Mike O'Brien

A key item on the agenda of our first shop (re)opening party planning committee meeting was a serious discussion as to whom we should ask to perform. As per the by-laws, an exact transcription of the meeting was recorded -- a segment of which I've reproduced below...

"So we should probably throw a party, huh?"

"Yeah, maybe get Mike and a bunch of other people to play."

"Ok, sounds good."

Fascinating. Really though, there was no doubt in our minds that we should get Mike to play. He was a big part of concerts in the old shop and one of the best thrills as a guitar maker is to hear someone who can really play have a go at one of your creations. For the first song in his second encore Mike plays an original, 'Josephine' ...

Is there anybody out there?

Hello internet!

This will be the first post in a series of at least one recounting the past few months in the life and times of the Indian Hill Guitar Company (aka. me). A lot has happened since we last spoke -- squatting at City Park in New Orleans, oud repair at a Virginia commune, moose sightings on Cape Breton, rolling a skidoo in the Yukon, and an unexpected shop relocation to name a few.

That last little tidbit came about when our old building was (temporarily) condemned by the powers that be. The reasons for condemnation are somewhat suspect and full of potential political intrigue, but the end result was a less than thrilling packing up and moving 450 feet down the street. It was unplanned and generally a royal pain, but building a new shop allowed us to (theoretically) learn from our mistakes and expand in bold and exciting new directions. For what could be more "bold and exciting" than gaining an additional three members to the shop?! Well, probably a lot but we're rather pleased so don't question it.

As expected, we seized upon an excuse to throw a big party and had our grand shop (re)opening gala a few weeks ago. Lots of music, friends, and Jeremy's delicious beer made it a resounding success. Here'a video from the first act of the night, The Boghoppers (with special guest and new shop member Kaitlyn)...

Nuit Blanche Videos

Thanks Ken and Jay!

Here are a couple of songs from the shop concert last night...

He's Back!

It's been a long and crazy summer with a precious few days left before the first snow hits, so what better way to celebrate these last fleeting days of warmth than by having our friend Ken Whiteley back for another shop concert? I'll tell you a better way -- by having Ken Whiteley back with harmonicanist* extraordinaire Jay Sewall! If Ken's concert in the shop this past April is any indication, we're in for great and bluesy night. We've already told you all about Ken; the real deal, Jedi master of the guitar, Canadian folk icon, yada yada yada... but what about Jay? Jay is an integral member of the Quebec blues community and a winner of the Lys Blues Lifetime Achievement award for 2008! Guitar, harmonica, blues, delicious homebrew beer... what more could you want!?

Details:

Saturday, Sept. 26th
5555 de Gaspe #304
Doors at 8 pm
$15

Ken and Jay at the Mont Tremblant Blues Festival

*Just to clarify, a harmonicanist is someone who plays harmonica; not a member a fringe musical religion. And yes, I made that word up.

Major Tom to Ground Control...

You might have asked yourself what prompted this breach of radio silence? You may be scratching your head (with ponderous fervor no doubt) what single event (in the staggering array of maddening inanities that is my life) has moved me to text? You may still ask yourself why should I even care?

That question, ladies and germs, can be answered in three measly syllables: "BĀ-lɘ Flek".

When the world's foremost 5-string banjo player journeys to Africa on a mission to explore the roots of his instrument you (quite naturally) stand up and take notice. When the world's foremost 5-string banjo player journeys to Africa on a mission to explore the roots of his instrument but decides to take a top-shelf sound engineer and film crew with him you (quite naturally) properly freak out and run around the room. Noble readership please tie your shoes and safely stow your personal electronic tomfoolery in the overhead compartment.


I implore you to rush out and secure yourself two tickets to the very next showing of this documentary film --one for you and one for the person who you would like (based on the no-doubt cathartic experience of this magical piece) to be permanently indebted to you. Promptly proceed to the theater, sink down into one of those 'oh too comfy' chairs, and bathe in 97 minutes of sheer musical bliss. Lather, rinse, and repeat.



***Note: If you find yourself in a culturally destitute area lacking a local theater to view this nugget of musical paradise at.... relax. All is not lost --though I might consider moving. You can always purchase the album --I bought it right after the film and have listened to it exactly 2.42 times today.

Griffintown Jug Addicts at Mile End Guitars

... and yet another Friday night concert. Two dynamite modern bluesmen, a washboard player who moonlights as a cobbler, and a world class 'gutbucket' player make up Quebec's only true jug band. The "Griffintown Jug Addicts" meld great country blues, ragtime, and jazz into one heck of a ripsnorting great show.

"The Griffintown Jug Addicts" - http://www.myspace.com/littleburgundyjugaddicts

Guaranteed to be a real barn burner, come on down and wear out your shoe leather!

It all takes place Friday, July 3'rd at:

Mile-end Guitar Shop
5555 de Gaspe
Suite #304

The shop will be open around 8:00 and music should get rolling about 9:30-10:00'ish.