intense forms of communication I’ve ever experienced.” In this morning’s interview we get to hear a little of the music in Rex Weyler’s life.
Continue reading The Music In Rex Weyler’s Life
Originally published Jun 26, 2024
The audio version of this opens with a short clip of Jemma Hicken singiing ‘Skim Milk.’ I was hoping it would be a new version, with her and Robbie Bankes singing together, but it looks like the only place to hear that will be in Mansons Hall at 7:00 on Tuesday July 2, 2024. Jemma and Robbie are just finishing a month long tour of Alberta and BC. They were about to play at Campbell River’s Spirit Square when Cortes Currents reached them yesterday. They will be on Read Island today.
Cortes Currents: How long have you been playing together?
Jemma Hicken: “We had one show together last November. Then we’ve just had our tour, so mostly since May 30th.”
Continue reading Jemma Hicken and Robbie Banks tour: Coming Back To Cortes
Originally Published May 28, 2024
Dave Blinzinger has toured Canada, the United States and Europe but, by choice, primarily plays his saxophone at local venues.
“I’m from St. Louis, Missouri. My father had moved up to Cortes Island in the 70s. I lived there from 88 to 1990. At that time, well, there wasn’t very much happening on Cortes. You could go up to the Cortes Cafe on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, hang out with the fishermen and that was about it. So I moved to Quadra in 1990, basically to get a job,” he explained.
Continue reading Dave Blinzinger: The Art, The Islands And Making A LivingOriginally published August 29, 2019
Her first performance was as a little girl at Linnaea School on Cortes Island. She was 21, when she produced her first CD. Since then, she has become one of the area’s better known artists. She is living on Mayne Island now, but her mother, Naomi Hayter, still lives on Cortes Island. That is where Sachika Kosky talked about, “the things I cherish.”
Continue reading Sachika, The Things I Cherish
Originally Published July 9, 2019
According to the description on their website, the McKentys saga starts sounds on a steep snowy mountainside in the backwoods of British Columbia. Robert and Elizabeth had a small cabin, “many children of various sizes, a wood stove, a small battery-powered stereo system that sometimes worked, a mandolin, and several fiddles.” By the time they moved to Cortes, the Merry McKenty were on their way towards becoming a band.
Continue reading The Merry McKentys Return Home On Tour
