Author: felixandthecats

I’m happy to write that I have actually started on my only New Year’s resolution: having more French songs. I felt it times to get back to my linguistic and cultural roots, and frankly, with only one French song in the repertoire, I was clearly neglecting that part of things. To that end, I translated Loud Girl, which may end up called L’audacieuse, and wrote a new one from scratch called Comme une boule de gomme. Both are pending recording but should be done in a week or two, depending on other distractions.

What propulsed this along was meeting Frédéric Boutin at Relish. He plays with a few other Francophones, and coincidentally teaches music at G. E. Cartier, where my three kids all received their elementary schooling. In chatting, it rekindled the idea of more French material which I had backburnered. He also mentioned a French open mic called delightfully Franc’Open Mic, a forum for music, poetry, comedy or almost any performing art that has been operating for over 3 years. The event his hosted and curated by songwriter Kyris Mignotet and actor/playwright Florian François.

The next one takes place at the Free Times Café on February 15, and I fully intend on being there to première at least one of the new songs.

Out and About

I made it back to the Linsmore for my first Indie Tuesday in a long time, since the ABC Songwriters’ Circle is on break until January 16. It was great to catch some people I know well and mentioned in previous posts, and new kids just starting out as well. Kudos to Mary-Elizabeth Gilbert for keeping this format thriving. It’s particularly great for people just breaking in to the scene, and for them often one of their first paying gigs.

On Friday, I was able to catch a set of Leanna Yamada‘s band at Relish. It had been a while since we had worked together in the “day job”, so it turned out to be a lovely reunion. The band sounded great too!

New Show Alert!

For those who missed the social media messages or the update in this blog’s sidebar, I’m happy to announce a fresh new show at the Linsmore this coming Tuesday, January 9, 2018, opening for Juno Award-winning musician, songwriter, producer, actor, and teacher Russ Wilson of Junkhouse fame. It’s a thrill and honour to be included with this talented line up; I’m on at 8, Paul O’Toole is at 9, Russ at 9:30 and closing the night Homa & Alex at 10:30.

This will be special, so please make the time to come down. Looking forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, be well!

On any given Christmas, one can be certain there will be at least three garanteed items to eat: turkey, tarte au sucre (French-Canadian sugar pie) and cookies, the latter from which springs the theme of this final post of 2017.

It has been a year of big changes, particularly as I retired from the day job and could now devote myself more to music. Although the Cats have not played as often as I’d like, I have personally never been busier, with vocal lessons (I hope it shows!), recording (more on that later) and the Songwriters’ Circle, all of which are progressing in my view at least as well as I’d hoped.

So, why cookies? As it turns out, my family decided that we would do a Secret Santa style gift exchange to keep costs in line and take some of the stress out of gift buying. Youngest daughter Betsy chose to make her gift, and applied the skills she has acquired over years in the baking business, and particularly her nearly 18 months at Biscuiteers in London UK, where she worked as a bespoke icer (yup, that’s a real job). She made from scratch the musically-themed (+ Batman and sports) cookies pictured below for her sister Lucy‘s (another talented artist mentioned in a previous post) partner Omar, frontman for the Lonely Hearts/Alright Alright, also covered in a previous post. In fact, artistic talent seems to run well in the family as #1 son Sam is an accomplished installation artist, illustrator, and doing a great job picking up the ukulele. Mrs. Félix & the Cats is no slouch either.

Other Treats

I treated myself to a new piece of gear this Christmas. As I’ve been getting into recording more and more, some of the limitations of working in a virtual interface have become evident, and the need for a tactile interface more greatly felt. The PreSonus Faderport (bottom right) does a nice job of helping automate track levels, and I look forward to putting it through its paces working on the recordings good pal Sal Indigo made at ManCave Studio over the last few weeks. I hope to post some of these, once they’re done and I have Sal’s go ahead. Maybe a few other friends will take me up on the offer to record here as well, so I can continue to learn about the process. Call me!

What’s Next?

The ABC Songwriter’s Circle is on a break until January 16, so this is a good chance to catch other artists perform, perhaps recruiting future guests for the songcircle while I’m at it. There is a show at the Linsmore this Tuesday featuring Amber & Alex (Durette and Matthew, respectively; she co-host of the Legends Thursday Night Open Mic, and he a regular, plus special guest at a previous songcircle), Houndbelly (the duo version—Susanne Maziarz and Steve Koller—of 3 Minutes to Forever, one of my fave bands), and first-timers at the Linsmore The Mysterlees.

