Partners both on and off the stage, Kitty & the Rooster returned to Fort St. John for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Singer, drummer, and keyboardist Jodie Ponto, who grew up in Taylor, and partner, singer and guitarist Noah Walker, were in town for two shows this week.
The pair performed Thursday on the Centennial Park festival stage as part of the city’s Music in the Park series and officially opened the Lido Theatre’s new rooftop patio venue, the Luna Lounge, on Friday.
“We are thrilled to be back on stage. Playing music for people is what we love to do,” said Walker.
“It’s been a long wait and we’re happy to be back at it. I don’t think we thought the pandemic would last two years but the whole world was going through the same process. It wasn’t just us.”
The couple admitted the time off allowed them to practice, and practice, and practice.
“Eight hours of Noah on the guitar. I can attest to that,” added Ponto, as she demonstrated her air guitar skills.
“So in a way, it was a chance to go back to school again,” Walker said.
“I could use another year in the basement, though, practicing drums,” Ponto joked.
While for some artists, the long break may have seen them change direction, not so for Kitty & the Rooster.
“I really feel this band was just an honest reflection of who we are and I don’t think that’s changed.”
“It was hard to write songs during the pandemic because most of our songs come from hanging out with our musician friends late at night after gigs cracking jokes."
Ponto said that she’d write down all the jokes and turn them into songs.
“By being back on the road now, we’re starting to get new song material.”
And, it's that new material you'll see on their forthcoming album.
“More true stories of being an unknown Canadian band and documenting this crazy, hilarious way of life we lead," said Walker.
The new CD also features the voice of another familiar local Jodie, only spelled differently – Jody Peck.
“We’re really proud of it. It sounds great and we can’t wait to share it with people.”
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