When news broke that local superstars, friends, and good people Scott Nolan and Joanna Miller were going on tour with one of the world’s great singer/songwriters, Mary Gauthier, the obvious question was, “When are they playing Winnipeg?” Well, unfortunately for the longest time, the answer was, “I don’t know.” As the reviews came in, all declaring this show, where Scott & Jo open and then back up Mary during her set, a real winner, things in Winnipeg got a whole lot more frustrating. How could a couple of locals do something so amazing and not want to show it off in their home town? Well, they did, but it took some effort to make a local date work and happen.
Enter the unstoppable force known as Eugene Osudar. He’s the crazy dancin’ dude you see at EVERY local show. He’s also a passionate promoter, supporter, and he just happens to be friends with Erick from one of Winnipeg’s best live venues, The Park Theatre. After all of the whining that Old Pal Stu and I did about this show, all it took was dancin’ Eugene to make a request, and the offer was in. We’re all super thrilled that things worked out and all parties accepted.
A couple of whiners, a dancin’ fool, The Park Theatre, and good hearted music lovers at CKUW & UMFM proudly present:
Mary Gauthier
w/ Scott Nolan & Joanna Miller
Monday, July 22, 2013 Park Theatre
Winnipeg
8:00 pm
Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Tickets are available now at Music Trader, The Park Theatre, and should be available online soon at http://www.parktheatervideo.com/ticket-break/. But cheap-hearted Winnipeggers will want to save on those pesky “convenience fees” by getting them directly from Eugene, Stu, or me! We’ll even deliver them to you or meet up with you at a location of your choice! Doesn’t get much more convenient than that, and there’s no fee involved! Find us, hit us up, or take your chances at the door, but don’t miss this show!
Tannis Slimmon w/Lewis Melville
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Live at Sunset Saloon (house concert, Westwood, Winnipeg)
8:00
Suggested donation $15-20
All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, people off the street, whatever) As usual, you can bring a beverage of your choice or food to share if you wish, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so feel free to save yourself the trouble and just enjoy whatever’s on hand!
RSVP & questions, see the comment box below!
When I first got the album “Oak Lake,” by Tannis Slimmon over a decade ago, I didn’t immediately recognize the name either. A quick glance at her bio showed me that I did, indeed, know her work. She has contributed to over 75 albums over the course of her distinguished career, including many of my all-time favourites, including Willie P Bennett‘s “Heartstrings” album, and Rheostatics “Whale Music,” (which I’ll go to my grave defending as one of the greatest Canadian albums of all time.) She was part of a renowned trio called The Bird Sisters for a long time, as well as Benji and other groups, but since then, has quietly carved out a remarkable career on her own ever since. She’s won awards, played the big festivals (including The Winnipeg Folk Festival,) travelled the world (including a memorable and inspiring trip to Africa in 2004, where she was part of a documentary called “Road To Baleya,” by Bay Waymen,) and connected with and inspired musicians all over.
And as if her experience and talents weren’t enough, she’s usually accompanied by her partner Lewis Melville. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, you must not spend as much time as I do reading Canadian album liner notes. Lewis is the heart and soul of a very fertile music community in Guelph, Ontario. He was a big part of DROG records in the 90s, a label which put out a LOT of great albums. He was also the mastermind behind some amazing compilations like “Truck Songs,” “Food Songs,” “Songs for Peace,” and my my personal favourite, “Sixty Second Songs,” which compiled 88 songs by 88 different artists/groups all doing songs that are less than a minute on 2 CDs. It’s as weird and wonderful as you might expect. Click here to read about his project The Williams, which put to music the writings of Shakespeare. There is also a great discography and bio at the site. He is a brilliant musician, an insightful songwriter, and one of the most creative and intelligent people I’ve ever met. I had the great fortune of staying at his house years ago, and it truly did feel like I was spending time at Yoda’s house.
Together, these two make for a powerful musical force. They’re also a couple of the most kind, generous, decent spirits I’ve ever run across. You won’t leave this show without a smile on your face, a song in your heart, and a lift to your spirit – guaranteed! I’ve been asking Tannis to do a house concert for years, and I’m really excited that the stars have finally aligned. Please join me in welcoming these two amazing musicians and people into our home and our community of music lovers.
We’re plenty excited about the return of the great Shannon Lyon to the Sunset Saloon back yard on July 6. If you saw him last year or know his amazing work, you know what a treat this is, so you’ll love the magic below. If you haven’t seen or heard Shannon, you should really watch the videos below and you should definitely make plans to join us on July 6!
Here’s a recent live clip, shot outdoors with lots of mosquitoes (so hopefully he will be prepared for a couple of outdoor shows!)
Here’s a recent live performance of the title track to last year’s fantastic album, “Broken Things.”
Here’s a rockin’ live track featuring his great Berlin band:
Last year, I blew it and interrupted before Shannon could play this as an encore. Believe me, I won’t do that again!
We’ve had a lot of great acts perform at The Sunset Saloon, but this ranks right up there among the most exciting ones. It was certainly our largest crowd, so thanks to so many people for coming out and supporting great music and great people!
