Category Archives: Concerts

90s Hitmakers ODDS, live @ Sunset Saloon, June 28!

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If you listened to rock radio or turned on Much Music in the 90s, you know this band’s songs, but unlike some of the other bands you heard a million times, you liked these ones, and they hold up very well 20 years later!

Odds

Backyard Bash (weather permitting) (Westwood, Winnipeg)
Friday, June 28
7:30 pm
Suggested donation $20-25 (price flexible, all proceeds to this legendary band)
Bring a lawn chair if the weather is nice (perhaps bug spray…), and/or a drink for yourself, and/or a snack to share, but we’ve always got plenty of all of those on hand!
All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, people off the street, whatever)
Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!
Forward this to a friend!

Also check out:
Joshua Cockerill (Animal Parts) @ Sunset Saloon, June 21!
Shannon Lyon @ Sunset Saloon, July 6!

The plan is to have an intimate, rockin’ bash in the back yard. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will have a stripped down, more acoustic set indoors, where seating will be much more limited. If we need to cut down the guest list due to a move indoors, first responders and people who PAY IN ADVANCE will get preferred admission!

Odds hits are the soundtrack to many music lovers’ experiences in the 90s. Smash hits included “Love Is the Subject,” “Heterosexual Man,” “Eat My Brain,” “It Falls Apart,” “Jackhammer,” and the #1 hit, “Someone Who’s Cool.” The band played a big part in this history of The Kids in the Hall (and the Kids starred in a couple of very memorable music videos (see them again below). They toured as the backing band for the legendary late, great Warren Zevon (who guested on “Jackhammer”) and extensively with Barenaked Ladies and The Tragically Hip. After the 90s hits, the band went on hiatus and lead singer Craig Northey went on to a solo career, as well as to tour with Kids in the Hall, record and tour with Colin James, as Strippers Union (including Rob Baker from The Tragically Hip, backed up by Odds rhythm section), and as half of Northey Valenzuela, who were responsible for the beginning and ending themes for CTV’s classic comedy “Corner Gas.”

The band regrouped without original singer/guitarist Steven Drake, capably replaced by Murray Atkinson, in 2008. Their album “Cheerleader,” was a return to form. The recently released a very strong EP, “The Most Beautiful Place on Earth,” which proves that this is more than just a nostalgia trip, this is the return of a band that sounds as vital and exciting as ever!

The band was named the Vancouver Canucks ‘house band’ of the 2010 and 2011 NHL playoffs. Odds performed the theme music to the CBC/IFC television series The Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town. They backed up Elvis Costello and Randy Bachman on Hockey Night in Canada!

To say that these guys are highly successful would be a major understatement. To see this band in an intimate house concert setting is an opportunity of a lifetime, and is not to be missed!

Special thanks to Romi Mayes at Sure Shot Bookings for making this amazing dream come true!

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Shannon Lyon @ Sunset Saloon, July 6!

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Shannon Lyon
Outdoor house concert
July 6, 2013
7:00
Suggested donation $15-20 (price flexible, all proceeds to a talented musician making his way across this vast country)
Bring a lawn chair if the weather is nice (perhaps bug spray…), and/or a drink for yourself, and/or a snack to share, but we’ve always got plenty of all of those on hand!
All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, people off the street, whatever)
Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!
Forward this to a friend!

Also check out:
Joshua Cockerill (Animal Parts) @ Sunset Saloon, June 21!
Odds @ Sunset Saloon, June 28!

Last year I was thrilled to welcome one of my all-time favourite singer/songwriters to my house, as Shannon Lyon returned to Canada after a lengthy absence for a cross-Canada tour, making stops in several out-of-the-way locations, including some joker’s back yard! Hearing some of my all time favourite songs in my own backyard was a dream come true, and everyone who attended raved about the show afterward.

Well, we’re excited to welcome Shannon back again this year! Once again, he prefers to play outside (weather depending), so you may wish to bring a favourite lawn chair, or take advantage of whatever’s on hand here.

