Live Music is Fun ( and so is Bandcamp Friday)!!

 What a joyous occasion it was last Saturday night at Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque. Actual, real live people filling a room to enjoy a concert! And dance!! Thanks to everyone who came out to the "Tom Savage Music Extravaganza" featuring Dead Root Revival, Weathered Siding, and the Savage Family Band. It felt so good for us to be able to perform for you, and by all reports, it was good for the souls of those in the audience as well. : )

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to showcase the Savage Family Band for the ears of many for the first time. Benji is too teenager cool to admit it, but I know he was thrilled with the spontaneous applause to his bass solo in "Gotta Slow Down". Maybe not so thrilled with working the door, and loading out the gear, but hey, Music Business 101!

We look forward to more opportunities in the future(if we can keep a lid on this COVID business). Stay Tuned!

Bandcamp Friday is tomorrow. This is an excellent way to support musicians as Bandcamp waives their fees and gives 100% of the money to the artist. If you buy an album for $10, the artist gets $10. I've noticed many artists sharing Spotify year in review, but it's important to remember that artists are getting paid minuscule amounts for these streams, most recent number is $0.00318 per stream. If you're an artist on a label, you'll most likely have more streams, but many label artists only receive 16% of their streaming revenue. Here's a link to an article on streaming services and how they work:

https://producerhive.com/music-marketing-tips/streaming-royalties-breakdown/

Point being...Bandcamp is far and away the most supportive platform for artists on the internet! And it is fun to use as well. My brother and I have been sending each other records since around the beginning of the pandemic, on birthdays, Bandcamp Fridays, or just to say "Hey! This is cool!". Here are some records he has sent me to get you started if you're new to the Bandcamp thing:

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio - This band features organist Delvon Lamarr, a self-taught virtuosic musician, with perfect pitch who taught himself jazz and has effortlessly been able to play a multitude of instruments. On guitar is the dynamo Jimmy James who eases through Steve Cropper-style chanking guitar, volcanic acid-rock freak-out lead playing, and slinky Grant Green style jazz. From Reno, Nevada is drummer Dan Weiss (also of the powerhouse soul and funk collective The Sextones). Dan’s smoldering pocket-groove drumming locks in the trio’s explosive chemistry.

Rodrigo y Gabriela -This acoustic guitar duo from Mexico will be a pleasure for fans of the album, "Friday Night in San Francisco" by , Al Di Meola, John McLuaghlin, and Paco DeLucia. Blistering flamenco-style licks and a big sound!

The True Loves are on same wavelength as Delvon Lamarr, even including guitarist Jimmy James, but swap out the organ for a horn section, and a conga player. Fun stuff!

Here are a couple of albums I sent to Doug:

The Sweetback Sisters first emerged in 2007 with their debut EP" The collection earned them a record deal with stalwart indie label Signature Sounds, and over the course of three ensuing albums, the band built a dedicated following in the US and Europe and racked up a heap of critical acclaim. The New Yorker raved that the women are "strong singers who revel in close harmonies," while Sing Out! said that their music "bristles with the energy of the very best young American performers," and NPR praised them as "Americana darlings with a roadhouse edge".

Can't go wrong with Dan Reeder! The story goes that Dan sent a cassette tape to John Prine, who immediately signed Reeder to his label, and invited him to join him on tour! If John approves, you can't go wrong.

 

Speaking of my brother Doug, his latest graphic novel has just been released, check it out!

A great Christmas gift for any of the kids in your family! The fourth in the series!!

Keep rockin' and see you in 2022!!

Tom