Band, Makiisma, with ties to Claresholm, set to celebrate debut album ‘Lady Misery’
Finally! With COVID restrictions lifted, Megan Brown and her band Makiisma can finally celebrate the release of their debut album “Lady Misery.”
Brown, a classically trained violinist who studied biology at the University of Lethbridge, and her band finished the album in 2019 and released it last year but then COVID struck and they haven’t been able to tour it.
That changes Sept. 10 at the Owl Acoustic Lounge when they will hit the stage and perform the nine songs on the album.
“We’re playing the album from top to bottom,” Brown said in an interview this week.
Born in Claresholm, the long-time Lethbridge resident was ready to hit the road with her band last year “then we were grounded,” Brown said.
“I’m quite happy with the way it turned out,” Brown said of the album which has elements of Led Zeppelin and Portishead in its mix.
“Bringing together elements of the classical world with her passion for heavy, raw, expressive music Makiisma creates songs that lie somewhere between Portishead, Black Mountain, and death gospel artist Chelsea Wolfe,” says a press release.
Brown describes her music as “doom folk rock”. The musician toured and performed as a violinist and vocalist with other groups for about 10 years before creating Makiisma, a nickname, which she developed as an online gamer.
Her travels throughout South America, Southeast Asia and Europe influenced the sound of much of her work.
Makiisma started when she approached drummer Keenan Pezderik, who also plays with Adequate, and keyboardist T.J. Waltho about starting a band. Bassist Kieran Swinney joined in 2019, replacing Steve Martin.
Brown is looking forward to the show at the new Owl venue, now located at 606 3 Avenue South, and its bigger stage.
She’s also hoping to rebook tour dates that were cancelled because of the pandemic.
Opening the show will be Half/Asian with Amy the CODA.