Events

 

 

Oct
13
Sat
2018
Rob Szabo with My Father’s Son @ Desboro Music Hall
Oct 13 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Opening Act: My Father’s Son

Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series

All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Tickets: Limited Advance: $20Regular: $25

*Advance tickets are only available up to the Box Office hours the weekend before the show or we run out (Note: there is a limit of 25 advance price tickets)

 


ROB SZABO

Rob Szabo is an award winning Singer-Songwriter, Producer & Musician.  Rob has produced and co-written songs and recordings that have garnered: a 2013 Juno Award, 2017 & 2015 Juno Nominations, Producer of the Year Award at The 2012 Canadian Folk Music Awards, multiple Maple Blues Awards & multiple East Coast Music Award nominations.  Rob’s tracks & co-writes have appeared in numerous films and TV series and been heard widely in Canada on CBC Radio. Rob has played thousands of shows in Canada and the US at festivals, theatres, clubs, house concerts and everything in between.


Rob Szabo Website
Rob Szabo Facebook
Rob Szabo Instagram
Rob Szabo Twitter


MY FATHER’S SON

My Father’s Son, an indie folk group with roots in London, ON and Montreal, QC, melds together intricate lyrics with the richness of simplified, acoustic sound. Singer/songwriter Mark Kulmala is joined by Paul Meadows on the recording of their first full length album ‘Heart of Wood’.  Having played in varying bands, in a variety of genres, over the years this endeavour sees a paired down amalgamation of lived experiences, both personal and musical, poetically creating emotionally complex but subdued, reflective songs. An air of storytelling colours the music with sentimental and wholly relatable verses that immerse the audience in the beauty of shared experiences. My Father’s Son is currently recording their sophomore album in Mono Center, ON with Paul Pfisterer (The Beauties).


My Father’s Son Facebook

Apr
6
Sat
2019
@ Desboro Music Hall
Apr 6 – Apr 7 all-day

Private Rental

Apr
13
Sat
2019
The Young Novelists with The Crew @ Desboro Music Hall
Apr 13 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Opening Act: The Crew

Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series

All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Tickets:Regular: $25


 

THE YOUNG NOVELISTS

When they first met, Graydon James and Laura Spink had no idea that they would be married one day — much less touring the world together as The Young Novelists. Since the band’s inception in 2009, they’ve played stages across the U.S. and Canada, released three full-length albums, won numerous awards and continuous praise for their unmatched, effortless harmonies. But for their new album in city & country, the Toronto-based band decided to travel out of the city and in to small-town Ontario in order to connect the two places. After years of firsthand experience combined with historical research, James and Spink wrote over 30 songs inspired by a dozen Canadian towns. From that set, in city & country was born — a collection of ten songs that tell the universal stories of both parallels while highlighting the differences, similarities, and everything in-between.

They both grew up in Ontario; Spink in Peterborough, James in Verona, a small eastern town with a population of a mere 1,800. They both moved to Waterloo for university, where they met via community theatre; but it wasn’t until James decided to refocus his career from drummer to frontman that they combined their talent musically. “I had written a bunch of songs and recorded them in my basement, mostly for posterity,” says James, “I asked Laura to sing harmony on some of the songs and it instantly had this magical vibe.” Shortly after James released his solo album Goodnight, Young Novelist (2009), he realized that in order to perform live, he needed to assemble a band to match the record’s full sound. After recruiting some musicians he had met over the years and touring the east coast as a six-piece, the band decided to stay together, becoming Graydon James & The Young Novelists. Between 2011 and 2012, they released two albums: live at dublin st. church (2011), and in the year you were born (2012). However, it became clear that Spink was taking on more lead vocal duties. By the time they recorded their next album, made us strangers (2015), it made the most sense to simply shorten their name to The Young Novelists.

