mark tonin

Lovin' that enthusiam!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looking forward to seeing lots of kind people from all across southern Ontario.

Peace, Mark

i've been trying to avoid this thread for so long because I had already committed to an event in Ottawa long before this brilliant show was thought up by Tonin and Keri.

I can't believe that it is this weekend already. It seemed so far away when Mark had first mentioned it to me and I always knew that you all were going to have a night to remember. These mini music fests are something that I can only recall happening at the Lancaster in K/W and I'm hoping that this sort of thing will eventually make it's way to Ottawa, taking over Maverick's and the Cafe Dekcuf.

2 floors of fun....

Have a great time everyone, and I sure hope some photographers will be there!

I'm hoping that Guigsy, Kaidy Mae, and Stu Dog will all show up with a camera.

I wish that you could be here Mike, but I knew up front that you couldn't be. Trying to nail down a date for a show, especially one like this, can be an excercise in frustration. Finally we just decided to go for it, knowing that it didn't work for everyone, including you.

I would love to bring a version of this show to Ottawa. I was thinking of doing it at some point in the spring, but once again, nailing down a date that works for everyone has been tough. So my best guess for an Ottawa version of this show is in the fall, unless someone has an outdoor location that we could do something like this in the summer.

I am still amazed when I think of all of the wonderful people that I have met at festivals, shows and online over the last 5 years. This web site has helped in so many ways to foster and strengthen those relationships. I am a lucky man.

I am trying to remain calm, but I am so stoked about Saturday's show. Hopefully I'll get some sleep in the next few days, because I don't expect much of it this upcoming weekend.

Peace, Mark

I've said this in private, but I need to say it in public - Keri, thanks for all that you've done to help promote this show. It has been a treat working with you on this.

Thanks for the kind words Aaron! I hope that you can make it this way on Saturday night.

Peace, Mark

Check out the story about the show and jambands.ca in ECHO weekly magazine ... here's the link to the online version of the story:

Putting the 'fun' in fundraiser

Thanks for the great article Denise!

Peace, Mark

I'd love to see DTB up this way! His guitar playing makes my brain melt and body shiver. Incredible guitar tone. I think that he would draw well, given his last two performances with ABB in Toronto.

Peace, Mark

I'm liking the look of the web site.

Hope the show went well for you.

Hope to be able to check out this band in the not-too-distant future.

Peace, Mark

Just under 63 hours until show time ... I'm getting really excited about this show! Lots of buzz about the show here in KW, which is very encouraging.

A little more info about the show for you:

First of all, Organic Groove appears 3 times on the schedule. For the first time slot, they plan on doing a drum performance, rather than leading a drum circle. They get together on a fairly regular basis, and are eager to show people what they've been working on. For the last 2 time slots, they will be leading a drum circle where anyone can join in. So bring a hand drum and join in if you feel inspired ... audience participation always cranks the party up another notch!

Secondly, backbacon sent me an email about Superfly. He recently went out to see them jam, and was very impressed, saying that they have a very full sound, and play mainly instrumental funk-groove-jazz. This sounds like a nice complement to the other bands that are playing at the event.

Finally, Harvard Mouse will be starting to play at 8 p.m. OK, maybe we won't start until 8:10. I know that is very early when compared to a regular show in a bar, but this isn't a regular show in a bar! If you can make it out to help inspire us, we'd appreciate the support. If not, no worries ... I'll see you on the dance floor!

Peace, Mark

Hey Del,

There are tickets available at the Lanc and at Shakedown Street. I also have tickets, but I don't know how easily I could get one to you. Let me know if you don't end up with one and I'll make sure you get hooked up somehow.

Peace, Mark

Thanks for the thoughtful post, MarcO.

MarcO for Music Critic!

Like many of us, I enjoy a whole range of music, for a bunch of reasons. But MarcO's post, particularly suggestion #1., summarizes why bands such as Fat Cats and Diesel Dog appeal to me so much. I love it when a band can get my body moving, my head spinning, and my emotions tingling all at once.

Having said that, musicians should play what they want to play, for the reasons that they want to play for. In my opinion, the best music, whatever the style, is played by musicians that are totally into it. For example, I've had my body moving, head spinning and emotions tingling many a time at a nero show, and they rarely sang any words. If you can transfer the joy, excitement, energy and emotion that you have when playing music to other people, it has a solid chance of being enjoyed. And that applies to over-played cover songs, complex instrumental music, jamming, etc. Don't play what you think everyone wants you to play, play what you love to play and what you are feeling from within.

My two cents ...

Peace, Mark

Thanks for the post Hux, it's nice to read your perspective on things.

With your passion and willingness to work hard, you've undoubtedly got a bright future ahead of you.

Peace, Mark

was that the cully mix '06?

