Contact
Calgary and Lethbridge coming up!
Jan 26, 2012
I will be at South Calgary Community Church on Sat Feb 3 (tickets $15 at the door)! Love coming back to that beautiful city!
Then the next day I will be performing in Lethbridge at E Free Church in the morning and at an evening concert (Sun Feb 4).
So come out, Albertans! Looking forward to seeing y'all!
NEW! 2-minute songwriting lesson from the Instructional DVD.
Jan 18, 2012
In this clip from Jacob's Instructional DVD set, Jacob discusses some alternative ways to approach songwriting, specifically the blank page.
Please visit www.jacobmoondvd.com for more info on this 3-DVD set of Instructional videos on guitar, songwriting and live looping.
New video up on YOUTUBE!
Jan 10, 2012
Hey folks,
I took some time to commit 'The Great Beyond' to video back in October, in a one-take live performance on a rehearsal stage in Toronto.
You can view the result here:
It's a fun insider's look at how that song is layered live in the moment, using the JamMan live looping pedal.
Watch for a new video every month on the front page. Next month: The Way it Is cover (Bruce Hornsby)
December Newsletter: New Video, Xmas Tour and FREE CDs!
Nov 29, 2011
Click the link to view the newsletter: http://jacobmoon.fanbridge.com/campaigns/show.php?id=793532&src=twitter
New video: 'Live a Little', filmed live at the Burlington Perf. Arts Centre!
Nov 25, 2011
Taped on October 15th 2011 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre's very first performance in the Studio Theatre. Jacob would like to thank Alex Zafer for capturing the moments on film, and Ali Matthews and Rick Francis for joining him in song.
Don't miss 'Welcome Christmas' on December 18th 2011, where Jacob will be joined by Ali and Rick, as well as the Michael Schulte String quartet. This will be year 11 in the tradition!Tickets for the 3pm and 7:30 shows are available now at:
http://www.burlingtonpac.ca/What-s-On/Performance-Calendar_/Music/Jacob-Moon.html5th annual Registry Theatre show: Dec 9 in K-W
Nov 16, 2011
Get ticket to this annual tradition at www.ticketwindow.ca, Gospel Lighthouse in Waterloo or at the Centre in the Square box office.
Use the promo code THREESHIPS to get 10% off the advance price of $22.50 when you purchase before November 24th.
This year's special guests are award-winning singer/songwriter Ali Matthews, guitar whiz Rick Francis and the Michael Schulte Strings.
Don't miss it! Only 160 seats in the house...tickets are going fast!
BC TOUR details
Nov 8, 2011
Come out to one of these shows, if you live in BC! I only get out there once a year...
That's right, just got back from Alberta not too long ago, and I am boarding yet another plane, this time to the land of milk and honey,
British Columbia. Whilst there, I will perform at a variety of venues, including:Nov 11, 2011 - 7pm Victoria, BC, BC (CA) @ New Life Community Church - intimate solo concert. Bring your friends to this entertaining evening of story and song!
Nov 15, 2011 - 8pm Vancouver, BC (CA) @ Cafe Deux Soleils - Jacob Live in Vancouver
Nov 17, 2011 - 7pm Abbotsford, BC (CA) @ Columbia Bible College - Jacob Live in Abbotsford
Nov 18, 2011 - 8pm Abbotsford, BC (CA) @ The House of James - Annual concert at HOJ!
Nov 20, 2011 - 7pm Surrey, BC, BC (CA) @ Peace Portal Alliance Church - Jacob live in Surrey!
Instructional DVD gets its own website!
Nov 8, 2011
You can now order the Instructional 3-DVD set on its own dedicated website. Now that Christmas is coming, I thought I would put it up there. Those of you looking for that perfect gift idea for the guitar player in your life need look no further. Visit the site for details on what is covered, as well as clips from some of the teaching sessions.
www.jacobmoondvd.com
SOLD OUT SHOW at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre!
Oct 19, 2011
It was a night to remember for me, and the realization of a dream I have had since I have lived in this area. I always wanted to play a real show in Burlington, at a beautiful concert venue. That dream came to be on Saturday night as 200 people crammed into the studio theatre, wine glasses in tow, and took their place in the swanky new space, which was perfectly suited for a night of acoustic music.
It was a really encouraging night for me, and for my special guests Ali Matthews and Rick Francis. We played some stuff together and they opened the night perfectly, sounding the first song in front of an audience in that space---ever!
We are excited to return to the BPAC on Dec 18 for two Christmas shows: 3pm and 730pm. Tickets go on sale soon, and I will let you know just before, so you can grab tickets before they're all gone (we turned away 75 people this weekend).
Also, here's the new song I have been talking about (see lyrics below), written for my wife. It's called 'Live a Little', and it was recorded at home last week right here in my home studio. I plan to use it for a video, compiled from footage taken on Saturday night by photographer Alex Zafer. Watch forthat in the coming weeks.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/31528236/Live a Little DEMO.mp3
Tomorrow night at Fosters Inn Stratford!
Oct 5, 2011
I am excited to be kicking off the singer-songwriter series at this downtown Inn and dining establishment. Should be a really fun night out, if you're looking for a date night. Joining me will be east coast tunesmith Eric Angus Whyte!
Come for the great food, and stay for the concert. Limited seating so call now: 519-957-2640
Thu, October 6, 2011, 8:00pm,
Dinner Seating 6:15pm - 6:45pm,
Gen. Adm. Doors: 7:30pm
Foster's Inn, 111 Downie St., Stratford, ON N5A 1X2
Revival GTA this Weekend!
Sep 19, 2011
I will be taking part in a fundraiser at Queensway Cathedral in Toronto, with a host of other artists! Things get underway at 7pm. Come out and get your money's worth at this terrific event!
New Video Clip: Live from a Sept 11 service
Sep 14, 2011
To commemorate Sept 11, I performed this song at a church in Cambridge, ON. It's a new take on an old standard, but the sentiment is the same: security comes not from government, law enforcement or war. It can only be found in a Maker who sees all and knows our hearts, and loves us unconditionally. Once we know this, it's our turn to mirror that back to our brothers and sisters. Perhaps the world would look different if we did...
Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueL1fwBVEIQ
New Song: Live A Little
Sep 5, 2011
I wrote a new song over the summer, and I am performing at my shows these days. It's a mid-tempo number about finding love and happiness the second time around. Written over the course of one evening in August, this one came together easily (a rare thing for me). The song expresses a combination of gratitude for finding such a treasure in my wife, and also an urgency to spend every moment well...time being such a precious commodity.
Here's the lyrics:
We began as things were ending
Said our goodbyes to what was gone
We fell in love not comprehending
The journey we were onI think of all the years before I met you
I canât account for all that time
So Iâll say it now before I forget to
Iâm so grateful that youâre mineWe both wear our share of scars
Some say they never fully heal
Thatâs what keeps us realHey forget about our yesterdays
Tonight weâre gonna leave all those cares behind
And live a littleYouâve seen my light on after midnight
Youâve heard me stir at the break of day
Will I look back someday in hindsight
And say I worked my life awayIf these days are heaven sent
If heaven truly can be found
Canât we find it nowHey
Forget about our yesterdays
Tonight weâre gonna leave all those cares behind
And live a littleMy love
Just look at all the stars above
Theyâre burning off the last light theyâve got just to see
See us live a littleIf heaven truly can be found
Canât we find it nowHey
Forget about our yesterdays
Baby can we leave all our cares behind
And live a littleMy love
Just look at all the stars above
Theyâre burning off the last light theyâve got just to see
If this love is all itâs promised to be
Baby this is our time to shine
Why donât we
Live a littleVIDEO #1: "I Hope My 'Pony' Knows the Way Back Home..."
Jul 25, 2011
I don't know what you've been up to this summer...maybe catching some rays, strumming campfire songs, or hitting a summer movie. What about me, you ask? It just so happens that I have been doing all three simultaneously---though in my case, it's been about MAKING a (short) movie; in the hot, hot, heat of the summer.
