2020 : Year of the Revival

The release of Great Beyond in October felt like the culmination of an eight-year long art project. So many miles on the road, so many shows, and years honing my approach to the solo performance. I'm proud of the recorded result of my efforts.

Toward the end of 2018, I began to feel the call of rock and roll again. Dead Root Revival was born, and since that time, the band has garnered more and more of my creative focus. This is why, in 2020, I will be taking a break from solo touring, and focusing on developing the DRR sound, and performing more shows with the band. I will still be performing solo shows in Ontario, and if anyone wants to offer me a grand a night to go on tour as a sideman, I would be happy to change plans! 😄

The release concert for Great Beyond made for a very special evening, bringing the two very different facets of my creative output together in one show. For many Kingston fans, it was the first time they had seen the solo performance, seeing as most shows over the years had been on the road. Then the other side of the coin: Dead Root Revival hit the stage (after a stellar set from our friends The Mill-Rights)! We were fortunate to have Geoff Chown on sound that night. He also was there to record our set. The resulting recording captures the band at its best, and where it belongs: On stage powering through some epic jams!

To be released on March 2nd, DRR Live : Volume I will bring you to that show. Come rock out with us again and again on CD or digital format ( Yes, this album will be on Spotify, etc. despite my ongoing protestation of the streaming platform.) Our hope is you will purchase the live album to help DRR raise funds for a future studio release. The plan is to release a couple of live records before the studio release, in order to give fans new music, and to keep feeding our musical engine(the band bank account!!).

(Side Note: DRR is a band that likes to jam. Every show is a different musical journey. We encourage "taping" and sharing of shows. If you want to bring mics and recording gear to shows, please feel free. We only ask you don't obscure sight lines of audience members.)

On Friday, March 13th, we will be celebrating the release of DRR Live : Volume I with a show back where it all went down: The Mansion in Kingston, Ontario. Get your tickets here
. Connor Poulain opens the show, then Dead Root Revival hit the stage. The band will feature Tony Silvestri on keyboards, Daniel Chalmers on congas/percussion, Paul Stacey on saxophone, Richard Piche on bass, Bonz Bowering on drums, and myself on guitar and vocals. Powerhouse!!!

Doors at 8 PM. Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 at the door ( tickets are available at The Mansion or from me in person. Hit me up at open mic at the Rose & Crown).

5 Super-Easy Ways to Promote Your Favourite Band

...and hopefully that band is the Tom Savage Trio. Regardless, with social networking and the Internet, it is easier than ever to let the world know about the music you think is worth hearing. Here are just a few simple things you can do :

1. Facebook Page : No doubt your favourite band has a facebook fan page. On the left
side of the page there is an option to "suggest to friends". Click on that and check off the people on your friends list that you think might be interested. Easy!

2. iTunes - Do you have an iTunes account ? Search for your favourite band , and rate their album by clicking on the stars. So easy! If you're really enthusiastic you could write a review of the album.



3. Last.fm - This is by far the easiest way to help promote a band. Join last.fm, download the last.fm scrobbler, and listen to the music. Lastfm keeps a record of the plays, thus increasing the exposure of the band to other music listeners who use the site.

4. Invite 5 of your friends to join the band's mailing list. Chances are you have 5 friends that share your musical taste. Encourage them to invite 5 friends. It's like a rock and roll pyramid scheme ( without the loss of your life savings).



5. Good ol' fashioned " word of mouth " - talk the band up when you're out at the pub. How cool that album was...how awesome that live show was. Still the best way to promote your favourite band(s).

Music fans have more power than ever before to help promote and support their favourite band. So share the love!