We pretty much just want everyone to listen to what we have created.
Ben Welland and Sean Laframboise love music.
You can see it when you approach them and you can hear it as
they both go into great detail about their music, and music as a whole.
Together they make up Sadie Hell, a band that has the potential to be
something special.
The name Sadie Hell is a spin off of Sandy Hill, the name of
an Ottawa neighbourhood Welland took to a few years back. Much like the band,
it went through some transformations before being settled on. Laframboise, a Barrhaven
native, pulls double duties playing in another band, No Way Out, and being the
second and only other permanent member of Sadie Hell.
Welland has toured with No Way Out as an opening act, and
that is where the pair came together musically. The two make up the core of
Sadie Hell and incorporate a lot of guest artists that sing backup or play
various instruments.
“We had one guy that played an organ in a church,” said
Welland.
The music they play isn’t happy, and that is the way they
intend it. The music is dark and mellow and expressive. The lyrics touch on
serious topics such as the war in Iraq.
“Ever since I was little I always listened to all sorts of
music,” said Laframboise. “Sadie Hell is different. I like to diversify my
drumming.”
That diversification will appear on their first album which
is currently in the works. The ball got rolling when Welland’s girlfriend gave
him studio time as a gift. After putting in money of their own they racked up
16 hours of studio time. And then came the Bluesfest offer.
“Every band at Bluesfest gets $1,500,” said Welland.
Much of that money went into more recording time and they
are now working with 36 hours in the studio. Still, for a full album that isn’t
a lot and they are recording some music in the studio and some in other
locations such as their homes and an art gallery Welland where rents space.
“We’re taking all of these little bits recorded by us, and
taking them back to this guy (at the studio) and saying ‘Here, mix this. You
put this together and make it sound great,’” said Welland.
What they hope comes out of it is an amazing record. It very
well might be their only record, but that is the way they want it.
“I’d be happy to only have one (album),” said Welland. “You
want to have a really good one and just leave it.”
“We pretty much just want everyone to listen to what we have
created,” said Laframboise. “What we spent time and money on”
While they work on their album, Bluesfest is coming up quickly.
Although they are happy to be there, they don’t think they will attract their
regular crowd.
“It’s more of a resumé thing,” said Welland. “I’d love if
there were people there, but I know we can’t count on our regular draw to come
out because it’s $32 a ticket. We usually do shows for seven bucks. I love the
fact we’re doing Bluesfest, I just don’t see it as a launching point.”
But without their standard following, Bluesfest could very
well expose them to a wider audience. And with an album in the works it is
entirely possible that their music will catch a few ears and boost album sales.
Sadie Hell will play Bluesfest at 6 p.m. on July 10 on the
River Stage.