January 5th, 2006

It's common for band members to have solo careers as side projects. While there are exceptions, it's less common for solo performers to create a band as a side project. Yet that's exactly what Melissa McClelland, Lisa Winn, Erin Smith and Janine Stoll did five years ago when they raised the curtain on the Ladybird Sideshow. The combination of four outstanding vocalists, flawless vocal harmonies and musical diversity made the group popular with music fans of all sorts.

For the last year, the Sideshow has been in hiatus because Smith relocated to Maui where she performs and paints. The other three Ladybirds will get a nice break in February, as Hawaii is in for the first full-fledged Ladybird Sideshow reunion. "We're touring Maui," says McClelland, who has been touring with Luke Doucet and just finished a CD of her own to be released this summer. "That has never been on the radar. I mean there's no reason for it to be. ... I don't think most Canadians do a Hawaiian tour." Smith's departure wasn't the first time the Ladybirds have been interrupted. A few years ago, Winn headed to Vancouver for a spell. The remaining three members performed together but found that despite their talents, the chemistry simply wasn't the same. "There's something about the four of us together," says McClelland, "so when Erin left, we promised to put the Ladybird thing on hold." The Pepper Jack show, an exception to the "no shows" rule, promises to be a more intimate affair with the three members performing some new material. To hear some older material, pick up Live at The Orange Lounge, the only Ladybird Sideshow album. The recording illustrates the synergy of the four performing together. Performing each other's songs, the music seamlessly blends together, despite moving from blues to pop to folk to funk. "We're all quite different and we all have really different voices," McClelland says. "Yet we always seem to be really in tune with what each other is doing, so I don't think any of us ever feels isolated." By involving four songwriters, the Ladybird Sideshow can evolve in different directions. McClelland describes her new material as being quite different and if the same applies to the other members, the group will shift and change constantly. On top of that, the four songwriters have a direct effect on one another's style. "You listen to Erin's music," says McClelland. "When she first started playing with us she had a funk band and she'd write her songs to suit that kind of show which was fine, we loved it. "Then, after a year of playing with us, she can't stop writing these tear-jerker ballads. 'I've never written these kinds of songs before and now I can't stop!' So I think we've really influenced each other's writing." As for the four members collaborating on material for the group, McClelland sees it as an eventuality. "I think that we will write together one day, definitely. Maybe in Hawaii. We're a really lazy group though," laughs McClelland. "We hang out a lot but we don't practise." Of course, enjoying the company of friends is the reason, or at least part of the reason, the Ladybirds exist. "And that's why it's called a side project," McClelland agrees. "It's not our main focus and it's something we're doing because we enjoy it. "So we always want to keep that element and we don't want to turn it into something other than that."

James Tennant, Hamilton Spectator, Hamilton, ON.

February 3rd, 2005

Although Melissa McClelland may be the most known of this collective vocal quartet, her voice and songs are only one aspect of this talent-laden group that also includes Toronto-area singer-songwriters Lisa Winn, Erin Smith and Janine Stoll. Why they would all take time out from their own individual careers to sing together is obvious from the first notes of this album, as the soaring four-part harmonies are heart-melting. They’re all equally great songwriters as well, somehow managing to fuse their four distinct perspectives on life and love into a cohesive and thoroughly compelling package. As the album goes on, you realise you’re not rooting for one of them to emerge as the dominant voice. I’m even reluctant to point out specifics for fear of slighting one of the others. Suffice to say, Ladybird Sidebird is a true collaboration in every sense of the word, and four of the most powerful female voices in Canada right now.

Jason Schneider, Exclaim!, Toronto, ON.

November 25th, 2004

Sassy, sultry and self–effacing, the Ladybird Sideshow are self–described women with an edge. Melissa McClelland, Erin Smith, Janine Stoll and Lisa Winn are individually developing names as standout performers, but when they come together as The Ladybirds theirvoices intermingle in harmonic delight, weaving frank, incisive, engaging and humorous stories in a wash of soulful song.

