Hey everyone,

Well I won’t lie, I’m starting to feel the pressure of this challenge. It can get VERY daunting in a busy week to clear my head and sit down to try and write. Last week was crazy for me, what with getting ready for my Memphis fundraiser which was Wednesday (Thanks to all who came out to that, what a wonderful time!). Because of the Wednesday show we rehearsed Tuesday which is usually my writing day. So I was tripping to say the least…WHEN WILL I WRITE!!! OH MY GOD MY SCHEDULE IS OFF!!!! I’m slightly (big time) OCD so when my routine is messed up I freak out a bit (a lot). Anyhow I found hanging at the Dolan’s Band house to be just what I needed (cue the CARS tune) and had no trouble getting my work done. I liked this tune so much I brought it to the band Saturday and we started working out an arrangement. I recorded a little more country version Saturday and then we had another go at it yesterday. I like the energy of yesterdays so that’s what I’m posting. I messed up at some point though so I edited together two takes. All you audio geeks can have a listen and see if you can tell me where the edit is.

This song is tentatively titled “Heart Break Apart”. We’ll see if it stays that way. I usually like to beat people to the comparisons (musicians LOVE hearing “you know who you sound like” ; P ) by telling you what I hear but this week I don’t have much…if it reminds me of anything it would be a Widespread Panic kinda groove it think…I hope you dig it….
Heart break Apart by rossneilsen

Don’t forget to head over to Tom Savage’s interweeb house and check his out too!
Yours in RAWK,

Ross

Hey errr’body!

So it’s Monday and that means it’s time to post the second installment of Song of The Week Challenge. This week’s tune is called “What Love Has Done”. It’s much different than last week’s tune. It’s more of a Leon Redbone, Mississippi John Hurt vibe, if you will. I hope you dig it. Don’t worry too much if you don’t hear the references I’m comparing these songs to. It’s all about what YOU hear. It doesn’t matter if it’s the same thing I hear or feel. I mean, it’s only music after all!

I’m loving all the comments too so keep it up with the feedback. Last weeks tune got so much positive feedback I think I’m going to take the song to the band and work it up proper. I’d like to remind you that these tunes are the rough demo’s and skeletons of what they may or may not become. Try to get past the LOW-FI quality and check the tune. I noticed Tom’s been posting lyrics too. If folks want, I can do the same. Just let me know. Your wish is my command!

If you’ve missed it, my pal Tom Savage has posted his song of the week as well. Dig it right HERE.

Here’s this weeks tune, (only 50 more to go!!!)
WHAT LOVE HAS DONE
What love has done by rossneilsen

Hey y’all

well I just had a nice visit from my pal Tommy Green Jr (formerly of TELFER) and we had a good catch up. Tom’s been working the cruise ships so I haven’t seen him in a while so it was nice to see what he’s been up too!

After he left I realized it’s Monday and that means I’m supposed to upload my song for the first week of The Song a Week Challenge. Tom Savage already put his up. Check it out here. He mentioned a few similar things that I’ve also noticed about this major exercise we’re doing. For me I’ve decided to do this so it forces me to work more on the craft of songwriting. Even thinking about it more helps. You make a point to write down words and melodies so you don’t forget them. I’m stoked that we’re attempting this and excited to see what comes out of it. I think the important part is to try. You know? Just making the effort here to be more creative and not worry about how a song fits a band or anything. Just write a song. Any song. Good or bad. It’s all going to help me get better at the craft.

Anyhow, This weeks song is titled Year of Tears (tomorrow never comes). It’s kind of a Commodores meets Prince meets Jackson Brown thing i guess. It’s about an experience I had seeing a close friend for the last time before he lost his fight with Cancer. I was going to try and get a better recording of it but I just didn’t find the time. This is the first recording I did. It’s clips a little (meaning the record level was too hot and it distorts) here and there but the vocal phrasing was superior to the second version so I’m going with this one. Not sure yet if I like it but my girl does so that’s a good sign! Here it is….if you’re going to comment, please TRY and be nice.

Here’s The Link to my Song of the week Challenge Week One…(only 51 more to go!) Link is in Red Below. If you’re going to share please share the blog page not just the tune so people know what the hell is going on!
Year of Tears Tomorrow Never Comes (clips) by rossneilsen

Hey Y’all,

Still in lazy mode from xmas etc and can’t bring myself to type a note so here’s a video blog entry for y’all! Enjoy,

Hi folks,

Well I had I fun time in St Andrews this past weekend With Karl Gans on the tubbs. We power duoed the shit out of The Red Herring. It was a strange adjustment but fun as hell and I’m glad we were in St Andrews to do it. It was nice to chill a bit and try and shake off the events of last week.

