Witchitaw
Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
Article By Anissa Stambouli
Last Sunday the band Witchitaw was welcomed to Sackville. Performing at The Music Barn, the cowboy boot-wearing group played their tunes to a modest but appreciative crowd. With original songs and covers of several other artists—most notably the King of Rock n’ Roll—Witchitaw charmed the audience with their playful sense of humour and blending of the country and rock genres.
Witchitaw’s sound is described as, “country and southern rock n’ blues.” Brothers Jason Spinney (lead vocals and guitarist) and Jamie Spinney (vocals and drummer) , Terry Salsman on the bass, Jason Burns leading the guitar sound, and John Kendall on keyboard are responsible for the thumping beat of the Nova Scotia band.
With cowboy hats and a southern-style swagger, the group of four—Kendall did not appear at the Sackville performance—mounted the wooden stage of The Music Barn and sang out their “hillbilly philosophies”. Despite the seated audience, most of whom were older adults, Witchitaw received encouraging head-nods and foot tapping, along with enthusiastic applause between songs.
Jason Spinney’s comedic talent appeared between numbers as he joked with the band, poked fun at the audience, and achieved an impressive Elvis impersonation as he belted “Hound Dog”.
“This [The Music Barn] is an excellent venue—a gem,” drummer Spinney told the Argosy, “there’s good sound and the people are enjoying themselves, which makes it [performing] easier.” Amid the wooden interior of the venue, the bluesy-twang of Witchitaw, and the southern dress of the band, any audience member could have mistaken their Sackville location for a music hall in Nashville.
As for sound, Burns played his guitar like an expert while maintaining an expressionless demeanor throughout the show. With nimble fingers and a clear tone, he made the instrument sing like a wild bird. Though humble in presence, Burns is undoubtedly skilled and holds promising talent.
The show is privileged to stand out as the band’s first performance in Sackville. Lead singer Mr. Spinney mentioned that the audience—though tame in behavior—fed his energy. Bassist Mr. Salsman agreed that the intimate atmosphere and small crowd offered a “more intimate” setting, allowing the musicians to “see their [the audience’s] reactions”.
While onstage, Jason told his Sackville fans, “a smaller crowd like this, we adopt into the Witchitaw family.” Despite the loud sound of the band, each member was grounded and approachable, encouraging conversation with the audience during intermission.
The group released their first album, Walk like a King, in 2009.
- The Argosy
Article By Anissa Stambouli
Last Sunday the band Witchitaw was welcomed to Sackville. Performing at The Music Barn, the cowboy boot-wearing group played their tunes to a modest but appreciative crowd. With original songs and covers of several other artists—most notably the King of Rock n’ Roll—Witchitaw charmed the audience with their playful sense of humour and blending of the country and rock genres.
Witchitaw’s sound is described as, “country and southern rock n’ blues.” Brothers Jason Spinney (lead vocals and guitarist) and Jamie Spinney (vocals and drummer) , Terry Salsman on the bass, Jason Burns leading the guitar sound, and John Kendall on keyboard are responsible for the thumping beat of the Nova Scotia band.
With cowboy hats and a southern-style swagger, the group of four—Kendall did not appear at the Sackville performance—mounted the wooden stage of The Music Barn and sang out their “hillbilly philosophies”. Despite the seated audience, most of whom were older adults, Witchitaw received encouraging head-nods and foot tapping, along with enthusiastic applause between songs.
Jason Spinney’s comedic talent appeared between numbers as he joked with the band, poked fun at the audience, and achieved an impressive Elvis impersonation as he belted “Hound Dog”.
“This [The Music Barn] is an excellent venue—a gem,” drummer Spinney told the Argosy, “there’s good sound and the people are enjoying themselves, which makes it [performing] easier.” Amid the wooden interior of the venue, the bluesy-twang of Witchitaw, and the southern dress of the band, any audience member could have mistaken their Sackville location for a music hall in Nashville.
As for sound, Burns played his guitar like an expert while maintaining an expressionless demeanor throughout the show. With nimble fingers and a clear tone, he made the instrument sing like a wild bird. Though humble in presence, Burns is undoubtedly skilled and holds promising talent.
The show is privileged to stand out as the band’s first performance in Sackville. Lead singer Mr. Spinney mentioned that the audience—though tame in behavior—fed his energy. Bassist Mr. Salsman agreed that the intimate atmosphere and small crowd offered a “more intimate” setting, allowing the musicians to “see their [the audience’s] reactions”.
While onstage, Jason told his Sackville fans, “a smaller crowd like this, we adopt into the Witchitaw family.” Despite the loud sound of the band, each member was grounded and approachable, encouraging conversation with the audience during intermission.
The group released their first album, Walk like a King, in 2009.
- The Argosy
Discography
Witchitaw, "Tearin' It Up" Released Aug. 2013
Witchitaw, "Walk Like A King" 2009
Photos
Bio
Witchitaw is a southern country rock band of experienced musicians from Nova Scotia, Canada. Witchitaws members are no strangers to writing, recording and performing music around the world. Four of the groups members enjoyed a great deal of success for eight years with the Canadian show-band, Country Generations. Brothers Jason and Jamie Spinney, keyboardist Frank Dobbin and bass player Terry Salsman, recorded four CDs in Nashville with Country Generations. They also toured Canada, the U.S.A., and even Australia in 2004. As those successful tours came to a close the idea of the group Witchitaw was born. The band started performing high profile gigs as early as 2007. Guitarist Jason Burns and keyboardist Dohn Kendall joined the group in early 2010 to complete Witchitaws current roster of musicians.
Witchitaw released their first CD, Walk Like A King, in 2009. The CD was recorded in Nashville at Hilltop Studios in January 09. The 10 song CD features 6 songs written by the group, 3 songs written by Nashville writers and the classic cover song, Ghost Riders In The Sky performed Witchitaw style! Due to the success of their first CD - they returned to Nashville in 2013 to record "Tearin' It Up". There follow up to their debut CD. "Tearin' It Up" will be released early in the summer of 2013.
Due to the success of Walk Like A King, Witchitaw is headed back to Nashville in March 2013 to record a follow up CD to Walk Like A King. They will record at Hilltop Studio and the new CD will be released early in the summer of 2013.
There is an edge to their music that is current yet their sound is unique. Witchitaw manages to blend southern rock with new country and even a touch of the blues. Their live show comes out of the gate at a hundred miles an hour and maintains an unparalleled energy through to the final note.
Band Members
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