Cornflower Blue Review in the Kitchissippi Times

No Blues for Cornflower Blue
Westboro band takes to the street (Tony Mantis, Kitchissippi Times)

After 15 years of crating compelling Americana-style folk music, Westboro-based Cornflower Blue seem to have found a sweet spot - just don't ask them to explain how they've done it. The band's 2011 eight-song recording Run Down The Rails cracked the top 10 on Roots music charts in Canada and the U.S. this spring. The record also nudged into the Nashville Music Row top 100, a big accomplishment for a self-produced outfit with no major label support. As for the sudden surge, bandleaders and songwriters Trevor May and Theresa McInerney can offer no rhyme or reason. "We've been at this for a long, long time and this is the forth CD Theresa and I have released, the second as Cornflower Blue," says May, a resident of Highland Avenue. "We often look at each other and ask 'why now?' We don't have a reason why the new record has that much traction. But it does and we're excited and grateful." Hungry music fans can enjoy two free helpings of Cornflower Blue over the Westfest weekend. The band will play on the Bridgehead patio the evening of Friday June 8 and outside the Westboro United Church the afternoon of Saturday, June 9. For these performances, May and McInerney will be joined by bandmates Deanna McDougall (violin), Dasha Korycan (Bass), and Rob MacLeod (Drums) - all Westboro residents. Not surprisingly, Cornflower Blue is securely plugged into its neighbourhood. "We constantly do events and fundraisers for area community associations," says May, "The week after Westfest we're playing the Tweedsmural Fair, which is a big block party for the folks living on Tweedsmuir avenue. Then later that night we're heading over to the Masonic hall on Churchill to play Rasputin's Beard." Bass player Korycan is one of those Tweedsmuir residents who loves those local shows. "In the past we've played Ionapalooza in Iona Park and the McKellar Park Fall Festival," adds Korycan. "They're my favourite gigs because we're among neighbours and friends." Noting that collectively they band members have eight children, May adds: "I think that it's our kids that keep us focused on the community and the local schools and parks and various associations." The abundance of children has also limited the band's ability to tour, says May. "I could not imagine putting them all on a tour bus and keeping everyone happy and safe - and the parents sane - even for a two week run," May says. "In many ways the kids are in charge of our lives right now - but I would not have it any other way."