Of course it's true that I am no stranger to the indie music video, and I've enjoyed meeting many people who have come to my music through this medium. It's also true that I have done them sparingly, choosing to focus on producing only the stuff I was truly passionate about (Subdivisions, Come Talk To Me, Bend and Break).
All those songs were covers, and I am going back to that well to plumb the musical and lyrical depths of a new batch of songs that informed my early development as an artist. Together with my intrepid team, I have opted to embark on the daunting task of filming a six-video series of cover songs (under the title of 'Songs From My Youth'), all performed live in front of the camera---and outdoors, for the most part. We want to take the viewer on a journey into the heart of each song, layer by layer, as each vocal or instrumental performance is laid down live on celluloid, right before your eyes. This is a marked contrast from how music videos typically get made. On a typical music video, you hear the polished final product of the studio sessions (complete with quantizing and pitch-correction), and see the staged and lip-synched performance, replete with studio lighting and a hair/makeup crew.
Our first thought was to try and stand the traditional idea on its head, and pursue a more authentic, performance-driven video document that captured each audio element on screen, exactly as it was played on that take. No expensive production budget. Just a couple of cameras and a laptop for recording the music. With the setup stripped down to the essentials, we had the freedom to take our mobile unit to just about anywhere, and we did. I played a guitar solo at an abandoned barn, some ambient electric in an urban alley, lead vocals in a farm field and a celestial loop in a freight elevator, just to name a few.
The first song we decided to tackle was the a deep cut from Tom Waits' catalog of crooners ('Pony'). The song is all about a drifter looking back on his life, bragging at first about his various exploits.
"I've seen it all boys
I've been all over
Been everywhere in the
Whole wide world
I rode the high line
With old blind Darby
I danced real slow
With Ida Jane"The song concludes with his ruminating, "Wish I was home / In Evelyn's kitchen / With ol' Gyp curled up around my feet" The refrain for this homesick song is "I hope my pony knows the way back home".
At the heart of it, it's a song about the disorienting effect of experience, and the yearning for a place where one's soul compass can find its true North. I was reading Thomas Merton at the time of recording this song, and he goes on at great length about the True Self and the False Self, and how illusory our lives can become, how twisted up our identity is with the people, the places, the stuff of our lives...and how desperately we long for home, truth, and a place where we can be authentically who we were made to be. I saw these themes in this song for the first time last week, just as I was performing the final vocal. And for the first time, I knew why I instinctively started singing 'His Eye is On the Sparrow' as a sung response to the last chorus of this ballad. It's there, where the character finally admits to being directionless that he is attentive to the guiding wind of the Spirit. In his quest for the one place where he is known and can rest, I could imagine an ending where he stumbles on the knowing embrace of the One who knows him by his true name.
In any case, the song stands on its own merits and the coda I added is by no means an attempt to complete an incomplete composition. My hope is that the listener will be moved by the connection that I drew between the two songs, and if not, well...there's always the pause button.
Our journey to bring this video to you has been a very educational one, and we look forward to sharing our lessons learned in a behind-the-scenes featurette, to be released around the same time as the video (September 2011). Future videos will roll out every two months or so, so be watching for that. At the end of the 12 months, we will have a DVD/CD package ready to sell with all the footage and audio compiled into a collector's edition.
Watch this space for updates!
Review of Dunnville Show
Jun 20, 2011
I got a nice review in the Dunnville Chronicle for my show there on the weekend. Thanks for this, Paul!
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3178531
Host a House Concert this Summer!
Jun 9, 2011
You've probably heard me talk about House Concerts in the past, or seen them on the tour calendar and wondered---'how much does that cost'?
Here's some good news for you: You can host a house concert for FREE!
House concerts are unique, fun and super-easy. I have done dozens of these, and people always have walked away with a sense of having attended something extraordinary, and they can't wait to tell friends.
Hereâs the details:- I will come to your home (or another suitable venue) and bring the PA and the music. You would invite a bunch of friends over to enjoy the concert. Each guest is encouraged to make a $20 donation to cover my costs for the evening (hosts are free!). A target of 40 guests minimum would be ideal. I usually recommend inviting at least 60 people to hit that number. If your house is smaller, it's okay if you can only hold 30-35 people, too.
- Indoors is a preference and is much easier, but outdoors can work if it's got a cool vibe, and is best with some modest staging and lighting. And good weather, of course.
- Open dates in July, Aug and Sept.
So there's the basic facts. The rest is up for grabs, as per your preferences. Let me know how you see the night going, and let's craft an unforgettable event together.
I hope to see you this summer---at your place!
House Concert Contest
Jun 3, 2011
I held a house concert contest for the fans on the mailing list. One lucky family in Ontario won the prize on Thursday! Now I'm just waiting to hear from them to claim their prize! Thanks to all who entered and made the contest such a great success!
Ottawa/Montreal Tour report (PART 1)
May 17, 2011
I had a great time with my wife and son as we travelled the highways for an epic 10-day tour that took us to Ottawa, Montreal, Watertown NY, Saratoga Springs NY and Sewell NJ. The shows were all amazing in their own unique ways, and the people involved were all top-notch and so generous with their time---plus I met a LOT of new fans who had never heard me in concert, and had maybe seen my YouTube videos. This is always amazing to me, and points to the hard work and dedication of the people promoting these shows on the ground, out of sheer love.
Ottawa (May 6/7): The tour started with a bang with me burning rubber out of the neighbourhood garage, where I was getting some last-minute tune-ups done on the old Honda CRV. She was groaning under the weight of all my gear, the kids stuff, luggage and whatnot, but we made it just in time to get a proper setup at the Gladstone Theatre. Thanks to some family members who kicked in some time in loading in doublespeed, we were in a good headspace to prepare a night of magic for the always-loyal and energetic Ottawa fans. CHRI made a great pitch in getting people to the show, and the robust crowd made the evening great. Didi and Stevie opened the night with their gorgeous harmonies and stirring songs. All in all, a really terrific night and a great way to start the tour.
May 7th/8th---DISASTER strikes! My Larivee falls from its perch on a guitar stand and hits the ground in a sickening 'SNAP'! there goes the headstock, and the pickup is off its moorings. With precious little time to repair, I rushed it to Lauzon Music in Ottawa, where Ian vouchsafes her complete recovery by the time I get back from Montreal. *Whew! I snagged a Karol guitar from the great Lorne Anderson to replace it for the Montreal leg, and I was off to Le Placard Cafe on the Northeast side of town for a concert for my new friends in La Belle Ville. Turns out they are all amazing individuals, and together they gather weekly at Reggie's Pub at Concordia University to do life, and church, together. Sunday am is spent at the gorgeous River's Edge church in the Decarie-Sherbrooke area of town. They put me thru my paces with 3 consecutive services, but I am fueled to overflowing by the amazing people I meet and the reception I am given. With an hour or two to spare before I need to be on stage back at Concordia for the Living Room Church gathering, I drive the terrifying streets (crazy driver alert! And it's not even me this time!) back through to the heart of town to find food and an energy drink. I have to get ready for the last show before I pick up my wife at the bus depot, where we will begin our long-awaited second honeymoon: a three day RnR experience that doesn't disappoint. The weather is sunny and mild and the trees are all blooming and the city looks gorgeous. Whether biking in Old Montreal, shopping on St-Denis, or dining on Rue Crescent, we are in heaven. Both introverts at heart, we enjoy the easy space that each one gives the other in moments of shared amusement, subtle romance or contented silence.
Wagons East!
May 6, 2011
Today I head to Ottawa to perform at the Gladstone Theatre tonight May 6th at 8pm. I had a great show there last year, and I am hoping that lightning is in the habit of striking twice. Either way, it'll be fun, as Didi and Stevie are opening the night, and they are a promising duo from Ottawa.Fun!
Then Saturday morning I put on the teacher's hat for a clinic that I am doing at Cedarview Church in Nepean. This 10am seminar is free to the public, and should be a nice opportunity to help aspiring players think about the guitar in new ways.