Saturday marked my last gig of 2011. I don’t have anything on the stage until January when I start doing Solo Sundays at The Thirsty Boot lounge at Crabbe Mountain. Looking forward to these shows. I’m stoked to get back to the solo show but also to take these four gigs and woodshed for my trip to Memphis and The International Blues Challenge. I leave on January 29th for a long drive to Tennessee. The International Blues Challenge, if you don’t know, is the biggest gathering of “bluesers” out there. They arrive from around the world to strut their stuff and I’m very excited and proud to be heading down there to represent New Brunswick and The Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. I’m really looking forward to seeing old friends in Memphis and Mississippi and maybe doing a recording session or two afterwards.

Of course it is not a cheap trip to Memphis. Thats around 3000kms one way plus four or five nights in a hotel while there. So to help raise some $$$ Harvest and I are having a fundraiser at Dolan’s pub in downtown Fredericton. This will be the first show in their annual winter blues series. Great winter line up this year too! Sue Foley/Peter Karp, Moreland & Arbuckle (who we opened for a few festivals back) are all coming back!

Wednesday, January 18th, I’ll do two solo sets at Dolan’s starting around 7.30pm -ish. I am asking all my friends, fans and family to come out to show your support and to bring your friends and family. It’s a little intimidating being on the stage solo again, especially since the demise of the Bastards, so I’d love for folks to share this note, help spread the word about the fundraiser and stop into the pub and have a cold one with me and share a word of encouragement or two. I believe tickets are $10 bucks or suggested donation of $10 bucks. If there are folks elsewhere who want to help with travel by all means contact me and we can shoot you a physical mailing addy or you can email donations online to rossneilsen@gmail.com

As always I am grateful for your support and love. It means everything to me. As I head out into 2012, everything is brand new and I feel like I’m starting all over again. I know it’ll be tough but I also know that I’m up for whatever challenges lie ahead. I have a wonderful support system and I can’t wait to get a new record out to you all in 2012. Bigger, Better and Badder than ever. Have a great, safe holiday season. My very best to you and yours at this time of year.

Peace and Love, Yours in Rawk,

Ross

….Must come to an end.

Well folks we made it home from a ten week tour alive. We had good times, some great shows (like our tour finale in Quebec City with two standing O’s) and of course had the flip side to all that as well. Before I get to the meat of this post I want to thank everyone who gave us food and shelter along the way and of course all the clubs who gave us shows and peeps who came to said shows!

However….

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the parting of Shawn Bastard from our current line up. Shawn and I have played together for 13 years so believe me when I say that this is not an easy time in my life right now. I’m sure it won’t be but a blink of an eye before you see him rawking a stage somewhere with someone and considering he is one of Canada’s best on the low end, I’m sure he’s already in demand. Karl Gans and myself will continue to make music in some fashion or another over the coming months. Spring tour and band shows are still scheduled as planned for 2012. You can check Karl and I out in Duo form this weekend in St Andrews NB. Of course, since it won’t be the same without Shawn I’ll be dropping the moniker “& The Sufferin’ Bastards”. You’ll be able to find all things related to me musically under my very own name. Not too clever i realize but it works. Website will remain the same but eventually the band Facebook page will go away and I will have a new Ross Neilsen Music related FB page.

Currently I’m booking my solo tour for the first quarter of 2012 and there are a few shows listed in the tour dates section of this site now. Stay tuned for more shows in Ontario in March. I’m also going to be woodshedding hard to get ready to head to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge where I’ll represent Harvest Jazz and Blues Fest in the solo/Duo category. I’m very excited to head back to the land of Blues and BBQ! There will be a fundraiser event at Dolan’s Pub on January 18th at 7.30pm. I hope y’all can come and help a fellow out so I can afford to head south with out too much overhead. It’ll be two sets of solo material spanning the past 6 years and who knows, maybe a guest or two?

Before I go get into “the medicine” I’d just like to say what a pleasure and honour it’s been to have such a great band and even more so, such a loyal base of friends, family and fans. I really do believe we wouldn’t be anywhere without the support we receive from y’all and while we weather this shit storm I just want everyone to know that we’ve appreciated every single time you’ve been there for us. While right now I am struggling to control my emotions, know that I will turn this into an opportunity to re-collect myself and continue to put out new and exciting music with the same high quality shows/music you’ve been used to in the past.

Your’s in music,

Ross

Hey y’all

Well, we’re in Edmonton. We’re 2/3 through this tour. I’ve been internet restricted as my phone crapped out on me and I can’t access internet on it, or text or email or anything for that matter. Works great as a phone though, but who uses their cell as a phone these days???

