Cameron Carpenter – 10 CC – September 15, 2016

And we’re back! After a long month of packing, moving, unpacking, family birthdays, lawn bowling tournaments, music and movies it is time to get back to a regular weekly column at the now turning six DBAWIS.

1. Sparks Music recording artist JF Robitaille will be performing Wednesday September 21^st at The Society Club in London, England a part of a Leonard Cohen Birthday celebration. JF’s latest video “Marina” from his just released album “Palace Blues” is in heavy rotation at MusiquePlus and Max in Quebec. Robitaille also released a book of poetry and lyrics, “Minor Dedications”, to accompany his new album.
2. Last Sunday was the annual Norman Jewison CFC BBQ up at the film centre’s home on Bayview Avenue. It just may have been the nicest day of the summer as the sun was shining and the humidity was almost non-existent. It’s a pretty splendid party on the massive grounds with bars and food trucks galore, music provided by Tomi Swick and Adaline, and a ton of friends to catch-up with. It was nice to see John “Spike” Gallagher (celebrating his new book deal), one-time Toronto Sun rock writer (now film distributor) Jonathan Gross, party boy Jaymz Bee, ace production manager Scotty Carmichael and the always lovely Joanne Smale who trekked in from Niagara Falls for the event. I did get a chance to chat with Mr. Jewison and we spoke of Malvern Collegiate, where we both attended. Although a couple of years older than my father Jewison did write and produce a play at the old Beach high school and Dad played a small part in it. It has given him bragging rights saying he was directed by Jewison in his first production.
3. Norman was also on hand Monday evening for the annual William F. White Tiff party of the roof of the Bell Lightbox. William F. White are the go-team in Canada for everything needed in the production of a film or television event in Canada. It was great to see rocker turned DJ Kim Mitchell looking healthier than ever.
4. Monday and Tuesday afternoon was the annual Canadian Music Café where acts from across the country showcase to music supervisors from around the world. This year the event took place at The Gladstone Hotel and was packed to the rafters. On Monday there were great showcases from Caveboy, Vacay, Charlotte Cardin, The Velveteins and Young Empire and Tuesday saw Mise en Scene, The Belle Game, Rose Cousins, Doomsquad and Hannah Georgas take the stage. A lot of business was being done and this year Michael Perlmutter and his team at Instinct had each artist perform one song while a scene they were synched in was shown on a large screen. It was a very cool idea. At the after-show mingle on Monday local DJ/Drummer “Hey DW!” rocked the room as she moved seamlessly from her drum kit to her mixing board. Very unique, very entertaining.
5. On Monday night was the annual Festival Music House which this year was presented at The Velvet Underground. Hosted by Kardinal Offishall the evening featured full sets from Modern Space, Charlotte Day Wilson, Jessy Lanza and Dragonette. It is great to see the music community teaming up with the film industry in events such as this and the Music Café.
6. The Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax will also be hosting a Festival Music House this coming Saturday September 17 at The Marquee. They will present The Joel Plaskett Emergency, Amelia Curran and Paper Lions.
7. This Friday and Saturday night at Blind Beggars in Calgary ten bands will be competing in the “Road to Indie Week” battle where one Alberta band will win $1000.00 and a trip to Indie Week Canada November 15-20^th. If you’re in Calgary please go out and support your great local talent.
8. Lots of changes on the Toronto venue and bar scene. Earlier this week The Hideout announced they will be closing their Queen Street West location and will be opening a new location at a secret new spot. The party bar has been a great host to local and international acts for the last ten years and we wish the boys lots of luck with their new location. More news when it happens. The old Shanghai Cowgirl/Rock Lobster space beside the Bovine has re-opened as budget food place The Dime. I have not had the chance to check it out yet but will in the coming weeks. Davy Love is about to open mod bar/British fare pub “Janie Jones” on Gerrard East at Jones Avenue (yeah, East End!). Davy previously ran The Bristol and The Old Laurel. Clash fans will understand the name of the new venture.
9. Andrew Matheson’s book “Sick On You: The Disastrous Story of Britain’s Great Lost Punk Band” has finally been released in Canada and I managed to plow through it in about a day and a half. Even if you have never heard of his former band The Hollywood Brats this is a must-read for any music fan. Having known Andrew since the late seventies, and having worked a few of his records I am incredibly biased, however, it is one of the funniest music books I have ever read.
10. Philip Sayce is returning for another Toronto show at The Mod Club Friday November 18^th. I saw him perform earlier this year at The Silver Dollar and the show was so good that it is being released as a live album, “Scorched Earth Vol 1” by Warner Music Canada at the end of this month. If you are a guitar player you won’t want to miss this show.

=CC=

Cam’s column appears every Thursday.

Follow Cam on Twitter @CC59, Instagram @Cambo1959 and Spotify @Cambo59

Contact us at: dbawis@rogers.com.

Cameron Carpenter has written for The New Music Magazine, Music Express, The Asylum, The Varsity, The Eye Opener,  The New Edition, Shades, Bomp!, Driven Magazine, FYI Music News, The Daily XY, New Canadian Music, NXNE Magazine and Don’t Believe A Word I Say.