What a great summer it was!

Not as much blogging as I had hoped to do this year, but that’s because I have been a very busy musician. Not sure where I left off in the stream of things. Still trying to iron out some of my distribution woes on the BoodAbooM album “The Answer”. I’m hoping that will finally be resolved before 2015 arrives. Thankfully the album has been well received and is selling at iTunes, as is my previous album “Choices”.

BoodAbooM duo - photo by Ian Johnstone

I gigged my butt off throughout the summer with solo shows, duo and trio BoodAbooM shows, as well as with the band Hygrade playing the manic rock harmonica. Mid way through August saw me playing with the BoodAbooM trio at the Vancouver Island Exhibition and with another band called Donny Boyd and Fine Company during the same event. Wow, what a great day that was. The bands that followed our performances included some of BC’s rock royalty in the form of Chilliwack, Prism and The Grapes of Wrath. It’s hard to believe that one can be so busy in what is considered by many to be the greatest slump in the past hundred years of the music industry. I suppose it’s because while I do expect to be paid for my musical services, money is not my main motivator. The muse of music itself is what drives me deeper and deeper into my relationship with music.

BoodAbooM Trio - photo by Paul Jay

And yes, I said relationship because music is a reciprocal affair, you give and it gives back. A very “Karma” like circumstance between performer and audience exists, as well as being a spiritual / emotional experience at times.

One of the big projects for me last summer was to be the producer for a 12 song album recorded by Donny Boyd and Fine Company. What exactly is the producer’s role in the studio will be subject for a later blog. Suffice it to say that a multi-faceted job of being the liaison between the artist, the studio and the musicians. A thorough understanding of musical theory, songwriting, engineering, arrangement, as well as the ability to source the appropriate musicians for the appropriate tracks all comes into play. Budget and time constraints are always major concerns, coordinating recording sessions and keeping things on track are also of major importance. Beyond all of this the producer should be able to draw out the best of performances from each of the musicians involved. A tall order to say the least, but tons of fun for me. We recorded the project at Wayon Sound with engineer Wayne Veillet. Rick Salt of Lois Lane Studio handled the mastering process. Having played guitar, harmonica, keyboards and background vocals on the album, I earned a spot in the Donny Boyd and Fine Company musician line up. The album “Watch The Pretty Flowers” was released at the 2014 VIEX show. More sessions are lined up for other projects as well, but strictly as a musician for those gigs.

BoodAbooM Trio - photo by Ian Johnstone

The next couple of months will see fewer performances for BoodAbooM while I work on some administrative duties. We are scheduled for a couple of mid-island shows. One on November 22nd at the French Creek Marine Resort in Parksville and another on December 6th at the Shady Rest in Qualicum Bay. Both of these show will be with Marisha Devion on bass and Rich Bazille on drums. New songs destine for the next album are part of the mix of tunes we’re kicking out at these shows amongst my usual mix of unusual songs and rocking faves. For those who can, I hope you can come to the Mid-Island shows this fall. Details are on the website under “shows”.

One of the tasks at hand this fall is to sort through a lot of video from last summers performances to see if there is anything to be posted. A few videos of live performance have been posted on my YouTube channel. Happy Man and Rebellious Fool have been posted from the VIEX show with Wayne Veillet on bass and Billy Hicks on drums.

For those who may be interested, here is an article regarding the “real life” income of musicians. After that you’ll understand why it has to be a labour of love, something you are called or driven to do.

So likely this is the last blog until early in the new year. Remember, love, kindness, understanding and forgiveness is the best approach to all situations. Be good to each other.

Brother T

Mid month blog, Performances and BoodAbooM progress....

