CONCERTS in the PARKING LOT!

Solo and Duo: Tremblay and Johnson

This last concert of our summer series almost didn't happen at all.

The scheduled band, From Far Apart (a Sudbury-based band whose members are largely former  Marathonians) had to end their tour abruptly when one member had a death in the family. This left us in a position of having a slot to fill in a hurry!

Keith Johnson, a member of the band, offered to play to also see what else he could pull together. And so Keith along with Martin Tremblay were our entertainment for the evening.

Martin Tremblay first played a couple of accoustical sets for us three years ago along with a few other guitarists and Jon Chiupka on vocals. They were definitely maturer artists - confident in their abilities and clearly comfortable in working together.

The Martin Tremblay solo we experienced last night  was even more of a pleasant surprise. When asked what one might call the genre of music he was playing, he responded that it was just what he writes. The sound of the intensely complex and beautifully flowing pieces might have been somewhat Spanish sounding in nature but were purely his own individual style. Simply a pleasure to listen to!

Keith put his "From Far Apart" hat aside for the time being and chose to play some of his own material as well. Reminscent of Dallas Green (Alexis on Fire, City and Colour), Keith's voice and music was strong and a pleasure to listen to.

Keith called Martin back up on the "stage" and the two of them played a few cover pieces together to finish an interesting evening.

 

Wooley and The Mammoths: The Farewell Concert

The parking lot was bustling a little earlier than usual as Wooley and The Mammoths set up  equipment for what was to be their final concert as a band. Among other things, with one member moving and another wanting to "retire" from this aspect of his life, it was time for them to say goodbye.

By the time 7:00pm arrived, a sizeable crowd had gathered. Some were there because they come every week. Some were there because they like rock music. Some were there because they like this hometown band and wanted to see them play their last concert.

No one left disappointed.

The boys jumped right into the louder-than-life   rocking classics for which they're known and loved. The sound of a band who have not only played, but worked hard together to do their best version of the music they love. They simply wanted to honour the artist's whose music they play. We're honoured that our "stage" was chosen on which to do it for their last time.

This is a band who has participated in their share of fundraising efforts. This one was no different as their portion of the funds raised were immediately directed to the Marathon Humane Society.

As the last notes drifted across the parking lot, folks gathered up their lawnchairs and said their goodbyes. As the sun was setting, the band was still working on packing up all their equipment.

Goodbye Wooley and The Mammoths.

Concert Number Eight!

This week, Marathon's own "house band" ...

WOOLEY AND THE MAMMOTHS

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20TH @ 7:00PM

AT THE PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF PIZZA HUT

So mark your calendar, grab your lawnchair, your wallet and head on down to "The Lot" this Wednesday.  Tell your neighbours, tell your coworkers, tell your friends!

(Its looking like our opening artist will not be able to make it this week, if there is anyone out there who would like to do 3 or 4 tunes, please do let us know - Andrew or Beverlee 229 - 2224!)

It Was Cosmic!

The Lot was really jumping this past Wednesday with the arrival of "Cosmic Granola".

This Thunder Bay-based band simply oozed eons of talent and youthful energy.  Lead guitarist Nate Zahn capably led the crew with his strong, sure vocals. Pete Bastedo rocked out on base guitar and vocals while Tylor Miller's drums (and vocals) were a hugely powerful  force in the mix. Their diversified style of music - a genre all their own - touched on rock, funk, blues, reggae, bluegrass and even a bit of disco!

The boys also performed a couple of covers including David Wilcox and a Beatles tune. But, it is in their original material - mainly written by Nate Zahn - where they really shine. Keep your eye (and ears!) on Cosmic Granola - they are definitely on their way!

Also, thanks goes out to "Pirate Heidi & The Turnip" for opening the show!

    

Concert Number Six!

We just saw them at the Red Rock Folk Festival and they were really GREAT! See our previous post about them here and check out their site here. You won't want to miss them! Bring your lawnchair and your wallet and head on down for an hour and a half or more of casual, great, LIVE music!

COSMIC GRANOLA

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH @ 7:00PM

AT THE PARKING LOT IN FRONT OF PIZZA HUT

BONUS: Opening local artists ...

Congo Joe (McGill) & Guitar Heidi (Mayr)!

The Gift of Heather

By all accounts, Heather Dale put on an extremely well-received show in Marathon. Although we were away for this particular concert, we've heard there was a sizeable turnout and many folks have expressed how much they enjoyed it!

We were lucky enough to meet Heather and  partner Ben Deschamps at the Red Rock Folk Festival a few days later. Clearly, both are lovely and talented people. Heather's smile, laugh and enthusiasm was genuine and contagious and seemed to be everywhere we turned! Red Rock loved her too!

Thanks to opening artists David. Binaeshee and Mark - sounds like we'll want to have them back next  year! Also thanks goes out to George & Joy for hosting the artists and helping out in other ways, Al for opening and Heidi for closing, the "Waynettes" for the great sound and the Katimivik crew for all of their help. I know that Heather and Ben were impressed with it all and from the audience's point of view, it all went smoothly.

The gift of live music and community spirit ... beautiful!

Photos courtesy of Sharon & Scott Gibbons.

Concert Number Six!

You won't want to miss this week's concert ...

HEATHER DALE

Wednesday, August 6th @ 7:00pm

at the parking lot in front of Pizza Hut

Opening this week: Binaeshee & David Rees

You can check out her site at www.heatherdale.com .

Hope to see you there!

Outside the Lines: Girls with Gusto!

The following exclamation was made a few days after, "That was the best concert yet!" Doesn't particularly sound like a comment that would be made in regards to a concert at which a somewhat major downpour hit a little past the mid way point! 

To give our dear, lovely audience credit, they came even though it was gray out. They hung in there through a wet, heavy fog. They barely flinched when it started to sprinkle. A few hoods went up when it officially became "rain". But, bless their common-sense souls, a good bunch of them ran for their vehicles or home when the big downpour finally hit. 

Jenn Metcalfe and Lena Gray who are "Outside the Lines" simply stepped back into the two feet or so of dry space under the eaves and played on. The dedicated crowd who remained, continued to be energized by their powerful voices and beautiful harmonies. We were treated with their own genre of "folk n roll" with some of their own compositions along with Indigo Girls, Elvis and a lot in between. 

In the end, we were all rewarded with a beautiful rainbow. It was a great concert!