artist Ainsley McNeaney

Visit http://www.ainsleymcneaney.bandcamp.com for advance tickets today 'cause this one's gonna sell the f*&k out!! Happy fall….what’s new? Carving pumpkins, big vats of chili, a little too much red wine with good friends. Snow is coming and so is Christmas…man, I love this time of year. It’s always a scramble, though, to get everything done that I have been putting off all year! Taking French classes every weekday for 4 1/2 hours doesn’t help my productivity, but I’ll say this proudly: that I never want to be one of those Anglophones living in Montreal who doesn’t know how to speak French. Already I have improved immensely (but that also could just be my Québécois friends being nice). Any non-French-speaker in Québec has experienced going into a store and trying so hard to speak French, only to be spoken back in English by the salesperson. I’ll let you in on the trick I’ve learned – whenever that happens to me, I always, always speak back in French, explaining, ‘Merci, mais j’apprend maintenant le français et je dois pratiquer!’ So many times I’ve left the store with that individual thanking me profusely and telling me how much they appreciate it (seemingly on behalf of the entire Québécois population), which makes me wonder how many people are there out there refusing to speak, to learn, even to try… In any case! On to the big news: I am thrilled to have been asked to open for Jon Davis at the Cabaret de Mile End on Wednesday, November 23rd – and the operative word is indeed ‘thrilled’ as Cabaret de Mile End is an awesome venue and I’m tired of playing small rooms with bad sound systems where no one can hear my lyrics (sorry to bitch, but any musician playing out there regularly will know what I’m talking about!). Jon’s manager, Deborah Baum, is promoting the event, and it’s going to be huge. The talented world-pop-dance band Mangomango will be rounding out the evening, getting your booties shaking and such. So. Get your ticket today! Seriously, visit my Bandcamp site to purchase a ticket online in advance, because I’m honestly not sure how many there will be left at the door! We’ll be on at 8pm SHARP, no later because then we might get the old cane ‘round the middle, ya know? I should also take a second to mention that although I’ve played a couple of shows with Jon before, this will be the first time I’ll be hearing him live with a full band – this excites me to no end! And, of course, my full band will be there – Amie, Pierre, Simon, Marie-Pier and Matt – come and tell us how hipster we are for playing at the Cabaret de Mile End! Visit http://www.ainsleymcneaney.bandcamp.com today for advance tix! And for those of you who prefer a weekend show – hell, for all of you! – THIS COMING FRIDAY we’ll be playing as part of Acoustic Nights 10 with the lovely and talented songstress Melina Soochan. Melina started the Acoustic Nights series awhile back and this will be the 10th installment – at the Jello Martini Lounge (I’ve never been there, but I hear it’s awesome – I’m assuming they have both jello and martinis, so I think that’s pretty much guaranteed if that’s the case…hehe…) featuring me and my band, Melina, Flo (reggae) and Jolie Alien Babes (cabaret/folk pop/rock-a-billy). Check out the event on Facebook, okay? It’s an early show staring at 7pm, so come even earlier for the 5 à 7 and stay afterward for the party! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=273844369303155 Onwards and upwards, I once heard a slightly hunch-backed CEO wearing a custom-fitted suit say while riding an elevator…not bad advice, not bad at all. XO A=M

