day 1, we start

day 2 , we the epic proportions and i, survive another grueling day under the microscope by the skin of my butterknife wit, and come out with shiny gold nuggets that have the faint but indelible stench of cat piss

day 3, we soldier forward, completely forgetting what we set out to do in the first place, fuelled only by a thick black tar-like substance, which we thought was coffee but turned out to be the residue of decomposing angels. I don’t think we will get out alive, and if we do, it will never ever be the same.

*oops , it actually was just strong coffee, i looked at the label again, everything is fine, sorry for the false alarm

day 4- smell that? thats the smug scent of a sense of accomplishment.

well i guess that wraps up my highly detailed recording studio journal, hope you derived some illuminating insight into the creative process from it, and if you didn’t, its better that way , cause the more you know, the less room for magic . in the immortal words of keith richards williams,”party on” ( the famous burlesque photographer)

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It has been ages since there has been a post.  I and my Web Gal are still learning the ropes on how to care for this website, our first.  It is a delicate creature and we’ve definitely had our share of mishaps.  However, our relationship with this creature has stabilized and we are pretty sure it likes us, so now we can get to some real work sharing what is happening with my music and performance. 

I’ve been in hiding for most of the winter and aside from my weekly forays to the Laff on Weds., I’ve been doggedly working on the material for my new album.  I’m getting excited because the final steps are in view and I’ll be recording at Little Bullhorn Studios at the beginning of April.  I can’t wait.  My band, The Epic Proportions, consists Olivier Fairfield- Drums, Fred Guignon- Lap Steel/Electric Guitar, Philip Charbonneau – Upright Bass. These guys are great players and if you don’t know their names, I’m almost positive you’ve heard them at some point on the Ottawa scene.   Each time we’ve gathered for a pre-recording re-hersal I’m blown away by their contributions.  I have a feeling we’re going to be recording some fine music.

Stay tuned.  I hope to post more as the recording gets underway.  If not in words, in photos and video!  Cheers!

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Title: Kaffe 1870 with The EPIC PROPORTIONS
Location: Wakefield, QC
Link out: Click here
Description: Another rockin’ evening at the Kaffe! John’s bringing out his big guns and will be joined by his full band the EPIC PROPORTIONS!! 9pm $10 Cover

Start Time: 21:00
Date: 2010-07-31

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Its about a week shy of five years that I have been playing weekly at the Chateau Lafayette on York st. in Ottawa. I may have missed 2 or 3 Wednesdays in that whole time.
A house gig is a most interesting challenge as a performer. You are faced with maintaining an interesting show for a regular audience, as opposed to performing the same show for different audiences.
Some considerations : adding new repertoire is essential , but can be time consuming as I like to get really comfortable with a song, this can take weeks , months and sometimes years. It is one thing to have a cursory awareness of a song, but I think it is accurate to say it takes a deep ongoing revisiting to really get it good.
There are some people that come in to the show almost every week , some that come slightly less regularly , and a majority that drop in from time to time. Also on any given night there are always some random new faces in the audience, and this helps a lot to keep it fresh.
I am always surprised that so many people come so regularly , but I have learned to go with it.
The real sense of freshness and the antidote to monotony at least for me is in being in the moment with each tune each time it is played. Allowing it to come out the way it wants to on any given occasion, with all the factors that define that moment distinguishing it from all the other times it is played. Its not quite the same as Jazz where ideally only the bare bones of a head and the harmonic structure are maintained, I’m sure 9 out of 10 times a given rendition is similar in most respects to previous incarnations, but once in a while it takes a whole new dimension.
Or course this could be true of any performance , and probably should be, but it is easier to rely on standardized approaches when you are in a new town playing to new audiences. With the house job , you have to keep it fresh and try and create a unique experience every time.
Of course the witty and not so witty banter in between songs always gives each performance its own energy. Sometimes the comic monologue flows like water , and sometimes the awkward moments steal the night. Often it is defined by what the regulars throw in there, or the odd heckler. The heckler psyche has always bewildered me, trying to understand what motivates someone to try and hijack the room when they are witlessly drunk. I always think of them as would be performers who are too lazy to get a gig or think of anything engaging to say.
As the performer however it is always your job to avoid catastrophe and an uncomfortable audience is catastrophic. I am not saying I suceed at it each time, but it is the goal. Ultimately you are there to have and facilitate a good time. And make millions of dollars. Luckily the good time part is working out.

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Title: ANXIETY!
Location: Cube Gallery
Link out: Click here
Description: Recording artist John Carroll with a musical tribute to your deepest insecurities
* Gruppo Rubato in a reading from the play: Airport Security (a comedy of paranoia) written and directed by Patrick GauthierThx
* Actor Kel Parsons reads anxious verse from the canon of classic poetry

Bistro Tables
Complimentary hors d\’œuvres
by Petite Bill’s Bistro
Cash Bar
Tickets $20

Please call for reservations
(Limited numbers)
613 728 1750
Start Time: 19:30
Date: 2009-10-04

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