Barber Shop Podcast

Triply, mystic, and sweetly fierce, Christine Leakey has been artsy since the zoetrope stage of her life. Born to see shapes and colours and blessed with a gorgeous voice, Leakey made music to put those shapes and colours a life of their own. Fearlessly embracing the Hamilton music scene during her Mohawk College years, she used the excellence and support to full advantage, forming what Tim Gibbons refers to as the first "girl band" of its type out of Hamilton. Double Feature Creature, their CD - Returns, is as raw and fresh as the space girl vibe it offers. Seeing music as a natural extension, the WarholIan pantomime played out in highly charged fits and spurts. It's hard to nail her sound down easily, and keeping the listener comfortably off foot is kinda what Christine Leakey does best. Giving it her all means going to where they get you, and Christine Leakey has found music family members in all kinds of places. Recording with and art designing American recording art Dave Kerzner's recent release NEW WOR

The beautiful, gruesome swinging riot that is Sloppy Jalopy is very much the sum of its parts. Just like the band's namesake, the end product is a an absolutely unique creation of old and familiar pieces. Crafted lovingly by Craig Koshul and Al Barubek a few years ago with the intent of giving a fresh feel to the Bakersfield country, rock-n-roll and Steeltown influences to deliver something that leaves the floor wet and the taps dry wherever they play. Once Jimmy Blair and Derek Spriggs were added to the line up, the rollicking, frolicking rat rod was turning heads as fast as they turned on the heat in whatever room they play. Songs that make you smile, music that's as tight as it is loose and a bunch of friends having fun is a winning combination for any band, but this one cracks the safe wide open. Dropping by on a wicked Wednesday on Remembrance Day we all celebrated the gift of freedom and music in a very Barber Shop Podcast way. Spirits were light but the beer sure wasn't for this one. Too much fun.

In every town there is a sly bar room rocker who carries the mail faithfully through rain, sleet and snow to deliver the goods. Be it in his teen years, raging 20's - or in this case, his fabulous four ties, Dougy Flyswatter has been a part of the tattered fabric that is the Hamilton music scene and has always served up the basics of good ok home cooking. Provocative lyrics, suggestive titles and infectious hooks make for a sticky recipe for musical mayhem and the good times roll on and on. Always positive and light-hearted, the attitude and aptitude of this guy are ready made to make the smiles wide in the land of the hammer. Bluesy riffs and nods to life's sleazier moments bring the bacon home for all those who like it dirty - and good. Showing up on our first Wednesday in November, Dougy brings the whole damn band of guitarists Blair Jacobs and Jon Ingalls along with long time drummer Carm DiBraccio to make a big racket and a big statement about his present state of musical mind. Playing some fresh rec

If you've seen a show anywhere in the last 25 years, chances are at some point you have seen Frank Koren playing guitar. If you've heard more than a few recordings born of these fertile lands, you have likely heard Frank Koren. Long considered top flight in the clutch, Frank had the early passion and knack to pick a melody from thin air and wrap his fingers around the nuances that mark him as more than just a hire gun - more of an assassin actually. Schooled up all proper, the post graduate world started with a European sojourn and the realization that his prowess matched his hunger, singing for his supper from place to place, the seed now in full bloom. Strange that it took all these years for the 40 something Koren to record his first album of original material. Recorded with Amy King at Grant Avenue Studio, Red Chair is something much more than a collection of Koren's missives, it is a broad palate of sound and emotion - stretching beyond the predictable into a place that at once comforts and challenges

October 21, 2015 was, as you know, the "future" date in which Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) arrives having been flung from 1985 to 1955 and.... Well.... It was kinda a big deal. Long, long ago, Ryan and Kevin were just leaving the podcast nest when Graham Peacefull and Joey Balducchi stopped in to chat about Blind Mule, their sideways smile of a ska stained suburban inde roots outfit, their members and mission a story of positivity and gratitude. Dark rivers are crossed with ease when the infectious rhythms and smart word play get wrapped in harmonies that nurture the offerings so perfectly. At that time, in December of 2012, the studio was not as it is today, and Graham and Joey were content to spin a few tracks from their recent CD, and spoke at length about the inception and impetus of the band. All these weeks later, Ryan, Gary and Kevin finally bagged a mule, catching the group refreshed, renewed and sporting some new material. No need for a lot of chatter in this one, the story's origin having been lai

