Zach captures the final shadows of Your Neck of the Woods
The energy was high but there was a strange heaviness to it on Thursday, July 26th. Van Gogh’s Ear was packed to the brim with friends, fans, and families of one of Guelph’s premier bluegrass bands, Your Neck of the Woods. Front man Ben Doerksen was relaxing with some friends over a pint while front woman Nicole was straightening out t-shirts at the merch table.
The 5-piece band took the stage, checked their mics, and then stepped back. They turned to one another and embraced. Long hugs were exchanged by the whole group. This would be their last show as a band.
After a few heartfelt words and many thank you’s, they opened with a mash-up of Cabin in the Woods and Alberta Burning dedicated to their lost brother in arms who went to Alberta last September to fight the fires there. Right away the hometown crowd of the hometown band was on their feet, clapping hands, raising glasses, and singing along. The people love YNOTW!
Although the overarching theme of the night lived in the past in the form of old stories, crazy fan memories, songs they never play anymore and past members the real focus for these guys is the future. The band is splitting on good terms as Nicole is going out West and the rest of the band will be leaving UofG a few months from now making it difficult to collaborate and record together.
Although I’m happy for the individuals who are growing and spreading their proverbial wings, I am also sad to see a great band call it quits. YNOTW just released their album Alberta Burning in March and it is a real bummer we’re not going to see a follow-up.
Farewell YNOTW; and thank you!
All photographs are the property of Zach Charbonneau Photography ©
