THE NAME

Our name is Isobelle Gunn, after a historic Scottish/Canadian woman who disguised herself as a man in order to work in a man’s world. We often sing from different voices – male and female, and we are beginning to disguise ourselves in different narrators for each song. The sound of the name Isobelle Gunn suggests a contrast between beauty (Isobelle) and pain (Gunn). This juxtaposition reflects the vision of our writing; of pain through the lens of redemption

BIOGRAPHY

Isobelle Gunn is the London, Ontario based internationally-acclaimed acoustic vocal trio comprised of Leanna Zeyl, Jeremy Zeyl and Lara Schat-Zeyl. The musical collaboration of this sister-brother/husband-wife initiative relies on blended voices and lyrics which evoke comparisons to artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Sarah Harmer, Emmylou Harris and Iron and Wine.

Isobelle Gunn began singing together in the spring of 2006 and released their debut, self-titled EP in April 2007, quickly achieving critical acclaim with the song “Emily,” which received an Honourable Mention in the ISC International Songwriting Competition (2007), in addition to other awards. In October 2007, a Creation of New Work grant from the Ontario Arts Council was awarded to Jeremy on behalf of Isobelle Gunn to write a 12 song album, which resulted in the July, 2009 release of Isobelle Gunn’s much anticipated new album, “Flesh on Steel”.  The group toured the album in the summer of 2009, a tour which culminated in a showcase at the Canadian Country Music Awards, held in Vancouver, BC.

The band takes their name from a historic Scottish-Canadian woman who immigrated to Canada at the turn of the 18th century and disguised herself as a man in order to work in a man’s world.  Singing from different voices and perspectives, the band members present themselves as diverse narrators in their songs. The sound of the name Isobelle Gunn contrasts the beautiful and poetic with the painful and harsh. This juxtaposition reflects the group’s vision; they believe music can transform as well as entertain, and seek to explore truth in the world--the beautiful and the ugly and all that lies in between--through the lenses of hope and redemption.  Come on out and experience their “sweet tight harmony” and “meaningful lyrics” as they take you on an emotional and spiritual journey through their live show.