Friday evening, I hope to catch former co-worker and talent Leanna Yamada at Relish for her birthday show at 7:30. It will be great to catch up as it’s been a while. I hope to have Leanna guest at the ABC later in the new year; fingers crossed.

In conclusion, I’d like to wish you, dear reader, all the best for a Happy New Year! May it be healthy and satisfying in every way. They might even impeach Trump.

Be well!

This week’s post will be brief, it is Christmas Eve after all and the elves need a hand.

Last night’s show at Relish was good fun, and a great privilege to play on what turned out to be the 6th anniversary of New Music Night. I want to thank family and friends who came out. It’s always heartening to see friendly faces in the audience. As a side note, the show provided worthwhile enlightenment re: knowing one’s limits. I’m not sure if this will stop me for always trying to do more each time I play, but it may inform me in how far to push. Overall, I’m still quite happy with the results; the band—NeMo on bass and brand-new-to-the-job Kimio Oki on drums—did a masterful job working off the charts. We got to hear NeMo’s brand new BSX Allegro upright bass too, so bonus!

Thanks in particular to Relish’s Joanne Clayton, for her unwavering support of live music, which has brought about such a positive change in my life, and for which I am forever grateful. Thanks as well to the staff who are always happy to hear the music and make us feel so welcome. I hope we can do it again in 2018!

So to veryone who reads this post, Merry Christmas and all the best for the Holidays!

Be well!

P.S. Please note that the ABC Songwriter’s Circle is on a break, and back on January 16, 2018!

The ABC Songwriters’ Circle is plugging along, and about to go into its 9th week. Whodathunkit!

First, I have to thank Sal Indigo for stepping up at the last minute as originally scheduled guest Jordan Paul was unavoidably called away. He’s been invited back in the new year after he returns from LA.

It was pleasure to play with all the guests, as they kindly let me contribute various noodlings and some bass. It was particularly enjoyable on Linda Lavender’s songs, which I had woodshedded the previous afternoon and which allowed me to unleash my inner wannabe country picker. Turns out that Linda and I have more than musical connections: both our daughters are Rosedale Heights grads and good friends. Whodathunkit!

Now, for those keeping count, you’ll notice that we have one extra person in the picture above. This is a good thing, as it turns out, and not a photo bomb. Mark Martyre pleasantly surprised us not just by the captured intensity and lyricism of his songs but by inviting his accompanist, songwriter-in-his-own-right, and hopefully future guest Darrin Baldwin to the stage on piano. I looked up Darrin and found this bio:

A native of Grosse Isle, MB., Darrin currently resides in Toronto, ON., where he is in the works of a debut EP by the title, “Good Grief, Good Grieving.” This release will feature his piano heavy arrangements and clever lyrics, and surround experiences of grief through a perspective that is at times hopeless, and others hopeful. An honest performer, he has been highlighted for a rich musicality and energetic live show. Darrin can be seen at the 40th anniversary of the Summerfolk Crafts and Music Festival, alongside several other talented songwriters as part of the Youth Discoveries showcase.

The least I could do is give him this plug—never even got the chance to buy him a beer. Thank you!

The previous time this happened, Gary Edward Allen invited Alex Matthew to sit in. I saw Alex along with chanteuse Jaime Redford at Gary’s and Amber Durette‘s Legends open mic, where the pair were feature. It finally clicked in place that I had seen then previously at the Linsmore at one of their Indie Tuesdays. They performed beautifully rearranged standards that took full advantage of Jaime’s excellent control and seemingly effortless range.

After Legends, I caught the last set of one of Toronto’s most talent-laden uprooted-roots bands, Cadre, at the Linsmore. A small (that is SO wrong) but enthusiastic crowd cheered them on, and were wowed by the solid rhythm section with the solid Jeff Dunk on bass and Joey Gaitanis on rhythm guitar, backup vocals and pedalboard-that-ate-New-York, Rob Greenway (remember him?) on drums, back up vocals and sidebar, Cam MacInnes on superb slide/lead, and fronted by the phlegmatic but always entertaining Bill Colgate. These guys perform regularly at clubs around town. You owe it to yourselves to check them out.

ABC Songcircle #9

This Tuesday’s show is the last songcircle of 2017. Please come out to celebrate the Holiday Season with my guests Paula Keast, Lilly Mason and David Israelson.

So, you WILL be there, right?

Until then, be well!

