Marni and Melissa

Like the hordes of musicians ornamenting this fine city of cultural richness, Marni and Melissa are getting "made" as we speak. No, they aren't going Canadian Idol on us, they're just going the same way lots of honest unsung musicians go. They're not signed on to a label and they still play gigs mostly for no money and that's okay, it's part of the process.

Marni Kellison and Melissa Drysdale's sound is best described as folk. Kellison's steady, emotive vocals coupled with Drysdale's tender and calculated harmonies make for a collaboration that make songs about heartbreak, loss and every life earnestly endearing and thoughtful. This aside, Kellison and Drysdale's comfort with each other is instantly evidenced with their pleasant repartee with each other. While discussing the integrity of folk music, Kellison interrupts Drysdale's schpiel facetiously blurting out, "you're so 'New Age,'" to which Drysdale cheerily responds, "I hate you."

"Folk is a lot more respected [than other genres], it's not like 'cock rock' ... folk music has a heavy concentration on lyrics," says Drysdale. Aside from the fun comraderie the two display as collaborators, Kellison and Drysdale are firm with how they see themselves within the realm of folk music. The duo want to be recognized for their musical work, nothing else.

Though they've made appearances on the "Dykes on Mykes" show on community radio, and performed for a special POP Montreal "women across genres" showcase as well as for an issue launch of treize, the local French lesbian magazine, the pair isn't interested in being associated with labels like "queer musicians" or "queer heartthrobs." With music corporations like Sony trying to commodify what they see as a sub-culture they can capitalize on by putting out a queer music label, the duo intend to protect their status as musicians, not queer musicians, just musicians.

"These labels pigeonhole [us]... it doesn't take as much to be a queer musician... [the idea that a label like the one Sony is developing] takes away from our music," says Drysdale. While the duo want their music to stand for itself, by no means to do they wish to shun out their queer supporters. It's just nice to know that their music can be accommodated by everyone, regardless of one's sexual orientation... folk music is for all folk.

Their upcoming gig at the Yellow Door, a 40 year-old venue in the McGill Ghetto will be testament to Kellison and Drydale's position in the Montreal folk music scene. The venue has hosted intimate concerts with great Canadian folks like Joni Mitchell, Rufus Wainwright, Gordon Lightfoot and Margaret Atwood.

While the duo has booked a few shows south of the border, they aren't looking for the glamour and glitz of superfame. Kellison confirms with "we know what kind of success we're looking for... we are not looking to be you know [insert pop stars name here]."

Marni and Melissa perform on Saturday, March 4 at the Yellow Door, 3625 Aylmer St. Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the door for $7.
- The Link- Lina Harper

Come see what all the fuss is about when queer Canadian hearthrobs Marni and Melissa bring their own blend of folk to the rocking LES.
- Go NYC Magazine