bluessmyth

Artist Information

Biography

bluessmyth: A forging of two or more elements to create music for thought.

bluessmyth combines the words "blues" and "smyth" (or smith) as the forging and fusion of their roots in blues music with some heavy, metallic overtones and gospel & soul influences. bluessmyth is a thinking man's rock band. Their lyrical content covers the gamut of the human experience.

In early 2009, bluessmyth released "Sola Gratia" which they toured across Canada from British Columbia to Ontario. With two other successful albums under their belt, this new, riveting and introspective recording from the Canadian trio includes powerful tracks written about Hurricane Katrina and deep human experiences such as reaching out in despair, soul searching, and finding redemption.

The dynamic of bluessmyth has evolved with the addition of drummer Celene Yohemas in 2008. Seamlessly matched with the solid, definitive bass lines of Jason Yaholkoski, and supporting soulful singer and guitarist Chris Yaholkoski, this new chemistry is a recipe for international success.

In Chris' words: “ in many ways, bluessmyth is about making joy out of pain, good out of bad, rising above.”

www.bluessmyth.com

For Media Inquiries contact Rob Wozny: Rob@soundstrategy.ca

Instrumentation

Chris Yaholkoski - Lead guitar, Harmonica, Lead vocals
Jason Yaholkoski - Bass, Backing vocals
Celene Yohemas - Drums, Percussion, Backing vocals

Discography

"Sola Gratia" (Released 2009)

"Sola Gratia" explores different styles including a fusion of Latin and rock in "Snake in the Satellite", while paying homage to their soulful blues roots in "Walk in My Shoes". With a rock and blues slide guitar fusion in "Down on My Luck", followed by a beautiful ballad about drug abuse in "Rosemary's blues", this album covers the gamut of the human experience.

Down on my Luck
Snake in the Satellite
Rosemary's blues
Somewhere to End
Live it Over
9th Ward
Black Woman God
Walk in my shoes

The CD is available online at www.indiepool.com/BSMYTH01
Download from itunes:
http://www.apple.com/ca/search/ipoditunes/?q=sola+gratia


"bluessmyth" (Released 2006)

Their second and self-titled album "bluessmyth" is like a lesson in the history and evolution of blues music. Mixed with strong elements of rock and soul, the hard hitting track "Rollin' Penny" is contrasted with the Delta blues-like "Innocence Bound" which is the introduction to the Emmett Till trilogy, rounded off by the slow blues track "bluessmyth". With more contemporary rock tracks like "Bring it On" and "Love for Free", this album has it all.

The Duel
Rollin' penny
Bring It On
Innocence Bound
Run For Your Life
The Phoenix
Take the Road
Mean Mean Woman
bluessmyth

The CD is available online at www.indiepool.com/BSMYTH01
Available at all HMV
Available at Cold Rawk Records - www.coldrawkrecords.ca

"30 Pieces of Silver" (Released 2004)

Their debut CD "30 Pieces of Silver" is a contemporary album of classic blues soaked rock. Deep, soulful, jam-based arrangements, chilling harmonies and telepathic musicianship make for a raw and uplifting CD.

Blindboy
Breathe
Found
Lakebird
Love for Free
Rivers
Rainbows
On the Ground
We the People

The CD is now available at CD Baby.
www.cdbaby/bluessmyth.com

Official Website

http://www.bluessmyth.com

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Rosemary's blues
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• Down on my Luck
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• Rollin' Penny
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• Run for Your Life
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• 9th Ward
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• take the Road
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• Blindboy
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• bluessmyth
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• Rainbow
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Lyrics

• Run for Your Life
• Rollin' Penny
• Blindboy
• Rainbow
• Rosemary's blues

Video

Breathe - Live Kimberley 2010

Photo Gallery

Press

• BLUESSMYTH Sola Gratia [+ Show ]
  

  That’s Bluessmyth, not blacksmith, despite their self description as a “symbolic forging and fusion ...That’s Bluessmyth, not blacksmith, despite their self description as a “symbolic forging and fusion of the roots of Blues music with heavy, metallic overtones.” Quite heavy, but this is a very handsome Canadian-three piece – indeed, some of their PR shots could equally be for a city ad agency. Let’s say there have been uglier rock bands, but that’s being flippant - they can’t help their chiselled good looks (and in the case of drummer Celene Yohemas, statuesque resplendence).
  
  Forget the style; look at the substance, because they sound much dirtier than they look, with some of Chris Yaholkoski’s
  dishevelled guitar licks really igniting this consistently strong third album. It all opens up with the unyielding‘Down On My Luck’, which instantly shows you that Yaholkoski has a robust, grimy Blues vocal which many in the business would kill for – a revved up Paul Weller.
  