A flurry of activity envelops the Ladybirds this week. Hot on the heels of her Hamilton Music Awards performance (where she won Best Female Artist), McClelland’s new video and single, “Pretty Blue,” are released from her Stranded in Suburbia this week. Meanwhile, LBSS partner Smith celebrates the release of her own new solo CD, Swagger. But most importantly, the long–awaited debut from the collective, Live At The Orange Lounge, is also celebrated this week with a Hamilton return.

“We are so excited,” says Smith about the new recording. “It has been a long time coming because of all our hectic schedules, but we really wanted to get this recorded and out to all the people who have been waiting patiently for it. Some of these songs are new and some you will find on our other records, but these versions are layered in stunning harmony and differ from any other you’ll find.”

Recorded over two nights in front of a live audience at the Orange Lounge, a studio housed at McClelland’s Toronto label, LATOL captures the raw simple beauty of four voices and a couple of acoustic guitars. Each Ladybird has their own distinct personality when they solo but the accumulative amalgamation of the four is angelic. The album showcases each individual songwriter, and is accented by a hidden barbershop quartet track and (gasp) an Alice in Chains cover.

“Our voices are so diverse and they just sound freaking gorgeous together, and that is the beauty of the Ladybird Sideshow,” laughs Smith. That, and the fact that we’re all best friends and like to take road trips together. I’m so thrilled to finally have a record with these girls. ‘Cause I love them and their music so much it’s just dumb.”

“It’s a perfect representation of what we do live,” McClelland smiles. “And I think we’re all happy to see the ladybirds CD out. But Erin’s CD is amazing. She really stripped it down and has really grown so much as a songwriter. We’re all so proud she’s put out such a great piece of work.”

Recorded at Michael J Birthelmer’s Hamilton studio, Swagger might veer from the funk–centric, danceable themes of her previous forays, incorporating sounds more personal for Smith.

“Swagger has some of that straight funk–soul to it, but encompasses a lot more of what makes me tick,” explains Smith. “I think it was time for all of those sides to be put on display. It’s sultry, it’s playful, it’s old–timey, it’s soulful and it’s tongue–in–cheek. All of that is in me and are things that just came out naturally when I took the time to really focus on song writing. I think I’ve just recently found my voice, and this is the album where that shines.

“For the record, though, I really do credit Neener (Smith), Melly (McClelland) and Lease (Winn) with helping me find my voice as both a vocalist and a songwriter,” Smith adds. “We all have really influenced each other a lot and we are very aware of that. I don’t think I would’ve taken the time to stretch and really get into my groove if I hadn’t have done the Ladybird project.”

If songs like “One of the Boys” are any indication, Smith can go from a soft purr, build to a Radiohead–like esoteric lament and end with a Beatle–esque unresolved resolve all within one song. Swagger delves into the saintly and sinful dichotomy that makes up her vulnerability and her power simultaneously.

“I think the dichotomy in the lyrics comes from growing up with a love of old–timey images and sounds, mixed with a love of pop culture,” says Smith. “I listen to Billie Holiday as often as I listen to Mos Def, Cyndi Lauper orBeyoncé. I have lazy days of painting and making soup as often as I’ll booze it up with my peeps. I think my entire generation is bipolar. If you listen to the lyrics, a lot of the songs ended up being stories told by girls who have an edge to them: hard drinking, hard working girls. Small town girls pining after unattainable loves, female mayors crashing cars, a woman dealing with a fella who tries to off himself so often that it’s become comical. Seemed to me like the stories themselves had swagger, so I went with that.”

With Smith flying off this January to Hawaii for a weekly stint in Kihei, the other Ladybirds are afforded a winter meeting place to stretch their wings.

“It’s not a Ladybird swan song at all,” she clarifies about her departure. “The Ladybirds will sing again. I have made the most solemn pinky swear to return for the summer touring season, so the ’Birds will be back in action by then. But until then, I keep joking with the Ladybirds that they should move down and we can start an awful lounge act.”

The Ladybird Sideshow returns to the Pepper Jack Cafe for one night only this Thursday, Nov 25 with Ali Bartlett opening. Cover is $8 with a 9pm start.

