New Label: Maisonneuve Music!

OK, the short announcement is I’ve joined a just-formed, independent record label: Maisonneuve Music!

The longer, detailed story:

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For those familiar with my music, you might know how I love to travel to Hamilton, Ontario to visit a beautiful recording facility called Catherine North Studios. I have worked with some amazingly talented, nice people at Catherine North.

In April of 2009, I started my first trips to Catherine North to work on Burning the Boats.

The catalyst of this trip was hearing City and Colour’s Bring Me Your Love, and watching the behind the scenes videos, which was recorded there, with Dan Achen, producer and owner of the studio.

In December of 2008, I sent Dan a Myspace message–yes, Myspace!–about my interest in doing my second release at his studio. Would he write back?

Dan did! He asked to hear my songs. Then, we talked via Skype and he showed me the facility via web cam. I knew immediately this is where I would create my next project.

I was still teaching high school English in Holly then, and my struggle to find a balance in my personal, creative, and professional life had reached its height. There were many moments between 2007-2009 where I was depressed.

(I must emphasize that I loved the teaching part of education, but I often abandoned music to keep up with the work load of grading, planning, and instructing. That ate away at me. I never knew how to keep up, and it never ended. Teachers have the most difficult job on the planet.)

Visiting Catherine North Studios was a beacon of hope, inspiration, and healing for me.

While it was hard for me to find the time to get to Canada during my teaching schedule, we made it work. There was one Friday where I  left from Holly High School’s parking lot and drove straight to Hamilton. We recorded all weekend. Monday morning, I showered at the studio, and drove four hours back right to the classroom.

Making a record takes a team, and Dan’s team was incredible. I spent my most time working with Dan and his engineer/producer Michael Chambers, tracking instruments and turning my acoustic songs into full band representations.

After I made a three visits of about three days each between 2009-2010, we had tracked most of the guitars and vocals; the record was half finished. The end was in sight!

The experience of working with Dan and Michael was not only leading to the best music I’d ever made, but also a better place in my life.

* * *
In March of 2010, I went to work like it was a normal day.

While waiting for the first bell to ring and my students to arrive, I was rereading scenes of To Kill a Mockingbird, drinking insane amounts of coffee, and periodically checking Facebook on my iPhone.

I saw a Facebook post from Michael Chambers that said something like, “RIP Dan Achen. We will miss you forever…”

I didn’t believe what I read. Huh?

The bell rang, but I didn’t hear it.

Most of my students were already in their seats. A few tardy students were trying to sneak in without being noticed. I looked up and the room was spinning. I told the class I’d be back in a moment.

I went into the bathroom and threw up.

* * *

Dan was 51 when he suffered a heart attack while playing hockey. There are so many people who knew Dan better than me, but I think Dan had a gift of making everyone feel special, no matter if they were a famous member of the Ramones or a simple high school teacher.

Music brought us together at Catherine North; friendship brought us back.

* * *

So how does all this lead to me joining the label, Maisonneuve Music?

OK, here’s where I get to reintroduce you to the best power couple on the planet: Kathleen Farley and Michael Chambers.

Michael Chambers and I finished Burning the Boats after Dan passed away. And we continued to work on more music projects together at Catherine North over the years.

Michael is incredible.

And incredible people find incredible partners!

Kathleen Farley, Michael’s wife, is a teacher at Harris Institute, a musician, a technology wiz, entrepreneur and inspiration.

We’ve spent quite a few nights in the basement apartment of Catherine North Studios, drinking some Canadian beer, talking about creativity, dog-ownership, writing, teaching, and life!

My wife Natalie finally got to meet Kathleen and Michael, in person, sans Skype, last summer when I recorded, “Love Birds.”

I am really lucky to be able to call these talented Canadians my friends.

* * *

So Kathleen sent me an email in January, titled “Happy New Year — and new label.” Kathleen was starting an independent record label; she asked if I’d join it.

So I have! And the label’s official launch is today! Along with its website, Maisonneuve Music is on Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud.

We aren’t sure where this will go, but I get to spend more time with these inspiring people in Canada. So it’s already a win/win for me!

* * *

In terms of new music, I’m using 2014 to write. I’ve been writing a song a week all year. I haven’t been sharing many of the new songs yet. Currently, “Burning Bright” is my favorite new song demo.

In January of next year, I plan to reexamine all of the new songs, and some of my favorites from previous years.

Currently, I have about 45-50 songs I wrote during my teaching years that haven’t seen the light of day. I could release new music now, but I want to take time to write new material that resonates with my current life.

I also want my next release of music to capture my spirit when I perform live.

In 2015, I plan to release more music, but I’m not sure what form it will take. Will it be a set of EPs? Singles? My first full-length? I might do something crazy and release a 52 songs project. Or a multi-media poetry/music book. I have half of a book of poetry finished, and I hope to have my first book of poems completed by the end of this year.

Anyways, I’m allowing 2014 to be a year of a lot of writing. Thanks for reading the fun news! More to come. Right now, Lois has news, and she wants to go for a walk.