Hello everyone, I hope you are all finding ways to cope with this ongoing pandemic that seems to be without end. Along with so many others I hope the new vaccines and the practice of physical distancing leads us to better days.
On the musical front, I’ve finally gotten back to looking at my album project and a few other musical endeavors. One thing I’d like to mention is it will be a little harder to find the BoodAbooM album since I severed my ties with my Canadian distributor. Broken promises and poor service lead me to this decision. I will not disclose all the spicy details to shield the guilty and also to avoid lawsuits. Regardless, the album will be re-released using CD Baby for distribution and other services. Watch the blog and website for updates as to when this will happen.
www.theomassopmusic.com has had a few changes to reflect what is currently available. Some of the songs from the album “The Answer” are still available for listening on my Soundcloud site. Links are available from my website under, “Links / Merchandise”.
Still not booking any gigs because of the uncertainty of what the future holds. Once I know that bookings won’t disappear like a magical trick that goes poof and it’s gone, I’ll be looking for ways to connect and share music live once again. It can’t come soon enough for me!!
That will also clear the way for me to include some guests on my upcoming album.
There will be no more BoodAbooM, from here on in it’s the Theo Massop trio / quartet / quintet or whatever is going on with the show.
Rearranging the rehearsal studio and adding a plethora of alternate speaker systems to try and achieve the optimum sound for my mixes and mastering. I’ve been having discussions with a few who are eager to come here and work on music together. So this is quite timely.
The landscape of our musical world is constantly changing and it remains to be seen who and what is left when this is over. Who and what will arise like the phoenix from the smoke and ashes of this lock down crisis. In the interim we truly do have to try our best to be kind and patient with each other. Until next time as Bonny Henry said, be kind, be calm and be safe.
Reply
Well, it’s been quite the year hasn’t it folks! When I decided to take a hiatus from performing and working as an audio engineer in November of 2019, it was in order to record a long overdue next album. I have been promising my friends and fans of my music that another album is coming for a long time. They’ve been to the shows and heard the songs, even requesting unreleased tunes, but I was always so busy with performing and recording other bands and on other peoples albums, that it was difficult to concentrate on my own material. The plan was to give it 6 months and then start gig hunting in February and March of 2020. Little did I know how the world would change under the thumb of a global pandemic. No bringing in guests to add their talents to my project, no jamming with my friends and colleagues, and no gigs to be had!! Singing publicly is forbidden unless you're inside a plexiglass box and even if you are, your music can’t be any louder than conversation level. That poses a problem for a guy like me who sings at decibel levels just shy of that from a fire siren.
On top of everything else, 2020 brought a truck load of family issues which took precedence over energy spent on musical endeavors. I have always lived by the credo of family first and above all other things. Hence the proverbial ‘next’ album is about halfway to where I need it to be. I won’t predict when it will be completed because if there is one thing I’ve learned over the years is that assurances are a measure of hopefulness, nothing is guaranteed and you just don’t know what’s waiting for you around the next corner. It could be good or it could be not so good. This I know for certain, that everyday above ground is indeed a good one. I am thankful for my friends, family, the things I have been able to do, the things I have been able to experience and for that which is yet to come. The yin and the yang are all part of this journey we call “life”. Things will change. All we can do is try our best to be kind and considerate. Hang in there my friends and yes, there will be another album coming sooner or later.
Reply
First let me wish you all a "happy new year". When a new year begins it leaves one with cause to reflect on your actions of the previous year and set goals for the coming year.
I have begun the process of building the next album which at times, seems like an antiquated idea. The album, or collective snapshot of a songwriter / singers work, has given way to a world of single releases. Physical artifacts of such work has declined dramatically, CD sales have been relegated to keepsakes of concert attendance and even downloads of songs has diminished in the wake of streaming services that pay minimal royalties to the artists. Yet we musicians forge ahead because the creative process is powerful and nearly unstoppable. I will continue to create music and songs, saying what I feel needs to be said until I'm either dead or physically can't. Music is my life's work, my art form, a reflection of who I am and what I have experience on this incredible journey of life.