Ric Taylor, View Magazine, Hamilton, ON.

June 25th, 2004

Four Ladybirds and One Sideshow

This summer sees the touring of countless bands, festivals (but sadly not Lollapalooza), and high school kids on road trips. But what about sideshows? It's been quite a while since those things were politically correct, but the ladies of the Ladybird Sideshow are trying to change that.

Four accomplished Canadian artists that go by the names of Erin Smith, Janine Stoll, Melissa McClelland and Lisa Winn started the Ladybird Sideshow in 2001. As a group, the songstresses tour around the country, bringing an eclectic mix of Canadian talent together on one stage.

Tonight sees the first of the Sideshow's summer performances, a three day long stint in Thunder Bay. The Ladybird Sideshow will then go on and make a few more stops around Ontario. According to their site, the girls aren't planning on limiting their Sideshow to Canada, and will head off to Europe and Australia sometime in the near future. For updates on Ladybird performances go to www.ladybirdsideshow.com.

Not only will Winn, McClelland, Stoll and Smith be playing gigs together, but they also have their own separate shows lined up for the summer.

Jaclyn Arndt, SoulShine.ca in Scarborough, ON.

May 6th, 2004 Ladybird Sideshow

“We offer straight–up good, original music in four delicious flavours,” smiles Melissa McClelland, one–quarter of the Ladybird Sideshow coming to town this weekend.

Two years ago, McClelland hooked up with songbirds Lisa Winn, Erin Smith and Janine Stoll with a plan to gather resources with like-minded souls. The four realized an ethereal bond and translated that to the stage in song. The project took flight, and the Ladybirds were born. Four stellar voices intermingle into a resounding mix of pop, blues, funk, folk, soul and comedy from a different vantage point.

“We've had tons of fun together right from the very first day in the van, so right off the top there was one of those strong girlie–bonds that people write so many bad movies about,” quips Smith.

“We were four friends wanting to travel together and play music,” explains McClelland. “We started messing around on each other's stuff and suddenly we were coming up with beautiful parts, being completely inspired by each other's music.”

“When we first started we mostly left each girl alone to sing their own song and we would play in turn,” adds Smith. “Now we’ve spent time crafting really intricate four–part harmonies and add all kinds of nuances and sass to each other's songs. We can be witty, we can be bawdy, and we can just be doorknobs. But it seems to work in our favour.”

Touring nationally, the Ladybirds have experienced the folksinger’s blues—they document their world as they deem fit. Still, it’s a few steps away from popular folk convention.

“I bring in a little pop flava’, Neen [Stoll] plays edgy folk, Skee [Smith] is all about the funk and Lease [Winn] writes the stunning folk ballads,” exclaims McClelland on the elements that make this Sideshow special. “First and foremost we're all singer/songwriters placing huge importance on words and stories and the format in which we choose to deliver varies from one artist to the next.”

“There are lots of vivid stories painted in our set—everything from a girl on her way to being a porno queen, to a mining disaster in Northern Ontario,” offers Smith. “We've got fictional murders, we've got straight up catchy tunes with some saucy language, and we've got a few unconventional love songs.”

These Ladybirds write and sing from their particular perch, poetically and honestly. Yet, some more stoic audience members might malign such forthright women. “The music speaks for itself and as for our stage banter we're simply ourselves,” says McClelland. “[We’re] X–rated and vulgar if we feel so inclined. Some nights we put on quite a respectable folk show.”

“That doesn’t mean we should act like serious-minded music-heads when really we are awfully silly quite often,” Smith interjects refering to the occasional use of more bawdy language. “I think we just figured we’d give our fans a glimpse into what we talk about when we're in the van touring around. We’re all musicians with the clout to be taken seriously, but a little underpants talk now and then keeps things all in perspective.

“We do work as we see fit and use language as it pertains to our point and purpose,” Smith adds. “Sometimes the swearing is tongue–in–cheek, sometimes it’s the best way to get the tone of a story across and sometimes it just feels good to say, ‘I'm not fucking stupid.’ But ultimately, art that challenges in one way or another is often the best kind of art.”