Fiona Stuart

Jeffery Randle

Giving it at the Red Willow Coffee House

I spent a bit of time at CHLY this month promoting the coffee house show with Dave Kilbank of the Songwriters Circle show February 3rd. We spent nearly an hour chatting about the process of recording for broadcast and played a half dozen songs from the new album. I sang “Choices” from my previous album live and encouraged people to come out to the Red Willow Coffee House.  February 5th I went back and spent the afternoon doing pretty much the same thing with Pam Edgar who was filling in for Big “G” on a show he calls “The big G spot”. It was great fun to hang out, chat about songwriting  and spin a few more tunes from the soon to be released BoodAbooM album. Pam and I discussed how the BoodAbooM project was a concept project featuring music I’ve written that reflects the rudimentary teaching of the Buddha against life in modern times.

We had a great night with a full house and a long open mic at the Red Willow Coffee House February 8th. The performers are far too many to list here, but some of the real standouts for me were Brian Hazelbower, Paul Bezooyan and Dave Kilbank (Nanaimo’s Simon and Garfunkel), and the lovely Fiona Stuart who performed with bass wizard Kenny Brault and Jeffery Randle on Cajon. Jeffery also put in a performance of his own on guitar with a couple of his tunes. Consequently I didn’t take the stage until much later than expected, but fortunately most stuck around after break time and took in my presentation.

I felt truly blessed with a warm and loving audience. The musical focus for the night was songs from the upcoming BoodAbooM album and a bit of conversation about the concept behind the project. I opened with a tune called “The Answer” that basically points out that “love” is the answer. Try to approach everything from a standpoint of loving kindness, it seems to work well. After a few songs from the BoodAbooM album, I wanted to pay tribute to three song writers that I have great respect for and I feel have influenced my own song writing. I sang Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem”, got everyone to sing along in the last chorus of “I shot the Sheriff” and rounded out my trinity of songs with Steve Earle’s “I ain’t ever satisfied”. Great fun to be sure. After that I performed a couple of songs from my previous album “Choices” and then finished the evening off with more songs from the BoodAbooM project.

The BoodAbooM album project is pretty much completed with all of the recordings being in place. As of the writing of this blog I am in the process of finalizing the mixes with producer / engineer Rick Salt of Lois Lane Studios. After that, the mastering and we are off to the next step. Physical CD’s to sell will be a little ways off and once that has been completed, I do hope to be able to assemble the band for a full album release party. The details of that will be announced once we get closer to that becoming a reality. There will be a period of taking the project to a variety of music professionals for a variety of reasons, mostly to get feed back. What happens next is really quite unpredictable in the ever changing vortex we know as the world of music.

My next performance in the Nanaimo area will be “party time” at the Landlubber Pub on March 30th with my friend Dean Doyle from the Hygrade band on drums and harmonies. We are going to be playing a lot of old favourites as this gig is just about having HUGE fun. New owners Andrew and Jenny have been unwavering in their dedication to bring and keep music in the pub. The kitchen is turning out great food and the atmosphere is awesome. They have brought a wonderful friendly vibe, so Dean and I are looking forward to a night of “given’ er” and playing a bunch of our favourite songs. Music from the Tom Petty to Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen to Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen to The Violent Femmes. It’s going to be a fun night!! Come on out, enjoy a great deal on steaks (for you carnivore types) or any of their menu selections, as well as an evening of sing along and jump around dancing.

As mentioned earlier there will be more BoodAbooM shows coming up, but details will be released closer to the show dates. Check back here or go to the BoodAbooM web site for continuing updates.

I would suspect somewhere into early March is when the next blog can be expect. It's good to check back though because if the desire or a reason hits to blog, I will blog. Between now and then be good to each other. Remember to try and approach everything from a standpoint of loving kindness. It really helps make the world an easier place to live.

Brother T

Upcoming show, the BoodAbooM project, songs, about words and permanence

My first blog of 2013! Let me start by wishing all of you readers peace and blessings in this coming year. The Christmas season was great with family and friends sharing a meal at our home. I was a little worried as we did have snow on the 25th and although many are delighted with a white Christmas, I am not a fan of snow. So I cleared the stairs and did the best I could with the driveway. As it turned out the snow, while annoying, didn’t stop anyone from coming over and sharing a great evening.

