If you would like to play at the Freeway, check out our live music policy, then contact music@frwy.ca

February 3rd    8pm    $5 cover
Sarah Botelho - Sarah Botelho is a seventeen year old singer-songwriter from the town of Ancaster, Ontario. Her highschool goes by the name of Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary and she participates regularly in its musical events. She sang her first real note at nine years old at her grandparents’ anniversary party. The piano is her favourite method of tuning the world out; she could shut her eyes and be there for hours without noticing anything else.  Her musical influences have tremendously increased recently, including ridiculously talented acts like Laura Marling, Queen, The National, Florence and the Machine, Mumford & Sons, Radiohead, Nirvana, The Cure, The Vaccines, City & Colour and Emily Haines.  Her favourite shade of the rainbow is red and she has an obsession with Marilyn Monroe. Sarah recently released her first album The Bridge is Breaking last year, which is available at Chapters – Ancaster.  She is currently writing music again for all the lovely people out there.
Allotrope – With a sensibility somewhere between U2 and Led Zeppelin, along with a little Stevie Wonder, Nine Inch Nails, and Bare Naked Ladies thrown in for good measure, it can be a bit of a challenge describing what ALLOTROPE, this young 6 piece band from Hamilton, actually sounds like. However rather than letting their diverse influences stand in their way, these guys have managed to make it one of their biggest strengths, along with their engaging live show, and the high level of musicianship they bring to their art. Always entertaining, they can currently be seen and heard playing around the Hamilton area.

February 10th   8pm    $Pay What you Can
TBA

February 17th 8pm    $5 cover
Mavis Moran – Mavis is an aspiring singer-songwriter who left home, to Music College (in Hamilton), pursue his dream. This local artist heard of the Open-mic held at The Freeway, and after several captivating performances was offered a slot for his own show. This young upcoming artist is one who demands an audience, and will definitely be a performance that you do not want to miss! You can look forward to hearing some of your favourite classic songs, and also some of his own heart-breaking originals.
and TBA

February 24th 8pm    $5 cover
Red Sky Morning – Whether it be their well-traveled solo careers or their work with Ontario indie-band “Wind Broken Stones”, Jason Moir and Jarod Parlee have been writing and performing songs together for more than 12 years.  With their latest project, “Red Sky Morning”, they are bringing it back to where it all began on the shores of Lorimer Lake in Northern Ontario all those years ago.  Broken down to the most necessary parts, they are performing only their very oldest and very newest songs as well as a few favourite covers.  Raw, acoustic versions of songs that are distilled down to two acoustic guitars and two microphones;  this project is all about grit and storytelling.
and Bill Hughey

If you would like to play at the Freeway, check out our live music policy, then contact music@frwy.ca

January 13     8pm    $5 cover

xo.ex.oh’s – Xo.Ex.Oh’s is a Hamilton-based, acoustic-rock duo consisting of Danielle Vann and Kenda Legaspi. Formed in 2010, and currently gearing up for their EP release in August, this band has been bringing a new vibe through their music into the Hamilton acoustic music scene since their establishing show as a band in May 2011 (where they opened for local Hamilton band Mercy). Through love (XO), heartache (EX) and mistakes (OH’s), they take the stage and sing what we all wish we could say out loud.
& James Hand

January 20th   8pm    $Pay What you Can
Benjamin Theodore – Benjamin Theodore is the playful solo project of Benjamin Schillaci- an artist who has only recently settled his roots in Hamilton.  In Combining wayward lyrics and fingerstyle guitar with over-layed vocal harmonies, percussion, and other various sounds (via the use of a looper pedal) he produces a sound that is premeditated and yet improvisational.  For the past two years he has been performing in this manner and is in the process of self-recording his first long playing release.

