February 13th Concert

Dave Norris is just great; he’s tall, has a beard, dresses well, does Dylan tunes justice and writes cool songs. His friendly natures is well received whenever he takes the stage in his casual style. Dave is a life, picking and grinning cause it’s in his soul and he get’s better at it each year. He’s also got a really cool band called Dave Norris and Local Ivan. Dave’s performances makes me think of a well oiled and dependable ten speed bicycle, playing quick or slow with ease all the while knowing exactly when to switch gears.

http://www.myspace.com/davenorrislocalivan

Ell Anido is a contact I made through the underground Hip Hop scene here in Ottawa. Classically trained on piano, Ell crafts melodies and harmonies that support her soaring vocals and touching lyrics. She shines bright every time she walks into a room and when the stage lights hit her, she radiates. Here is gem that’s guaranteed to put on a great show.

About Maxim

Music has been an important part of Maxim’s life for as long as he can remember. Lately it’s become his livelihood as well. A two month cross country tour, joining a ten year old hillbilly band, and forming a hip hop crew, were part of his adventures over the last year. He returned to Ottawa in the fall to complete his English degree at Carleton and he’s getting ready to hit the road again. Upon returning, Maxim was offered the Saturday afternoon spot at the Rainbow Bistro. And what was the best thing to do with that space? Share it with as many people as possible.

He started calling all the musical friends he knew and before he knew, twelve weeks of concerts were booked. He’d like to thank Amanda Putz at CBC, Ottawatonite.com and Apartment 613 for their support in promoting the project.

www.myspace.com/mrmaximcossette

January 23rd concert

This week is featuring Huntley Slim and the Suburban Cowboys, as well as Adrian Newport

Huntley Slim and the Suburban Cowboys

This band has been generating some noteworthy buzz in the alt country blogosphere. Here’s a bit of what http://myaimzistrue.blogspot.com/ has to say about HSSC ’s new album.

“If you need some old-time acoustic alternative country music from the capitol of the great white north, and who doesn’t need this, I highly recommend Songs From This Chicken Coop. Its an incredibly enjoyable album to listen to, and highly complements traditional bluegrass music.”

http://www.myspace.com/huntleyslim

Adrian Newport

Is a sixteen year old upstart brimming with talent. He moved here from Bellville a few months with his rock band, who live together in a communal house. I first ran into him busking Bob Marley songs in the market and knew that this kid had something to offer. He doesn’t have any recordings yet, but with in the next few years he’ll be a house hold name within the Ottawa music community.

January 16th Concert

Come to the Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray at Parent, in Ottawa for the second instalment of the Acoustic Afternoons Concert Series, it’s an all-ages, pay what-you-can event.

This concert brings together a local character with prominent recognition and accomplishments and a relatively unknown songwriter who happens to be one of the most compelling in the city. Lefty McRighty has performed and organized countless concerts with his old band Lefty McRighty and the Boxcar Cadavers, with his new band Ninety Pounds of Ugly and as solo artist. Two years ago he started a local Alt-Country-Whatever festival called the O-Town Hoedown and it’s been growing exponentially ever since.

Ninety Pounds of Ugly’s latest release Richmond Motel Room 3, released August 2009 – this album was named Best Country Album of 2009 in the Ottawa Xpress Reader’s Poll. It’s pretty darn sweet.

http://www.myspace.com/leftymcrighty

http://www.myspace.com/ninetypoundsofugly

Kara Askwith is a radient young soul who marches to her own beat and crafts songs of all inspiration. Her melodies are enticing and subtle, her presentation is passionate. She told me once that music is something in her life that won’t ever stop, no matter who’s paying attention or not. Humility is the name of the game for this future folk star.

http://www.myspace.com/karaaskwith

Lefty is generously donating his portion of the profits to the Haiti Relief fund, so come support live music and a good cause.

http://www.ottawatonite.com/2010/01/help-for-haiti/

-M

Performers for Jan 9th

The first instalment of the Acoustic Afternoon Concert Series is this coming Saturday, January 9th 2010 at the Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray @ Parent.  Music starts at 4pm, it’s a suggested donation of 5-10$.

