New Inuvik band to have community focus

A new band is taking community stages all over Inuvik.

The Utilidors, who have been playing together since November 2017, get their unconventional name from the above-ground sewer pipes that are ever-present in Inuvik and unique to Northern communities.

"If you step back from the sewer aspect, and think about what it really is, it's a conduit," said band member David Ross. "And what is music, if music isn't a conduit?"

Ross's wife Elaine came up with the name, and when she suggested it he said he knew it was the one.

"People come to hear music, and they might be stressed out, worried, concerned, have issues on their mind," said Ross. "But then … they hear this music and it lightens them, it refreshes them. Maybe they leave with a little bit of spring in their step."

The idea is that, like sewers, music brings fresh water in, and takes some of the bad stuff out of people's lives.

"It's a perfect fit, and it always gets a laugh," said Ross. "Which is what we want."

Benjamin David, who sings and plays guitar for the band, was quick to point out that there are many meanings to their name.

"Sometimes, we're just full of (expletive)," said David.

Despite their unorthodox name, the band members' respective beginnings were anything but.

David, Ross and Glen Brake all got their start playing faith-based music, and came together as a band singing hymns and gospel music at Inuvik's Long Term Care Centre for elders.

"We still go back every month, and we still play at long term care," Ross said. "That's how we started, and that's how we'll continue. We're never going to give up playing for the elders."

The Utilidors' aim is to be a community-based band.

"We're hoping to go places where people haven't really gone yet in Inuvik," David said.

The band has plans to play at Aurora College, but in a "jam night" style where students can bring their own instruments and everyone can play as a group as part of the college's wellness program.

They're also planning to offer lessons at the Youth Centre, and play at other community venues and local festivals.

For now, they said they'll be recording and posting some of their music on their YouTube channel, but they hope to eventually purchase sound recording equipment to record their music, and then open a studio to make that technology available to the community as well.

The Utilidors will play at the Legion on St. Patrick's Day March 17 at 10 p.m.