  The rhythm section of Jason Yaholkoski and Yohemas is tight, and a perfect compliment. By the time we get to show
  stealer ‘Rosemary’s Blues’, their credentials are safely established. There are some cracking harmonicas, and even a
  Hammond organ in there to add to the depth and balance. The only black mark is that there are only eight tracks, although they are eight corkers. So, not just pretty faces.
  
  BLUES MATTERS

• Bluessmyth brings in 2010 at the Texas Gate [+ Show ]
  

  Every so often, a band shows up to play in Cochrane with something to say that lingers even after th...Every so often, a band shows up to play in Cochrane with something to say that lingers even after the third set of the night — when there’s hardly a sober audience member left in the room.
  
  Bluessmyth is that type of band, and they are coming to the Texas Gate Dec. 31 to Jan. 2.
  
  They are a rockin’ blues trio who has spent the last year hitting the Canadian highways in search of new venues and fans while promoting their third skillfully compiled CD, Sola Gratia.
  
  Each song on Sola Gratia delivers a message, or even a warning in some instances, that has a worldly connotation.
  They are indicative of modern sociological issues that face all types of people in today’s world, such as a drug addiction and the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina.
  
  The band just completed their fall tour with recent dates in Winnipeg, Hamilton and Ottawa.
  
  The tour was a successful mish-mash of gigs, television appearances, radio play, live recording for CIUT radio in Toronto and a school show performance for over 400 kids in Wynyard, Sask.
  
  bluessmyth
  
  “We have definitely begun the journey of creating a show with a message, finding ourselves and what we want to develop [as artists],” said Celene Yohemas, drummer and backing vocalist for bluessymth.
  
  “It’s great to find purpose, and yes, we’re thinking about our next album creation.”
  
  Yohemas is the newest addition to bluessmyth, adding her funky, soulful groove to the band in 2008.
  
  The brothers, Jason Yaholkoski (bass and backing vocals) and Chris Yaholkoski (lead guitar and vocalist) attracted Yohemas to join them with their rock, blues, gospel fusion — a strong Stevie Ray Vaughan influence with capable storywriting abilities.
  
  Not to mention the band’s previous success with their two preceding albums: 30 Pieces of Silver and self-titled bluessmyth.
  
  The band members have combined creative forces to work on writing songs that appeal to a wide demographic of listeners.
  
  “Drummers tend to be drifters,” explains Yohemas, who feels her place in bluessmyth as an artist goes beyond her ability to hit the skins with precision and skill, and into her talents as a contributor in writing and arranging music.
  
  Bluessmyth will be coming back out to Cochrane to play New Years Eve — Dec. 31 to Jan. 2 — at the Texas Gate.
  
  “The stage at the Gate is great,” said Yohemas, who is looking forward to returning to The Gate and spending New Years Eve out in Cochrane. “It’s one of the few venues that is actually a true music venue – with great sight lines from everywhere in the room.”
  
  Expect to not only hear bluessmyth’s original music, but familiar favorites from classic blues and rock artists. It is these artists who have helped shape bluessmyth’s soulful, bluesy, groovy sound into what it is today.
  
  Artists they look up to include the Allman Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Healey, John Lee Hooker, the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Muddy Waters and Jimi Hendrix.
  
  It’s not entirely blues and not all-the-way rock — but it’s something in between and works just right.
  
  For more information on bluessmyth, or to purchase their music, visit their website at www.bluessmyth.com.

• bluessmyth "bluessmyth" [+ Show ]
  

  The Opening Act to Bluessmyth's Newest Self Titled CD is the most unique I heard on any CD or Album....The Opening Act to Bluessmyth's Newest Self Titled CD is the most unique I heard on any CD or Album. Titled, The Duel, you can just imagine yourself at a Concert with the lights turned low and the Smoke rising from the Stage.
  After 52 seconds of The Duel between a Gritty Blues Guitar
  and a set of Power Drums, Bluessmyth sinks it's teeth in. 
  
  From it's first real non-instrumental, Rollin Penny, you would think you were listening to ZZ Top. After listening to the Vocals, you could of easily been fooled intobelieving Rollin Penny was a New ZZ Top release. 
  
  Track 3, Bring it On, is familiar in sound to something I heard in
  the past, but I just can't nail down a specific band it sounds like, other then I do get hints of Uriah Heep
  near the end with the organ.
  
