Dinner Belles
Homegrown Hamilton 27 King William Street
The Dinner Belles are definitely one of the most interesting and exciting bands we’ve encountered on our Tour, and one of the most unique bands in the City. From the first time Avi and I saw them play an impressive two-hour set at the Leander Boat Club, their first Hamilton show of the year, we were blown away. The country-folk-roots band are often referred to as a supergroup, with members Brad Germain, Terra Lightfoot, Brandon Bliss, Greg Brisco, Melanie Pothier, Scott Bell, and Jonathan Ely Cass all being accomplished musicians and involved in many other musical endeavours of all genres.
With a seven-piece band, we knew scheduling a Rendezvous would be a challenge, so we were pleased to be able to sit down for a chat with two of the Belles, mandolin player Melanie Pothier and organ player and pianist Greg Brisco. It was a steamy day and we grabbed some drinks on the patio of Homegrown Hamilton to have quite a lengthy chat. We learned about the history of the band and how the eclectic collective of musicians came together, their musical influences, plans for touring, the collaborative process of making music, and their impressions of Hamilton’s music scene.
Their debut album West Simcoe County, released last summer, was met with a fantastic response and Melanie and Greg revealed they have more than enough songs stored up for a sophomore album, and the band is getting set to lay down some new tracks.
When planning our Playlist 1.0, The Dinner Belles were a band I threw out for our wish list, thinking that it may not happen, but worth a shot. I’m so thrilled we’ve got them on board for our fundraiser. They were all for supporting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hamilton, with several members being from Hamilton’s East End and some having attended the Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club as kids. Characteristic of our Tour, we found that to be pretty full circle, as we say!
Our thanks to Melanie and Greg for chatting with us! Check out our interview in Parts 1 and 2 of our latest episode of Rendezvous.
– Kristin
