What's This? A Surprise Album?!!

 Two more shows for Dead Root Revival this year! Friday, December 1st we will be at The Atria in Oshawa, warming the stage for Doghouse Rose and Trash Puppets, then on Saturday, December 16th, we will be at the RCHA club in Kingston, for our final show of 2023(Get your tickets at the bar or on Eventbrite).

I know there's a lot of anticipation for the release of our album that we recorded in Athens, Georgia this year. We are putting the finishing touches on the record, with the album cover being painted by London artist Jeremy Bruneel, and I can tell you that the release date of the album will be March 1st, 2024, with a Kingston release celebration to take place at The Broom Factory on March 9th. 

It has been a long wait and we appreciate your patience. With that in mind, I've decided to release a surprise album to tide you over until then! 

As recording sessions for my 2017 release Everything Intertwined came to a close, we decided to add another day in the studio, switching out bass players(Seamus Cowan played on EI), and bringing in Geoff Chown to record some Blues tracks. It was a really fun day of letting it all hang out musically and getting gritty, live off the floor at North of Princess studio. The recording turned out great, but was promptly put away in the archives for future considerations. In the ensuing years many crazy events occurred in this world of ours, so in the archives the Blues record stayed.

Until now!!!

Looking back at Everything Intertwined and now listening to Sure Can Play That Guitar!!, I can really see how my music and songwriting were turning a corner in 2017, and the seeds were being planted that would grow into what we now know as the band, Dead Root Revival.

Many songs have found their way into the DRR setlist. From EI, there's Kid, Burnt By The Sun, Come Home, and 17 Years, and on Sure Can Play That Guitar!!  you will hear the familiar jams An Angel Rose, Train Blues, Moonshine Baby, as well as the title track.

I hope you enjoy this collection of previously unreleased music.

 

Pick it up Friday, December 1st on Bandcamp as part of #BandcampFriday. Available only in digital or CD format. No Spotify...no Apple Music...no Deezer...no Tidal... you get the idea. 😄😉

Rock and Roll,

Tom 

One Year of Tunesdays plus the DRR Rock n' Roll Experience

 I feel I've been shouting this from the rooftops for years: Live music = Community. Music is an integral component of our collective mental health as a society. It brings people together. Whether in a participatory fashion through community choirs and orchestras, open mics and jams, in passive engagement with intensive listening, or in a casual setting where music is the backdrop used as an opportunity for socialization.

The beauty of the TUNESDAY open mic at the RCHA is that it brings all of these components together with the added bonus of accessibility due to the early hour of the event (4-7 PM). It is a joy to see the dance floor full at 5 PM on a Tuesday afternoon(with some of the dancers in their mid-eighties! There's no age limit on having fun!).

This Tuesday marks one year since we started the mighty TUNESDAY jam. Thanks to all of you who have made it an overwhelming success.
Come celebrate with us. Rumour has it that there will be cake!
And pizza too of course. ; )

Dead Root Revival Concerts

I often feel a bit embarrassed, seemingly tooting my own horn about DRR, but really I'm not. I'm simply repeating what fans new-and-old tell me at the end of every concert we play. I wish I could bottle their enthusiasm. I wish I could convey the overwhelmingly positive(oftentimes profound and emotional) experience to those who have never taken in one of our shows...

...but barring the act of me shoving a phone in their face to record these testimonials...

I'm not gonna do that.

What I will do is continue to tirelessly promote this band! I'm fast-approaching my 50th birthday...I've spent 30 years (and recorded 11 albums..??) as a musician/songwriter. To be creating and performing some of the best music of my career, with this scarily super-tight band of musicians, with collectively over 100 years of stage experience...well, it's a sincere honour and privilege.

Yet, it's still at times like pulling teeth to convince people to buy tickets for our shows. As my friend Seamus Cowan said to me recently, in regards to concert promotion, "It's a heart attack game!" So true!

DRR put on our own shows or work with small independent promoters. We are attempting to operate outside of the traditional music industry structure. No agents, no managers, no record labels, no Live Nation, no Ticketmaster. This is grass roots rock and roll. For my money, that's where the true spirit of rock and roll lies.

Why wouldn't you want to be a part of that?

Prince Edward County and Kingston, here is your opportunity.

Join the Revival!

