Motes & Oats is a duo known for powerful harmonies and feel good songs. Nestled between mountains and the Columbia River in Castlegar, British Columbia, Melissa McCready (vocals, guitar, ukulele) and Shannon Moldenhauer (vocals, flute) co-write jazzy folk-pop songs inspired by their personal struggles and revelations. The duo has played across Western Canada and has appeared on the main stages of Kootenay Festival - Let's Celebrate!, Hills Garlic Festival, Relay For Life, Spring Fling, Kootenay Pride and Christmas By The Lake. With help from the Columbia Basin Trust, Motes & Oats released their debut EP Simple Things (2012) which has been played by CBC Radio and various Canadian community radio stations. In 2013 the duo welcomed accomplished stand up bassist Rob Fahie to their band, adding a new depth and foundation to their sound. That spring Motes & Oats were honoured to win the 2013 Best Folk/Country Kootenay Music Award for their song "Saskatchewan".