The Hornettes must be doing something right because they’ve accomplished the rare feat this year of playing both Jazz Fest and now, Bluesfest. If you’re in the mood for classic Motown era tunes, The Hornettes will fill your fix. The band consist of two female leads and a five-piece backing. They were lauded as a favourite new band of 2012 at the Blacksheep Inn in Wakefield where they filmed their video for “Out of My Mind”, which you can find below.
Guitarist Jeff deValk answered our questions.
How would you describe your sound?
We’re uptempo, upbeat and heavily influenced by classic soul, Motown and R&B. Live sets are a mix of tracks from those genres and our own original material. Harmonious female vocals, copious horn lines, greasy bass and crunchy guitars abound.
How did the band come together?
The rhythm section were friends previously, and we met the singers through the magic of the Internet. The horn section joined later on, on the recommendation of another local musician.
What are you hoping to get out of your Bluesfest performance?
We want to put on a show that’ll make our existing fans’ days a bit brighter, and hopefully convert a few new faces to the Hornettes’ camp! We hope it’ll be an opportunity for us to keep growing as a group, another step along the way to wherever we’re headed. One opportunity always seems to lead to the next, but this feels like a milestone without a doubt.
Bonus silly question: If you could open for any band, which one would it be, and why?
Paul McCartney at Scotiabank…er, Canadian Tire Place would be alright! Its the same night as our performance. The why pretty much answers itself on that one, I think. Living legend and all that business.
Filmed at the Black Sheep Inn, “Out of My Mind” will give you a glimpse of what to expect at The Hornettes Bluesfest show.
The Hornettes play the River Stage, Sunday July 7 at 1:45pm.