On the BoodAbooM project since my last blog entry, Tina Jones of the Kerplunks and Wunderbread came in and added her voice to the upcoming album. She did a fantastic job and I am thrilled to include her energy to this collection of songs. I am anxious to have these recordings heard and exposed for all to hear. The hardest part of recording a new collection of songs is to wait until the process is complete. After all the musical nuances have been mused over and the last guitar strum has been recorded, the task of mixing and mastering is next. As of tomorrow I believe the last thing to be recorded will be done. Plans are to add a harmonica part in the song “I’m Worried”. I wrote the song after a trip to L.A. in 2001 which was one of the more bizarre journeys I’ve made. I came home with a feeling that everything we encounter that comes from Hollywood has to be put into question, including the influence it has on our society. If all goes really well and there are no stumbling blocks the songs should be ready for the next step by mid month.

Photo by Jan Stephens

When I started this blog I told myself not to get too controversial or political. There are so many stories to be shared and things going on in this country, the continent, this world! It’s hard to know where to start or what to focus on. So please, excuse me while I side step music for a moment.

I read an incredibly good blog on what happened with the “Occupy Movement”. It hasn’t died, but it has seen much change. This article gives an interesting insight. Click here to read. Next was finding a video from “Anonymous” warning Canadians about the Harper regime that boiled the blood while sending chills up the spine. No wonder they are trying to warn us, between Bill C-45 gutting our environmental laws and more, the Canada / China trade deal the Harper cooked up, Mr Harper’s smear campaign against those who would oppose him, accusations of big oil companies guiding Harper’s decisions, the words “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty” take on a sense of urgency. One can quickly understand why the “Idle No More” movement has sprung into action and why it is important to all of us Canadians. I don’t want to form your opinions for you, read the article links and decide for yourself a course of action.

I try to be careful with words because while that is what we have to communicate with, words are incredibly powerful and at the same time horribly ineffective. You must chose your words wisely as is pointed out in the third step of the noble eight fold path and the third of the five precepts that the Buddha taught. I think we are well advised to learn to listen before jumping to conclusions as well. That allows for a clearer perspective without preconceived notions or judgement. Not always easy to do, but it does seem like the most advantageous choice. It is good to strive for these things, even if we find ourselves falling short of the mark. After all, we are all just humans trying to find our way through the maze of life.

Back to the world of music, I was invited to perform a song live on air and be interviewed on CHLY’s “Songwriters Circle” show Dec. 30th. Nice way to end the year! Host Dave Kilbank and co-host Pam Edgar chatted with me about the upcoming BoodAbooM album. The interview was captured on video for those who may be interested. Click here to see the interview. I love doing “live on air” radio because it heightens the sense of being “in the moment” and it is always a lot of fun going down to the station. I will be there for February 3rd for another chat around 11 AM to talk about the upcoming album and my next Nanaimo performance. Tune in or listen on line at CHLY.

February 8th is going to be my first performance for 2013, being the featured act for the Red Willow Coffee House. I played this coffee house gathering a couple of years back and had a wonderful night. The acoustics are superb, the hosts gracious and of course this is also a night to pitch in for the local “Loaves and Fishes” food bank. Everyone is asked to bring a nonperishable food donation to help out those who need. I am looking forward to presenting songs from the BoodAbooM album in an up close and personal form, voice and guitar. The lyrics and stories stand out beyond any audio dressings to be offered and examined by all in attendance. If you the reader are in the mid Vancouver Island area, please come and share some music with me. Admission by donation, open mic performers are free.

I also recently posted the song “The Light Within” from my “Choices” CD on my Reverbnation site for anyone to listen to. Eventually songs from the “BoodAbooM” will also be posted for listening purposes. Links to where the songs will be able to be downloaded will be posted as soon as things are ready.

