Patchwork Threads

Ian Janes & Kim Dunn will be hitting the Patchwork stage on Saturday, March 22.  Showtime = 8 pm.

Ian Janes is a singer, songwriter and guitarist with an old soul. Janes’ debut recording, Occasional Crush  mixed soul, jazz and funk with a healthy helping of straight ahead pop music for an addictive melodic stew.  It was released in the fall of 1998 and earned him three East Coast Music Awards. Maclean’s magazine named him one of the 100 Canadians to watch.

In September 2002, The Music Industry Association of Nova Scotia (MIANS) named his second offering As It Seems the Record of the Year.  Janes started out 2003 with two more East Coast Music Association nominations, and a musical presence in Thom Fitzgerald’s internationally acclaimed film, The Event. As It Seems was a slightly grittier album than Occasional Crush, highlighting  Janes’ clever layered guitars and heavy grooves from guest drummer Omar Hakim (Madonna, Sting, Miles Davis).

In 2010, Ian Janes released another collection of impeccably crafted songs. Piece of Mine (2010) is a close musical snapshot of Janes’ rich, seasoned voice, distinctive guitar playing and beautiful writing. A live performance of the album was recorded as part of CBC Halifax’s Studio H Sessions, and broadcast nationally on the CBC radio program, Canada Live. Music from Piece of Mine was also featured in the Anchor Bay Entertainment 2012 picture, Hiding.

“Piece of Mine is a piece of pure gold” -CBC Radio 2

http://ianjanes.com/

Kim Dunn has been working on a successful music career for 30 years now, with a brief four year reprieve studying Jazz at ST. FX.

In addition to producing, musical directing and arranging credits, he has worked with the who’s who of East coast artists including, Rita MacNeil, Bruce Guthro, Matt Minglewood, Jimmy Rankin, Lennie Gallant, David Myles, Jill Barber, Dave Gunning, George Canyon, and continues to do so.

In 2003 Kim was the recipient of the first ever MUSICIAN SPECIAL ACHEIVEMENT EAST COAST MUSIC AWARD, given not on the basis of votes but rather a selective process on the part of the Industry – an honor indeed to have been chosen in the year of the awards inception.

After playing on countless cd’s of other artists, Kim has brought his songwriting, and singing to the foreground with his first solo project, ‘Take This Hammer’. His biggest asset has always been versatility and he has implemented this feature prominently on this self-produced debut CD, blending elements of Jazz, Blues, Pop and Folk.

He has performed his music with SYMPHONY NOVA SCOTIA, has received national exposure on CBC’s CANADA LIVE, and featured regionally on ATLANTIC AIRWAVES & ALL THE BEST. He has successfully showcased at the EAST COAST MUSIC AWARDS, NOVA SCOTIA MUSIC WEEK, and notably, CONTACT EAST. He has also performed his music at various festivals throughout the country and continues to do so.

“…a polished gem combining jazz, blues, soul and pop.” – The Chronicle Herald

http://www.kimdunn.ca

Suggested donation: $20 per person (all funds to the artists).

There will be 2 sets with a break in between; cds will be available for sale.  Non-alcoholic beverages will be offered.  You are invited to take along any wine/beer/etc. that you wish to enjoy.  There will be a selection of munchies at the break.  Contributions to the munchies table will be shared happily although not required.

Please RSVP* via email (mleblanc.patchwork@gmail.com) or by calling 434-8355.  That way we know how to arrange the furniture.  (Last minute RSVPs and drop-ins are cool too.)

Please feel free to forward this invitation on to other music lovers you know.

Best,

Monique & George

Patchwork House Concerts

30 First Ave., Bedford

www.patchworkhouseconcerts.ca

www.facebook.com/PatchworkHouseConcerts

www.twitter.com/PatchworkHConc

www.acousticroof.ca

Do you have synesthesia?  Asif Illyas does.  Join us for this live performance where music will engage all the senses.  Asif will be playing songs from his solo project Synesthesia  as well as stuff from his days as lead vocalist and guitarist for the alternative rock band MIR, from his work on countless projects (film, video and commercial work) and perhaps, a cover or two, like this cover of “Spirits in the Material World”:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1nN8W4xDKI&noredirect=1

http://www.asifillyas.com/

http://www.theshire.ca/

Saturday, February 8 @ 8 pm.  Doors open at 7:30 pm.  We will be collecting money during the show (suggested amount = $15 per person) and all funds go to the artist.  There will be 2 sets with a break in between.  Cds will be available for purchase. 

