JP Hoe blogs for the Truly Richards
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June 2009
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Wednesday, June 10th

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
JP on 06.10.09 @ 08:03 AM CST [link] [No Comments]


EMM GRYNER TOUR


Last month I took another great sideman (Matthew Harder from house of Doc) on tour as I opened for Emm Gryner across Western Canada. Before we headed out friends and industry had all told me Emm is "the nicest", finally some honesty, she is. We played Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary and so long as we made it through the snow (in May), every day was exactly what I hoped. For example: Play show, have a drink, head to hotel, sleep, wake up and go, drive for 6 hours and sound check, eat diner, and play...

The shows weren't in arena or concert halls like with Jann, but they were honest. They were sincere. They were perfect. Some places we sold more CD's than others, some venues has ass holes talk through my set, (into Emm's until Emm put them in their place...politely), but all were perfect. A few months ago I was really down. Probably depressed, it runs in the family, but after this mini tour I'm reinvigorated. I remembered that I'm an optimist, and even though right now in the history of the music industry, we are being hit harder than ever, I have to believe there is a right path and that I'll be able to find it.

I'm not an arrogant person, but I know I'm confident as an artist, and have talent. I know that I can write and perform music someone somewhere wants to hear. As my dad would say "this is a development opportunity" and the Emm tour reminded me of that. Thanks Emm, Sean, Matthew, Todd, Grant and dad.
JP on 06.10.09 @ 07:40 AM CST [link] [No Comments]