The unofficial Pumpkinfest kickoff concert!
Tickets available:
Wellington Legion - $15
Eventbrite - $15 + fees
$20 at the door
or contact organizer at:
780-691-2887
or lowperchproductions@gmail.com

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dead-root-revival-with-tony-forbes-tickets-718507765067




https://www.eventbrite.com/e/704546195637

Dead Root Revival return to rock Blu Martini in Kingston for our fall concert, this time with special guest Josh Piché(Toronto)!

Yours in music,
Tom

Say this 5 times fast: Furnace Falls Farm Fall Harvest Feast of Fields & Concert

Dead Root Revival has a bunch of fun shows around Ontario in September and October.  I'm particularly looking forward to this meal...er, this show next week! 

However, I may get my dinner to go. There's nothing like finishing an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet a half hour before you perform an opening set for The JD Edwards Band at the Times Change(d) in Winnipeg to teach you to not eat too much before you go on stage. I carry this lesson from the road with me to this very day(even though it's Bhuna long time 😄😅🥁).

Fall Harvest Feast of Fields & Concert Featuring Dead Root Revival with Tom Savage. Attend the Dinner and Concert or Concert only.

Dinner & Concert - $70

Concert only - $25

Tickets 👉👉https://tinyurl.com/2p8pt5b8

Menu:
Fall Fritters
Family style meal
Garden salad with sweet potato vinaigrette
Herb grilled chicken
Roasted fingerlings
Seasonal roast vegetables
Irish Apple Cake with custard sauce
Blueberry maple lemonade

Cash Bar!

The Concert is indoors in the large barn with five indoor restrooms for your convenience.
Arrival 5 pm
Dinner 5:30 pm to 7 pm
Concert 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Upcoming DRR Fall Shows

October 8th - Keystorm Pub - Brockville

October 13th - Wellington Legion - Wellington Take note fans in PEC/Quinte Region!! Tickets available soon!

October 14th - Blu Martini w/ Josh Piche - Kingston - Get Your Tickets Now: https://tinyurl.com/6cbybxys Hometown Show! Support Local Rock and Roll!!!

October 19th - Heartwood Hall - Owen Sound w/ TROFLOW - Tickets: https://heartwoodhall.ca/events/oct-19-dead-root-revival-troflow/

October 20th - Corktown Tavern w/ Back Road Bourbon

November 2nd - Dakota Tavern supporting Josh Piche

November 4th - Richmond Tavern - London

See you out there!

Cheers,

Tom

 Super excited to share this news with you guys!

My new album, 21st Century Lo-Fi will be officially released on March 25th. Yay! This has been THE big pandemic project for me. You can preorder the album starting today at https://igg.me/at/tomsavagemusic Check out this site for discounts and other perks. 

I started working on this album in April of 2020, recording and mixing it myself ( Geoff Chown helping me out on the home stretch. Thanks Geoff!). That’s a first for me, since my days of recording on the 4-track cassette recorder in my Mom’s basement.

This is why I chose the title, 21st Century Lo-Fi. We have all of these technological tools at our disposal, but in the end, it comes down to creativity. This process really brought me back to the beginning of my creative journey( in the 1990’s!!!).

Many differences in modern times of course: The major one being remote collaborations due to lockdown,  with the rhythm section of Jason Mercer and Bonz Bowering . Some truly inspirational performances from these guys.

Also, my kids got involved: Benji plays bass on one track, and Zach provided the amazing artwork!

For me, this album project was a light in the COVID darkness, and holds a special place in my heart for that reason.

I really want you all to hear it, and to BUY it,  because I’ve basically been out of work for two years! It’s very weird and stressful when you’re used to playing 200+ shows per year, and it gets reduced to 20. Yikes!

Sign up for the preorder today. Formats include digital, CD and Vinyl. The vinyl won’t be in until June due to supply chain issues, but when it gets here we’re gonna have a big time party for sure!

I’ve also added a box set option (21st Century Lo-Fi on vinyl and CD, plus 5 previous releases in CD format), and a couple of other perks on the
indiegogo page you can sign up for, such as a private song commission ( I’ll write and record a song specifically for you!!) and private concerts ( either solo or with the full band).

Please share and spread the love around!

Yay! Music!!

