New CD from London's best kept secret
From the outside, the London Music Club (LMC) doesn't look like much of a performance venue. Located on Colborne, by Queen Street, in a yellow brick heritage home, this former Knights of Columbus meeting hall is deceptive in its appearance. Inside, the Club features three separate staging areas, including an intimate Front Room, a fully licensed Big Hall and Pub—style Cellar Lounge. The LMC seems to attract an audience of true music fans; people who are there to appreciate the energy of live music, not chatter with friends and guzzle drinks. This is a place to come and perform for an audience who's actually listening!
On Friday nights, the LMC opens its doors to local singer/songwriters for ‘Acoustyle Open Mic' night. Owner, Pete Denomme saw potential in the Friday night performers early on, with fan favourites coming back week after week, he quickly saw an opportunity for showcasing local talent as well as promoting the Club. Having recently opened a recording studio upstairs, he and recording engineer and producer Bryan Feller decided to put together a compilation CD titled ‘Friday Nights at the London Music Club' featuring the artists who regularly performed on Open Mic nights.
Together, they selected 11 artists to appear on the album. Each performer chose original material to record and played their own instruments as well. For many of the singers, this was their first time recording in a real studio, so the compilation gave them a great opportunity. Feller admits that studio space can be expensive, so this project was a great starting point to gain experience without pressure.
“I try to create a relaxed, chill atmosphere in the studio”, he says, while gesturing to the cozy, sunken couch on one side of the room. He also admits to taking his time in the recording process, “This is our first album, we're learning as we go. We're going slow so we don't make too many mistakes.”
Feller and Denomme both make appearances in the album. Feller and his girlfriend Kaela Strediotto make up the pop duo Bliss Express, and Denomme is featured on a solo track. The CD highlights a wide variety of artists, ranging in age from 20 years-old to over 50. Open Mic favourite Charlo performs his one-man whimsical keyboard act, Tony Pacheco showcases a rough, sexy voice reminiscent of a young Bruce Springsteen, Karen Emeny shows promise with a Jewel-influenced catchy track, The Dozens create a “blue bayou” experience with a steel guitar number, Llio Deryn is radio-ready with a unique voice comparable to early Ani DiFranco, the talented Jim Nestor lends his electric guitar to three tracks on the album, including his own, Jake Ender rocks out and Simon Denomme, Rusty Water, Leiland Wheeler & Max Helperin all provide emotional performances with strong lyrical content.
Feller and Denomme are interested in continuing to make albums featuring local artists in the future. “You know Big Shiny Tunes? We'll be like that, this is Volume One” jokes Denomme. The process for this first compilation took them about six months to select the talent, schedule recording time and produce each track. If this CD is a success, they hope to release an album each year.
The album's release will be celebrated at the London Music Club in a CD release party this June.
What: ‘Friday Nights at the London Music Club' CD Release Party
When: Friday June 26th, 7:00pm, $2.00 cover charge at the door
Where: London Music Club, 470 Colborne Street
www.londonmusicclub.150m.com
On Friday nights, the LMC opens its doors to local singer/songwriters for ‘Acoustyle Open Mic' night. Owner, Pete Denomme saw potential in the Friday night performers early on, with fan favourites coming back week after week, he quickly saw an opportunity for showcasing local talent as well as promoting the Club. Having recently opened a recording studio upstairs, he and recording engineer and producer Bryan Feller decided to put together a compilation CD titled ‘Friday Nights at the London Music Club' featuring the artists who regularly performed on Open Mic nights.
Together, they selected 11 artists to appear on the album. Each performer chose original material to record and played their own instruments as well. For many of the singers, this was their first time recording in a real studio, so the compilation gave them a great opportunity. Feller admits that studio space can be expensive, so this project was a great starting point to gain experience without pressure.
“I try to create a relaxed, chill atmosphere in the studio”, he says, while gesturing to the cozy, sunken couch on one side of the room. He also admits to taking his time in the recording process, “This is our first album, we're learning as we go. We're going slow so we don't make too many mistakes.”
Feller and Denomme both make appearances in the album. Feller and his girlfriend Kaela Strediotto make up the pop duo Bliss Express, and Denomme is featured on a solo track. The CD highlights a wide variety of artists, ranging in age from 20 years-old to over 50. Open Mic favourite Charlo performs his one-man whimsical keyboard act, Tony Pacheco showcases a rough, sexy voice reminiscent of a young Bruce Springsteen, Karen Emeny shows promise with a Jewel-influenced catchy track, The Dozens create a “blue bayou” experience with a steel guitar number, Llio Deryn is radio-ready with a unique voice comparable to early Ani DiFranco, the talented Jim Nestor lends his electric guitar to three tracks on the album, including his own, Jake Ender rocks out and Simon Denomme, Rusty Water, Leiland Wheeler & Max Helperin all provide emotional performances with strong lyrical content.
Feller and Denomme are interested in continuing to make albums featuring local artists in the future. “You know Big Shiny Tunes? We'll be like that, this is Volume One” jokes Denomme. The process for this first compilation took them about six months to select the talent, schedule recording time and produce each track. If this CD is a success, they hope to release an album each year.
The album's release will be celebrated at the London Music Club in a CD release party this June.
What: ‘Friday Nights at the London Music Club' CD Release Party
When: Friday June 26th, 7:00pm, $2.00 cover charge at the door
Where: London Music Club, 470 Colborne Street
www.londonmusicclub.150m.com
