Bands to Watch: The Duhks
Music to Shake a Tail Feather to, Plus Environmental Awareness
Nov 13, 2008
The old adage goes that if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s probably a duck. But what if it is a Duhk, and it sounds exactly like nothing you have ever heard before? What you would have is the Winnipeg group The Duhks--a meaty stew of folk, gospel, rock, zydeco, afro-beat, and bluegrass.
A Brief Biography of the Duhks
The Duhks first formed in 2002, consisting of members
- Tania Elizabeth-- Fiddle
- Jordan McConnell-- Guitar
- Leonard Podolak-- Banjo
- Jessee Havey-- Lead Singer
- Scott Senior-- Percussion
Havey and Senior would later be replaced in 2008 with siblings Sarah Dugas (vocals) and Christan Dugas (percussion).
The Duhks first breakthrough came with their third album, Migrations. One of the songs on that album, “Heaven’s My Home,” was nominated for a Grammy in 2007 for Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal. This nomination helped to expose the Duhks to an audience outside of their native Canada.
Just as the Duhks were ready to fly away, singer and founding member Jessee Havey left the band to persue other interests. Shortly after, percussionist Scott Senior left the band and returned home to Winnipeg.
New Members on the Duhks Latest Album, Fast Paced World
For their latest album, Fast Paced World, the Duhks enlisted Sarah and Christian Dugas as singer and percussionist, respectively. The two siblings are the children of musician parents, and their exposure to the many different musical styles that upbringing confers helped them mesh with the eclectic band.
Fast Paced World certainly shows the influence of these two newcomers. Dugas’s powerful pipes are on display for many of the songs, including their first single “A Mighty Storm” and the wine-soaked “This Fall,” which creeps about like a burglar on Bourbon Street.
The Duhks continue to dance around the musical spectrum, including world beat jams such as the lively “Magalenha.” Percussion is much more pronounced on this album than in previous ones, although arrangements and the intertwining of instruments are still paramount.
Environmental Awareness With Greenduhks
In October, 2007 the Duhks began the Duhks Sustainability Project, also known as Greenduhks. Spearheaded by Duhks fiddler Tania Elizabeth, Greenduhks exists to reduce the impact of touring and to encourage sustainability. In addtion to making their own tours “green,” Greenduhks supports education to all on how everyday people can do the same. By doing so, the Duhks attempt to educate while entertaining, a rare aspect in modern music.
A Band in Flight
The Duhks are a band going through a transition. With the major personnel changes, it would be silly to think otherwise. Yet their music is already so varied, any new influences will simply meld with what they are already doing. The Duhks are a band in flight. It will be interesting to see just how high they fly.