We’ve been all the way out to Vancouver island and back since the last post. We played the Yale in Vancouver on a Friday. Had a great time! Lots of Dancing. It was nice to get back in there before they close the doors for an extensive renovation project. Had a major fun Halloween show in Tofino. Our whole time on the island was great actually. It still is as magical as it was the first time. How can you go wrong with view like these?

We hooked up with our pals in MONKEYJUNK in Crofton BC for a show. The boys sounded so good. If you haven’t heard their album “To Behold” you should. Its a gooder and available on Stony Plain Records. The Junk we kind enough to get me up at the end of their set for a jam. Great fun playing guitar along side Tony D!

My personal fav gig on the island was a house concert we did at our friends, Ken and Lynda’s place. Great crew and killer hospitality. Karl Bastards and I had a lot of fun listening to tunes and telling tales way into the wee hours with our hosts. Really fantastic time!

After finally leaving the island we played one more show in Vancouver at Falconetti’s in the east end. Pretty good time. We had a funny drive into the city too. A fella in a BMW rolled his window down to yell at us that their was something wrong with our tire and we should check it out asap. Turns out dude has never seen, or heard, studded snow tires before!

We spent our days off at my sisters place and Karl’s folks in the Okanagan, My sister delivered an epic day of course after course of appetizers paired with incredible wines. I can’t recall the last time I had such a great food/wine experience. She moved to the Okanagan in the summer to chase her dreams in the wine industry and has really been killing it! If you dig wine check out her awesome blog HERE

After a quick visit with the Padre and the Sniper on Carrs Landing we hit the road for a quickie in Robson at the Lion’s Head Pub. We discovered this spot last tour and we were stoked to go back. Great pub, amazing people. The owners treated us to breakfast in the AM and the real treat was moose sausage! DELISH!

After Robson we barreled to Kamloops for a couple shows. The second was at our fav little joint in the area, The Westsyde Pump. This place is way out in the west end and we discovered it on our first tour when Ray Nyuli brought us in for a few shows. The staff here are awesome and the crowd loves to rawk! Love that joint!!! We were amused to see Ray’s face on a poster on the road as he’s now running for council there.

After the Loops we drove to Banff to spend our two days off relaxing before our shows there at the Rose n Crown. We spent our first night off pub hopping with our old friend Newt. We caught a set by Five Alarm Funk out of Vancouver. Man did they ever rock it! Furious funky stuff! Lots of fun! Doni and Jim at the band house showed us good times and the staff at the Rose looked right after us! Always a treat to spend multiple days in the rockies. After Banff we had a slow but beautiful drive to Jasper. We rawked a classic great Downstream Bar crowd. This place is one of our favs with lots of loyal fans! Big ups to Soto and his crew there for treating us right!

With Jasper under our belts, we drove the farthest north I’ve ever been in Canada. Grand Prairie. We played Better Than Fred’s and we’re treated to some great steak sammiches from the bar and some complimentary shots and beers by the patrons and staff. On a side note, quite possibly the hottest staff in Alberta with the exception of Red Deer. It’d be tough to choose! We rawked a couple sets and had a ball. After the show we relaxed at the great band house. Giant screen TV and XBox. Shawn Bastards and I killed nazi zombies till the wee hours.

Yesterday we had a brisk drive down to Stony Plain where we were all set to rawk the Early Stage Saloon. We had the best crowd we’ve ever had there and had a ball with them. sold some merch and had some laughs! Great night. Big thanks to our pals John and Carmen for having us again and again.

Now we’re holed up in the Edmonton compound. Burgers are on the go as I type and I’ve got my eye on a delicious bottle of chianti. Tomorrow I’ll venture to the mall to try and get my damn phone fixed so I can remain more up to date for the rest of the trip.

If you didn’t know, we added some shows on the way home. Winnipeg, Kenora, wabigoon etc. Check em out and get on out to a show! I hope you’re all well and warm. It’s -20 here and we’re not digging it at all.

Before I go I want to mention that my fundraiser for my solo trip to Memphis in February to compete in the International Blues Challenge will be held at Dolan’s Pub in Fredericton on Wednesday Jan 18th. I’d love to see y’all out there in the crowd! Keep an eye on the website too as I’ll be posting solo tour dates for 2012 up here fairly soon.

Stay good,

Ross

Hello friends

Well we’ve been out for about three weeks. We’re currently in Lethbridge Alberta at the man with no name’s house. We’re chilling before we load into the Slice for tonights rawking!

