VIDEO : Dead Root Revival / Kingston Holiday Rock Show

Another year comes to its close. It was a lighter year for me travel-wise, having taken a bit of a tour break. Only put 30000 km on the van, instead of the 70000 clicks I put on in 2017.

Took some hits in 2018. My good friend, Sandy Stubbert lost her battle with mental illness this past summer. It was a struggle for her, and she fought hard...we miss you Sandy. I worked as producer on her yet-to-be-released album, Driftwood. I hope to see the completion of this project in 2019.

Also taken from us from us far too soon, one of my biggest fans and supporters, John Harman. I'll miss seeing you occupy your stool at the Rose & Crown every week John, cheering the players on and offering words of encouragement. And for pretending I'm a big deal rock star. That always gave me a chuckle. It won't be the same without you.

2018 also led to the birth of a new band. Tom Savage Trio is no more, and we are now Dead Root Revival. Not having 'Trio' in the name allows us the opportunity to be more of a collective, and allow other musicians to join the artistic fray. I'm excited about the possibilities!

Dead Root Revival is kicking up a lot of creativity for me and the bandmates these days. We are really enjoying rehearsals and adding new tunes every week. Sometimes old tunes resurrected from past projects, such as Rascal, which is a twenty year old funk jazz instrumental from a Vancouver band I was in(Al dente Inferno); Going Down Slow, a tune from Aldous Huxters days; and Party Girls, a rearranged selection from the Tom Savage Trio archives. We recently had a super-fun show at The Wooden Boat Shop in Gananoque, ON. It was a real pleasure to play the new material live.

And we caught it on video! This tune is called "Got In Store For You" and it really is the perfect introduction to the band, and what we indeed have got in store for you. : )

Check out it and please feel free to share. Join the revival!!

Holiday Rock Show
Excited to take part in the 23rd edition of the Holiday Rock Show at Stages in Kingston on December 20th!
This years lineup includes amazing local acts DJLK, Emilie Steele Music, Oakridge Ave., VOHON - Band of Fire, Tom Savage Music and the always entertaining Deck The Halls with Balls & Kelly ft Bruce "The Git" Compeau!

All proceeds from this event will be donated to Martha's Table, Dawn House and KFLA AMHS.
Show is All-Ages, doors open at 7:30pm, show starts at 8pm! Let's get festive!

Happy Holidays!

Tom

Take Solace in The Solstice

Christmas. The Holiday season. The New Year. The Winter Solstice.  

This time of year is, for me, is a time for reflection, and for giving thanks. For family, for friends, and for another year on this Earth. Entering into my twenty-fourth year as a professional musician, I am thankful for the gifts of creativity, imagination, and of course, the music.

Musicians never really grow up. And I don't mean in the way that might first pop into your mind ( No real job. No Money. Staying out late every night. Endless snickers at flatulence and "That's what she said" jokes). I mean the ability to hang on to our imaginations. To never let go of that young teenaged kid jamming out punk rock songs in his bedroom. Or the poet who takes notice of the everyday, turns it on its head, and creates art. We have the uncanny ability to return to these places time and time again. For anyone who has ever recorded music, you will know that when you listen back to that recording, you can find yourself transported back to the time and place when the recording took place.

A metaphor for the creative person's mind.

I think for all of us, the holiday seasons brings us back to our youth, and affords us the opportunity to check in with ourselves. To see how far we have strayed from our younger selves.  I sometimes feel that life is slowly chipping away at my resolve and my connection to the innocence of the past. Probably a fight for everyone at one point or another.  Fortunately my profession forces me to find that spark every time I step on the stage or hit record. Imagination. Creativity. Music. Connection.

Find Joy wherever you can. Life's too short to not give a damn.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Tom