Puzzleroot

Puzzleroot

The fact that fans and critics alike struggle to accurately pigeonhole Vancouver Island’s fascinating PUZZLEROOT is evidence enough that the duo is creating something genuinely fresh within the broad church that is contemporary folk music. Elements of country, bluegrass and ‘freak folk’ colour PUZZLEROOT’s sonic palette, but when bundled with a pop sensibility, punk rock ethics and leftfield approach to lyrical content, it is little wonder the band eludes convenient categorization. Indeed, Marian van der Zon (vocals, banjo, slide guitar) and husband Gary Eugene (vocals, acoustic guitar) summoned the band name in acknowledgement of the puzzling nature of their take on roots music.

Dark and humorous, playful and political, PUZZLEROOT’s original material covers a lot of ground. With a foundation of Eugene’s expert picking, van der Zon’s banjo – often played with slide – lead vocal from either, and the uncanny harmonies one would expect of partners in life and art, the songs on ‘Farewell to Gerald Fitzella’ (2009) and ‘Square Pie’ (2012) both charm and intrigue. Delivered as directly or obliquely as PUZZLEROOT’s muse guides them, their lyrical subject matter includes birthdays, ghosts, ants, the afterlife, corporate retail giants, US foreign policy, and that ole devil called love.

Formerly known as GERALD FITZELLA (2007-2009: hence the debut CD’s title), this Cowichan Valley couple draws on a wide range of personal and musical influences when crafting their sound. This is well illustrated in the choice of covers on PUZZLEROOT’s two CDs and in live performance. David Bowie, Gillian Welch, Melissa McClelland and (particularly) Pixies classics are all reinterpreted in Eugene and van der Zon’s idiosyncratic style.

Drawing comparisons with the ilk of The Handsome Family, Colorblind James Experience, Blanche and The Civil Wars, PUZZLEROOT’s music is steeped in, and the natural summation of, the duo’s individual musical histories. Eugene has performed in rock, punk, country and folk bands for over two decades, whereas van der Zon’s background and continuing involvement in sound art goes some way to explain her self-taught, experimental approach to playing the banjo. Although PUZZLEROOT is essentially Eugene and van der Zon, they have performed and recorded with other musicians, most notably with Shelley Brown (upright bass, harmony vocals) and latterly, John Thomas (percussion). But whether as a duo, trio or full-blown folk orchestra, PUZZLEROOT is as happy playing an intimate house concert as a festival stage, and looks forward to every opportunity to do so.

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Gary Eugene (vocals, acoustic guitar) is PUZZLEROOT’s principal songwriter. With twenty years of developing his craft in Victoria punk bands Mickey Christ and The Remanes, rock band 96 Tears, alt. country outfit The Hardluck Angels and various folk acts, his wide-ranging experience is reflected in stunningly original, world-wise material. Questioning life’s mysteries, oddities and injustices, as well as ruminating on universal emotions and concerns, Eugene writes with wit, insight and melodic dynamism to produce extraordinary songs inhabiting a musical and lyrical world all their own. An accomplished and powerful guitarist with a complementary vocal range, Eugene is a unique songwriter and musician, widely respected in Vancouver Island roots music circles.

Marian van der Zon (banjo, slide guitar, vocals) would probably baulk at the suggestion that she is a polymath, but as a musician, singer, songwriter, sound artist, published author, book editor, pirate radio activist, community radio programmer and university lecturer, it is unquestionably accurate. Her improvised vocal and instrument work can be found in multi-media project, Meridian. Whether delicately plucked or played with slide, van der Zon’s self-taught banjo technique is reminiscent of 1920s and 1930s blues pioneers, contributing a nostalgic rusticity to the PUZZLEROOT sonic identity. Her vocals are soft, yet powerful, haunting and expressive, and when harmonizing with PUZZLEROOT partner and husband, Gary Eugene, one could hardly squeeze a cigarette paper between them.

Shelley Brown (upright bass, vocals) is a strong and versatile player, well known across Vancouver Island. She has played with numerous bands including, David Essig and Rick Scott, Tuber, Skellig, The Flying Accusations, and Wise Acre. She has joined many more bands in the recording studio, and is an absolute pleasure to have on board. She gives Puzzleroot the third harmony and keeps things grounded.