Our two first performers are Riishi Von Rex

http://www.myspace.com/riishirockefeller

And Ken Voita

http://www.myspace.com/kenvoita

Riishi Von Rex has been trolling the Ottawa underground for years with her  unique brand of flamenco grunge and gypsy punk. Her songs are about bartering away her limbs with a hungry troll, so that she can keep her tongue and continue singing. Her slack thumb approach to a nylon string, classical guitar creates a percussive environment to her haunting melodies and soulful chord progressions. In her personal time, she does all she can to gain a deeper understanding of the universe. Influenced by the Cold War Kids, Go Go Bordello and the enigmatic White Stripes, Riishi’s sound is sharply distinct, all the while reminding you of a dream thought you once had. Her presents is like no other and will remain with you, she’s not one to be forgotten. Her sweet smile and 13 year old demeanour put’s you off guard while her clever lyrics carry you away.

Ken Voita

When you hear Ken Voita speak, remember that his accent is not put on, he’s actually from Arizona. Although subtle, his drawl is revealed when chatting with the audience about his home and everything he’s seen and heard along the way. Kenny is through and through a storyteller; he takes the time to dig up some of the finest stories told through song, spanning multiple centuries and continents. His delivery captivates every audience and he leaves each hopping for more, luckily he knows a lot of songs. This is another performer with such a strong sense of person that he’ll have a lasting impact on you.

Both these stars are rising, be prepared to watch both of them gain notoriety. I feel blessed to have them as friends and am honoured to be sharing them with and exposing them to, anyone who wants to hear the best of what this city has to offer.

Back Ground Info

This site will keep an updated record off all performers, events and news surrounding the series.

Here’s some back ground info.

Maxim had just returned from six months of adventure across the country. It began last February with a two month, thirty five concert, musical tour with “Miles Howe and Maxim”. The plan was to be in BC without and plan, and it worked splendidly. Some time was spent living and travelling as a member of the notorious Vancouver Island  hillbilly band  ”Kin Fo”. Maxim was the 39th member of the four piece, ten year old band. Upon returning home, he found out his friend and local musician John Carol had been a member of the band eight years earlier.

After the hillbilly band came a submersion into many of the peaceful arts and practices that are maintained on Vancouver Island. Long boarding, dumpster diving, yoga, oyster roasting and hitch hiking being some of the most prevalent activities.

Living in the city of Vancouver proper, things started to turn wet as they do in the late summer. Maxim decided to take the bus home, 73 hours straight, back to Ottawa. Carleton University was calling with the last two classes of a lingering English degree. Some highlights of the first half the school year include the recording and release of Maxim’s first EP, a two week stint performing with the Hintonburg Community Theatre Company putting on the Mechanicsville Monologues, weekly performances and hosting the open mike at the Rainbow and  Cajun Attic, respectively. Maxim also recorded version of “solidarity forever” that was sung along by three hundred members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada at a conference in Montreal and finally there was evolution from personal blog writing into the fields of musical and literary journalism.

Now performing weekly at the Cajun Attic on Sunday nights as well as hosting on Tuesdays, Maxim is shifting his gaze. The weekly saturday afternoon slot at the rainbow is now a microcosm for Ottawa’s best acoustic musicians, unknown and otherwise.

Each artist on this stage is a musician and performer for life, the passion flows to the point where they have no other choice but to strum a guitar or banjo and sing out loud. When the world is finished crashing down as the dust settles and there’s silence all around, you’ll hear a faint wail and recognize it’s an accordion. Those same musicians are still singing and strumming away, singing tunes about life, death and everything in between.

Welcome to the Acoustic Afternoon Concert Series.