January 27th  8pm    $5 cover
TBA

December 9th    8pm    $5 cover

Greg Mashinter
TBA

December 16th  8pm    $5 cover

Awkward Bird People – Awkward Bird People are an indie band who describe themselles as country without the twang .. and then some folk mixed in!
First Rate People - Already fortunate enough to count director Vincent Moon (R.E.M., Arcade Fire) and musicians Matt Berninger (The National) and Henrik Markstedt (Air France) among their early supporters, First Rate People are finally ready to bring their music on the road.  Since forming almost immediately out of high school, the band has become a sprawling “folk-pop music collective … which draws on a sense of family” notes Owen Sound Sun Times columnist Bill Henry

November 11th   8pm    $5 cover

The Eight Hour Drone (Hamilton, Ontario)
Your Princess Is In Another Castle (Dundas, Ontario)
Pepper Spray Or Go Away (Burlington, Ontario)

November 18th   8pm    FREE

Hamilton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra | Details here

AndrewVictoria -Not one person with two identities, but two people with one identifying sound. A mix of pop-rock acoustic styling, AndrewVictoria’s music comes straight from the heart, evolving from a divergence of genres that speak to the masses. Repeatedly achieving songwriting success in 2011, this up & coming Hamilton duo leave a mark wherever they play, from their soulful live performances to their skilled songwriting ability. Named as nominees for both the 2011 Hamilton Music Awards & the 2012 Toronto Independent Music Awards, make sure to catch this exciting award-winning duo play live at the Freeway while you can!

Tyler MacGregor - …hopelessly romantic with very hopeful melodies

Fri Nov 18th

8pm

HPYO Chamber Ensembles perform classic and contemporary chamber pieces onstage this Friday night!

Performances include flute duets and trios, string quartets, and woodwind trios.  Stop by to listen to a bit of Mozart and Handel…stick around and you might even catch a bit of Lady Gaga…

Art of Sound 2011
Sat Nov 5th
7pm |$12 at the door | $10 advance
Kids under 12 in free

Featuring:

Ophelia Syndrome | 2X the Mono

Jared & Michelle | Wind Broken Stones

Matt Henderson | Melissa Bel

Darin Martin | Tim Laidman

Spark Society | Alisha Mann

Kitchen Songs: A Monthly Collaborative Open Mic night

Join us the first Wednesday of the Month. 7pm sign up!

Details here

We have live music every Friday night at the coffee house. If you are interested in playing a show, please see here for details.

October 7     8pm    $5 cover

Rob Falagino - Buffalo, NY artist Rob Falgiano has drawn comparisons to alternative-acoustic-pop artists like Elliott Smith, Elvis Costello, and The Postal Service.
and Mike Criscione

October 14    8pm  $Pay What you Can

Azalea – Totally Whimsical! Playful arrangements, thoughtful lyrics and artsy harmonies. A young fresh duo with a romantic take on today’s Folk/Rock. Local Hamilton duo “Azalea” are always cutting edge in their live performances. Taking the “One Man Band” approach they have earned a reputation for bringing “more than you’d think” to the table, through the use of live looping and frequent instrument changes. This is a show you don’t want to miss.
& Tim Laidman

October 21     8pm    $5 cover

Mavis Moran – Mavis is an aspiring singer-songwriter who left home, to Music College (in Hamilton), pursue his dream. This local artist heard of the Open-mic held at The Freeway, and after several captivating performances was offered a slot for his own show. This young upcoming artist is one who demands an audience, and will definitely be a performance that you do not want to miss! You can look forward to hearing some of your favourite classic songs, and also some of his own heart-breaking originals.
The Geese
& The Spark Society

October 28     8pm    $5 cover

Alisha Mann - Join this local Songwriter and Compassion Artist from Brantoford for an evening of acoustic charm and mesmerizing melodies.  Alisha’s passion for music and beliefs shien through her gutsy yet angelic voice in every song.
& The Wilts – The Wilts have a very soulful voice combined with exentuating and ringing acoustic chords, exentuated and lyrical bass accompanied by ambient drums

Kitchen Songs: A Monthly Collaborative Open Mic night

Join us the first Wednesday of the Month. 7pm sign up!

Details here

We have live music every Friday night at the coffee house. If you are interested in playing a show, please see here for details.

