Steve Maloney and the Wandering Kind

Greeted with a hometown hero's welcome, Steve Maloney, with his scruffy face, oversized sweater and dark Guild, seemed like he might be the product of a young folk singer assembly line. Then he opened his mouth and it sounded like someone performing an aria. The percussion and rhythms were inventive, the electric guitar textures were tasteful and added vital colour, and the young female back-up vocalists sounded like singing saws. For his part, Maloney is oddly reminiscent of Josh Groban; his tone is clear, his phrasing emotive and surprising. He'll speak-sing a verse but then send a chorus flying into space. There was no question that the Rocket Room was packed for him. He's beloved in St. John's and, if they haven't yet, the rest of the world can expect to hear more from Steve Maloney and the Wandering Kind.