My good friend Sal Indigo just lent me a lovely set of old Ludwig drums, which has the distinction of reportedly being owned by one of the first if not the original drummer for the Downchild Blues Band, whose bassist, Gary Kendall, was mentioned in a previous blog. These now sit in ManCave Studio, waiting to be mic’d up for recording.

This of course got me to thinking about the Cats. These days, performances have been mostly at open mics, where I sit in with the house band, at the Songwriters’ Circle, at solo performances, or duo shows with NeMo. Partly, this is because smaller clubs don’t always pay enough to have the full FatC band out, so I haven’t pursued gigs vigorously. I’ve had the great pleasure and honour to work with top-notch, pro drummers with FatC. But pros are often busy and, small clubs being what they are, time has come to turn the page.

Now I’m looking for a permanently partnered drummer for the group. I’m hoping to find one who understands the financial limitations of small club gigs, has the technical chops to quickly learn and play my stuff, and wants to contribute creatively. That’s a tall order, but I’m happy to wait to find the right fit. Maybe it’s you. Let me know.

Out and About

Other than the Tuesday Songcircle, I only went out once this past week – on Friday, but made it a combo night. Sam Taylor and the EEL were performing to a full house at Relish and rocking out the place, as they consistently do. Jace Traz was particularly sharp on drums that evening. Must be the shirt and tie.

That was followed by a late jaunt to the Salty Dog for the second week in a row Friday Night Blues Jam with Mike Sedgewick, and playing some of my bluesier/rock ‘n’ rollier tunes with Sean Macauley on harmonica, special guest Jonny Wong on sax, Guenther Kapelle on bass and the legendary Kid Carson on drums. The Dano Pro I used last week got a bit fussy on me this time, but I muddled through, thanks to extraordinary playing by the rest of the group.

ABC Songcircle #7

Number 7 at the Amsterdam did not honestly have a huge turnout, but again came through on the originality of the songs and the great discussion on the writing craft that ensued. There was a section of the show that focused on when and how we have “jazzier” chords in our songs (these guys do it far better than me), and another insightful chat about writing about real people without hurting or alienating them. Thanks to John Mahler, Arch Rockefeller and Michael Cuddy—finally got to play along with Sink or Swim, yay!—for being such great guests, and to the ever neatly organized Eileen Boxall for the photo because I forgot to take the usual group shot, doh!

ABC Songcircle #8

This Tuesday, I have the great pleasure of having Linda Lavender, Jordan Paul and Mark Martyre as my guests. Wow! For their full bios, click here!

Until Tuesday or the next time you read this blog, be well!

While cleaning up the house the other day, Mrs. Félix & the Cats found this little gem of me in my hipster phase MANY years ago. I was struck when seeing it just how much of #1 son was there (although still only a gleam in my eye at the time), and how much less of me there was too (probably 25 lbs at least). Context being everything, I also wondered whether the toilet was a symbolic in any way. I’ll let you be the judge.

My son asked me whether I remembered this photo being taken, and I had to admit I had nada, so I am always grateful to the missus for documenting like she does so well. It did remind me though of one of my earliest recordings after discovering the joys of Garageband. I think this one dates back to 2008 + or -, so the production is a bit more shrill than I would like, and I’ve tried to quickly remaster it to smooth it out. Anyway, the lyrics and arrangements have evolved a bit since then, but the core of the song is unchanged. Check on the first verse particularly for the thematic thread.

Old Man Blues ©2008 R. Pelletier/Félix & the Cats

Verse 1
I can’t remember clearly like I used to do
The face might look familiar but I can’t tell who
You are or what you did or when it was
I just can’t recall it and it’s all because
I’m an old man, singing these old man blues.

Verse 2
I can’t hear as clearly as I used I used to do
I turn the TV up to level forty-two ninety-two
I used to hear a pin drop from a hundred feet
I’ll ask you to repeat that cause I didn’t catch it
I’m an old man, singing these old man blues.

Bridge
I can’t stay out all night
I can’t stay awake
I can’t pick a fight
My bones might break
I can’t take a risk or make a big mistake
At my age
There’s just too much at stake.

Verse 3
I can’t hold my liquor like I used to do
I could drink a dozen, now I’m down to two
I’ve got a reputation as a drunk who’s cheap
If I have too many I just fall asleep
I’m an old man, singing these old man blues.

Verse 4
I can’t love my woman like I used to do
I used to go all night and in the morning too
Now if it happens, it just hurts my back
And I don’t want to risk another heart attack
I’m an old man, singing these old man blues.

