In the Studio (Part Two), March 5, 2010

Spent five hours in the studio with Adam Bailie yesterday. He's producing my new album. This is a joint project with me doing the songwriting and singing, and Adam placing his producing stamp on every track.

It was a good day. We got the voice and basic guitar track recorded on four songs, and voice and harmonica on another. Actually, with the 'cut-and-paste-and-slide-and-tweak' methods available with current technology, it's not as impressive as it sounds. For example, when I muff a couple of notes here or there, Adam can go in and edit later to make it work. So it's not like the analog days when what you recorded, pretty much, was what you got. Sure, there are limitations to what you can expect the equipment to do, but on this collection of songs, I'm fine with having less of a 'live off the floor' feel. Want to pre-order a copy? Drop me a line, and let me know - your expression of interest and support will go a long way at this point - and you'll be the first to get a copy the day it arrives from the duplication plant. I'll email you a couple of tracks 'in progress' too. And welcome your feedback on lyrics and/or arrangement while it's still a work-in-progress.

I haven't decided the street price yet (or the album title for that matter) but the pre-order price is $10. Like I say, get in touch if you want a copy.

"This City" the CD is Online, February 26, 2010

I've got my album on a site called BandCamp. It allows you to download individual tracks in various formats. Have a look:

If you click on the double arrow icons (on either side of the play/pause button), you can scroll through all the tracks. Click on the "Download" button to take you to the BandCamp site (don't worry, the download doesn't start yet!). And if you click on the "Share" button it gives you the code to embed the player in various formats or even email it. Alternately, "This City" is also available at CDBaby and iTunes. See my "Songs" page to take you there.

In the Studio, February 25, 2010

I'm in the studio recording a new song called "Where I Come From". Adam Bailie is producing. He's young and has a lot of original ideas. We're taking a 'world' approach to this one. Adam plays with the duo "Watasun".

I've played this song song live enough times to know it has something going for it. The chorus/refrain is: "Where I come from / We believe in what we say". The line came more from the fact that the syllables fit the picking style, rather than it was something I was dying to say. So in that sense, how I got to those words was arbitrary. I built the rest of the lyric around that initial idea. Sometimes, it's all about the groove.

"Le Cadre Photo" Returns to #1 at IAC!!!, February 22, 2010

A French translation of my song "Blurry Photograph" is #1 on the 'world' charts at IAC Music. This is the second time it has reached this position.

Chrystelle Nammour of Paris, France translated "Blurry Photograph" into French (renaming it "Le Cadre Photo") and added her amazing vocal to it. Late last year, "Le Cadre Photo" won third place in an IAC-sponsored song competition. Have a listen to Chrystelle's unique vocal style at my IAC music page.

Got a Song on the Charts in Portugal, February 21, 2010

I co-wrote a song with Jen Hershman a couple of years ago. It's called "Embrace". Recently, we got word The Max Girls from Portugal recorded our song. Translated into Portuguese the song is called "Quero Te Assim":

Music on Reverbnation, February 19, 2010

Railway Show Review, January 15 2010

Lauren Eldridge of Backstage Vancouver came to our show at The Railway Club last week. She posted her REVIEW at the site. There are a couple of pictures there as well.

Next week's show at The Sylvia Hotel will be a different vibe entirely. This will be a cozy lounge setting in this historic venue located on English Bay. Kim Lorene (vocals, percussion)and Pat Covernton (keyboards, vocals) are providing back up.

Winnipeg Fringe Fest is On, January 14 2010

"Oh Winnipeg! A Surprising Musical Memoir" will be at the Colin Jackson Studio Theatre in July as part of the 2010 Winnipeg Fringe Festival. Come and see why Vancouver Fringe audiences chose this play to be 'Pick of the Fringe' in '09.

Show Tomorrow Night, January 6 2010

Just finished a rehearsal with Kim Lorene (vocals) and Reid Hendry (percussion). We're stoked for our first show together. Thursday Jan. 7th at The Railway Club. $8 at the door. If you get there around 10PM that should do it. We're on last, preceeded by Mojave and Sam's Falling. See the 'show' page for directions.

Another Year, Another Newsletter, January 1 2010

I've just sent out my latest "Pippus Newsletter". Issue #8. To get your copy, add your name to the mailing list (over there on the right).

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