Love for the Grad Club - Fundraiser at Blu Martini - Sunday, June 9th + DRR Concert News

Attention music fans: the Grad Club needs you. Let's show the city of Kingston that we want live music to survive and thrive!

Come to Blu Martini on Sunday, June 9th from 3-8PM to support the Grad Club, and to take a stand for local culture and the small live music venue.

The story of the Grad Club's financial troubles are far from uncommon across the province, country, even across the world! Small music venues everywhere were forced to cease operations during COVID, burning through any reserves they had, and taking on support loans just to keep the lights on. Now loans are coming due and rents are being increased, the result being that the ecosystem of small venues in this country is under threat.

It's time to stand up for culture and recognize the importance of art and music as it relates to the collective well-being and mental health of our society.

Tickets are by donation($25 suggested) and are available on Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/896504116947 

This is going to be an incredible afternoon/evening of music!

Luther Wright will be hosting this concert event which will feature performances by:

Holy Wow
Jon McLurg Old Tyme Trio 
Piner
Hugh Christopher Brown & Stephen Stanley
Goldwing
The Mill-Rights
Tim Sheffield
Dead Root Revival

**plus surprise guests!!**

________________________________________

DRR CONCERT NEWS

In addition to the Grad Club fundraiser on June 9th, DRR has some fun concerts coming up over the next month. First up is the Summer Kickoff Music Festival at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith this Saturday, May 25th. This is a free admission event, and features music from 4-10 PM (our set is at 7 PM). 

Ottawa fans be sure to catch our show at The Rainbow Bistro on Thursday, May 30th with well-known local singer-songwriter Graven opening the show in full band style! Tickets available here: https://therainbow.ca/event/5434804/670192413/dead-root-revival-kingston-wsg-graven

On Saturday, June 22nd, Dead Root Revival returns to Furnace Falls Farm in Lyndhurst, ON. We are really looking forward to this concert, as we had an amazing show there last year, and the setting is magical for live music: a big old barn with a 100-foot ceiling. An important note for DRR superfans: while we are playing some shorter sets in the Kingston region, June 22nd will be one of the only chances this summer to take in the full-on two hour concert experience that you have become accustomed to seeing from the band. Not to be missed!

Toronto: we are returning on Friday, June 28th! Hold off on your holiday weekend excursions out of the city and take in a good ol' fashioned (early) rock show! We're at The Painted Lady on Ossington, Lauren Carson opens the show with a solo acoustic set at 7 PM. Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dead-root-revival-with-lauren-carson-tickets-850383037557

See you at the rock show!

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

Final Shows of 2022/ Rock and Roll Underwear!

Things have quieted down for me quite a bit since the vinyl release show at The Mansion back on Sept. 30th(which was incredible by the way. Thanks to all of you who attended and made it such a special night). Stepping back and doing some behind-the-scenes work for 2023. One really fun development however, has been the introduction of the "Tunesday" afternoon jam at the RCHA club. Since this weekly event began on October 4th, the joint has been jumping with music lovers and musicians alike(on average we've had a seven-piece band plus guests getting up to join in with the band or perform on their own). This has been an incredibly enjoyable new weekly ritual, rich with community spirit. I encourage those in the Kingston area to drop by any Tuesday afternoon from 4-7 PM. 193 Ontario St. up on the 3rd floor.

A Few More Shows in 2022!

There are a few more shows coming up in 2022. First up, on December 10th Dead Root Revival make our return to the Keystorm Pub in Brockville for the first time after a long covid hiatus. Music gets underway at 8 PM. It also marks the first time Tony Silvestri will be joining us at the Keystorm in a long while (first time under the DRR banner…last played there as Tony Silvestri Band).

And on that note, some exciting news! Tony has come on board as a full time member of Dead Root Revival, and will be performing at all of our shows from here on out. We look forward to many magical live performances to come (plus the recording of our debut studio album. Stay tuned for details!).

QRTheBand Concert at the Grand Theatre - Thursday, December 15th(6 PM)

Savage Family Band will be taking part in the concert, which is the culmination of a local music album compilation project we were involved in. Songs for the album were recorded at The Bathouse and will be released at a future date TBA. 

https://www.kingstongrand.ca/events/qr-the-band

Dead Root Revival Live in Concert at the RCHA

Tickets are still available for our show at the RCHA on Saturday, December 17th. $10 advance available at the club($15 at the door). Join us as we rock out one more time in 2022(and for the very first time at the RCHA club).

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dead-root-revival-live-in-concert-tickets-451720667677

DRR "SAVAGE" underwear

One thing I never thought I would be doing when I became a musician: selling underwear. 

