Canada is known worldwide for the level of talent we produce in the music industry.  Artist such as Rush, Tom Cochrane, Loverboy, Billy Talent, Shania Twain, Honeymoon Suite, Helix, Kick Axe, Sarah McLachlan, Chantal Kreviazuk, The Trews, Raine Maida, Jann Arden, Blue Rodeo…the list is HUGE, brilliant and is practically endless.  Eagle & Hawk are an amazing rock band with this wicked Aboriginal flair ot their music; which I personally find not only unique but purely Canadian as well.  Consisting of band members Jay Bodner (Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar), Vince Fontaine (Electric Guitar/Vocals), Lawrence ‘Spatch’ Mulhall (Bass Guitar/Vocals), Gerry Atwell (Keyboards/Vocals) and Ray "Coco’ Stevenson (Traditional Vocals/Hand Drum)…notice they ALL sing ~ THAT my friends is a TRUE band.  Brilliant harmonies are the key to any sucessful song…and it’s candy for the ears.

If you wander over to www.eagleandhawk.com and go into the ‘about E & H’ section…you’ll be absolutely amazed at how many nominations as well as awards that this sensational group of artists has received.  Their latest album ‘Sirensong’ recently received &’Best Aboriginal Recording’ at the Western Canadian Music Awards this summer as well as receiving a Nammy for’ Best Rock Album’ at the Native American Music Awards.

Residing in my hometown of Winnipeg, MB ~ Jay Bodner  spoke to me about the band, their achievements, and of course the music not that long ago and I was so impressed by not only how well the albums have been produced, but how laid back he was and is just taking it all in stride.  A Father, a Husband, a Dad and a Rocker – and one hell of a funny guy.  Before the band headed off to Germany for a tour – Jay and I had a great conversation.

TFL: OK Jay – tell me when you joined Eagle & Hawk.

JB: I joined Eagle & Hawk in ‘97.

TFL: Are you working with a major label Jay?

JB: No – we are COMPLETELY independent.

TFL: Is everyone a part of the lyrical writing Jay, like is a collaborative effort or does just one of two of you write lyrics and the rest work on the music?

JB: It’s predominantly a collaboration of myself, Vince, and our producer Chris.

TFL: Do you guys have a song that you’ve written that was inspired by an event in your life?

JB: Ummmm..yes actually.  One of the songs that we’re pushing as one of the singles right now ‘It’s About Time’ was sort of inspired or half being the skeleton of the song was written after meeting one of my biological brothers.  We had a bit of a reunion, I found some (because I’m adopted) I found some family in Ontario and I went for a visit ~ just sitting by a pool on a nice summer day, surrounded by family and I just started writing “It’s About Time”.  I brought it back to our producer Chris and we blasted it off in a day.  It was probably one of the easiest songs ever.  Cause the rest were murder (laughs).

TFL: What do you love the most about performing?

JB: Ummmm…I just…it’s probably still one of the biggest reasons I’m you know – gives me that drive to keep going why I’m still in it.  Lots of people back out when they don’t have that mainstream success, but I just love to be on stage.  It’s one of the most happiest, purest places you know ~ one of the purest experiences you can have and I just get off.  I’m a bit of a goofball but very humble off stage, but on stage it’s all about me (laughs) and I love it.

TFL: (laughing) What genre would you say your music is then?

JB: Well I think by large we are, we’re a Rock band.  We’re not metal, we’re not super heavy but we’re not super light either; we always like to say we’re a prairie rock band with some Aboriginal flavor to it.

TFL: Are you guys on the radio out there?

JB: CBC plays us, and the Native radio stations across the country and a couple down in the States as well.

TFL: Have you guys done a video?

JB: No we haven’t.  We ummm, for awhile there we didn’t really believe in it.  Although I think we appeal to a wide variety of people, it’s more adult contemporary we would probably appeal to – and it’s a demographic that doesn’t really watch videos I think.

TFL: So what is going on in the world of Eagle & Hawk right now?

JB: Well… we are I guess nearing the end of our touring season, because it is a season for us.  Generally between Spring & Fall is the festival season with a hand full of anywhere from Corporate to Trade shows to Showcases to Award shows towards the Winter but it’s sparse in the Winter.  We’ll be off to Germany for a week – we’re playing a festival in former East Germany.

TFL: Tell me what has surprised you about the music business Jay.

JB: Well that’s not a happy question (laughs)

TFL: Well there’s the opposite end of the spectrum which is what has disappointed you about the music business?

JB: Well…you know I guess we always grow up dreaming of being that arena ‘Rockstar” right.

TFL: Yeah.

JB: Especially coming from our generation.  I think there was a time when I was a little bit depressed about it – because you have to be realistic it’s a tough game to be in.  It’s feast or famine, feast or famine, feast or famine and like we do really well in the Summer and the Winter is quiet but I was never one of those guys who said; and I’ve known guys who said ‘Music broke my heart’.  It’s like change your diaper already & suck it up.  I mean I haven’t…the definition of ‘making it’ I guess it’s what YOU – YOU determine what that is.  I’m just so blessed that I can still be nearing 40 and have what I like to joking call ‘entry level success’ & be able to still play.

TFL: Would you say the majority of your fans ARE Aboriginal?

JB: No! No I’d say we’re  – I’d say it’s about 50/50

TFL: OK – but that’s awesome Jay – shows loyalty.

JB: Yeah!

TFL: I can hear your kids (chuckling) so I’ll drop one more question on you Jay.  I want you to describe to me – one a moment in your career that your would call a profound moment.

JB: Probably would be…there are a couple actually.  Standing on the Canada Day stage in Ottawa with like 60,000 to 80,000 people – it was just retarded & getting the crowd to sing – we have this one song called “Indian Cars” where it’s the show closer.  We drag it out and get the crowd to sing & having control of THAT many people & seeing on their faces that everyone was there for a good time – it was like ‘WOW’ you know…it was an “I made it” moment.  There’s others like standing with the Symphony.  Just being 11 years and we’re still climbing the ladder – that’s pretty profound because that’s longer than most marriages.

TFL: I still remember you wearing your ‘Venom’ shirts.

JB: I LOVE that shirt. (laughing)

Like Jay says ‘you can’t forget your roots’.  I’ve known Jay for several years and have had some pretty good laughs together along the way.  His vocals have matured over the years and I’m completely blown away at the level of his talent and his longevity within the band itself.  ‘I See Red’ was the first Eagle & Hawk song I had ever heard and it still pops into my head from time to time.  I would agree in saying that this IS in fact a Prairie Rock band…with some Aboriginal Flair.

With their new album ‘Sirensong’ available now – you’d be crazy not to at least go to their website and check them out.  I stand firm in what I always say – Great music is GREAT music…and Eagle & Hawk do indeed create GREAT music!

Backstage Live Magazine welcomes Eagle & Hawk into our Rock & Roll family.