Greetings Quill Folk!
Another summer gone now and the four of us are lining up to buy cut-rate plaid pencil cases. Back to Cool.
Actually, we're all sitting in the van at the time of this writing (we call it the "Frü-bus," of course). Jean's working on his computer and navigating us through New England's double carriageways. Mike's got his computer on too - looks like a letter to a professor regarding an opera Mike is rocking up. Murray is working on a song (pen & ink) in the far backseat, and Dave is staring into the middle distance, apparently "between thoughts".
John Yates is driving. He's taken time off from being Chief Engineer at Dreamland Studios to mix live sound for us this past month. He's got huge ears and a huge appetite to match. Peter is stretched out on the front bench doing something called "tour managing," which looks a lot like what people who aren't in bands might call "sleeping." Pete's a Great GuyTM who'll take over mixing live sound shortly and be replaced as merchman/tour manager by someone called Dookie. Does Dookie come with his own collar and week's supply of Gainsburger? Is Dookie another of Peter's holograms?
So many questions...find out some answers this fall as Moxy, Dookie, and Petey traverse North America in "Who Has Heard the Wood?" - an autumn tour that will probably touch down in your town, or close to it, before the snow flies (please see the tour schedule in this edition of the Quill and note that some of the final dates are tentative, so check with local listings or the friendly management team at JAM for confirmation).
To our friends in the U.K., we will see you before '96 is out of diapers. January or February is likely, especially since the Little Chef and Welcome Break chains have announced a 20% price hike for their fine edibles in the new year! We want to be there for the celebratory games: Managers pelting submissive customers with hard rolls ("just a Pound!"); and the "batter-off" competition where top chefs compete for the highest bread-to-fish ration in an eight Pound plate.
Meantime, on to the new album... "Wood" is catching fire in Canada! Beating the competition to the pulp! Running rings around 'em! Stumping the critics! (saps) Retail chains are opening new branches to tap this growth at the root. U.S. and U.K. release dates are still pending, but the album is available through the Quill. Don't be shy...order away and be the first, second or third on your block to get "Wood".
The first single from "Wood" in Canada, "Down from Above" has enjoyed notable radio and video play throughout our fine land this summer. "Fly", the second single, will go to radio in October with a video to match. To all of our Canadian friends, if you wish to see more of the videos for "Down" or "Fly", why not call in a request to you video station? Maybe they can squeeze it in between hair-care and Snapple adverts.
We hope to complete the "B Album" this month (September) and annouce its availability to Quill readers as soon as possible (you always get things first at the Quill). Expect a good dose of satire, humour, oddities, out-takes and archival materials - in a low-priced package.
We are very excited that our U.S. audience is growing rapidly as evidenced by a recent most sold-out tour of U.S. clubs (including a joyous performance at the brilliant Philadelphia Folk Festival). The grand Canadian tour is just about to start. Can't wait to play in the Canadian cities and towns we have not seen in many many months. Murray misses the vistas of the West, Mike the rolling plains, Jean, the Canadian Shield's brave juniper bushes, and Dave, the lilting tongue of the Maritimes.
Well, police cars in Vermont are painted what we used to call "hospital green". And judging by the dozen or so behind the van, it's time to sign off and engage in the lucrative American entertainment form called "Law Show."
Peace, Love and Freedom from the trivial non-issues that sell so much media,
Moxy Früvous
Tuesday, September 26 Kingston, ONT Stages Wednesday, September 27 Hamilton, ONT McMaster University The Downstairs John Thursday, September 28 Peterborough, ONT Market Hall Friday, September 29 St. Catharines, ONT Brock University Isaac's Pub Saturday, September 30 Rochester, NY Milestones Tuesday, October 3 Sarnia, ONT Campbell St. Station Thursday, October 5 London, ONT The Embassy Friday, October 6 Port Dover, ONT Old Town Hall Theatre Saturday, October 7 Toronto, ONT Lee's Palace Tuesday, October 10 Quebec City, PQ Club D'Auteuil Thursday, October 12 Halifax, NS Mount St. Vincent University Friday, October 13 & Halifax, NS Dalhousie University Saturday, October 14 Monday, October 16 Yartmouth, NS The Red Knight Tuesday, October 17 Wolfville, NS Acadia University Wednesday, October 18 Sydney, NS Club Capri Thursday, October 19 Moncton, NB Chevy's Friday, October 20 Charlottetown, PEI University of Prince Edward Island Saturday, October 21 Fredricton, NB The Dock Pub Monday, October 23 Boston, MA The Middle East (Downstairs) Tuesday, October 24 North Hampton, MA The Iron Horse Wednesday, October 25 New York, NY Wetlands Thursday, October 26 Philadelphia, PA T.L.A. Saturday, October 28 Albany, NY venue TBA TENTATIVE Both cities & venues are tentative...still booking as we write this. Please call JAM at 416-534-1929 or email moxy@tvo.org to confirm dates. Wednesday, November 1 Toledo, OH The Main Event Thursday, November 2 Cleveland, OH venue TBA Friday, November 3 Columbus, OH venue TBA Saturday, November 4 Cincinatti, OH venue TBA Monday, November 6 Champaign, IL venue TBA Tuesday, November 7 Chicago, IL The Double Door Wednesday, November 8 Madison, WI venue TBA Thursday, November 9 Minneapolis, MN venue TBA Friday, November 10 & Winnipeg, MAN West End Cultural Centre Saturday, November 11 Tuesday, November 14 Regina, SK University of Regina Wednesday, November 15 Calgary, AB The Republik Thursday, November 16 Salmon Arm, BC venue TBA Friday, November 17 & Vancouver, BC Town Pump Saturday, November 18 Sunday, November 19 Victoria, BC Harpo's Tuesday, November 21 Prince George, BC University of Prince George Wednesday, November 22 Banff, AB Banff Arts Centre Thursday, November 23 Edmonton, AB The Rev Friday,November 24 Red Deer, AB venue TBA Saturday, November 25 Saskatoon, SK Louie's Pub Monday, November 27 Brandon, MB venue TBA Tuesday, November 28 Thunder Bay ONT venue TBA Wednesday, November 29 Sault St. Marie, ONT venue TBA Thursday, November 30 Sudbury, ONT venue TBA Friday, December 1 North Bay, ONT venue TBA Saturday, December 2 Ottawa, ONT Barrymore's Sunday, December 3 Montreal, PQ Club Soda
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