Ian Tanner

I've played in two bands that got small label deals... The Awakening in the mid 1980's, and One Hundred Days, in the 90's. Now, I just write whatever I want to. I work at a studio full time, and the bulk of my job is writing, so I am always having to come up with material. The problem is, I spend way too little time on my own stuff after hours! I'm trying to change!! My musical style is a scatalogical blend of everything I love about music...Melody, harmony, quirky shifts of mood, a constant desire to not do what is expected.

I began playing piano at age 6, and then learned all the other rock and roll instruments in my teens. I primarily play bass and guitars in the bands I am in, but have been known to play drums, but not very consistantly! I began writing at an early age, and after writing literally hundreds of songs before the age of 16,(I used to keep track.. seriously!), I finally wrote my first GOOD song in my early 20's!!! I write a lot less songs now, but a lot of them are alright!

I used to play solo gigs all the time, but not so much anymore. I would like to, but most of the venues in my area demand that you play Irish drinking songs, and that just ain't my bag!! I am a side musician playing with a few bigger name acts in the Canadian Country music scene, so that means nice hotels, good income, limos, planes, and all those other things my own music could never buy for me!!

Melodic music is my main interest. Music with interesting chord movement, inventiveness, quirky shifts, and obscure lyrics. I like everything from McCartney, Brian Wilson, Elvis Costello and Elliott Smith, to Zappa, Stravinsky, Nick Drake and Mr. Bungle!

I use ProTools with the M-Box unit. I have a crappy guitar, so I have to borrow a good one. I have a P-Bass, and a decent Epiphone acoustic. When I want something to sound amazing, I have friends who are legit engineers. I go there!

Read Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It changed my life. It will change yours.