Bridge (reprise)

More Out and About

Thursday night, I finally went up to the Silly Goose Pub, a cozy bar/restaurant on Victoria Park where Julie Long and Fergus Hambleton run an open mic every second Thursday. I had a chance to play a few songs with Hap Roderman sitting in on bass along with Julie and Fergus, and caught a few songs by David McLachlan. I’m happy to announce that both Julie and David will be guests at the songcircle in the new year. I then quickly transited down to Legends to settle some financial obligations and play a few more there. Busy night, but…

Friday was a two-for as well, catching a set of m.e. law at a packed Relish, settling more scores (the good kind), and down to the Salty Dog for another full-house Friday Night Blues Jam  hosted by the incomparable Mike Sedgewick. Many old and new friends were up that night, Sal Indigo, Loudon Sharp V (aka Trevor), Donna Flynn,  Sean Macauley and Tony Oldland. I decided to use my short-scale Dano Pro for my set and it did not disappoint, according to the many favourable comments I received afterwards.

ABC Songcircle #6

Last Tuesday at the ABC Songwriters’ Circle offred up a wide variety of approaches and styles, yet a very cohesive flow, and generated I believe the most interesting discussion about our approaches to songwriting. It was so involved, that it continued throughout the break at our table even when not for the benefit of the audience. As you can see, smiles were easy and spontaneous, even with Jody hamming it up.

ABC Songcircle #7

This coming Tuesday, I’m very pleased to have John Mahler, Arch Rockefeller and Michael Sheen Cuddy as guests. Expect some interesting chording and thoughtful lyrics.

I’m looking forward to having you all join us for this show. Until then, be well!

As I write this, Mrs. Félix-and-the-Cats is preparing a presentation called Garden of Regrets for a local horticultural group. This made me consider what in my musical garden are regrets, and in almost all cases, it’s the stuff that got away, based on some poor choices.

Below is a stiched together image of my rig (and me with much better hair) way back in the late 70s. For gear wonks, I have listed what is in the shot, but the essential message is this: in a fit of blind ambition mixed with technical ignorance, I dismantled many of these cool pedals and built many of them into a very badly designed single unit, which of course did not work reliably. In an even greater moment of folly, I trashed the original cases and eventually just got rid of the guts. The rest I sold to the now defunct Encore Music Exchange. I still cringe thinging of it. The only item I don’t regret selling off is the 1972 Stratocaster in the shot; it was a bugger to play and I got a good price for it.

Looking up current prices in vintage gear shops does NOT help!

Looking at the Bright Side

Left to Right: me, brilliantfish, Lawrie Ingles, Henry Lees

Photo on left (left to right): me, brilliantfish, Lawrie Ingles, Henry Lees. Picture of piano by Havana Van Saint

The Songwriters’ Circle is going into its sixth week! Last Tuesday was probably the best turnout so far (thank you all!), and great fun as usual. The feedback was very positive from performers Lawrie Ingles, brilliantfish and Henry Lees, and audience alike. We got to put the onstage piano once again through its paces, and all thought it sounded mighty fine. I got to meet some other songwriters who I am happy to say have agreed to grace the stage in the new year. More on that as we get closer to the dates.

This coming Tuesday, the ABC Songwriters’ Circle features Jody Ferrer, Gary Edward Allen and Tim Prueter. Expect something great and completely different!

Out and About

Monday night was a reunion of sorts, playing an open mic and the Rose and Crown on Yonge at Eglinton. Co-hosting was Sophia Radisch, an up and coming singer songwriter whom I have written of before and who is also making her name for herself in the corporate side of the industry with a slew of endorsements and media placements, including a recent article in Guitar Player magazine. It was an interesting experience playing for her a song where the first verse was inspired by events at the Linsmore Tavern where I first heard her play just a year ago, that obliquely references her and my friend, and upcoming guest at the songcircle, Gary Edward Allen. On the way home, I caught the tail-end of the Riverboat Monday open mic at Dora Keogh‘s, hosted by Tyler Ellis, who has taken the reins officially from Julian Taylor. I heard some great songwriters and I think some may just be the ABC fairly soon.

Thursday was the usual blowing off steam at Legends, with upcoming songcircle guest John Mahler as their featured artist. John played a great set and I look forward to his appearance at the ABC December 5. As for my set, I might have been better off sticking to acoustic that evening, as the gear I brought didn’t quite sound right, but it was still fun to wind out. Again, fortuitous meetings occurred which could manifest themselves in the new year.

Finally, I went to see good pal Sal Indigo at the Amsterdam, this time with a sometime seven-piece band rocking out the full-house joint.

