After getting married in June, and buying a house not even two weeks before, both Shannon and I had our hands full. But we managed to take some time to sit down and film a quick video of us singing one of my songs, “Hope” while relaxing on our couch as husband and wife. Our good friend Curtis Jensen of Apple Wagon Films was there to capture the magic, and after I spent some time editing it, we wanted to share it with you all. Big thanks to for premiering the video.
Shannon hasn’t sung in bands for YEARS, but I’m very happy that I convinced her to join me! Maybe we’ll do this sort of thing more often?
Shannon and I on our big day – June 15, 2014 (photo by Jono and Laynie)
While you’re waiting for the new album, “Complexity in Simplicity”, I’m very proud to finally unleash the “Live at the Tomlinson Block” Video EP.
Over the course of two days this past July, we assembled a crew that transformed one of the empty spaces inside the Tomlinson building in downtown Port Arthur into an intimate concert setting. 20 fans and friends gathered in the very warm space for several hours while I poured my heart (and sweat) out on film. Since my live show now has so much more crowd participation, I found it only fitting that I share these new songs in a way that allows you to experience it like they did. All four of these tunes are going to be on the new album (out in March!), but here you get a taste of what my one-man-show is all about. Plus, now you can learn the words to sing along the next time you see me play!
ONE BY ONE
MAN WITH NO HANDS
SHE’S HAPPY
WE WILL BE
CREDITS(alphabetical order)
A huge thank you to Amy DeCorte, Chris Dorota, Curtis Jensen, Dave Angell, Matt Popowich, Michael Kee, Sarah Furlotte, Scott MacKay, Shannon Lepere, Steven Johnson and Tyler Sklazeski for their help as part of the crew that made this crazy shoot a reality.
Special thanks to Amy DeCorte, Apple Wagon Films, Armelle Sandford, David Zahodnic, Debby Jensen, Dennis Wood of Cinevate, De Roover family, Devin & Katie Pickett, Michael Kee, NineSixty, Laurie DeCorte, Per Lundstrom, Phil Walkden, Rachel Vandenassem, Sarah Furlotte, Shannon Lepere, The Walleye, Tyler Sklazeski and Westfort Films for all their assistance.
An additional thanks to the audience members that suffered through the hot temperatures and lack of air conditioning: Alex Maclean, Armelle Sandford, Carla Collier, Cassandra Specht, Chris Lamont, Dan Robere, David Hotson, Hannele Kormano, Jess Hochins, Jimmy Breslin, Jordan Lester, Lisa Kushnier, Lisa Monteith, Luke Blair, Max Paterson, Rachel Vandenassem, Randy Monteith, Rebekah Skochinski and Tyler Sklazeski.
Kitchener has usually been a gamble. In my other touring experiences, it was always rough, having spent a fair number of nights at the Circus Room (what a dive). This time though, I was at the Little Bean Coffee Bar, and it had a great little stage and a great sounding room for an act of my size. The people that showed up also stayed for the entire show (close to 2 hours), and we stoked about it, that we ended up chatting for almost an hour after that! Not to worry, I’ll be back, Kitchener. But now, it’s time for Oshawa.
Live at the Little Bean Coffee Bar - photo by Shannon Lepere (www.shannonlepere.com)
I’ve never been to Oshawa, so this was as much of an adventure as we could get in southern Ontario. We showed up quite early, and literally sat at a Starbucks for a few hours. I was busy working on some composition works for Apple Wagon Films (maybe I’ll post samples of the music at some point – if not, there should be a demo reel eventually), while Shannon disappeared to find a bank, driving halfway across town only to realize when she returned that there was in fact one rig beside Starbucks!
Live at Durham College - photo by Shannon Lepere (www.shannonlepere.com)
We arrived at the Durham college cafeteria for the show, and it’s pretty neat, because the students in the music business program have to run events throughout the year. This was an ‘acoustic night’, and it showcased a lot of the talent that many of the students possess as artists not just future members of the music industry.
Braeden Mitchell live at Durham College - photo by Shannon Lepere (www.shannonlepere.com)
Another cool thing about their program is that they have to volunteer at Canadian Music Week, but not just at a booth at the conferences; as stage managers at some of the venues. It was pretty neat seeing all those same kids two days later in Toronto!
