Quebec City

The front of this church was all that was left, no idea why. The facade backed right up to a cliff, so we could only surmise that a mudslide or something had washed the back away.

The wall that surrounds Old Quebec City.

Looking down one of the city's many old, narrow streets. This is truly one of the oldest cities in North America.

The Chateau de Frontenac, THE plush hotel of Quebec City. I have been told that it is the most photographed hotel in the world.

Our gig that Thursday night was a headlining spot at a venue during the International Folk Festival. It was truly one of the best gigs Jeremiah and I have ever had the pleasure to play, a fantastic, attentive crowd, and great folks running the show. We played at a venue called Le Studio P, which seemed specially set up for the festival.

Benoit, the head of the festival, was kind enough to let us crash at his place in a centuries' old building in central Quebec City. I awoke early in the morning to one hell of a thunderstorm, a beautiful way to wake up in my humble opinion. After awakening I moved my car to avoid a parking ticket and wandered to a corner epicerie (grocery store) to buy some jus d'orange (orange juice). It is nearly impossible to not feel like you are in Europe in this wonderfully unique town, a welcome capstone to our Canadian experience.

Concerts To See Around Madison This Week (7/20 - 7/26)

Was just perusing some of the concert listings this week and thought I'd try and pick something out for each night if possible. I wont make all of these myself, but in a perfect world I would.

Monday, 7/20 - go to the High Noon Saloon for Those Poor Bastards + a couple of other bands. I'm not really familiar with any of the acts (the others are the Black Diamond Heavies and the High Plane Drifters), but any band with "Bastards" in the name usually gets me interested, and they're website lists them as "gothic country". I like!

Tuesday, 7/21 - no-brainer: the Old 97's are playing the Barrymore Theater, and their lead singer, Rhett Miller, is doing a solo set as well. Will. Be. Awesome.

Wednesday, 7/22 - my favorite regular Wednesday night slot in town: The Brown Derby play their golden country hits at the Crystal Corner Bar at 9:30. EVERY Wednesday.

Thursday, 7/23 - Backyard Tire Fire is playing at the Memorial Union Terrace! These guys are seriously a bunch of ass-kicking shit-stompers! I saw them randomly once at the Cafe Montmartre a few years ago, and again at the Wakarusa Festival in Lawrence, KS, and these boys throw down. Don't miss it. Unless, of course, you decide to head out to Waunakee and watch two WHS alumni (Garett Endres and myself) play a Waunafest pre-party show at Mojo's. But seriously, BTF!

Friday, 7/24 - Unfortunately I will be out of town for the weekend, but you should go to the Frequency on Friday night to see my friend Cait Shanahan's new band, Cait And The Girls. Cait is a friend of mine from way back to the Oshkosh songwriting days, and we used to play lots of gigs together. She is a talented performer, go see her. Also playing: Fermata, The Vega Star, and Jenny Is A Boy.

Saturday, 7/25 - Definitely check out Folk On State, which takes place on State Street next to Urban Outfitters, 1-3pm every Saturday this summer. I had the pleasure of playing it yesterday, and my good buddy (and fantastic songwriter) Jeremiah Nelson is playing it along with Scott and Michelle Dalziel.

Sunday, 7/26 - I've got nothing.

Gee, do you think I have sort of a bias towards folk/americana/country/roots music? I'll try and branch out more next time...

Nominated for 2 MAMA Awards

Just wanted to share the nominations for the 2009 Madison Area Music Awards:

Folk/Americana Artist of the Year
Folk/Americana Album of the Year (for "An Evening With John Statz")

Thanks so much to everyone who has participated and voted in the MAMA's in the first round, its all for a great cause. You can read more about what the organization does for school music programs at their website.

You can get online and vote right now at: www.themamas.org
Also, congrats to all of the other nominees, and to some of my friends who have been nominated as well: Josh Harty, the Blueheels, the Guppy Effect, Jentri Collelo, and the Kissers!

Vienna: The Gig

Radio appearance on Austria's state radio station earlier in the day. Klaus is sitting closest to the camera, he is the most awesome dude who booked this most excellent gig for me.

I was opening for Mark Geary, and Irish songwriter raised in the U.S., think Damien Rice or David Gray. He has really wonderful lyrics, and I've been listening to his cd a lot since he gave it to me. Check him out.

Playing my opening set

I handed my camera to someone in the crowd to take these pics.

Mark in motion