We have had a great tour so far. LOTS of nice weather. Last trip we discovered a great way to get around northern Ontario and we did the same this trip. Nice and slow, stopping in little towns to play shows in the evening to kill our expenses and keep us driving short, day light, hours to the next show. It takes twice as long but in the end it’s much more relaxing and we’ve met some wonderful folks in these towns. After our second show of the tour we stayed another night in Lavigne to relax before we got into the meat Northern Ontario. We got a lovely tour du lac from Jo and Manfred. Again, it was a beautiful day on lake Nippissing.

The good weather didn’t stop there. We had low twenties all the way around Superior which prompted Shawn Bastard and I to take a dip in the Great Lake. It was cold, I can tell you that, but refreshing.

We played our way out of Ontario in a new venue for us, Shooters in Kenora. Fun joint. We’ll be back here again on our way home. After that it was a long haul to Regina for our show at the Gaslight. This one was way better than our last and we look forward to playing here again next tour. The road then pointed us towards Saskatoon where we always play the amazing Bud’s on Broadway. Mid week shows can be tough but we’re grateful to have them at all and we always have fun at Bud’s with the staff and patrons. Big thanks to Al from the blues society for wrangling a few folks out on a Wednesday. Thursday we did a house concert in Stoon in our pal, John’s, basement. We met John in Jasper last tour and hit it off. Before we knew it wed booked a show with him for this tour! Nice little crowd and a whole lotta fun. I went all out for this and rented a big amp specially for the show!

We were real spoiled all week in Stoon as we stayed with my cousins family and Kris’ home cooking was it’s usual amazing! We arrived for Thanksgiving and didn’t seem to stop eating great food till the moment we left! Thanks to family! So awesome!

After we vacated Saskatchewan our first Alberta stop was the Mainliner in Medicine Hat. We discovered the Mainliner through our pal Geoff Lightenin’ a few tours back and it’s become a real awesome spot to hang for the weekend. Great owners and staff and a real appreciative audience. We always have a ball and can’t wait to see them again in the spring!

After the Hat we cruised to Cowtown to hang with our pals from Fredericton at the Vista Commune. We got deep into a great HBO show called Game of Thrones and enjoyed one helluva nice day on the Vista patio. It was so warm the hornets were waking up and hanging around. The boys have a great view of downtown Calgary and in the morning you can clearly see the mountains. Nice foreshadowing for this week. We caught a great sunset too!

Last night we rolled into Lethbridge to stay with our pals who we know from Fredericton. These cats are always a blast and treat us with the hospitality that the Maritimes are known for. We had a wonderful night of telling tales and enjoying great alberta beef with some tasty wine!

Tonight we rawk the Slice and then move on to Canmore tomorrow. This part of our Alberta trip wraps up next Monday before we roll into BC. Looking forward to all the adventure and fingers crossed for more excellent weather.

Yours in RAWK,

Ross

PS….I posted a few new tour dates for our trip home. Check em out and tell a friend!

Hey y’all, this is a re-blog. I tried to post this last week and for some reason it didn’t go. So, here’s the updated version.

Well Harvest Fest has come and gone. Man! What a kick ass festival this year. It was too good! So many great acts! I saw a lot of tunes and met a few idols of mine so needless to say I had a truly epic weekend. Add to that, I won the contest so many of you were voting as well! Yup! I’ll be heading back to Beale St in Memphis Tennessee in February to compete in the solo/duo category for the International Blues Challenge. There’s gonna be some good times there! BBQ!!!! MUSIC!!!! oh yeah!

I want to sincerely thank everyone who helped wave my flag. I won the online portion, voting on site portion and the judges portion! I’m very happy and proud that I could do my part as well as y’all did yours. Thanks so much for the support.

I had a great weekend. I did a couple shows in PEI with my pal Mike Dixon of the Saddle River String Band fame. We played the Lefurgy House on Thursday night and then the Trailside Cafe on Friday night. These were a hoot. Mike and I haven’t really hung out since we were in Vancouver at the Olympics. What a time that was! Saturday night I performed solo at The Parkindale Hall in NB. Very cool little venue. Great vibes, fun to sing in. It was real a nice listening crowd.

