Doll Talk and Ransom - The Deets

Doll Talk and Ransom (DTR) is a Saskatoon-based band that delivers a high-energy GLAM inspired stage show with great sonic and visual appeal. DTR keeps fans on the dancefloor all night long with an eclectic mix of rock, new wave/80's and psychedelia spanning several decades. (Photo credit above: Jess Diehl)

Recent DTR Promotional Materials

Vangelis Tavern, May 2nd, 2008. 11" x 17". Full Colour. Design: Zach Jefferies.





















Buds on Broadway, June 4th and 5th, 2008. 11" x 17" Full Colour. Design: David Francis.





















Buds on Broadway, June 30th, 2008, 11" x 17", Full Colour. Design: David Francis.





















Vangelis Tavern, July 11th, 2008. 11" x 17". Black and White. Design: David Francis.





















Buds on Broadway, August 4th and 5th, 2008. 11" x 17". Full Colour. Design: David Francis.

Heather Desjardins - Vocals

Heather, otherwise known as THE H-BOMB, plays to position of DTR frontman. While she feels "unitalented" compared to her bandmates (no mad guitar skills - YET), she makes up the difference by consistently delivering insanely high-energy performances. She has also been known to bewilder innocent bystanders (at Long and McQuade during spontaneous performances of "Rebel Yell", for example).

Her first and foremost influence is The Beatles - after that it gets a bit fuzzy. Bowie, Buble, Doors, Gowan, GNR, Idol, Jackson, Joni, Prince, Queen, it's ALL good babies! (Did you notice those are in alphabetical order? I thought you'd appreciate that.)

Most important, she was recently designated as an honourary "black musician" by L.O.R.D. Funk - she intends to hold on to that certificate until somebody rips it out of her cold DEAD hands!!!

Heather thrives off audience participation, so please induldge her by writhing like a maniac on the dancefloor. She may even join you!

David Francis - Drums

David Francis is Doll Talk and Ransom's drummer and DTR founder. He is often found clambering around the sleek Doll Talk and Ransom drumset pinging and ponging various surfaces with sticks and fingertips thus ensuring a warm lush tone to each of DTR's many drums. He prefers cymbals to drums as it is not currently possible (to the best of DTR's knowledge) to tune a cymbal.

Originally from New Brunswick, David became a musician at age 16 first learning classical guitar. He learned to play the drums in 2006 as a means of unleashing master's thesis anxiety/rage. He was fortunate to learn to play the drums from Amber Kraft of Saskatoon's "Ultimate Power Duo" at the Saskatoon Academy of Music. He was also recently named a "Fellow of the Order of Celestial Musicians" by L.O.R.D. Funk.

David's major influences include Roxy Music, Duran Duran, David Bowie and Joy Division/New Order. Conversations with David invariably lead to the common theme of how "The Killers" are really just "Duran Duran" and how "Duran Duran" is really just "Roxy Music". Simple nodding usually ends this conversational impasse. David plays Yamaha drums and Zildjian cymbals. He is particularly fond of Zildjian's "Constantinople" cymbal line. David is thinking about buying rototoms.

David serves as DTR business manager and handles bookings - to book DTR for your next event, contact him here.

Aaron Bazylak - Lead Guitars

From Aaron's (Baz's) dizzying array of BOSS effects pedals through his dizzying array of bad-boy gig behaviour, he provides the jet engine sonic attack that shapes the DTR sound envelope.

Aaron's guitar influences include Synyster Gates, Kirk Hammett, C.C. DeVille, Steve Stevens, Kerry King and Slash. Aaron's recent on-stage antics include dealing with firey sambuca shots while playing extended wireless guitar solos at Vangelis and his uncanny propensity to lose his shirt during opportune DTR gig moments.

Matt Ewert - Bass

Matt has always had a musical background. From learning piano, handbells, trombone to learning how to play guitar at the age of 12. At 14, he joined his first rock band with guys 4 years older than him. Ever since then, he has been in numerous different bands and has played with many talented musicians from all genres - all of which on guitar and vocals for the most part. Matt didn't seriously pick up the bass until a week or so before auditioning for DTR in January 2008 but has really enjoyed the new challenge and is looking forward to the many gigs to come.

One of the first bands that influenced Matt was Kiss. From there his tastes got heavier and darker. Matt's main influence today for the style he plays on guitar is Metallica/Slayer. On bass, he has always liked the Suicidal Tendencies groove and Iron Maiden's hard driving basslines. Matt listens to a lot of Heavy Metal, Black Metal, Norweigen Black Metal, Thrash Metal and also enjoys the Blues, Classical music and a lot of Rock. Matt uses (2) Jackson Kelly guitars, (1) PS-3 Jackson V model, (1) 4 stringed Cort Bass, (1) Ibanez 5 String, Yorkville Bass Amp, Crate Guitar Stack, Ovation guitars, Takimine guitars. Matt is also responsible for a lot of the DTR recordings. He has a great ear for music which he has been developing from a very young age. Matt enjoys recording, mixing and finalizing music.