Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer

History

Shawn Hall and Matthew Rogers first met by chance at a jingle recording session in 2006. Prior to the band, Hall worked for CityTV and Rogers worked (and continues to work) as film composer. They discovered they had a mutual affinity for a multitude of musical genres, but mainly folk and blues. The band began as a folk duo and their sound continued to evolve into a bigger, more electric sound. Their working relationship was built from their similarities but also their dissimilarities. Both agree that the friction resulting from their different musical tastes is both a frustrating but fruitful part of their creative process.

Live

Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer are widely known for their amazing live shows and commanding stage presence. Having only two members, they sing, play guitar, foot percussion and harmonica. In the summer of 2013, they played 16 major festival dates across Canada and the US including Salmon Arm Roots & Blues, Vancouver Jazz Festival and SXSW, Montreal Jazz Festival, TD Kitchener Blues Festival and Ottawa Blues Festival.

Awards

Harpoonist & the Axe Murderer received a Sirius XM Indie award in 2013 for Blues Artist of the Year. Their third album, Checkered Past (released on October 27, 2011) was nominated at the Maple Blues Awards for 'Album of the Year' in 2013. Shawn Hall was also nominated for a Maple Blues Award for Harmonica Player of the Year They were nominated for a Juno for their album A Real Fine Mess.

Albums