Red hot tracks from Durham Region acts
Read MoreSlowcity.ca Open Mic: Robyn Ottolini, Les Moontunes, David James Allen, The Americans, Ghostly Kisses, Deer Tick, Gov’t Mule, and Mark Bragg
“We write our songs inside-out. We grab hold of something minuscule and primitive—a simple turn of phrase or an unusual beat—and try to build a song around it. It's inefficient, but when it works, it works.” - Patrick Ferris, the Americans
“A change is taking place; abusive relationships can no longer stay silent, as well as many taboo topics that are now being more openly discussed and exposed in the public sphere.” - Margaux Sauvé, Ghostly Kisses
Robyn Ottolini, Meghan Patrick at Boots and Hearts this weekend
By Will McGuirk
Good to see country festival Boots and Hearts back up and running, I had some good times at the Fest when it was held at Mosport - saw the Sadies with Gord Downie, and kudos to organisers as some of the Durham Region country music folks got in on the gig, on a line-up with some international figures.
Boots ‘n Hearts alumni (and no stranger now to international figures) Meghan Patrick is on the 2022 line-up, plus relative newcomer Robyn Ottolini, both of the Region of course. The fest had moved to Burl’s Creek in Oro-Medonte a few years ago and of course had closed up during the pandemic. But its all back, and with mega-star Shania Twain as thee headliner on Sunday Aug 7. Robyn plays the Sunday while Meghan perform on Saturday Aug 6.
Meghan Patrick, Robyn Ottolini win at 2022 CMAOntario Awards
By Will McGuirk
Big hearty congrats to Slowcity pals Robyn Ottolini and Meghan Patrick on their great successes at the 10th Annual CMAOntario, held Sunday Jun 5 2022 in London, ON. Meghan won Album of the Year ‘Heart on my Glass’ , Female Artist of the Year, and Compass Award, while Robyn, who co-hosted, won Music Video of the Year for ‘F150’, and Record of the Year, produced by Erik Fintelman and Mark Schroor
Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Robyn Ottolini, Katie Tupper, Sarah Hiltz, Simon and the Island, Dan Mangan, half•alive, Local Natives, Lexxicon, Butcher Brown and Carrtoons, Chris Pastore,
By Will McGuirk
I”t feels like vulnerability and bravery in confessing an old love but it really is more of seeking comfort in the familiar and begging those around you to create that for you.” - Katie Tupper
“Hot Tea is a deep longing to be touched by life.” - Josh Taylor, half•alive
Slowcity.ca Open Mic - Local Edition: Meghan Patrick, Morningside, BUSM, Robyn Ottolini, and Matthew Holtby
By Will McGuirk
The Shwakats and D-Rawkers are out and aboot with new tracks. As they say you can leave but you can never check-out or check-out and never leave? I can never remember anyway we know where you are at, we know what you are doing, and we like it . . . dig in, also that BUSM freak funk is fun. Fact.
Slowcity.ca Local Mic with Robyn Ottolini, Kate Boothman, Greg Keelor, Brad Mac Arthur, Native Other, and Nick Ferrio
By Will McGuirk
Welcome to the Local, a place to gather and hear some new tunes from fab friends. We have been here for a while, a dozen years or so. It may be your first time, or you may be a regular. Hi in any case. Yes the music you will hear tonight is all locals; folks who have been through here, who draw from here, who live here and make music we love here. So hear now here and raise a glass of Black Grass brew to these tunes. You will hear in them that they too have all sipped from the same glass of grass. You will hear it too in part because in some cases the producers are also regulars. Slainte.
Slowcity.ca Open Mic Local Edition: Greg Keelor, Sam Balsom, Robyn Ottolini, and Hymns 57
By Will McGuirk
Some who came from there to here, some who went there, they are all local to us, the Durham diaspora is far flung but joined in song, and its usually a song dipped in engine oil and wrapped in blue grass.
Although Greg Keelor seems to spend more time driving up the 115 than across the 2 (and who could blame him giving the fab Peterpatch scene) we still consider the dude part of the D-Rawk crew here. He’s been in the east end for decades and every now and then songs seep out from those rocking and rolling hills.
So we share the love.