The essence of our group 'The Stray Crows' is portrayed in the choice and history of our name. In 1998 we were in the position to adopt three young stray crows who had fallen out of their nest during a storm and were abandoned. Nurturing the infant crows and feeding them three times every hour helped us connect and deeply appreciate all crows and feathered folk. We identified with them and saw many crowlike traits in ourselves hence the name The Stray Crows fit for us. We had also been involved in various musical groups and projects the past several years and were getting ready to fly out on our own. In 2004, Angie Maksymetz, with her swinging bass and impeccable recording skills became our third stray crow. Our son Isaac also joins us on some of our original songs with his dynamic drum and guitar skills.
We found that crows were unique song birds who called out because they had something to say. They liked to explore. They could also be annoying for those who wanted to sleep. Like the crows, our music is exploratory and can be uncomfortable for people who choose to ignore the dark side of life. For example, the song 'Highway of Tears' speaks of missing persons, " her blood calls to us from the earth, from the wind, from the sea." The song 'Lady of the Night' speaks of prostitution and its connection with abuse, " . . . I'm not a young girl trapped in her bedroom waiting for the sun to rise, I ain't free now, I cost money . . ."
Yet although the crows feathers are dark they are far from solely black. When still on the crows the feathers are also mixed with hues of deep purple, navy blue and hints of green. Their voice is also more than the simple caws they herald in the sky. They chuckle with humour when playing and croon a low throaty warble if affectionately rubbed under their wings and beak. Likewise our music can be joyful as in 'Bless That Life Within,' and 'Love Is A Revolution' or softly intimate with songs like 'In The Dark' " . . . in the dark I feel beautiful deep down inside, my hips become a mountain, my spine becomes a snake," or 'Damn It I'm In Love.'
Having both male and female vocalists help us as a band to capture the versatility of the crows message and its ability to shapeshift when desired. One song can be about a winter's night while the next can be a spring morning; another about a baby joining a family, or the Crone years . . . all part of the wheel of life.
When we chose the name 'The Stray Crows' it was with the intention of honouring everything those three crows gave us . . . the gift of knowing we are never alone, that we are connected to all, that magic surrounds us in our waking, our dreaming and in the space between; "
". . . I hear you caw cawing like a medieval town crier in overdrive. You never tire of the journey of Love through the timeless zone to the here and now . . . you want me to say it don't you? . . . ok I will . . . I'm never alone . . . I'm never alone."
Christina and Robert Cedar WindDance 2006