2x the Mono got an Honourable Mention In H!

So last month you may have gotten an email about H-Magazine's Greatest of Hamilton Readers Choice Poll. Well the results are in and it is confirmed that there is a lot of cool places, people and things in this great city. Now even though I didn't win first place I did get some honourable Mentions (which is very cool). I don't know how you all feel about a little mild campaigning for votes but I think if we have to vote in a federal election every year it is good practice to rally the troops for something fun and less stressful then deciding the fate of our country.

So if you haven't heard here are some highlights that I know some of you might be interested in:

2x the Mono received an honourable mention in the Local Band Category
Randell Neudorf received an honourable mention in the Local Visual Artist Category

So I think that is great! As of almost today I have been a Hamiltonian for 3 years exactly, and I feel 100% at home with that label. I may even have to go out and buy a Tiger-Cats t-shirt to make the transformation complete.

Now as most of you know I managed The Freeway Coffee House for 2 years, and I was very proud to see The Freeway get an honourable mention in a number of categories:
Greatest Coffee, Greatest Cafe, Greatest Live Music Venue, Greatest All-Around Staff
For a venue that is also only 3 years old this is a terrific response, and validation, one that I will take lots of credit for when Pernell and the other baristas aren't around (just kidding you guys are awesome)

One other category you might also be interested in knowing the results to is that The Freeway Church community's own Krista Jefferson won Greatest Photographer. Congratulations, no honourable mentions for you, you won the grand prize.

In Closing...

I would like to just say upon recieving an honourable mention myelf (this is my exceptance speach) for "also being pretty great" (that is H Mag's wording for honourable mentions) as both a local visual artist and as a local band that I have never desired to be the greatest, rather I have always wanted to be considered also pretty great by Very Great People. So thank you H, you are the "Greatest" and now I'm acnkowledged to also be "pretty great" with in your pages.

Now if you haven't read your latest copy of H, what are you waiting for? Go out there into this great city and find a place to get your copy and fall in love with the beauty that makes up Hamilton.

Sound Sketches Nomninated for a Hamilton Music Award

So yesterday I was at The Freeway talking to Matt Thompson and he told me that my 2x the Mono album Sound Sketches was nominated for a Hamilton Music Award for best electronic album. I was so happy! I even had some hints that I might be nominated but that didn't take anything away from the surprise of hearing about the nomination in such a random way.

I don't know about you but until now I have always thought it is cheesy when someone on TV says "it was an honor to just be nominated." Well I will never think that again let me tell you, it IS an honor to just be nominated!!!! And on top of that it is Freaking Awesome!

If you want to check out the listings of all the other great acts being nominated for a Hamilton Music Award go to: http://www.hamiltonmusicawards.com/music.html

I would also like congratulate some friends who have also been nominated for some well deserved awards:

The Heartbroken Souls – Best Roots Recording. Fred your stuff is great, and your performances just keep getting better and better.

Thomas Wilson and Sarah Stewart-Kroeker, nominated for best alternative country recording for their amazing CD Love Songs and Sinner Ballads. Tom your songwriting is spectacular, and it has been fun working on so many projects with you this year, playing in The Wilson Family Forgery, The Forge Songwriting Workshop and appearing on your Radio Forge show helping me promote the Sound Sketches album.

Hunter Eves – The Unagi EP is also nominated for best electronic recording. Hunter, I am a huge fan of your music and I am overjoyed to have my music be in the same category as yours. I'm so glad I got to have you play some shows at The Freeway this year.

All three of these acts are great local bands that anyone should check out if they get a chance.

2x the Mono Live at the release party for Sound Sketches

You can hear a number of the songs from Sound Sketches by going to my CBC radio 3 page: http://radio3.cbc.ca/bands/2x-the-Mono

You can purchase your own copy of the album by buying a dowload card from me or by going to: http://www.discrevolt.com/2xthemono click on "albums" and then on "Buy Album"