After that, there's a string of Montreal appearances (Le Placard Cafe, Rivers Edge Church and a church that meets in the bar at Concordia on Sunday afternoons. Can't wait to visit this great city, and looking forward to a few days off there with my wife in the early part of next week. Then it's off to the US for a few dates! With the whole family in tow, it should be an adventure!
EASTER: 'Peter's Song' online this month
Apr 22, 2011
In time for Easter weekend, I have put together a quick youtube video to serve as a placeholder for the song I recorded a few years back, called 'Peter's Song'. It's one that I wrote with my friend Glen Soderholm, from the point of view of the Apostle Peter. Here's a guy who's just lost his best friend (whom he betrayed 3 times) and is facing a future frought with fear, bewilderment and uncertainty, now that the Light of the World has been killed by the powers that be, like a common criminal. The song is a list of reminiscences and features a chorus that asks the question: "Where do I go? I'm here at the end of the world..."
The HD link is here: http://youtu.be/n7OMlcL3pAU?hd=1
Interview with ion-stratford!
Apr 8, 2011
Jacob had a chance to sit down with Elizabeth Cooper from IONSTRATFORD, just before his concert at Zion Church in Stratford. Check it out here:
http://ionstratford.ca/2011/04/07/jacob-moon-performs-in-stratford/
Big weekend of shows coming up!
Mar 18, 2011
Saving the best for last this month, with two shows in Ontario featuring some very special guests. First up, on Fri Mar 25th, I come to ZION CHURCH Stratford--home to artists of all kinds including Ali Matthews, one of my talented guests for the evening. I have also invited my pal Ben Bolt-Martin, who plays a mean cello, to join me on some of my stuff and to open the show with a set of his own compositions, some of which involve live looping(!). Anyone who was at the Registry show in KW can attest to the rare beauty of Ben's songs and sound. Tickets are at the Gospel Lighthouse or online at www.ticketwindow.ca for just $15.
Ben will also join me for a show at Stouffville's NINETEEN ON THE PARK on Sat Mar 26th. This is a deluxe performance space that has been home to artists like Rik Emmett and Laila Biali already this season. This will be my one big show in the GTA this season, and you won't find a nicer theatre of its kind anywhere. Come and hear our varied and eclectic setlist, as we connect the dots from Rush, Peter Gabriel, Tom Waits and old-timey Gospel to my collection of original songs.
Tickets are at the theatre for $30, or you can get them for just $20 at www.ticketwindow.ca when you use the promo code Nineteen19.There was a nice article in Stouffville Sun-Tribune the other day. Read it here.
Cell-o!
Mar 9, 2011
I am continuing a mini-tour with master cellist Ben Bolt-Martin at a couple of upcoming dates in March.
March 25th in Stratford at Zion Lutheran (8pm, $15 adv $20 door)
March 26th in Stouffville ON at Nineteen on the Park (7:30pm, $30). GET $10 OFF tickets to this show when you use the promo-code 'Nineteen19' while ordering online at ticketwindow.ca
Ben opens the night with a solo set of cello looping (cool!), then we get to play some stuff of mine, like Come Talk to Me, Magnolia, Okay on my Own, Bend and Break and Sara. The setlist is ever changing, so catch one of these exciting nights of new sounds and experiments while Ben is still free (he plays at Stratford Festival every year).
2 Guitar Clinics announced for Southern Ontario!
Feb 16, 2011
Ready to take your looping to the next level?
Join live looping guru Jacob Moon as he guides
you on a righteous path of creating layers of
sound and texture that will open your mind to
what one man and a guitar can do!
Tickets $10 at Gear Music, Oakville Centre and at the door.
'The Music Room', now available on DVD,
is Jacob's new 3-disc set of instructional videos,
guaranteed to help you unlock your creativity.Presented by Gear Music Oakville, and the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts.
Bend and Break for Haiti
Jan 13, 2011
Rehearsing backstage at Hamilton Place Jan 30, 2010.
There's a new song on the homepage--it's a song by Keane that I covered for Haiti relief. I performed it at last year's HHH benefit here in Hamilton, then recorded it in February. It sat around until this past December, when I brought it out to work on it again. My thanks to all who contributed their time and talent to make this a reality.
Here's the YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEK6Di3EMXs
And you can download the MP3 here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jacobmoon8
Now you can also get it at iTunes! http://itunes.apple.com/album/bend-break-for-haiti-single/id414765637?o=a&v0=ITS-Artist Alert
All proceeds from the sale of this song on CDBaby, and later iTunes, etc, will go towards helping children at Grace Children's Hospital in Port-au-Prince.
Pictures from the Welcome Christmas Tour!
Jan 10, 2011
Hey everybody...
Someone sent me this link to some fun pictures of the Christmas tour with the String Quartet!
Check it out: http://www.snapburlington.com/?option=com_sngevents&id[]=226906&utm_source=email&utm_medium=snapd
DVD is available now online and at shows!
Dec 19, 2010
I am excited to bring you the new Instructional Video, now that it's been officially pressed and released to the first wave of buyers! Thanks to all who bought it in advance, and made it all possible. You can see the latest Mini-Lesson on the home page, a performance and breakdown of 'Just Like You', one of my songs from 'The Loop'.
Order the new DVD by clicking here.
The Music Room with Jacob Moon: 3 DVD Set is complete and shipping soon!
Dec 2, 2010
Back in late July, it started as an idea on a napkin. Then it went to the pitching stage, on a little website called RocketHub, where many of you saw the seed of my idea to do an instructional video series, and you voted with your dollars. Well, here we are after many hours of shooting, editing and manufacturing, and it's coming my way any day---the finished product, which will look like this:
Here's the details on this epic guitar lesson (4.5 hrs on 3 DVDs!)
ORDER THE MUSIC ROOM DVD SET now and get it in time for Christmas!3 DVDs packed with lessons and exclusive performances!
Over 4 hours of in-depth and detailed instruction, including a complete breakdown of Rush's 'Subdivisions'!
DISC ONE: GUITAR TECHNIQUES - Learn from Jacob's fingerpicking style on songs
like 'The Great Beyond', take on soloing in and out of the box on 'Not Gonna Lose'
and become a one-man band after taking on 'Just Like You'. Plus 'Alone in NY'.DISC TWO: SONGWRITING - Jacob takes you all the way from the blank page to
the finished song, stopping along the way to delve deep into chord theory,
alternate tunings and song examples like 'Sara', 'End of the Road' and 'Leaving'.
Also lots of HOT TIPS, songwriter interviews and new performances featuring guest Ali Matthews!DISC THREE: LIVE LOOPING - Ever wonder how Jacob is able to make a guitar
sound like an entire orchestra? This disc will answer all your questions, and take
you inside the multi-tasking mind of a live looping guru. Plus a special looping clinic with guest looper extraordinaire Rick Francis! Songs on this disc include 'Esperanto', 'Great Beyond', 'Hide and Seek' and 'Subdivisions'.ORDER THE MUSIC ROOM DVD SET now and get it in time for Christmas!
Thank You!!
Oct 28, 2010
I just want to say thank you to all who made the RocketHub campaign to raise $6000 for my new DVD instructional series such a success! With your help we were able to raise $7400! Watch for the first sets of short form videos to launch soon, and the DVD launch will be sometime in early December.
The power of a crowd, eh? I am humbled and amazed by your generosity and your belief in me to deliver...I will do my level best to bring an informative and entertaining product for you guys. It's been lots of fun so far!
The Music Room: and Instructional series with Jacob Moon will feature 3 discs of teaching and playing, on the topics of Songwriting, Guitar Playing and Live Looping. The set will retail online for $49.95 (plus taxes and shipping).
5 more days to go on the DVD fundraiser!
Oct 20, 2010
Hey gang! We have lift-off over at RocketHub! Thanks to the 75 people who have contributed so generously, we are going ahead with 'The Music Room' Instructional DVD.
