Thanks to the Sin Sisters for helping Lefty find his natural self in this video, and thanks to Ginger St. James for providing the music! Check all these gals out at
www.sin-sisters.com and
www.gingerstjames.com
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For those not in the know, the Hoedown is a 10-day concert series taking place all over Ottawa, and showcasing all sorts of amazing alt-whatever country awesomeness. From rockabilly to cowpunk to folk-rock to bluegrass and every imagineable thing in between, there's a little something for everyone, except maybe the Rascall Flatts fans and the Juggalos.
Click around the website and check out the various bands and songwriters playing the Hoedown, and be sure to go watch their videos and "like" their facebook pages and all that other shit. Seeya at the Hoedown!
All-access passes are available at either Compact Music location after 5pm Sept 15th - only 10 available per store, so act fast! Only $50, that's a savings of over $30!! compactmusic.ca
(Unfortunately, despite what the above video says, Slo' Tom and the Handsome Devils had to pull out, but we replaced 'em with The Sick Sick Sicks!)
Interested in performing at the Hoedown, or volunteering? Questions? Love notes? Send 'em all to hoedown@leftymcrighty.com
Follow us on facebook or twitter for the latest in Hoedown news, the links are up top there somewhere.
$10, 9pm, 885 Bank
We're kicking off the Hoedown by showcasing the region's hottest new record label, Mud Records. Their flagship acts are Brothers Through The Hill, Brock Zeman and Robert Larisey, and you can see them all under one roof. Mud Records is a new indie label and recording studio owned and operated by Carleton Place's Brock Zeman, who
says,
"I like good songs.
Good songs can be found in dark places.
Good songs can be played on bad guitars.
Good songs can be written by bad people.
Good songs can get you through anything.
Good songs breathe and bleed.
Good songs keep me going.
I made Mud Records because I like good songs."
From a basement jam space in the sleepy little town of Almonte Ontario comes a unique blend of roots rock and ten unforgettable songs. If you took the raw energy of The Drive-By Truckers and added the poetic songwriting of Elliot Smith you would have Brothers Through The Hill. Formed by four friends (Kyle Spinks, James Walters, Chris Metcalfe and Pat Crosby) the band honed its sound, playing the bar scene around the Ottawa valley for a few years while working up enough material for an album. They eventually caught the ear of singer-songwriter Brock Zeman who immediately invited them to his Big Muddy recording studio to start work on their debut record “Adelaide.” From beautifully written ballads like “Digging Graves” and “Witches and the Dead” to undeniable hits like “All Girls Go To Art School” and “February is for Giving Up” the album tells the tale of a young band coming into its own. Armed with a brilliant debut album, Brothers Through The Hill are ready to unleash their melodic, hard hitting songs to a club near you.
Zeman clearly ranks with the best emerging Texas/US singer-songwriters that we have encountered here at Blacksheep: Adam Carroll, Hayes Carll, Chris Knight and Slaid Cleaves. Just like them, he's got fistfuls of ferociously good songs and he's not afraid to use 'em. In many ways, he reminds me of a kid Fred Eaglesmith: great stories, fine melodies, a wicked sense of humour. It is just a matter of time before the world gets it, so tune in now before we lose him to the U, S and Ayyy." - Paul Symes owner of the Blacksheep Inn
Hailing from Carleton Place Ontario Robert Larisey baffled the roots world with his debut cd “Nights Take Forever”. With his blue collar lyrics and country roots it didn't take long before Larisey was recognized as a songwriter's songwriter. Drawing from the everyday life of the small town working man, Larisey has beautifully penned 13 heartfelt songs that can only be compared to such greats as John Prine and Guy Clark. “Nights Take Forever” was given 4 out of 5 stars from altcountry.nl and was called “the most important alt-country record of 2010” by Spain's Rock n' Roll Circus. The album was not only Larisey's debut record but also the first record released by Brock Zeman's indie label Mud Records. Zeman says: “I was 21 years old when I first met him. He had yet to write a song and he scared the hell out of me. I'm 29 now and Bear has chiseled out a great batch of tunes and he still scares the hell out of me. Whenever he plays a new song for me I can't help but picture somebody kicking in a rotten door....they're fresh, full of heart and as honest as you're ever gonna hear. What you have here is real blood, real sweat and real tears! Enjoy it!
more at www.myspace.com/robertlarisey
$10, 9pm, 76 Murray
Local bluegrass band The Dusty Drifters have been rapidly gaining popularity since the Spring of 2010 and each Sunday night of late – they have been sharing the their talents and in fact the stage itself, at Irene’s Pub in Ottawa. Expect some of the ‘unexpected’ from this band of bluegrass players who will have you up on your feet dancing at their jam sessions! Band members include: John Steele – Banjo Voice, Gilles Leclerc – Mandolin Voice, Michael Ball – Upright Bass Voice, Stu Rutherford – Dobro Voice, PJ Baker – Guitar Voice and “Pauly” Roberto – Guitar Voice.
Ol' Savannah plumbs the depths of old-time mountain music, returning lovers of Americana to the porches of Piedmont, the sweaty dens of 19th-century Atlanta, and the sultry streets of New Orleans. Banjo and accordion back the gritty vocals of their songs of life, death and redemption.
Young vocalist Renée Yoxon is quickly becoming one of the most in demand jazz singer in the Ottawa region thanks to her grace, captivating presence and beautiful voice. Introduced to jazz music in high school, her tastes and vocal repertoire range from bebop to contemporary favourites. After graduating from high school Renée studied voice with Tena Palmer while completing a degree in physics with minors in math and music from Carleton University. Recently, Renée has participated in the National Arts Centre’s Manhattan on the Rideau masterclasses led by Theo Bleckmann and Peter Eldridge. Distinguished by more poise and assurance than most young women her age, Renée delivers unique interpretations of jazz standards.