The next Nanaimo show will be announced with the next blog, until then the venue and date will stay undisclosed. The one of the dates has been booked, but a lot of details still need to be worked out. There are irons in the fire for more live performing now that the BoodAbooM album is nearing completion and my focus is changing, so check back and see what’s up at the BoodAbooM web site or check back here at the blog.

I will leave you with these thoughts. Permanence is the grand illusion, nothing stays the same. Everything that comes into being eventually changes or goes away. Every choice you make alters the path of your life and obscures the path of the other choice. Enjoy life for what it is and as it unfolds itself before you. This journey of this life is the gift we need to pay attention to. Please have a listen to the title song from my previous album “Choices” at this link, then go hug someone that you love. Love is the answer.

Until later, Brother T

Acts of kindness, BoodAbooM and new videos

2010 at the Red Willow Coffee House

November 2012 is in it’s last days as I write this and December is closing in quickly.  The recording of the BoodAbooM collection of songs is moving along slowly, but as my brother Gerry use to say, “slow movement is better than no movement at all”. Mixing and listening, deciding what stays and what goes, what sequence of songs tells the best story, this has been the focus.  Music always evolves in the studio, a certain metamorphosis take place as the songs begin to have a life of their own.  It is interesting to observe from the songwriter standpoint, a little like watching children grow and flourish into adulthood. Just like the rest of life one never really knows what is coming around the corner and all we know for certain is that changes are coming. I, along with countless songwriters, have alluded to the feeling of being a conduit for the music that comes forth rather than the genius expressionary artist who is the creator. Although the ideas have filtered down through my experiences, my consciousness, my mind and hands playing the instrument as the songs come into being, all things are connected and have lead us to this moment. So I feel I am not alone in the creation of this music that springs from my soul.

It looks like it will be in the early part of 2013 before the BoodAbooM project will be ready for release. I have a show booked for the Red Willow Coffee house on February 8th of 2013 in Nanaimo and hopefully the CD’s, download cards and a few other items will be ready for public consumption. Still undecided as to if the show will be solo or duo. If you think the February show might be something you’ll attend, send me an email as to your preference, a solo performance or duo? Maybe I’ll go crazy and show up with a trio! Send your suggestions to boodaboomband@gmail.com

I should mention that I am absolutely thrilled with the results coming from our recording sessions. It’s been “goosebump city” with my arm hair standing on end, so am very excited about presenting this collection of songs and following up with string of performances ranging from solo to the full band. I’m hoping to do some video shoots as well so be sure to check out my YouTube channel from time to time.

Speaking of my videos, I have recently compiled, edited and posted a few new ones. “Start a Revolution” has a video that includes a little live footage of a concert performance, but mostly images of the “Occupy Movement Canada”. I got the images from Occupy Canada and permission to assemble this. I’m proud to have done this as I am a believer in the power of peaceful resistance. It is time to reevaluate the way things are done and perhaps level the playing field. Another recent add to the YouTube channel is a video set to the title song from my previous album “Choices”. In this video I used images that have been collected over the past few years (mostly) of people I have share the joy of music with and places I have been. Not all of the folks and not all of the places, it was intended to be a video not a feature length movie.

I’d like to close out with a couple of wonderful examples of "random acts of kindness” that thanks to the Internet I found out about. I love the way that some stories rise to the surface on their own in this day and age of digital image capturing and Internet. These two stories surfaced on the same day for me and I found them very inspiring. One takes place in New York where a police officer was seen giving a pair of all weather boots and socks to a barefoot homeless man in the middle of a cold spell. The officer felt compelled to reach out and help someone less fortunate and was unaware that he was being observed. Nearly the same thing happen north of the border here in Canada when a bus driver in Winnipeg stopped his bus, took off his shoes and handed them to a less fortunate young man who was in tattered clothes and walking in bare feet. Inspiring stories partly because they were on the spot decisions made to reach out to someone who is obviously having a harder time than they themselves were. My hat goes off to those of that mindset of loving kindness.