If you would like to cash in on the deals available over at RocketHub.com, now is the time. Once it's on the market, shipping will no longer be free, as it is now for contributors to the project. Plus you can say to your grandchildren: 'I co-produced a DVD!'.
This Weekend in Ottawa
Oct 14, 2010
Hey friends! This weekend I am going out on a limb to try and meet some new people. No, not speed dating---I'm going to the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals conference to showcase what I do to some people I have never met. The showcases at these things can happen in the conference rooms, or they can happen in hotel suites where musicians gather to jam. I have opted for the latter, as a way of trying to get to know the new faces, and I'm bringing along my pals Jeremy, Lara and Leanna Zeyl from 'Isobelle Gunn' to sing with me and showcase them as well. Should be a hoot! Pray for strength as we stay up late to perform at our midnight showcases. Being a new daddy, I am usually sawing logs by that time of the night. Red Bull it is, then.
I will be appearing in concert at the GLADSTONE THEATRE on SUNDAY NIGHT (7:30), as well.
Isobelle Gunn will be with me that evening as well, so you don't want to miss this special evening of story, harmony and song. $15 tickets are available at the Gladstone, Parkdale United Church or online at www.ticketwindow.ca. (Salem Bookstore sold out of their block of tickets the other day)The Music Room: An Instructional DVD series from Jacob Moon
Sep 16, 2010
I used to teach music every week, and I loved watching people grow in their knowledge and abilities on my favorite instrument. I haven't been teaching regularly now for a few years due to a busy touring schedule, but I have often thought that I would love to do an instructional video that takes people through my guitar style, songwriting approach and into the world of live Looping.
Does this sound like something that you or someone you know would enjoy? If so, I would humbly ask that you take a moment and check out my project funding page over at RocketHub.com. There you will see all the cool rewards that you get for 'fueling' this 'rocket' that I am attempting to launch. I am shooting the footage in the next month on the faith that you will pull me through. Many have contributed already, but for this thing to 'launch', we need 100% of the budget to be raised.
We're almost 50% right now, but time is ticking. With just over a month left, now is the time to get this DVD at a great price and, at the same time, support a creative initiative at the ground floor.
Thanks in advance for your support...
Visit: http://www.rockethub.com/projects/234-learn-secrets-of-one-man-band-guitar-with-jacob-moon
'Sara' Nominated for a GMA Canada award!
Sep 16, 2010
The song I wrote for our Compassion sponsor child 'Sara' has earned a nomination at the GMA Canada (Covenant) awards, to be held in Calgary on October 29th. It's one of 5 nominees in the Folk/Roots Song of the Year category. Other nominees include Carolyn Arends, Greg Sczebel, NewWorldSon and Ali Matthews.
I will be traveling out there on tour this year, and will be attending the event, as well as participating in a special GMA Worship night, held at Bow Valley Church in Calgary on Oct 28th.
Princess Cinema show coming up Sept 30th!
Aug 18, 2010
I'm real excited to have a show on the books for Thursday Sept 30th at the Princess Cinema (6 Princess St in Waterloo). KW fans will dig this groovy venue, and I will reward your attendance with an entertaining and intimate show. Looking forward to seeing y'all there...Tickets available at the Princess.
Learn 'One-Man-Band' Guitar with Jacob Moon
Jul 27, 2010
http://rockethub.com/projects/234-learn-secrets-of-one-man-band-guitar-with-jacob-moon
I'll never forget my first guitar lesson. I was 8 years old, and had no idea how it worked, but the guitar was already an endless source of fascination. I want to take that childlike wonder that many of us have for all things six-stringed, and provide fresh inspiration for unlocking the secrets of the guitar.
I plan to create a 3-DVD set of instructional videos, covering a wide range of topics and areas of interest for aspiring songwriters, guitarists and live loopers.
â˘I want people to get excited about the craft of writing great songs and delivering them on the guitar, and I will elaborate on topics such as chord progressions, harmonic substitutions, and rhythmic approaches.
â˘Using my songs as musical examples, viewers will discover new things about the guitar and its tonal possibilities, go deep into unlock their own creativity in rhythm and lead guitar, as well as ambient textures.
â˘Live Looping is fast becoming a trend for solo performers and sidemen alike, so I will bring my 15 years of experience to bear on the subject, showing players how they can realize their ideas without limits, and build a cathedral of sound with their own two hands.WHO IS THIS FOR?
Guitar lovers. If you play guitar and are in a rut, these videos will bust you out. If you need inspiration, this is where you'll find it. These instructional videos also make a great gift for that son, nephew or niece who are getting into the guitar more seriously, and want to expand their technique and knowledge of the guitar. They will be able to watch again and again to learn the concepts and can apply them, and never have to leave the house.
In order to film, edit and manufacture this DVD set, I am going to need support from those who would say they're ready to take their playing to the next level, and are willing to invest in this educational and entertaining project.
Those who wish to 'fuel' this project can select a level of investment that matches their desired reward. For instance, the 3-DVD Box Set will debut on the market after a series of Individual Lesson Videos (excerpts from the DVDs) are released on my website, available at a lower cost for on-demand download. Fuelers can go for the 'whole enchilada' and get the DVD set or dip their toes in the water with the downloadable single lessons. In either case, I would be appreciative of any help in getting my dream project off the ground.
Thanks in advance for your support, everybody, and we will see you in class!
How RocketHub works:1. RocketHub is not an investment or charity. It is an exchange: funds from fans for rewards from me.
2. It's all or nothing: if I don't reach my financial goal, you get your money back."
Sara: The Video
Jul 15, 2010
I recently took a few days and learned how to edit videos using Sony Vegas Pro. Amazing what you can learn from watching online tutorials by 12-year tweens on YouTube!
My goal was to learn just enough to tell the story of 'Sara', our Compassion sponsor child who we visited (a year ago this month!) on a tour of El Salvador.
We owe her a debt of gratitude for her part in inspiring our journey of adoption, and so this video is our way of saying thanks.
Thanks to God for using her smile to bring us hope and courage at exactly the right time, and thanks to Sara for opening her heart to us. Safe to say that we would not have Gabriel were it not for her (Gabe says gracias, Sara!).View the new video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnCXJrk7o7I
Sponsor a child through Compassion here:?http://www.compassion.ca/child_list.asp?linkid=74
Friday night at the Princess in Waterloo
Jun 30, 2010
This Friday marks the premiere of the new Rush documentary called 'Beyond the Lighted Stage', as it bows at the Princess for a 3-nighter. I will be opening the evening by playing 'Subdivisions' before the screening, in the theatre. Get your tickets at the Princess!
Waterloo Chronicle ran a story on it this week, and columnist Marshall Ward talks about it here:
(the last few words of the last sentence are missing for some reason, at least on the online edition. The words missing are "....add something to the night.")
Here's the link:
http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news/article/214084
Marshall's column:
http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/opinions/article/214086Sunset Dinner & Concert by the Lake with Jacob Moon
Jun 24, 2010
For all of us who live in Southern Ontario, I think it's a crime that more people don't get to enjoy Lake Ontario. It sits patiently on the horizon as we whizz around the QEW and point at it every once in awhile, wishing we had some reason to be sitting on her shores.
Well, how's this for a reason--on August 26th, Legends Estates and Winery in Beamsville(near St Catherines) is hosting Jacob Moon for a special gourmet dinner and evening ?concert and you're invited!! Imagine: the sun is setting on the lake, mere feet away from you, its last beams sparkling on the water just as you're finishing your third course. The music begins, and as the night falls, you're ushered seamlessly into an entertaining evening of story and song---and you haven't needed to get up from your table, where VQA wines are being served to match the cuisine.