These Ladybirds seem to turn heads wherever they go; they’re currently attracting the attention of some labels courting for their debut full–length. In the interim, the Ladybird Sideshow continues to tour, inspire, delight, incite and smile.

“It’s sickening how much we truly adore and support each other,” McClelland laughs. “It’s such a pure thing and it continues to astonish me. We have yet to have any nail scratching, hair–tearing fights—although we have had a few drunken wrestling matches.”

“How often do you get to hear/see four songbirds of stellar talent collaborating and playing alongside one another,” Smith asks. “ Not often, and certainly not with the kind of charisma that you’ll see at a Ladybird show. Plus if you’re lucky, we’ll talk about underpants some more.”

Ric Taylor, View Magazine, Hamilton, ON.

May 10th, 2003 (2:00-4:00 pm central time)

This year's top discovery so far is The Ladybird Sideshow. Four totally divergent singing/songwriting styles combine to form a highly energetic and enjoyable group. There's the high energy rock/funk/fun of Erin Smith, the energy and delightful attitude of Janine Stoll, the magnificent pop of Melissa McClelland, and Lisa Winn, oh, Lisa Winn (folks, if you haven't heard Lisa's new CD "Out From Under," RUN on over to www.lisawinn.com. Lisa, I'm blown away. I don't mean to take anything away from the other super talented girls, of course. I spoke briefly with Erin Smith as the girls traveled through the mountains on their Western Canadian tour, which brought them to Winnipeg on May 15. These girls are wonderful on record, but together in a live show, it's fun and exciting, and totally totally amazing. Don't miss The Ladybird Sideshow (or any of its members) if they come to your town.

Jeff Robson, CJUM 101.5 fm in Winnipeg, MB.

May 12th, 2003 Ladybird Sideshow
Songwriters' cabaret promises a mix of musical styles.

Four on the floor
What if four songwriters, each with dissimilar influences and backgrounds, got together for a musical cabaret? The result would be something like the Ladybird Sideshow, which sees the musical talents of singer/songwriters Melissa McClelland, Erin Smith, Janine Stoll and Lisa Winn unite for musical celebration which will see the ladies move from musical genre to musical genre, from hard rock to glitzy show tunes. From folk to funk, the ladies want to try it all.

Toronto experiment
The four Toronto-based women first decided to pool their talents for a series of lives show in 2001. Originally called the Mother Folker Tour, the ladies adopted the Ladybird moniker and decided to stay true to the almost-lost art of the musical cabaret. They received warm reviews and audience feedback throughout their early Southern Ontario tours, so now comes the move to bring the Ladybird cabaret experience to a wider Canadian audience. Expect to see a Ladybird Sideshow CD sometime in the near future.

Steven Sandor, Edmontonplus.ca, Edmonton AB.

May 7th, 2003

Four times a Ladybird
The Ladybird Sideshow • Sidetrack Café • Mon, May 12

There’s a plethora of beautiful voices across our vast country. But when four Toronto friends and singers decided to join forces and start their own group, they decided they had no choice but to leave that noisy hub if they wanted to be heard.

Melissa McClelland, Lisa Winn, Janine Stoll and Erin Smith are touring together as the Ladybird Sideshow, showcasing their stunning vocal harmonies while embracing genres as disparate as lullabies, country, rock and funk. “Because we all have such different sounds and vibes up onstage, it helps us to appreciate the role each one of us takes in the group,” says McClelland. “We all add something of equal importance to the overall show and we all realize it takes four Ladybirds to do that.”

But the show isn’t over when the four ladies sing. “Because it’s four friends up onstage together as well as four musicians, there’s a lot of interaction and laughing,” says McClelland, explaining the “Sideshow” half of their name. “We’re not afraid to make fools of ourselves and be a little offensive—or really offensive.”

