[Previous entry: "EMM GRYNER TOUR"] [Next entry: "The JP HOE PROM SHOW, FORT FRANCES FOLK FESTIVAL, 20STEPS.COM, and summer till now..."]
06/10/2009: "House Concerts"
In the past 2 months, I think has house concert fever (a relative of the swine flu) has taken off and I couldn't be happier. I've tried a few different versions of the band and each bring a unique "flava" to the evening. If you're wondering what these are heres the break down:
-band shows up at 5
-sets up equip sound checks a few songs
-leaves and comes back to full house 15 minutes before performance
-house concert host invites ticketed guests, guests bring bevy's and maybe a snack
-band plays 2 X 45 sets, with no chatting in the room
-show is done by 10:30 and everyone hopefully leaves happy
We've been playing in Winnipeg, rural Manitoba, Vancouver, and are eager to play in as many homes as possible across North America and maybe even Europe. I don't know why they are so great, they generally max out at 50 people, and many attendees already have the records. But the intimacy and space to talk and be myself is refreshing. Not that I'm a fake on stage at theatres or bars, but at house shows I can say anything I want and safely know if it's inappropriate, I also get the opportunity to explain myself. There is always delicious food, (Sandy, David and I were laughing thinking of how we have tried probably every type of dip ever, since chips and dip are a staple at these events), delicious drink, and wonderful people who are there for music and performance. You cannot beat that.
On a very selfish note, I get to play the songs in a completely different way. Different arrangements different instruments and a variety of voices. Over the past half year, I've mixed and matched Rob, Lloyd, Matthew, Darcie, David and Sandy, guitars, bass, piano, bazooki's, mandolin's, banjitars, cavichina (sp?), gloc, harmonicas, kazoos, IT's SO MUCH FUN!
So thanks to all of the many hosts who have welcomed some version of JP Hoe and I expect we'll be playing many many more shows of this type, if you're interested email me. info@jphoe.com