BRITTON NONFICTION

Bookmark your place and pause for two hours on Friday evening to attend my bucolic vineyard recital. Aimed in your direction will be the repertoire of my history from mere weeks ago to many years past. 

The season begins. First outdoor appearance of 2014.

Friday, April 18

I can't remember the first show I saw at the Ark, but as a budding teenage songwriter, the Ann Arbor folk venue became an influential place for me. When I was 15, my parents would drive me from Brighton to go and play at the Ark's Wednesday open mic nights. My songs were awful and I was usually the only one there who had to go to high school in the morning, but the other musicians were always kind to me and I ended up meeting several friends I've kept to this day. 

Many open mics later, they rewarded me with a couple of opening slots during my senior year of high school. My songs were still pretty awful, but I'd learned a bit more about stagecraft at that point and was regularly playing my own shows at local coffeehouses nearly every weekend. Eventually, the Ark moved to its current location in the heart of Main Street and I became more immersed in the rock scene. Over the years, I still made occasional Ark appearances on tribute nights, sat in with other acts, and played there at least once with Great Lakes Myth Society. 

Last month, out of the blue, I picked up a random mid-week opening slot at the Ark and was then offered my own headlining show on Friday, March 14th. It came as a surprise to me and my mind wandered back to the excitement I used to feel trying out new songs in the Ark's receptive environment. Many career twists and turns later, I'm proud to be playing my first headlining show there. Supporting me on this bill are my friends Gifts or Creatures, a wonderful duo from Lansing I met a few  years ago. 

My talented colleagues State Park will be backing me up for about half the show and much like the old open mic nights, I've got a handful of new solo songs to try out as well. Thanks once again to the ever-creative Jenny Harley for her wonderful concert poster. 

Here's one from the vaults. Great Lakes Myth Society, 2008, the Chat Room Pub in Fort Worth, TX. The photo was taken by our friend, tour mate, and occasional driver Doug Coombe.

It's been two years since our last show and it was almost two years before that one. Tonight, we celebrate 10 years of spirited rock and camaraderie with a rare anniversary appearance at PJ's Lager House in Detroit. 

Three top-shelf bands that we know and love will acts as headliners 1-3, then we'll take our turn at what is presumed to be a sweaty, beer-soaked, throat-shredding, sold-out Friday night gig. 

Happy birthday, Jen Harley and thank you for making this gig happen!

Details:

Great Lakes Myth Society The High Strung Drunken Barn Dance Matt Jones & the Reconstruction Friday, February 21, 2014 PJ's Lager House 1254 Michigan Ave. Detroit, MI Doors: 9pm Show: 9:30pm (prompt!)

Sunday, June 2nd Two sets.  8 to 10pm

Happy May Day to all.  In Padstow, England this is what the celebration looks like.  I've always loved the ebullient Padstow May Song and the colorful traditions that accompany it.