Steve's Blog
Tuesday October 2, 2007

Hi everyone

I had meant to send something out earlier, but yesterday was Grant Deadline Day (from Hell)

Lots to report on this week....

Outlaw Social and Redgrass - This Friday, October 5

Outlaw Social mixes traditional music from Appalachia and roots-flavoured original songs. Since forming two years ago the Victoria-based stringband has been making waves on the local old-time circuit with its combination of impeccable musicianship and soulful vocals. The quintet's first full-length recording Dry Bones deserves to trigger a flood-alert. Find out what the fuss is about when Outlaw Social plays at a release-party for the album this Friday, 5 October. at St James Hall, 3214 West 10th Avenue. » Concert Details

OUTLAW SOCIAL - By Tony Montague

Outlaw Social was conceived one evening three years ago at the Lucky Bar in Victoria, when Oliver Swain was made an offer he couldn't refuse by two young women with music in their mouths and good times on their minds.

The bassist and singer - a founder member of the Bills (formerly the Bill Hilly Band) - had been out of town for some years. After playing with Scrüj MacDuhk in Winnipeg, and then - when the band split - recording with Ruth Moody and Jeremy Penner, he'd wandered off south in a van, bound for the Appalachian hills and the bayous of Cajun country, following his muse. For eight months he played bass with his friends the Red Stick Ramblers, from Louisiana. But he wanted to do more singing. Now he was home, seeking new inspirations.

[Read the rest of the article in the Rogue's Gallery...]

So, if that hasn't whetted your appetite, how about these added bonuses for Friday?

1. An opening set by Vancouver trio Redgrass

2. Beer-Tasting by Tree Brewing of Kelowna.

3. Garage Sale on Selected CDs

4. Free Concert!!

CiTR Funding Drive

CiTR Radio, where I host The Edge On Folk every Saturday, is into its second annual Funding Drive. All shows are presenting Special Features over the next two weeks as we encourage our listeners to support the station and help us to keep our equipment up to scratch and to continue to provide a platform for independent, under-represented music as well as spoken word programming about issues that matter, UBC sports, and some of the best-informed, most meticulously-chosen Specialty Music Programming on the airwaves.

For as little as $25 you can receive a CiTR Friends Card, offering discounts at a variety of stores around town, and the Premiums increase to levels like $101.90 (2 Friends Cards, a CD, and 2 CiTR shirts) and $250 (2 Friends Cards, 10 CDs, 2 shirts and a hoodie)

Full details on www.citr.ca

This Saturday I'm hoping that Outlaw Social will pop in and play some tunes, and I'll also have a feature on rogue folk covers of rock and roll classics.

So tune in on Saturday from 8am to 12 noon on CiTR fm 101.9 (Cable 101.9 too) or listen to streamed audio on your computer from the CiTR website. And, if you appreciate the sort of music I present on the show, please consider making a donation to CiTR - and earn some cool premiums and make yourself feel - and look - great!

Laura Cortese & The Gruff - Sunday, October 7th

This is a concert tailor-made for fans of Scottish fiddle music, and of beautiful singing.

"Laura Cortese is an extremely dynamic and intelligent artist full of fun and joy." — Alasdair Fraser, Fiddler

"Technically brilliant yet warmhearted fiddling - sprinkled with urbane splashes of cool jazz and hot pop." — Boston Globe January 2004

"Sweeping onto the stage - eating up every inch of it with poise and solid talent, her vocals are hauntingly beautiful and mesmerizing. And in this day and age of fiddlers galore, Laura is a stand-out. A Scottish fiddler, able to set the bow on fire or bring a tear to the eye - she is on her way to the ranks of the leaders." — Bill Reid - Festival Promoter (East of The Hebrides Entertainment)

I first saw Laura Cortese at the very sadly-missed Gallery O on Pine & 5th a couple of years ago. I missed most fo the show, cos we had a gig in North Van that night, but what little I heard - together with recommendations from some fine musicians - was enough to convince me that we should try to bring Laura to the Rogue one day. That day is almost upon us, and we really hope that we can persuade a bunch of you to come along and witness her prodigious talent and captivating stage presence.

Also on the bill, we have The Gruff, three young women from Victoria, whose music runs the gamut from Celtic to Bluegrass, and beyond to acoustic pop to country - and more! They are fine singers and musicians, and their new CD, self-titled, is strongly recommended. It was produced by The Bills' Adrian Dolan, who has been touring with The Chieftains lately. Perhaps he will be joining them ...

The concert is at St. James Hall, 3214 W.10th Ave. on Sunday October 7th, 8pm. Tickets are available at the door, and on-line, or by phone on 604-736--3022, as well as at Highlife records and Rufus' Guitar Shop. » Concert Details

Coming Soon - Fred Eaglesmith, Willie & Lobo, and many more!

Calling all Fredheads!! Fred Eaglesmith returns to Vancouver for a gig at the Rogue (St. James Hall) on Saturday October 13th. Quebec bluesman and old-time fiddler Michael Jerome Browne will perform the opening set and then Fred's Flying Squirrels will hit the stage. Tickets are on sale at our usual outlets. » Concert Details

The following Friday (Oct 19th) it's your last chance to see Willie & Lobo, the distinctive gypsy fiddle/flamenco guitar duo. They are going their separate ways after this tour, so come along and wish them well, and revel in their fiery, passionate artistry. Again it's at St. James Hall. » Concert Details

Full details of all our shows can be found in our Concert Calendar

Radio Rogue

To listen to Radio Rogue, our streamed internet radio broadcast, access radio.roguefolk.bc.ca:8000/listen.m3u and when prompted, enter the username "Radio Rogue" and password "Roots Radio!" (without the double-quotes but with the exclamation mark and capitalization). It's a great way to hear music by Rogue performers, past & present, and the very best Roots Music I know, from all over this amazing planet.

Volunteers Needed!!

We are looking for volunteers to help us keep our concerts at the forefront of Vancouver's Roots Music Scene. We have a full crew for Outlaw Social, but we need help at all our other shows. Please contact Brian Jones, Crews Control, on 604-734-7118 or email him if you'd like to help.