TwoTwentyTwo

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.

The Brothers Chaffey have been singing together for just over 2 years as a group, but these two Ottawa based musicians are, in fact, actual brothers. Matthew Chaffey sings lead vocal and plays rhythm guitar, while his brother Curtis Chaffey plays lead guitar and sings vocals as well. The two have been writing songs for years, but it was not until 2005 that they moved forward with recording and releasing these songs.

(more…)

Perfecting his craft through extensive touring and live performances for a number of years now, Owen Steel has dedicated the past year to capturing his music in proper physical form, and the payoff is well worth the wait. The album was recorded by Fredericton based engineer Evan Hansen (The Olympic Symphonium, Weak Size Fish) at ‘Salty Towers’ in St. Andrews, N.B, and features appearances from some of the regions’ most prominent performers (A.G. Olmstead, Tom Easley, Kelly Waterhouse, etc.). Upon the albums release in early March, Owen Steel ‘et al’ will for the first time tour from coast to coast, in the most appropriate of ways; playing shows onboard VIA rail trains from Halifax to Vancouver, with stops along the way. Since the world around him inspires his music so much, it’s entirely fitting that Owen be playing his music as the gorgeous landscape and scenery of the Canadian wilderness rushes by.

It’s been a long but steady climb since FATHEAD’s debut CD in 1995, and the band has been tearing it up on the North American festival circuit ever since – winning over new fans every time they play – making FATHEAD one of the country’s top roots acts. Signed to the world renowned ELECTRO-FI RECORDS’ imprint, their latest release “BUILDING FULL OF BLUES” garnered them a second coveted JUNO AWARD (Canada’s “GRAMMY”) in 2008 for “Blues Recording Of The Year”.

That they have been described as a Blues Tour De Force comes as no surprise. Georgia-raised lead singer JOHN MAYS has had a storied career that began in the Southern gospel tradition, crossing over into Doo-Wop, R&B and Blues, not to mention a stint with the Godfather Of Soul JAMES BROWN. Hooking up with band leader AL LERMAN (harp and saxophone) in Toronto some years later, FATHEAD’s core has remained constant since 1992, offering ace musicianship, soul stirring harmonies and incendiary live performances. The writing tandem of Lerman and bassist OMAR TUNNOCH have produced an impressive body of work that has enjoyed time on the US, European and Canadian music charts. Guitar ace TEDDY LEONARD (who left the band in 2006) is back and better than ever, along with iconic drummer BUCKY BERGER. Elements of funk, soul, and R&B are fused into the group’s strong blues backbone, creating a fresh sound that is immediately recognizable as their own.

Tom Savage

Tom Savage writes songs that make people stand up and take notice. Tales of love and loss lay the groundwork for many of his compositions, but Savage is not afraid to tackle social and political issues in his writing as well.” What I try to do when I’m writing a song is to leave it open-ended enough for the audience to interpret in their own way, but at the same time, get my point across on some level.”

Musically, Savage draws from a diverse range of influences. His early days covering Neil Young songs in the band Too Far Gone, and twanging out the Rockabilly sounds of Elvis Presley and Gene Vincent in The Cronies, have left an undeniable imprint on Savage’s style. “As an artist, I believe that my style is the cumulative result of everything I’ve ever heard or played.”

Savage’s singing style has drawn comparisons to a wide variety of artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Fred Eaglesmith, Warren Zevon, Steve Earle, etc.

Tom Savage has recorded two albums, Day-To-Day Truths (1999) and Brand Of Sympathy (2001), and has just released his latest effort, Never Shed No Tears.

Come and celebrate St Patty’s day with us at O’Reilly’s!

JW-Jones has played throughout the world (CANADA, USA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL) and has been invited to share the stage with some of the biggest names in blues today (to play with, not open for).

“One of this country’s top blues guitar stars” writes the Globe and Mail about 27-year old JW-Jones.

Come and listen to awesome Guthrie House!

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.

Vince Andrushko’s songs take you places. But, more than that, they give you a sense of all the history that went into making that place at that moment just so. He has an engaging voice overflowing with style and character that compels you to keep listening in a way that’s becoming rare in these days of instant communication. Vince was raised where the open prairie and the big sky meet the big city, on the outskirts of the indomitable underdog of Canadian culture, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. When he’s not treating you to one of his originals, it’s not unusual to hear him play songs by AC/DC and Jimmie Rodgers back-to-back. Listening to him perform gives you a sense that maybe time doesn’t behave exactly how you thought it did.

There’s a bit of Jay Aymar in all of us. Ordinary sort of guy, on one level; generous, warm-hearted, funny and kind on another, and — rather surprisingly — a inspired songwriter who can tell his story and tell yours at the same time. There’s no pretension whatsoever with this man; this is the fourth album of what he cheerfully calls “home-made songs” and it’s his best work yet. Not that it seems like “work” for this man from Sault St. Marie — just songs about the good times and the bad that he’s lived through, which are pretty well like the good and bad times we’ve ALL been through. Jay’s had crummy jobs, disappointments, and relationships which didn’t work out (sometimes badly). He’s also had close friends, a support network, and relationships that did work. Most of all he has a sense of humour about it all.
A must to hear.

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