Pennybrook is an acoustic duo based in southwestern Nova Scotia, specializing in original instrumental compositions with a Celtic flavour. Charlie Wilson plays Irish flute and whistles, and Jude Pelley plays guitars, mandolin and Appalachian dulcimer. Their music is atmospheric, rich and complex, drawing on both traditional and contemporary influences.
They have been together for nearly two years so far; they have given concerts from Nova Scotia to British Columbia — this time playing at the Snoring Sasquatch on July 29 — and have just released their first full-length CD of original music.
Originally hailing from the northwest of England, the promise of adventure drew Wilson to Northern Canada in 2000, first to Inuvik, then to Whitehorse, where she lived for seven years.
Her recent adventures have included dancing on the walls of prominent buildings in Vancouver, sailing from southeast Alaska to Vancouver, working as a theatre artist in Whitehorse and Vancouver, working as an apprentice boat builder in Lunenburg, N.S., and, wherever she is, practicing aikido as much as possible.
Continuing her childhood passion for the flute, Wilson has over the past several years amassed a collection of her own compositions. In fall 2010, Wilson travelled to Nova Scotia to record a CD with her friend, Pelley.
She stayed, fell in love and is now happy to call Nova Scotia’s South Shore her home. After two years of playing music together, the Pennybrook project with Jude continues to delight and inspire her.
Born in Carbonear, N.L., in 1975, Pelley’s interest in music stems from his father’s involvement in seminal Canadian folk-rock group Figgy Duff, and also from the many Richard Thompson records that were played around the house during his childhood.
He has been playing music off and on for 25 years, in styles ranging from rock and blues to jazz, bluegrass and Celtic.
When he’s not working on Pennybrook tunes, or pretending to be a carpenter, he produces records and works on art music compositions.
Tickets are $10 in advance at Black Bear Books, Buffalo Trails Coffee House and Kingfisher Used Books, and $13 at the door, which opens at 7 p.m.; the show starts at 8.
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