JOHN OTWAY

w/Chris Houston

Friday May 23, 2014

This Ain't Hollywood

John Otway rose to cult status through his stage antics and self-depreciating sense of humour. 

Honestly, the best way I can put this.... If you're not familiar with the name (and most aren't), I suggest just taking a glimpse of this trailer for a movie about Otways ....interesting music career! 

Rock And Roll's Greatest Failure: Otway the Movie Trailer

And who else could possibly fit this bill better than Chris Houston?!! He's such a character and I think the world might wiggle a bit out of it's axis when these two are in the same room! 

Chris Houston on the Barbershop Podcast

MATT ANDERSEN

True North Records

Illustration and hand crafted font: Ink on paper. Digital background. 

Receiving a commission from Canada's oldest Indie label, True North Records, has definitely been the highlight of 2014. Not only was it an honour to be recognized by such an amazing company, they were very kind, encouraging and supportive. I can honestly say that it challenged and strengthened me, in all the best possible ways. I could blather on for hours about how thrilled I am that I had this opportunity, but instead I will do my job and promote the artist for whom the poster was created!!! And it's a good one! 

Matt Andersen is a blues guitarist and singer-songwriter from Perth-Andover, New Brunswick. Aside from several awards (such as several East Coast Music Awards, Maple Blues Award & Euro Blues Award) He is also the first Canadian winner of Memphis, Tennessee's Int'l Blues Challenge! Andersen's new album, "Weightless" is available on his website, where you can also check to see when he's playing near you! 

Feeling grateful! 

IAN ANDREWS & THE SMOKIN' SCOUNDRELS

The Hell Bent Trio

April 26th, 2014

The Corktown Tavern

Ian Andrews was born in Guelph, but moved to Hamilton in 2012 and started really getting into the Blues scene. "It's going great!" says Andrews. "My act is just over a year and a half old and I've already had the pleasure of playing with some incredible (talent)" Aside from his blues/rock act, Andrews has been collaborating with some other musicians to make a recording of some more abstract music. Andrews is influenced by all kinds of music and sounds, siting Johnny Winter, The Three Kings (Al, Freddie & B.B.) as well as many local acts. Fondly recalling the first time he heard King Biscuit Boy & Crowbar, Andrews says "...that gave me a fever!"

Also on this bill is The Hell Bent Trio. Sound familiar? Probably because you're thinking of The HellBent Rockers, which is the full version of this band. When Bill isn't available to sing, Nicoloff steps up to the mic, and the show goes on... but just as a trio! So you know you can expect a great show, just a bit stripped down! 

Ian Andrews photograph by: Alison Novak. You can check out Alisons work at:  alisonnovak.com

IT'S RECORD STORE DAY!!

In honour of Record Store Day, I'm posting this photo of the original pen and ink drawing I did for the Magic Christian-Gord Lewis 45 released by Schizophrenic Records  

Downtown Sound Recording Studio - First Year Anniversary

DOWNTOWN SOUND RECORDING STUDIO

FIRST ANNIVERSARY PARTY!! 

w/THE MOGS

THE MYSTICS

THE BLUE DEMONS

THE HIGH TIDES

MOLLY BABIN

PLUS!! DJ JOE ROCKHEAD

This event celebrates the first year anniversary of a great local recording studio in the James North/Barton area! Sure to be a blast from beginning to end. Bring your dancing shoes! Get ready for a party!!!! 

Downtown Sound Recording Studios was started by Mario Pietrangeli, a native of Hamilton who moved to Toronto in 1979 in pursuit of a "serious" day job. Mario has been recording music since he first acquired a 4-track cassette recorder in '96. Originally operating the studio in the basement of his Toronto home, Mario retired from his day job and moved back to Hamilton, where he opened Downtown Sound in May of 2013. Mario has since worked with a number of local recording artists, including: Molly Babin, Martin Verrall, Mystics, The Mogs & others! 

BOB BRYDEN & THE SUICIDAL FOLK SINGERS (FT. KORI POP) 

w/ Hollow Earth & Kensington Prairie 

Friday April 25/14 

THIS AIN'T HOLLYWOOD

Telling the story of Bob Bryden is a bit of a daunting task. The Ottawa born rocker has worn many hats in the field of music. Most notably was an psychedelic eccentric band called Christmas. The band was well received by music lovers, but was a little too creative for mainstream media. 

With an arsenal of experience and talent, Bob Bryden has released a new album: The Yorkville Days. "Yorkville Days" is an upbeat, hippie-centric homage to the trendy Yorkville area of Toronto in the 1960s. Joining Bob for this show, is a young, artistic. Hamilton singer named Kori Pop. I've seen her perform, and she's really just lovely. 

Hollow Earth and Kensington-Prairie also perform at this talent-packed event. 

Admission is $20, and that includes a "Yorkville Days" CD! 

GREG ASHLEY (of The Gris Gris) 

w/ John Brothers Piano Company 

& Molly Babin

Greg Ashley of The Gris Gris fame plays This Ain't Hollywood on Tuesday April 15th. Be sure to get there early, as these weekday shows usually get under way at a reasonable hour. 

Opening for Greg is John Brothers Piano Company and Molly Babin.

This could be one of the most interesting shows of the season. See you there!