If this sounds like the perfect way to celebrate your special someone, or to pass a summer evening with friends, then be sure to get your tickets for this limited seating event. You can get them at Legends Winery or online at ticketwindow.ca
Concert Only Price: $29.95 per person
Dinner Only Price: $29.95 per person
Dinner and Concert: $55 per personOnline tickets at www.ticketwindow.ca | Tickets available at Legends Estates Winery, or by phone at 905-563-6500
http://www.legendsestates.com/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&id=1&Itemid=80
tickets available here:
http://tickets.ticketwindow.ca/eventperformances.asp?evt=1037'Guestlist': love this new event hosting site!
Jun 10, 2010
I recently discovered a cool new site for hosting Events (ie: concerts), and I thought I would share it with you. The reason I dig it is because I am lazy, and love it when websites get that, and design accordingly.
Visit the page I set up for my show on June 19th here in Hamilton! http://guestlistapp.com/events/24069
If you buy one ticket online, you get one for free. No fees! Love it!!!
'Live at Vibewrangler' brings people to the music
Jun 7, 2010
Photos by Alex Zafer
For the crowd of listeners that gathered at Vibewrangler Recording studio on Saturday night, there was both a quiet awe at the beauty and open-ness of the space, and the thrill of discovery as Jacob Moon introduced artists not yet widely known for their brilliant songwriting.
âThe idea for doing this was Glen's,â notes Moon. âAnd the idea was to bring people into an unusual venue for live performance, in this case a recording studio, and let them witness a show and a live recording at once. It was so gratifying to see each performer holding court over such an attentive audience, and to know that their songs were getting an opportunity to take flight. As songwriters we often toil away on these songs, and hope that they will one day find their way into people's hearts. I got to witness that happening for my friends on Saturday night. Plus, most people have never been in a recording studio for a concert, so they got a kick out that as well.
Vibewrangler Studio is famous in Hamilton for hosting these nights of music that bring listeners and musicians together in a space that few ever get to see. Owners Michael Keire and Glen Marshall have been operating this space in the neighbourhood of Gage Park in Hamilton for the past 3 years and have produced many local CDs that have gone on to success. To reach the studio to book recording time, call Michael Keire at 905 308 6896 or email michaelkeire@gmail.com.
House Concert Tour: Update
Jun 1, 2010
Thanks to all of you who have responded to the news about the House Concert Tour. The updated list of free dates are now: July 3, 4, 9, 30, 31, Aug 6, 7, 9.
Claim your date for the concert at YOUR house today by emailing jacob@jacobmoon.com.
Live in Studio: Jacob hosts a singer/songwriter showcase at Vibewrangler
May 26, 2010
Hamilton's Vibewrangler Studio will be the site of the first in a series of Live in Studio showcases, featuring the cream of the crop from Hamilton's songwriting community. Audiences will also thrill to be inside a first-class recording studio to see first-hand how music is captured, as Glen Marshall and his team record the event live.
WHERE:Vibewrangler Studio?2nd floor?468 Cumberland Avenue, Hamilton, ON
DATE: Saturday, June 5th
TIME: 8pm
COST: $10WHO: Jacob Moon, Amy Savin, Adam Ostrosser, Joel Guenther
May is National House Concert Month! Host Jacob this summer...
May 20, 2010
Summer is the perfect time of year to throw a party. And music makes any party better. That's why I'm here, as James Taylor would say...I do lots of house concerts every year, and I still have a few openings left this summer.
So what's a house concert? Simply put, itâs an invitation-only concert in someoneâs home, presented by a host who does not profit from the event (but doesn't pay anything to host it, either!).
Most house concerts are:
⢠held indoors and on weekends (although some outdoor backyard settings have been perfect!)
⢠attended by 25-50 people
⢠paid for by a $20 donation per guest (to the performer)
⢠known to include light snacks, beverages or a pot-luck dinner
⢠attended by the hostâs friends, neighbors, co-workers, and maybe a few fans of the?artist
⢠attended by a 25-60 age group
⢠performed with a very small sound system
⢠very intimate â the audiences sit close and are attentive
⢠performed in two, 45-minute sets with a 20-minute break
Although house concerts will adhere to most of these traditions, you may not find any house concerts that run exactly according to the list above. Each house concert is a collaboration between an artist, a host/presenter, and their friends and supporters. What will yours be like?
Here are the available dates this summer: (In Ontario) JUNE 25, JUNE 27, JULY 2-4, JULY 9, 10 (must be within 1.5 hrs of Ottawa), JULY 18, JULY 23
I also have some dates available on Wednesdays and Thursdays in June, July and August.
Ask any questions you would like about house concerts over at jacob@jacobmoon.com.
Jacob on the Radio
May 8, 2010
Jacob was on CFMU today talking about the upcoming David Wilcox co-bill happening at the Crossroads Centre on May 16th. He'll be on the Drew Marshall show this afternoon at 4pm, with Ally and the new Moon!
NEW! Hear the show here: http://www.drewmarshall.ca/listen2010.html#100508
Concert Review from Grimsby!
May 8, 2010
Here's a review that was printed in the West Niagara News recently. It's rare to see concert reviews in papers anymore...thanks to Vaughan Warrington for the generous article!
http://westniagaranews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=2565071
Interview with Roots Music.ca
Apr 19, 2010
I sat down with Andy Frank from RootsMusic.ca recently, and our chilled-out chat ranged in topics from the recent Rush thing to the new CD, to touring and making it as an independent artist.?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBksuL_RLxI
Back to the roof with RootsMusic.ca
Apr 8, 2010
There is a new YouTube video up of 'Great Beyond', from the new CD, Maybe Sunshine (CD Release this Saturday in T.O). More video, including an interview, and a performance of 'Sara' are forthcoming. Recognize the location for this live performance?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9AHLUn5Ou8
April Newsletter: pass it on!
Apr 5, 2010
Hey folks,
You can view the newsletter that I sent out to fans yesterday here at Fanbridge. Pass along the exciting news, and be sure to sign up for to the list on the home page, so you get the latest buzz directly into your inbox.
Today I am doing a video interview from the scene of the crime: the Staircase Theatre rooftop. I'll be talking to the folks at Roots Music Canada about all my career and performing a couple of songs live from that precipitous place that was the site of Subdivisions some 18 months ago. Hard to believe it's reached 122,000 views already! Thanks to all who have helped me get here.
Here's another page of pictures from the Rush event that Paul Beaulieu from Canadian Music Scene.
http://www.thecanadianmusicscene.com/cshf_2010_ceremony.html
New YouTube video!
Apr 2, 2010
There's a video of my soundcheck at the theatre now available on the home page! Check it out...it features some nice camera work, and good sound---plus a somewhat different guitar solo. Enjoy!
The Rush of a Lifetime (Part 3): Now with Pictures!
Apr 1, 2010
BACKSTAGE PASS:
Closer to the heart: Rush and I at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala.
Okay, so there were a lot of cool things that happened behind the scenes. I figure I should just list them as they spring to mind...(beware: name-dropping ahead!)
I was whisked away to Rush's dressing room after the show, where I was immediately greeted by Geddy Lee who congratulated me on my performance. Nice fella, and he was really genuine.
Then Alex Lifeson gave me a huge hug, and said he had tears in his eyes during the song. He signed my hand with his name and 'I Love You'. You can still sort of see it...as it fades, I know these memories are fading, so I need to write them down! (even if I am dead tired and should be sleeping!)
Neil Peart towered over me and thanked me for making it a singer-songwriter's song for the next generation. Amazing. I asked him to say 'Subdivisions' into my dictaphone, which he did mellifluously. From now on, I will use that voice during my performance of the song, I've decided.
OTHER COOL PEOPLE AT THE GALA:
After that, the SRO Anthem staff greeted me, from Andy Curran to Pegi Ciccone to Howard the lighting designer (for the past 34 years!).? Wonderful people. Looks like I have some new friends around Rush's management office. Nice!
