Ivy Coast

First up was Ivy Coast, an alt-folk-rock band out of Fonthill, ON. Formerly known as The Greg Mashinter Band, after their lead singer, the band recently decided they needed a change as they moved towards a more collaborative songwriting process and introduced a new member, Christina Rome on violin – which it turns out is one of the best things the band has going for them. The violin is a strikingly different sonic texture in a rock group that immediately sets this band apart. But it sounds entirely appropriate in the atmospheric, affective music the band is going for. Many of the band’s songs combine a low end filled out by simple guitar playing and a heavy drum beat, with the sounds of a distorted violin skittering over the top of it, to great effect.

Ivy Coast is actually the third name this band has had, after the last name had to be scrapped “because it turned out to be a sexual innuendo,” according to Mashinter. And yet, the group still occasionally has the feel of a band with no name – like they haven’t quite decided on exactly what they want their band to be just yet. This was certainly true in terms of genre. Some of Ivy Coast’s songs were quite moody, atmospheric, even experimental, verging on post-rock, while another others (like “I Lost Myself”) were closer to pop songs, and others still (like “Light Of Day”) followed a pretty traditional rock structure. I couldn’t decide if the band reminded me more of Interpol or Great Lake Swimmers, and that’s not a common pairing.

The band doesn’t even seem to have fully decided on a consistent line-up. Virtually every song involved an extended session of instrument-switching and place-changing. At least three out of five members were on percussion at some point, and a similar number shared responsibility on keys – which, in a six-song set, is pretty impressive, really.

In the end, though, I’m not certain any of this is really a problem. However different the songs were, they were all good, and no one ever seemed to take on an instrument they couldn’t handle. It could be that Ivy Coast is a new band still struggling to find a single voice, or it could be that this is a band content to exist without a single sound – and that’s ok too. - Electric City Live

When Ivy Coast takes to the Art in the Park stage at Summerfest this Friday the audience may recognize a few of the faces performing in front of them.

That’s because the five-person Pelham band is essentially the Greg Mashinter Band, albeit with a new name and new sound. Last year the band, under its former name, picked up first place at the town’s Ampfest Youth Music Competition.

Now, with violinist Christine Rome joining the four from the Greg Mashinter band — Cole Warner of Welland, Greg Mashinter of Wainfleet, Manny Pagotta of Fenwick and Clayton Peters — the group is in the midst of recording a debut album at Fonthill’s Riothill Studio’s under the name of Ivy Coast.

“The writing style changed,” said Pagotta who fills in on lead guitar and drums. Much of the band trades instruments and roles across different songs making for an interesting stage presence.

Pagotta explained, under the previous name, Mashinter came up with most of the songs, with other members laying down the backing instrumentation for his folk stylings and vocals.

“Now it is something different,” said Pagotta, adding now the band works more collaboratively on every song, with input from each member. He acknowledged however Mashinter still comes up with the lyrics and a core idea, it’s just often, by the time everyone has had their say, a completely new sound has emerged.

“Greg goes shopping and we make the meal,” said Warner, who plays bass, keys and drums.

“We’ve realized it’s not easy for one person to take that entire load,” said Mashinter, explaining with a history dating back to high school band experiments the group can easily work together on forging a new sound.

That new sound is going in a more rock direction, with the band adding violin tracks, bigger drums and synthesizers to the mix.

Mashinter said the band hopes to have the album done by the end of summer, and has already generated most of the material.

“We did a two-, three-week writing boot camp,” he said.

As for the lyrics Mashinter said listeners can expect a personal account of depression.

“I wrote most of the songs within a pretty difficult realm of depression,” said Mashinter, explaining he suffered a dark period during his studies in British Columbia this last year. In fact that bought of depression forced him to return home early.

“I lived in B.C., I wasn’t aware you don’t see the sun,” he said, adding, “it’s not super happy.”

Ivy Coast will take to the Summerfest stage at 9 p.m. next Friday. Other acts for Pelham’s premier celebration of summer include Soundfleet, Too Much of Jon, Gormans and Sister Act to name a few. For a full line up of performers visit www.pelhamsummerfest.ca. - Niagara The Week

When Ivy Coast takes to the Art in the Park stage at Summerfest this Friday the audience may recognize a few of the faces performing in front of them.

That’s because the five-person Pelham band is essentially the Greg Mashinter Band, albeit with a new name and new sound. Last year the band, under its former name, picked up first place at the town’s Ampfest Youth Music Competition.

Now, with violinist Christine Rome joining the four from the Greg Mashinter band — Cole Warner of Welland, Greg Mashinter of Wainfleet, Manny Pagotta of Fenwick and Clayton Peters — the group is in the midst of recording a debut album at Fonthill’s Riothill Studio’s under the name of Ivy Coast.

“The writing style changed,” said Pagotta who fills in on lead guitar and drums. Much of the band trades instruments and roles across different songs making for an interesting stage presence.

Pagotta explained, under the previous name, Mashinter came up with most of the songs, with other members laying down the backing instrumentation for his folk stylings and vocals.

“Now it is something different,” said Pagotta, adding now the band works more collaboratively on every song, with input from each member. He acknowledged however Mashinter still comes up with the lyrics and a core idea, it’s just often, by the time everyone has had their say, a completely new sound has emerged.

“Greg goes shopping and we make the meal,” said Warner, who plays bass, keys and drums.

“We’ve realized it’s not easy for one person to take that entire load,” said Mashinter, explaining with a history dating back to high school band experiments the group can easily work together on forging a new sound.

That new sound is going in a more rock direction, with the band adding violin tracks, bigger drums and synthesizers to the mix.

Mashinter said the band hopes to have the album done by the end of summer, and has already generated most of the material.

“We did a two-, three-week writing boot camp,” he said.

As for the lyrics Mashinter said listeners can expect a personal account of depression.

“I wrote most of the songs within a pretty difficult realm of depression,” said Mashinter, explaining he suffered a dark period during his studies in British Columbia this last year. In fact that bought of depression forced him to return home early.

“I lived in B.C., I wasn’t aware you don’t see the sun,” he said, adding, “it’s not super happy.”

Ivy Coast will take to the Summerfest stage at 9 p.m. next Friday. Other acts for Pelham’s premier celebration of summer include Soundfleet, Too Much of Jon, Gormans and Sister Act to name a few. For a full line up of performers visit www.pelhamsummerfest.ca. - Niagara The Week