Each Ladybird has another musical project outside the group and recording credits of her own, but they all managed to record a few Ladybird tracks together before going out on tour. Those songs will be available when they come through town next week, so you can take a little bit of the Sideshow home with you. V

Jenny Feniak, Vue Weekly, Edmonton AB.

January 17th, 2003

"The Ladybird Sideshow features four accomplished singer-songwriters, Melissa McClelland, Erin Smith, Janine Stoll and Lisa Winn (Winn is currently on hiatus on the West Coast and will not perform at this show). The Ladybird Sideshow demo album will be available for purchase. Each of the members have toured extensively and released their own album(s) which will be on sale as well. They blend country, folk, funk, soul, blues and pop, creating mesmorizing live performances and sellout shows. The harmonies are captivating, combined with strong lyrics and high energy. This is a show not to miss."

Kyra Walker, Kingston This Week, Kingston, ON.

July 18th - 24th, 2002 Hamilton Music Notes

The Staircase – a converted Hydro station – makes the most of its modest accommodations. Since 1999, the hip, cozy space has made a name for itself with a refreshing twist on theatre and comedy. Recent weeks have seen the venue play host to music, with the likes of Mark Raymond and Andrew Vanhorn (Rice) bringing their not–quite–folk, not–quite–rock sounds to the 60–odd seater.

This Friday, The Mother Folker Tour graces The Staircase with an eclectic group of female performers.

Lisa Winn has hooked up with Burlington’s Melissa McClelland and Toronto’s Erin Smith and Janine Stoll to form The Mother Folker Tour (although the name is now being reformulated due to a coryright issue) that is in the midst of a tour promoting their individual musical efforts and their collective friendship.

“We all know each other from playing in the Toronto music scene,” McClelland explains. “We’re all fans of each other’s music. Janine and I worked receptionist jobs for a year together in the same company and that’s when we initially came up with the idea of a Canadian tour with our pals. Erin and Lisa were the first people we thought of, and the more we developed the idea the more our music became a collaboration.”

“Normally we all play with other projects,” Smith admits. ìI play with my funk band normally, as I’m a mad acoustic funkster. We thought this would be cool because we could share the work and really pool our resources. We thought it would be a really intriguing show, as all of our styles are so different and varied.”

All of the artists with their own individual catalogues readily available are all currently in the midst of recording their own new CDs but there is also the possibility of documenting these four. But in the interim they just have fun hanging out with the girls.

“There are no big diva egos,” Smith adds. “Just four great gals with oodles of talent having fun. Lots of support amongst us and lots of hugs. The reception from the audiences on tour was staggering,” continues Smith. “People really dug the fun group dynamic and the diversity within the group.”

The Mother Folker Tour hits The Staircase (27 Dundurn St. N., Hamilton) this Friday, July 19 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10.

Ric Taylor, The View, Hamilton, ON.

June 19th, 2002

Musical postcards from the alt-folk edge
Toronto gals with guitars hone harmonies

Imagine Thelma and Louise, times two, with guitars instead of guns. You'd have a pretty clear picture of the Mother Folkers Tour, a quartet of Toronto singer-songwriters who've joined forces for a special East Coast tour that touches down tonight in Halifax at the Velvet Olive.

Janine Stoll, Erin Smith, Melissa McClelland, and Lisa Winn are each busy performers in their own right on the Canadian alterna-folk scene, but in the interests of spreading their music a little further afield they decided to take a page out of the Lilith Fair book, pool their resources and head out across the country.

"We're all friends, we met in the Toronto music scene," explains Smith from the Halifax home of Jimmy Swift Band's Mike Macdougall, who's putting the foursome up for a couple of days. "I've known Janine and Lisa for years, and Melissa has known them for years, so we go pretty far back.

"We decided this would be fun, and our music is so different and eclectic that it would be an interesting roadshow. So we packed all the girlies in the van and here we are."

It's turned into a part-concert tour, part-vacation adventure for the quartet - chronicled with daily updates on their Web site -with some sisterly bonding along the way.

They perform back-up on each other's songs, and have constantly been trying out new harmonies and instrumental parts, both on stage and in the van.