As Christmas draws near many think about the less fortunate and while I agree that it should be thought about throughout the year, if it takes a certain season to make us aware of our personal blessing, so be it. Better than not stopping to be thankful for what and where life has brought us. No matter where you are in the scheme of things there is always someone who is better off than you and always someone who is facing greater hardships than you. Be thankful for what you’ve got and give to those with less.

This will likely be the last blog for this year, how west coast of me. I will post a new blog with updates as to the BoodabooM project and any new shows that are booked in January. That is if the Mayan’s merely got tired of carving the stone calendar and said “that’s enough”. Only later thanks to the Internet did anybody say.... “It’s a sign of the end!!!!”. Exactly right! The end of the documented calendar they created. Bouncing Buddha! They had to stop somewhere.

Wishing you all peace and blessing through this season and all seasons.
Brother T

Getting closer to complete

Rick Salt and Joel Spillette

Blaise Zhiam

The upcoming BoodAbooM album is still in production down at Lois Lane Studio. The bulk of the recording has been done, bed tracks, the majority of the guitar tracks, keyboards and lead vocals have been laid down. We are still adding the harmony vocals and a few other odds and sods before sitting back in “digesting mode”. That’s when it’s time for critical listening, as well as deciding any final judgement calls on the mix. We were moving along quite well and should be finished within the next couple of months. A few schedule set backs happened as we allowed for other acts to bump in when needed, but that was taken into consideration some time ago.

The songs are feeling great with wonderful performances from the same crew that put together the “Choices” album. Blaise is of course on bass as an integral element in the BoodAbooM sound, joined by Billy Hicks on drums, Joel Spillette on keyboards, myself on the majority of guitars with Rick Salt lending his magic guitar licks to a few of the songs as well. The songs are ranging from lay back ballads to full out rockers, toe tappers, foot stompers and a reggae tune in the middle to round things out. Twelve songs strung together around a theme of mindful awareness, appreciation and consideration for all things.

A couple of gigs have come and gone since my last entry, a rare BoodAbooM duo show in a local pub and a fund raiser for the local food bank. Pub gigs are fun, but many of our fans who had hoped to enjoy the usual engaged performance were faced with a packed pub which is considerably noisier than our concert / coffee house shows. The place was hopping and stayed that way all night. The opportunity did give Blaise and myself a chance to lean into the party time tunes which is always a blast. Tunes from “Toots and the Maytals” to “Ben Harper” mixed in with “Leonard Cohen” and “Bruce Springsteen” were served up ala BoodAbooM style. The food bank fund raiser was a concert environment held at Headliners in Nanaimo. The talent was quite amazing and included Jayden Holman, Mikaila Tombe, and young guitar prodigy Ian Perry. Terrazetto also deserves an honourable mention for their great performance. Ken and Len put on one helluva show.

Recently I compiled and posted a video for the song “Hummingbird” from my “Choices” album on YouTube. I love those little birds and was happy to realize they are in abundance around our new home. Our previous home was also a haven for hummingbirds which was the inspiration for the song. Please have a look and share a link with your friends who might enjoy.

The next show for BoodAbooM will be November 2nd when Blaise and I will be opening the show for Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart who are performing at Headliners in downtown Nanaimo. Stacey and her husband Mark are song writers who have toured internationally with their Americana Roots music style. Stacey is Steve Earle’s sister and both she as well as husband Mark toured with “The Dukes” in the early stages of Steve’s career before branching out on their own. I’m sure it will be a great show. Tickets are available by contacting Headliners, Arbutus Music or at Fascinating Rhythms in Nanaimo.

Beyond all of this I have had some correspondence with the folks on the Occupy Canada facebook page. With their permission, I will be compiling images taken during last year’s Occupy movement efforts and posting them in video form with the song “Start A Revolution” from my Choices album. It seems fitting, since I am a supporter of passive resistance as a means to edge toward change. Everyone knows, the world needs change. “Choices” which includes both of the mentioned songs is available for download from iTunes and at CD Baby.

