Giving back to Canterbury
The Balconies return for benefit show
Hot rock band The Balconies follow a fine tradition Friday by returning to Canterbury High School to play a charity concert for the school.
The band’s frontwoman, Jacquie Neville, and younger brother Stephen, the bassist, both attended the Ottawa school renowned for its arts program.
Arcade Fire also played a benefit show at Canterbury in 2007 — multi-instrumentalist Richard Perry is an alumnus. Other Canterbury graduates include actress-comedian Jessica Holmes, opera singer Shannon Mercer and actorsinger Raoul Bhaneja.
The Balconies will play tunes from their new album, Fast Motions, which will be released in 2014. Fans will have a chance to buy an advance copy. Special guests at the benefit, which is open to the public, are Dear Rouge and The Capitol Beat.
The band had to cancel a string of concerts in Western Canada earlier this month after Jacquie Neville suffered vocal strain. But she’s had a couple weeks of rest back home in Toronto, where the band is now based, and is confident she can perform as planned at the benefit.
Neville was fronting a band, Jacquie in the Kitchen, with brother Stephen while they were still Canterbury students. She taught herself guitar and began writing music while at the school, graduating in 2005.
The Balconies formed a few years later as a rock trio, with the addition of Liam Jaeger. All three studied classical music at the University of Ottawa. The band took second place in the Big Money Shot, a best-band competition, in 2010, have toured Canada and Europe multiple times and played festivals in the U.S. They recently added Steve Molella as drummer, with Jaeger switching to guitar.
Jacquie Neville gives a lot of credit for her musical career to Canterbury High School. She spoke to the Citizen by email about her alma mater and the importance of giving back.
ON HER EXPERIENCE AT CANTERBURY
“I remember the feeling of genuine excitement and thirst to learn and create. Canterbury was an extremely positive environment — no prejudice, no bullies. Everyone was supportive and excited about being involved in the school. Everyone was free to explore who they were and wanted to be.
“All students were aspiring artists of some kind, and I am grateful that I was able to be a part of that inspiring community. I don’t think I would have developed my confidence in myself and my passion for music if it weren’t for CHS.”
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC EDUCATION
“I don’t know how I would have turned out if I didn’t have music. It helped me through a lot as a teenager, and for having a healthy platform to express myself, I am truly grateful. I think having a creative platform at any age is a healthy way to escape. When you’re a teenager, you’re growing into who you are going to be physically, emotionally, creatively and mentally ... it’s a confusing and difficult time. I remember being depressed often as a kid, but when I started writing my own music and immersed myself in other musical undertakings, those feelings of helplessness and angst just disappeared.
“I also quickly realized: ‘Hey, maybe I’m not the only one going through this? Maybe I’m not alone?’ I had the opportunity to perform my music in front of supportive audiences at school: whether it was a coffee house, music night with the school orchestra, musical, assembly or a bunch of friends crammed into a tiny practice room. I wanted to play for everyone and I took advantage of every opportunity I could.
“People would come up to me and say: ‘Hey, that song really spoke to me. Thank you!’ It was reassuring for me, not only because I was growing out of my shell and becoming more confident, but I suddenly didn’t feel alone anymore.
ON GIVING BACK
“The school means a lot to me, and I know I would be a completely different person doing completely different things if I hadn’t attended CHS. I want other kids to have the same opportunity I did ... we all did — having a positive, inspiring and exciting environment to grow into your own. I think it’s important to honour your roots and remember where you came from. I wanted to find a way to give back and inspire kids to do the same.”