ES:MO

 ES:MO is Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti, two imaginative musicians who blend genres to create music that is uniquely their own. ES:MO fuses a love of songwriting with the inventive musicianship they’re known for as perennial Juno Award nominees and veterans of Canada’s music scene. Michael Occhipinti’s huge palette of sounds and skill has made him one of Canada's most respected guitarists, and pairing his talents with Elizabeth Shepherd’s soulful and ethereal voice and original keyboard work stunned listeners on their debut The Weight of Hope, which received a 2022 JUNO Award nomination (between the 2 of them, Michael and Elizabeth have a combined 19 JUNO nominations). The album was built around the duo’s unique interpretations of songs by Stevie Wonder, Bruce Cockburn, Jackie Shane, Nick Drake and others.  ES:MO 2nd album, Sunshine In My Bones will be out in May; the first single "What You Want Can Never Be" is now out, featuring Larnell Lewis. The album is a celebration of the duo’s own compositions built on hours of jam sessions, found sounds such as washing machines, improvised voice and guitar loops, and the magical connection Elizabeth and Michael have when they create music together. The lyrics are at times cheeky and playful, at times more earnest as they tackle the things ES:MO hold dear – sharing love in the moment and among tulips, the tragedy of war on battlefields or among social classes, bucking convention, and ultimately, how to keep the sun shining bright through strange and dark times. Guest drummers Larnell Lewis, Jinu Isac, Tony Ferraro, and Marito Marques join Elizabeth and Michael, who play everything else.  esmoband@gmail.com