So I’ve come out of hibernation, and have a battery of new songs. Maybe not a battery–maybe an archipelago. Anyway, things are looking up.
So I’ve come out of hibernation, and have a battery of new songs. Maybe not a battery–maybe an archipelago. Anyway, things are looking up.
Things have been a bit quiet on the music end of things for me lately (mostly because they’ve been unquiet on other ends), but they’re starting to pick up again. Picking up a banjo, which is a pun on two different levels, if you stop and think about it.
I’ve had this banjo for about twelve years, I think, and I’ve never really done anything with it. It’s a bit weird: a tenor banjo, tuned in 5ths, like a mandolin or a violin. I could sort of play it, but I have these stubby pinky fingers, and had trouble stretching to play the scales.
But this time, I wimped out. I tried something called “Chicago tuning,” which is banjo code for “tuning it like a guitar.” And suddenly I’ve got three and a half songs I’m very, very excited about, and a brand new bucket of clean, cold enthusiasm. I hope to douse you all with it soon.
We all know the tar sands are environmentally devastating, but did you know they’re coming to Saskatchewan soon? Coming, that is, unless we do something about it.
A music festival isn’t going to fix this, but it’s important to show that there’s strong public opposition to tar sands expansion… and it’ll be great to hear some fine music in the process.
Come out Monday to have some fun and show your opposition to tar sands oil extraction. This could be the start of a beautiful movement.
Program runs from 3 PM – 9 PM; I’ll be up around 8:30. See you there!
Thanks to Bill from CFR for the photos!
I’ve just finished up something special. I’ve made a record to give away on Sunday at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church in Winnipeg. The cover art looks like this:
I’m hoping to give away every last copy. There aren’t many. One of the tracks will be available for download after the show, but the other two will only appear on this record, which will only be available at this show. Are they any good? Well, if you don’t come out and get one, you’ll never know, will you?
So — as if seeing Slow Dancers isn’t enough reason to head down to CFR Sunday — here’s another reason: CDs for free. Honestly, the artwork alone is worth that.
Slow Dancers and me, Sunday, August 28 in Winnipeg at Crescent Fort Rouge United Church. $5, doors at 7. This is going to be great… more to follow. FB here.
Photos by Claire Amundsen (thanks, Claire!)
Just uploaded: video of Dan playing “Each Other’s Light” back in January at the Club.
My good friend Shane Crerar has kindly asked me to play some songs at the opening of his art exhibition at the Fifth Parallel Gallery at the University of Regina. The opening reception is Friday, May 13th from 4 till 8; I’ll play around 6. I hope to see you there. But even if you can’t make it to the opening, be sure to check out Shane’s stuff… he does amazing work.
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