You asked for them, so here they are! A limited edition run of @deadrootrevival “SAVAGE” boxers printed at Ironclad Printing Company. M or L sizes. 1 pair for $30, 2 for $40. Kingston locals: Etransfer to tomsavagemusic@gmail.com with colour/size choice and we can arrange pick up/drop off.

Now DRR’s mannequin Bob can safely keep his shorts on!

Here's hoping you have a safe and happy holiday season and we will see you at the rock show!

Cheers,

Tom

New Live Album/Summer Shows/ 21st Century Lo-Fi Vinyl Update

Live at the Old Church Theatre 

More exclusive music for Savage Song Supporters! Bonz brought microphones to our show at the Old Church Theatre in Trenton a couple weeks back and the recording turned quite nice indeed! This was the first show Tony and Benji performed together and there are some great musical moments. Bandcamp subscribers can stream or download now!

https://tomsavage.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-old-church-theatre

Summer Shows! Summer Shows!

Looking forward to getting out and playing this summer. It's the first "back to normal" summer since the pandemic started, and it feels good to have a full schedule for the first time since 2019! Keeping it local as I'm not feeling like hitting the road, but playing with...5(?!) different band configurations will keep things creatively satisfying for sure...if you count the jams at Spearhead for industry Mondays, you could say 6,7,or 8 different configurations! 😄

Here is the schedule. Hope to see you at a show or two.

June 24th - Doug Fluhrer Park for River Love! w/ Kevin Davidson on violin (5-7 PM)

June 24th - The Toucan - Kingston - Dead Root Revival (10 PM)

June 25th - Keystorm - Brockville - Tom Savage and Kevin Davidson (8 PM)

June 27th - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

July 1st - ArtFest - Kingston - solo show (12 PM)

July 1st -  Bay of Quinte Yacht Club - Belleville - Savage Family Band (7:30 PM)

July 2nd - Private Party - Westport - Dead Root Revival

July 3rd - 1000 Islands Regatta - Brockville - Dead Root Revival 

July 4th - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

July 7th - RCHA - Kingston - solo show ( 7 PM)

July 9th - Hotel On Wolfe Island - solo on the patio - 1 PM

July 11th - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

July 15th - Joel Stone Park - Gananoque - Dead Root Revival (8 PM)

July 16th - WestFest - Westport - Return of The Foley Mountain Playboys! (2 PM)

July 18th - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

July 23rd - Island grill - Savage Family Band - (3-5 PM on the patio)

July 24th - The Mansion - Kingston - Savage Family Band (3-5 PM on the patio)

July 25th - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

July 28th - RCHA - Kingston - solo show ( 7 PM)

July 29th - The Toucan - Kingston - Dead Root Revival (10 PM)

July 30th - Keystorm - Brockville - Band Format TBD (8 PM)

Aug. 1st -  Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

Aug. 5th - Lockmaster's Taphouse - Smiths Falls - Dead Root Revival (7 PM)

Aug. 6th - Private Party 

Aug. 8th - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

Aug. 11th - RCHA - Kingston - solo show ( 7 PM)

Aug. 12th - Skeleton Park Brewery - Kingston - solo show (5-7 PM)

Aug. 13th - Private Party - Dead Root Revival

Aug. 15th - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

Aug. 16th - Confederation Park - Kingston - Savage Family Band (12:30 PM)

Aug. 19th - Private Party

Aug. 20th - Private Party

Aug. 22nd - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

Aug. 25th - Limestone City Blues Fest - Confederation Park - Kingston - Dead Root Revival (4:30 PM)

Aug. 26th - Toucan - Dead Root Revival (10 PM)

Aug. 27th - Z.A.M.F.I.R. - hosting the jam (3-6 PM)

Aug. 27th - Toucan - Dead Root Revival (10 PM)

Aug. 29th - Industry Monday at Spearhead Brewing (3-6 PM)

Sept. 3rd - Longtooth Brewery - Stirling - solo show(2-5 PM)

Sept. 4th - The Mansion - Savage Family Band - Savage Family Band - (3-5 PM on the patio)

Still waiting on vinyl...

It seems like forever since 21st Century Lo-Fi came out in digital and CD formats, but here we are still waiting on the vinyl records. They will get here! The supply chain has messed with delivery schedules for many indie artists, along with major label artists(looking at you Adele!!) monopolizing the pressing plants. We're looking at a ballpark timeline of end of July/ early August for delivery. Thanks to everyone who preordered, and we will have a celebration one day...looking at the end of September for a vinyl release party in Kingston. 