While their upcoming album in city & country will technically be their fourth album, it is their third studio album and second under the current moniker. Their last record made us strangers landed them a Canadian Folk Music Award for New/Emerging Artist, a Vocal Group of the Year nomination, and reached top 20 on !earshot’s and Stingray Music’s (formerly Galaxie) folk charts. The same year, the band won the Grassy Hill Connecticut Folk Songwriting competition and James received the Ontario Art Council’s prestigious Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award. But 2016 was an even bigger year for the two — Spink quit her job as a scientist, they packed their things (and their five year old son Simon), and went on a massive North American tour. After over 100 shows, including a 10-week stint on the road, the pair returned to Toronto to start working on in city & country, drawing inspiration from their travels.

Set for release on May 4, 2018, The Young Novelists recorded in city & country with the help of JUNO-winning producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Leonard Cohen, The Wooden Sky). Recorded at Bilerman’s Hotel2Tango studios in Montreal, the duo returns with their classic him-and-her vocals, with James playing acoustic guitar and Spink on percussion and vibraphone. For the album’s fullness, they enlisted the help of bassist Derrick Brady, drummer Rory Calexico, and guitarist John Law.

“It was a new experience – being away from home and recording,” Spink says, adding, “It was magical to be in a beautiful, new (to us) city, spending our time and creative energy in a great studio, working with fun and fantastic people who were equal parts talented and devoted to the project.”

The album opens with “Two Of A Kind” a sentimental ballad inspired by the town of Goderich; keyboardist Jeffrey Louch shines on the almost-love song that tells the tale of a woman trying to choose between two men. The album continues with the delicate, mellow “Back To The Hard Times,” but this time, focusing on Spink’s vocals, perfectly complemented by violinist Lana Tomlin (noted for her work with Canadian band Stars). The song is inspired by Ridgeway, a town on the shores of Lake Erie, and compares two very different kinds of sadness: the failure of an old amusement park and a friend’s relationship ending. “This sort of thing happens in lots of small towns – an industry is built up and torn down. We tried to combine aspects of the grandiose industrialist dreamer who started the Crystal Beach Amusement Park, and the small-town kids who tried their best and got their hearts broken there.” The album takes a leap on track 5 with the upbeat, energy-packed “Come Round Again”. Written about a Bonnie & Clyde-style heist in Halton Hills, the song’s adrenaline draws from a guitar-heavy intro and super catchy hook — it’s a challenge to not airdrum along to this one.

The title track, “City & Country”, ties the album together in more ways than one; listening wise, the track brings together the entire studio band (including cellist Justin Wright). Inspired by Toronto, Waterloo, and his hometown of Verona, James’ reminisces on crucial times and places in his life. “This is really a song about my experiences living in a major city and a small town, and the fact that I think there are more similarities than differences.” No matter where you’ve lived, the dichotomy that exists on in city & country is universal; it’s not just a memoir of the duo’s experiences or the histories of small towns, it’s about appreciating where you’ve been and where you’re at — and finding the good and bad that lies within both

The Young Novelists Website
The Young Novelists Facebook
The Young Novelists Twitter
The Young Novelists Instagram


THE CREW

 

The Crew is a folk/trad band from Ontario. Made up of multi-instrumentalists, this brother-sister group writes and performs songs full of heart and rhythm, the kind you can’t sit still to. They braid flavours of the east coast, power-house vocals, and a pulsing folk drive seamlessly to make their signature Crew sound.

 

 

May
17
Fri
2019
Even the Bird was Free with Tim Moxam @ Desboro Music Hall
May 17 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Opening Act: Tim Moxam

Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series

All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Tickets:Regular: $25


 

EVEN THE BIRD WAS FREE

Even the Bird Was Free is an rootsy blues duo combining award winning singer-songwriter Karen Morand and internationally renowned bluesman, Hal Brolund (aka Manitoba Hal). In their energetic acoustic show, the two infuse their solid songwriting with back porch grit, tasty arrangements and rich gospel harmonies.

Before combining their efforts, Brolund and Morand have carved out a reputation in the independent music world, enjoying Canadian airplay on CBC, and campus radio as well as US and European play.