BYOB.  Non-alcoholic beverages will be offered.  There will be a selection of munchies at the break.  Contributions to the munchies table will be shared happily although not required.

Please RSVP to mleblanc.patchwork@gmail.com or by calling 434-8355.

Best,

Monique & George

Patchwork House Concerts

30 First Ave., Bedford

@PatchworkHConc

facebook.com/PatchworkHouseConcerts

Tim Crabtree is Paper Beat Scissors.  He relocated to Halifax after growing up in England and recorded a highly-acclaimed self-titled debut album with Michael Feuerstack producing and Arcade Fire drummer Jeremy Gara mixing.  Instrumentally, the palettes shift from hypnotic loops through full brass arrangements and screaming lap steel to stripped-back acoustic guitar and layered vocals. The album found its way onto BBC and CBC airwaves as well as best-of the year lists in Canada, Europe and as far afield as Mexico and Japan.  Paper Beat Scissors was billed as a ‘must-see’ act of the summer by the CBC in 2012. 

Tim is presently working with engineer Dean Nelson (Beck, Thurston Moore, Bat for Lashes) on a new album set for release in 2014.

So much praise for Paper Beat Scissors…..

“Absolutely stunning… wonderful… startling and beautiful” – ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

“This isn’t merely indie folk music: Paper Beat Scissors is a genuine work of effortless art.” – Pop Matters (USA)

“A captivating sound…wonderful is not enough.” – Soundvat

Details:    SATURDAY, JANUARY 18th  8 PM start (there will be 2 sets with a break in between; cds will be available for sale)

Suggested donation $15 per person (all funds to the artist) Please RSVP to mleblanc.patchwork@gmail.com or call 434-8355. 

Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks will be offered.  You are invited to take along any wine/beer/etc. that you wish to enjoy.   Please feel free to forward this invitation on to other music lovers you know.

Best,

Monique & George – Patchwork House Concerts                                                                          

30 First Ave., Bedford

facebook.com/PatchworkHouseConcerts

twitter.com/PatchworkHConc

A Visit (to Patchwork) from St. Nicholas (2013)

 ‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,                                               Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.                                                                         The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,                                                                     In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,                                                                     While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.                                                                   And Monique in her woollies, and George in his vest,                                                                 Had just settled down for a holiday rest.

When out of the blue there arose such a clatter,                                                                            I sprang from my chair knowing what was the matter.                                                           Our next show upon us I flew like a flash,                                                                                     To get ready for Patchwork’s next music bash.

I’d sent out my emails, posters and tweets.                                                                                   If we have 30 or 40 or more it’d be sweet….                                                                             For musicians need audiences to do their thing,                                                                             To come to our living room to play and to sing.

New artists this year?  Why there were a few!                                                                       With all the requests I get what to do? what to do?                                                                     Three Sheet were a blast!  Jeffery Straker – what a find!                                                       His song ‘Slings & Arrows’ is still stuck in my mind.

We’ve got more new artists set to appear.                                                                                  On George’s new stage where view lines stay clear.                                                                     Paper Beat Scissors.  Asif Ilyas. And Ian Janes.                                                                       The breadth of musical talent in Halifax is insane!

Case in point: Stephen Fearing, your muse tonight.                                                                 This alternative to shopping is a pure delight.                                                                             When, what to my wondering eyes did appear,                                                                            A series of cars for this last show of the year.                                             

With a stream of arrivals, so steady and slick,                                                                                 I knew in a moment: a gift from St Nick!                                                                                More rapid than eagles these listeners they came,                                                                        For good reason, for music, no two shows the same!

54 shows since we began in ’08,                                                                                                       All the new friends we have made have been great.                                                                 120 followers on twitter this year.                                                                                           That’s 100 more than George has, ya hear?

And Patchwork, you know, like a patchwork quilt,                                                               Describes our famille and the home that we’ve built:                                                                     Five persons, four surnames, two languages spoke,                                                                 Ties to four different countries, a multi-coloured cloak.

And we all love live music and the chaos and din,                                                                       With a house full of music, friends, neighbours and kin.                                                             With a toast to the evening having heard music so fine,                                                           We happily tidy and drink leftover wine.

As music lovers know, house concerts are best,                                                                         For enjoying live music, we beat all the rest.                                                                                   So join us at Patchwork for each show this year.                                                                       With a line up like ours it’s a gift for the ear.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,                                                          “Happy Christmas to all, great music tonight!“