Deep Cove Coffee House ROCKED!!
Nights like last night at the Deep Cove Coffee House make my heart swell…….No joke!! What an incredible evening that was!! It was such an honour to play for a spectacular listening audience, to play with incredible musicians (left to right – Jasmin Frederickson and Ari Lantela from Chicken-Like Birds, and Kristina Jessin on violin/harmony), and to witness the pulling together of community.
For reasons unknown, the sound man of the night did not appear, but heroes among the crowd, volunteers, and openers of the night got it up an running. This may not sound like not a big deal, but when you have to pull together a sound system you’re unfamiliar with in minimal time, it’s a BIG DEAL! Huge thanks to Ken Hamer, Ken Cade, Glenn Chatten, and folks that got the sound up and running for our segment of the evening! Very special thanks to John Lyon for running this event, and to the Mount Seymour Church for the use of their space.
I’m all giddy inside! Thanks all, and to Dan Bowditch who took the photo of us playing :).
Inside Van Series Video – Dire Straits Cover
I had the wicked opportunity to play one of my favourite cover tunes for Indie Van City’s Inside Van Series. Such a cool experience!! Be sure to check out some of the other artists videos too. One of my fav’s was Full Moon Riot! Thanks to Ryan McDonald at http://chicknskratch.com, Dwayne Morgan at June Production, all the gang at Nimbus, and to the wonderful Kristina Lao who organizes this all!!
Here’s to the Walk of Life!!
Rocked the Roxy/Upcoming Shows
Thanks to Jeff Arsenault for the above photo, and to all those who came out to support our first night at The Roxy!! We had an absolute blast playing on that stage, especially when everyone bust out dancing to the Bowie tune we played!
We have another show/jam night tomorrow in Vancouver at Luke’s Corner Bar on Granville and 14th, 9pm. Always makes for a fun evening!
A bunch of new shows are posted, and it is quite a variable palette this month from full band, to Folk Club, to collaborative Improv. Be sure to check SHOWS for the where’s and whens.
It was also my birthday the other day, and I felt inspired to write up a new Bard’s Blog about turning into Larry Bird!!
An evening of surprises and Booker T!
Soooooo….last night….THIS HAPPENED!!!! STAGE SIDE AT THE BOOKER T JONES CONCERT AT THE VOGUE THEATRE!! If you are unfamiliar with Booker T, listen to GREEN ONIONS, and you’ll quickly recognize that you know him!
The man is an absolute legend, and his been an integral part of music history. It is such a treat to be able to witness a seasoned performer of this caliber, and I find myself very inspired today.
However, this inspiration is not just from Booker T. I was pleasantly mind blown to discover the likes of Mud Funk, and Jesse Roper last night as well – two opening bands that opened a show like I have never seen before!!! Click on the photos to go to their websites:
Keep your eyes open for these two groups, and go when you see them performing – THEY MUST BE EXPERIENCED LIVE!! I actually don’t want to tell you how great they were, because words can’t explain. WOW!! That was in the top ranking for best show I have seen,,,IN MA LIFE!!
Best part of the whole night – I realized I knew 5 of the 9 members of Mud Funk from separate groups I have met over the years, and had absolutely no idea that they formed a super group! They are like the Funk/Soul version of the Eagles!!!
February Shows in Vancouver
Aloha friends!!
Just had the opportunity to adventure to Kaua’i at the end of January with my wife. The trip was amazing, and I highly recommend going there, at least once in your lifetime if you can. True to previous form, here’s a bard’s blog small world encounter from our journey – From Kombucha in Kauai to high school in Kelowna…
Recharged from the sun, I am very excited to be back in town, and to be playing for the first time at a legendary Vancouver venue on Saturday, February 27th – The Roxy!!
I will be joined with my bandmates, and we’ll be sharing the night with new local friend – David Alexander. It’s an earlier show, so be sure to be there by 7:45 to catch us play….Got a great one planned ;).
We’ll also be doing a jam down evening at Luke’s on 14th and Granville tomorrow night (Friday Feb 12th), starting up at 9pm. May have some special guests in attendance!
Recordings in progress!
I was in Kelowna this weekend playing a show with bandmates, Darren Beattie and Matt Langill. We had a blast playing at Fernando’s Pub, and came away with one of the best new dance moves I have ever seen….Ask in person next time you see me for a personal demonstration….much like the Martix…you can’t be told what the dance move is…..you have to see it for yourself…..
In mid December, the boys and I traveled to Music City Studio to do a live off the floor recording with Mike Pedersen. We got a chance to go in and listen to the recordings in progress this weekend, as seen above. Matt is executing his best “thinker,” pose, Mike is at the control desk, I am wearing my jacket that matches the studio, and Darren is behind the camera. The half butt on the rug is Oscar the dog!….Anyways..
We were very excited to hear how they are turning out, and I’m thrilled to soon have some recordings that reflect what the full band sounds like. Working with Mike has been fantastic, and I highly recommend this experience to any musician. The amount that I have learned from just that one session is incredible – Recording, especially live with full band, is an exercised skill! Can’t wait to get in there and do it again :).