September 2     8pm    $5 cover

Andy Shauf - Andy began touring coffee shops and house concerts at the age of 16, after releasing his first self-made CD.  Five years later, with hundreds of shows, an official full length record and two EPs, not to mention more self-made albums, Andy is gaining veteran status at the ridiculous age of 21.  Everyone who sees him knows they have seen something special, waiting to explode. Andy is finishing his second full length CD to be released fall of 2011.
Mike Angus - Mike Angus is one half of the brother-songwriting-team in The Wheat Pool – a rising Canadian band carving itself through the indie-alt-country world. “Great, fully realized songs, and to my mind yearning and hurting haven’t sounded this epic or strangely appealing in ages.”  Mike releases his first official solo project, “Hymns” on July 19. The record is intended to be a compliment to the band he continues to front, an exploration of the sounds left over, after the amps are all turned off and band has gone home.

September 9

7-9pm: Art Opening – Photo’s by Jennifer Kellner

9pm: Live music $Pay What you Can
Folk Thief
My Boy Rascal

September 16     8pm    $5 cover

Jarod Parlee- As principal songwriter for a solo career and his band, “Wind Broken Stones”, for Jarod Parlee, it’s all about refusing to be pinned down to any one project.  After recent performances with Justin Rutledge and the Irish Descendants, this East Coast raised resident of Ontario is picking up steam on the Canadian Indie Circuit.  Touring relentlessly and constantly being found with a pen and notebook has gained Parlee a reputation as a songwriter that everyone can relate to and his albums have lately began to chart as high as #1 on Canadian college radio stations.
Michael Veenstra – After learning to play the guitar through gleaned lessons and careful peer study, Michael Veenstra started to find a voice in songwriting. Using that voice, he tries to speak up about things he cares about, such as making a difference, being happy, and people/things he loves. If you like socially conscious music from folk-rock to reggae, you will love the music of Michael Veenstra.
Sephen Hackey - Local musician Stephen Hachey found his voice while working on the solitary plains of Northern Alberta. This solitude granted him the opportunity to reflect and express his heart and soul on the 6 strings of his guitar. His music offers the listener tastes of the roughness and beauty of the untamed northern Canadian wilderness… hence the lumberjack shirt and the long unkempt hair. His poetic lyrics are often featured on a mellow, ambient and folky back drop thus providing a homage to his favourite artists: Neil Young, J. Tillman, Death Cab for Cutie, and City and Colour. Steve and co

September 23     8pm    $5 cover
Darin Martin – EP Release Party!
Fitness Club Fiasco
Heather Janssen

September 30     8pm    $5 cover

Daryl Branston
and TBA

Join us the first Wednesday of the Month. 7pm sign up!

Details here

August 12       8pm    $5 cover

Ryan Van Sickle – Drawing influence from the same rich vein of storytelling tapped by Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Steve Earle before him, Canadian-born, New York City-based singer/songwriter Ryan Van Sickle is the rarest of breeds: a musical alchemist who transforms the human condition into sublime portraits of beauty. Ryan’s debut album, Ghosts Of The Brokenhearted, showcases his formidable songwriting talent with a finesse and musical maturity that belie his newcomer status. Check out the facebook invite here.

August 19       8pm    $5 cover

xo.ex.oh’s – Xo.Ex.Oh’s is a Hamilton-based, acoustic-rock duo consisting of Danielle Vann and Kenda Legaspi. Formed in 2010, and currently gearing up for their EP release in August, this band has been bringing a new vibe through their music into the Hamilton acoustic music scene since their establishing show as a band in May 2011 (where they opened for local Hamilton band Mercy). Through love (XO), heartache (EX) and mistakes (OH’s), they take the stage and sing what we all wish we could say out loud.
Melissa Bel – Melissa Bel’s voice is rich, smoky, impassioned and powerful, a rarity in the present-day pop world. Her second album, “Joy Ride”, is due to be released in September of 2011
Tyler Gilbert
T.B. Judd

August 26     8pm    $5 cover

Sandra Bouza – Sandra Bouza is a Vancouver based musician actively involved a wide variation of genres, clearly evident in her versatile musical performance. Performing frequently in British Columbia with a funk/r&b band Sandra is a soulful performer with booming vocals and a bold stage presence. As a solo artist Sandra uses these powerful vocals and presence to blend her soulful urban musical influences with acoustic folk roots and blues.
Tim Laidman

