Mo Kenney
Mo Kenney | |
|---|---|
 Mo Kenney performing at East Coast Music Week in 2013. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Morgan Kenney June 5, 1990 Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Occupations | songwriter, performer, recording artist |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums |
| Years active | 2010-present |
| Labels | New Scotland Records, Pheromone Recordings |
| Website | |
Mo Kenney (born 1990) is a Canadian singer/songwriter based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.[1] Catching the ear of noted Canadian rocker Joel Plaskett while still in school, Kenney released their first album in 2012, which Plaskett produced.[2] Kenney is known for their lyrical prowess and engaging stage presence.[3][4] Called "Nova Scotia's rising star" by The Scene magazine, they[5] have toured with Plaskett as well as with Ron Sexsmith.[6] In 2013, their song "Sucker" won the prestigious SOCAN Songwriting Prize.[7]
Background
[edit]Kenney began playing guitar when they were 11. They became interested in music via classic rock; among their favourite artists in their early teens were Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Ozzy Osbourne.[8] When they found themself grounded for two months by their parents at age 16, they began writing songs in earnest and listening to singer/songwriters such as Elliott Smith.[9] Smith in particular inspired Kenney to learn finger-picking. At around the same age, they also began to draw inspiration from the indie rock world, thanks to exposure to the films of Wes Anderson, and the adventurous soundtracks he favors.[1][8]
Career
[edit]Kenney first began recording their songs at a small recording studio housed at the Shambhala School, a non-denominational private school in Halifax, when they were 17. Joel Plaskett visited the school one day to talk about playing and recording music, and listened to what they had recorded. Two years later, Plaskett's manager called Kenney with the news that they were invited to attend Gordie Sampson's Songcamp in Cape Breton. Kenney later began working on their first recording with Plaskett, starting in April 2011.[9][10]
Although hampered by severe stage fright when first beginning to perform, Kenney now impresses critics with their at-ease and affable stage presence.[3][6][11] Among their notable international performances to date, Kenney played at the Iceland Airwaves Music Festival in October 2012[12] and at the Great Escape Festival in Brighton in May 2013.[13]
Their debut album, entitled Mo Kenney, was produced by Plaskett and recorded at his studio in Dartmouth. The album was released in September 2012 by New Scotland Records and Pheromone Recordings.[14] Plaskett co-wrote two of the album's songs with Kenney. The two of them are the only musicians who play on the album.