Chris Altmann is one of those rare individuals for whom music is not just a profession but an all consuming passion. Discovering his chops and purpose in his youth, the gamut from Bon Scott to Bob Dylan made for a very heady mix indeed. Playing pretty well anything that was put in front of him with seeming ease, Altmann started gigging up and down the coast of his native Australia, making friends and waves the entire time - this guy is special. Highly sought after for his sublime work on pedal steel, Canadian artists and producers have kept CJ Altmann busy working with some of the country's bright lights while continuing to work his own music to a beautifully sharp point. Stopping by on a crisp October evening, CJ Altmann brings his guitar, a couple of beautiful records, and his easy style to Barber Shop Podcast and in turn, the whole world in Hi Def and Hi Fidelity. Always real, always good, always real good - on Barber Shop Podcast.

Any true work of art begins with the artisan, every painting, sculpture or song a reflection of the hand and mind behind the vision. Crazy Things is not only the name of Duane Rutter’s new record, it is the gem carved and polished from the stone that he himself unearthed. These collection of songs began to form and mature in step with Rutter’s renewed determination and activity a couple of years ago and as the onion peeled and eyes teared, the songs began to grow into something altogether wonderful with a cast of Hamilton heavyweights alongside. Andrew Aldridge brings his guitar, arrangement and engineering genius to the mix and the addition of Nick Burson, Carrie Ashworth and Steve Woods make a gorgeous palate for JB Reed’s hauntingly evocative vocals as the perfect sound to embrace Duane Rutter’s signature sound. Deep, lush production at Hamilton’s Grant Avenue Studio are thanks to Amy Grant and Aldrew’s touch – allowing them to take some magical keyboard tracks from none other than Garth Hudson – he of The

Chris Strei is a perfect example of the guy who make up the overwhelming majority of working musicians, the blue collar grinder. Born and raised in Brantford, the city just west of Hamilton, Strei was one of a throng of pubescent wanna-be's in his high school, the cool factor of the instrument providing the perfect foil for the journey ahead. Nothing spectacular, no magic moment - just a steady progression of music and words to the point of original art. Cover songs on the chicken wing circuit keep the chops and balance up as he and his band Minus Everything turn thought to music, releasing the 9 song disc Faces to the public, the full band a fresh take on a power trio. Great hooks, straight up and decent all around, Chris Strei gives a good account of himself, everyone's little guy who carries a decent stick. Just two guys talking and playing music on another great Wednesday night at Barber Shop Podcast.

Nate Waldes carries with him the quiet desperate rage of the poet and seeker, perhaps a bit too smart for his own good. When you can see and interpret, channel and reflect with such precision, life can be a bitter pill if you let it. Vision and delivery in one tight package, the wood toned roots Waldes displays are earnest and hard won. Writing early and often, his use of the familiar and paradox reflects well on the new generation of Hamilton singer-songwriters. Steeped in the vinyl tea and inspired by a kindred spirit, his love of music became a natural extension of his soul, deep and reflective. Stoping by on a brilliant autumn evening, Nate Waldes brings with him his soon-to-be released 5 song CD NATE OF EARTH and a few new ones he shares live. Full of great hooks and reason, his music transcends the bedroom folk rock genre it serves so well with every bitter-sweet note. Without these reminders in every generation of songwriter, the road to enlightenment would not be so clearly lit. Praise be the writer

Blues, and Hamilton blues in particular has had its roots in this fertile ground since there were iron horses and steel driving men. The tree that bears so much fruit in the way of all modern music, is based in the call and response of the cotton fields and the deep meaning that those refrains evoke in everyone who listens and identifies with. Ian Andrews is still a pretty young cat, but make no mistake about it, he knows his way around a fretboard and the struggle at hand. Slick, handsome and full of life, Ian Andrews manages to do what so few aspiring Bluesman can do - carve a very personal niche in what is a homogeneous form of music. Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Ian paid his dues like every great one - and it's evident the investment is paying off. Writing original music and embodying it with the howls and yelps every bit as real as WC himself, believing the story and storyteller as sage as any before. Original young blues - verve and passion, and what a band on hand this night. Greg Briscoe