If all goes well, I will be back performing in the spring with either a new album in hand or coming shortly behind.
Much love to all and remember to be kind and forgiving with each other. Brother T
Reply
Hello! I am currently learning new software and focusing on finally recording my own tunes instead of working on everyone else's. It's long overdue and beginning to take shape. No stage gigs until this project really gets cooking. Stay tuned folks.
Reply
Hi Folks, I've posted a new blog on my blogging site. Read about the past summers performances, recording, producing, videos and more at http://theomassop.blogspot.ca/
Thanks and until later, Brother T
Reply
Once again this is my third attempt at getting back to the blog. 2013 has finished it’s run and it’s on to 2014. What’s coming down the pipe for 2014? Who knows which way the wind blows? Tomorrow is after all, just another day albeit January 1st or the 31st. Not that new beginnings aren’t special, I do my best to keep aware that every moment is a new beginning. I have my moments of frustration, times when my annoyance with situations seems to out weigh my ability to stay balanced. When I find myself feeling that way, I try to remind myself that everything changes. The third truth of the four basic truths taught by the Buddha is that of impermanence. Permanence is the grand illusion. Hence, the good times never last and the bad times never last. Reminding oneself to stay aware is a little like trying to see the forest when you’re surrounded by trees. Perspective is required from time to time.
2013 was quite a year starting with some great shows like the Red Willow Coffee House, a myriad of private shows, farmer’s markets, dinner shows and pub gigs. Solo, duo, trio and quartet in the band “Hygrade”. The Hygrade band had a busy fall season as we shifted gears and picked up the pace. In the Hygrade band I play mostly harmonica to favourite party rock songs. Classics to current tunes including songs from the Black Keys and White Stripes which don’t have harmonica in the arrangement. Big fun and a musical challenge for me. My fall season was made extra busy with a weekly dinner show in Nanaimo. I brought in guests for the first 12 weeks and closed the series off by performing the last few shows myself followed by an open mic till closing time. I compiled a video of some of the highlights of my fall dinner show series which covers 19 artist in 6 ½ Minutes. Click here to check it out.
So far 2014 is shaping up to be an interesting year. The Hygrade band has plans to complete a recording project and shoot a video. Tentative shows for Hygrade are in the wind although details need to be confirmed. Gigs will be posted on the BoodAbooM web site along with my other solo and upcoming BoodAbooM shows. January 20th will be my first show of 2014 at the Queens Hotel in Nanaimo. Acoustic Monday’s are proving to be popular amongst Nanaimo-ites. I will be sharing the stage with Jeffrey Randle, Glen Foster and Jupiter Jill. Each of us will make a 45 minute musical offering. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door as well as in advance. (Outlets to be announced) All proceeds are going directly to the artist involved and each artist will have CD’s for sale as well. I hope you can come out and support this event.
Here’s hoping for a great year in 2014. Remember that radical changes never stick, so while the world needs some fixing, let’s nudge toward a better future one step at a time. I’m still a big believer in the idea that if we all strive to be loving, kind, forgiving, truthful and respectful, the world will become a better place. Wouldn’t it be great if we (humankind) could become the first species to evolve by collaboration rather than domination and elimination. Come out to one of my shows this year and let’s share the joy of music.
Namaste, Brother T
Reply
Working on some new tunes for rocking out in 2014. Finish up our recordings and who knows what else we may come up with. Stay tuned folks. We will be returning to the Harewood Arms and a couple of our other favourite hang outs. Dates and locations will be posted later.
Anybody interested in getting Hygrade to play a private party, give me a shout out and we'll talk turkey. Probably "Wild Turkey", that's a nice Hygrade whiskey.
