Despite what you may have thought about Michael Jackson in the later years of his life, there’s no denying his impact on music. Michael was a true visionary who not only changed the way people sang and danced, he changed the way they thought about music. I can remember listening to Thriller on tape when I was 5 or 6 years old. I still love that album, along with many other things Michael did in his unparalleled career.
He will be missed
Hey Kids,
Just a little update, to keep all two of you abreast of what’s happening in Travis-land.
Another date has been added to the summer mini-tour. I’ll be playing the Organic Underground in Belleville, ON on July 14th once again with Derek Harrison. I’m trying to book a Chatham gig for the 17th, but I have yet to confirm anything.
Derek and I are also currently working on some August dates that should range from Toronto, London, Kitchener, Guelph, and another Windsor show perhaps at the Old Fish Market. I’ll keep everyone updated as I know more.
The album’s moving along slowly but surely. I recorded vocals for Grimy Old Shoes (the Ron Leary tune) and Matt Demarais’ drums have been put into the three tracks he did for me. I rehearse with standup bassist Max Marshall on Monday and will hopefully have him in the studio (Eric’s apartment) shortly after he records with Kenneth MacLeod next week.
I’ve updated the “Musical Helpers” page to include the fine people working with me on Holes & Tones, thanks to all of you again.
Cheers.
Pushing back the release date has relieved a lot of pressure on myself, and no doubt my producer Eric. My mother has fallen ill and with an unfinished record less than a month before the release date, things were getting way too crazy. As much as it pains me, this may end up being a great decision. Nothing kills the sound of a record more than pressure.
The next step for us is to get Max Marshall and his rather large…….bass into the studio for some standupaliciousness.
Having put Johnny West’s parts into the songs, an amazing coincidence has happened. In one of the songs (the one Ron Leary wrote, in fact) I decided to go with a fiddle-piano combo along with my voice and guitar. I had Johnny play the piano part (which he came up with on his own) without the fiddle. The I had my fiddle player Mike Brown, play his part (which he came up with on his own) without Johnny’s piano part in the song. I had doubts that it would work…to say the least. What’s amazing is that the two COMPLETELY worked together and in fact, there were a couple times where they seemed to follow each other on the melody. Insanity.
Anyway, today I sit with some whiskey I found in a closet, listening to Townes Van Zandt in a dark room. Depressing? Maybe. Still an awesome time? Hell yeah.
Due to some unforeseen time constraints, I have decided to move the album release date back. It will no longer be released on July 9th. As to when it will be released, I will post it here as soon as I know more. Look for a late-summer/early-fall date. It is likely possible to release the album on time, but after thinking about it for a while, it would be better served if we took our time and didn’t rush anything. Also, some personal familial issue have arisen over the past couple weeks that deserve my attention and the album would become too much of a burden with all the other things in the equation.
None of the tour dates will be canceled. I will still be playing every show, just without a new CD. When it finally comes out, I will be playing more out-of-town gigs, but due to school, it won’t be in one cohesive “tour.”
I’ll update more as more is known
Yesterday I had the privilege of working with a true professional. Kelly “Mr. Chill” Hoppe (formerly of Big Sugar and Train 45, and currently of Mr. Chill & The Witnesses) laid down some harmonica on a track for Holes & Tones. I’ve known Kelly for a few years now and if you know him, you know he’s maybe the best harmonica player on the face of the earth. On top of that, he’s unbelievably professional. That song may end up being the highlight of the record and I’m PUMPED for it to come out. Kelly’s also a great storyteller; and he has some good ones.
The incomparable Johnny West has also put his stamp on the album with some beautiful piano and banjo. Next Wednesday, Mr. Micheal Brown will be laying down some violin and Max Marshall will eventually be in to lay down some standup bass. Sally Zori has even agreed to put down some drums on a track or two. Things are coming together. The album will be out July 9th with a CD release show at Phog Lounge. I can’t WAIT.
More updates as I get them.
T
Holes & Tones is coming along very swiftly. Derek Harrison and his dirty fingers came down this week from Montréal to lay down all of hsi parts on the album. He played some bass, some electric and acoustic guitar, some mandolin, some accordian and did the arrangments for some other tunes.
Next step is to rehearse with the tremendously talented Max Marshall and Johnny West for their parts.
The album will be released on July 9th at Phog Lounge here in Windsor and it will be accompanied by a 10 day tour across Southern Ontario and Quebec.
Also, I was on the radio today with Derek on “The Windsor Scene” with Randi Irving and it went AWESOME…ly. It was a lot of fun and I hope to do it again many many times. Thanks to Randi and C-Bass for having us in. You guys are great.
I’ll update this more as more news arrives
I just wanted to say a few words about the prospective coalition government in Canada. If you listen or read most corporate media outlets in this country, you get the idea that what the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc are doing is wrong, unconstitutional, and not what Canadians want. The Conservative party led by soon to be former Prime Minister Stephen Harper claims that the coalition is illegal and unconstitutional, but let me assure you it is not. It is perfectly legal and has happened in the past.
Many Canadians are against the coalition simply because they would have to go back to the polls again soon. But really people, let’s remember that we are supposed to live in a democracy and that it really doesn’t take that much time to vote. If certain people in countries in around the world were to hear you say that you are too tired of elections to vote, you might be swiftly reminded that not everybody has that power to vote and it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Aside from all that, you wouldn’t necessarily have to vote again.
The bottom line is this: 62% of Canadians voted for one of the parties involved in the coalition. 37% voted Conservative. If it’s true and we really do live in a democracy (a notion I would contest), then the people have spoken and the Conservatives need to accept that.
If you want to get involved in making your voice heard on this issue, join the Facebook group supporting the coalition, and sign the petition.
