Mississippi Bends is Hamilton Based Alt Country/North Americana band fusing two talents of the Canadian Music Scene. Mary Simon is a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter with several solo albums and International Television song placements to her name. Andrew Aldridge is regarded as a favorite guitarists by many Artists (in Canadian and International) - In past years, he's been the guitarist of choice for the likes of Danny Michel, Sarah Slean, Melissa McClelland (Whitehorse) Albert Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult) and many more. Together they create a fantastic sound all they're own.
"I had name Mississippi Bends kicking around for while" says Andrew... " I've always liked it, but I didn't realize until later that it fits what we're doing musically. It's not about the State of Mississippi or the Delta Blues Sound or something specifically Southern/Country. It's about travelling throughout the country along the entire length of the Mississippi River and being witness to a true American, or rather North Americana sound - Everything from Swampy Delta Blues to Alt Country to Mid Western Rock to Folk to Chicago Electric Blues and Experimentation to Classic Rock and Pop Sounds of the North. Willie Neslon to Ryan Adams, Tom Petty to Buddy Miller, Lucinda Williams to Neil Young, Sonic Youth to Dan Lanois. A true North American Experience."
Mary Simon.
“Mary's songwriting is evocative and pure, matched only by the loveliness of her voice.
A stunning collection of songs” -- Dan Hill, Singer / Songwriter
“No More Maybes grabbed me immediately, one of those rare listens where you keep waiting for something that you
might not love as much as the last song, but not being disappointed, except when it ends. A roots songwriter, Simon
has that ability to surprise you, and even scare you a little bit with how emotionally direct her lyrics are.”
-- Bob Mersereau, Broadcaster Author of The Top 100 Canadian Singles.
Invite Mary Simon over for one night and her storytelling will make you cry, make you dance and will sing you to sleep. With a certain je ne c’est quois of lyrical sensibility, melodious composition and timeless storytelling, you will want to invite her back, or better yet never have her leave. Mary Simon's formula is simple, time-tested. With five albums behind her, the Hamilton singer/songwriter's powerful voice and vision have contributed to years of touring and creative explorations. She describes her sound as “gritty roots rock” which draws fans from North and South of the border. Her most recent solo release, No More Maybes (co-produced by Andrew Aldridge)is a step towards the American influences. “This album brings out the edgier sound that comes across in a live performance with an alt country flair. I’ve drawn on the strong parallels between my love for folk and rock. Artists such as Ryan Adams, Patty Griffin, Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams all inspire me, and have affected areas of this album and my performance. I’m trying something new this time, bye bye to the “nice girl” as a little attitude can be attractive – this
album is the most real expression of who I am and where I’ve been.”
Discography
Before I Fall - 2001
Leaving You Behind - 2002
In View of Mercy - 2004
No More Maybes - 2010
AWARDS & TV PLACEMENTS
Nominated for Hamilton Music Awards “Alt Country Recording of the Year” 2015 with Mississippi Bends
Nominated for Hamilton Music Awards “New Artist/Group of the Year” 2015 with Mississippi Bends
Nominated for Hamilton Music Awards Female Adult Alternative Recording of the Year 2010
“She Needs Faith” in the TV Movie “To Be Fat Like Me” on the Lifetime Network 2007
Nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year, Vibe Awards 2002
“Lost We Are” in General Hospital, ABC October 2011
Nominated for Hamilton Music Awards Female Artist of the Year 2010
“Lost We Are” in One Live to Live, ABC December 2009
Nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, Hamilton Music Awards 2004
John Lennon Songwriting Contest -Top 10 of Pop, 2002
Nominated for Canadian Music Week Indie Award 2002
Toronto’s 99.9FM Songwriting Contest 2 nd Place, 2001
ASCAP Lilith Fair Songwriting Contest -Top 10 2000
Andrew Aldridge
Inspired by Queen, Jeff Beck, Robbie Blunt and Peter Frampton (yes girls, The Frampton), Andrew’s first ‘club’ gig was at the tender age of 14, playing electric guitar with his older sister and a band made up of top Toronto session guys. And that was that… Although he was born and raised in Oakville, Andrew considers the Hammer to be home. Out of high school he moved to Hamilton to ‘get an education’ in music. After that education he moved to Toronto and lived there for many years. While living in the big smoke he earned a name for himself and began playing for artists that wanted him to do his thing. During this time he acquired a wealth of experience in the studio and on the road. Some critically acclaimed artists that have asked Andrew to ‘do his thing’ include the Wild Strawberries, Universal Honey, Danny Michel, Oh Susanna, Sarah Slean, Jakalope (NIN, Skinny Puppy), Chris Barron (Spin Doctors), Sean Ashby (Sarah Mclachlan), Bill Dillon (Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon). Andrew has toured all over North America, Europe, the UK and Japan and has appeared on National,International TV, Radio and Internet broadcasts. Andrew is on Indie, National and International releases and DVD concert releases. Most unique/interesting projects have included shows with original Blue Oyster Cult Drummer/founding member Albert Bouchard, an appearance at the YTK9 World Looping festival in Santa Cruz, California and founding the Experimental "collective" Planet of the Loops (est 1998)
Selected Discography
Wild Strawberries - Twist
Lilith Fair Tour Vol 2 Compilation
Sarah Slean - Day One
Women and Songs - Christmas
Universla Honey - Invincible
Universal Honey - Cant Stop Thinking About Christmas
Danny Michel - Tale From the Invisible Man
Danny Michel - Welcome Home, Danny Michel and the Black Tornados Live
Jakalope - Born 4
Lucie Idlout - Swagger
Chloe - Chloe
Kelly Slattery - The Line Between...
Alex Baird - Ish
The Swallows - The Beauty of Our Surroundings
Luke Jackson - Momentum
Little Man Hands - Instinct
Echo Hermits - Echo Hermits
Ken Baird - Further Out
Dandelion - Dandelion
Ruthann Springle - Be
Tia Mcgraff - Crazy Beautiful
The Sterling Moss - EP
Planet of the Loops - Document
Alana Kurtis - Wiser
Rae Billing - Walls and Fences
Leonard, Burns and Dell - Perfect Strangers
Mary Simon - No More Maybes
Buckshot Bebee and the Secret Boyfriends - Merchants of Youth
Duane Rutter - Crazy Things
Clear Stone - Suppose to Be
Mississippi Bends - EP
AWARDS
Nominated for Hamilton Music Awards “Producer of the Year” 2016 with Duane Rutter
Nominated for Hamilton Music Awards “Guitarist of the Year” 2016 with Duane Rutter