Manuela – Manuela’s sweet acoustic fusion of pop, jazz and soul soars on the wings of her wander-lust. Being both Kenyan and Swiss, Manuela’s heritage anchors her lyrics in love, dreams and freedom. The control of her beautiful voice is a new kind of fire that burns deep
and Jolies Alien Babies

July 15       8pm    $5 cover

Danoutstanding – When he’s not saving the day, Dan likes to sing songs of simple melody and raw honesty with the help of his faithful sidekick and guitar.
Pan – Pan’s style can best be described as musical storytelling.  His mix of playfulness and passion will make you wonder where the time has gone.
and Christian Nobles

July 22     8pm    $5 cover

Wade Whittaker - Wade Whittaker explores various musical languages – classical, improv, rock,sound/noise – and translates them to classical guitar. His recent music reduces different musical vocabularies to their constituent parts and then builds new layers, combining them in changing configurations.
Ania Ziemirska – At times wistful, at others rollicking, this alt-fold stongstress’ whiskey and honey-dipped vocals charm with nakedly astute, deftly crafted lyrical snapshots that linger long after the musical notes have faded.

We have live music every Friday night at the coffee house. If you are interested in playing a show, please see our live music policy & FAQ for details.

June 3       8pm    $5 cover

Roxanne Goodyear – Rox Goodyear’s sound can best be described as roots rock, traversing the ground between rock, blues, country and folk.  Her songs take the listener on a journey of discovery about life, faith, doubt and the relationships that happen along the way.
Alex Kadet - Alex plays whatever guitar is needed for his music.  Alex has many musical influences – The Beatles, Billy Joel, Dave Matthews Band, Barenaked Ladies are just to name a few.  Surely an eclectic collection of similar fun and soothing artists!

June 10       8pm    $5 cover

Rob Falagino – Buffalo, NY artist Rob Falgiano has drawn comparisons to alternative-acoustic-pop artists like Elliott Smith, Elvis Costello, and The Postal Service.

Avoid Evil

Mike Criscione

June 17     8pm    $5cover

Too Much Unsaid – London-based Too Much Unsaid has a very unique sound. It fuses influences from many different genres, including blues, jazz, rock, gypsy folk and a touch of funk to create a particularly unique sound. The band consists of Jessie Jones (vocals and guitar), Andy Chillman (vocals and guitar), Adam Goodlet (percussion), Pete Henderson (bass and guitar).
Chris Miller – Chris Miller makes rock music disguised as folk, writing songs about himself disguised as songs about others. Deeply influenced by 5 or so decades of songwriters from Bob Dylan to Mark Lanegan, he uses both contemporary and traditional structures to ground his style, and makes honesty his best policy

June 24    8pm   $5 cover

Nero’s Fiddle – Formerly the Trillingham Ladies Chorus, Nero’s Fiddle is a five member a’cappella ensemble that grew out of a stage act at the now defunct, but unforgettable Ontario Renaissance Festival. Cast as much for characters as singers, Nero’s Fiddle is an eclectic mix of unusual suspects with a range of ages, interests, alibis, quirks and sounds. The live show is as much about comedy as music, performing haunting Celtic ballads in perfect five part harmony, and traditional pub songs with a fresh twist that’s both bawdy and beautiful.  Nero’s Fiddle are: Jennifer Botari, Christine Girardi, Shannon Kitchings, Jennifer Smith and Hero Van Harten.
Eclectic Revival – “We play what we like to listen to”  Those words are the only words that can describe the music of Eclectic Revival. While performing mostly Celtic, rock, and original pieces, these guys take music from every genre, decade, arrangement, throwing it into a blender and finding how far they can push it.  With the talents of Nick Brodie on electric guitar, Kevin Buchan on sax, Chris Reed on bass, Chris Kerba on acoustic guitar and lead vocals, and Rachel Kelly on Drums, this group will stop at nothing to entertain a crowd.

We have live music every Friday night at the coffee house. If you are interested in playing a show, please see our live music policy & FAQ for details.

