Mary-Grace Koile

How many bios have y'all read before?
A bunch, I bet, so you know the score:
this sorta blurb (though they don't all rhyme)
is kinda ubiquitous, most of the time.
In which are extolled many virtues therein
of one certain band and a particular musician.

Now I could stick to the stereotype and rhapsodize
about a life begun 'neath rural Nova Scotia skies
and go on about a childhood steeped in song
I could write all that - it wouldn't be wrong.
But the most important fact you need to know:
who are these folks that put on such a great show?

Mary-Grace Koile sings from the heart.
Cliched? You bet, but whole truth, not part.
Here's another pack of honesty that you'll like -
introducing the boys - Mark, Phil and Mike.
The Beatmaster, Vibemaster, Mixmaster trine:
three very talented gents - and all super-fine

They play songs of love of faith
of truth of pain of beauty ...
eliciting simultaneous desires
to think deep and shake one's booty.
Their music is well-traveled and spiritually sound,
occasionally transcendent, and frequently profound.
If you want to know more, and wonder where to begin
check out some songs, and like MG sings ... "Breathe In"

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Mary-Grace Koile has accomplished much in her 21 years, emerging from an upbringing steeped in music, both personally and scholastically. Her arrival in Halifax resulted in immediate involvement in the local music scene, both as a solo performer as well as lending her talents to groups such as Benn Ross’ Fabulous Band, Andru Brach and Halfway Tree, and Ryan MacGrath’s Harlow/Missing City Starlight. Since releasing her debut ep Labour Of Love to a packed and enthusiastic crowd, Mary-Grace Koile continues to be one very busy musician. She performed two shows at the 2008 Dead of Winter Festival and was recorded and featured on CBC radio. She has appeared at three successive Nova Scotia Music Weeks (in 2006 with Joyce Saunders, and in 2007 with Anew Airship). The 2008 edition took place in her hometown of New Glasgow where Mary-Grace participated as an award nominee (Inspirational Album of the year for Labour of Love), showcase performer, backup vocalist, and member of one of the weeks’ “no-case” sensations The Ukeladies.

Mary-Grace collaborates with many of Nova Scotia’s most talented musicians and performers (including David Myles, Christina Martin, as well as Ryan MacGrath and Andru Branch, who both feature her vocals on their newest releases). Additionally, along with Selah Koile and Katharine Langille, she has been garnering much attention with the unique and beautiful ukulele reggae love of The Ukeladies, who will soon release their debut demo. Mary-Grace also included several talented friends for the recording of her second album, Your/Self, as well as at the release concert at the Music Room, which was at capacity despite a storm, and featured members of a community choir organized by Mary-Grace.

Community is a significant part of her life and her work as a musician reflects that, through the decision to perform at shows that support positive causes locally and internationally, as well as occasionally sharing her technical sound expertise. Appearing frequently at such fundraisers as SEED, the North End Coffeehouse, Chocolatada, and Musicians For Farmers, she also organized and performed at Just Us for numerous matinees and open mics.

Mary-Grace continues to work with her band (comprised of Mike Ritchie, Phil Mackenzie, and Mark Bachynski – all local musicians of note themselves) and the four of them have collaborated on the arranging, recording, and production of two albums.

Her first album, Labour of Love, completely sold out its initial pressing of 300 copies and is still being requested by appreciative fans. Mary-Grace’s limited edition release of Your/Self quickly sold out and there is high demand for more.

Though she has not been part of Halifax’s music community for that long, Mary-Grace Koile has made a lasting impression and proved herself indispensable with a number of talented artists, as well as showcasing her abilities performing on her own or with her band. Mary-Grace is as and adept and captivating whether she is singing backup, mixing heavenly harmonies with the Ukeladies, sharing an acoustic solo set, or commanding the stage with a full band behind her.

Mary-Grace Koile: http://www.myspace.com/marygracekoile

Mark Bachynski & Mike Ritchie
http://www.nightowlsproductions.com
902-401-4944

for booking contact: nightowls@gmail.com