Tom

P.S. Huge thanks to my Savage Song Supporters ( https://tomsavage.bandcamp.com/song-supporter )for their support throughout this pandemic. This album would not have happened without you. Your continued support is the fuel for this artist’s creative engine!

Also, thanks to the Kingston Arts Council for awarding me their resiliency grant. This funding provided me the opportunity to buy new equipment and software to see this project through to completion.

Let's Keep the Music Alive!

One week left in the "Driftwood - Remembering Sandy Stubbert" GoFundMe campaign. Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far. It feels good to be sending Sandy's music out across the country. She put her heart and soul into this record and would have loved that it is being heard.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sandystubbert

We are wrapping up the campaign on June 15th, so get your donation in if you haven't already. Raising funds for AMHS-KFLA (Addiction and Mental Health Services, Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington) and MIKES (Music Industry Kingston Emergency Support).

DRR Live Stream from The Toucan

Dead Root Revival has been on a forced hiatus due to COVID-19, so we were most thankful for the opportunity to perform at our hometown pub again, even if there was no audience. The rock show is definitely another energy level!

Here is the full concert for your viewing and listening pleasure!

As the country continues to reopen, many in the arts community will be left behind, with no live shows aside from some possible summertime outdoor activities. Art is a vital part of our society, and I encourage everyone to do what they can to support the many artists who are in need at this time. This can be done by purchasing merchandise or sending virtual tips for livestreams, but also I encourage you to lobby local, provincial, and federal governments to continue (or give funding to new)programs that support artists during these drastic times.

Let's keep the music alive!
Tom

Back from tour! The CD is Not Dead!

Rolled back into Kingston after a long haul from Wawa, Ontario and slowly getting my bearings, and adjusting to being back home. As usual, the tour  was a hard slog, an enjoyable ride, a test of will and endurance and patience, and a whole lotta fun all rolled into one. Thanks to the venues ( and their staff), presenters, sound techs, fellow musicians, and friends new and old who opened their homes to this weary traveler. I very much appreciate your support.

This new record is a real trip. I've never done anything where art intersected with life so much. Developing the sound and playing style of the solo show and touring it over much of the past decade gives this new album the feel of the culmination of an 8 + year art project. The audience is a large part of the process, and it feels really good to give them (and you!) an album that reflects exactly what I'm doing on stage. 

Sales went really well on tour. The CD is not dead folks! If anything, I've seen an uptick in sales over the past few years. Needless to say, I am very thankful for this! As a full time musician ( performing mostly original music), merchandise sales are a vital ingredient to my survival in this business. I understand the convenience and choice that comes from streaming services ( I've used them myself), but I'm not seeing how to make money from them. And a large portion of the money I make from record sales goes directly back into my art. 

I was listening to some music industry podcasts while on the road, and they were chanting the mantra of "The CD is dead. Streaming is everything." and I couldn't help but ask aloud while driving, "But how do you make money from it!" They never answered me. My own conclusion: You don't!

It is for this reason that my new record, Great Beyond, will not be available on streaming services ( except for a single or two for a sampling). If you want to listen, you'll have to buy it. I make records for three reasons: 1) artistic expression, 2) to share my music with my fans, and 3) to make money to make more records. Spotify is good for the first two reasons, but the third, not so much.

You can help the cause! There are seven days left to preorder Great Beyond ( thanks to everyone who has contributed to the preorder campaign thus far). Check out the indiegogo site for special offers such as: CD + tickets to hometown release concert, The Box Set ( a collection of 4 CDS), and a House Concert ( 1 of these left at the discounted price). For those in the Kingston area who are planning to attend the album release concert ( with The Mill Rights and Dead Root Revival BTW), the preorder site is the best option for purchasing tickets.

A couple of shows to tell you about:

This Friday, Dead Root Revival will be fired up and ready to rock at The Red Lion in Belleville, after a month-long hiatus. 9:30 PM.

Saturday, October 19th, I will be bringing the solo show ( and new album) to the Few Acres Farm concert in Russell, ON ( near Ottawa). Message me for details.

And of course, Friday, October 25th is the Hometown Album Release Concert at The Mansion in Kingston!

See you on the road and thank you for your support.

Cheers,

Tom

VIDEO : "Rascal" Featuring Tony Silvestri on Keys. It's Funky!