For those unfamiliar (you poor souls), Shannon Lyon is a Canadian musician and singer-songwriter. Born in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada, Lyon began his musical career in Kitchener, Ontario in the early 90’s forming his first band Strange Days (1990-1993) recording one album entitled ‘Life Aint Easy’ produced by Nelson McCrossan. During this time Lyon also started his low-key solo career and released his first solo studio album entitled ‘Buffalo White’ in 1994 which was recorded by friend Bill Braun. 

Since 1994 Lyon has released ten studio albums and has received critical acclaim and commercial success in Europe, North America and Australia.

Lyon was the first Canadian signed to Richard Branson’s post Virgin Records label V2 in 2004(becoming label mates with The White Stripes and Paul Weller) with the release of the critically acclaimed album ‘Wandered’  which was recorded in a 17th century farmhouse in the south of Holland with Dutch producer Bj Baartmans. Wandered was released in Australia on Collision records and in Europe on Inbetweens Records. 

In 2003 Lyon signed with Canadian Roots label Busted Flat Records (Matt Anderson, Jay Semko, Paul MacLeod), a roots music label founded in 2002 by Mark Logan and based in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Busted Flat has released 5 of Lyon’s albums to date. (Bound, Safe Inside, Someday Mourning, El Sol, and Broken Things).

Lyon moved to Holland in 2000 and spent the better part of a decade living and touring in Spain, Germany, France and The Netherlands.

Lyon is currently located in Canada.

(Lyon has toured and shared the stage in Europe, Australia, USA and Canada with such artists as Lucinda Williams, Richard Buckner, Jay Farrar, Ray LaMontagne, Blue Rodeo and Bruce Cockburn).


“When I hear Shannon, I hear the rhythms of the Midnight Cowboy, the 
harmonies of an earth-bound angel, the acoustic guitar that knows the pain 
of a heart, the steel guitar that stirs the lonely and restless lovers. But 
most of all I hear the voice that echoes Earle, Farrar and Buckner, a voice 
that haunts you like a heavy fog on a barren field on a cool October 
morning.”
Bob Egan (Blue Rodeo, Wilco)

Some highlights from last year’s show:

More Shannon:

 

Corin Raymond’s headed to Winnipeg with Paper Nickels!

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You may recall Corin Raymond from his visit on the show in July and you may have heard about his unique mission to pay for his new album with Canadian Tire money. Both have endeared him here at TTBTGH, and he’s just the kind of hard-working, fun-loving guy we like to support here. We’ve been spinning the new discs for a while now, and I can tell you that they are a delight.

We’re hoping to get Corin on Steel Belted Radio before his shows in Winnipeg. In the meantime, here’s his funny newsletter announcing those shows. I hope to see you there and I encourage you to pick up his new album, which is amazing to listen to, look at, and just admire.

Winnipeg friends,

  Yesterday I shipped two boxes of Paper Nickels your way so that they’ll be there, safe and sound, for the two-night CD Release party at Times Change(d) on Friday and Saturday April 5th and 6th. Details at a glance:

Friday & Saturday April 5th/6th, 2013
Corin Raymond and The Sundowners
PAPER NICKELS ALBUM RELEASE!
at Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club in Winnipeg, MB
Doors 8:30pm Show 10pm

$15/night or $25/both nights (totally different show each night)
Advance tickets available at Times (234 Main St. Tel: (204) 957-0982)
or at Into the Music (B-245 McDermot Ave, at King and McDermot (204) 287-8279)

http://www.highandlonesomeclub.ca
http://intothemusic.ca
I’m required to ship these bad boys because they take up too much room for me to carry ’em with me. Each hard-cover copy of Paper Nickels contains two discs and 144 pages. It’s the first of its kind. It’s definitely the first album in Canadian history whose recording costs were paid for with Canadian Tire money (by the way, friends, we hit the rarified peak of Mt. McTire a couple weeks ago, reaching the $7,333.75 total of the bill from The Rogue Music Lab here in Toronto… more on that soon). It’s the first coffee table CD, with 50 pages devoted to the story of the Great Canadian Tire Money Caper of 2012-13, the words and chords to all twenty songs, as well as 30 pages of stories about the songs themselves. The twenty-song playlist features 17 different writers, all friends of mine, all peers, all writers whose work I discovered over a decade of adventures in the Small Time.