Yes.

glad to hear you went too, mark. niffermouse and i went a couple weeks ago, we bought the books if you ever want to check it out in more detail.

it was amazing. the exhibit itself was beyond cool...to be able to actually see what it is inside you that moves when you stretch, and to finally see exactly what my diaphragm is and why it is that my belly moves when i breathe really deeply.

at atimes the people watching was more facinating than the exhibit itself...just to see the way people responded to what they were seeing...what really struck me was the matter-of-fact way that most people dealt with it...there were lots of younger kids around the night that we went and they all seemed pretty nonplussed about it. i think i would have been totally freaked at the same age. maybe a lot of them have already seen bits and pieces of people's insides flying around in video games and are desensitized to it.

very highly reccommended. i think it's on until some time in february. if you get a chance, go for sure. the audio commentary thing is worth the extra $5, get the more scientific one. they have 2 different versions of the commentary...we got one of each, i found the regular one to be a little too folksy and "aw shucks" for my liking.

Thanks for the offer, Tim. We do have some stuff that Liana borrowed from a friend, but I'm not sure if it's the same materials that you have or not. The exhibit and related materials have provided a great learning experience for Katlin. She's really into it, and wasn't freaked out about the exhibit at all. And she doesn't play video games. She's always been very interested and fascinated by nature, even by stuff that some might find "gross" or freaky. Lots of that has to do with Liana's approach to nature and life, which I've always found very refreshing and enlightening.

I also enjoyed watching others view the display, but what stuck out for me was the range of people who were there, and how most of them were fascinated by the exhibit. It definitely appeals to a wide range of people, for a bunch of reasons.

Peace, Mark

It's a good question, guigsy, and one of the "challenges" on a message board such as this one, where musicians are friends that post on the board. Finding a balance between honesty and tactfulness/kindness can be tricky.

Having said that, what crossed the line for me in the initial Jomomma thread was not the comments about the band, but the personal insults. Calling people wankers and saying things like "i wouldn't waste my spit to insult most of you" are not comments about a band or a band's music. To be honest, I may not have even posted in the thread if not for those comments. It would be nice if people who decide that they don't like a band's music and want to say so, do so with some tact and respect, but personally, I think personal insults shouldn't happen in a public forum.

If you are going to say that somebody's music sucks, an explanation of why would be nice, especially if the musician is a member on this message board. But personal insults should be kept private, even if there is a reason for the insult.

That's what I'm thinking ...

Peace, Mark

One last comment about the original post in this thread:

I hope that you return dJEd, I honestly do. But I think Phil Lesh was onto something when he said that "Words have great power; use them wisely."

Peace, Mark

Cully, i loved your mixed cd. We listened to it on the way home from the show...

The Robert Walters Track is great....as is the funk that opens the cd.

Ditto ... thanks for the cd Cully ... a very tasty mix ... any chance you could send me (or post) a track list?

Peace, Mark

I went a few weeks ago with my wife and (almost) 12 year old daughter, and we all thought that it was an excellent exhibit. Fascinating, and at times mind-blowing. Probably the most enjoyable exhibit that I have ever seen in a museum, science centre, etc. We spent about 3 hours going through the exhibit, and did see it all, but we hit the saturation point, i.e., we couldn't absorb any more information. It would have been nice to check it out over two or three days, but that's not practical and would be expensive. It is also set up so that once you are in the exhibit you can't leave and then re-enter, and there aren't bathrooms, fountains, etc., in the actual exhibit area. So even spreading it out over a day isn't doable.

Having said that, I highly recommend this exhibit, especially for people that are into anatomy, the human body, etc. Human anatomy, biology, etc. has never really interested me that much, and I still thought that it was a great exhibit.

Peace, Mark

Big hugs to you Dave!

Peace, Mark

Looping>Mindless Jam>Bass Solo>Funk Siren>Looping>Key Of A>Tuning>More Of The Same>I Just Made A Funny Face So Laugh At Me>More Looping>Joke>Gate Crashers Suck>I've Seen This Before>Accapela Beat Box Jam

Holy shit that's funny Booche; I just about pissed myself reading it! LMAO

Ditto on the LMAO!

Peace, Mark

Backbacon created a sampler disc to help promote the FUNdraiser show. Copies of the disc are floating around, and bouche has now put the tracks from the sampler disc up on the site. Check out the left side of this page under Live Music if you want to hear what's on the disc. Some of the tracks are from shows that are up on the archive, but others aren't, so there may be some new tracks for people to check out.

Peace, Mark

Keller is a top shelf entertainer, and a fantastic musician.

I talked with at least five people who have never seen him before, and they were all blown away.

I've seen him a few times, and I was once again impressed, but not blown away. Part of that had to do with the fact that the place was sold out and packed. I didn't get into the venue until just after the first set started, and by that time, it was jammed. I managed to make my way up to fairly near the stage for most of the first set, where I could see Keller and the sound was good. But the tight crowd made it tough for me to settle into a groove - lots of people jostling to try to get a good place to enjoy the show.

For the second set, I spent some time near the back of the room, where the sound wasn't that good and where there was lots of chatter. I think being close enough at this show was key to really enjoying it - if I was too far back, the sound was weak, and it was hard to really enjoy Keller's quirky stage antics, facial expressions, etc.

It was nice to see such a huge crowd out for Keller, and I'm really happy for Keller and Marky and this community in general that we came out in such a big way to support the show. Yes, the crowd created some overcrowding issues in the bar, but that couldn't really be helped. I don't think that anyone really expected 600 people to show up to see Keller. Well done to Marky and everyone else who helped to get the word out!

