Monkey Junk all-stars from Canada. The Strands bring us piano-driven jazz-pop

Ottawa-based band MonkeyJunk  plays a blend of swamp-rock roots and blues that in the relatively short time has earned them a collective 20 Maple Blues Awards, two Canadian Independent Music Awards, a Blues Music Award (USA), and a JUNO Award in 2012.   Monkey Junk is three musicians who individually had established careers prior to forming MonkeyJunk: vocalist, baritone guitarist, harmonica and organ player Steve Marriner, lead guitarist Tony D and drummer/percussionist Matt Sobb.  We are delighted that they will join us on Music FridayLive! this week with their new album, Moon Turn Red.

The strands formed in 2011 bring a genre-defying sound they like to call Artisanal.  Thoughtful and provocative lyrics dominate, carried by a piano with a subdued drum and sophisticated guitar grooves.  The result is almost jazz, but not quite – the Strands straddle the line between jazz and pop.  Lead singer Amanda Campbell delivers original material  - much of it written by the band's keyboard and piano artist Susan Ferrari - with a smooth voice, backed by the legendary Richard Green on lead guitar, Ferrari on piano and keys and the founder of the group, Paul, on bass.  Restrained, thoughtful, striking, the Strands stand out and we are glad they are taking the time to talk with us on Music FridayLive!.