the drowned
The drowned came into being in late 1993, following the demise of The Eccohing Green, a Saskatoon Celtic roots-rock band which managed to put out three well-received independent cassettes during its brief career. Not content to remain on the sidelines of the contemporary music scene, the former leader of The Eccohing Green, Jay Hails, forged ahead with his vision of presenting literary-inspired songs within the context of an acoustic-based musical group. Jay (lead vocals and guitar) eventually settled on Robert Ford (bass) Kevin Buzinski (drums) and Anna Bekolay (violin and vocals) as the nucleus of the drowned.

Jay’s fondness for the poetry of William Blake and Rainer Maria Rilke is evident in his compositions, which have the uncanny ability of appearing simultaneously familiar and fresh. While the songs’ lyrics stand alone as thought-provoking poetry, when combined with the band’s polished and heartfelt playing, Hail’s tunes take on an almost other-worldly life of their own, and the rhythm tandem of Robert and Kevin (who have been influenced by the music of the Police and Rush) forms a counterbalance to Jay’s folk-styled singing. Meanwhile, Anna’s vigorous, incessant violin playing provides a further counterbalance to the proceedings.

The drowned has been featured on several Saskatchewan radio and television programs and is currently collaborating with CBC-TV Regina on a half-hour feature for future broadcast. Work is also being completed on a video for the sing "Kite", their first single from the drowned’s debut album, If Happiness is Water.
Recordings
If Happiness is Water

If Happiness is Water CD

If Happiness is Water
CD $15.00 ON SALE AGAIN SEPTEMEBER 8, 2003

1. Pachyderm
2. Kite
3. Anything at All Play
4. Clarinets and Oranges
5. Look at All the Horses
6. Hand in my Hand
7. Drowning Days
8. Sister Sunrise
9. Bird Heart
10. Dear Medbh
11. And There’s Sherry
12. Kim Says
13. Tara’s Shoes Play
14. Packing Up my Senses
15. Cradlesong