Well, it was bound to happen. Hamilton's most well heeled (he walks a lot) musician made his way to BOXO Studio after so many years away from these sacred walls. Known as 'Busker Al", Albert Barubek has been playing music forever, playing for change and the occasional fiver, and been front and centre in some of the coolest bands in this town in the past 25 years. Never afraid to speak his mind, piss off a few people and drop a few jaws, his musical acumen is only matched by his steely resolve. Always the optimist, Al brings a grace to an often graceless city with a daily dose of music. His repertoire is substantial and his voice carries this night across the years as we spin some Captain Easy from 2003's The 4:20 Conspiracy and remember stuff we had all forgotten for awhile. Good times.

The "Shwa" has given us many gifts musical and otherwise, our gritty little sister on the eastern jowls of Hogtown. Where once only the Bob Brydens and Lou Molinaros of the world were fit to call The Hammer home, usually after a spell in The Big Smoke to draw the best of them from a deep creative well. Wayne Petti was just such a dude, steeped in the 90's guitar slouch of Pavement, Dinosaur Jr. and Metallica. It was only after listening to the true greats of depression era to '52 country music where the pre-alt-country-phase-shifted sound that merged became Cuff The Duke. Cuff was to many the harbinger for a whole new take on some very solid roots. Starting strong and staying busy, Petti and company made quite a name for themselves quickly and in the process, forged the experience and contacts into something solid indeed. Post Cuff The Duke, Petti kept current and found vehicles for his music that performed to spec, allowing each incarnation a u owe space to breathe. The Astro Men followed and served him well

Life has its ups and downs, and the singer-songwriter rides those hills and valleys on a regular basis for they provide the chewy grist for milling. Careful to leave just enough texture while making the journey both evocative and palatable is what James Ferris does with great skill and passion. His style is instantly familiar, with the impassioned growl and fierce delivery - a home spun rocker with a light touch. In the early days, the Nova Scotia kid was prone to rampant, unchecked musicality and his need to create meshed beautifully with his ability to write and play with conviction. Playing covers and classics gave him the template to create his own music, sure to knock on the very same doors as the iconic masters he had begun by emulating. Something special happened along the way, and by the time he moved to Hamilton, he was clearly prepared to bring his music to the table, a bountiful plenty for all to enjoy. So positive is his performance, so committed are his lyrics, one is easily carried along to thei

We pick our guests very carefully here at Barber Shop Podcast, the common thread is always a belief in music as a life force. No part timers, pseudo troubadours or poseurs make their way to the hallowed space that is BOXO Studio on Wednesday nights. So imagine our surprise when a group of seemingly balanced and rehearsed boys from the Toronto bedroom community of Milton got a hold of us and asked if they too might be featured on our wundershow...... well, I guess the sweet scent of The Hammer has spread far and wide, and if an outsider is ready to embrace is in all our gritty glory, well then; we too must stretch out our arms and embrace their fresh-scrubbed faces with their very own show. In the very beginning, guitarists Ty MacKenzie and Kenny Drummond were the nexus of the group, their infectious synergy almost immediately drawing neighbour and bassist Steve McFarlane to the window, scratching and clawing at the door until they relented, and in doing so, added the slick, textured bass lines and sweet harmo

This show, on the surface, is about music. But scratch the surface and you will soon find that it’s really about life. For artists bleed for us on a regular basis, reaching into their heart and souls to purge the sadness and tragedy that we all encounter. The writer paints a landscape and then places the characters who we identify with on a stage for us to see ourselves when it might seem far too dark to do so. This week, your eminent host Kevin was reeling from a life event on the heels of another crushing setback. Spirits were low and the usual boisterous, bombastic bravado had left the building. In its place sat a man who questioned why, and if anyone even cared.. Well – from the mists a troubadour by the name of Will Gillespie – he from the North, via Timmins, Sudbury and Toronto made his way with his trusty guitar to BOXO Studio for a time to commiserate. Giving homage to the songs that make us both think and feel, he tells his story and sings the songs of love and loss this broken being needed on a warm