On stage, with an assortment of instruments in hand the long time friends have an easy rapport like brother and sister . Singing and clapping along are encouraged as they draw the audience into the musical narrative. Their joyful energy is infectious.

Even the Bird was Free Website
Even the Bird was Free Facebook
Even the Bird was Free Twitter
Even the Bird was Free Instagram


TIM MOXAM

Tim Moxam’s debut album, Soft Summer, garnered accolades from Exclaim, CBC, Canadian Beats, Ride The Tempo, Top 100 Canadian, Live In Limbo, SiriusXM, Grid City Magazine, The Bluegrass Situation & Global News to name a few. He has shared the stage with Coeur de Pirate, Donovan Woods, The Strumbellas, and toured Australia with Liz Stringer.

Hailed as ‘one to watch’ by CBC Music Tim Moxam has set the release date for his sophomore album, Marlborough Hall, due out March 29th on Roaring Girl Records. The album, produced by Chris Stringer (Megan Bonnell, Timber Timbre, The Wooden Sky) includes the new single “Honesty”, as well as the previously released “Rich Man“. Tim will head to Montreal later this week for Folk Alliance International and then will support the album with a handful of Ontario dates this spring. Further details can be found at www.timmoxam.com.

 

Tim Moxam Website
Tim Moxam Instagram

Jun
15
Sat
2019
Dylan Menzie with John Muirhead @ Desboro Music Hall
Jun 15 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Opening Act: John Muirhead

Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series

All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Tickets:Regular: $25


 

DYLAN MENZIE

The fact that PEI’s Dylan Menzie his own harshest critic is simultaneously a struggle and the very trait that’s propelled him up the ranks of the Canadian music scene, and considering all he’s accomplished in a relatively short amount of time, it’s clear that stagnation just isn’t his strong suit.

With a sprawling vocal range and compelling approach to composition, Menzie made an indelible mark in the talent-rich Atlantic Canadian music market with his debut EP, Heather Avenue, in 2013. Its success spurred high-profile performances throughout the Maritimes, including opening slots for City & Colour and Ron Sexsmith.

In 2016, Menzie was a finalist in CBC’s annual Searchlight competition on the back of his breakout single, “Kenya,” which then spent two weeks at number one on CBC Radio 2’s Top 20 leading up to the release of his 2016 album Adolescent Nature.

Drawing clear influence from the likes of My Morning Jacket, Fleet Foxes, Radiohead, and Joel Plaskett without being derivative of any one, the quality of these songs heavily belies the young artist’s age.

Since Adolescent Nature’s release, Menzie has been in even higher demand, earning one of two spots in the inaugural East Meets West collaboration between the ECMAs and BreakOutWest as well as slots at prestigious events like the Edmonton Folk Festival, Canadian Music Week, Folk Alliance International, and others.

But even as excitement behind his breakthrough continues to mount, Menzie already has his sights set on what’s next, and if he continues on his current trajectory of each new song, each new release eclipsing its predecessor, he’ll soon be impossible to ignore.

Everybody has an opinion – especially when it comes to music – but few are as critical as Dylan Menzie, and that’s worked out for him pretty well so far.

 

Dylan Menzie Website
Dylan Menzie Facebook
Dylan Menzie Twitter
Dylan Menzie Instagram


JOHN MUIRHEAD

With stories and songs that kindle late-night Canadian campfires, John Muirhead’s heartfelt indie-folk sound will move you in more ways than one. From fingerpicked folk confessionals to upbeat roots-rock jams, John’s eclectic song collection reflects the highs and lows of love, ambition, and being a young travelling musician. While he is based in London, ON, John is a a troubadour by nature and has played in living rooms, theatres, moving trains, and folk festival stages across Canada.

With influences including Joel Plaskett, Frank Turner, The Weakerthans, and Julien Baker, John’s primary goal is to change the lives of listeners the way music has changed his. In the two years since the release of his debut EP Yesterday’s Smile, John has been nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award, given an honourable mention in the Canadian Songwriting Competition, graced the stages of legendary festivals including The Winnipeg Folk Festival and Home County Music and Arts Festival, and released a follow-up EP, Foundational.

