A Musical Month
By Kelly McManus - North Shore Outlook - November 15, 2007

August celebrates the release of their first CD.

Rae Armour is a different person when Beverley Elliott walks into the room. Solo, she's just as friendly and good natured, but as soon as the bubbly red-headed North Shore actress joins the conversation, there's a palpable shift. Instantly the pair begins cracking jokes, exchanging compliments and throbbing with energetic enthusiasm.

One can only assume that this contagious atmosphere doubles when their counterparts Linda Kidder and Meg Tennant join them. Collectively the women make up August, a musical supergroup that is equal parts folk, bluegrass and quirk.

"We were adding it up the other day and between the four of us we have 130 years of experience," Armour joked.

That century worth of trials and tribulations has culminated in the group's recently released first album, The Sweetest Day. The record marks the first time the singers have recorded together and it retains the remnants of the solo careers they toiled at for so long, with four distinct voices tackling markedly different genres with each song.

The songwriting process is "very fair," Elliot explained. Each of the women brought songs to the table and they eventually chose three each for the final cut. The result offers listeners a musical buffet with a little bit of something for everyone.

Elliott said she worried for "about two seconds" that record might sound more like four separate efforts instead of a cohesive whole. But, Armour added, they're not out to win a Grammy.

"We're not trying to prove anything. We're just trying to remember it," she said, launching the pair into laughter. Elliott, agreeing with that motto, added, "We're not trying to sell booze for the manager in the club. We're just here to entertain."

And that's part of their appeal. By embracing their middle-age and all the aches, pains and wisdom that comes with it, they've found themselves an appreciative demographic.

Although they've only been a group a little over a year, August has already managed to pick up a North Vancouver FANS award, record their album, and make room in their busy schedules for plenty of theatre shows.

While they admit it took a little time to get used to jostling around each other's day planners, it's been a good change. And one of the best parts has been sharing the stage. As they explained, when you've got four performers up there, chances are at least one will have an "on" night.

"When you have three other people with such talent, it brings (the show) to a higher level," Armour said. And, as you might imagine, the between-song-banter has reached all new levels. (As an example, they almost decide to share a funny story about trading in pre-concert booze for Tylenol these days, but decide between giggles that it's best saved for the show.) No two performances are the same, they promise.

"There's a big per cent that's not scripted. It's really spontaneous," Armour said.

"It's kind of like getting to know the audience every night," Elliott added. "That's sort of our strength, playing live." There will be a few different opportunities to see August live in the coming week. Their CD release party at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre takes place Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster (note: due to errors the show might be listed under Normand Foote, the singer who offered them the venue.)

On Nov. 19 they will perform at Starry Night, the Shooting Stars Foundation fundraiser at The Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage at 8 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 604-687-1644. On Nov. 19 (that's right, two shows on one night) and 20 they will also be playing at Brock Tully's World Kindness Concert at Unity Theatre (5840 Oak St.). Tickets are $30 and available at www.kindacts.net. For more information on the group, including how to get a copy of the new CD, visit www.augustmusic.net.

AUGUSTmusic.net