First/Last 'The Essentials'- Great Lake Swimmers

Great Lake Swimmers

WYEP Summer Music Festival

Friday, June 22, 2012

Schenley Plaza

"New Wild Everywhere is the follow-up to Great Lake Swimmers’ critically acclaimed, Polaris Music Prize shortlisted and Juno nominated 2009 album Lost Channels. Their fifth album in just under a decade, this new collection of 12 tracks reveals a depth and maturity previously only hinted at by lead singer and songwriter Tony Dekker.

Featuring the touring band from Lost Channels (with long-time collaborator Erik Arnesen on banjo and guitar, along with new addition Miranda Mulholland contributing backing vocals and violin, Bret Higgins on upright bass, and Lost Channels drummer Greg Millson), New Wild Everywhere thematically picks up where the previous album left off, exploring transcendence in the natural world to describe the universal themes of love, mortality and escape" 

I have been lucky enough to have had a long history with the band and being able to see them many times,  I can tell you this will be a killer show. Also on the bill for this Friday's fest are Donora, Sharon Van Etten, and Dr. Dog. Very nice line-up, indeed. I want to thank my man Tony Dekker for taking a few minutes to participate in this edition of First/Last.

The first album you ever bought?
Bruce Springsteen, “Born In The USA”.

Your last album bought?
Serge Gainsbourg, “Comme Un Boomerang”.

Favorite album of all time?
Guided By Voices, “Alien Lanes”.

Least favorite/most disappointing album?
Ned's Atomic Dustbin, “Brainbloodvolume”.

First concert attended?
Blue Rodeo, in Port Colborne, ON.

Last concert?
Gillian Welch, in Boston, MA .

Favorite concert ever?
Butthole Surfers in Rochester, NY (in the early 90's).

Least favorite concert?
Joanna Newsom in New Orleans, 2010.

Any thoughts, experiences about Pittsburgh?
Playing at Garfield Artworks, and randomly wandering into the huge cemetery that's a few blocks away, where deer and turkeys live.

Thanks, Tony. Looking forward to hanging out and catching up buddy!

Image Of The Day-"Imaginary Bars"

Great Lake Swimmers
Friday August 28, 2009
Schenley Plaza
Oakland

This was my fifth time seeing Tony and Erik since 2005. I arrived late and Erik saw me at the side of the stage and exclaimed, "I knew you would be here!" Miss my boys from the north in Pittsburgh? Never, man. They seem to have gotten quite a little following since the 'early days'. It's nice to see a band you love get the recognition they deserve. I also witnessed something I thought I would never see at one of their shows...people dancing? Crazy world. More photos here.