POGEY
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
"POGEY's a guaranteed good time! They have such a broad scope of reference in their music, yet they still maintain a wonderful East Coast flavour to their sound." - John Brunton - Executive Producer - Toronto, ON
"POGEY...great tunes with a great touch" - Mark Dailey - CITY Pulse News
“POGEY is a Celtic force…in a matter of a few bars they own the audience and bring the room to life” - Lance Chilton - Host of "Live at the Rehersal Hall"
“I was there (St. FX University – Canada Day 2005)…POGEY took that whole football stadium and made it one.” - Dwayne Kellar - Program Director
"POGEY is worth thier weight in gold" - Ray Corby - Chairman
"Their fantastic stage presence and audience participation skills has the place raising the roof" - Steve Bagnall - Editor
Discography
POGEY - Jan. 2007
Make Some Noise - Aug. 2006
Welcome to the Show - May 2004
Mail Box EP - Aug. 2003
Photos
Bio
Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Nudibranch recording artists POGEY combine original Celtic/Rock tunes with stellar instrumentals. The group performs with genuine spontaneous and spectacular energy. They have the audience the minute they hit the stage.
POGEYs fourth CD is their most ambitious project to date. This self-titled recording was recorded at Common Ground Studios in Halifax with producer/engineer Christopher Mitchell (Meatloaf, The Rankin Family, Bruce Guthro of Runrig and more). Mitchells creative vision and POGEYs fresh original material helped to spawn an exciting new sound for the group.
In 1997, lead singer Ray Mattie moved his young family to Barrie, Ontario (just north of Toronto) to break into a new music market. The idea was to start an original band with a Celtic/Folk based sound. Unfortunately, after three years of college shows, television features and festival performances, Mattie was never able to find the quality, like-minded musicians to help make this band a reality. To do this, he needed to return home to Nova Scotia. In the fall of 2000, upon his arrival, Mattie called bassist Jonny Grant. Grant agreed to join immediately and 20 minutes later POGEY was born.
As of early 2004 POGEY had solidified a core line up. Warren Robert (guitar/mandolin) and Zach Smith (drums) became permanent members as touring Canada and the US continued. In the spring of 2007 with higher profile shows in hand, POGEY added Colin Grant (fiddle) and Darren McMullen (mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, tin whistle). Rounding out this full scale production are renowned tap & highland dancers Stephanie Turnbull, Jenny Cluett and Stephanie Grant.
The POGEY nine member cast has an impressive collective resume having toured internationally and recorded with the likes of Roger Whittaker, Symphony Nova Scotia, Emerson Drive, DRUM, Richard Wood and more. Their most recent showings include two stellar performances on the main stages of the International Tall Ships Festival Halifax, a home coming concert at St. FX University's Oland Stadium in Antigonish Nova Scotia for over 7000 people, appearances at US Irish Festivals in Newport RI & Fairfield CT and the 2006 Juno Awards Official after party celebration.
These 9 performers are included in the 14 member cast of the musical production Nova Scotia Here & Now - slatted for a national tour in fall 2008.
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