James Gordon has been a fixture of the Canadian folk music scene for over 25 years. He was a founding member of Tamarack, and played with them for 22 years before going solo about 10 years ago. He has written hometown songs and humorous songs for CBC radio, and has written a number of musical plays. I interviewed James at the Mariposa Folk Festival on the deck of his hand-made houseboat, the Eramosa Belle. For this episode, James and I both played a lovely handmade guitar built by Ron Belanger. You can find out how to purchase any of James’ 40 CDs at http://jamesgordon.ca.
You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.
Matthew Wayne Selznick is one of the pioneers in podcasting and Social Media. His podcast novel, Brave Men Run, which was first released in November 2005, it was the first work of fiction to be released simultaneously as a podcast, downloadable ebook, and for purchase as a print-on-demand book. Over the last 3 years, he has had several podcasts. He is well known as an advocate of the DIY (Do It Yourself) philosophy of creativity. He was involved with Podiobooks.com in its early stages and now is a community developer at Mahalo.com. He is also a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who is working to post 20 years of his music on his website at mattselznick.com .
His novel, Brave Men Run, has been picked up for mainstream release by Swarm Press and will be released on July 13. Matthew is asking all his fans to purchase the book on July 13 at Amazon.com to see if we can get it to number 1 on the science fiction charts. He will also be running an all day Brave Men Run-a- thon/ release party at mattselznick.com on July 13.
You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.
Podcasters Across Borders was in Kingston last weekend. On Saturday evening, we took a lovely boat cruise around Kingston complete with an open mic for all the podcasting musicians. This show features highlights from that cruise and includes performances by myself, Mark Blevis, Bob Goyetche, Chris Brogan, Jay Moonah, Danielle Lennon, Bob Ledrew, John Meadows. My daughter proved that she was the youngest podcaster on the boat by interviewing people using the video feature on her camera. Her interviewees included myself, George Motoc, Andrea Ross and Chris Brogan.
Enjoy a slice of PAB.
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You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.
You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.
After two years in the podcasting community it has become clear to me that podcasters are very concerned about the freedom to communicate that new media gives us. As a community we are also early adopters and VERY adept at trying and using social media tools.
The power of the community has been seen at Podcamp Philadelphia with the coining of the term bacn for email you want, but do not want to be overwhelmed with. Over the course of a couple hours, the idea was coined and viral means of disemminating the message and how to deal with bacn were successfully deployed.
At Podcamp Boston, the silly meme of LOLsaurs was conceived, launched and taken to the front page of Digg in less than 18 hours.
Initiatives like the Frozen Pea Fund, and Dave Fleet’s Social Media Marathon demonstrate that the podcasting community is deeply socially aware and responsive to issues outside the community.
With Podcasters across borders just a week away, I’m wondering how we can use the collective energy and intelligence of the podcasting community to create some kind of a viral fuss around stopping Bill C-61 which will bring American copyright craziness to Canada? Any ideas?
Once a month, George Scott and Jason Cliche host a Songwriter’s Showcase at the beautiful Gibson Centre in Alliston, Ontario. I drove the family down on March 2 for a wonderful afternoon of original music featuring Ashley Condon and Douglas John Cameron. I sat down with Ashley for an interview after the show. Ashley Condon was raised in PEI and now lives in Guelph, Ontario. This episode is a little unusual because I use live footage from the concert, interspersed with our interview. I also hope to feature Douglas John Cameron on an upcoming episode.
You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.
Nick Alexander is known as the Catholic Weird Al. He writes wonderful, funny and thought provoking Catholic parodies of popular songs. He also writes Praise and Worship music. His new project is Top Catholic Songs, which hosts a site for user generated voting on Top Ten lists of Catholic Music. We had a wonderful conversation ranging from 80’s pop and Christian rock music, questions of faith, to the nuts and bolts of songwriting. Nick also shared some of his novel ideas for how niche indie musicians can market their music. We had alot of fun recording this episode. I hope you enjoy listening to it.
You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.
This week I recorded not one, but two parody songs for specific purposes.
The first was a version of The Librivox Song Penned by Daniel known as Great Plains on the Librivox forums. It was featured on Librivox Community Podcast 80.
(To the tune of “I’m Henry the 8th I Am”) (Don’t worry. “I’m Henry the 8th I Am” is in the PD, so we’re clear.)
I’ll read for LibriVox dot org!
Read for Librivox dot org dot org!
I’ll go post on the message board,
then I’ll grab a micphone and record!
And every book will soon be read,
Written by the authors who are dead.
I’ll head on over to LibriVox,
And read for LibriVox dot org!
Good Job Daniel. And be sure to check out his blog.
The second was the Catholic New Media Celebration Blues. I won’t be able to go the the Catholic New Media Celebration in Atlanta on June 22, 2008, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help promote it. Here is a video and downloadable mp3 of the CNMC Blues.
