Neil Conway - vocals, rhythm guitar
Patrick Boyle - trumpet, dobro, harmonica, melodica
Dave Rowe - basses
The extended family:
Duane Andrews - lead guitar
Colleen Power - back-ups
Curtis Andrews -drums
Dan Smith -drums
Plus more back-ups from Jody Richardson,
thrift store organ by Glen Nuotio, banjo by Neil Rosenberg and Mandola by Vic Tilley.
Neil Conway is based in St. John's, Newfoundland. A compulsive lyricist, he spends his days surrounded by the best musicians and comedians in the known universe. His work combines roots music with modern themes in a way that is provocative, thoughtful and some people thinks it's funny.
He has a knack for biting commentary and eyebrow raising lyrics. Whether singing about hummers, internet alter-egos, urban sprawl, sex or religion, he is sure to leave you entertained. The tunes cover a broad range -from swing to country but "fringe-folk" is vague enough to sum it all up.
After growing up between rural Nova Scotia, Toronto and Montreal, Neil Conway hitch hiked to St. John's in 1998 and still can't get enough of the place. Since then he has had his fingers in many musical pies. He has been a regular performer at Sound Symposium, Peace-a-Chord, the Neighborhood Dance Burlesque Show, The Homegrown Dope Jam, The Eastern Edge Art Marathon and various rallies and benefits. He has toured Canada extensively and has played dozens of shows in St. Pierre et Miquelon, the French islands just off the coast of Newfoundland. In the fall of 2006 he played random open mics from coast to coast in the US to audiences in the dozens!
His albums, The Somethin' Family Album and Roadblock have received swell reviews and considerable play on CBC. They both charted on college radio across Canada every once in a while.
"Most definitely a songwriter worthy of being covered " -Penguin Eggs Magazine, Edmonton
"Often humorous original songwriting on social issues set in rootsy, acoustic arrangements.” -Sing Out!, Bethlehem, PA
"bitingly direct approach to social issues...quality musical skills and thought-through lyrics"-Northeast In-Tune Magazine
"skating the line between novelty goof and thoughtful, if minimal, performance art"-infomonkey.net
"a great collection of tunes the local bar circuit has been singing along to for years" -Fred's Records, St. John's
"a recipe for smiles and head nodding." -Lezlie Lowe, The Coast, Halifax
"R-rated troubadour" Victoria News
Nominated for MusicNL "folk/roots artist of the year" 2006 for Roadblock.
Download my albums for free!
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we plug the laptop into the mixer turn down the fake guitars in the songs, and play real ones live, or likewise with drums, bass... i switch a whole bunch, and the whole thing has an accompanying 60 minute video projected on the background wall
Heyo! Thanks for the comments! Here I was thinking I was all original with the gannets. How wrong I was... The Angelshakes are now in St. John's, so keep an eye out. Hopefully we'll run into you sometime. Keep up the fine work! Pat
Neil, You're great! Rarely do we get the best of both worlds: witty lyrics of substance AND solid musicianship. What an inspiration! Would love a chance to share the stage with you someday. But DANG! It is FAR! be well. see ya one a these days.... Anna
Neil! twas my gaf you stayed at with miki in Upper Amherst Cove, you know that yeah? I did'nt make myself known when i entered your yourspace. hello again and we'll be out drinknin and dancing in st john's for the last time this year on friday, startin off in fat cat at bout 8.30'ish cheers. stace x
Hey Neil! You're in Montreal next Monday? I wish I could hang out with you there but I told someone I would work at their English summer camp for a week. And we're finishing the vocals and mixing on our album. But if you are passing by Quebec let me know!
hey you! are you still coming to halifax or wha? hope so!! this weekend is the ATLANTICA meetings/protests..lots going on...is there anything happening in st.J for it? see you soon!!! ;) http://www.stopatlantica.com/
