Sarah Jane Scouten plays the Fox Cabaret as part of a record release party for the Railtown Sessions this Friday night.
Every few months over the last year, a small group of musicians and music fans have been coming together at a little recording studio in East Vancouver.
The occasions have been the Railtown Sessions, intimate shows at the headquarters of local record label Light Organ. At the Sessions, local musicians have debuted material to small audiences, as well as for Internet listeners via livestreaming.
All of the Sessions were also recorded. This Friday, Dec. 9, the four acts showcased play the Fox Cabaret (2321 Main St.) to celebrate the release of a record of those songs. Scroll below to find out more about the talent involved.
Sarah Jane Scouten – Originally from Vancouver, Scouten moved out East to pursue her musical dreams. She was back here this summer though, playing the Vancouver Folk Festival. Her website says, “With flavours of Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffiths, Old Crow Medicine Show and a wealth of old-time and bluegrass music, the two-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee’s songs are faithful to a long-standing folk music tradition, but often spill over into modern themes that are outspoken and edgy, from homelessness to midwifery to tongue-in-cheek heartache songs and unabashed Canadiana.”
Rob Butterfield – On his Facebook page, the enigmatic Butterfield lists his influences as “Everybody’s Talkin'” songwriter Fred Neil. More, we do not know.
Johnny 99 – Named after a Bruce Springsteen song, this is a solo project from Vancouver musician and songwriter John Sponarski.
Debra-Jean Creelman – Creelman began her music career as a founding member of the successful Canadian indie-pop act Mother Mother before moving on to her solo career. She has since recorded and/or performed with Vancouver acts like Frazey Ford, The Crackling, Louise Burns, Aidan Knight, Dustin Bentall, and Pugs and Crows. Her projects include Debra-Jean and the Means, a guitar-led indie-rock band, and Debra-Jean and the Dreams, a cover band focusing on folk and doo-wop covers.
Debra-Jean Creelman performing at the Biltmore Cabaret with her band The Means May 14 2011. Anya Weber photo.
The Railtown Sessions are the brainchild of local musician/producer Andy Bishop. Bishop invited some of his favourites from the local roots music scene to perform at Light Organ Studios in East Van.
Visit eventbrite.com for tickets.