Excited to share the latest Dead Root Revival video with you, an instrumental number called Rascal.
I wrote this song over twenty years ago while living in Vancouver and playing with the band Al Dente Inferno. When DRR began rehearsing last Spring I resurrected this tune; our mandate being that our songs need to have elements of one or more of these genres: Rock, Funk, Blues, Jazz, or Soul.
As much as I enjoy the singer/songwriter material I perform, and the material I've released over the years, DRR has given me the opportunity to push outside of genre constructs, and has opened up new creative doors. We had the incredibly talented Tony Silvestri joining us on this gig. Check out the back and forth solos at the 2:57 mark. So much fun!

Subscribe to the Dead Root Revival You Tube Channel

Hometown Concert at The Mansion
For those of you in the Kingston area, we have a show coming up on Friday February 1st at The Mansion. This band is progressing at break neck speed. We are adding 2-3 new (original) songs every time we rehearse! This train is a chuggin' along!

We look forward to playing the new songs for you. Get your tickets today over at Eventbrite and let us know you're attending by clicking "Going" on the Facebook event or shouting it out on Twitter or Instagram.

w/ special guest Connor Poulain
$10 at the door/ $8 in advance
Doors @ 8:00 PM, Show at 9:00 PM

Music to check out
Inspiration has been coming to me from the past and the present lately. From the past, a couple of recent vinyl purchases:
Al Green - Gets Next To You

and John Coltrane - Blue Train.

....and from the present, Vulfpeck. Though I don't have anything from them on vinyl, I am enjoying their youtube offerings immensely. Such as this full concert from Brussels.

They've got a unique approach to putting together a concert. Variety show style. If they ever tour Canada, I'm there!

Download Free Music on NoiseTrade

I'm starting to add some of my back catalogue to my NoiseTrade page. First up, is my 2006 release, Never Shed No Tears ( you can also pick up my 2011 internet-only release Living Room Session). All downloads are FREE! However, I do encourage you to leave a tip. 100 % of proceeds go to Joe's MILL ( Joe Chithalen Musical Instrument Lending Library), which is an amazing community organization in Kingston, Ontario.

I also plan to scour the archives for outtakes, and live bootlegs, etc., to add to NoiseTrade in the future, so stay tuned!

Everything Intertwined officially released today!

Had a great Canadian tour, bringing the new tunes to new and old friends along the way. Thanks to everyone who came out and showed their support by purchasing their hard copy of the new album.

For those of you who do your listening and purchasing on the internet, today ( October 3rd) is the official release of Everything Intertwined. Itunes, CD Baby, Bandcamp, etc. Head over and have a listen. If you dig it, throw your money down.

Pre-order New Tom Savage Record Today!

Calling on all of my friends and fans, I'm so excited to share with you the news of my impending album release. My eighth record! I think you guys are really going to dig this music. A bit of a shift in styles for me, more of a pop/indie vibe on some of the tracks. I'm very proud of how this record turned out. Muchos gracias to Zane Whitfield, Dylan Lodge, and Phil Bova for sculpting the sounds.

And the band! Oh my God! It's a pure joy to hear the keyboard mastery of Tony Silvestri on this record. In his element, with Fender Rhodes and Hammond Organ as his tools. You can't beat those tones and the skill with which he manipulates those instruments.

Anyone who has seen Bonz Bowering perform live know that the 'Animal' t-shirt he sometimes wears certainly befits his on stage persona. We did our best to capture some of his lightning in the recording bottle on this project. Ultimately, I was most impressed with his tasteful, thoughtful approach to the songs. Chills.

My childhood friend, Seamus Cowan, rounds out the band. Seamus, a late bloomer by musical standards, came to my Mom's house in Westport at the age of 18, looking for bass guitar instruction. After showing him a couple of Led Zeppelin and Hendrix tunes, my most important instruction was to send him on to Zak Colbert (legendary Kingston bassist), where he soared to the depths of the low end. So happy to work with Seamus on a project after all these years. His tone and approach are amazing. Not to mention his impeccable harmony vocal work ( and one helluva scream!!).

I've got an LA-based radio promo team ready to push the songs to stations across North America. I'm hiring a publicist to spread the word to the print media. This costs money. Lots of it! I need your help friends. You can pitch in to help the cause for as little as $5! https://www.gofundme.com/tomsavagealbum8

Please share and help spread the word!

