We’ve Got Our Eyes On…Bad Habits
These Bad Habits are good for the soul. From left: Matt Wilson, Liam Kearney, Amanda Jackson, Dale McKie, and Jason Condon. Photo credit: April Condon.
Who they are:
Amanda Jackson – vocals
Dale McKie – harmonica, guitar
Jason Condon – guitar
Matt Wilson – bass
Liam Kearney – drums, percussions
Home base:
“We’re kind of stretched out,” says Bad Habits drummer, Liam Kearney, who, along with Dale and Jason, is based out of Charlottetown. Matt Wilson hails from Kensington and Amanda lives close to Montague.
On the scene since:
Spring 2010. During a Colin James concert at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in February of that same year, Dale decided he wanted to put together a blues band. “On March 17, he posted on his blog that he was going to do this,” recalls Kearney,” and everything quickly fell into place after that.” Bad Habits held their first practice on April 12, 2010.
What you’ll hear them play:
The five-piece describes their sound as Blues Rock. During their dynamic three-hour sets, Bad Habits mixes things up with blues covers and original material. No two shows are ever the same as they are consistently adding new original songs every week. “Some songs veer more towards the blues end of the spectrum and some more towards rock,” says Kearney, “but they all have their heart firmly rooted in the blues in some fashion.”
Musical influences:
Colin James, SRV (Stevie Ray Vaughn), Albert King, Big Sugar
How Bad Habits got their name:
The band adopted the Bad Habits moniker from a blues song covered by Colin James called “Bad Habits”. “It kind of goes back to that blues band tradition of naming yourself after a song you really admire,” reveals Kearney. “The song type also shows our philosophy as a band when it comes to covers. That song was not written by Colin James, but if you listen to it, he owns every second of it. You walk away thinking the song belongs only to him.” The band usually plays the song as a part of their set at every gig.
On the rise:
As their second anniversary nears, Bad Habits have a lot to celebrate. Their over-the-top live shows have packed local venues, festivals, and charitable events and have earned them the title as one of the hardest working blues bands on PEI. In addition to their entertaining and interactive performances, Bad Habits are making their online presence felt in a big way, sharing photos, special moments, and upcoming gigs with their fans. It’s not hard to tell this is a band who truly loves what they do.
Some of their most memorable moments include the first show with Amanda, who joined Bad Habits in September, at the sold out Beef n’ Blues concert in Summerside during Fall Flavours. The band also performs an annual Toys for Tots Christmas Bash, which is one of their favourite gigs because “it’s always such a fun time for such a great cause.” Bad Habits capped off a busy, yet exciting 2011 with a sold out New Year’s Eve show at Globe World Flavours, kicking off 2012 in high style.
Most recently, Bad Habits took the stage during the Music PEI Awards Gala, performing to their biggest crowd yet, both as nominees for Entertainer of the Year and Bell Aliant Weekend Warrior. The band took home the Weekend Warrior award that night, as voted by their ever-growing fan base.
On winning the Fan’s Choice Bell Aliant Weekend Warrior of the Year award:
“It (the WWA) was huge for us because it’s the only fan voted award for Music PEI,” says Kearney. “We are so lucky to have a growing and dedicated fan base that actually snuck in tambourines and made lots of noise during our performance. Members of the band ran out into the audience and played guitar in the aisles as the fans shook their tambourines and made lots of noise.” The band later posted photos of Music PEI Awards Gala host Jonathan Torrens, Lennie Gallant, and Catherine MacLellan shaking the Bad Habits “tambos” on their Facebook Fan Page.
On what it takes to be a success:
“We’re still working hard to find that out,” they reveal, “we actually treat it like a business, but it’s a business we love. We rehearse a minimum of four hours every week, we arrive to gigs early, play long sets, and we stay sober during every show. We believe in showing the venues respect. Plus, our fans deserve that.
“We actually discuss how to make our shows more entertaining for the fans. April Condon, our visual design guru, has worked very hard on our image. Her and Jason were nominated for Music PEI’s Visual Artist of the Year. There is a whole behind the scenes team working as hard as we do. Everyone is working hard to make us look good!”