  After blowing us away with 2 great power songs, Bluessmyth then begins a Trilogy called, The Story of Emmett Till. Part 1, called
  Innocence Bound, is a nice 3 Minute Acoustical offering which rolls gracefully into Part 2, and my favorite song of the CD,  Run For Your Life. Again we are reminded of ZZ Top with a nice Harmonica thrown in. Part 3, The Phoenix, is Instrumental, with the Power Drums, Guitars, and Harmonica, all taking their turns to shine.
  
  The next offering, Take The Road, slows it down a bit and gives us
  a beautiful melody in the stylings of the Allman Brothers.
  
  Bluessmyth finishes off their CD in style, with a fast paced Mean Mean Woman, and then for over 9 minutes they take you on a wonderful Bluesy Stevie Ray Vaughn Style Journey with their self titled song, Bluessmyth, that not only solidifies
  your appreciation of this band, but also leaves you with a lingering
  feeling of WOW.
  
  For those of you whom are fans of good hard driving ZZ Top
  style rocky blues mixed in with a little Stevie Ray Vaughn, you are
  going to love this latest offering from Bluessmyth.
  
  I give this CD, my highest rating, Five ***** Thoroughly enjoyed it... 

• Intense Tunes from Calgary Blues Trio [+ Show ]
  

  Calgary's bluessmyth is launching a disc packed with the creative wizardry that makes the trio such...Calgary's bluessmyth is launching a disc packed with the creative
  wizardry that makes the trio such an outstabding musical force.
  They play the Vat May 19, 20.
  
  The disc is heavier and in some ways more thoughtful than our
  first disc, 30 Pieces Of Silver, explains Chris Yaholkoski, lead
  guitarist, and singer for the band. Rounding out the band is
  Calvin Becker (drums/keyboards/back-up vocals), and
  Jason Yaholkoski (bass/back-up vocals). The tunes, masterully produced in the space of just two
  weeks, tap into themes from choosing between good and
  evil, and finding your place in the world, to the mysteries of life and death.
  
  The guys of bluessmyth are masters at melding thoughtful, clever, insightful and at times spiritually rich lyrics with powerful, urgent tunes to match. This new project reflects
  that flourishing skill all the more - everything simply
  fits together in sophisticated, slick production, without
  losing the energized, 'live -off-the-floor' feel. Taking
  it to the fans marks the high point in an inspiring creative
  process that never loses its appeal, he adds. It may be the
  one moment in my life when I totally give myself without
  being guarded, says Chris. There're moments when we
  play and we can be completly free.
  
  The project kicks off beautifully, with the aptly titled song,
  THE DUEL, a riveting back-and-forth showdown between
  guitar and drums, that flows into the lively, finely crafted
  fury of ROLLIN' PENNY and BRING IT ON.
  Then we come to a poignant set of tunes that truly sets
  the disc apart. Chris is perhaps most proud of THE STORY OF EMMETT TILL, a trilogy of tunes about a 14-year-old African American boy, brutally beaten, mutilated and murdered in Mississippi in
  1955, for whistling at a white woman. Two men were
  tried for the crime, but found not guilty by an all-white jury.
  Through the music, we tried to capture the emotions of what
  he was feeling, explains Chris.
  The trilogy opens with the breezy, engaging instrumental
  INNOCENCE BOUND, painting a picture of a youthful, carefree Emmett. Things turn darker in
  the driving RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, as the sensibilities point
  to the youngster trying to escape his attackers. Rounding out the
  trilogy is THE PHOENIX - a brisk, hopeful tune that points
  to the ultimate influence Emmett had, helping spark the
  outrage that would fuel the Civil Rights Movement. Chris knew it was a story the band had to put to music. It's something I find a lot of people don't know about, but
  are very interested in, he adds. It's something I wanted
  to talk about.
  
  The moniker BLUESSMYTH is based on a good-luck myth, of a blacksmith so accomplished in his trade that
  the devil pays him a visit. Showing up as a goat, he asks
  the blacksmith to make him some shoes for his hoofs. The final product is a tad tight - giving constant pain
  to the devil. They also serve as a reminder to the evil one to steer clear.
  
  The disc's final cut, entitled BLUESSMYTH, tells the intriguing tale against a smoky, compelling musical
  backdrop. A superb vocalist, Chris again sounds terrific as the piece unfolds; he easily nails every nuance of emotion the song demands. The message, or the tune, fits with what the band essentially wants to be about. As Becker says, In many ways, bluessmyth is about making joy out of pain, good out of bad, rising above - to us, it's also
  like a good-luck myth. Pick up a copy of bluessmyth at Records to the Rafters or HMV.
  

