Current Listening:
Ry Cooder - Paradise and Lunch
Mark Olson - The Salvation Blues
Jimmy Cliff - Jimmy Cliff
Loudon Wainwright III - Last Man on Earth
The Kinks - Muswell Hillbillies
Eric Clapton - Eric Clapton
Rickie Lee Jones - Sermon from Exposition Blvd
Jackie Greene - Sweet Somewhere Bound
Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
Always up for: The Jayhawks (been crowded in the wings), The Blue Shadows (it seems lucky to me), Jackson Browne (how long have i been dreaming i could make things right/if i closed my eyes and tried with all my might), Paul Westerberg (things i don't want to tell you but i have to...now), The Beatles (two of us riding nowhere), Lucinda Williams (did you love me forever, for those three days?), Warren Zevon (i was staying at the Mariott with Jesus and John Wayne), Otis Redding (these eyes of mine don't fool me), Bob Dylan (i used to care but things have changed), Nick Drake (why leave me hanging on a star), Paul Simon (home, where my music's playin'), David Mead (i got a name that's hard to remember), Sam Phillips (when we open our eyes and dream we open our eyes), Josh Rouse (under the cold blue stars), Squeeze (this summer we pull all the sheets off the bed), Wilco (all my lies are always wishes), pat mAcdonald (cooler than ice cream in the mouth of a debutante/hotter than hells angels at altamont)
~NEW RELEASES~
**Canadian band Longshot has recorded the Sheremeta/Zarnett song "Summer's Reign" for their upcoming CD. More details to come.
**I'll be playing guitar etc. for Kirsten Jones, and bass for Scott Cooper at their big co-headlining dealie June 6th at St. Stephen's in the Field. Could you want more entertainment than that?
**I've written liner notes for upcoming releases by Caetano Veloso (20th Century Masters), Nina Simone, Styx and Chris de Burg (Green Series). Invest as your taste allows.
~OLDIES~
I don't so much live in the Toronto area as I pace, sleep, play guitar and don't answer the phone there. Sometimes I don't remember picking up the guitar, yet there it is in my hands. Occasionally, strange phrases arrive with music and we go on little adventures, explorations, expeditions. Don't say splunking.
I was in a band called "The Complements" that perhaps sounds familiar. I tend to be recognized by people I've never met and meet the rest for the first time repeatedly. The C-Ments (a nickname I am inventing right...now), did make their way around southern Ontario, some radio and tv, and got some neato reviews:
"...strong writing avoids the sappy cliches that bogs down lesser breakup discs." (NOW MAGAZINE)
"...five originals that are definite gems, whether you base your criteria on songwriting or performing. Kevin's voice is undeniably one of a folk singer - melodic but gritty, clearly passionate about the words he is singing." (BEING THERE MAGAZINE)
"...glimpses of a young Dylan are evident on "Just Another Sad Song" where Zarnett's vocals find solace. The songwriting also maintains center stage with catchy choruses and thoughtful insight." (SOUL SHINE MAGAZINE)
Maybe you did hear about us after all? We actually had three sets of original material, plus a whack of covers to play. I was such a taskmaster. Was?
Do I really accompany other artists? Think of me as a musical coaster, that keeps your songs from ruining a nice table. No, that's no good. Musical mustard, that leaves a yellow glob in the corner of your mouth. Even worse. Talk to Kirsten Jones, Gregg Lawless or Howard Gladstone and ask them to come up with a good analogy for what I've done to their music. They are crafty folk. I have always wanted to be some kind of musical pudding though.
Some people say my songs sound like Paul Simon (mostly based on height similarities), The Wallflowers (based on weight), Blue Rodeo (based on geography) and Tom Petty (we both use the same recipe for homemade body wash: part old spice classic, axe snake peel, and something that gets spots out). But what do they know? Certainly not as much as you.
Kevin, thanks so much for the friend request. I wish, wish, wish I could come to the show on June 6, but I've got a date with Leonard Cohen that night. I'm sure you understand. By the way, I truly appreciate the wit of your writing on this page. Don't see enough of that.
Hoping to meet you one of these times when I hit Hogtown, Kaya
I drop by your page every so often when I need inspired by clever lyrics and heartfelt performances. "Halloween Bride" is frightfully good. (Sorry that was a terrible attempt at humour at the expense of a beautiful song.:-) Hope all is well. - Sean
Hey KZ. how are ya? Just dropped by to say hello. Hope you're doing well. There's talk of me paying a visit this June, so if I do, hopefully we'll get a chance to pull out the guitars and jam a little. Best, Mahogs.
Hey Kevin, I just stopped by to wish you all the best for 2008. Now that we are living in Fergus, it is not too often that we make it to Toronto but hopefully our paths will cross sometime in the near future.
Thanks for the Birthday wishes! I just heard the tracks we did- Nice Job! I think they sound great- Talked to Kirsten yesterday- she wants to grab a coffee on the 30th- If you are around you should join us.
Hi Kevin! Great to hear "Hands Of Time" on your site! Right on. I'll have to pass you your set (from the 4-track cassette I recorded it on), and maybe a "best of" that night.
I enjoy your tune "Hallowe'en Bride"... reminds me of something Steve Earle would pen, mixed with a little Elliott Smith.
holy poopflingers, is there ever a whole whack of new stuff to peep at my, uh, myspace. most importantly, a few tunes from the new album "tiny increments" have been loaded up, some new pix (there's one of an otter with a funny hat on saying "bad hair day" ROTFL), and well...please stop on by sometime and see for yourself.
Hi!Kevin! Thank you for the comment. I believe that he smiles. How about you? I'm drawing another picture because of the art event. Have a good weekend! take care...
Kevin, you are going to Bancroft?! You are a very lucky man. That happens to be in one of my favourite parts of Ontario. If you get a chance, stop by Silent Lake. That place is like home to me!
Hope to see you soon - seems like ages.
Caroline
I'm looking forward to this too! I have heard the OCMS record- It's great- I really like the way Gillian Welch plays drums!
She is going to be at Massey hall in may opening for Bright eyes- We should all go!
Kevin,
You're a beautiful guitar wizard. You don't miss a beat. You know i can't remember the song title, but it was later in the set, near the end... you were doing runs thru most of the songs and this one lick came back a couple of times on the verses... and it reminded me of something that i thought only George Harrison could do.
Simple sounding but incredibly thoughtful and dynamically difficult.
hmmm. it was great to see you.
I want to let you know my open stage, yup, just got cancelled on me. But i'm already moving on. Thank you for being part of it early on, if only to see you play your music, it was worth it!
KZ. miss ya brother! i'm going to come by the NOW Thurs. i'll see you there... and remember. i always want to see you at The Dog's Job. I'm continuously trying to raise the bar to your level. if you ever want to play, it'd always be a treat!
Hello Friend. Your comment rings of truth (and cold drops). I feel like I haven't seen you in ages. Wanna jam?? I think it's in order.
(the boxes are piling up!!).
xo Caroline