When Mark McNeil travel to Hamilton all those years ago for what was to be a part time job, you never expected that the rest of his life would be about Hamilton stories, Hamilton people and the lifeblood that is this place. And it early affinity for all things musical, including the Beatles, brought him into playing the guitar. His love of writing and meshing out a story was also started early, and when the musical kid got a night crime reporter job at The Hamilton Spectator in the 80's, the die was cast in steel. Mark McNeil uses his reporters chops to great effect on the critically acclaimed CD "Flashbacks" a veritable who's who of Hamilton iconic figures, each tale fleshed out with wit and insight as to the true flavour of the town. Written as the soundtrack for the play James Street, the troubadour and storyteller manages to be both factual and fanciful in this musical marker. On this fine night Mark drops by with Lester Brown filling the spaces with his signature sweet chops and harmonies and none other

To play music you must love music, and some have love affairs long before they ever begin that journey in earnest. George C.W. Douglas always knew music held a special place, a certain station in life. Growing up the sounds were an intoxicant that soon led to the life that led to the long, strange trip that has led him to here. Listening and watching all the arena rock greats of the era, only the names that spilled from commercial radio were on tap - some pretty great ones mind you, yet the knowledge and comfort songwriters had on him took root and started George Douglas on his path as a bona fide singer-songwriter. It was the seminal debut album by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings in tribute to the great Wille P. Bennett that really shook his foundation to the point where he began to see the true calling and Zeitgeist of the art form, a slew of troubadours and six string heroes that make the real good stuff in spades. It was when he decided to stop forgetting the memorable moments and live a sober life in the mom

Sometimes being at the right place at the right time is far far more than circumstance. To arrive at a destination, one must set a course and go for it. Hailee Rose is one of those rare birds, adorned with vibrant plumage and possessing a voice that cuts through the noise, the silence and the generations. Born into a creative and supportive family, Hailee had a knack for the dramatic, singing and playing every imaginary part with absolute conviction. Never scared to put it all out there, she and her mom went to countless auditions and cattle-calls from a very tender age. Possessing vitality and confidence, her faith in the arts - and herself - never wained despite the continual rejections and promises of tomorrow offered as consolation. When the day came that the casting director for the Mirvish production of The Lion King said yes, she was ready. In a classic case of happenstance, one night a certain Dave Rave was in the audience and took note of the remarkable talent and presence displayed by the young Hail

Sometimes the right head sits in the chair at Barber Shop Podcast at the right time to change things up and keep in style. Adam Carter grew up surrounded by great music thanks to a substantial and tasty record collection and steady support and encouragement within the town of a Lynden on the outskirts of Hamilton. The discovery of an unloved guitar and the burning ambition to learn his chops saw a quick progression of ability and confidence. The early internet gift of on line guitar archives and easy-to-understand tablature notation meant Carter could learn a bucket full of songs - and learned to write his own as well. Recruiting like minded high school chums and firming a band - the seriousness was balanced with all the youthful exuberance and honest hubris necessary to actually believe a life in music was not only possible, but likely. Currently, Carter is indeed deep in the life investment that music requires as not only the music manager of Homegrown Hamilton but also the driving force in the human race,

You can't get more Hamilton than The Shakers, four guys from West Hamilton who turned heads and turned up the volume in the late 70's and early 80's. Forged from the very best of Hamilton stock, cousins Dave (Rave) and Claude Deroches made music in the family tradition, locking down the familial groove and patterns that laid a solid cornerstone. Hooking up with Ric (The Mayor) Andrew in the mid seventies, Dave and Ric immediately recognized the synergy and harmonies that emerged, blending the country, blues and early rock n roll with the emerging aggressive and oh-so-danceable style that they and fellow Steel Town stalwarts Teenage Head owned so completely. Guitar slinger Tim Gibbons, all too aware of the talent and verve displayed by this burgeoning group, gladly assumed the guitar duties that Gordie Lewis had subbed in for and voila!, the greatest flash bang of the decade was born. Scoring multiple radio charts and packing houses across the land, The Shakers burned hot and bright for half a decade, eventual