Then my wife took me to meet with Jian Ghomeshi, who's a great guy, and warmly complimented me for 'squeezing in all my abilities into 6 minutes' before I was able to fully express how much I enjoyed his show, 'Q' on the CBC. Near him was David Quillico from Sony/ATV Publishing, who took home some discs to listen to, Stan Meissner from SOCAN, who seemed to have a good time at the show, and Frank Davies and his daughter. Frank started the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is a big deal in the Canadian Music Industry. Hoping to see him at the April 10th show at the Toronto Centre for the Arts (tickets available here).
I waited until Ron Sexsmith was done talking to Sylvia Tyson before saying hello. As soon as I did, he shared that he and Sylvia were just saying that my song was the highlight of the night. Crazy!! Ron is my songwriting hero, so I can basically die now. We ended up talking about how we both cover Ring Them Bells by Dylan, and I congratulated him on his excellent performance on the Spectacle show. He dished a bit about how that show actually went behind the scenes, and talked about the new CD that he's releasing, produced by Bob Rock (Metallica). Should be interesting! They're just shopping for a deal right now.
I shared a dressing room with Sean Cullen, right across the hall from the Stage Left backstage area. Sean shared dinner with Ally and I, along with Lily Frost, and regaled us with tales of performing in The Producers, doing Comedy Network specials, Stratford plays, and singing 'Come Josephine in my Flying Machine' at the Gala. He told me that when Martin Short did the Producers in LA with Jason Alexander, that Mel Brooks was furious with him for always going off-script and ad-libbing. I love the Hollywood insider stuff, and Sean gave me lots of it. Great guy, and fuuuunnny.
I shared with Gregory Charles that I loved his short-lived CBC Radio program, 'In the Key of Charles'. We talked for a long time about Gospel Music, as we both share a love for it. He said you want to visit the Methodist churches, as the congregations there really make it interactive and unpredictable, and high-octane. Check out Kurt Carr's 'For Every Mountain' for an idea of what we were talking about.
I chatted up?Kevin Breit, Canadian guitarist extaordinaire about influences, and what his experience was like coming in to play the Gala. They asked him to do a loop for the intro of the song, but said his initial ideas were 'too industrial', so he changed it up to their satisfaction (both ideas sounded phenomenal, btw). In the end, he confessed that he never knows what he's going to do, and that improv is at the core of his 'thing'. Must be nice to have an inexhaustible supply of brilliance and inspriation at your command! He said when he first heard me warming up onstage on the electric, he thought he was hearing violin! I guess all those years of listening to Eric Johnson are starting to pay dividends. (Or Kevin occasionally hears random orchestral instruments in his head.)
The first guy to hug me offstage was Dave Bidini, who said 'You killed it!!'. Kind of a full-circle moment, when you consider that when I was starting out, Mr. Bidini was playing guitar in the Rheostatics, a favorite among my buddies. Dave embraced a fellow musician friend of mine, Paul Mcleod, letting him jam with them, hang out, and even play at their shows, all while he was still in his early twenties and starting out as a songwriter. To have this happen 20 years later is kind of a cool footnote in my musical journey. Dave wrote on my facebook page the other day: "great moment in canadian rock last night, jm". A great moment indeed, sir...thanks to all these amazing people for being there to make it so much more meaningful.
The Standing O starts to sink in (you can see it here on my face).
Alex and Neil standing up at the end of my performance. No, thank you guys...
Photos by Grant Martin. Check out all his pictures of my performance online at?http://www.orderphotos.ca/event.aspx?Event_ID=297
The Rush of a Lifetime (Part 2)
Mar 30, 2010
The Inner Game of Solo Performance:
Anyone who knows me well knows that I am an insufferable perfectionist. I am rarely happy about my performances and spend a lot of time chasing after ideals, and am often frustrated as those ideals melt away just out of reach. I know how this tendency can poison live performance, rendering me incapable of staying in a moment that was preceded by moments of error and lack of focus. I was determined not to let this be one of those nights.
This was a challenge, though, since I had hours and hours to wait around my dressing room, just thinking about what I was going to do. It was like a neurotic tug of war just to stay focused on the task at hand. I tried to imagine only good things coming from it, and struggled to keep the negative voices (Hack! Epic Fail Ahead!) in a jar where I could see them but no longer hear them.
So I made a pact in those lonely hours that if I missed words, botched chords, or timing issues or foot faults occurred, I would soldier on with a smile and finish big. So that's just what I did...not a perfect performance by anyone's definition, but the crowd that was there on that magical night was there for me.
Halfway through the song, I switch from electric solo to acoustic rhythm with a flip of the acoustic guitar that I'd slung on my back. The crowd cheered spontaneously, and it covered the glitchy re-entry I made back into the intro figure. This set the stage for everything that happened from there out. Whatever befell, I knew they were digging it enough to forgive any minor nervous foibles.
When I played the triumphant ending, they didn't even let me finish the acoustic flourish at the end, but instead rose as one to their feet. The sight of 1000 people--an audience that included Geddy, Alex and Neil--standing in unison at the end of one of my performances is something that I will never forget as long as I live. I tried to take it all in, to accept it in spite of my own misgivings about my execution, and remember that this show wasn't for me, it was for the fans, for people who love this song, and for the three creative geniuses that I saluted at the end of the song: Geddy, Alex and Neil.
NEXT: PART III---Backstage with the boys in the biggest rock band in Canadian History...
The Rush of a Lifetime (Part One)
Mar 29, 2010
?Photo credit: Chris Young
The moment that I have been waiting for for over 4 months finally happened last night, when rock ?legends Rush were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Drummer Neil Peart began his acceptance speech with: "First of all - songwriting award? Rush? There must be some mistake,â
I know all about the sensation of disbelief. That was exactly how I felt when I got the call that Rush wanted to have me perform 'Subdivisions' at their induction. I had uploaded my YouTube video just a year before, after having recorded the song for a live album called 'The Loop', and had no way of knowing that Rush fans would take to it so quickly, or that a friend of the band's would send it to them, and that the response would be so overwhelmingly positive.
I also had no way of knowing that Rush were being eyed for induction this year into the pantheon of the greats, nor that this song that I had selected to arrange and record would be one of the few award-winning songs. That's the kind of planet-alignment that just blows my mind. But it also blew the door open just a crack for me to participate in this historic event.
After the Hall of Fame press conference on Jan. 19, (which went way better than I expected, since I slept not a wink the night before), I hoped that I might have passed the audition to play the Gala. Even though Rush wanted me there, the producers made the final call. Six nervous weeks later, I got the nod, and it was time to start preparations for what would become the opportunity of a lifetime.
With Ally by my side, I walked guitar in hand onto the beautifully decorated stage at the Toronto Centre for the Arts for the dress rehearsal on Sunday. I watched excitedly as the other performers took the stage to play the other inducted songs, like Sean Cullen and Lily Frost taking on the whimsical 'Come Josephine in my Flying Machine", Les Claypool rocking out on Spirit of Radio (with a cellist taking on the guitar part--brilliantly). I was also taken with the video montage, as well, of past performers at the Hall of Fame--megastars like James Taylor, KD Lang, Herbie Hancock and Willie Nelson.
When it came time to play at the dress rehearsal, I realized that I would have only 4 minutes to bring all my gear onstage and set it all up--a little tight. And that's how I played, not feeling totally at ease, and experiencing the technical problems that arise from not having enough time to get set. So in the hours of waiting that followed, I devised a systematic process by which I would connect and test all the elements: the electric signal chain, the acoustic, the looping pedal, the kick, the dictaphone...the tuning. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I learned that the stage hands were going to try to sneak my gear early onto the stage piece by piece, until I essentially had 8 minutes to get myself ready.
So there I was, set to pop, with a video clip playing on the big screen behind me of Rush talking to the CBC about Subdivisions, and I knew I was next up. Breathe. Take note of your surroundings. To my left, sitting near the stage, were the guests of honour: Geddy, Alex and Neil, getting ready to accept the award right after my performance. The audience was lit well enough for me to see everyone, and there was no blinding lights to ?take me out of my surroundings. Now the host, Gregory Charles, takes center stage to introduce me, and it's here---the moment.