On November 9th 2018, John released a brand new single titled I Can Sleep Anywhere, an appreciate, eyes-wide-open ode to roughing it on the road as an indie musician. The song was met by positive reviews by critics and featured on a variety of CBC programs, as well as SiriusXM and community radio across Canada. In February 2019 John will embark on the “Song Circle” Tour with fellow London based act Ben Heffernan with the goal of collaborating with local artists from across the country in songwriter’s circles as well as showcasing at Folk Alliance International in Montreal. This will be followed by tours of the West coast and East coast of Canada

 

John Muirhead Website
John Muirhead Facebook
John Muirhead Twitter
John Muirhead Instagram

Jun
20
Thu
2019
Piano Recital @ Desboro Music Hall
Jun 20 all-day
Jun
30
Sun
2019
Harmony B’s and Friends: A Tribute to the Batterman Orchestra @ Desboro Music Hall
Jun 30 @ 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Harmony B's and Friends: A Tribute to the Batterman Orchestra @ Desboro Music Hall

Harmony B’s and Friends

A Tribute to the Batterman Orchestra

Come join us for an afternoon of storytelling and music and learn the history of the Batterman Orchestra and Harmony B’s.

RSVP ONLY. There will be no tickets at the door.

Limit 100 people.

Pay What You Can at the door

Doors Open 2pm, Music at 2:30pm

Jul
1
Mon
2019
Paul J McInnis – Canada Day @ Desboro Music Hall
Jul 1 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Join us in between the Strawberry Supper and the Fireworks for a PWYC concert (suggested donation of $20) with Paul J McInnis.  You may remember him from our very first Season at the Desboro Music Hall.  Come enjoy some music from 7:30 – 9pm at the Hall.

BIO

If he were alive 100 years ago, Paul J McInnis would have been found strumming on a street corner, singing his songs about roads, girls, and small towns. His closest friends would have been pickers, singers, poets and painters. He would have enjoyed a simple life surrounded by the things he loved. Today, 100 years later, not much is different. If you look for him, Paul can be found strumming on a street corner in some small town, singing songs about roads, girls, and the things he loves. He may slip into his local pub on the way home for a pint with some old friends. It`s a simple life. Paul J McInnis’ music is his own. It is literate, joyful, melancholy, and timeless. He prefers to play in the moment; recording live off the floor with open mics and no overdubs. Mistakes happen, he’ll say, but so does magic. The resulting albums are collections of some of those magical mistakes, all written and arranged by Paul and performed beautifully with some of his closest friends on mandolin, harmonica, accordion, cello or whatever instrument is close by. It is what Paul believes music should be: simple and real.

To remind you of his music, here is the video clip of Paul’s last visit to Desboro Music Hall:

 

 

Jul
13
Sat
2019
Safe as Houses with Nick Nace @ Desboro Music Hall
Jul 13 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Opening Act: Nick Nace

Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series

All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Tickets:Regular: $25


 

SAFE AS HOUSES

Fresh off the release of their critically acclaimed 3rd studio album, Lucky Lucky, Safe As Houses continues to push boundaries in the folk world with their genre-splicing alternative-folk sound, infused with flecks of pop and rock. Armed with a collection of youth-driven anthems, this kinetic quintet has amassed a cult following, spiraling out from their hometown of Kitchener, ON, where bandmates Elliot Anton (guitar, vocals) and Bensen Carter (cello, bass, vocals), along with brothers Andrew Laughton (guitar, vocals) and Thomas Laughton (drums, vocals), laid the band’s monumental foundation.  Chasing a more expansive sound, Safe As Houses enlisted Lauren Taylor (violin, vocals) to round out their signature string-centric arrangements and soften the edges of their soul-stirring harmonies.

