Declan mclennan
lead vocals | rythm Guitar
As Declan McLennan grows as a singer-songwriter, he comes to appreciate the rich connection between literature and music. His father, both avid reader and eccentric architect, recommended classics like “Wind, Sand, and Stars” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and “Watership Down” by Richard Adams to Declan at an early age. Reading books under the lush canopy (and beautiful ecosystems) of the Pacific Northwest has developed the adventurous and provocative imagery of Declan’s lyrics. Story-telling is at the forefront of Thistle’s music, allowing listeners to be enveloped with relatable themes of family, loss, and childlike wonder. Songwriting for him is a constant process of introspection and relaying understandings of the past memories to the present. While Declan is constantly inspired by his brother and talented bandmates, his own prowess on guitar and ear for song composition and arrangement has developed over years as a solo performing musician and more recently in Thistle.
AIDAN MCLENNAN
LEAD & RYTHM GUITAR | VOCALS
One of Aidan McLennan’s many great strengths as a musician is his ability to “find the part”. Through a constant iterative and playful process, he writes melodies, instrumental sections, and harmonies across an impressive range of instruments. Originally studying classical piano, he has now branched out to playing over 10 instruments, including guitar, bass, drums, mandolin, and more. Today, post classical training, Aidan is primarily self-taught and takes influence from musical legends James Taylor, Franz Liszt, and John Mayer, but also, from local mentors such as Brickyard Studio’s, Johnny Bregar and his father Jason McLennan. While Aidan has performed with many stylistically diverse groups like Reuben Shephard band, and Zuva & Izzy, his songwriting with his brother Declan under Thistle are where his talents truly shine.
MARC MICU
DRUMS | TRUMPET
From Victoria BC, Marc Micu is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, composer, arranger, researcher, and advocate for all things music. He has etched his name into BC’s musical realm by dedicating his life to performing a variety of genres in several ensemble formats such as jazz, funk, fusion, art-music, contemporary, country, ska, reggaeton, mariachi, indie, folk, orchestra, opera, show tunes, and pop. Marc has had a long history of ensemble leadership, dating back from running jazz combos in high school and university through his now defunct group "Marc Micu & Friends". Now, Marc is the director of his brass quintet “Kasperl Quintet”, as well as jazz ambience duo project with Ryan Keating called "the Meating". Marc is also an active performer and a regular member of the country band Reuben Shepherd Band, and Afrobeats musician TK the Artist on trumpet.
LEO HE
BASS
Hailing from the distant land of Coquitlam, Leo He carries but a singular chief export with him to Thistle’s weald - the craft of bass. Born and raised on a steady diet of Tower of Power, Steely Dan and Vulfpeck, Leo carries his axe with venerable strength and the primal wisdom to say “yes, let the people dance”. When he is not fulfilling his druidic oath with Thistle’s live gallivants, he can often be found performing elsewhere with local folklore legends Charis Tazumi, Anne Martina and Rowan Bands (under the house of Heron).
RYAN KEATING
AMBIENT & LEAD GUITAR
Ryan Keating is a versatile musician and performer with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, specializing in jazz and contemporary music. Based in Victoria, BC, Ryan has performed with a variety of groups including jazz ambient duo The Meating, raw pop-punk band 9Iron, and jazz inspired country group Reuben Shepherd Band. Ryan Keating’s work as the Production Coordinator at the Victoria Jazz Society has allowed him to develop and grow within the industry as an artist and dedicated performer. He remains committed to creating meaningful musical experiences that connect with audiences and fellow musicians alike.