Rapidly developing a reputation as a formidable talent bolstered by charm and stage presence, The Travelling Mabels will be ringing in a special celebration for Legacy Guitar and Coffee House — marking one year since the local venue opened their Main Street location.
The Feb. 1 performance begins at 8 p.m., where audiences can take in an evening of stage banter, three-part harmonies and folk-country acoustics from three singer/songwriters representing three generations of female talent: Suzanne ‘baby Mabel’ Levesque (vocals, bass), Eva ‘Momma Mabel’ Levesque (vocals, guitar) and joining the mother-daughter duo is Lana ‘Purdy Mabel’ Floen (vocals, guitar).
The ladies are also joined by singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Keith Floen on accordion and keyboards, husband to Lana and manager for the group.
“He’s such a major part of the group,” said Lana. “And such a talent.”
With Keith taking care of the lead instrumental chop, the Mabels are left to focus on what has become their signature: tightly knit harmonies, handcrafted songs and dazzling audiences.
With a passion for travel shared among the women, the Mabels honour the canine persuasion through their band name.
“The name comes from a Bluetick hound dog, Mabel, that Eva met in Georgia who was a little unruly,” laughed Lana.
When asked what has kept this group moving forward since joining forces in 2008, as they gear up to record their third full-length album, Lana said the personalities just gel.
“We’re really kindred spirits. And (it’s about) harmony. And the respect we have for each other,” said Lana. “I think we’ve really come into our own.”
Lana said the band’s debut, self-titled album (2009) was about giving their fans something tangible to carry home after a concert. Their follow-up 2011 release, Song In A Dream, featuring the title track written by prairie legend Ian Tyson, saw the group “coming together”.
Lana said their next release, slated for late 2014-early 2015, would feature songs written by each member, as well as collaborative pieces.
Three songstresses, three lead vocalists and a 2011 accolade for ‘Group of the Year’ from the Alberta Country Music Association. It’s been a whirlwind with no end in sight for the four-piece.
A little pop, a lot of country and folk, the Mabels’ musical influences range from sixties folk (think Bob Dylan) to classic country (Dolly Parton) to harmony heavy weights (The Eagles) to powerhouse country-blues icons (Sheryl Crow).
“(Eva) Mum’s the humour and the storyteller — she’s able to get the audience in the palm of her hand within 30 seconds…Suzanne, vocally, is outstanding really…I do a lot of the business end of things. I’m more the ‘order’,” said Lana, admitting she serves the role of ‘mother hen’ for the group.
With a battery of western tour dates in the foreseeable future, followed by a summer season brimming with festivals, the Travelling Mabels will also be representing Alberta at the annual Folk Alliance Conference and Showcase in Kansas City, KS, mid-February. Visit thetravellingmabels.com for more info. Tickets are available at legacyguitarhouse.com.
