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Gord Downie returns to Studio Q for feature chat with new album in tow – Wednesday June 9th.

Q is broadcast on CBC Radio 2 – available across North America on Sirius 137, or on your local CBC Radio 2 station.

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Teatro Comunque

For Immediate Release: May 6, 2010

“GOODNIGHT, AMHERST” SHOWING AT THE TORONTO FRINGE FESTIVAL

Inspired by the Tragically Hip’s “38 Years Old”, “Goodnight, Amherst” profiles a broken family in Amherst, Ontario. When eldest son Michael unexpectedly returns home, his rural family must confront their own senses of love and justice and come to terms with the horrifying truth of the night that tore them apart twelve years earlier.

Written and starring playwright James Fanizza, “Goodnight, Amherst” will be remounted at the 2010 Toronto Fringe Festival after a sold-out weekend showing at The Walmer Street Theatre in June, 2009. The revitalized performance combines a varied ensemble of theatre unknowns and veterans alike to achieve a distinctly fresh production.

“‘Goodnight, Amherst’ is a raw examination of a family coming to terms with the afterlife of a brutal event” says Heather Allin, both president of ACTRA Toronto and starring as the lead character Barb Anderson. “It’s a great role”.

Carrie Adelstein takes the reins as director for the second time, lending her intuition and eye for detail to the production.

“This feels like a brand new show for us” says Adelstein. “I am continuously inspired by our incredible cast and crew and can’t wait to see the reaction from the audience”.

Teatro Comunque is a not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to performing Canadian works while showcasing fresh, new, up-and-coming Toronto-based talent. The company strives to enliven and serve a community of artists in Toronto through continually producing thought-provoking, Canadian theatre while pairing new talent with seasoned thespians.

For ticket information please visit: http://goodnightamherst.wordpress.com

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On April 21 The Sadies were interviewed by Gord Downie at The Bathouse Studio. Outside Music captured the event and posted it to their site. Click here to enjoy it. (Note that you need Facebook or Twitter to access the video.)

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Categories: 2010, Gord Downie, YouTube
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Check out Gord’s Facebook page for a free download of The Drowning Machine (acoustic): http://www.facebook.com/GordDownie

The electric version kills; this acoustic version is completely haunting and gives the song a whole new life. Go get it. Enjoy it.

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“Exclaim! Canada’s Music Authority” just posted a great review of The Grand Bounce. Check it out here.

Gord Downie and The Country of Miracles
The Grand Bounce
By Vish Khanna

Seven years since The Battle of the Nudes, the informal charm of the Country of Miracles is refined on The Grand Bounce, another remarkable offering by Gord Downie. In an introductory essay, Downie playfully recounts the inspiration for these songs, tonally encapsulating his open mindset for this band. Since emerging with 2001′s Coke Machine Glow, Downie has explored a looser, relatively more lo-fi sound than that of the Tragically Hip’s. And by recruiting underground aces Julie Doiron, Dave Clark, Dale Morningstar, Josh Finlayson and John Press for his band, Downie is surrounded by friends who inspire risk. Overseen by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla, there’s a hazy summertime vibe to The Grand Bounce that’s perfect for cottage escapes and easy evenings. The mood is best exemplified on “Yellow Days,” featuring a murky groove propelling its imagery to slow dance like no one’s watching. But it’s present elsewhere too; the festive stomp of “Moon Over Glenora” features a sweet Downie/Doiron duet and even the dynamic build of “The Dance and its Disappearance” is celebratory fun. Downie’s songs may be more structured on The Grand Bounce, but that doesn’t curb the Country of Miracles’ enthusiasm.

Why spill so many beans in that essay?
Downie: Well, probably like any good fox, to throw off the scent to more beans that could be spilled, I suppose. In the past, I’ve held onto them like a pie maker who doesn’t want you to see how I make it. But there’s connectivity; people make things and go through a long, beautiful process to do it. I’d be selfish to not allow people to be part of that.

Your solo work seems less rickety now.
I hear what you’re saying. On the earlier records, you could hear chairs scraping, doors closing, muttering and things that gave them a lot of personality. I was more interested in Chris getting together with these guys; his sonic sense with their spirit. It was a hunch that together we’d do something interesting and I think it does still hint at process.

Do you delineate songs for the Country of Miracles and the Hip?
No, I still adhere to the Raymond Carver adage: “Use it up; don’t save a thing for later.” That lets me sleep at night. I get it and use it and then whatever’s up next, I do. (Universal)

Categories: 2010, Gord Downie, Reviews
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http://www.youtube.com/user/GordDownieVideos

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On a rainy and damp Thursday night, approximately 100 lucky guests experienced a great night of live music at the Enoch Turner Schoolhouse. This 170+ year old schoolhouse (the first free school in Canada) was rocked by Gord & TCOM. The songs sound terrific live, and loud. The Drowning Machine was a particular standout – with the veins on Downie’s shaven head looking ready to explode!

The loose on-stage atmosphere left me with the feeling that we’d been let into the band, their club. Being so close allowed us to see and hear the little back-and-forths that go on between band members as they’re finding their groove within each track. Dale Morningstar appeared at times to be completed possessed by his guitar and the sounds he was wrenching from it. Dr. P filled out the sound on keys and organ – and grabbed an acoustic for the set closer. Josh Finlayson looked completely chilled, sitting on his amp while laying down some sweet bass lines. Dave Clark drums with an entertaining style that really complements the songs; Julie Doiron worked the distortion and her Vox amp to perfection.

And a couple of clips from the show that I found on YouTube:

Categories: 2010, Gord Downie, Reviews
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