More than a quarter of the album is Winnipeg material. Paper Nickels features songs by Scott Nolan, Andrew Neville, Ridley Bent, and (three by) Rob Vaarmeyer. The seed of the whole crazy Tire Caper began in Winnipeg, when RV came up with the words:
don’t spend it honey
not the Canadian Tire money
we saved it so long
we saved it so long

(followed by the further genius of):

jolly Scotch bonnet
it’s got the cute little Scotsman on it
we saved it so long
we saved it so long
Rob Vaarmeyer is one of the greatest (and most Canadian) songwriters we’ve got. Stompin’ Tom may have died two weeks ago today (rest his Canadian soul), but his spirit is a lot more alive and kicking than the general population is led to believe. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb when I say that Stompin’ Tom would’ve loved songs like “Don’t Spend It Honey,” “Ol’ Fort Mac,” and “A Big Truck Brought It.” As would any Stompin’ Tom fans! Those three tunes are Canadian songs, all written by RV (“Big Truck” was picked as Top Track in this recent review by Toronto’s NOW Magazine), which is appropriate, because there’s a lot of Winnipeg talent at the fleshy heart of this whole project.

And that’s what Paper Nickels is all about: turning people all over this country onto great songs they might never hear otherwise.

It’s also the first album I’ve made entirely with my band The Sundowners (featuring David Baxter, Treasa Levasseur, and Brian Kobayakawa). There are about 7 Juno nominations between us (and a couple wins) and not one of ’em belongs to me. I lovethis band. We’ve been playing together for nine years and although they’ve all appeared on my previous albums (Doghouse Dreams, Travelling Show, Record Lonesome Night,There Will Always Be A Small Time), this is the very first album we’ve made as a band. Just us, as we are, recorded live at The Tranzac here in Toronto last year.

And this is the first time I’ve managed to corral The Sundowners and bring us all to Winnipeg. And I want to stress that we are doing TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT SHOWSon those two nights. Two full evenings of songs and stories and we might repeat two of those songs. There’s a deal if you buy tickets for both nights and I don’t want to say you’ll regret it if you don’t (who the hell am I to tell you what you’ll regret?) but… you’ll regret it if you don’t. I only tell you this because I love you.

And now the albums are heading your way on a Greyhound. And t-shirts too. Don’t forget those. And hey, if you can’t make the shows but you want to have your best mailbox day ever, everything you need to order Paper Nickels, or a shirt, is right HERE. Two weeks and two days! I can’t wait. I hope you feel the same way and as always, I remain,

Promotionally yours,

Corin

http://www.corinraymond.com

Express and Company @ Sunset Saloon, March 27

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ExpressAndCompany-Cover-Web

Express and Company
expressandcompany.com

Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Live at Sunset Saloon (house concert, West Winnipeg)
7:30
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!

*If for some reason you can’t make it to this show (and we genuinely hope you will), or if you love it that much (as I suspect you will), Express and Co. will be doing another show on March 28 at River City Social Club! Fill out the contact form below and let me know your particulars, and I’ll pass them along to Gord at River City Social Club!

I just love it when something new enters my ears and blows my mind. The joy of discovering something new and amazing never gets old, nor does the joy of sharing the news with others.

One of my favourite discoveries of 2012 was a young lady named Melissa Payne. Her self-titled debut was full of interesting lyrics, great musicianship, and her warm, inviting voice. It was one of those surprising ones – someone I’d never heard of and an album featuring players I didn’t know, but someone impressive and exciting. She’s a talented singer/songwriter, and also an accomplished fiddle player. She took lessons from the Leahy family and toured with Natalie McMaster, so she’s learned from the best.

