NXNE

In an attempt to actually get out of the studio and play more I agreed to sit in on guitar for Dave Norris & Local Ivan.  Their guitarist, Luke Donovan, double booked himself the same day as the band's NXNE showcase with his wedding.  Good for me!

Dave sent me the tracks with some sketched out lead sheets (which I promptly discarded to make my own) and we had a few brief rehearsals. By the end of the third rehearsal, I had the songs enough in my fingers to at least stumble through the set list.

Dave Norris and Local Ivan at the Central

I have played NXNE before but this was the first time I cared to attend any of the seminars at the conference.  My partner in crime Frankie (aka the GF) is my social media strategist and had left for Toronto a couple of days ahead of me to take in as much of the conference as possible. She recorded some of the talks on her phone and shared with me some interesting discussion panels which I had the opportunity to listen to on the drive down to the Big Smoke.  It made me realize how much I have been missing all these years.

I arrived early enough on the Friday to catch the full day of talks and seminars - it was well worth attending.  Much of the content was industry 101 which I learned thirteen years ago while attending Fanshawe College, but the refresher was very welcome. Spending so much of my time studio-side, I let much of that industry knowledge slip away. More of interest to me, were the panels that dealt with the changes in the music industry. I won't bore you by attempting to relay what was discussed, I'll just say that those looking to make a career in the music biz should check out these types of events.

That night, sporting our NXNE passes, we hit up seven different shows in 6 hours, a feat involving lots of walking. Among the venues were the Horseshoe, Cameron House, the Sister and the Great Hall. We also briefly took in the National's crowded show at Dundas Square and, since it was along our route, a sound check for the Much Music Video Awards.

The National at Dundas Square

The Cameron House

MMVA sound check

Little Stella at the Sister

Shannon Rose and the Thorns at C'est What

Time to turn my attention to Bluesfest now. I'll be back with my reviews...