Looking ahead:
Bad Habits are currently working on their first album and hope to have it released in time for the next round of ECMA, Music PEI Awards, Maple Blues Awards, and upcoming festivals. They just launched their campaign on Indiegogo (www.indiegogo.com/afewbadhabits) so their fans can help make this album the first of many more to come. “It’s going to be a big year for Bad Habits,” says Kearney. Indeed it will.
Check them out:
www.afewbadhabits.com
Facebook Fan Page: Bad Habits – Blues Band
Email: bookings@afewbadhabits.com
Who they are: Amanda Jackson – vocals Dale McKie – harmonica, guitar Jason Condon – guitar Matt Wilson – bass Liam Kearney – drums, percussions Home base: “We’re kind of stretched out,” says Bad Habits drummer, Liam Kearney, who, along with Dale and Jason, is based out of Charlottetown. Matt Wilson hails from Kensington and [...]
Oh Snow Cute
Playing in the snow never looked so good!
Photography and text by Kimberly Rashed
As much as I love to shop and have an overflowing closet full of just about every item you can imagine, I have to admit I do tend to skimp when it comes to winter outerwear. When the family heads out for a fun day in the snow, I shy away because I know I’ll be the first one to freeze my (albeit fashionable) butt off. Let’s face it, the red-nosed, teeth chattering, bundled like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man isn’t the greatest of looks for, well, anyone.
Heading outside for a winter snow day isn’t exactly a fashion show, but come on! Can’t we raise the cuteness factor just a little bit? Given that the snow’s going to happen whether we want it to or not, here are some top tips for looking cute and staying cozy this winter.
This winter, up your style quotient with outwear that's both functional and fashionable.
Invest in a quality winter jacket with some shape and keep the style classic.This is a sure-fire way you will wear it time and time again, making it an investment that will not only keep you warm and toasty but will last you through the years. Look for options that are specifically made for a day in the snow, like the three-quarter length jacket. Options like a snow catcher can be your best friend saving you from the surprise of snow sneaking up your back.
If you’re lucky enough to find a winter jacket with a matching pant, they are definitely worth the splurge. However, if you are forced to pull a pair from a different brand, opt for a neutral colour. The pant itself tends to get less wear and will outlast the life of your jacket, giving you the option to match that neutral colour with another jacket in the future.
When it comes to winter footwear, as long as you feel good and your feet stay dry, what more could you ask for?
Us ladies love us some fancy footwear but when it comes to winter galoshes, well, they’re not nearly as exciting to search for, are they? They’re more of a ‘well, I guess I have to’ kind of purchase. Do your best to find something you like and will feel good wearing on those treacherous snow days. Trust me ladies, they are out there. Something with a fur trim or lining is always nice. You’re going to want to spend some money on these; quality will go a long way towards comfort, warmth and durability. Plan on kicking some frosty butt this year!
Long Janes. Yeah, you guessed it – the female version of long johns. Available in super cute prints and colours, LJs offer a flirty look that look great as winter pjs but also serve a dual function as a winter must-have for extra warmth when venturing out for some snow play.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a hat person.Though I do love hats, the ridicule I endure once one is placed upon my head is something I do not. That’s why it’s important to try on as many styles available, which, literally, are endless. When trying on hats, consider what it looks like by wearing your hair up and leaving it down. Don’t forget about other head-warming options like earmuffs or a headband.
Guys don't need to be adventurous when it comes to colour, but it doesn't hurt to add a few colourful cozy accessories, like scarves and mitts.
Mittens vs. gloves.Mittens always look so cute – so cute, they remind me of my childhood days. But gloves are so much easier to maneuver if you happen need the use of a finger. I mean, what if someone asks you how many marshmallows you want in your cocoa? Or you need to flip the…switch? Mittens are fine for making snowballs, but if you’re hands on, gloves are way more functional. Choose wisely.
My biggest tip for all the gents out there is this: coordinate.For years, my husband got by on mismatched outerwear and until I decided to join the winter wear world myself, I was letting it slide. This year, however, I’m taking the reigns. He’s getting a new, coordinated look from head to toe whether he wants it or not!
If this is a stretch for you, stick to neutrals for the jacket and pant. Throw in some colour with a scarf or hat. Guys don’t need to be over adventurous, but if you’ve got some great moves on the slopes, a little colour will help a gal track you down later at the ski lodge. Hey guys, I’m just lookin’ out for you!