Next week I’ll be polishing up Ruby, trying to get my HST filing done and packing up to hit the road across the Nation for our Pure Rawk Fury tour. I hope to see y’all out and about at a show and feel free to share this page with your friends who like to RAWK. We’ll have our new live CD “What You Need Vol 2″ with us as well. We recorded it on our spring/summer tour during Canada day weekend at Blues on Whyte in Edmonton. We hope you dig it! Here’s the tour dates…Come get some….
Sept 30, 2011 10.00 PM The Rainbow, Ottawa, ON
Oct 1, 2011 9.30 PM Lavigne Tavern, Lavigne, ON
Oct 3, 2011 7.30 PM Voyaguer Cookhouse/Lodge, Batchawanna Bay, ON
Oct 5, 2011 10.00 PM The Apollo, Thunder Bay, ON
Oct 6, 2011 7.30 PM Pappy’s Cafe, Waibagoon, ON
Oct 7, 2011 10.00 PM Shooter’s, Kenora, ON
Oct 8, 2011 10.00 PM The Gaslight Saloon, Regina, SK
Oct 11, 2011 10.00 PM Bud’s on Broadway, Saskatoon, SK
Oct 12, 2011 10.00 PM Bud’s on Broadway, Saskatoon, SK
Oct 13, 2011 7.30 PM House Concert, Saskatoon, SK (email info@rossneilsen.com for details)
Oct 14, 2011 10.00 PM The Mainliner, Medicine Hat, AB
Oct 15, 2011 10.00 PM The Mainliner, Medicine Hat, AB
Oct 19, 2011 10.00 PM The Slice, Lethbridge, AB
Oct 20, 2011 11.00 PM Canmore Hotel, Canmore, AB
Oct 21, 2011 10.00 PM The Hideout, Red Deer, AB
Oct 22, 2011 9.00 PM Mikey’s Juke Joint, Calgary, AB
Oct 24, 2011 10.00 PM The Local, Red Deer, AB
Oct 26, 2011 8.00 PM TBA Kelowna, BC
Oct 27, 2011 7.30 PM Bozinni’s, Chiliwack, BC
Oct 28, 2011 9.00 PM The Yale, Vancouver, BC
Oct 29, 2011 9.00 PM Weigh West Marina Halloween Dance, Tofino, BC
Oct 30, 2011 9.00 PM The Rod and Gun, Parksville, BC
Nov 3, 2011 10.00 PM The Quinnie, Campbell River, BC
Nov 4, 2011 7.30 PM House Concert, Courtenay, BC (email info@rossneilsen.com for details)
Nov 5, 2011 9.30 PM Falconetties, Vancouver, BC
Nov 10, 2011 10.00 PM The Inlander, Kamloops, BC
Nov 11, 2011 9.00 PM Westsyde Pump, Kamloops, BC
Nov 12, 2011 10.00 PM Rockwater Grill, Golden, BC
Nov 15, 2011 10.00 PM Rose n Crown, Banff, AB
Nov 16, 2011 10.00 PM Rose n Crown, Banff, AB
Nov 17, 2011 9.30 PM Downstream Bar, Jasper, AB
Nov 21, 2011 9.00 PM Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB
Nov 22, 2011 9.00 PM Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB
Nov 23, 2011 9.00 PM Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB
Nov 24, 2011 10.00 PM Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB
Nov 25, 2011 10.00 PM Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB
Nov 26, 2011 3.00 PM MATINEE Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB
Nov 27, 2011 10.00 PM Blues on Whyte, Edmonton, AB

There will be a handful of dates added over the coming days as well so stay tuned!
Yours in Rawk,

Ross

Hi folks!

IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE! Harvest time in Fredericton! One of the best Festivals I’ve ever played or spectated at! Without Question the best time to be in Fredericton all year! I thought I’d post up our Harvest schedule in case you’re wondering where we’ll be:

Tonight – rehearsal at the Gans compound. We wanna sound good for y’all!
Thursday – 7.30pm Bud Light Tent – Solo Set opening for JGB and LEVON HELM!!!!!
Thursday – 12.00am Hoodoo Tent – Guitarmaggedon. Keith Hallett, Garrett Mason, Matt Andersen, Joe Murphy and yours truly will be making a huge racket.
Friday – celebrating my Bro’s belated 40th bday all over town! Going to see JJ Grey at 5pm at bud tent!
Saturday – 2-4pm – Barracks Tent – International Blues Challenge Contest. Harvest is sending one lucky artist to Memphis to compete in the 2012 Blues Challenge. They’re making us battle it our west side story stylee. C’mon down and see the action. I think it’s free! PS…you can vote for me to go to memphis right here–>http://www.cbc.ca/nb/features/blueschallenge/ HINT HINT!!!
Saturday – 8.00pm – Bud Light Tent – With The Bastards opening for JONNY LANG!!!!!
Saturday – late night 2am – TBA
Sunday – 1pm – Snooty Fox Pub – Sinner’s Brunch. Gospels, rockers, tear jerkers, mimosas!

There you have it friends! That’s more or less where you’ll find us over the next few days. I hope to see lots of old friends and have the best time all year! Come say hi. Don’t be shy!!!

Oh, I almost forgot….New live CD available tomorrow!!! Let the good times roll people!

Ross