And she puts those skills to good use backing up Dylan Ireland as Express and Company. Dylan comes from a very musical family who have prepared him well for a promising career leading another of the most impressive debuts I’ve heard in a long time. The songs are just the kind of intelligent, melodic, interesting roots rock that I love.

Express and Company dropped by Steel Belted Radio recently for a conversation and live performances. I was so impressed that I just had to hear more. So we set out to plug a hole in the tour schedule with another stop in Winnipeg. I’m very excited to share this new group with you, and I know that you’ll be impressed with these songs and these musicians. You might not have heard of Express and Company or Melissa Payne yet, but I’d bet that those names will become a lot more familiar to a lot more people over the next few years.

And the next exciting show at The Sunset Saloon is shortly after, when Chris Trapper comes to our cozy confines on April 8! That one promises to be great also!

As if that weren’t enough, we’re proud to welcome back Christina Martin and Dale Murray on April 28!

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Chris Trapper @ Sunset Saloon, April 8, 2013

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Chris Trapper
www.christrapper.com
Live at Sunset Saloon (house concert, West Winnipeg)
Monday, April 8, 2013
7:30
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, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so feel free to enjoy whatever’s on hand!

Facebook Event

Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!

Like many Winnipeggers, my first knowing exposure to Chris Trapper came when he opened for Folk Festival favourite Martin Sexton at the Walker Theatre in 2009. He won us over with his wit, charm, and wonderful songs. But you’re likely familiar with some of his other work, without knowing it. He co-wrote 7 songs with Great Big Sea, including their big hit “Sea of No Cares.” He’s had songs on some big movie soundtracks, including the Grammy Award nominated soundtrack to “August Rush.” He is also the leader of successful rock band The Push Stars.

I got to see and hear a lot more of him at The Edmonton Folk Festival in 2010, where he became fast friends with Colin Hay (Men at Work,) and won over a lot of new fans at that very prestigious festival.

He’s got a hectic touring schedule, a lot of great songs, and many amusing stories from along the way. I know you’ll enjoy yourself if you come see Chris in our friendly, intimate environment.

Official Bio:

CHRIS TRAPPER began his career as the front man for late–90’s alternative rock band THE PUSH STARS (Capitol Records).

With four CD releases and several high profile national tours – including a run with Matchbox Twenty – The Push Stars served to establish Chris as an authentic talent.

The New York Times calls his work “classic pop perfection.”

As a modern day singer–songwriter, Chris is most known for his song THIS TIME, the Number 1 selling song on the Grammy nominated soundtrack for AUGUST RUSH (Robin Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers – Warner Bros Pictures).

A prolific songwriter, Chris can boast high profile film placements including There’s Something About Mary (Ben Stiller, Cameron Diaz), The Devil Wears Prada (Meryl Streep), Say It Isn’t So (Heather Graham) and Gun Shy (Sandra Bullock, Liam Neeson) as well as significant television placements including All My Children, Women’s Murder Club, Malcolm In The Middle, a coveted placement in George Clooney’s final episode of ER, the theme song for WB Networks dramedy Pepper Dennis and a cameo on–screen appearance with the show’s star, Rebecca Romjin.

Chris Trapper’s music can best be described as lyrically driven roots–pop with a knack for telling everyday stories filled with extra–ordinary characters. 

A respected songwriter of the highest caliber, Chris has written 7 songs for Canadian band GREAT BIG SEA, including their #1 single “Sea Of No Cares” from the certified–platinum Sea Of No Cares CD. Great Big Sea covered Trapper’s song “Everything Shines” and their version served as the debut single off their certified–gold Road Rage CD album. Chris’ songwriting collaborations with Great Big Sea earned him two prestigious SOCAN awards. Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty and Antigone Rising have performed other notable versions of Trapper’s songs.

