Merchants of Solace
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Merchants of Solace

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Band Alternative Funk

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"'merchant' of Solace interview"

They're funky and they want their audience to dance.

Local band Merchant of Solace has been playing in Sudbury for about seven years. Over the years, they have changed members, but now, they hope to get settled, record an album and tour the country. The band performs every Wednesday at Little Montreal.

To listen to their song, "In My Skin," visit www.thesudburystar.com. The Sudbury Star interviewed guitarist, conga player and singer Marcel Gauthier this week.

On your MySpace page, it says there are 16 members in the band ... That's not your typical local band.

Gauthier: The band started in Sudbury in 2001 and basically, what we decided to do was leave all the names on there (people have joined and left the band throughout the years). There are only four members now. I had to move a few times ... life gets in the way ...

How do you describe your sound?

Gauthier: Funk, rock, jam band type music ...

Who are some of your influences?

Gauthier: Everything from '70s rock to Metallica to Grand Funk Railroad ... everything I've ever heard - hip-hop, funk - everything. Some other influences include Dave Matthews, Tool, Ben Harper, Bill Evans, Pocket Dwellers and Led Zeppelin.

What are some venues the band performs at?

Gauthier: We perform at Little Montreal every Wednesday. We're taking a two-week hiatus because of work. We'll be starting again on the 11th. We would like a lot of people to come out that time.

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Have you released any albums yet?

Gauthier: Not yet. I've recorded and sold CDs, but our recorded stuff is piling up, so we're trying to make a decision of what to put on one CD.

Do you think you'll ever become a full-time band?

Gauthier: I teach lessons and play music. We all have jobs ... But we're hoping to start touring every summer.

On your latest MySpace blog, you talk about how much you appreciate people visiting the website to listen to your music. Do you think all music media will eventually move to the web in the future?

Gauthier: I do. It's probably the only way things could continue, just because all record companies are not doing as well. There's going to be shift.

Not everybody sees it. I think there's going to be more live shows than CDs.

Are there any future plans for Merchant of Solace?

Gauthier: Getting our album out and start selling it and start touring.

That's what my goals are and I think the band feels the same way. We're hoping to release the CD by July at the latest. We're also hoping to tour down south this summer.

I just want to add that we want to make people dance. We've been playing at a place where the people are not sure if they could.

We want them to participate at the show and not just sit there. We want it to be about them, too.

Read Riffin' & Jammin' every Thursday in The Star. editorial@thesudburystar.com

- Sudbury star


"Merchants of Solace review"

"This band strides through funk and jazz fused with upbeat songwriting and great playing. Marcel, Andrew, Zach and Josh have quickly become one of the city's great live draws as well as just plain one of our best bands around." Paul Lowenberg (Northern Lights Festival Coordinator) thetownehousetavern.com - Townhouse Calender


"Merchants Review # 2"

This popular local four piece straddles the fences of, Jazzy Funk, Funky Jazz, Rocking Funk, Funky Rocking party music. The players are extremely musical and extremely groove oriented. The dancefloor will kick. - The Townehouse.com


Discography

Not Alone
Dust
Hope
Immortal

Photos

Bio

We are very groovy and dance oriented with just enough hard rock funk thrown into the mix. If you like the Chili Peppers, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, Herbie Hancock, and or Incubus, you will enjoy us. We started out as PBF, Morphed into Anode, Changed line ups, The frontman was ill from 2004- 2006, then Merchants of Solace was solidified in late 2006.
The messages in the music are very positive and are designed to encourage acceptance and love.