Small town talk keeps everyone connected, which is how Oliver’s cowboy rock band feels about its first CD release.
“We’re proud of our own identity,” said lead guitarist Ken Repkow of Wined It Up. “It’s a very honest album,” he continued, referring to “Small Town Talk.”
Repkow joins lead vocalist Mikie Spillett, drummer Jim Ruhland, and bass player Ed Dukes in a collaboration reminiscent of 80s rockers Oasis and Pink Floyd, with a mix of Led Zeppelin and Heart.
For two years now, the band has cowboy-rocked its way through the South Okanagan with its original sound and lyrics.
“It’s a life experience,” Spillett said, noting they all get along great because there is so much passion.
Ruhland began playing drums in Grade 7 under the influence of music teacher Ken Hayes. At the age of 14 he began playing in a polka band, enjoying the riches of weekend forays into dance halls and legions.
At 17, Ruhland entered the world of Kraft dinner, broken down vehicles and an 80’s rock wardrobe of red leather pants (try to picture that).
Fast forward many years saw Ruhland and Dukes looking for a singer and a guitarist (enter Spillett and Repkow).
“They stole me from Music in the Park,” said Spillett, a rancher’s daughter who began singing at the age of five.
She has come a long way since crowned high school rodeo queen in 1977 for 100 Mile House. In 2004 she placed second in Okanagan Starsearch, and two years later sang at the Calgary Stampede for 40,000 people. She went on to win Okanagan Idol and sang her way into the studio.
Repkow has played guitar since the age of nine. He was signed to a two-album deal with DMT Records and Royalty Records in Edmonton.
His music was released nationally, and his band High Park was play-listed with radio stations.
Repkow has backed up some famous bands such as April Wine, Harlequin, Cheap Trick and Trooper.
Dukes was born in Dublin, Ireland and started playing the ukulele at age 12. At age 16 he built an electric guitar and amplifier from scratch and played it in a high school band called The High Fives.
Dukes moved to Toronto, ON at age 19 and played in an R&B band called Suede and Leather. He even jammed on Saturday mornings with Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush.
He moved to Oliver in 2002 and played with local musicians in the Toasted Blokes and the Procrastinators.
Small Town Talk definitely reflects a bit of Oliver with songs like Stormy Sky, What a Week, and Secret Story (gotta love the picture of Repkow aiming the shotgun . . . “I wanna tell you what you’re gonna do and you’ll take it”).
My favourite is Fly Away, which sounds like it could be the theme song for the next James Bond movie.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