Rush Links
Mar 29, 2010
Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame Gala Rebroadcast?http://www.cbc.ca/radio2/cod/concerts/20100328songwRush inducted into Songwriters Hall ?http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/R/Rush/2010/03/29/13390011.html
CBC's Karen Gordon's Interview with Jacob Moon http://www.cbc.ca/freshair/2010/03/hello-world.html
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Announcements ??http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hbagMRa2OE
Rush-ing Into Songwriters Hall Of Fame - a mention of you from Neil Peart ??http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Artists/R/Rush/2010/03/26/13370106.html
Jacob Moon Gets Rush-ed From âSubdivisionsâ ?http://fyimusic.ca/industry-news/16498
Popular Blog Crooks and Liars posted the video here:?http://lnmc.crooksandliars.com/logan-murphy/cls-late-night-music-club-jacob-moon
Older news footage:
Songwriters hall of fame gets amplified?http://www.thestar.com/videozone/entertainment/753184--songwriters-hall-of-fame-gets-amplified
Rush to be among inductees to songwriters hall of fame?http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100119/rush_100119/20100119?hub=EntertainmentV2
Jacob Moonâs acoustic Subdivisons by RUSH?http://www.guitarlicksandtips.com/2010/03/19/jacob-moons-acoustic-subdivisons-by-rush/
Moon shines over Rush's Subdivisions?http://www.thespec.com/article/520705
Story from View Magazine?http://www.viewmag.com/view-story.php?id=7318
Toronto Sun Article
Mar 28, 2010
This weekend, the press was abuzz with the news of Rush's induction into the Canadian Songwriter's Hall of Fame on Sunday night. The Toronto Sun talked to drummer Neil Peart about Subdivisions, and said some real nice things about Jacob's version of the song.
Check it out here at: http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/music/2010/03/26/13369756.html
A Night to Remember
Mar 24, 2010
II will be performing a double-bill concert with the great David Wilcox on May 16 at Crossroads Chapel. Not the blues guy from Toronto, but the singer/songriter/storyteller from the States. Here's what the LA Times had to say, by way of describing his music:
Factor in a strong acoustic guitar technique that eschews simplistic strumming in favor of expressive finger-picking, and a pleasant voice that sounds like a more insistent, fuller bodied James Taylor, and you have a solid solo- acoustic performer who will make his way even if he doesn't serve ear candy.
Los Angeles TimesThis is one show I think you will NOT want to miss. Grab your friend, your neighbour, your sister and your brother, and get your tickets now before they are gone. Ticketwindow will have them up by the end of today, and I will be making them available at Looneytunes, Family Chrisitan Bookstore and Crossroads in Burlington.
CBC Interview this weekend (Fresh Air)
Mar 24, 2010
I will be speaking with the folks at CBC Radio One this week, for a segment that can be heard on Fresh Air this weekend. Sunday morning is the interview...between 6 and 9am.
Looks like we'll be chatting about the new CD, the Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala, and the upcoming show on April 10th at Toronto Centre for the Arts.
Turn on yer radio, people...it's that thing collecting dust in the corner!
New lower prices for the Rush Gala on Mar 28th!
Mar 20, 2010
Hey friends,
If you want a stealer of a deal on tickets for the big show that I'll be performing at this Sunday in Toronto (Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala), simply click the link below, and it will give you the whole scoop. Rush will be in attendance, as will Alexisonfire and Les Claypool and many others in an entertaining evening celebrating Canadian tunesmiths...
Rocking out for Rush; Lifting up the oppressed in Jesus' name (even if Glenn Beck thinks it's communist!)
Mar 15, 2010
Breaks in the music business happen rarely, and in a way, can be compared to a UFO sighting: dazzling, hard to believe, and potentially life-changing (with the outside chance of being abducted and probed).
I have always operated on the assumption that whatever I was going to have in my career as a musician was going to be the result of hard work and dedication. And I guess I still hold to that, but it's always nice when something like this happens. If you follow that link, you'll read about the story of Rush asking me to perform on their behalf at the Hall of Fame Gala coming up on March 28th. It's now official that the show producers have taken their advice, and I am on the bill! Which means I will perform for Rush and a host of other music legends, who will doubtless be in attendance at this historic event. Nervous? You bet. Excited and ready? Yes sir... Still, I could use your prayers.
The Hall of Fame gig has led to my first-ever headlining show at a major theatre in TO.
The Toronto Centre for the Arts has seen fit to offer me my ownCD Release show on April 10th, which I am hoping my Toronto fans will attend.Tickets are available most inexpensively by walking up to the box office for $20 (plus $2 in fees), or in the comfort and convenience of your own home at www.ticketmaster.ca.
Hope to see you you there on APRIL the 10th!
Speaking of shows in March, I will be performing a Haiti Relief fundraiser at Eastridge Church in Stouffville ON on Mar 26th (details here) and a benefit for International Justice Mission on March 27th (details here). I have enjoyed reading about how Christians have been quick to respond to Glenn Beck's admonition for churchgoers to leave any church that preaches 'Social Justice' (codeword for Nazism or Communism!!). I couldn't have penned a more thoughtful response than Jim Wallis.
Jim Wallis' Open Letter to Glenn Beck.
Olympic Recap
"Oh Canada, we stand on guard for theeeeee!" For a week in Vancouver, I got an up-close look at how these Winter Olympics were transforming our nation into a chorus of proud patriots.
The streets were alive with team spirit, and our host city looked like a million bucks. Everywhere you looked in downtown Vancouver, the people were all crowded together, just to feel the crackling energy that a merry mob brings; everyone playfully jostling to get ahead in line, or mug for the cameras. Ally and I went to experience that, of course, but we got more. A lot more. We met a team of musicians and volunteers through More Than Gold that were a revelation in talent and hard work, and through them, we learned that we're all in this thing together. Artists like Ezra, Sons of Day, Andrew Smith, Greg Szcebel and Russ Rosen commanded the stage and inspired all who were lucky enough to hear them. My thanks to Darlene and Sandy for setting up all the gigs (2-3 a day), and making everything run so smoothly, amid a myriad of details and logistics.
People have been wondering if we saw any Olympic events. Nah, we didn't have enough scratch on-hand to purchase tickets, but we watched it all unfold on TV, like everyone, and were blocks away from the broadcasting centre and the Olympic Flame. We will carry the memories of that week with us forever, and look forward to going back to BC in the late fall.
Olympic Fever and other exciting news!
Feb 15, 2010
This week Ally and I land in BC to begin my most intensive touring period to date in Vancouver, just in time for the 2010 Winter Games! We are stoked to join many other Canadian voices who are also participating in the 'More Than Gold' effort to bring music to a host of venues across the city during the coming days.
I will be performing 2-3 times every day in places like the Pacific Theatre, First Baptist Church, The Railway Club and several coffeehouses with artists like Andrew Smith, Greg Szcebel, Fresh IE and many more that I have yet to meet.
Should be tres cool.
I've posted all the dates and info here.
The Haiti Fundraiser: Feist, Farley Flex and Filming 'Bend and Break'
Dec 20, 2009
On a fateful day in mid-January, the news flooding the airwaves declared that Haiti had been hit with a 7.1 earthquake. After a stunned couple of days, I called up my good friends Tom Hogue and Glen Marshall and said: "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?". Turns out they were, and our 'Hamilton's Heart for Haiti' fundraiser was born. For years now, Hamilton has been active in relief efforts for the impoverished nation of Haiti, and millions have been raised and spent on improving health and quality of life for our neighbours there. We made some calls, and discovered that the goodwill that Hamilton people have for Haiti was very strong indeed. Within days, we had Hamilton Place confirmed as a venue, the Hamilton Spectator onboard as a media partner, and Feist headlining. The roster was impressive and locally based, with Tom Wilson, Harlan Pepper, Brian Melo, the Arkells, Melissa Mclelland, Luke Doucet, and others joining the bill.