"It's a nine-day jaunt, and it's been going really well," says Smith. "We've got some cool four-part harmonies happening. Melissa sort of plays pop stuff, and Janine is bluesy rock, Lisa is more folk and I'm the funk one.

"It's pretty wild, in terms of the mix. We just do it up on each other's songs. They doo wop on my stuff, we do some lovely harmonies on Lisa's songs, and it all sounds cool."

Besides their guitars, the Mother Folkers take turns playing rhythms on a djembe hand drum, accompaniment on the fiddle or chords on a cheap Casio keyboard from Value Village, while their between-songs asides and commentary frequently puts the crowds in stitches.

"We get pretty silly when we're on stage," she admits. "We're very chatty and we like to involve the crowd, getting them to sing along. We get really naughty . . .

"We had a pre-show for the tour in Dunnville, Ont., and we got pretty out of control. Almost all of our parents were there, and we're like 'Are you proud of us NOW?' "

Stephen Cooke, The Herald, Halifax NS.

June 13th - 20th, 2002

A mother folkin' good time
Call them what you will, these touring Toronto divas
are a diverse yet cohesive group of performers

'We were sitting around joking about the name, " said Janine Stoll on the upcoming Mother Folker Tour.” We were going to call it the eight-tit tour."

Call it what you will, the upcoming female folk extravaganza, set to hit the Whitebone Lounge at UNBSJ on June 20, is sure to be an entertaining evening. Stoll, along with Melissa McClelland, Erin Smith and Lisa Winn, are presenting their tunes in the round, a unique setup which lets the artists perform on each others material.

"Sometimes we do stuff solo, but we sing on each other's stuff," says Stoll.

"There's a lot of funny stage banter. It's pretty different."

The four performers have varied styles, but compliment each other well.

Stoll's sound is stripped down and earthy; Winn leans gospel; McClelland moves towards sophisticated pop; while Smith is a little more rough around the edges.

Stoll believes the quartet will appeal to a wide audience. "It switches up so fast that even if you don't love one of the performers you do not get bored. There are so many talents and styles, it's great."

But it might not be for the easily offended, warned Stoll. "I have a little potty mouth. I say fuck and shit and ass sometimes. I have a review where the writer said I would get the Order of Canada if I wasn't so naughty."

Stoll also denounces the quick assumption that the concert is geared towards females.

"We're women, but we don't look at it that way. We’re four like-minded people who respect each other musically."

"Plus," she jokes, "It's easier to pitch. Four perty gals is easier to pitch than three perty gals AND one awkward looking boy."

Initially planning to take their troupe out West for three weeks, The Mother Folkers decided, "it might not be practical. It's a long trip and a lot of money, so we decided to do one week on the East Coast."

Alberta's loss and New Brunswick's gain. The Maritimes may be new territory for the quartet, but all four are well known in the Toronto scene. Smith has shared stages with pop star Nelly Furtado and college queen Sarah Slean. Winn has pulled off three successful European tours. McClelland has worked with veterans Moxy Fruvous and Hawksley Workman while Stoll has performed alongside up and coming acts such as Martina Sorbara and Andy Stochansky.

"We're all Toronto divas," laughs Stoll. "We're all pretty well known in our own right around here, but none of us have been out east to play. We all eventually want to come out solo to perform but this way was easier to put together."

Landing gigs east of Toronto was relatively simple, says Stoll. "The bookers were really warm, easy to deal with and sweet. It was like, 'We like music, come out and play.'"

The quartet prepared for the tour and raised funds through highly anticipated concerts in Toronto and Dunnville. They raised $1000, which enabled the Mother Folkers to make their trip possible. "The shows went totally successfully, everything worked out."

The Mother Folker Tour sets sail Friday June 14th towards Ottawa and will be in the East Coast by the end of the weekend.

The group is especially excited about hitting Halifax, our Maritime music capital.

We've heard the scene there is pretty cool and we want to come check it out." says Stoll.

It's about mother folkin' time.

Chuck Teed, HERE Magazine, Saint John NB.