• bluessmyth - blues that rocks [+ Show ]
  

  Canada’s answer to ZZ Top has arrived. They are a raw and energy fill trio called Bluessmyth. This k...Canada’s answer to ZZ Top has arrived. They are a raw and energy fill trio called Bluessmyth. This killer blues rockin’ trio is the Yaholkoski brothers, Chris and Jason, and
  Calvin Becker. Chris leads the way with his beefy lead guitar chops, a deep voice (that sound like Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top) that snarls. Jason sings backup vocals and thumps away on bass laying down a bottom end for the other half
  of the rhythm section, Becker, who also plays drums, keyboards, and provides backing vocals.
  
  The band likes to call it blues metal and I can relate to that in some ways but when it’s all said and done its blues-rock.
  
  Rocking blues comes out sounding its very best this way and it’s all because there are no complications with the song structures, they crank
  it out with passion and fire to make it feel real. On the lyrical side, it gets a little heavy and complex with the three-part track “The Story of
  Emmett Till,” which is true story about a young man, brutally murdered because he was black.
  The music is naturally highly charged and emotional and brings to light the sadness and harsh realities of racism.
  
  The cover depicts a powerful man (the character’s name is Henry) shaping and molding his weapon, which falls right in line with the way this band plays and develops each of the tracks on this CD. They do
  it with a lot of muscle and sweat and make it into something that works both musically and lyrically, which is what it’s all about when you record an album.
  
  I see where this CD would have equal appeal with rock and blues fans. Yes, very potent stuff here-you have to hear it to feel it, believe it, and come to know it as if you
  were part of the story. It worked well for me and I really had a good time rockin’ out and feeling the blues
  with this recording.

• Building Rock and Soul on a blues foundation [+ Show ]
  

  Few can fuse the searing nuances of rock, blues and soul like Calgary - based trio bluessmyth. Th...Few can fuse the searing nuances of rock, blues and soul like Calgary - based trio bluessmyth.
  
  They play the Arlington Jan 7-8.
  Guitarist/lead vocalist Chris Yaholkoski, bassist Jason Yaholkoski and drummer Calvin Becker have been collaborating since 2000.
  
  Their latest disc, 30 Pieces Of Silver is a terrific journey into a range of genres; it resonates with a bold devotion to carving out a compelling niche rare in an age of manufactured pop.
  "People will seek out quality - It's just about getting through everything else,"explains Chris of the struggle to be heard in a fickle, enormously profit-driven industry.
  But these guys have something rich and authentic to offer.
  The bands cohesiveness is obvious, and if any one member dropped out it would be impossible to duplicate the magic.
  "I think I would just be done, because the chemistry we have is so intense."
  Style wise, the diversity of Pieces is striking, from the intensity of Blindboy to the sophisticated sultry heat of Rainbow.
  Other standouts include the infectious Breathe and Found - the inspiring, brisk rocker which rounds out the disc.
  As the disc took shape, there were no strict categorizations to squeeze into.
  "We don't like to label the type of music we play," he says. 'We play music that moves our audience, and it comes from our soul.
  "We do have that rock - solid foundation of the blues - but the other elements came along as we recorded it.
  "Each song took on a life of it's own. And we tried to re-create a live off the floor feel."
  Bluessmyth's songs speak of the lonliness of navigating through an alienating world, with images of restleness and personal crossroads woven throughout the entire disc.
  "The band has always played in the spirit in which it was founded," explains Becker.
  "We try not to look past the beauty of the music."
  The disc's name alludes to perhaps the most well known betrayal in history (Jesus' betrayal by Judas) and it captures those sensibilities.
  "It's symbolic as the ultimate betrayal in our western way of thinking, so we thought that was a good symbol for our album as moat of the songs on it are about betayal and redemption."
  Name aside, it's the music that speaks to the heart of what the group is about. There's no need to mix in more commercial-friendly sensibilities either. The band's following is growing, and that initial vision for what they want to accomplish is firm, says Chris.
  "It's an indescribable passion the three of us have to play together, and make this music."

• Am I Blue [+ Show ]
  

  While Vince Gill and Amy Grant will be in the spotlight saturday at the Enmax centre, the best band ...While Vince Gill and Amy Grant will be in the spotlight saturday at the Enmax centre, the best band Lethbridge audiences haven't heard before may be the talk of the town after a friday show at the Soundgarden 21 club.
  
  The show starts at 9:00 p.m.
  Bluessmyth is a Calgary based trio that has just released an outstanding first album, 30 Pieces Of Silver, drummer Calvin Becker tells me that the disc is available at the A&B Sound outlet across from the Keg.
  
