The Commoners
Possessing a sound tapped from the oaken belly of a whiskey barrel, The Commoners are a 4 piece Roots/Rock outfit from Toronto, Canada. Offering their own blend of a tried and true musical mixture, the group pepper their sound with high-energy riffs, soulful vocals, and rich harmonies that combine to take the listener on a journey through a Southern-style rock experience.
The group was cobbled together over the course of a decade, restructuring and adapting through numerous obstacles to form the unit as it exists today: Chris Medhurst (vocals/guitar), Ben Spiller (bass), Ross Citrullo (lead guitar), and Adam Cannon (drums). Often joined by their friend, organist Miles Evan Branagh, The Commoners unite under a shared dream: to write, perform, and share music that is an authentic nod to the greats who paved the way before them.
Channeling their deep respect and admiration for Roots/Rock trailblazers, The Commoners incorporate rhythmic stylings inspired by Motown’s groove masters, and emotive vocals akin to Sam Cooke and Otis Redding to capture a sound that is very much of the here and now.
Their 2022 self-titled release is an album that demands attention from the first note. The opening lines, “I scream at the top of my lungs, and stamp my feet, ’til the floor comes undone,” immediately inform that a wild ride lies ahead. Recorded in Toronto at RHC Music, and produced by guitarist/producer Ross Hayes Citrullo alongside executive producer Renan Yildizdogan, The Commoners crafted a record which strikes the perfect balance between new and old, fresh yet familiar.
Troy Redfern
Troy Redfern combines the rawness of Hound Dog Taylor, the free-form approach of Sonny Sharrock, the firebrand playing of Johnny Winter and the technique of Dave Hole, mixed with the ghost of Elmore James’.
There’s something about the Welsh marches. As guitarist Troy Redfern tells it, he grew up in the shadow of Hergest Ridge, made famous by Mike Oldfield. The Welsh borders – roughly that area between Hay on Way, Brecon and Hereford – might not quite evoke the arresting geography and climate of say Louisiana, but there’s something about the freedom of that area…
It all fits perfectly into Troy Redfern’s world. He’s a passionate, intense, free spirited indie blues artist whose ferocious slide guitar style twists and turns timeless themes and ideas to his own ends. In the studio, the multi instrumental slide guitarist and producer is a one man band who painstakingly pays attention to the minutiae of his tone, the imaginary arrangements and noir filled lyrics.
As a band leader he’s trusting enough to know that wherever his spontaneity takes him he has a locked in rhythm section that will push him to the limit while also giving him a safety net. Back in the studio, he does it all himself, and it’s hard to grasp his unrelenting energy.
He’s a musical visionary unafraid to trample on the boundaries of restricting labels. His talent spans ferocious slide playing, thoughtful production, passionate vocals and an approach to contemporary indie blues that references delta blues roots, while turning familiar emotions, themes and riffs from a bygone era into a broad based contemporary musical template.
Troy ushers us into a restless, musical journey that spans big musical vistas. He’s a guitarist for whom tone, feel and grooves are his working tools and while his songs range from a whisper to a scream, he performs a balancing act between pure spontaneity and deep grooves.
His music is physical, engaging and emotive and worthy of hip references like indie blues, except it’s backed up by real substance and stretched to the limit by virtuoso solos. When you listen to Troy Redfern you’re buying into a new world vision where his high energy approach uncompromisingly hits you in the guts before making a cerebral connection.
