The Helson Art Gallery in Georgetown, Ontario was dressed in unusual décor on the evening of January 2nd, 2016, when about 70 chairs filled the gallery space to face the on-site grand piano. Stringed instruments—including several guitars, a violin, viola, and mandolin—contributed to the visual backdrop of a special night for local performing arts: the concert and EP launch of local musical duo, Mountain and the Wood, with opening acts Jack Pine and Sanjay Baboolal featuring Amit Mehta. The evening filled the venue beyond capacity, with many patrons choosing to stand at the back of the room to partake in a night of culture and original music fully presented by the Halton Hills’ youth.
Mountain and the Wood, consisting of Matthew Wittman and Susannah McKenzie-Sutter, performed eight tracks from their self-titled debut album, recorded in July of 2015 before McKenzie-Sutter returned to Memorial University of Newfoundland for the semester. Wittman is the primary songwriter, guitar player, and vocalist for the group, while McKenzie-Sutter plays violin, mandolin, viola, and contributes some backing vocals and songwriting credits. The two have been planning the show since their recording sessions with the help of local production artist Danen Sloan, knowing that organizing a show would be difficult due to the geographical distance between the two performers.
“Compared to other shows, it went a lot more smoothly than I anticipated,” says Wittman. “Having Susannah in Newfoundland [meant] we had to get things organized or at least started in the summer.”
One complication that arose later on was the eviction of the original venue—The Red Door Gallery, a local art space in downtown Georgetown that rented from Canadian Legion Branch 120—weeks before the show. Manager of the gallery and member of the Halton Hills Cultural Roundtable, Beatrice Sharkey, suggested that the musicians move to the Helson Gallery.
The Helson Gallery “ended up being a much nicer room sound-wise and [in] aesthetics,” says Wittman. As a part of the local community center, the building also houses the Halton Hills Public Library and John Elliott Theatre. The building was previously used as a church, and the stained glass and arched ceilings contributed to the venue’s unique sound quality and peaceful aesthetic.
Halton Hills is home to several young musical talents and, more often than not, these musicians perform their original works in local bars, clubs, and cafes—the Helson Gallery offered a different vibe, and a more diverse audience age range. After the show, McKenzie-Sutter commented on the difference in sound quality and the attentiveness of the audience compared to shows at other venues.
“Bar shows are fun, but if you care about your music you want people to listen to it,” says McKenzie-Sutter. “As a violinist, my sound is so quiet, and I didn’t want to be the aesthetic of just a fiddle player in a bar.”
Jack Pine commented on their excitement about playing in a venue that resembles a “cathedral,” and his fellow performer Kevin Misner announced his pleasure to play his original pieces on a grand piano, as opposed to his usual keyboard. The group of two male vocalists, both proficient guitar players, singers, and songwriters, performed a set of indie-folk over a half hour long, with some tracks clearly popular with the local friends and fans. Matteo de Stefano also announced his own EP release show, happening the following week at the Shepherd’s Crook in downtown Georgetown.
Sanjay Baboolal and Amit Mehta, both recent graduates of Acton District High School, combined Mehta’s impressive percussive techniques of Mehta with Acton musician Baboolal’s guitar and vocals. The two performed a combination of original songs and covers of contemporary popular songs from Canadian favourites City and Colour and Justin Bieber.
Mountain and the Wood rounded out the show with a stirring performance, complimenting each other on their musical strengths between songs and exuding an obvious musical chemistry. Their set included a number of memorable duets, with a cover of “Auld Lang Syne” and their mandolin-led original song “Mended” standing out as particular highlights. They finished their set with a new track from Wittman, not included on the album. “Maybe on the next one,” said Wittman.
Almost every member at the packed show was seen wearing their complimentary Mountain and the Wood button, offered as proof-of-payment of the $5 entry fee instead of a paper ticket. Many also picked up $10 CD copies of the album. The night reflected a community of all ages, coming out to wear their support for young local talent on their sleeves.
“We have great family and friends, so I wasn’t surprised at the almost one hundred that came out,” says Wittman, “just overwhelmed with love.”