Since their debut on the music scene in 2014 with their freshman album, The Fall of a Sparrow, and further fuelled by their follow-up releases, Hurricane (2016), and Lucky Lucky (2018), audiences and critics alike have celebrated their undeniable musical aptitude, praising their tight performances and likening them to legendary artists: “Their music follows in the footsteps of Mumford & Sons with orchestral arrangements and big builds…will leave you with goosebumps”-BAM Productions.

On the heels of their most recent release, Safe As Houses inspires a new generation of listeners with their fresh, energetic take on the genre, while dabbling in whimsy and nostalgia to satisfy even the most seasoned of folk enthusiasts – “If ever there was a record that could reach several generations of roots fans all at once, this might be it”-Roots Music Canada.

With the world at their feet, 2019 promises to be a definitive year for the young band with the release of their upcoming album, Lucky Lucky Deluxe.

 

Safe as Houses Website
Safe as Houses Facebook
Safe as Houses Twitter
Safe as Houses Instagram


NICK NACE

 

The Canadian born Nick Nace is a “highly-respected wordsmith among East Nashville’s Americana scene” (-American Songwriter). He was one half of the NYC based folk duo A Brief View of the Hudson (Best Folk Duo – NY Press) for over a decade, recording two albums and composing the soundtrack for Tell Your Friends! The Concert Film! which premiered at SXSW.

In 2015 he moved to Nashville and has since toured Ireland (Whelans, The Ruby Sessions), the U.S. and Canada, was selected to perform at the Mississippi Songwriter Festival, The Druid City Songwriter Festival, The Dripping Springs Songwriter Festival, Panama City Songwriter Festival and is a winner of the gulf coast’s biggest songwriting competition The Gulf Coast Songwriter Shootout (judged by Travis Meadows).

Last summer he toured the Southeast with Nashville songwriters Jon Latham & Darrin Bradbury and opened for Texas troubadour Hayes Carll. He will be releasing his debut solo album in 2019.

 

Nick Nace Website
Nick Nace Facebook
Nick Nace Instagram

Aug
10
Sat
2019
Jack Pine and the Fire with Will Melville @ Desboro Music Hall
Aug 10 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Opening Act: Will Melville

Desboro Music Hall 2018 Concert Series

All Ages Doors Open: 7pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm

Tickets:Regular: $25


 

JACK PINE AND THE FIRE

Jack Pine and The Fire is “driving”, “masterful”, “dynamic”, and all acoustic – upright bass, Dobro, Mandolin, and Drums – A gritty alt-folk-Canadiana string band with 5 heavy right hands, haunting harmonies, and all the feels.  Nominated at the 2019 JUNOs  and the 2018 Canadian Folk Music Awards, their newest album Left To Our Own Devices explores all our relationships – with ourselves, with each other, and with the earth. Jack hollers and howls like a lone wolf, spitting wry words and tall tales, while strumming his mandolin furiously, then softly. His sings songs of lost souls and forgotten truths, with lyricism that blends vivid and powerful imagery with quirky wordplay, dark humour, and biting social commentary.

 

Jack Pine and the Fire Website
Jack Pine and the Fire Facebook
Jack Pine and the Fire Twitter
Jack Pine and the Fire Instagram


WILL MELVILLE

Will Melville is Toronto-based singer, multi-instrumentalist, writer, and music teacher. Will started learning classical violin at the age of 10, and went on to play in the McMaster University Chamber Orchestra. He’s been writing songs, singing, and playing guitar since he was a teenager in his band Dr. Love and the Love Brigade.Over the years he has had the privilege to work with and learn from esteemed Canadian musicians including Dave Clark (Rheostatics), and Lewis Melville (Skydiggers, Banjo Mechanics). His songs are lyric and melody-driven in the world of roots, folk and country. You can catch will performing as solo act, singing with Toronto group Moonlight Flood, yodelling and playing anything with strings with the eclectic & enthusiastic Cilantro Collective, and performing with various other acts around Toronto. Also check out his work with the experimental Andy Krangus Collaborative.