I first became acquainted with Bruce Chambers last summer when he was one of the organizers of Podcamp Online. Bruce ended the event with some original live streaming saxophone music. It was a great end to a great online event. Bruce plays piano and keyboards. He currently composes and records smooth jazz music but he has a background in hard rock and heavy metal music. He is also a podcaster and web entrepreneur. He runs the Long Island Podcast Network, Hot Web Ideas and Podcaster Who’s Who, as well as hosting over 20 podcasts.
You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.
Scott Cooper is another former Midland resident who now lives in Toronto. Last fall he released his new CD, Tiny Increments. I featured him in a For the Sake of the Song Interview a few months ago.
Here is Scott Cooper singing The Summer Song, accompanied by Mike Yates on cello at the Twisted Pines Festival on May 17.
Mike Yates grew up in Midland but currently resides in Ottawa. He recently released a new CD, Songs for Tomorrow. He performed at the Twisted Pines Festival on May 17 with fellow Midland expatriate, Scott Cooper.
Here is Mike singing Art of Conversation.
And here is Mike Yates performing, State of Us.
The Twisted Pines Festival Continues until May 19. Information on showtimes and tickets for the festival can be found at http://twistedpines.com.
The podcaster’s dilemma. Do I take time to post media, or go record more?
Last night at the Twisted Pines Festival was exceptional. I recorded an interview with Washboard Hank for an upcoming For The Sake of the Song. I caught Washboard Hank and Karla Crawford’s showcase sets. The legendary Garth Hudson sat in with the Wye River Band then gave a wonderful introduction to the Daniel Lanois movie in which he appears. The evening ended with a spontaneous jam of about a dozen festival musicians led by Mansa Sissoko. I recorded many pictures and about 3 hours of audio last night but I’ve no time to post. Here are 4 youtube clips from, 2 from Washboard Hank, and 2 with the Wye River Band and Garth Hudson.
The Twisted Pines Festival Continues until May 19. Information on showtimes and tickets for the festival can be found at http://twistedpines.com.
On the afternoon of May 15, the Wild Turkey Outfit performed at Bayview Elementary School for 300+ appreciative children and their teachers. They wowed the children with their down-home charm and their tight blugrass and western harmonies.
In the evening, the wonderful Brian Blain and Noah Zacharin were booked as dinner music at the Quarterdeck Restaurant in Victoria Harbour as part of the Twisted Pines Festival. Some amazing musical bonding happened. I was also able to interview each of them for upcoming episodes of For the Sake of the Song.
The evening ended with high energy performances by the Creaking Tree String Quartet and Hamell on Trial.
The Twisted Pines Festival Continues until May 19. Information on showtimes and tickets for the festival can be found at http://twistedpines.com.
Tonight there was a wonderful preview performance by African musician, Mansa Sissoko and Canadian drummer, David Finkle. The podcast features about 10 minutes of it. They will be performing again on Saturday May 17, after a screening of Road To Baylea which features Mansa and several Canadian musicians.
Information on showtimes and tickets for the festival can be found at http://twistedpines.com.
The May 11 performance at Twisted Pines featured a showing of Song Sung Blue followed by a performance by The Great Lake Summers. I recorded a great interview with Tony Decker from Great Lake Swimmers for an upcoming For the Sake of the Song.
I also spoke with Nicolas and Conlin from the Metis Fiddler Quartet, who gave a dynamic performance in the lobby. Here is a short video clip of their performance.
Information on showtimes and tickets for the festival can be found at http://twistedpines.com.
In the Podcast I talk with Darrin Atkinson, drummer for the Wholigans, who grew up in Midland. I also talk with Andrew Nicolls, who introduced the evening. I close the podcast with Paul Northcott giving an overview of the events of the festival this week upcoming. The Festival continues all week from May 11-19 with be nightly presentations of movies about music followed by great live performances, lectures and more. During the daytime, festival performers will be going to local schools.
Information on showtimes and tickets for the festival can be found at http://twistedpines.com.
Ben Sures is a veteran singer songwriter with 4 CDs to his credit. His song, Any Precious Girl won the John Lennon Songwriting competition and placed second in the International songwriting competition His new album, ‘Field Guide to Loneliness was released at the end of February. In February, we had Ben over for a house concert. We recorded the interview just prior to dinner before the concert. Sorry for the background noises, but people were beginning to arrive for dinner and the concert.
Tomorrow, the Twisted Pines Music in Movies Festival kicks off in Midland and Penetanguishene. From May 9-22 there will be nightly presentations of movies about music followed by great live performances, lectures and more. During the daytime, festival performers will be going to local schools.
In this special podcast I play the trailer for About a Son, a biography of Kurt Cobain told in his own words from his writings and personal recordings. I interview Ricki C., who is the road manager for Hamell on Trial, who will be performing on Thursday May 15 and Friday May 16 and at other events throughout the festival. I play Hail from Hamell on Trial’s 2003 Album, Tough Love. I close the show with a trailer for Control, a documentary about the life and death of Ian Curtis, the lead singer for Joy Division.