New Album on the Horizon

It's been an excruciatingly busy time over the past few months. This is good though. The April US tour was a heavy one and a bit of a hard slog. Many a Walmart parking lot and too much fast food. The schedule was chock full and there was not much time for sightseeing...unless you count the interstate rest stops. Such is the glitz and the glamour of the independent touring musician. That said, many interesting characters met and many songs to be harvested. And that is a very important factor for why touring is important. Honing the craft, shaping the songs, and finding the stories. It damn sure ain't about the money.

Speaking of songs and stories, upon returning from the US tour I headed into North Of Princess Studios the last week of April to record with my good friends Tony Silvestri, Bonz Bowering, and Seamus Cowan. A lot of it live off the floor, it was a spirited session, and I think you all will be very pleased with the results. It's a bit of a different direction for me and I hope you are all willing to take the trip. The album is scheduled for an official release in October, but I hope to have copies available for MUSICWestport in August (where I'll be performing with the band) and for my Canadian Tour in September.

Early May saw the release of Al Duquette's new record, Tales of the Wild West. A project I had the pleasure of acting as producer on. Al has lived a life and his experience and authenticity comes through in the way he delivers his songs. There is no pretence here. A beautiful collection of songs that will fit nicely between Hank and Lefty on the shelf. Head over to Bandcamp and download your copy today.

Early June was all about the East Coast of Canada. Always good to get down there and catch up with friends, and perform for friendly faces. Highlight of the tour was a Monday night concert in a little church in Alma, NS. Google didn't even know where it was! Great acoustics and good vibes.

That's it for now. I'll be around the Kingston area for the summer. check my site for dates, and stay tuned for more details about the new record.

Back on Canadian soil, and it feels so good...

...though the temperature leaves a little to be desired.

I have to confess to being somewhat apprehensive about this recent tour, given the political climate in the USA, but it turned out to be just what I needed to give me proper perspective. Turning off the news( because in the US, news is a term to use loosely. Thank God For The CBC!) and talking to actual Americans on the ground gave me hope for the future. Everyone I met were generally good, caring people, and while it is hard to understand why a Trump supporter supports Trump, I tried my best. But to be honest, most of the people I talked to did not support Trump, and the fact that I am Canadian, I think, allowed them to express this point of view. And I'm talking the cashier at the grocery store, the hotel worker, the gas attendant, offering up their opinions. Expressing their fear of what is happening and what is to come. Numerous people joked about hitching a ride up to Canada in my van.

But they're staying put. They're fighting the fight. And if the world is lucky, America will come out the other side of this mess a more caring, open, socially-progressive society, that is welcoming of all immigrants and people of difference. The way I see it, those who voted for Trump fear the future. Those who voted against him are the future.

The Savage Sound : Sunshine and Southbound

So, it's been nice hanging out with you Winter, for the last month, but I do believe I need a little break. Gonna head on down to Florida, play a few shows and catch some rays.

Here's where I'll be:

Jan. 19th - Ransom Steele Tavern - Apalachin, NY ( 9:00 PM)
Jan. 21st - Edmund's Oast - Charleston, SC ( 6:00 PM)
Jan. 22nd - House Concert - Charleston, SC
Jan. 25th - Lucky Leprauchan - Davenport, FL (8:00 PM)
Jan. 27th - Captain Hiram's Resort - Sebastian, FL ( 3:30 PM)
Jan. 28th - House Concert - Sarasota, FL
Jan. 31st - Natura - Orlando, FL ( 8:00 PM)
Feb. 1st -  Lucky Leprauchan - Davenport, FL(8:00 PM)
Feb. 3rd - Yellow Dog Eats - Gotha, FL ( 6:00 PM)
Feb. 4th - Green Door Music Hall - Fort Walton Beach, FL (9:00 PM)
Feb. 6th - Blue Moon Diner - Charlottesville, VA (8:00 PM)

See you on the road!

Tom

Eastern U.S. Tour!!!

Super-excited to head out on my first U.S. Tour. Long overdue I say! Gonna hit 12 stops along the way. Please share this photo with the hashtag #TomSavageTour to help spread the word. See you on the road!