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Kevin's Bio
Thin Buckle Bio's
Kevin's Bio
 Of course an album called Havana Winter is lovely and lush. Could it be any other way? On his fifth solo album, acclaimed keyboardist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Kevin Hearn creates planetarium pop with lush synthesizers decorating increasingly spacious arrangements, set to snappier summertime tempos with underpinnings of melancholy moods. The songs draw from the innocence of ’60s pop, the wry wit of Randy Newman, and the bubbly rhythms of Stereolab, recorded with a big-screen vision worthy of the Flaming Lips. It’s an old-fashioned headphone album, the kind where it’s best to sit back, close your eyes, and immerse yourself in a world of sound.
Kevin Hearn is busy enough as a member of the Barenaked Ladies, the multi-platinum pop band he joined 14 years ago. In recent years he’s played on albums by CanRock royalty such as The Tragically Hip, Broken Social Scene, Ron Sexsmith and Raine Maida. And in one of the highest compliments any keyboardist could ever hope to receive, Hearn was invited to sing and play on the new album by Garth Hudson of The Band.
Havana Winter finds New York City guitarist Mike Rathke joining Hearn’s longtime backing band Thin Buckle. Also on board are singers Chantal Kreviazuk and Mary Margaret O’Hara, Irish-Canadian tenor John McDermott, and Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson—the latter two both hired Hearn to supplement their touring bands in recent years.
It may be music made by a busy man, but the sonic summer breezes of Havana Winter go down like a extra-minty mojito.
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Thin Buckle Bio's
Bob Scott - Drums and percussion
 Great Bob Scott is an incredible force and mainstay of the Canadian music and entertainment biz. He's a fiendishly dedicated technical wizard; his versatility and sense of timing are legendary amongst veteran musicians across canada. A consumate performer, Scott has tackled numerous television appearances and toured throughout Europe and North America. He keeps busy with regular recording sessions, theatre, film and TV work.
Bob has worked with musical acts such as The Look People, Holly Cole, Mary Margeret O'Hara, Bob Wiseman, Pizzicato Five, Nash the Slash, The Shuffle ODemons, The Rheostatics, John Bottomely, Kevin Hearn, Peter Appleyard, Bern Nix (Ornette Coleman), John Southworth, Colin Linden, German Smurfs and many others. He has also worked with a number of comedians, including Jim Carrey, Harland Williams, Judy Tenuta, Mike Macdonald, Ron Vaudry, and Sean Cullen.
Bob's film and TV work includes "Friday Nite with Ralph Benmurgi", "Dinner at the Edge" (Gemini Award winning film), "Songbird Music" (commercial), 'War of the Worlds"(TV series), a variety peoples comedy festivals, and the Gemini Awards performing with The Royal Jelly Orchestra .
Chris Gartner - Bass, vocals and guitar
 Chris Gartner is a Toronto based multi-intstrumentalist, composer, and producer. As a bassist, he is best known for time spent as a member of the critically acclaimed group, The Look People. While with the group, he toured Europe and North America, appearing in Billboard magazine, performing in Lollapalooza '92, in videos, and in many national television broadcasts. He is a co-composer of their final album 'Crazy Eggs'.
Aside from playing and recording with Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle, Chris has worked with some of Canada's most creative artists and groups, touring in North America and Europe with Sara Craig, in Canada with Spookey Reuben, and in England with the Tamara Williamson Band. Over the last dozen years,
he has worked with: Trichy Sankaran, Martin Tielli, N.O.M.A., The Excalceolators, Mark Hewins, Harland Williams, Sean Cullen, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Patricia O'Callaghan, Jimmy James, Arlene Bishop, and Polmo Polpo. For the last 3 years, Chris has played in celebrated singer/songwriter Mia Sheard's group, performing with her in New York, throughout Canada, and on a number of national television and radio broadcasts. He can be heard on her latest recording: 'Anemone'.
A unique project that that features Chris's bass playing is the Zappa-inspired, cartoon/jazz group: Stoopy. This band includes Toronto jazz lumineries Richard Underhill, Jono Grant, Sarah McCelcheran, Great Bob Scott, and Roger Clown. Their instrumental debut album is due out in summer 2004. Chris is a member of the east-indian/world group: Tasa, led by tabla player/composer, Ravi Naimpally. They have two recordings, the award-winning "Bhakti", and "Soma"(featuring sarangi virtuoso Dhruva Ghosh). Tasa has played all major Jazz festivals across Canada and has recently completed a tour of Europe. They have performed withmaster Indian Classical musicians: Trichy Sankaran, and Dhruva Ghosh.
In the past few years, Chris has taken on the role of producer, most recently in aco-production with acclaimed singer/songwriter Lori Cullen for her latest album: 'Uneven Hill'. Aside from production work, this recording also features Chris'shorn arrangements, percussion, guitar, bass, mandolin, and original composition "Redwood".
Currently Gartner is producing an ambient bass album, and the debut recording of a new duo with Great Bob Scott. This group features his dense computer generated soundscapes, live guitar and bass loops, melded to Bob's explosive drumming and unique banjo playing. Chris's own original vocal album is also taking shape, and will feature many wonderful guests, and surprises.
www.myspace.com/chrisgartner
Brian Macmillan - guitar and vocals
 Once in a while you come across a musician who restores and refreshes your faith in music. It usually catches you offguard; found in some obscure place on some random night when you weren’t expecting it. And it will just happen – one note, one melody, one chord that leaves you feeling that the world is a better place. This is usually what pulls someone to go out and hear music on any given night – the chance that one of those magical moments will happen.
Brian Macmillan, Toronto-based singer-songwriter, seems, if anything, completely dedicated to the making of those moments. He approaches the stage like an old friend; excited, warm, and ready to engage. With him may be just his guitar, or his Rhodes keyboard, pedals, space echoes. Or maybe he has a drummer and bass player. The variables are irrelevant – Brian just loves making music and wants to share that with his audience. Feet start tapping along instantly, hads slap thighs, and bodies gently sway with his sweet rhythms and heartfelt songs.
With original music rooted in folk, pop, and even a hint of reggae – Brian accomplishes the task that most great musicians do; creating a new sound, a new genre, one that weaves in and honors all the great music that has come before while making it genuinely his own. It is the kind of music that can confuse a listener “haven’t I heard this before?”.
Brian’s debut CD, Gone To See the Morning, was a word-of-mouth success, garnering him local recognition and establishing him as one of Toronto’s finest young songwriters. Brian’s submission to the first Winterfolk festival ranked #1 by Tony Quarrington, earning him a showcase at Convocation Hall. He is a two-time Ontario Arts Council grant recipient and was awarded the Colleen Peterson songwriting award in October 2005.
Outside of his solo career, Brian can also be heard playing with the Barenaked Ladies’ Kevin Hearn and his band, Thin Buckle. In 2006, Brian will be releasing his much-awaited Sophomore album, “Let the Darkness Go”. He is one to watch and one to listen to. His obvious passion for music and messages of love and social consciousness make him the kind of artist that keeps us anticipating his next move, next sound, next word. After all, each moment could be that one we were looking for.
www.myspace.com/brianmacmillan
Derek Orford - guitar, mandolin and vocals
 Derek is an artist. He paints with the texture and tone of a guitar, rather than with a brush and easel. Derek has now released 16 solo albums in his Alphabet Series, and is currently working on the 17th.
Derek has led a unique life, even running for the Canadian Parliament at one point. He has played with The Look People as well as many other bands.
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