Dear lovely friends/fans/family… Your presence is requested tomorrow evening at Casa Del Popolo for a soirée of the finest music you’ve ever wanted to hear live! (This is Manager-Ainsley writing….Musician-Ainsley would be much more humble, believe me.) Aside from the regular group I wrote about in my last email to y’all, Simon Millerd and Stéphanie Vermette will be joining us on trumpet and violin respectively, bringing our grand total for this show to a whopping seven very talented musicians! Come early to hear two other amazing Montréal-based acts: the lovely Eleanore Altman and orchestral-folk-pop ensemble Glass Passenger. Here are the details: WHO: Ainsley McNeaney http://www.ainsleymcneaney.com/ Glass Passenger http://www.glasspassenger.com Eleanore Altman http://www.eleanorealtman.com WHEN: Wednesday, July 20th (Yes, that’s tomorrow!!) 8:30pm WHERE: Casa Del Popolo, 4873 St-Laurent HOW MUCH and WHY: $6, because live music is awesome and supporting independent musicians brings you good karma! While I’ve still got your attention, check out this Call & Response I did for the most-excellent music blog Midnight Poutine. Their editor, Margot En, rocks my world. (Can I still say that and be cool?) http://www.midnightpoutine.ca/music/2011/07/call_response_ainsley_mcneaney/ AND – in more good, recent news, Ainsley McNeaney T-SHIRTS will finally be available for sale tomorrow at the show! (They will also be available on my web site shortly, or you can email me directly to get yours today.) At only $20 each, you get to support my music AND sport the latest trend in fashion-forward thinking…I’ll be posting/emailing pictures as soon as I have them in my hands, but just know that I’m super excited about the design. Big props go to Zack Smith for madly chugging Red Bull all weekend to cater to my last-minute demands – please take a second and check out his online portfolio! http://zacksmithdesign.daportfolio.com/ Alright, I leave you today with the following thought: Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark? Please discuss…the best response wins a free t-shirt. Yes! Stay cool and much love to you all… XO A=M

Happy July to you all! I feel like the summer is already flying by…many days/nights have been spent barbequing on the balcony, tending to my fragile garden, hiking on Mont Royal and playing music. Lots of plans in the works for the summer including many awesome shows, a music video (finally!), Ainsley McNeaney t-shirts and new songs coming your way. I’ve been playing with some really awesome people who deserve a good mention here: - Amie Watson has been my right-hand-woman since last summer; she plays a mean glockenspiel and always knows in advance when I’m about to screw up my own lyrics. Amie is also an avid foodie – you can check out her blog right here (http://www.multiculturiosity.com/) for recipe ideas, funny food-related anecdotes and to learn about starting a worm box right in your own kitchen. - Pierre Haché I met in February through the wonderfully helpful saxophonist Dalhi Gonthier, and he has been such an awesome support ever since. Any singer songwriter can tell you that having a drummer who’s committed to your project is a rare thing indeed – to have one as talented as Pierre is just freaking icing on my musical cake. Definitely worth every drive out to NDG. - Simon Lévesque joined us when I was down sick with the flu and panicking about how the hell I was going to pull off an upcoming show without a bassist. Oh dear, how the music gods smiled upon me that day…aside from being an absolutely prolific player, he is ALWAYS there onstage, just behind me and to the left, to correct the many, many mistakes I make attempting to speak French in public. - Marie-Pier Houle (la belle flûtiste!) came to our first rehearsal thinking we were just jamming and stayed for the gig (no joke). This girl is not your run of the mill concert band flautist – she adds stuff to the parts I’ve written that I would have never thought of on my own: jazzy, freaky stuff that soars and growls and is just generally awesome. There you have it! Next show is THIS WEDNESDAY at Burritoville with Robb Hill & Brave By Numbers, Mistress Funk and Glass Bridges. The show will start at 8pm (seriously) and for only $5 I promise that you will be entertained for at least four straight hours while you eat a burrito (which is, in itself, mildly entertaining). Go Canada! XO A=M

Hi everyone – 

I’ll make this short and sweet!  New shows coming up…

 

THIS Sunday, Nov. 28th1-4pm

The Starlight Lounge in Waterloo, ON

MS Destination Liberation Fundraiser

Live music (featuring myself, Danny Michel, Andy McGuire and The Mercey Brothers), silent auction and raffle with amazing prizes to be won, good food and drinks…all at a cool club in support of a very good cause.  Much more entertaining than the Grey Cup pre-game coverage, trust me… 

 

Thursday, Dec. 9th 8:30pm

Le Cagibi in Montreal, QC

With Larra Skye (touring from Toronto) and Jon Davis at one of Montreal’s hippest lil’ clubs.  I’ll be joined by some truly wicked-awesome new musician/friends on a fine assortment of varied instruments.  $10 at the door gets you three acts and a hug.

