War Child Auction: Guitar Autographed by Gord Downie + Bala Tickets

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The War Child Rockin Auction

War Child has joined forces with 102.1 The Edge to bring you a weekly online auction of amazing memorabilia, tickets, and unique experiences, while helping children in war zones. New auction items will be announced each week on 102.1 The Edge as part of Thursday 30 with Dave Bookman. The items will be listed on our eBay page and will be accessible through this site, and at http://www.edge.ca.

The debut War Child auction item featured this week includes 2 tickets to see Gord Downie and The Country of Miracles live in concert at The Kee To Bala on July 15th, 2010, PLUS an Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Sunburst guitar autographed by Gord Downie himself. Bid quickly as this item will only be up for one week.

Legendary singer, songwriter, and poet, Gord Downie is one of Canada’s most revered artists. The frontman and lyricist of one of Canada’s most influential rock bands, The Tragically Hip, will release his third solo album, The Grand Bounce, on Tuesday, June 8th, 2010. The album was produced by Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla, and features a group of musicians known as The Country of Miracles, including Julie Doiron, Dave Clark, Josh Finlayson, John Press and Dale Morningstar. The Grand Bounce was recorded at The Hip’s Bath House studio in Kingston and includes the hit radio single “The East Wind” and the track “The Hard Canadian,” which Gord performed live in Toronto last February during a performance with Gordon Lightfoot.

All auction items have been generously donated and all money raised will go towards helping children whose lives have been devastated by war. A new item will be offered each week, so keep checking the site for updates.
To bid on this week’s auction click here.

Goodnight, Amherst

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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

REVIEW: Exclaim! on The Grand Bounce

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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)