When the Beatles began playing in the clubs of Hamburg in 1960, it was the songs of Fats Domino, Lonnie Donegan, and Elvis Presley they were performing. When The Rolling Stones got started they were playing Chuck Berry, and Bo Diddley. The Who? The Shadows and The Ventures. For some, playing other people’s music can be a launching point, it can build an audience, and hone skills. For others, like Kyle Boudreau, it’s a calling, a lifestyle, and any opportunity to make music, “Some bands do original tunes, and they’d be ashamed to be in a cover band. I’m not. I’m not writing songs on Saturday night, 10:30 at my house. I’m out at the bar having fun, the band is playing. Why wouldn’t you do that? If I’m going to wake up fresh on a Monday to write some lyrics, then I’m not going to be able to do that.” Continue reading What’s The Frequency, Kyle?
Tag Archives: Nova Scotia
Halifax Instrument Library: Instruments Wanted
This fall, Halifax has been all abuzz with talk of libraries; from the rising success of the Halifax Tool Library, to the brand-new Halifax Central Library, Haligonians are now, more than ever, embracing the culture of sharing. A third library is emerging on the scene in the form of a musical instrument library, being pioneered by the good folks at the Halifax Music Co-op. Interim Development Director for the Co-op, Stephanie Pronk, has been appointed as the fundraising champion for the library project. “The Halifax Music Co-op is all about making music accessible. That’s actually our mission: music for everyone. Currently, we’re really accessible in that you can come in, play an instrument, and there’s very little commitment from you; you just have to show up for your lessons and take part in the ensembles. You only have to pay as little as one dollar per year to be a member. Financially, it’s open to whoever wants to join; the only problem is that you have to come with an instrument because we don’t have any.” Continue reading Halifax Instrument Library: Instruments Wanted
A Very David Myles Christmas
As singer-songwriter David Myles stands in Brunswick Square, suited up and singing Christmas songs in return for donations to the food bank, we can’t help but call it as we see it: David Myles is the king of the 2014 holiday season. Continue reading A Very David Myles Christmas
Adam Washburn: Musician In Transition
The first time I saw Adam Washburn perform with his new band, The Elements, was at the Halifax Urban Folk Festival this August, and I was blown away. They have a feel good, folk-pop vibe, that relies as much on electric guitars and bass, as it does on acoustic instruments, and their energetic mix of original tunes was balanced nicely by a cover of “Red Heart” by East Coast power group Hey Rosetta!. I met up with Adam Washburn at the Economy Shoe Shop in Halifax, which, for those not in the know, is not, in fact, a place to buy footwear, but a restaurant by day, and a music venue by night. Continue reading Adam Washburn: Musician In Transition