John Pippus :: News

New Performance Photos, February 7 2010

My buddy Don Erhardt came to my performance at Trees Coffee House on Thursday, armed with his new long lens for his camera. He took a series of photos, some I've posted on my Myspace photo gallery.

Besides having an excellent eye for photography, Don is also a talented guitarist and harmonica player (hear him wail away on "Born A Genius"). He also produced my six-song EP, "Song Tourist" back in 2006.

My New Toy, February 5 2010

I bought a new (well, slightly used) foot pedal for my acoustic guitar on Ebay. It's called a G Natural and without getting all gearhead about it, I gotta say I'm loving it.

I have more control over my guitar sound now. This multi-effects unit has a range of reverbs, delays, chorus, and flange settings. Also compression, EQ, and boost. I'm still getting used to it, but I think it's really going to help with creating additional dynamics in getting the songs across, in live performance situations and in the studio. Which, after all, is what it's all about.

"Embrace" Goes To Portugal, January 23 2010

I wrote a song a few years back with Jen Hershman. It's called "Embrace". Jen recorded it for her CD and has recently made a video of it. Meanwhile, Toronto-based producer Vince DeGiorgio was busy shopping it and in late '09 we were delighted to hear The Max Girls from Portugal recorded it:

It's a funny feeling to see this song - that started off life as a few tentative strums on my Larrivee here in my apartment, (with the high E tuned down to D), and then working out the lyrics ("In this world of sorry changes / We want one thing to last..." ) over at Jen's place - become a hit in a country I've never been to, with an enthusiastic Portuguese audience clapping along. It's called "Quero-te Assim".

The Show Last Night, January 22 2010

I played at the Sylvia Hotel last night. I was backed up by Pat Covernton on keyboards and Kim Lorene on vocals. Played for a couple of hours. It's a warm venue, overlooking English Bay and has a long history. According to the manager, Bruce Cockburn wrote a verse of "Wondering Where the Lions Are" while sitting in the bar. Blue Rodeo wrote "English Bay" while staying at the hotel. And Jane Siberry writes in the lobby when she stays there.

Along with my originals, we added in some covers. Classics from the 60s and 70s. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", The Shirelle's "Baby It's You", "She's Gone" (Hall and Oates). And we did some pretty church-y sounding three-part harmony on Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". I had stopped doing that song about a year ago, since it was just getting done to death by everyone and their dog, but it sounded good in rehearsal so we went with it. We'll be back there in March.

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).