Where does the time go? I haven’t updated since February and that’s arguably yet another horrible career move. So here are upcoming music events I’m happy to be involved with. First though, a hearty thank you to everyone who came to hear Steve Dawson & The Lucid Dreams at the Old Town School of Folk Music’s Square Roots festival. If you missed it, here’s a video sample, shot by the great David Sameshima, who also took most of these nice photos.
I’m happy to announce a NEW record I worked on the past year by Matt Tiegler called “Hands Free Down Hill” is to arrive in September, with a couple preview singles arriving soon. The record was done at King Size, in Chicago with John Abbey engineering, and features Steve Dawson, Gerald Dowd, Lawrence Brown, Max Crawford, and of course me producing & playing electric guitars, along with a bunch of other instruments I’m not generally known for. Matt’s songs are great; the record is a solid 33 1/3 minutes long. Record release show is Sunday Oct 15 @ SPACE in Evanston 7pm.
Now for the music docket!
Thursday 7/20 TZ solo concert 6-7pm @ River Park Field House 5100 N Francisco. This is part of their FREE summer concert series. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair! Located east of the river, just south of Foster Ave. A beautiful park! I look forward to playing some favorites (& some of my music too!) And maybe even toss some frisbee when the music’s over.
Friday 7/21 – Summertime Beatles Songbag @ Old Town School of Folk Music IN PERSON 7:30-9pm. Sign up here recommended in advance! Come play/sing some great Beatles tunes with me.
Saturday 7/29 – An Evening of Neil Young @ Martyrs with John Mead’s True Believers (an all-star line up of Steve Dawson, John Abbey, Alton Smith, Gregg Ostrom, John Mead & me!). We play 2 sets… one acoustic & one electric… tix avail here. 8:30pm $15
Thursday 8/4 – TZ solo @ River Roast 315 N. LaSalle Street Chicago, IL. 5-7pm. It’s been awhile since I’ve done the human jukebox happy hour thing in downtown Chicago. This is a new venue for me; I’m told the food is REALLY good. Indoor performance, just north of the river, near public trans & valet parking avail. No cover. C’mon out Lincoln Park & downtown people!
Friday 8/4 – Wilco Songbag @ Old Town School of Folk Music IN PERSON, 7:30-9pm. Come and play/sing a fine selection of Jeff Tweedy songs with me (and maybe some Uncle Tupelo & Golden Smog bonus tracks). Advance sign up recommended here.
Further into fall shows:
Sunday 9/3 Labor Day Weekend – Tommi Zender with Tom Ryan @ Sketchbook Brewing in SKOKIE (I know, it’s confusing sometimes) 4-6 pm, lots of your favorite songs, no cover, tips encouraged!
Sunday 9/24 @ Glenview Public Library Tommi Zender Plays 1973 2-3pm, FREE. I always look forward to these concerts. A great listening space, where generally nobody yells out for “Freebird” but this time they actually might.
Friday October 20th – Steve Dawson & Tommi Zender @ Cafe Carpe’ in Ft. Atkinson WI, 8:30pm, 2 sets. One of the best intimate listening rooms on the planet, family owner-operated, with love. Well worth a road trip, especially in the fall. Great food and drinks… come early to eat! Advance tickets very much recommended here. We’ll play way more of Steve’s songs, because I really REALLY like them, and truth be told I’ve forgotten a lot of mine. Of course we’ll do some of our favorite classics, tag-teaming instrumentation. Possibly we’ll even rope in a special guest.
Now I leave you with “Men Looking at Gear Onstage”. (with Downtown Lawrence Brown)
Tommi Zender 