Northwest CanCon

In this edition of Northwest CanCon Headliners, Mother Mother lead singer/guitarist Ryan Guldemond talks about the SXSW experience, touring in the United States and prospects for the band in the future.

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Guldemond created the group in 2005. Their debut album was well-received, but it was their second album that really put them on the map. Released last September, O My Heart rose to number 1 on the Canadian campus radio charts, and peaked at number 24 on the CMJ Top 200. The single “Body of Years” won CBC Radio 3′s 2008 Bucky Award for best vocals. Listening to their music, it’s easy to understand why.

When we do get to the romantic stage of all this, I think it will be well deserved. —Ryan Guldemond

Mother Mother play their catchy pop-rock with conviction. Their music is well-crafted with infectious melodies and solid rhythms. But what really sets them apart are the harmonies: Jasmin Parkin and Ryan’s sister Molly Guldemond back his lead with tight and accurate supporting harmonies that, in the words of one reviewer, “would make Queen proud.”

The band has toured extensively across the United States and Canada over the past couple of years, and the experience shows on stage. When the band opened for Sam Roberts here in Portland recently, they won over the crowd of a couple hundred with the opening licks of “Hayloft,” and held them right through to the last note of “O My Heart.”

Mother Mother is on tour in Western Canada in April, and elsewhere after that. Check the Mother Mother website for complete tour dates.

Northwest CanCon photographer Matthew Ginn was at their show in Portland. Click here for the Mother Mother concert photos.