Joey O'Neil is a cross-country, road-tripping, cabin-dwelling, dog-loving, singer-songwriter, multi-creative!
I work with my voice and with my hands as a songwriter, illustrator, and fibre crafter. I'm also a cabin dweller, a guitarist, a canine companion, an occasional drag king, and a cross-country road-tripper. I've lived in the Yukon for a decade now and have been savouring my off-grid home (across the river from Dawson City) for nine years. Art school brought me north and the incredible, quirky community has kept me there. In between chopping wood and hauling water I enjoy drinking coffee out of a collection of tiny ceramic cups made by my friends, crocheting bookmarks by the light of a headlamp, watching slapstick B films from the 1940s, playing Boggle over the telephone with my mother, and wandering through the woods with my dog, Oblio. I make endless lists, save them in a large chest, and then use them as fire-starter. I often schlep between the Yukon and Ontario playing intimate folk-country shows along the way. Over the summer I completed a "dog park tour" of Canada which let me share my canine-centric sophomore album, Ever Ahead, with 13 concerts in dog parks throughout 5 provinces. Though primarily a musician, I'm currently working on a road-trip themed tarot deck, the Ever Ahead Tarot, made up of 78 watercolour illustrations. I love allowing the story to dictate the medium.
I feel that the title could belong to anyone who takes action on inspiration.
I am inspired a great deal by inanimate objects. Something about their voiceless presence makes me want to sing the things they can't. I'm especially moved by objects that may be broken or lost. Much of my sophomore album, Ever Ahead, was about my vintage vehicle in dire need of mechanical assistance. When I was involved with the League of Lady Wrestlers my character was Toast Her, a malfunctioning toaster. I'm fascinated with bringing attention to the quiet and the mundane.
Photos by Miriam Behman; Christopher Sherman; Melissa Naef
Storytelling.
Knowing we're all usually standing in our own ways, I'm constantly advising myself to remain open; to possibilities, opportunities, people, and emotions. It takes strength and practice to be vulnerable and I'm always in need of the reminder.
Stubborn people who put their faith-based rules above the wellbeing of others. Also long division. Also so many things.
I can make any space supercozy! Even if I'm sleeping at the side of the highway, I'm proud of the fact that I'm able to find that feeling of home within myself and amplify it to a point where I can feel grounded anywhere I go. That was my main goal when I moved across the country... It's taken years of practice but I'm rarely lonesome anymore. My joy is providing a safe, homey space so others can feel cozy, too (the secret is candles, music, and tea).
When my dog has a leaf on her head or her back and she doesn't know it. It's just a lil' leaf, goin' for a ride.
Convicted of witchcraft.
Justin is an analogue photographer who’s been capturing some gorgeously haunting northern scapes, characters, and moments for the last decade.
Justin is an analogue photographer who’s been capturing some gorgeously haunting northern scapes, characters, and moments for the last decade.
This band rocks. I met them at the Folk On The Rocks festival in Yellowknife last summer and have since been lucky enough to drive them around on tour. Go listen to their new EP Time Is A Car!
This band rocks. I met them at the Folk On The Rocks festival in Yellowknife last summer and have since been lucky enough to drive them around on tour. Go listen to their new EP Time Is A Car!
I met Kim in the Yukon and they constantly inspire me with their illustrations, storytelling through comics, and exploration of natural fibre arts.
I met Kim in the Yukon and they constantly inspire me with their illustrations, storytelling through comics, and exploration of natural fibre arts.
bekky is an amazing animator, illustrator, playwright, puppeteer, crafter, duck/dog/cat parent, and farmer. She’s also my sister!
bekky is an amazing animator, illustrator, playwright, puppeteer, crafter, duck/dog/cat parent, and farmer. She’s also my sister!