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.

•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.

•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.

•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 16, 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/214086

Sunset 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 person

Online 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.

“The idea for doing this was Glen's,” notes Moon. “And 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: $10

WHO: 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, it’s an invitation-only concert in someone’s 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 host’s 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 — 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,”

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

Moon shines over Rush's Subdivisions?http://www.thespec.com/article/520705

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

I

I 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 Times

This 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...

http://www.jacobmoon.com/GalaDiscount.pdf

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).

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 Moon

Get your tickets this week for upcoming shows at:
Ottawa's Parkdale United (CD Release on Nov 27th)

"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/