Thank you to models Joe Rashed and Sangeetha Young of Panache Models for braving the elements for these photos.
Kimberly Rashed, photographer, modeling director, and mother of three, keeps us looking fashion forward each month in G!
Playing in the snow never looked so good! Photography and text by Kimberly Rashed As much as I love to shop and have an overflowing closet full of just about every item you can imagine, I have to admit I do tend to skimp when it comes to winter outerwear. When the family heads out [...]
G! Eats: Wellington – A Meal Fit for a Duke?
Photography and text by Christina Flemming
It is historically rumoured that the Duke of Wellington didn’t really like food. It wasn’t even like he had to cook; he had a huge kitchen staff working tirelessly to thrill him during every dinner service, but nothing really impressed the velvet socks off him.
The Duke of Wellington, after all, was an important guy. Arthur Wellesley was the leader who defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Not everybody’s a foodie, but there were a few things old Arthur liked. He enjoyed beef, he liked mushrooms, and he loved pastry. So his culinary team put them together and created what we like to call Beef Wellington, named after the Duke’s famous victory and said to resemble a polished riding or Wellington boot.
Atlantic Smoked Salmon Wellington - a tasty variation of a classic dish!
Though most accounts agree on the origin of the dish, it’s important to note that there are disputers. In The New York Times Food Encyclopaedia, Theodora FitzGibbon provides a recipe for “Steig Wellington.” She uses the Irish spelling for steak, claiming that the dish is of Irish origin and that it was merely a favourite of the Duke of Wellington. Incidentally, many years later, the dish was also a fave meal of President Richard Nixon.
Classic Beef Wellington consists of seared beef, brushed with a topping of duxelle (mushroom paste with herbs), wrapped in puff pastry, baked in the oven and served with some type of sauce—commonly Madeira sauce (made with super-sweet Madeira wine). Even if you’ve never ordered your kitchen staff to prepare you a plate of Beef Wellington, you’re likely to have seen Ramsay yelling at his protégés on Hell’s Kitchen for either over or undercooking the Wellington. Bloody Hell!
But why go for beef when you’re surrounded by water?
Two local chefs have created their own twists on the dish. Chef Ilona Daniel, formerly of Daniel Brenan Brickhouse, was recently serving up Atlantic Smoked Salmon Wellington. Even with the beef replaced by flakey smoked salmon and drizzled with a sweet pea veloute, the dish is both heavy and heavenly. As the Brickhouse menu will be changing due to Daniel’s departure and the incorporation of a new chef, we may have to Google our own Smoked Salmon Wellington recipes in the future. Numerous variations exist online, many with Dijon as a main flavouring ingredient.
Halibut Wellington is perhaps even less common than Smoked Salmon Wellington. Islanders can find a recipe for this dish in Charlottetown Chef Paul Lucas’ first book, Prince Edward Island Seafood: Local Fare, Global Flavours (Acorn Press). In a recent interview with The Guardian, Lucas explains that his Halibut Wellington is topped with duxelle and encased in store-bought pastry and eventually topped with cream sauce made of dried mushrooms reduced to a powder with an electric coffee mill. He explains that meatier types of fish, such as halibut, often make nice substitutes for beef. Who says you can’t serve Wellington to your vegetarian friends?
If you are still unable to forsake fresh island beef (quite understandable), it’s easy to get your hands on a recipe for Beef Wellington just the way the Duke liked it. And with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it might be a good time to test your own culinary capabilities…
Christina Flemming is G!’s newest foodie who has recently come to the Island and learned how to shuck oysters and throw enough elbow to get to the front of the crowd of samplers at the International Chowder Championships. She is passionate about food ranging from oatcakes to octopus. She will eat anything at least once, but there are a couple of things she will never eat twice; namely, pig fat and raw sea urchin.
Photography and text by Christina Flemming It is historically rumoured that the Duke of Wellington didn’t really like food. It wasn’t even like he had to cook; he had a huge kitchen staff working tirelessly to thrill him during every dinner service, but nothing really impressed the velvet socks off him. The Duke of Wellington, [...]
Pick up the current issue of G! at restaurants, shops and salons across PEI
STAY IN TOUCH WITH G!
Add a comment