  Bluessmyth was formed by Becker, of Calgary, and transplanted Winnipeg brothers Chris and Jason Yaholkoski.
  Chris is the band's lead vocalist and he also plays guitar and harmonica. Jason plays bass while Becker also handles keyboards and percussion duties.
  Chris has a voice made for the blues. It's got a ragged, deep tone which seems to have it's origins in the Mississippi delta rather then the western prairies. He's an accomplished guitarist who took up the instrument at the tender age of eight and added harmonica to his repertoire at 11. Jason, two years Chris's junior, took up the bass at 11. The two were drawn to the blues in their youth and later got inspirations from the blues/rock bands of the 1960s and 70s.
  
  Becker started out on piano and started drumming when he was 12. His interest in music was sparked by the sounds of Benny Goodman and the Count Basie Orchestra. After discovering the joys of Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers and Black Sabbath, Becker started playing in bands when he was 15.
  The elder Yaholkoski moved to Calgary when he was 19 to attend Mount Royal Collage. Jason joined him in Cowtown after his Winnipeg folded.
  The two met Becker in the summer of 2000 at a jam session and they connected immediately. For the first couple of years together they played mostly in Calgary bars and pubs. In 2002, they started recording 30 Pieces Of Silver but put the project on hold to tour. They finally finished the album in Vancouver earlier this year.
  
  "Calvin is one of the best drummers I've ever played with. I've never played with anyone with that kind of electricity." said Chris Y. this week.
  "There were a couple of points where we had the finished product in our hand but we went back into the studio to redo it and make it the best we could. It was well worth the effort," he added.
  He's not kidding. The nine tracks on the album-all penned by Chris Y.-exhibit top-notch musicality, musicianship and songwriting. The music is blues with tints of rock and gospel adding colour to the sound.
  
  The band is planning a tour for this fall which will take them across Alberta, Saskatchwan and Manitoba, where they'll play in front of a hometown audience in Winnipeg.
  
  "Winnipeg is a great community. It still has a great music scene." said Chris Y. who has played with the Watchmen and the son of Bachman Turner Overdrive co-founder Fred Truner.
  The band was disappointed an earlier gig fell through but still is trying to connect with local audiences. Chris Y was here earlier this week meeting with nightclub owners and will be back on Saturday.
  Bluessmyth's new disc will be featured Saturday 5 p.m. on thr Bill Roberts Blues show on the Uof L radio station, CKXU (88.3FM).

Setlist

bluessmyth has a wide range of original and cover music in their repertoire. With a stage show that flows from one song into the next, the band's chemistry will be sure to entertain while their virtuosity will please even the most fine tuned musical ear.

bluessmyth has a cataloge of 50 cover songs covering blues, rock, Gopel, R&B, and even a little country.

Sets can be 45 minutes, 1 hour or 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Set 1
Rollin' Penny - bluessmyth
Crossroads - Cream
Lakebird - bluessmyth
Torn Down - Eric Clapton
bluessmyth - bluessmyth
Whipping Post - The Allman Brothers Band
Breathe - bluessmyth
Take the Road - bluessmyth
Wall of Denial - Stevie Ray Vaughan

Set 2
Cold Shot - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Blindboy - bluessmyth
Walk in My Shoes - bluessmyth
Snake in the Satellite - bluessmyth
Trilogy of Emmett Till: 1) Innocence Bound 2) Run For your Life 3) The Phoenix
Rosemary's Blues - bluessmyth
Traveling Riverside Blues - Robert Johnson/Led Zeppelin
My Little Girl - Jeff Healy

Set 3
Couldn't Stand the Weather - Stevie Ray Vaughan
Rivers We Ride - bluessmyth
Love for Free - bluessmyth
Save His Soul - Blues Traveler
See the Light - Jeff Healy
Bring it On - bluessmyth
9th Ward - bluessmyth
Voodoo Chile-Jimi Hendrix

Other Covers:
Wind Cries Mary - Jimi Hendrix
Machine Gun - Jimi Hendrix
Leave my Little Girl Alone - Buddy Guy
Look over Yonder’s Wall - Paul Butterfield Band
Rollin’ and Tumblin’- Muddy Waters
Don’t Let the Green Grass Fool Ya- Wilson Pickett
Bluebird - John Lee Hooker
Born In Chicago - Paul Butterfield Blues Band
If Trouble was Money - Albert Collins
The Seventh Son - Willie Dixion
Dust my Broom - Elmore James
There Stands the Glass - Ted Hawkins
Me and the Devil Blues - Rober Johnson
Love in Vain - Robert Johnson
Your so Fine - Otis Rush

Basic Requirements

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