May 6       8pm    $5 cover

Sarah Hiltz – Drawing comparisons to Billie Holiday and Feist, artist Sarah Hiltz is a paradoxical blend of old world and modernity. Sarah’s songs display cunning word play and a simple honesty supported by stellar playing and a voice you will remember.
The Town Hall Cryers – The town hall cryers (jerry grey and jason maile) having found spare time from their sonic endeavours with grand river orchestra bring you their songs rooted in the rich soil of the people and places of their times.  Their music touches on the foundations of all genres and facets of life, from social consciences to matters of the heart there is something for everyone!

May 13       8pm    $5 cover

Sephen Hackey – Local musician Stephen Hachey found his voice while working on the solitary plains of Northern Alberta. This solitude granted him the opportunity to reflect and express his heart and soul on the 6 strings of his guitar. His music offers the listener tastes of the roughness and beauty of the untamed northern Canadian wilderness… hence the lumberjack shirt and the long unkempt hair. His poetic lyrics are often featured on a mellow, ambient and folky back drop thus providing a homage to his favourite artists: Neil Young, J. Tillman, Death Cab for Cutie, and City and Colour. Steve and co hope to record an EP in the near future.  In the mean time check out the Facebook page and download free music @ Stephen Hachey Music

Alex Drumm - Alex Drumm has a modern folk sound. Blending the softer points of Indie Rock with traditional folk sensibilities and lyrics that force introspection.
The Good Hunters
Mark Cassidy

May 20     8pm    $5 cover

Tall Paper Mountains – Brother and sister combo Paul and Steph have been playing together since 2005 (formerly known as ‘the local’).  Both are singer/songwriters, so you’ll hear a blend of acoustic/indie/folk/alternative music from two distinctly different artists.
Amanda Cottreau – As haunting and striking as the sculpted inlet of the Bay of Fundy, Amanda’s voice has begun to garner attention in the international independent music scene. “Ottawa-based folk singer-songwriter Amanda Cottreau blends haunting melodies with themes of love and redemption in her new album, Universe in a Soft Shell. Her tunes are wrought with internal conflict but always seem to offer some sort of resolution through self-awareness. While she cites Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan and Sarah Harmer as influences, Cottreau has a voice all her own.” – Collin Elliott, STEREOFAME (Nov 02, 2010).

May 27     8pm    $5cover

TBA

Hey Readers! You may or may not know that The Freeway has live music every Friday evening. Some things you should know about Fridays:

• It is usually $5 at the door which goes to support our musicians.
• We have 3 performers per night and music generally starts at 8 pm.
• It is an all ages venue with a wide variety of music.

If you are a musician (or know someone who is) and you have a website or myspace or a way we can hear your tunes, email me at miranda@frwy.ca … Let’s see if your sound melds with our venue and if we can book you in the near future!

And for you music lovers who don’t consider yourself a musician – don’t forget this great space on a Friday night. Come out and enjoy delicious fair trade coffee, fresh baked goods, and quality local music!

First off, Empty Spaces (a monthly music showcase) was one of the best shows 2x the Mono has ever played. The crowd was electric and loved to dance. All the local Sarnia bands that played were amazing. Sarnia has a diverse underground music scene that reminded me a lot of all the local talent in Hamilton. Check out the band “Driving on City Sidewalks.” “Empty Spaces” also reminded me of The Freeway Coffee House’s weekly concerts and annual Art of Sound Festival (coming soon on January 23rd). Everyone in 2x the Mono said they felt so comfortable amongst Sarnia’s music scene, it was like a home away from home.

We also found out that Sarnia has a monthly art walk called “First Fridays” that is very much like  Hamilton’s  James Street North Art Crawl.

What excited me most was to hear from Nathan about all the things happening with his church community, The Story. The Story has recently moved into storefront property in downtown Sarnia. Nathan said that it has opened up all kinds of opportunities for his community to interact with local artists, musicians and the downtown small business community. The comparison to The Freeway in this regard was overwhelming. I have always thought that church communities belong in the downtown core of their respective cities, and I’m so glad to see The Story taking this path in Sarnia. I know that The Freeway could not be or do what it needs to if it did not reside in downtown Hamilton.

I wouldn’t want to leave Hamilton for anything, and I still think Hamilton is the best place to live, but if Hamiltonians ever get together to “Tar and Feather” me, sending me on my merry way, I think I’ll move to Sarnia.

You can see more pictures of the Empty Spaces show by clicking here.