I'm Back!

Hey all! I'm returning to the blogosphere after an unintentional hiatus due to the unfortunate accidental death of my macbook, who abruptly left this earth for the open arms of angel-Steve Jobs. That, and school has been kicking my ass. I'm finishing off my federal funding application and right now I just need to write something else that isn't self promoting, "please give me 17 000 dollars because I am a genius and sooo awesome, kay?"

Yesterday, turned into an unexpectedly awesome day. I had intended to spend way more time hitting the books but, for better or worse, my first love of music was calling to me and I just couldn't ignore it.

Since Cory was visiting from Halifax this week, him and Claire and I have been jamming a little bit and working on some covers for fun and we decided to go play the Saturday afternoon open mic at a pub called McKenzie's by High Park station. Cute little pub, nice owners and quite busy. The guy running the open mic ( I didn't catch his name) was really friendly, and quite a good performer as well. They run the open mic from 2-6 and they're pretty excited to see new performers. We only played three songs but you could definitely get away with 6 or more. As far as sound goes, they only had one mic set up, but since it was only Claire and I singing, that was fine and Claire's fiddle is loud enough that we didn't need to mic it.

We played three covers, The Ransom- Madison Violet, Landslide- Stevie Nicks and Wagon Wheel- Old Crow Medicine Show

It was the first time we've ever played Wagon Wheel live and it totally kicked ass! I can't get enough of that song, I've listened to it a hundred times and I'm still not sick of it. Its a total boot-stomping sing-a-long. My favourite version of it is by Matt Andersen, who is easily one of the best guitarists in Canada and has the most delicious deep bluesy voice.

I've watched a ton of his videos online and every time he blows my mind. He also inspired me to learn to play Bruce Springsteen's "I'm on fire" so thats the next thing we'll be performing I hope.

Anyways, its always a pleasure to play music with Cory, especially since he's such a great guitar player that nobody notices me fudging my way along on the acoustic. I'm so excited for Courtney's visit and we'll definitely organize some sort of TMB performance for our friends in Toronto. I'm incredibly happy that we've started making music again. I didn't have the heart to work on anything all summer cause I missed my bandmates too much and this fall has been so hectic we've barely been able to find the time.

After our performance we were all so riled up, that we decided to head to the Dakota Tavern.  The Dakota is a country bar, down at Ossington and Dundas. I've been wanting to check it out for the last four years and now that I finally live near to it, I can.

Dakota stage- Not my photo

We didn't even know who was playing, we just hoped we'd see/hear a good performance. Well we totally lucked out! The opener called Harlan Pepper, was a baby-faced band (they just turned 19) but they play country/rock/bluegrass like they are seasoned veterans of the road. Their live performance was the kind rip-roaring old time music that makes you start to dance whether you want to or not.

I seriously just want to pinch their cheeks pat them on the head and tell them to give me a call when they're old enough to grow beards.

Alright, back to my academic endeavours,
Cheers!
Ange