(Blackberry Wood)
I stood outside a venue at Ignite The Arts Festival, taking a break and some fresh air and talking to some of the other party going patrons outside.
Suddenly a car pulls up and what looks like it’ll fit four passengers… out pops eight! AND their instruments. They are all dressed in matching red circus attire that sparkles and bounces with added tutus and sequins. It is like one of those classic circus clown cars that could logically fit one person… but out pops a whole family! The crowd was buzzing before the performers even hit the stage. Something about synchronized colourful outfits and the promise of what they entail. Steampunk, gypsy punk, Dixieland jazz and electro-swing. How do I even pinpoint a taste of what they are??
This is Blackberry Wood. Part carnival, part jazz, part crazy wild fever dream. They had rolled in and they were about to create some noise. Lead vocalist and ringmaster Kris Wood starts the festivities bright and cheerful and ready for debauchery. He dons the classic top hat and moustache you’d find on your circus ring-leader, and a raspy voice that gets everyone off their derrières and dancing like the devil took over.
(Blackberry Wood)
When I came inside to see their performance they were bouncing between a circus on stage, then marching in a circle around the audience, then hopping up on chairs with their saxophones, large bass drum, accordion, and enthusiastic happiness. Because you see during Blackberry Wood, chairs aren’t for sitting. They are for dancing on, getting as big and loud as you can!
Their music is described as New Orleans brass, Eastern European folk, and good old rock n’ roll with a big splash of mischief. While this first time I saw them they only carried a cohort of other musicians, they are known to share the stage with performers and acrobats. It’s not just their music or their glittery attire that ease the crowd down to crazy town, its something about their vibe. The air of glee and joy they bring to the stage before, during, and after their performance is something I’d only thought exists inside a fairytale. Somehow the floor seemed to get looser and my feet started moving faster. You wouldn’t second guess their fans coming in wearing their best glitter, feathers, polka-dotted skirts, and theatrical hats and walking sticks. Everyone comes dressed the part because we are about to be transported to another realm.
When the music plays its like someone unplugged the breach that keeps debauchery on the outside, and now mass chaos and mischief filled the room. There’s no escaping it, might as well dive in. While the band is a collective that absorbs and releases members as it travels around the world, these members have stayed true in their role to the band. Kris Mitchell, lead vocals, guitar, and kazoo. Anessa Marie on saxophone and vocals, and Jack Blaue on drums and percussion. Over the years musicians have come and gone with a list too long to display. They bring in unique sounds to the band including horns, accordion, fiddles, and more.
(Blackberry Wood)
Blackberry Wood is a international travelling band. Having performed on major stages like the Glastonbury Festival in the UK as well as The Frog & Fiddle in Cheltenham, England. Here in British Columbia they are sought-after returning performers to many of the folk festivals around the province, including where I saw them at Ignite The Arts Festival. They have also played at The Cobalt, Rickshaw Theatre, The Imperial in North Vancouver, Music on the Wharf in Maple Ridge, and endless others, too many to record.
Blackberry Wood also graced us at our No Apologies Necessary Fundraiser at Green Auto. While the line-up for this fundraiser was extensive and crossed out of our designated time at Green Auto – Blackberry Wood came on last as our final debaucherous boom of a good time. While the audience members had waned into sleepiness, this didn’t stop Blackberry Wood from performing as they always do. Big and loud and there for a good time. It didn’t matter to this band who was in the crowd and what the energy levels were – they came in banging and got every single person spinning around the room, locking arms, and diving headfirst into the fever dream that is Blackberry Wood.
For more information on Blackberry Wood click the links below:
Written by Volante Matheson, Radio Arts & Entertainment at BCIT
Contact: vmatheson1@my.bcit.ca