If you haven't heard the new album yet, give it a spin on Bandcamp ( http://tomsavage.bandcamp.com) or add it to your preferred streaming service at https://tomsavage.hearnow.com

What people are saying about 21st Century Lo-Fi:

"With 21st Century Lo-Fi Savage continues this journey, bookending the album with the type of songs we would expect a songwriter of the folk ilk to explore during a pandemic. Just as intriguing is a trio of challenging songs serving as the nervous system of the album, songs that bring to mind various faces of David Bowie, of all people, including guitar threads that remind us of Carlos Alomar and Earl Slick, and creative bass effects that would not have been out of place on the Serious Moonlight tour.

These songs—“The One I Wouldn’t Let In,” “We’ve Outgrown Everything We’ve Known,” and “In the Evening Glow”—are absolutely fabulous, taking the listener on an appealing journey of sounds and visions. Savage’s vocal phrasing on these songs is pure genius, whether intentionally going places I’ve not previously heard from him or not.

But truly, the entire eight-song disc is bleeding amazing, and is certainly my first ‘favourite’ of 2022, closely followed by my recent purchase of Ann Vriend’s new one! The storytelling here is that of experience and emotion rather than narrative.

The press notes site the requisite Van Zandt and Springsteen comparisons, and Yeah, sure. I find Savage more individual, and comparisons—despite my previous attempts—don’t truly work. Toss in Tom Petty, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Ian Hunter while you’re at it, but I prefer to just let his songs—the lyrics, the guitar effects, the vocal harmonies (check out the lead track, “Right Where You Found Me” for the combination of the three)—pull me close and keep me riveted." - Fervor Coulee

"The eight-song collection expands his familiar Roots Rock sound into previously uncharted territory, combined with lyrics that address many issues we are currently grappling with as a society". - Wildfire Music

"I’ve had the privilege of discovering various new talents hailing from Canada in this year alone, but Tom Savage may just be the very best to emerge thus far, and with an album as adept, as diverse, as spurring and overall as remarkable as 21st Century Lo-Fi, that shouldn’t come as much of a shock." - Small Music Scene

"...a rapid-fire indictment of economic disparity overtop a pulsing beat." - Canadian Beats

Hope you enjoy a safe and happy summer season.


Cheers,
Tom

 As I write this, there are 41 hours left in the 21st Century Lo-Fi preorder sale!! If you have yet to check out the deals over on the indiegogo page, please head over there now: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/21st-century-lo-fi-album-pre-order/x/40618#/

Discounts on CDs, Vinyl, stickers, tshirts, and more(stickers and t shirts come with a digital album).

Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far, and I hope those who received their CDs/digital albums are enjoying the new music. This project is really close to my heart, given that it is the first time I've written, performed, recorded, mixed, and produced all at once. Mixing being the big one! It was quite the learning curve, and it probably took me a lot longer than a more seasoned professional to achieve the sound I was looking for, but I got there! I truly love the vibe of this record.



GIGS! GIGS! GIGS!!

Things are opening up and the bookings have been flying in left and right. I'm so happy to be able to get back to work and earn a living doing what I love. Coming up next week, I'll be performing solo at the RCHA on Thursday, March 24th from 7-10 PM, and then on Friday, March 25th, Dead Root Revival will be performing at the Toucan! Our first Kingston show since March 13th, 2020(which was the last rock show in Kingston before COVID shut everything down). So excited! March 25th is also the official release date of the new album, so extra cause for celebration!

[We will have an official release party when the vinyl comes in. Stay tuned.]


INDUSTRY APPRECIATION MONDAYS
I'm also very excited to announce a new house gig! I'll be hosting "Industry Mondays" at Spearhead Brewing, from 3-6 PM, ever Monday afternoon. Yes, let's hear it for live music on a Monday afternoon!! Putting the word out to my musician friends: if you want to come pick a tune or two, I'd love to see you there.

Come hang out in the taproom every Monday, where we honour those in the hospitality industry. A day to toast those who live behind the bar, to those who listen to all our stories, to those who are always there for us, and to those who have had to rearrange their lives multiple times due to the pandemic.
All are included not just those who work in the hospitality industry, as we all know bartenders love drinking at their place of work after shift with their favourite regulars. There will be drink specials all day including $6.25 pints, $6 Sandbanks wine and $5 shots of Jameson and Jagermeister (prices include tax). 20% off Pisano's food orders(free delivery within 30 minutes).


More updates on spring/summer performance schedule coming soon.

Rock and Roll!
Tom

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