In 2009, Chris had the honor of being chosen to write an original song for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and was brought to NYC to perform his work at The United Nationsas part of the day’s Commemoration Ceremony.

Chris Trapper’s ability to craft songs that are both elegant and accessible is evident on each solo CD in his deep Discography. There is a smart, honest quality to the lyrics that never panders.

Trapper’s live show is a favorite among fans of alt–acoustic music. His on–stage persona is warm and inclusive, his organic understanding of classic pop melody infectious. Audience members seem to particularly appreciate the lighthearted moments with the ukulele. They depart the venue at the end of the evening with the sense of having been truly entertained.

“It’s an incredibly rare musician, particularly in the world of popular music, who is able to forge a career based on quiet dignity and steadfast integrity.”
The Buffalo News

Let the world know what you think by leaving a comment below!

Live Shows of the Year: 2012

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February 11 – Christina Martin & Dale Murray – Sunset Saloon (Christina stops by my living room regularly, and it’s always amazing, but having Dale along to accompany and play a few of his new songs made this one extra special. I’m a lucky dude.)

March 29 – The Wooden Sky w/ Sunparlour Players – WECC (A truly amazing double bill of Canada’s best live bands – oddly joined by one of only a few truly terrible opening bands I’ve ever seen – the name of which, fortunately, forgotten. Nothing could keep the headliners from saving the day, and joining up for the now customary encore in the lobby.)

April 20 – Whitehorse – WECC (I’ve seen Luke Doucet dozens of times in different incarnations, and his lovely wife Melissa McClelland a number of times as well, and I love them both, but when they teamed up as this new duo, it sparked something special in them both. Truly the best show I’ve seen either of them do, and a step in a great direction.)

May 26 – Skydiggers – WECC (A live band I’ve seen many times and loved dearly for a long time, and still putting on incredible shows. This time, they pulled out all of the stops with the full band and Jessy Bell Smith singing. Still inspiring after all these years.)

July 1 – Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – The Aquarium: Fargo, ND (Canadians like to party on Canada Day, but this year the real party happened south of the border at a little bar in Fargo, where a small gathering of lucky souls witnessed one of the greatest rock bands on the road today. The crowd was weird, the venue was small, but the band was on fire and put on a truly memorable show.) photos/videos/memories

July 18 – Shannon Lyon – Sunset Saloon (One of my favourite songwriters of all time stopped by my backyard for a show. Enough said, but he also turned out to be a pretty amazing and inspiring guy – a real breath of fresh air. I can’t wait to see him again.) photos/videos/audio

August 31 – Minnesota State Fair: Minnesota Music on a Stick (In truth, this whole trip was a highlight – getting to see the reunited Mavericks, Wanda Jackson, and Will Hoge, all the while eating all kinds of deep-fried and on-a-stick delights, pure magic, but the highlight was a chance to see Jeremy Messersmith and his band, as well as the best show I’ve ever seen by The Jayhawks. I’ll be back to the fair, for sure.) photos/videos

September 14 – Del Barber – Inglis (Sometimes, this show provides some amazing gifts for me, like an invitation to this exclusive TV taping inside of a decommissioned grain elevator with Del Barber and his band. An amazing show that I can’t wait for you to see on TV. Soon?) photos/memories

October 4 – Kathleen Edwards trio & Jenn Grant – Studio 222, Fargo (Kathleen and her band came back to Winnipeg and that show was plenty amazing, in spite of the venue, but this stripped down trio performance – complete with flawless Springsteen duet with Jenn Grant – was just a little bit more special.)

October 29 – Sunparlour Players – Sunset Saloon (this house concert featuring the best live band in Canada would have been special in any joker’s living room, but the fact that it happened in MY living room made this a truly mind-blowing experience. Our first “sold out” show at the Saloon, and an amazing one that will be hard to beat.) video1 video2

Amazing in their own right:

June 5 – Deer Tick – WECC (Everybody talks about how John played guitar with his weiner. Neat schtick, but when that steals the show – and when you do it at every other show on the tour – it kind of kills it. Plus, dude, that’s gotta hurt! Great show that was stolen by a well-waved-wang. Too bad.) weinerguitarsolovideo

July 23 – Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Garrick Centre (A true folk music miracle – someone sounded good, GREAT, even, at the craphole Garrick Centre. That alone made this memorable, and if I hadn’t had my mind blown by these two a year ago in Minnesota, this would have been a show-of-the-year, if not of my life.)