 

Friday, Dec. 10th 9pm

The Tea Lounge in Brooklyn, NY

Making my USA debut at this café-by-day/super-cool-live-music-venue by night.  I’ll be bringing the ever-so-rhythmic Christa Mercey with me, and we’ll be joined by a few musicians from the NYC music scene.  Cover is Pay What You Can.  (Enough to cover my gas, perhaps?)

 

Saturday, Dec.9th 8pm

Goodbye Blue Monday in Brooklyn, NY

An abridged version of the night before, but this time on a real piano!  FREE SHOW.

 

Wow, that’s all for now!  Except that I feel the need to remind you that I’m still playing EVERY WEDNESDAY at Le Dépanneur Café here in Montreal – 1-2pm, also free, usually accompanied by some lovely and beautiful ladies and a grilled cheese sandwich.

XO A=M

PS: As always, I request that you pass this info along to anyone you know who might be interested in these shows!  Thank you all for your support of live, independent music.

Thank you to everyone who came out to the Piston in August for my summer homecoming show – what a truly amazing night: Carlie Howell rocked the two-step, Todd and I entertained even ourselves with our witty stage banter and everyone got to check out one of Toronto’s newest, most in-demand live music venues!

I’m really excited to announce that I’ll be making my international debut in Israel at Tel Aviv’s infamous Levontin 7 on Sunday, October 3rd at 8pm!  Best ‘vacation’ ever….  With full band and a grand piano, this is a show NOT TO BE MISSED!! :)

As well, some new shows here in Montreal announced, including my weekly gig at Le Dépanneur Café on Bernard – new songs and old favourites EVERY WEDNESDAY, 1-2pm.  Plus, they make the very best grilled cheese there, so even if you don’t like live, mid-day music (huh?), at least come because there’s no way you could make yourself a sandwich like this at home.  Check out www.ainsleymcneaney.com for more details.

Peace to all and happy September!

XO

A=M

First of all, I really do miss you, Toronto.  But more importantly at this stage in my life….I LOVE being in Montreal!  Moving here was the best thing I’ve done in a long time to get my creative spirits flying very high indeed.  Along with taking walks over Mont Royal and checking out the many, many music festivals Montreal has going on over the summertime, I’m still working on the song-a-day project – up to 86 song this year as I type this! – and have been meeting some awesome musicians and getting my little band together. 

So!  Two gigs coming up that you all should know about: July 30th here in Montreal at the Georges Alexandre, a wonderful little piano bar on Parc; and also August 15th at the Piston (formerly the Concord Café) in Toronto.  In between those dates, I head up north for my annual engagement as a percussion teacher at the Kincardine Summer Music Festival, something I dearly look forward to every year.

More details to come very soon!  Stay cool…

XO

A=M

Hi everyone –

A few bits of wonderful news….

SATURDAY @ STATLER’S
I'm thrilled to invite you to a very special performance this coming Saturday, April 11th at Statler's Piano Bar. Recently under new management, this is a beautiful venue with an amazing Steinway piano.  I'll be playing both old favourites from the album 'True Story Orchestra' along with some well known covers. PLUS - for the first time in a long time, longer than I am willing to admit - I will be playing some new tunes, never before heard! (Unless you stand outside my apartment door at night, which you are also welcome to do....that would be free of charge.)

The show starts at 8pm, so please come check out this wonderful venue!  Reservations are recommended....visit www.statlersonchurch.com or call 416-962-1209 to book your seat. Cover is $10 at the door and there is a $10 minimum food and beverage (that's one delicious, over-sized martini).

CBC RADIO
Also on the good news front….this morning, my song ‘Old & Grey’ was featured on CBC Radio One’s Fresh Air program as one of four new Canadian artists to watch!  Here’s proof… http://www.cbc.ca/freshair/2009/04/local_musiciansapril_1.html

UPCOMING SHOWS
More shows are in the works for spring and summer, both in Toronto and ‘on the road’ - I’ll keep you updated as things progress.

Thank you for listening!
XO
A=M