What does The Unfaithful Dog and Kim the Lion have in common?

Stephen Pepler knows, its him. He is the rock ’n roll animal behind both bands who are performing at the RMG Friday Oct 7 2016.

Kim The Lion began as an alt-folk outfit says Whitby musician Pepler, but has evolved into more of an alt-rock sound. He says his influences range from Iron and Wine, Staple Singers, the Beatles, to Devendra Banhart, quite the spectrum of sound, hence the need for more than one outfit.

“Unfaithful dog is a solo project to continue my folk roots writing,” says Pepler. “I wanted to continue recording folk music because Kim the Lion had changed. We recorded in my friend’s studio apartment on 1/4 inch tape with some great Toronto musicians.”

Those great TO musicians include Arif Mirbaghi on bass, Galen Pelley on drums and David Baxter on electric guitar. Pepler plays cello.

Pepler has also shared the stage with great musicians, The Strumbellas for one or many. Each occasion is an opportunity to broaden the knowledge base he says.

“Everytime we play, whether with a higher profile band or an indie band we always learn. Some of the biggest eye openers have been recording with the likes of David Baxter, Blake Manning the drummer for Matthew Good and occasionally David Wilcox. These guys are machines. It gives you a kick in the ass and makes you want to be better. Seeing their musicianship really is inspiring to any young musician,” he says.

With two bands on the go Pepler is part animal part machine himself.