July 25 – Joy Kills Sorrow – Sunset Saloon (Honestly, I didn’t know the band before this, and likely wouldn’t have taken the time to seek them out, but boy was I glad that this show ended up in my living room. Truly magical, and a wonderful experience for all in attendance.)

November 13 – Danny Michel – WECC (Danny is always a stellar live performer, so it takes a lot to make one of his shows special. This time, it happened to be a loudmouth heckler continually calling out for “Midnight Train;” Danny eventually relented and gave it a try, even though he didn’t remember it, even calling up Owl City on Songify to help out. It was hilarious and generous on his part, but I promise to never again bully an artist into doing a song he doesn’t want to do…)

Concerts 2012

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2012 was another fine year for releases and live concerts. We’re working on compiling the ultimate “Best of” the year lists, but for now, here’s one of the long lists – this time the full list of shows that I attended in 2012 (and one that I hope/plan to attend!)

January 14 – Ridley Bent & Nathan – WECC
January 20 – Jim Cuddy & Doug Paisley – Playhouse
February 3 – NQ Arbuckle – StuDome
February 11 – Christina Martin & Dale Murray – Sunset Saloon
February 15 – Twang Trust FunDrive Spectacular – Lo Pub
February 25 – Del Barber – William Glesby Centre, Portage la Prairie
March 16 – Spirit of the West – McPhillips Street Station
March 28 – Rose Cousins – WECC
March 29 – The Wooden Sky w/ Sunparlour Players – WECC
April 5- Peggers’ Banquet – WECC
April 13 – Del Barber private party – Park Theatre
April 20 – Whitehorse – WECC
April 24 – Lindi Ortega – StuDome
May 4 – Mother Pluckers: Keri Latimer, Linda McRae and Jess Reimer – Pop Soda’s
May 6 – Leeroy Stagger – Folk Exchange
May 10 – JP Hoe CD Release – WECC
May 12 – John Prine w/Kendel Carson & Dustin Bentall – Walker Theatre
May 26 – Skydiggers – WECC
May 28 – Old Man Luedecke & Del Barber – Park Theatre
June 5 – Deer Tick – WECC
June 17 – Steven Bowers – Sunset Saloon
June 19 – The Hold Steady w/ Greg MacPherson – Walker Theatre
June 20 – Mike Plume w/ Murdoch & Sparrow – Park Theatre
July 1 – Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit – The Aquarium: Fargo, ND
July 4-8, Winnipeg Folk Festival – Bird’s Hill Park (photos)
July 18 – Shannon Lyon – Sunset Saloon (photos)
July 20 – Brandon Folk Festival – Geoff Berner & Great Lake Swimmers
July 22 – Steve Earle and the Dukes & Duchesses – McPhillips Street Station
July 23 – Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Garrick Centre
July 25 – Joy Kills Sorrow – Sunset Saloon
July 31 – Corin Raymond – Times Change(d)
August 3 – JD Edwards Band – The Cube
August 5 – Gimli Icelandic Festival: Reverend Rambler, Lindy, Del Barber (photos)
August 7 – Shred Kelly – The Cube (photos)
August 10-12 – Regina Folk Festival (photo highlights) (full photo collection)
August 21 – Fish & Bird – The Cube (photos)
August 24 – Liam Titcomb – 201 Portage Ave (photos)
August 24 – Morden Corn & Apple Festival: Del Barber, Keith & Renee, Kim Mitchell
August 30 – Minnesota State Fair: The Mavericks (photos)
August 31 – Minnesota State Fair: Wanda Jackson, Will Hoge, Jeremy Messersmith, The Jayhawks (photos)
September 8 – The Watchmen & The Northern Pikes – Winnipeg Stadium
September 8 – Animal Parts (Joshua Cockerill & Scott Nolan) – Rose ‘n Bee
September 14 – Del Barber – Inglis (photos)
September 15 – Harvest Moon Festival w/ JP Hoe, Del Barber, Al Simmons, Sarah & Christian Dugas, Greg Macpherson (photos)
September 19 – Jeremy Messersmith – Sunset Saloon
September 22 – Leeroy Stagger & His Band – Times Change(d)
September 29 – Kathleen Edwards & Jenn Grant – The Garrick
October 4 – Kathleen Edwards trio & Jenn Grant – Studio 222, Fargo
October 11 – Weird Al Yankovic – MTS Centre
October 18 – Matt Epp & Catherine MacLellan – WECC
October 20 – West End Cultural Centre 25th Birthday Celebration – WECC
October 22 – Brock Zeman – River City Social Club
October 26 – Del Barber – WECC
October 29 – Sunparlour Players – Sunset Saloon
November 5 – Brock Zeman – Sunset Saloon
November 7 – Rose Cousins – WECC
November 13 – Danny Michel – WECC
November 16 – Neil Young w/Los Lobos & The Sadies – MTS Centre
November 18 – Blackie & The Rodeo Kings w/Harlan Pepper – Walker Theatre
November 21 – Murdoch & Sparrow – Sunset Saloon
November 26 – Rebirth Brass Band – The Windsor
November 27 – The Wooden Sky – WECC
December 5 – Bidiniband & Woodchoppers Society – The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
December 6 – Jason Collett’s Basement Revue – The Dakota Tavern, Toronto
December 7 – The Watchmen – The Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto

December 28 – D.Rangers Reunion – Times Change(d)

Sunparlour Players @ Sunset Saloon, Oct. 29!

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It was a super busy fall for us at the Sunset Saloon with Brock Zeman returning on Nov. 5 and Murdoch & Sparrow playing for us on Nov. 21, but when this possibility came along, it was way too good to turn down.

I am beyond excited to announce that one of the most exciting and interesting live bands in Canada will be making a stop at Sunset Saloon on Monday, Oct. 29!

Sunparlour Players
Monday, October 29, 2012
7:30 pm
$20 suggested donation (all proceeds to the artists)
All are welcome (bring the kids, friends, family, or whoever might tag along!)
As usual, you can bring a beverage of your choice to enjoy or some food to share, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so it’s not necessary, so feel free to show up and enjoy whatever’s on hand!
Facebook event
Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!

I’d never even heard of Sunparlour Players the first time I saw them; they were opening for Elliott BROOD at The West End Cultural Centre. Opening for the BROOD is no small task, up until that point, I considered the BROOD to be the best live band in Canada. The Sunparlour setup got my attention even before they began, three positions along the front of the stage, each with a bass kick drum set up. There was a full drum kit along with a variety of other instruments. Three guys came out and sat down and proceeded to blow my mind. They’re well dressed, always in nice suits, but quickly sweating through them and getting more disheveled as the night went on.

They’re a dynamic band, and the genre/style is hard to pin down, because a Sunparlour Players show seems to contain just about everything. They can swing from quiet, haunting, acoustic ballads to all-out electrified rock ‘n roll; just listen to their first album, Hymns for the Happy, as dynamic and unpredictable as an album could be, but brilliant through and through. That’s one I wouldn’t want to live without.

I’ve seen this band a bunch of times now, they put in a set for Neilfest at Times Change(d), opened for Wil at the Park Theatre, played an amazing set at the Folk Exchange, and they opened for The Wooden Sky at the West End. Every show has been amazing and memorable.

Finally, they graduated to the big time and headlined their own show at the West End. Sadly (very sadly), I couldn’t make it. I couldn’t stand to miss out on the opportunity to see this great band, so I had to pitch a house concert. Much to my delight, they went for it.

