Fictional Folk Musician’s Memoir Folded in to a Forthcoming Novel

This forthcoming novel looks like it oughta be good. I’d never seen W.B. Belcher’s name before, but now have found him on the Web. He’s obviously folk music-inclined, as I saw posts there about Pete Seeger, Dave Van Ronk, and “Inside Lewyn Davis.” Dave Van Ronk

I know the agency that represents him, and they have many great clients, like historian of magic and arcana Jim Steinmeyer, whose Hiding the Elephant: How Magicians Invented the Impossible and Learned to Disappear, which I edited and published with him in 2003. Hiding the Elephant, Jim Steinmeyer

My Storify on the CMJ Music Marathon, an Illustrated Web Diary

Kick-off to a Great Week of Live Music in NYC w/Wilderness of Manitoba, HIGHS, and In-Flight Safety

Wilderness of ManitobaI kicked off this live music-intensive week on Monday night by going to hear Wilderness of Manitoba, a Toronto band that I first heard live in 2011, and whose sound I’d learned has continued to evolve. Earlier, when they toured for their 2010 album, “When You Left the Fire,” their sound was dominated by acoustic guitar and strings, with a hushed ambient quality almost reminiscent of the Windham Hill record label from the 1980s. Over the summer, I’d heard an interview on CBC Toronto’s afternoon radio show “Here and Now” by host Gill Deacon with longtime member, and lead guitarist, Will Whitwham who said for their new album they’d staked a new course—with lineup changes including a heavier rhythm section that leaves them more apt to rock out and jam than before. I heard “Leave Someone,” the single from “Between Colours,” their latest album, and really liked it. When I heard they were playing a free show at Rockwood Music Hall, it was an easy call to go hear them. They played a great set, and true to what I’d heard, the new rhythm players were a great addition—bassist Wes McClintock and drummer Tom Bona—as was vocalist Amanda Balsys. I enjoyed talking with Wes and Amanda after the show. Here are more pics, including the cover of their new album.


Tuesday night kicked off the annual CMJ music festival, and I really enjoyed my first live listen to HIGHS from Toronto, and In-Flight Safety, from Halifax. I had heard singles by both bands on CBC Radio 3—”Summer Dress” and “Animals,” respectively—and both bands played terrific, 35-minute sets, with buoyant tunes and good energy. Here are pics from both shows.

The Strumbellas, Spreading the Fun at Rockwood Music Hall

 Simon Ward & Darryl James of the Strumbellas
I loved the live set played by The Strumbellas Thursday night at Rockwood Music Hall. Big, buoyant songs played and sung with ensemble choruses amid loads of positive energy. Equally enjoyable was talking with the band afterwards, chatting with Darryl James (bass), Dave Ritter (keys), and Isabel Ritchie (violin). Rounding out the six-piece is Jon Hembrey (lead guitar), Jeremy Drury (drums), and Simon Ward (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, frontman). Like Derek Atkinson, lead singer of Loon Choir, another Ontario band I like a lot, Ward is a very expressive singer on stage, and interesting to watch, as you can’t be quite sure sort of swooping or expansive gesture he might strike next. The Strumbellas have been together several years, so far putting out a total of three albums. They won a Juno Award in 2014, for “We Still Move on Dance Floors,” their most recent release. Darryl told me that for a long time they only played in Toronto, which is home base, seizing every opportunity that they could find to play in front of people, but not touring much. Then, they began touring in Canada a couple years ago, with gigs in the US coming after that. All six members had a great time on stage, exuding a comfortability that put the good-sized weeknight crowd at ease and in the mood for fun. Here’s a video of one of my favorite songs of theirs, “Sailing,” followed by the rest of my pics and a Facebook post I put up right after the show.

‘I Blame the Loyalist Ghost,’ Video and Song from Shawn Clark’s New Album

Shawn Clarke, NXNE 2014Charming video for ‘I Blame the Loyalist Ghost,’ a song from Toronto musician Shawn William Clark‘s second album due out 9/23, produced by James Bunton, longtime drummer in Ohbijou. The song begins with the sound of a plucked 4-string tenor guitar, then Clarke plays every instrument in the piece. Enjoy this—it’s like a lazy summer day with balloons and ribbons floating in the sky. I heard Clark during the first night of NXNE this past June, and enjoyed his act a lot. I look forward to hearing his whole album.

George Stroumboulopoulos’ Music Friends On Why CBC Matters

I enjoy listening to the Strombo Show on CBC Radio 2 Sunday nights from 8-11pm. Here’s a video his program put out Sept 1, as their new season began. It documents why CBC matters, even in an era when many other media platforms are available for music lovers and cultural consumers to enjoy.

Jill Barber’s US Tour 9/22-9/30—Stopping at NY Joe’s Pub Sept 25

Winsome Jill BarberA heads-up to music fans in Ann Arbor, Cambridge/Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, DC/Virginia, and Pittsburgh: Beginning Sept 22, Canadian chanteuse Jill Barber will embark on a mini-tour of the US with her superb band, debuting her her new album, “Fool’s Gold” for US audiences. In NYC, she’ll be playing at Joe’s Pub, the same venue where I heard her play in 2012, a fantastic show. This is a write-up of that performance, in which I wrote, “Barber exuded a winsome charm, unselfconscious glamour, and improvised with light banter between songs. She sings in a distinctive tone that is the aural equivalent of B Grade maple syrup—my favorite kind—sweet and smoky.” Her repertoire, most of which she writes herself or co-writes, sung in English and French, evokes classic torch music.  If you’re looking for a great evening of romantic music, come out and hear her one of the cities below or buy a copy of “Fool’s Gold.” See tour details below.

09/22 Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
09/24 Cambridge, MA – Regattabar
09/25 New York, NY – Joe’s Pub
09/27 Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
09/28 Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
09/30 Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe Jill Barber, playing left-handed guitar

09/22 Ann Arbor, MI – The Ark
09/24 Cambridge, MA – Regattabar
09/25 New York, NY – Joe’s Pub
09/27 Philadelphia, PA – Tin Angel
09/28 Vienna, VA – Jammin’ Java
09/30 Pittsburgh, PA – Club Cafe Jill Barber, playing left-handed guitar

A Most Enjoyable Rock n’ Roll Video w/the Arkells

The Arkells in ActionThe Arkells are a great power pop 5-piece band from Hamilton, Ontario that I’ve heard live and enjoy very much. I last wrote about them in 2013 with these pics from that show, a shot of the band in action, and me with lead singer Max Kerman.PT w/Max Kerman

Today, I found a video they’ve recently done that casts the five bandmates with their fathers. It’s funny and kind of sweet. I hope you enjoy it as I have.
http://youtu.be/6OduBTKZ4OA