“She just loves to play, and loves


performing for people,” says Murray. Playing Blues in Ottawa can be


a tough slog. Bands have been faced with two major venue closings in the past year. First it was the Elmdale Tavern cutting down on live acts, and then, the big shocker, the closure of Tuscon’s on Bank, Ottawa’s best Blues venue. According to Murray, many


Ottawa Blues bands have just given up, and switched formats to play so- called Classic Rock. But there are still opportunities for Blues bands, especially if they stay true to their craft. “If you’re playing from the heart


and you really mean what you’re saying,” he says, “then the Blues fans are with you and will accept you.”


Part of Wicked Grin’s success has


been their willingness to walk out on the ledge and play original tunes, rather than just relying on familiar Blues classics. Murray figures the band plays about 70 per cent original music in their live shows, and that makes them stand out. “When you come to one of our


shows you don’t hear all the Blues standards that a lot of the other bands are playing,” he says. “The music comes from our lives, which is why people enjoy it and play it and like


www.bounder.ca BOUNDER MAGAZINE 49


listening to it.” Contrary to popular belief, you


don’t have to be depressed to write a good Blues song. “The form is fairly standard,”


Murray says, “but within that form you’re free to do so many things and explore so many ideas. Blues music continued on page 68


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