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

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:

 

 

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.

 

May
23
Sat
2020
The Unseen Strangers with David Lum @ Desboro Music Hall
May 23 @ 7:30 pm – 10:15 pm
Main Act: The Unseen Strangers
Opening Act: David Lum

Desboro Music Hall 2020 Concert Series
All Ages
Doors Open: 6:30pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets:Regular: $25


 

THE UNSEEN STRANGERS

The Unseen Strangers have ambitiously cultivated a musical identity shaped by good old-fashioned bluegrass, the limitless barrage of contemporary musical influences, and a curious sense of humor.

Newgrass ambassadors, The Unseen Strangers favor innovation over convention.  For their newest album, Stranger Places (April 1st, 2016), the band challenged the limits of what they are capable of, exploring the gamut of what can be done with strings. The result is a collection of fun, stunning songs featuring inimitable instrumental performances.

The seven-part instrumental kick off “Ice Jam” launches the listener on an expansive journey through nine original songs, including the three-piece horn section funkiness of “Old City Jail” and the psychedelic newgrass epic “Square Trance”. The Strangers also pay homage to their bluegrass roots on “Wicked Lover” and the freight train inspired barnburner “New Railroad Blues”.

For Stranger Places, the band simplified their approach to the studio with quick, concise live off the floor sessions. The band teamed up with Toronto, ON based engineer and producer Andrew Collins (Creaking Tree String Quartet; Foggy Hogtown Boys), recording the album over several months in 2015.

The band was started in 2008 by Adam Shier, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and driving force behind The Unseen Strangers. Adam fell in love with the sound of Bluegrass while attending college in Halifax and was soon recruiting his best friends to be in a Bluegrass band. The band quickly recorded an album and were excited to win a Music Nova Scotia Award in 2009 for Bluegrass/Country Album of the Year. The group has grown immensely from these small beginnings but a similar goal remains, to play new energetic bluegrass music with respect to the incredible lineage of its tradition.

The Strangers approach to bluegrass is open-ended yet inclusive; they’ve been on the roster for several forward thinking festivals, including Delfest (hosted by bluegrass legend Del Mccoury), where they won the band competition in 2013. The Unseen Strangers continue to add to their diverse festival resume while consistently developing their sound both onstage and in the studio.

“They have music that engages all the senses and leaves listeners longing for more.”

~ Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine 

“Stellar mandolin, guitar and banjo shredding that sounds straight out of Tennessee”

Exclaim! – ON, CANADA

“These guys are good

CBC Radio – 

“The Unseen Strangers aren’t pretending to be cowboys. They’ll interrupt themselves for an instrumental breakdown of I Like To Move It…”

The Globe and Mail  – ON, CANADA

Unseen Strangers pushes the limits of stringed jam-band wildness to new heights. ”

The Aquarian – NJ, USA

“The expressiveness heard in their lovely ensemble brings a natural quality to their sound, forming a honest and genuine relationship with the listener.”

KAOS Radio – WA, USA

“At their most creative, the music is nearly irresistible, leaving you wondering what’s next and always coming through with a new turn to relish.”

Grayowl Point 

“Interesting Music”

~ Pete Wernick – “Dr. Banjo”, Hot Rize

“Bluegrass Band Competition Winners 2013”

~ Delfest – MD, USA

“Country/Bluegrass Song of the Year 2012”

~ International Acoustic Music Awards

 


DAVID LUM

Born and raised in Vancouver, David made his way across Canada, spent a decade in Winnipeg before settling in Hamilton.  Infusing a blend of contemporary folk and roots, his influences include renowned Canadian singer/songwriters such as Bruce Cockburn and James Keelaghan, as well as American blues artist Keb ‘Mo and folk-rock duo The Indigo Girls.

His songs are as varied as the landscapes he has travelled through, and his versatile guitar style traverses folk, blues, pop and everything else in between. His intimate voice will draw you into his world, filled with tales of quiet desperation, longing and triumph of the human spirit.

 

David Lum Website
David Lum Facebook
David Lum Twitter
David Lum Instagram
David Lum YouTube

Jul
9
Sat
2022
Songwriters in the Round @ Desboro Music Hall
Jul 9 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Songwriters in the Round
Featuring Karen Morand, Ken Dunn and Gillian Nicola

This will be a slightly different format than our other concerts.  All three musicians will be on the stage together.  Each performer will tell a story and play their song before rotating to the next performer.  We’ll have an hour of songs with a half hour break before another set of music. Come enjoy a fantastic evening of stories and songs.

Desboro Music Hall 2020 Concert Series

All Ages
Doors Open: 6:30pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets:Regular: $25


 

KAREN MORAND

Karen Morand has roots that run deep. Born in Toronto and based in Southern Ontario, the award-winning singer-songwriter does life off the beaten path, sleeves rolled up with an eye on the eternal. Armed with feisty, powerhouse vocals, she delivers a soul-stirring show: lively, alt- folk with well-worn blues and gritty gospel on the side. 

Karen radiates with energy in live performances both solo and accompanied by her acoustic trio, BOSCO (Aaron Verhulst and Benny Santoro). A graduate from the University of Windsor’s music therapy program, Karen enjoys making meaningful connections with her audience and inspiring hope. She is also a music educator, workshop instructor and music director.   

