Phineas Gauge

What’s your style/genre? Rather eclectic, I daresay; my life’s purpose has largely been to write songs that are interesting, challenging, and emotionally resonant. Some have said we are Thunder Bay’s Ween. What’s new? My old bandmate, Aysanabee from The Communication, was nominated for a Juno this year! I'm working on a song called “Reality Cheque” about how we need to better develop our conscience alongside the efficiency we have garnered. How long have you been around? We are as old as dirt. I started writing around 12 years of age, and quickly came to the conclusion that was exactly what I wanted to primarily do for the rest of my life. Since both my parents were/are career musicians, I was immersed in music from before the internet was everywhere, when house phones were prevalent, and Nintendo was the big thing. Best song you’ve written? A song is a parcel of wisdom and emotion, as unique and varied as there is any given thought and emotion culminating in a state of being at any given time. They are all my babies, and I love them all. There are some that have a more universally accepted appeal, such as “Where Am I.” There are some that are deeply personal, such as “A Good One at That,” that still elicit a very strong emotional response. Ask a different person acquainted with Phineas Gauge songs what they favour and you will get a different answer every time. This tells me I’m in the ballpark of achieving what I set out to do and fills me with a great sense of accomplishment. Favourite song you cover? My main bent is writing songs, but we do cover songs. It’s fun to have a room full of people all singing the same song. Lately, we have had a great time playing a rocked up version of Tina Turner’s “The Best.” RIP. If you could collaborate with any musician/band, living or dead, who would it be and why? I feel as though I already am collaborating with the souls I am destined to be. It all feels right; the people I know fill my heart to the brim. What would be your dream gig? Were I a rich man, I have long since reached the conclusion that I would fly my friends around to varying mainly tropical places around the world, and we would play our music at unique livestreamed house parties. What’s the best thing about performing live shows? I suppose the best thing is sharing the energy with fellow musicians and the audience, whatever the song may be—we all look up after the song is over, and are like “Wow, that was an interesting moment that we just shared, and we all feel more close and open for having shared it.” Where do you draw inspiration from in your music? I grab little pieces from all my friends and family, a series of gems I hold up to the light, to better understand what I want to be. There is also the beauty and mystery of nature, the petal of a sprout, so vibrant and green. The veins in a hand, telling a story. All the things we fashion out of nature, from the vestments we adorn ourselves in, to the technology that now encompasses us on such a grand scale and continues to evolve as we do—it’s all very inspiring. What do you hope people take away from your music? Go create positive change with whatever it is you do. A grassroots approach. If we all helped one another with our backyards, there would be far less to complain about I reckon. I want people to feel, and to care. Contacts: jesshorricks@gmail.com linktr.ee/jesshorricks