Mindy Amelotte is Dynamite Motel. What’s in a name? Well, if you look hard enough you discover Dynamite Motel is an anamagram for Mindy Amelotte. She is a true DIY-er composing, writing and producing all her own music while currently managing herself.
While a relative newbie to the Ottawa music scene, Mindy has been playing the guitar and piano for over 10 years.
How would you describe your sound?
I describe my sound as Jazz, Soul, Blues, R&B for each song evokes 1 or 2 of those styles. I feel I have an old school quality to my voice and chord progressions that blends into a modern sound with my lyrics and deliverance. I just do what comes naturally. I’m not trying to sound like anything specific. I just go where the song takes me.
How long have you been playing music, and how has your sound evolved in that time?
I’ve been playing my music and performing for two and a half years now. As far as how much I’ve evolved, well it’s hard to trace. I recorded a short, self-titled EP, then I completed my full album ‘Muses’ and am now almost half way through recording my next album. This has all been completed within those two years and a half so I feel like my sound will evolve more as time progresses. But I can say I have made a new friend in discovering the ukulele as well as having a few french songs on this next album.
What are you hoping to get out of your Bluesfest performance? Fans, adoration, festival experience etc.
Most importantly, I hope to have a blast. I also hope to reach more local fans from Ottawa and Hull as well as attracting the out-of-town listeners who are coming to visit our Capital. I also want to gain experience playing bigger festivals, get my cd’s out there and represent Ottawa and our amazing music scene! Any musician would love to put Bluesfest on their musical resume.
Are there any other bands on the bill you are excited to see?
I’m excited to see Black Keys, Dixie Chicks, the Stars, and John Carroll (awesome local act.) But the big one I’ve wanted to see since I was 15 years old is BJORK!!!! Its quite surreal to know we are playing the same festival.
What Ottawa historical personality should be given more props, and why?
Historical Personality that should be given more props. Hmmm ‘The Byward Market Strangler,’ famous for his killings between 1869-1875. His real name remains a mystery. Though he was spoken about with contempt, he did receive props for his clean and efficient kills. Or we can go with Norm Macdonald, he may not be historical but he’s from Ottawa and always deserves more props cuz he’s stone cold sober, yet a funny strange guy, great to have at a party!
Below, a sneak peak at Dynamite Motel’s “Melt Me Down”.
Dynamite Motel plays the Barney Danson Theatre Sunday, July 7 at 6pm.