An obvious suggestion for next time - book a bigger venue. Another suggestion for next time - consider having Keller do two sets, and then follow that with a Canadian jam band (such as Burt) and get Keller to sit in. Create some of that magic that happens when Keller sits in with SCI, some of that magic that happened when Keller and the Umphrey's guys played together at the Big Summer Classic in Toronto.

Peace, Mark

P.S. Sorry, no set list from me.

yes what i said was purely to get a rise out of people, no i don't like jomomma in the least. nothing is for everyone. i don't see any advantage in only giving positive feedback.

as a musician i'm far more interested in hearing about why i suck then why i'm good, it helps people grow and develope their ideas. something 99% of "jimbands" need.

whats this "brethren" shit? i judge people based on who they are, not what things they have in common with me. i found " ...their high-energy funk" funny because it makes it sound like they've done something new, hence "their"

personally i couldn't bring myself to write anything like that regarding my own music, i find it a bit pompous. maybe whats his face was joking, maybe not.

for what its worth the bassist and drummer in said band aren't terrible.

i'm well aware that i piss a lot of you off with my attitude towards most things and thats fine, theres an extremely high possibilty i wouldn't waste my spit to insult most of you. sorry to say it but, i don't care what a bunch of drug addicts pretending to be all about music think. i'm solely interested in music, thats why i go to shows, thats why i think dancy boring unoriginal jambands are terrible, because i'm actually listening.

i'm going to go take my stupid hamster nuts into my music room and continue writing material and working on forming something original. the guys in jomomma might consider trying to find a sound outside of bad funk cliches.

i totally support all people out there makiong music, but if you're going to put yourself out there, ypou should be prepared for negative feedback. for every one person who like your band there are thousands who don't.

anyway... keep on making the music that makes you happy and i'll do the same.

Hey dJEd,

I'm guessing that you also wrote some of what's above to get a rise out of people. At least I hope so. And I'm sure that you see the irony of describing Jomomma's description of their music as pompous, given this pompous statement that you made:

"theres an extremely high possibilty i wouldn't waste my spit to insult most of you"

I don't really understand why people feel a need to be nasty toward other people. I like it when people express their personal opinions, including contructive criticism. And opinions about music are in a large part what the Sanctuary is about. But nastiness, even just to get a rise out of people, leaves me shaking my head. There's enough nastiness in the world. This forum was created in part as a sanctuary to discuss things in a positive, intelligent, and tactful way, away from the nastiness that is everywhere.

My two cents.

Oh wait, in my opinion, Jomomma does play high energy, funky music. And Nick Gefucia is a wicked bass player! I've watched 100's of people play bass, I've played bass on and off for 20+ years, and the man lays down extremely fat, funky, rockin' grooves.

Peace, Mark

In for some Keller.

Hey Jay,

Nice to read that you have made some adjustments to this show so that some people can try to make it to both.

It's a drag that both this and Keller are on the same night, but sometimes these things happen and can't be helped.

Hopefully both shows will have a healthy contingent of people out for them.

Thanks for all that you do to support great live music!

Peace, Mark

Stumbled upon this last night ... sorry if it's been posted already ... this sounds really interesting. Taken from http://www.villageidiots.ca/

THE POTION KINGS HOST FOUR CONCERTS IN ELORA

Elora's Village Idiot Productions is launching a Winter Concert Series with The Potion Kings and special guests at Elora's Legion Hall starting January 20.

The Potion Kings are Jeff Bird (bass), Kevin Breit (guitar), Randall Coryell and Howie Southwood (drums and percussion). Taken together, they are four seasoned players with a staggering ability to talk to each other musically. They have been wowing audiences at the Village Idiots' New Years dances for the past three years.

Every time they play is a new adventure, both for the Kings themselves, and for their growing audience. They evoke roots music of every stripe, make random quotations, explore uncharted grooves and play music every way but straight up. Some nights they let the bad genie out of the bottle and some nights they do something else. But what is it?

Individually, they have played with dozens of people we've heard of: The Cowboy Junkies (Bird); Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson (Breit); Tom Cochrane, Allanah Miles (Coryell); Rawlins Cross(Southwood).

While their sideman credits are impressive, the playing they do as The Potion Kings is what outstanding musicians get up to when left to their own devices. And it is something.

Joining The Kings during the winter concert series are harmonica great Carlos del Junco (January 20), slide guitar stylist Don Rooke (February 24); lead singer for The Cowboy Junkies Margo Timmins (March 24). The special guest for the final concert of the series (April 21) will be announced soon.

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So much great music, so little time!

Peace, Mark

Hey Jomomma!

I haven't seen you since the Labour Day Come Together Festival, but you were cookin' on the Sunday night ... there was even steam coming off of your bodies as you played!

Good luck with the recording project.

I'm hoping that maybe you do end up playing a show or two outside at a festival this summer, as my son Nyell loves dancin' and groovin' to Jomomma, and it would be great if I could bring him out to see and hear you at an outdoor festival.

Peace, Mark