Information on showtimes and tickets for the festival can be found at http://twistedpines.com.
In one week, the Twisted Pines Music in Movies Festival kicks off in Midland and Penetanguishene. From May 9-22 there will be nightly presentations of movies about music followed by great live performances, lectures and more. During the daytime, festival performers will be going to local schools.
In this special podcast I play the trailer for Amazing Journey, the Story of The Who, (May 9, North Simcoe Recreation Centre with a performance by the Wholigans). Paul Northcott gives an overview of the events festival. I play a trailer for Song Sung Blue, a documentary about a couple who have a Neil Diamond and Reba McIntire Tribute act (Sunday, May 11, 2008 at the Inn at Bay Moorings followed with perfomances by the Great Lake Swimmers and the Metis Fiddler Quartet). . I close the podcast with the trailer for All Hat which can be seen on May 12, 2008 at the Inn at Bay Moorings followed with a perfomance by theLive Performance of The United Steel Workers of Montreal.
I’m having some trouble with an overzealous indexing bot repeatedly scraping the media files on my site thousands of times. I’ve temporarily restricted access to all the podcast files of For the Sake of the Song while I straighten this out. I should have things back up tomorrow or Saturday. Thanks for your patience.
UPDATE: May 2. It turns out it was an overzealous indexing bot but there was no significant impact to the site. I’ve turned all the podcast episodes back on and everything should be working properly. Sorry for the one day break in the availability of my podcast.
Rob Heath is an Edmonton based singer-songwriter who I met when I was visiting my parents a couple of years ago. He writes thought-provoking country flavored songs. His CD , Couple of Times Around the Sun, is a polished collection songs from a songwriter at the top of his game. Rob has a new CD coming out in the spring. Be sure to watch for it at his website, robheath.com.
You can leave comments on the blog, send me an email to ductapeguy at hotmail dot com, send me a voice feedback at 206-337-0611, or join the For The Sake of the Song Podcast group on Facebook.
Tomorrow is April K27 and it’s on a weekend, woohoo.
This week there are a few initiatives on the Net you may wish to comment upon.
1) In some sad news, Ross from the Dry Shave podcast has had a heart attack. Mark Blevis has organized a campaign to send Ross funny get well cards. For more information, you can check out Mark’s post at http://www.markblevis.com/humourous-get-well-cards-for-ross/ .
Please send your humourous get well cards by May 5 to:
Zee
c/o Mark Blevis
PO Box 4813, Station E
Ottawa, ON K1S 5H9
Canada
Mark will forward them on to Ross to enjoy.
2) Mike the Birdman Dodd of This Week in Geek has organized a campaign to help his friend, classmate and podcasting partner, Pierce Derks. In short: Pierce is an American Citizen applying for Canadian Residency and the process is stalled. This is putting his education at Niagara College in jeopardy unless he can come up with about $10000 for International student tuition fees. You can find out more at http://www.savepierce.org.
3) Congratulations to Dave Fleet ( http://davefleet.com ) for completing the Boston Marathon, and for using his marathon run to raise $2315 for cancer research.
That’s all for me today
Take some time tomorrow to send some feedback to a podcast and continue the conversation.
Over the past few weeks, several of my peers in the podcasting community have reached the milestone of 100 shows. Congratulations to Mark and Bob at the Canadian Podcast Buffet, Isabelle and Dave at Broca’s Area, Mitch Joel at Six Pixels of Separation, and Javier, Gerard and the crew at the Hands and Feet Show. The Bob and AJ show is at show 98 and should be able to release their 100th show before Podcasters Across Borders in June.
My current episode of For the Sake of the Song with Kyle Heimann from Popple is Episode 50. I was feeling a little down that it will be some time before I reach my 100th episode, then I started doing soime math. I currently have 6 more shows ‘in the can’ to be released between now and the end of June. With podcast extras, and other special episodes I have 65 produced shows on my For the Sake of the Song site. I also produced 25 audio podcasts for my Lenten multimedia project, 40 Days of Catholic Media on my Catholic Canadian site. We produced 14 episodes of the Podcamp Toronto Podcast this winter. My recording of my brother in law, Drew Beatty’s podcast novel, White Trash Land has 23 sections. Since October 2006, I have hosted about 20 episodes of the Librivox Community Podcast. I have also completed 89 sections of public domain books and poetry for Librivox. There are probably a couple special one-off projects with groups like Twisted pines that I’m overlooking as well.
Just a sec while I do the math here.
65 plus 25– carry the one, add 14 plus 23, then 20 more add 89 equals…
236 audio programs that I have produced in the last 18 months or so.
(give or take a few)
Well none of my projects is currently near the century mark, I do believe I’m amassing a fair body of work.
Enough of blowing my own horn. I now return you to the regularly scheduled conversations with some wonderful songwriters.
Nick Alexander
For the Sake of the Song