For my part, I decided to perfom Sara, The Pearl and a new arrangement of a Keane song ('Bend and Break') with my string quartet, led by Michael Schulte. When we were done, Farley Flex, the MC on the night (from Canadian Idol fame) called me over and declared himself to be a new fan. Excellent! His kind words, and the warm memory of that magical evening stayed with me for a long time. And last week, I made the decision to go out on a limb and record 'Bend and Break' at Glen Marshall's studio, and tape it for an upcoming youtube video. Watch for that one in the coming weeks! It will be dedicated to the people of Haiti, and their resilience and strength during this time of tragedy.
"Maybe Sunshine": Now Available!
Nov 8, 2009
It's finally done! I spent a long time writing, recording and crafting this one, and I can hardly believe I am holding it in my sweaty palms at long last. Kudos to Jeremy Johnson, Greg Reely and all the players who made such a vital contribution to this record, and to all you who pre-ordered it online...my hat's off to you. I could never accomplish what I set out to without the help of this amazing team of supporters.
I hope that as you get this CD at an upcoming concert, or in the mail over the coming days, that it moves you, it gives you strength for the journey, and that it nourishes your soul.
ORDER MAYBE SUNSHINE
yours, Jacob MoonGet your tickets this week for upcoming shows at:
Ottawa's Parkdale United (CD Release on Nov 27th)Welcome Christmas at the Registry Theatre (Dec 18/19 with Isobelle Gunn and the strings!) and in Burlington at Crossroads Chapel (Dec 20 with the aforementioned band).
Details HERE.
"Maybe Sunshine": New CD this fall!
Sep 4, 2009
That's the cover
for this collection of 6 new Jacob Moon recordings, called "Maybe Sunshine". I am excited for you to hear this one,
as it represents one of my most personal and hand-carved efforts to date. I played all the guitars,
and there's lots of em! There's 4 full band songs, and two more solo numbers, including an instrumental.
The record seems to be leaning towards themes of children, hope, and faith. So it's a different kind of record for me,
and I wanted it to look and sound like it. As I said to the guys when we were recording drums and bass,
I want to make a new Jacob Moon record, not just another one. I would LOVE it if you guys could pre-order "Maybe Sunshine", if you know you're going to want it. The good news is it's only $10, and when you pre-order within Canada, you are automatically entered in my new CONTEST...to win a private house concert. That's right, I'll come to where you are within the borders of this great nation (here's hoping I don't have fans in Nunavut!) and play a concert in your living room for you and your friends. Your chances are excellent for winning, and way better than the lotto. Check the details below!
Trip to El Salvador
Jul 27, 2009
July 10th we left for a week-long advanture south to El Salvador, to learn more about the work of Compassion International, and organization that you might have heard me mention at past shows. They fight poverty using a child sponsorship program that links churches, needy families and sponsors around the world in a strategic alliance that is incredibly effective.
We saw first-hand how they have made a real difference in a country torn apart by disaster and war. I wrote a BLOG posting about it today, and I would love it if you'd stop by and take a peek, if only to see our newest sponsor child, Sara. We got the chance to spend a day with this beautiful little girl, and we were transformed by the experience. I came home and wrote a song about her, which I am just in the process of recording. What a trip...I'm sure there will be more music to come from this remarkable experience.
Videos
Jun 23, 2009
I got a kick out of doing that Subdivisions video, so I have decided to plow forward with filming a handful of songs on rooftops around Hamilton this summer. It should be a blast!
My friend Ali Matthews suggested that I keep the rooftop theme going, and I thought it might be fun to show off some more of my city's beautiful (and industrial) vistas, while premiering some new songs (and some old faves).
Watch for the first MoonRoof video in September sometime. And wish me luck up there!
Recording under way!
Jun 8, 2009
Armed with a new clutch of songs and ideas, I have boldly made my way back to the studio to begin work on my 7th CD. This one will be released in two parts, a six-song EP in the fall, and then another in the spring.
Why 2 EPs? I just feel like maybe full-length albums might be going the way of the dodo, and that songs are what will prevail in our increasingly crowded artistic marketplace. People are generally fans of songs, and rarely albums...unless it's Seargent Pepper, or Dark Side of the Moon (hey, that's a good title!)
The new songs lyrically are all about what's important to me now: family, social justice, doing something about slavery and child poverty, and spiritual renaissance and discovery. Musically, it's going to be as mixed a bag as any of my records, but my love of the acoustic guitar and interesting melodies will be up there front and center.
Behind-the-Scenes Videos will be released periodically throughout the summer, and one is already up there on the home page! Watch for the second in this series later this week...
NEW CD on the way this fall!
May 12, 2009
I have been writing some new songs, and trying them out on unsuspecting audiences, slipping them into sets like some kind of mad scientist, to see how they react.
What I'm hoping to achieve this summer is something I've rarely tried: compose parts of songs, then record them and finish the lyric and melody as I go, reacting to studio musicians' interpretation.
All of this in an attempt to uncover something about the songs that I would be unable to do on my own. First up is something to get me into that headspace again: a band version of The Great Beyond, for an upcoming animated video I've partially commissioned from local animator Rachel Peters. I intend to make that video part of a half dozen new videos that will debut this fall.
Eastern Ontario in March
Feb 25, 2009
At the end of March, I will be attending the StreetLevel Conference in Ottawa with my wife. I'm looking forward to meeting with people from across the country who are committed to doing something about poverty in Canada. This harmonic convergence of like-minded people brings together folks from across the political and religious spectrum as well, in an effort to learn from one another and to purpose together to look for ways to bring justice and mercy to those among us who are homeless.
The credo of the conference is simple: "The truest hallmark of real justice is that every person, regardless of economics, age or culture, has the extraordinary opportunity to leave a legacy of meaning; legacies of hope, redemption, restoration, reconciliation, relationship indelible imprints of truthtelling and peacemaking. Justice, demonstrated and experienced, always leaves a legacy."
I will be performing two shows while there (well, three if you count my guest appearance with Outrider, Tim Huff's terrific band, at the Hard Rock on Friday the 27th). I will be in Perth on the 28th at the Studio Theatre, and in Ottawa on March 29th at Parkdale United for a very special fundraiser for the Ottawa Mission, with special guests the Hallelujah Gospel Chorus. 3 pm show on that day...
Simple Plan for 2009
Feb 2, 2009
So the video I did of 'Subdivisions' by Rush has now taken off and really caught fire around the world! It's been really fun to hear from folks out east, across the pond in the UK, and all the way south into the heart of Texas and beyond to Brazil. The trail has even led into the hallowed halls of Anthem Music, where I receved this message from Geddy Lee (lead singer of Rush):
"The guys have all seen this and think it's terrific.
Kudos to Jacob and best of luck to him.
Great voice!!
best
Geddy"There you have it. I have the blessing of the man himself! I would consider it a failure if the guys didn't dig it, but the idea that this little video that we shot has had this kind of success tells me that maybe this is the new plan...
Perhaps this year is not the year to make a CD, but rather a series of videos! Why not? Now that my little 'TV channel' has produced a minor hit, perhaps it's time to roll out new episodes for the rest of the season, with the hopes of picking up a wide range of new fans in the process. Watch for updates and sign up for the channel over at www.youtube.com/jacobmoon.
Subdivision
Jan 15, 2009
Click through to www.youtube.com/jacobmoon and you'll see my Subdivisions video up there starting to get a nice following. I guess there are lots of Rush fans in the world...here's hoping that I can reach lots more. Please post this video on your facebook/myspace/blog, and let's see if we can work together to make this thing go viral!
I just got back from NYC, andI have pictures! Here's a quote from the recent post at my 'travel-blogue'.
"Emerging out of the Lincoln tunnel and into mid-town, I remembered why we came. This city is part of the fabric of my being, and her inhabitants feel like family, somehow. As novel and surprising as the sights and sounds can be, I never feel like a stranger here, twisted up as it is in my cultural memory."
Please visit: http://jacobmoon-the-loop.blogspot.com/
Photo Credit: Paul Beaulieu