Stay tuned for tunes….
Hats and House Coats Party in Kelowna this Saturday!
Very excited to be back in Kelowna this weekend with my bandmates, especially to play at Fernando’s in wicked hats and house coats!! Should make for a blast of a weekend, as good friends from Tiger Moon are doing a Long Johns themed show the night before!! haha. I’ll be at that one too if you care to join me in Long John style!!
Very Special Friendraiser Show at Backstage Lounge, Vancouver Jan. 5th
This Tuesday evening I will be playing at a very special show. A new musical friend of mine, Kristina Lao, has pulled together a night of music in support of her long time friend Gilly – a very young woman that was rapidly affected by brain cancer. Funds raised from the show will go towards supporting her journey through the process. Gilly’s story can be followed here – https://www.gofundme.com/
The show will get going promptly at 8pm, so please come early, and be reading for a heart warming evening.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all those in the Universe!
This is this year’s edition of my window painting. My mom got me started just over 20 years ago, and it’s always a fun tradition :).
All the best to everyone during the holidays. Be sure to spread the U.F. Ho. Ho!
Kitchen Choir X-Mas Performance Dec. 10th at Eternal Abundance, Vancouver, 8pm
Happy holiday season everyone!! If you’re feeling particularly festive, come join me and a bunch of fun loving cats singing tunes, choir like, at Eternal Abundance on the Drive in Vancouver this Thursday.
My wife, Shera Kelly, started a choir called The Kitchen Choir, and this will be the first ever performance. This is my first time participating in a choir, and it’s been a ton of fun.
It starts at 8pm, is $5, and the funds go to a children’s music charity. We’ll be doing a mix of Christmas songs, and local Vancouver artist’s songs. All in all, good times will be had. If the weather is reasonable, we’re taking our group and whoever wants to come (YOU!!) on the road to sing some tunes around the city. Going to be a B-LAST!!
All you need do is check out this promo video that was made for the event, and you won’t be able to say no…….
Recording Band EP Dec. 12th in Kelowna!
Oh Happy Day!!!! I am very pleased to announce that this weekend, these fine chaps (Darren Beattie and Matt Langill – men who obviously like their cheese!) and I will be heading into Music City Studio in Kelowna, BC to record 6 songs with Studio owner, Mike Pedersen. It will include 4 new songs I have never released, and will give new full band life to 2 songs which have previously been on other recordings. Any speculations? hehe.
I have never recorded live off the floor with a band in studio before, and am so thrilled for this adventure! Albums done this way usually end up being some of my favourites – most recently Sister Speak’s Rise Up For Love, and Richie and the Poor Boys Off The Floor. LOVE THESE ALBUMS!! AHHHHH!!!
Can’t wait to share this project with you all :). More info and updates about the recording after this weekend!
Photo by Ali Bordbar
Second Place at Studio Records Open Mic Final!!
Fun bit o news to share :). I had the lovely honour of being included in the Studio Records Open Mic Contest Final among 8 solid local Vancouver musicians, and am happy to announce I placed 2nd in the bunch!
Twas a great night of song and merriment, and great to see songwriters coming together like this. I’m loving the community that Studio Records is committed to building, and double highly recommend going to their events. They really give a damn about local music and supporting the growing scene, so check out there happenings and go :). We need more places like this in Vancouver.
Huge congrats to Kristina Lao, winner of the night, for knocking her performance out of the park! Watch out for her in the future.
Awesome job to all the artists who played, and all the lovely folks who came out to support and experience it all. I made a lot of great new friends.
Thanks to Jake Touzel for the above photograph, and for being awesome!
Studio Records Open Mic Final Nov. 18th
Well, there is a lot going on at Studio Records in downtown Vancouver. In mid October, myself and my bandmates entered into a contest called Best in Vancouver, focused on full band dynamics. We had an absolute blast playing our night with fellow Vancouver bands, Modern Day Poets, Flub the Duck, and out of town Island Funk Reggae Rockers – The Steadies.
They have also been running an open mic contest for solo artists on Wednesday nights over the last while, and will continue until the 18th of November – the final evening. Although the band didn’t get into the final of Best in Vancouver, I got in as a solo for the Open Mic Final, so if you’re looking for something to do that night, come check out this beautiful venue, and some of Vancouver’s amazing local performers.
The finals for Best in Vancouver (Full Bands) happens on November 21st, and will be well worth checking out as well.
Weekend with the Vancouver Folk Song Society
Just got a cool picture back with the lovely people involved with the annual Vancouver Folk Song Society’s Crescent Beach retreat. Ended up teaching a few jam workshops here, and then jammed every night till 3am! Fantastic weekend :).
*Photo by Dennis Lakusta
A Gift of Art
I have met 3 people in my life that have a very cool way of translating their experience or taking notes. One of them, named Tif, was at the show in Terrace the other night. Check this out! This is now on my fridge :).
Terrace, BC ROCKS!!