With the house PA in full working order, the band was able to cut loose and still be clearly heard, as in the video below.

So, hoping a lot of you can make it out on Tuesday evening for our next songcircle and thanking you for tuning in, I wish you all, “be well”!

An odd thing happened in the last week: I wrote a polka, or at least something polkaesque. In no way am I trying to parody the genre; every style of music has its stars and virtuosos. I had the good fortune to know one of them during my nine years working at Yorkville Sound. Walter Ostanek, Canada’s Polka King, was a client as he also owned a store in St. Catherines and would regularly drive in to pick up his order of Traynor gear. The visits generally lasted far longer than the time it took to load his truck as Walter is a great story teller, and would often spend quite some time recounting interesting events from his career, which includes three Grammies, a star on the Canada’s Walk of Fame, and an Order of Canada.

Even in cases when comedy is at the core of a polka performance, such as Al Yankovic‘s medleys or the beloved Schmenge Brothers (see below), there is still an evident delight in the music itself, and its infectious bounce.

Of course, the version I have recorded has a darker twist to it. Entitled Wilomena (The End of Times Polka), it is based on some truth, but quickly drifts off into imaginary land. A very few people know where that line is drawn, but I will not be sharing it further. I submit it for your listening pleasure and hope you will find it mmm, mmm good.

Wilomena (The End Times Polka) ©2017 R. Pelletier/Félix and the Cats (SOCAN)

Chorus 1
Oh Wilomena!
You are so scatter brained
Oh Wilomena!
I’m sorry to complain
But please keep it straight
I want another date
For the End Times polka.
Oh Wilomena!
I think you’re paranoid
Oh Wilomena!
It’s making me annoyed
Please offer me a chance
Just another dance
At the End Times polka.

Verse 1 & 3
I sang your praises
On mountains near and far
You were the stairway
To lead me to the stars
How could you tell me
They do not represent?
You said you liked them
But now the truth is bent
So now you recant
The words that you’d embraced
You want deletion
But they can’t be erased
I kept a copy
For future reference
Don’t say I’m lying
I have the evidence

Chorus 2
Oh Wilomena!
I think you’re paranoid
Oh Wilomena!
It’s making me annoyed
Please offer me a chance
Just another dance
At the End Times polka.
Oh Wilomena!
Why won’t you be kind?
Oh Wilomena!
What is on your mind?
Show me naked to the world?
Can’t I get another twirl
At the End Times polka?

Verse 2
You stick your nose in
Where it does not belong
Muddy the waters
Although you know it’s wrong
You make pronouncements
That have no base in fact
And ride the coat tails
Of those that you detract
Don’t write the thoughts down
That you should keep inside
And slander all those
Who should be on your side
I kept a copy
For future reference
Don’t say I’m lying
I have the evidence

Verse 3

Chorus 3
Oh Wilomena!
Why won’t you be kind?
Oh Wilomena!
What is on your mind?
Show me naked to the world?
Can’t I get another twirl
At the End Times polka?
Oh Wilomena!
You are so scatter brained
Oh Wilomena!
I’m sorry to complain
But please keep it straight
I want another date
For the End Times polka

Songwriters’ Circle #4

I continue to be blown away by the kindness and talent of the musicians who agree to be guests of the ABC Songwriters’ Circle. Last week was no exception. Jace Traz gave us a sneak peek into his process, but also told the most amazing stories. I finally realized a wish to sing the backups to many of his songs. Chelsea Reed was charming, funny, and filled the room with her warm voice. David Macmichael shared some of his most heartfelt songs and added tasteful guitar playing to the other performers’ tunes. These latter two also for the first time put the onstage piano to good use. It was a wonderful night!

ABC Songcircle #5

Yet another outstanding Tuesday is coming up with Lawrie Ingles, Henry Lees and brilliantfish performing. For their bios, please go to the songcircle page, but more importantly, come down to the show. It is a great and one-of-a-kind performance, guaranteed to please.

Until Tuesday (best choice!) or next week, be well!

Last week’s ABC Songwriters’ Circle (#3 for those counting) continues to live up to my best hopes for a fun and unique way for local songwriters to perform in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere. Thanks to m.e. law, Tyler Ellis and especially Jessica Stuart, who graciously stepped in last minute. It’s still immensely flattering to me that such wonderfully talented people would even want to share the stage with me, never mind sing along to one of my silly songs. But they do, and I am hugely grateful. A sample to prove it below. Thanks for the video, Sal!

