“Your energy is incredible!”

This is a statement commonly heard at a Two Twenty Two performance.

Formed in 2005, Two Twenty Two is the magical combination of two established solo singer songwriters. Amanda Brewer and Warren Muzak have brought very different songwriting styles together to create a sound which ranges from traditional country, to folk and blues, to modern rock and jazz.  Brewer’s sweet melodies are paired with Muzak’s driving rhythms and their powerful voices weave together to draw listeners in to stories of love, loss and life on the road.

Ambre McLean has created a sound that is entirely her own incorporating a number of her influences including jazz, country, blues, folk and pop.

“She must have been born to it” says CBC 3’s Craig Norris. “Ambre’s a brilliant player, a brilliant songwriter and a brilliant performer.”

In 2009, Ambre won 1st place in Guelph ’s first singer/songwriter contest. She also maintains the tri-cities ECHO award (People’s Choice) for best singer/songwriter.

Ambre has recently partnered with Canadian Indie label Busted Flat Records (Matt Andersen, Jay Semko, Brock Zeman). Ambre’s latest full length “Murder at the Smokehouse - a musical novella” is due for an October 2010 release. Busted Flat will also be re-releasing Ambre’s 2007 full length CD “I Wonder If.”

To appreciate Ambre McLean is to see her perform live. Her piano work is a bit funky, yet haunting. Her breathy voice is ethereal and mesmerizing, she truly is a decadent pleasure captured on the stage.

McLean’s rich vocal styling’s have often been compared to Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple and Tori Amos. She’ll dazzle you on piano or guitar - a little bit blues ‘n jazz, a little bit pop and all soul.

Brock Zeman

Brock Zeman may only be twenty-five years old, but already he’s released three previous albums with his signature roots style, and been praised by critics for the maturity of his vocals, the depth of his storytelling and his impressive live performances – which he shares with audiences widely and regularly, across North America and Europe.

His fourth album, Welcome Home Ivy Jane, produced by Keith Glass of Prairie Oyster fame, along with Zeman and Steve Foley at Audio Valley, cements Zeman’s talent as a songwriter who balances the grit of everyday life with a lyrical heart. Sung in his deep, rich and twangy vocals and backed by a first rate band, Zeman is, as one reviewer has said, “certainly a rising star” (Atlantic Seabreeze).

Zeman’s vocals often illicit immediate comparisons to Americana greats; Country Music News has said that Zeman has “a voice that begs to be compared to Steve Earle” while Rootshighway claims that “Brock Zeman should have been born in Austin Texas.” But it is Zeman’s songwriting that makes the comparisons to the great singer-songwriters stick.

Dave Balfour

It’s that time again. Jamming. You love it, I love it - we all love it.

Open jamming means that our host with the most, Dave Balfour, will play all night and will invite people up on stage to join in. It’s a great time for both audience and musicians!

Musicians: Bring your instrument of choice (including drums - small stage sized set please) and approach Dave to quickly let him know that you’re there and you would like to join in on the jam. He’ll do his best to rotate you in if at all possible. This is a great event and is catered to most levels of playing. Jamming is fun and helps build your skills. It’s great when it all gels together and it’s entertaining when it doesn’t (doesn’t happen to often!).

Audience: It’s a Wednesday night, it’s the middle of the week. You’re looking for something to do -maybe meet some friends or take in some entertainment. O’Reilly’s Pub in Perth has your answer. The Open Jamming experience with Dave Balfour is a night of amazing music and it’s all FREE. No cover. The music ranges from classic rock to folk to MILD country to blues to hits of today and beyond. It’s a night of fun and friends, music and mayhem.

The show starts at 8pm so both musicians and audience should arrive early for easier setup and best seating. There is a great food menu and drinks so don’t hesitate to come for supper or snacks and drinks prior to the show!

Thanks and see you there!

Mike

The County Boys forged their sound years ago in a Peterborough kitchen. As a three piece; guitar, bass and banjo, they have created a sound that will make you get your dancin’ shoes on. Their three part harmonies are the main ingredient mixed with a sound that is somewhere between bacon and carrot. The band has many flavors as each member writes and sings their own songs. Together they have thrown hillbilly, country, punk, pop and some other ingredients in to the pot and come out with something they can call their own.