Reply
Theo Massop / Blog
The only thing constant is change
Hello everyone, I hope you are all finding ways to cope with this ongoing pandemic that seems to be without end. Along with so many others I hope the new vaccines and the practice of physical distancing leads us to better days.
On the musical front, I’ve finally gotten back to looking at my album project and a few other musical endeavors. One thing I’d like to mention is it will be a little harder to find the BoodAbooM album since I severed my ties with my Canadian distributor. Broken promises and poor service lead me to this decision. I will not disclose all the spicy details to shield the guilty and also to avoid lawsuits. Regardless, the album will be re-released using CD Baby for distribution and other services. Watch the blog and website for updates as to when this will happen.
www.theomassopmusic.com has had a few changes to reflect what is currently available. Some of the songs from the album “The Answer” are still available for listening on my Soundcloud site. Links are available from my website under, “Links / Merchandise”. Still not booking any gigs because of the uncertainty of what the future holds. Once I know that bookings won’t disappear like a magical trick that goes poof and it’s gone, I’ll be looking for ways to connect and share music live once again. It can’t come soon enough for me!! That will also clear the way for me to include some guests on my upcoming album. There will be no more BoodAbooM, from here on in it’s the Theo Massop trio / quartet / quintet or whatever is going on with the show.
Rearranging the rehearsal studio and adding a plethora of alternate speaker systems to try and achieve the optimum sound for my mixes and mastering. I’ve been having discussions with a few who are eager to come here and work on music together. So this is quite timely. The landscape of our musical world is constantly changing and it remains to be seen who and what is left when this is over. Who and what will arise like the phoenix from the smoke and ashes of this lock down crisis. In the interim we truly do have to try our best to be kind and patient with each other. Until next time as Bonny Henry said, be kind, be calm and be safe.
Reply
2020 is almost done, 2021 here we come.
Well, it’s been quite the year hasn’t it folks! When I decided to take a hiatus from performing and working as an audio engineer in November of 2019, it was in order to record a long overdue next album. I have been promising my friends and fans of my music that another album is coming for a long time. They’ve been to the shows and heard the songs, even requesting unreleased tunes, but I was always so busy with performing and recording other bands and on other peoples albums, that it was difficult to concentrate on my own material. The plan was to give it 6 months and then start gig hunting in February and March of 2020. Little did I know how the world would change under the thumb of a global pandemic. No bringing in guests to add their talents to my project, no jamming with my friends and colleagues, and no gigs to be had!! Singing publicly is forbidden unless you're inside a plexiglass box and even if you are, your music can’t be any louder than conversation level. That poses a problem for a guy like me who sings at decibel levels just shy of that from a fire siren.
On top of everything else, 2020 brought a truck load of family issues which took precedence over energy spent on musical endeavors. I have always lived by the credo of family first and above all other things. Hence the proverbial ‘next’ album is about halfway to where I need it to be. I won’t predict when it will be completed because if there is one thing I’ve learned over the years is that assurances are a measure of hopefulness, nothing is guaranteed and you just don’t know what’s waiting for you around the next corner. It could be good or it could be not so good. This I know for certain, that everyday above ground is indeed a good one. I am thankful for my friends, family, the things I have been able to do, the things I have been able to experience and for that which is yet to come. The yin and the yang are all part of this journey we call “life”. Things will change. All we can do is try our best to be kind and considerate. Hang in there my friends and yes, there will be another album coming sooner or later.
Reply
Goodbye 2019, hello 2020
First let me wish you all a "happy new year". When a new year begins it leaves one with cause to reflect on your actions of the previous year and set goals for the coming year. I have begun the process of building the next album which at times, seems like an antiquated idea. The album, or collective snapshot of a songwriter / singers work, has given way to a world of single releases. Physical artifacts of such work has declined dramatically, CD sales have been relegated to keepsakes of concert attendance and even downloads of songs has diminished in the wake of streaming services that pay minimal royalties to the artists. Yet we musicians forge ahead because the creative process is powerful and nearly unstoppable. I will continue to create music and songs, saying what I feel needs to be said until I'm either dead or physically can't. Music is my life's work, my art form, a reflection of who I am and what I have experience on this incredible journey of life. If all goes well, I will be back performing in the spring with either a new album in hand or coming shortly behind. Much love to all and remember to be kind and forgiving with each other. Brother T
Reply
Recording......