Since her first studio release, ‘Carry On’ in 2012, followed by ‘I Think I’ll Lose My Mind Today’ in 2014, and Junkyard Heart in 2016, Karen has maintained an intense performance schedule throughout Ontario and most recently, touring Eastern Canada. Her first solo and most recent release, “Every Flash of Light” (2018) is an EP produced by Danny Gauthier including co-writes with Nashville songwriters Steve Hindalong (the Choir), Kelly Kessler and Linda McRae (Spirit of the West). Other collaborations include her recent pairing with internationally renowned bluesman, Manitoba Hal Brolund as bluesy gospel Americana duo, “Even the Bird Was Free.” 

What some folks are saying:

“I met Karen Morand at the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals in 2010 where I was a mentor. She was just beginning her career as a singer/songwriter and I was immediately impressed by her warmth and straightforward attitude. She has made great strides since then and has just released her second recording of her own material. Her songwriting belies the amount of time she’s actually been writing and I believe she is on her way to becoming an artist who will be a force on the Canadian music scene” Linda McRae, platinum award winning musician

“Karen Morand is something of a standout in the crowded field of solo singer-songwriters. Her performances and recordings both display a careful attention to craft as well as a broad range of influences. Karen’s material demonstrates her comfort with a variety of styles and genres and her ability to create appealing melodies and lyrics.” Danny Sullivan, Artistic Director, Blue Skies Music Festival

“Songwriter Karen Morand casts power to stir the storm in your soul and part the dark clouds hovering over your heart.  Karen drives the engine through songs that clang, grind and chug with bold defiance, shaken faith and cryptic warnings; breathing steam around embraces of the wounded and outcast.”  Songstress and CJAM radio host Allison Brown

 


KEN DUNN

Over the past 30 years, singer-songwriter Ken Dunn has performed at hundreds of venues across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central America, as well as recording 10 albums of original music.

He has shared stages with a number of well-known artists, including Jerry Jeff Walker, David Amram, and Canadian folk icons Valdy, Willie P. Bennett, and Garnet Rogers.

Notable performances include those at Canada’s Festival of Friends, a sold out concert at the historic Santa Ana Theatre in San Miguel, Mexico, the Central California Neil Young tribute show in Paso Robles, California, and Jerry Jeff Walker’s Festival in San Pedro, Belize.

With the intention of promoting peace, social, and environmental justice through music, Ken has also performed a number of benefit concerts, including those for Amnesty International, Biblioteca San Miguel, Playing For Change, L.A. Family Housing, and the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.

 


 

GILLIAN NICOLA

Hamilton’s Gillian Nicola took an unusual route to becoming a folk/Americana singer-songwriter: trained in classical voice, Nicola spent her teens gigging in a classic rock cover band, singing Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin before launching herself into alt-country when she began writing songs. Nicola’s music centres around her chameleonic vocals – at one moment with a hint of tobacco in her voice, the next outright rocking – strummed and finger picked guitar, and versatile, melodic songwriting. Nicola’s songs are often built around open and alternate guitar tunings that allow her to throw her music theory upbringing out the window. Nicola released her debut full-length album, Dried Flowers, on May 3, 2019. Produced by John Dinsmore, the album reached number 3 on the earshot! Folk/Roots/Blues Charts and has received CBC airplay nationwide.

 

Dried Flowers is “an alt-country-folk-rock masterclass in the affairs of the heart” – Hamilton Magazine.

 

Gillian Nicola Website
Gillian Nicola Facebook
Gillian Nicola Twitter
Gillian Nicola YouTube

Oct
1
Sat
2022
Big Little Lions with David Lum @ Desboro Music Hall
Oct 1 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Big Little Lions

Desboro Music Hall 2020 Concert Series
All Ages
Doors Open: 6:30pm, Music Starts: 7:30pm
Tickets:Regular: $25


 

BIG LITTLE LIONS

Big Little Lions have been described as ‘a blissful marriage of new folk and sophisticated pop’. Prolific songwriting, infectious folk-pop style, and an offbeat, memorable live show. This award winning duo consists of Helen Austin and Paul Otten who, despite living thousands of miles apart, have found a way to connect and create music together. Despite being in two different countries, they have found common ground to share their message. Despite the pull to avoid the hard topics and pretend it’s all ok – they’ve chosen to speak out.

“What is truly amazing about Big Little Lions is that its two members, Helen Austin and Paul Otten, were born to make music together, their voices made to combine, but they are in different countries. It just goes to show you, destiny is a powerful force.” [east of 8th]

Big Little Lions Website
Big Little Lions Facebook
Big Little Lions Twitter
Big Little Lions Instagram
Big Little Lions YouTube


DAVID LUM

Born and raised in Vancouver, David made his way across Canada, spent a decade in Winnipeg before settling in Hamilton.  Infusing a blend of contemporary folk and roots, his influences include renowned Canadian singer/songwriters such as Bruce Cockburn and James Keelaghan, as well as American blues artist Keb ‘Mo and folk-rock duo The Indigo Girls.

His songs are as varied as the landscapes he has travelled through, and his versatile guitar style traverses folk, blues, pop and everything else in between. His intimate voice will draw you into his world, filled with tales of quiet desperation, longing and triumph of the human spirit.

 

David Lum Website
David Lum Facebook
David Lum Twitter
David Lum Instagram
David Lum YouTube