brendongomez.com

The summer of 2012 has been an interesting ride of different shows and events. Shows = Pubs, Clubs, Patios, Parties, Cafes, Waterfront Cafes. Events = Fundraisers, Weddings, and Fairs. All of these came and went in July and August.  In particular, one of the most interesting places I had the pleasure of playing at was Turtle Jack restaurants throughout the GTA. Interesting because the locations I played at had some of the most responsive crowds I’ve ever played too. It really was like being a human jukebox on steroids some nights. On a single night, I’d get requests for the most unlikely retro songs (i.e Betty Davis Eyes,  Rocky Horror Picture Show tunes, etc.). A challenge, but a welcome challenge.

Among my events and performances, I’ve managed to sneak sometime back into the podcast world. I am not sure what TV shows you guys watch, but I was heavy into this years, 5^th season of MadMen. And with that, I took to Podcasts, Blog posts, Twitter and Facebook to read, listen and discuss with other fans –  storylines, characters, and ‘what it all means’ for our tragic heroes (Don Drapper, Roger Sterling, etc.) living as out of touch Ad Men in the swinging 60’s.

The Madmen Podcast is a great iTunes Podcast based in the U.S (somewhere), and my review of an episode called “At the Codfish Ball” (based on the Music and Drug Use in the show) was actually read by the hosts of the show in their listener feedback section. Considering they get tons of feedback and read my review, it was pretty cool.  Check it out at -16:35 toward the end of the show. Click the link here. http://madmenpodcast.com/037/

The weather in Toronto is already burning hot, and it’s only May. So that means it’s outdoor patio season. Outdoor shows are always fun, and it’s grand experience to sing while the sun is beaming down on you (while getting tanned and roasted). As summer approaches, it’s always cool to do these types of shows, cause the weather adds more mystery to the songs, and the drinks turn into weird requests (i.e. Can you play the theme song from Lost? Yes sir). When you look at audiences on patios, some are watching you with a smirk, others are deep into their books, or their dinner, or their witty friends/family conversations. I’m generally into the songs, and nothing else in the summer of 2012. See you on a Patio soon (I’ll let you know where).