Ingrid Gatin is a musician with varied influences which have helped develop her own indie roots style.
"I'm influenced by so many styles of music, from Joni Mitchell to Beirut, from hip-hop stylings to traditional Romanian music. I love it all," said Gatin who will be performing May 27 at 5th Ave Cup and Saucer in Yorkton. "I play piano, accordion, and mandolin, and sing. CBC's Wab Kinew once described it as 'Sensual Accordion' music."
The Yorkton stop is part of a tour explained Gatin.
"I am touring with a great group of Manitoban artists," she said. "JD Edwards is opening up most nights with his soulful folk songwriting style; an amazing man, who is also playing trombone with me as well.
"JD is originally from Oshawa, but is now a Winnipeg artist. TJ Blair is a Winnipeg original, who plays with many amazing Winnipeg bands like the Magnificent 7's and The Lonely Vulcans."
Gatin said her band is a varied group.
"I met my stand-up bass player Natalie in Brandon, where I grew up for the latter half of my life. Originally, I am from Whitewood, Saskatchewan, which is one reason I wanted to play Yorkton, as well as planning our show for the opening night of the Yorkton Film Festival, as a bit of an after party!"
In terms of her band Gatin said, "The band is always forming. There are people who can make it sometimes, and some who can make it fairly consistently. I asked these three musicians in particular because the van could hold four. They were the ones that I wanted and they made it work."
Gatin has had some interesting opportunities to play her music.
"We've been playing music shows on VIA Rail train cars, exchanging playing on board for passage," she said. "After a few trips with VIA Rail, they asked us to play the New Years Eve special this year from Winnipeg to Vancouver, which was way too fun!
"I've been able to tour with some amazing musicians in my short career so far. I am currently touring with the fabulous JD Edwards, and last time around the gorgeous Miss Emily Brown was my touring companion.
"We've been showcased on 'CBC's Definitely Not The Opera', as well as television and radio shows across the country. It's all pretty fun."
While the band carries her name, when it comes to creating the music, Gatin said she likes everyone to have a hand in the process.
"I am the songwriter, which is mainly why the band is called Ingrid Gatin, but I like to give the band freedom in writing their own parts and harmonies, and doing what they feel is right! It always works out better that way," she said.
The recording was done in the Manitoba capital.
"It was recorded in Winnipeg at Wonderdog Studios with Lloyd Peterson," said Gatin. "He has actually been an engineer for many years, but recently opened up a studio in his own house, so that you record piano parts up in his living room, while recording drums in the rec room downstairs."
Gatin said being in the studio was a different experience.
"It was an interesting process that's for sure," she said. "It was a big learning experience for me, because I also got a grant to record the album. Between booking time, practicing musicians, balancing the books, doing everything for the grant the right way, and getting ready to leave on a two month tour; it was a lot!
"Broken Tambourine was also my first album."
While the studio was a new experience, it was also a rewarding one, said Gatin."I am very happy with the finished product," she said. "It has been getting quite a lot of radio play on CBC and College and Independent Radio."
