With powerful lyrics and an eclectic mix of sounds and beats, if there is one thing the music of Betty Malaise and the Mushroom-Souper is missing, it's a genre.
"They're going to have to make up a genre to put us in," said Joël Carignan, one of the band's two members.
Carignan produces the sounds on his computer using programs Garage Band and Reason 4.0, while Brandie Rector writes and sings the lyrics.
"Since we work on a laptop, we can just hop in the car and stop somewhere and write a song," said Carignan.
Carignan and Rector have known each other for over 13 years and started making music together in Rector's attic about six years ago. Since then, the two have written and recorded over 200 songs and are now working on their 14th album, which will include songs with guest artists Keith Bartlett and Ralph Arcand.
"I just love music," said Rector. "It's a creative outlet."
As their music developed, so too did their relationship.
"We were best friends for a very long time," said Carignan, smiling at Rector.
"BFF's!" laughs Rector.
"And, yeah, then we fell in love," adds Carignan.
Rector said this relationship has added to their music, as they are more comfortable together and understand the feeling and emotion the other is going for in any given song.
"We're blown away with some of the stuff we've recorded," said Carignan.
The two take a very relaxed approach to creating music - instead of agonizing over songs, they create music and move on. In fact, all of the songs on their album are chronological, placed in the order they were created.
"It keeps us moving forward," Rector said, adding this allows them to virtually listen to their evolution as musicians.
"So our best song is the one we wrote yesterday," said Carignan.
For those who have yet to experience their music, or for those who can't get enough, a collage and listening party will be held this Sunday, May 1 at the Chapel Gallery from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. This is a free event and supplies will be provided.
"It's never about the money, it's just about getting the ideas out to people," said Rector, adding the idea for a collage party, of which they've already had one, came from Safira Lachapelle, gallery assistant, who in turn was inspired by the community workshops held by Canadian artist Paul Butler.
The music of Betty Malaise and the Mushroom-Souper is available for free on the band's website: www.bettymalaiseandthemushroomsouper.com, although they do accept donations.
"We're just waiting for the donations to come rolling in," laughs Carignan.
In the meantime, Rector is a sales assistant at a jewellery store, while Carignan recently landed a position with the City of North Battleford's Parks and Recreation Department.
Carignan is also an accomplished artist, taking part in the Creative Partnership Program, and creating music videos with Rector for their band's songs, including The Madness Grows, which won the Judge's Award in Lakeland Library's Flick Fest, and Hands Down, which has been selected to be a part of the Red Rover film screening in Saskatoon, April 28.
The two also produced a short instructional video explaining how to enjoy the music of their band.