Wednesday: Ruby Watchco with the Spare Parts

Wednesday was a long delayed, and sensorily satisfying evening at one of Toronto’s best restaurants, chefs Lynn Crawford and Laura Kirk‘s Ruby Watchco. This is one of those places where the menu is set for each evening, and there are no choices, other than with or without wine pairing. Call it gourmet family dining. It was an amazing meal, made even better by the great attention of the staff—Mary, Hugh, Trinette, et al—some of whom are fellow travellers, and the entertainment provided by the Spare Parts, with Alan Zemaitis on organ, Kyle Sullivan on drums, Andrew Boulos on bass, and Dan Mock on guitar. These guys are kept super busy in various bands, and deservedly so. Alan not only grew up on my street, but was also part of my big birthday bash group a few years back. We will be back!

Friday: Relish for Michael Cuddy

Upcoming ABC guests David Macmichael (November 14) and brilliantfish (November 21) were the rhythm section for Michael Cuddy‘s (December 5) feature show at Relish. Along with Wayne Smith (aka Wayne Neon), they put on a great show that featured new material as well as some favourites, such as Sink or Swim, a live snippet of which is included below.

Meanwhile, across town and unbeknownst to me until the next day, my favourite cover band, the Lonely Hearts, of whom I’ve written of before, were at the Royal Ontario Museum playing for their Friday Night Live event. #FNLROM. That set up two challenges: how can one be in two places at once, and how do you get such a great gig?

ABC Songcircle #4

Another outstanding Tuesday is coming up with Chelsea Reed, Jace Traz and the aforementioned David Macmichael performing. For their bios, please go to the songcircle page, but more importantly, come down to the show. It is a great and one-of-a-kind performance, guaranteed to please.

Hoping to see you there, so be well!

It’s amazing how busy one can be on an off week. Despite there being no ABC Songwriters’ Circle due to Hallowe’en, things were not idle.

Stir It Up Sundays

Last Sunday started the week with a long delayed return to Relish for Stir It Up Sundays. As well as playing the usual “standards” — for me at least, I had the great pleasure of sitting in with upcoming ABC Songcircle guest Michael Cuddy for a couple of his tunes to “shred”. Not sure about shredding; mostly those end up in my cereal bowl, but I hope I provided what he was hoping for.

Chelsea Reed Record Launch

Monday was a big night for another upcoming guest, Chelsea Reed, who was launching her album at Braddock’s. It was an incredible evening of quality songs, which I very much look forward to asking Chelsea about on November 14. I was also wowed by opening performer Danielle Knibbe, and if she is reading this, very much welcome to be a part of the ABC Songwriters’ Circle. Just email me here if you are reading this, Danielle! It was a treat to listen and see perform such wonderfully talented, smart and sensitive artists.

Danielle Knibbe band performing Come Back Home.

Chelsea Reed band performing Empty Hearts.

Beach House Première

Thursday was my première at the Beach House, which I have written about previously. While there wasn’t a big turnout that evening —perhaps I should have promoted more—the aucience was attentive and appreciative. Thanks to Karl and Billy Zee for making it possible, and to fellow traveller Tony Oldland for coming out and for the video of Mr. Juicy Fruit, in a live solo version you can watch here (sorry, I can’t embed this one). I look forward to performing there again.

As the show was from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, I seemed to have some excess energy, so I scooted over to Gary and Amber’s Legends Open Mic for a last quick set of tunes. Thanks to both for letting me wind out a little more than usual. It felt good!

Tyler and Sal

Friday, flush with the proceeds of the Beach House gig, it was back to Relish to catch a set of  Tyler Ellis, playing with a stripped down version of the Eddy Line with John McLean on guitar and bass, and the formidable Paul Brennan on drums. I was reminded again why I like his songs so much, and I urge you to make it down to the Amsterdam Bicycle Club this Tuesday, November 7, to hear for yourselves. Add m.e. law and Lilly Mason, and you have the elements of an extraordinary night of music.

As much as I wished to stay, I also wanted to catch Sal Indigo in one of his rarer full band performances, with Tim Killer Kelly on bass and Jack the Animal Pepe on drums, at Basso’s Blues Room on Queen East. Despite some contradictory messaging concerning the venue’s closing (a shame if it happens), they did in fact play the show, and even let me sit in for a final set. Thanks, Sal, Tim and Jack!

I must leave you to prep for this Tuesday’s show, which again, I encourage all of you to attend.

Until then, or next week, be well!