Passion.
It’s said that one can’t be truly creative without passion. Surprising how many bands fall short here when putting the equation together. In the fickle world of music, there is something to be said about a group that doesn’t kow-tow to cookie-cutter trends or cigar-chomping suits looking for the next pop flavour of the month. So if fate chooses to smile the gleaming white grin of prosperity on Edmonton, Canada’s One Soul Thrust then let the justice be done. Their style- modern but classic rock-influenced- lends itself to success without compromise. From pure rock to funk to soulful blues, it’s all rock and it’s all executed with precision, experience & creativity… but it starts with passion.
One Soul Thrust- 1ST for short- puts their passion where their mouth is. And out of that mouth comes the group’s signature sound via lead vocalist/songwriter, Salem Jones. Put Heart’s Ann Wilson and Queensryche’s Geoff Tate in a blender. Ignore all except only the tastiest screams. Mix. Pour. Now throw on their latest opus, “1ST” scheduled for release in April 2010. Wielding presence and mystique with an understated but confident sexuality, Salem is the full meal deal of rock singers. Add drummer Todd Pretty’s pounding hypno-grooves, bassist Kim Lesaca’s funk and thunder, and guitarist Jag Mollerup’s thoughtfully aggressive chords and you have the members of what one US journalist called “one of Canada’s best kept secrets”.
1ST is not, thankfully, a secret to all specifically current and former members of Tupelo Honey, Nickelback and The Northern Pikes with whom they’ve worked in the past. Allman Bros/Gov’t Mule’s Warren Haynes uses an amp designed by Jag and even Europe hears the 1ST song with well-known Italian musician and producer Alessandro Del Vecchio choosing to produce their most recent CD. Noteably on that CD, Salem made history by being the first Canadian singer (and the 2nd female singer in the world) to record a duet with The Voice of Rock, Deep Purple's Glenn Hughes. Hughes loved her voice and songs enough to suggest they do some tour dates together in 2010.
But ignore the shallow dropping of names. The proof is in the proverbial pudding. With four CD releases from a previous project already under their belts and their debut CD on the way you can add prolific to their resume. 1ST’s uniqueness and potential is a standout. To put it in their own words as they kick it live for an audience (and they DO kick it live), “The more we rock the better you feel!” Now that adds up.
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