Well, I have been waiting a long time to go to Northern BC, and am happy to say that my weekend adventure up to Terrace blew my mind! It all started with an unusual experience I thought fit for A Bard’s Blog – check out “Flying through the Vortex to Terrace.”
Had a beautiful stroll down the road from the airport into town. Met many friendly passerby’s – 5 people in vehicles pulled over to offer rides, which was really kind :). Thank you kind Territes!
On the way I walked over the Skeena River, which is a powerful sight to see, especially in the fall with the yellow leaves in the background.
When you walk over the bridge, there’s a great opportunity to see this collection of water eroded rocks covered in magnificent green schtuff. Very cool!
This whole rock was not visible Saturday morning because of the huge amount of rain that came with the hurricane. It raised the level of the river by a few feet at least!! Incredible!!
Had a wonderful and intimate show at the Elephant Ear Bistro, and got to jam out with locals Denis Gagne and Teresa Robinson onstage! Such a great community of musicians and music lovers there. Thanks to Terry for the photograph!
The next morning came with a very soggy performance at the Farmer’s Market! One of the wettest performances I have ever done, and first time playing in hurricane weather, but that didn’t stop people from coming out to their market! The east coasters will appreciate the fact there were requests for sailing/ocean songs, and Stan Rogers :).
Lastly, had an amazing walk around a very unique camp ground/island called Ferry Island. Again, this story (Faces in the Trees) was more fit for A Bard’s Blog, so check out that story and really neato pictures there.
Phew! Massive post!
October Shows and Best in Vancouver Promo Video
YAY!! It’s October!! I absolutely love this month in general, but this particular October is going to be a ton of fun.
I just came off of the Vancouver Folk Society’s annual retreat weekend in White Rock, and would highly recommend this to anyone who loves to sing with a large group of really fun people. I had an absolute blast, and averaged jamming till 3am every night.
Lots of great places and themes for upcoming shows all over the province, so check below for the wheres and whens. Super pumped to go to Terrace in northern BC for the first time!!!
The video below is a teaser for one I am extremely excited about. My bandmates and I are taking the stage at Studio Records, Oct. 16th, as part of a contest with some amazing musicians in town. I have tickets for $10, so contact me if you’d like to get some in advance. They are $12 at the door.
Otherwise, here where I be:
Oct. 9th – The Elephant Ear Bistro, Terrace, BC, 8pm, $10 cover
Oct. 10th – Terrace Farmer’s Market, Terrace, BC, 9am-1pm
Oct. 16th – Studio Records, Best in Vancouver Night 5, 7:30pm, $10/$12
Oct. 23rd – Luke’s, Vancouver, Full Band, 9pm, no cover
Oct. 24th – Zend Lounge, Yaletown Vancouver, solo and Zen like, 7:30pm
Oct. 25th – Rock’n’Roll Marathon, David Lam Park Seawall, 8:30am
Massive Show @ Studio Records Oct. 16th!
So excited to be included in this event!! I will have my amazing bandmates Darren Beattie (Thumper the Drum Assassin), and Matt “Sugar” Langill (Sick bass and harmonious harmonies) to rock out with.
The whole event runs Fridays and Saturdays over the month of October, with the final night held on November 21st. If you haven’t been to Studio Records yet, it’s a really great space, and they’re going to have amazing music there all month.
If you’re coming to our night, I have tickets available for $10 ($12 at the Door), so drop me a line (michael@michaelaverill.com) and I can get those to you. If you can’t come to our night, check out some of the other nights. It’s all awesome music!
I actually don’t personally know any of the other bands yet, and am excited to meet/hear them. I was just acquainted with Kristina Lao (World musical traveller and music community super hero) who is also in the contest. She’ll be on October 9th, so go to her night if you can.
Hammer Records has been doing interviews with the bands involved in the event. Here is mine (Click the photo):
That’s lots for now! Stay tuned for more fun :).
It’s How Me Wear Me Socks!
A year ago, before I went out on summer tour, I wrote a blog about mismatched socks called “One of the World’s Greatest Secrets Revealed.” It spun off into many discussions about socks, and came about because I have been wearing mismatched socks for years.
After spending a good amount of time in the east coast last year, particularly Newfoundland, I naturally learned a few shanty style songs. On my way back west on the train, a man asked me a question…he said, “Michael…..do you mind if I ask you a personal question?” I replied, “Go for it!” He went on to say, “I see you are wearing two different socks…Why?” I immediately retreated to my room, and composed a tune, in Newfoundlandic shanty style, called “How Me Wear My Socks!”
I kept it hidden away for a year, only to reveal on the ferry to Newfoundland this year, and I found there were quite a few people who related to the sentiment. I made a promise, to those who joined my mailing list, that I would record it when I got home and send it to them…..
Well…I bust out the recording equipment today, and put down this beauty of a tune. Those who are currently on my mailing list will receive it tomorrow. If you want to be on my mailing list and receive the sock song, email michael@michaelaverill.com, introduce yourself, and let me know that you want to receive the monthly newsletter. This is the only medium in which this song will travel to the public, so if ya want it, jump on the train!
Lastly, mix and match a pair of socks and brighten up your day :).