Hello! I am currently learning new software and focusing on finally recording my own tunes instead of working on everyone else's. It's long overdue and beginning to take shape. No stage gigs until this project really gets cooking. Stay tuned folks.
Reply
Wow! What a summer.
Hi Folks, I've posted a new blog on my blogging site. Read about the past summers performances, recording, producing, videos and more at http://theomassop.blogspot.ca/ Thanks and until later, Brother T
Reply
Wishing you a great 2014
Once again this is my third attempt at getting back to the blog. 2013 has finished it’s run and it’s on to 2014. What’s coming down the pipe for 2014? Who knows which way the wind blows? Tomorrow is after all, just another day albeit January 1st or the 31st. Not that new beginnings aren’t special, I do my best to keep aware that every moment is a new beginning. I have my moments of frustration, times when my annoyance with situations seems to out weigh my ability to stay balanced. When I find myself feeling that way, I try to remind myself that everything changes. The third truth of the four basic truths taught by the Buddha is that of impermanence. Permanence is the grand illusion. Hence, the good times never last and the bad times never last. Reminding oneself to stay aware is a little like trying to see the forest when you’re surrounded by trees. Perspective is required from time to time.
2013 was quite a year starting with some great shows like the Red Willow Coffee House, a myriad of private shows, farmer’s markets, dinner shows and pub gigs. Solo, duo, trio and quartet in the band “Hygrade”. The Hygrade band had a busy fall season as we shifted gears and picked up the pace. In the Hygrade band I play mostly harmonica to favourite party rock songs. Classics to current tunes including songs from the Black Keys and White Stripes which don’t have harmonica in the arrangement. Big fun and a musical challenge for me. My fall season was made extra busy with a weekly dinner show in Nanaimo. I brought in guests for the first 12 weeks and closed the series off by performing the last few shows myself followed by an open mic till closing time. I compiled a video of some of the highlights of my fall dinner show series which covers 19 artist in 6 ½ Minutes. Click here to check it out.
So far 2014 is shaping up to be an interesting year. The Hygrade band has plans to complete a recording project and shoot a video. Tentative shows for Hygrade are in the wind although details need to be confirmed. Gigs will be posted on the BoodAbooM web site along with my other solo and upcoming BoodAbooM shows. January 20th will be my first show of 2014 at the Queens Hotel in Nanaimo. Acoustic Monday’s are proving to be popular amongst Nanaimo-ites. I will be sharing the stage with Jeffrey Randle, Glen Foster and Jupiter Jill. Each of us will make a 45 minute musical offering. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door as well as in advance. (Outlets to be announced) All proceeds are going directly to the artist involved and each artist will have CD’s for sale as well. I hope you can come out and support this event.
Here’s hoping for a great year in 2014. Remember that radical changes never stick, so while the world needs some fixing, let’s nudge toward a better future one step at a time. I’m still a big believer in the idea that if we all strive to be loving, kind, forgiving, truthful and respectful, the world will become a better place. Wouldn’t it be great if we (humankind) could become the first species to evolve by collaboration rather than domination and elimination. Come out to one of my shows this year and let’s share the joy of music.
Namaste, Brother T
Reply
What's up for 2014
Working on some new tunes for rocking out in 2014. Finish up our recordings and who knows what else we may come up with. Stay tuned folks. We will be returning to the Harewood Arms and a couple of our other favourite hang outs. Dates and locations will be posted later. Anybody interested in getting Hygrade to play a private party, give me a shout out and we'll talk turkey. Probably "Wild Turkey", that's a nice Hygrade whiskey.
Reply