Music

by Kevin Wilson
kevin@louisville.com

A dozen or so albums into their career, the Cowboy Junkies have not only managed to survive, but have also somehow succeeded in remaining a vital, inspirational force in modern music.

In their world, things move a bit slower as they consistently creep along the edge of darkness with their delicate, smoky numbers. Fragile and relaxed, the Junkies patiently forge a bond of intimacy with their audience. And though this connection may seem, at first, perplexing and brief, it's one that leaves a lasting impression nonetheless.

The result of a childhood friendship between bassist Alan Anton and guitarist Michael Timmins, The Cowboy Junkies began rather simply. Anton recalls that even as eleven-year old boys, he and Timmins already had a musical dimension to their relationship. And importantly, they were both addicted to records, mostly by bands like the Doors, the Velvet Underground and the Rolling Stones.

Amid a spirit of musical innovation, Anton credits the atmosphere of that era for sparking their interest in the musician’s life.

"It [the 1970s] was a great ten years for music. We were lucky enough to be catching that amazing early stuff and having processed that we were at exactly the right age to absorb punk and all its implications," Anton said during a mid-tour phone interview.

As their friendship deepened, Timmins and Anton ventured out of Toronto together to play in the British group Germinal as well as a band called Hunger Project. When they eventually returned home, they began to piece together the Cowboy Junkies from Michael's siblings. Peter Timmins was invited to play drums and Margo Timmins eased into the role of lead vocalist. With a diverse collection of musical influences and individual personalities, the band quickly developed a distinct sound.

Soon after, in 1986, the Cowboy Junkies released their debut album, Whites Off Earth Now!, through their own label, Latent. It was immediately evident that something exceptional was happening. For their second and extremely popular release, The Trinity Sessions, the Junkies began what was to be a rather tumultuous affair with a series of major label record companies. These relationships amounted to a strange saga and for years to follow, the Junkies continued to operate with sincere expression but little concern for major label politics.

Not properly nourished as career artists, the Junkies eventually abandoned the industry giants and resurrected Latent, which is currently distributed in the U.S. by Rounder Records. Now relatively obscure in the grand scheme, Cowboy Junkies releases are still lauded by critics, peers, and fans alike.

And though their songbook is marked by that characteristic tone of depression, it is seemingly rooted in opportunity and connectedness, rather than cosmic blankness and isolation. Accordingly, Margo maintains that the characters in their songs fight against the depression and are always heading somewhere better.

With a wonderfully crafted new record (that revisits the magic of the Trinity Sessions), and their major label headaches behind them, it is apparent that, like their songs' characters, the Cowboy Junkies are heading somewhere better too.

For now, they are heading into town singing.

The Cowboy Junkies will appear with Mary Gauthier as part of the "First Capital Bank Live Concert Series" on Thursday, March 27, 8pm at the Clifton Center. Tickets are $29.00 in advance. Call 896-8480 for info.