I also couldn’t pass up the chance to get my hands on some of their legendary Sunparlour Preserves. They’ve sold me a beet jelly, a red-pepper spread, and the always reliable handsome mustard. I’m almost as big a fan of the preserves as I am of the music. Besides, what other band hauls hundreds of little jars of mustard across Canada on a concert tour? You gotta love these guys, for a bunch of reasons.

But again, it all comes down to the music, and the music is amazing. I promise you friends, whatever you like, whether you want to rock out a bit or like the quieter folkier numbers, this band has something for you. This will be an amazing show. Please join us for this one!

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Murdoch & Sparrow @ Sunset Saloon, Nov. 21!

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Murdoch & Sparrow
Live at Sunset Saloon (house concert, West Winnipeg)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
7:30
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, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so feel free to enjoy whatever’s on hand!
Facebook event
Questions? RSVP? Fill out the contact form below!

James Murdoch and Jay Sparrow met years ago at the beginning of their diverging musical careers. Although Murdoch had a pop singer-songwriter background and Sparrow leaned toward the punk rock vein, their paths often crossed as they traversed the globe on respective tours and music festivals.

James and Jay both garnered the attention of the Canadian music industry, media and music fans at large as they progressed and grew as songwriters.

Eventually, James and Jay got together and spent 10 days in Nashville writing a concept album that culminated in a LIVE recording at The Arden Theatre in February, 2012.

The result is a collection of songs that follow the lives of two characters as they make their way across turn-of-the-century Canada through heartbreak, tragedy and love.

Murdoch & Sparrow weave heartfelt storytelling with beautiful, often haunting melodies, into a record that is distinctly, “Canadiana”.

“We really feel that this album is greater than the sum of its parts and we’re excited to send it out into the world.”, says Murdoch.

Murdoch & Sparrow release their album “DOMINION DAY”, in June 2012.

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Other upcoming events at Sunset Saloon:

Sunparlour Players, Oct. 29

Brock Zeman, Nov. 5

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Brock Zeman returns to Sunset Saloon, Nov. 5!

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We are very pleased to welcome back our very first headliner at Sunset Saloon, and definitely one of our most popular, Brock Zeman on November 5! He christened the Sunset Saloon back in 2009 and returned for another great show in 2010, but it’s been a couple of years, which means that he’s written a lot of great songs since then, including the ones that make up his most recent, and one of the very best albums of 2011, Me Then You.

 

Brock Zeman (trio)
Monday, November 5
7:30
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, but we’ll have plenty of both on hand, so feel free to enjoy whatever’s on hand!

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Brock Zeman isn’t all that old (he was born in the 80s!), but he’s obviously got an old soul, because he writes with a depth and wisdom well beyond his years. He’s also got a songwriting style and quality that fits in with the Texas songwriting greats, even though he’s from Southern Ontario. The guy’s too prolific and too talented to be believed, yet there’s wonderful authenticity in everything he does.

Brock’s right-hand man, the multi-talented Blair Hogan

Over the course of 9 albums and countless tours, Zeman has established himself as a respected and renowned songwriter who has played concerts and festivals all over North America. Whether it’s solo, or with a backing band, Zeman’s shows are always engaging and intimate, but you won’t find a more intimate and amazing environment to catch a show than my living room. He’ll be bringing his talented rhythm section along for a memorable performance at The Sunset Saloon on Nov. 5.

In addition to songwriting and performing, Zeman also founded Mud Records a few years ago to help spread the word about other artists that he’s passionate about. Recently, he produced an album for Tennessee songwriting legend Tom House, which has been hailed as House’s finest work, largely thanks to the input and guidance of Brock Zeman.

He’ll have a million songs to draw from and a whole bunch of stories to tell.

Other upcoming events at Sunset Saloon:

Sunparlour Players, Oct. 29

Murdoch & Sparrow, Nov. 21

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