Wow! It really happened and it was even more amazing than I dreamed it would be. One of my favourite bands, Odds, played in my back yard to a packed crowd of music lovers. Then there was the encore. Kevin McDonald (from Kids in the Hall, but he probably hates always being referred to that way, even though if it weren’t for that show, we wouldn’t refer to him at all. What a problem.) is an old friend of the band, and stopped in to watch the show and sit in with the band. We were warned to get the kids inside before they started, and with good reason. Here’s a front row point of view that I never could have anticipated. Viewer discretion is definitely advised:
Of course, Jeremy heard all of the laughing and commotion and promptly led poor Devin and Keri’s kids right out (don’t worry, we hustled them right back in.) Jeremy said to me today, “that bucky bucky bucky guy sure was funny!” Lucky for me, he’s got his dad’s hearing.
I can’t promise anything nearly as amusing as that performance at our next show, but it will definitely be amazing in its own right. Saturday night, Shannon Lyon returns. He’s got a whole pile of new songs and stories, and he will bring his powerful, personal performances and engaging personality to our back yard on July 6. I promise you a great time, and a whole lot less swearing. Please join us: http://tellthebandtogohome.com/2013/05/13/shannon-lyon-sunset-saloon-july-6/
We’re also looking ahead to the August 14th appearance by Tannis Slimmon and the legendary Lewis Melville. I’ve been chasing this show for years, and I’m so glad it’s finally happening. Come and see why I’m so excited! Full details to come. SOON!
On the radio front:
Tomorrow of course will primarily be a celebration of great Canadian music as it’ll be the official Canada Day show!
Looking ahead, on Thursday we’ll give away a pair of tickets to see an all-time favourite Folk Festival performer, Dan Bern, as he comes to Winnipeg a bit before the festival to perform his soundtrack to Jonathan Demme‘s “Wilderness Song” on Sunday, July 7 (http://wecc.ca/site09/performers/Dan_Bern.html.) This will be a truly unique performance featuring acting, music, film, and a whole lot of magic. This will be the first time this piece has been performed in Canada, and the only Canadian performance this year! It’s looking like we’ll be joined live, in-studio by Dan Bern the day of the show, as part of the OFFICIAL Winnipeg Folk Festival preview!
Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who came out last night, and especially those who helped, supported, and to those silly people who sang to me. Thanks to everyone for the obligatory Facebook post this week; you’re wonderful. And thanks to you for reading this madness, and for tuning in, supporting the radio show, and coming to see great live music; you’re making the world a better place!
Joshua Cockerill (Animal Parts)
Friday, June 21, 2013
Live at Sunset Saloon (house concert, Westwood, Winnipeg)
8:00
Suggested donation $15-20
All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, people off the street, whatever) As usual, you can bring a beverage of your choice or food to share if you wish, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so feel free to save yourself the trouble and just enjoy whatever’s on hand!
It’s not fair that someone who is only 24 years old can write songs as well as Joshua Cockerill can. A lot of us old folk couldn’t write a song to save our lives, but this young kid whips off songs that stand alongside those of older, established artists, and they’re suitably impressed:
“Joshua Cockerill [of Animal Parts] is f***ing amazing. Buy his record. Now.”
– Serena Ryder
“As a songwriter, Joshua is one of the bright lights on the Canadian scene, and has one of the best new voices I’ve heard. Both sonically and lyrically, his album towers above any first attempt I’ve heard recently. I’m going to wager that Joshua will be around for quite some time.”
– Justin Rutledge
“The future looks bright for Joshua Cockerill”
– Rich Terfry (Buck 65), CBC Radio 2 Drive
See? Working on his songs and his craft since adolescence, Cockerill has honed both into two amazing albums and an engaging live show. Serena Ryder and Justin Rutledge appeared on his debut solo album, “The Trick with your Heart I’m Learning to Do,” alongside seasoned players like Kendel Carson (Dustin Bentall), Shawn Creamer (The Beauties), Burke Carroll (Luther Wright & The Wrongs), John Dinsmore (NQ Arbuckle/Kathleen Edwards), Christine Bougie (side person to anyone who’s anyone), and his older brother, Greg Cockerill. He’s got songs that are tender and heartfelt, and, with Animal Parts, he rocks out with solid backing, great energy, and irresistible melodies. The kid’s good. Really good.
He’s a bit of a road warrior, touring with a band a bunch of times, and solo. He’s versatile, charismatic, and disgustingly talented. I’m told that the ladies think he’s rather cute as well. Previously, he rocked the StuDome back yard, stole the show at Dauphin Countryfest, played a wonderful rockin’ set at The Standard, and now, he’s coming to the Sunset Saloon, so he’s officially made it to the big time!
You might not have heard a lot of Joshua’s songs yet (although, if you listen to Tell the Band to Go Home or Steel Belted Radio, you surely have), but you’ll go home humming the songs and remembering the name. Join us for Joshua Cockerillon June 21.
When news broke that local superstars, friends, and good people 