Stay tuned to this blog for news about upcoming shows, videos, progress of the BoodAbooM album, as well as where and when we are having our CD release parties. Yes, there is likely going to be more than one!

Fall is arriving out here on the west coast and it’s been a beautiful transition from one season to the next. Although it’s been dry gentle weather out here, soon it will be colder yet. As with all things, that too will pass.  Everything changes, nothing stays the same, before you know it, summer comes around again.

Remember, treating everyone and everything with loving kindness brings the love back to you. Be kind to each other.
Brother T

Comments can be sent to boodaboomband@gmail.com

BoodAbooM recording project progress report

Blaise Zhiam

Bill Hicks

Myself, (Theo) on harmonica

Progress on the first BoodAbooM album has been an exhilarating experience. The first day in the studio is always a day that vibrates with anticipation. As things have come to be it looks as if the same band that recorded the “Choices” CD is recording the BoodAbooM collection with the exception of the bass of course. We still have to confirm the keyboard player, but Billy Hicks is back on drums, Blaise is on bass (my musical brother), Rick Salt will add some of that killer slide guitar and yours truly will be playing a lot more harmonica on this collection of songs. John Forrest who was the bassist on my “Choices” album passed roughly a year ago. R.I.P. Blackey, you were one helluva bass player and a character loved by many.

There is a lot of preparation prior to the actual recording session and I was pleased to be able to help Rick with that part of the process. The first day of laying it down with Blaise on bass, Bill at the drum set, myself on guitar and singing, was huge fun for a recording maniac like me. We put in a marathon session recording 12 songs in 10 hours with little or no breaks. It was exhausting, but once we were on a roll it was going fantastic so no one yelled “uncle” till the final hurdle had been leaped over. Good friend Paul Jay was privy to the inside skinny as he hung around for the session capturing digital images of the day’s activity. Click here to see some of those images.

The following few days were spent re-recording the guitar tracks. The original tracks are never destroyed, but usually re-recorded in order to be able to focus on and capture the most pristine performances possible. Rick is a master of guitar tone and beyond being a friend for long enough to begin counting in decades, he is a musical craftsman and an articulate audioscaper. I have asked Rick to help me produce the BoodAbooM album as well as engineer the recording. His ideas and input are greatly valued.

Lois Lane Studios is a busy place so next week is fully booked with other recording artist. BoodAbooM will resume with the keyboard tracks the following week. We will be recording keyboard tracks in the main part of the studio as a band of notoriety will be rehearsing in another part of the studio. I am hoping for a guest appearance on one of the BoodAbooM tracks by a member of that band but no promises, we’ll have to wait and see.

It’s a long row to hoe before we will be close to posting anything from the new album. As it stands though, we are flying forward full steam ahead and will complete as soon as possible. Discussion about graphics and merchandise continue, as well as a lot of thought about where to solicit some industry help. In today’s world of Internet, there are a lot of companies making money off of those wishing to impact the music world. Lots of promises, each one with a corresponding fee and no guaranteed results. The sharks still swim these waters. The truth is that no one can do this music thing alone, even if you are a dedicated soloist without management you still need your friends, fans, venues, followers and those interested in what you are doing to make it all work. We create the art without expectation, without pretence and bring it to our friends, fans and the world hoping enough of you support this through buying some merchandise and coming out to the shows. Blaise and I thank you for that.

Speaking of shows, BoodAbooM will be doing a duo show at the Quarterway Pub in Nanaimo on September 8th. Mark it on your calendar and come on down if you get a chance. Subscribe to this blog to follow along with the progress of the upcoming BoodAbooM recordings.

Please send your comments to boodaboomband@gmail.com where they will be screened and posted if appropriate. 

Until next time remember, a little kindness goes a long way.
Respectfully, Brother T

Many thanks to Paul Jay for the photos. Used by permission.