mostly hidden for the time being, receiving new songs, producing a release for the older ones, and letting some go...blessed be <3<3<3

Fuzzy-Scuzzy-Motown-Rock & Roll
#weare45s

Dirt Farmer - Recently released album, Scenic Route

In every new guitar there are songs waiting to be born. A new instrument can inspire a player to look at the fretboard differently and see possibilities they never thought about before. If the feel is right, they can bond with the instrument and find themselves reaching for it more and more. 

Scott Cryer and Rob MacDonald, the prolific songwriting duo from Brampton, Ontario, found themselves doing just that last year. In 2023 they each purchased a small body Martin acoustic guitar and that was it; they fell under the acoustic spell. They played and recorded songs together on their beloved new guitars and after about a year, sure enough, an acoustic inspired album came into being; Scenic Route.

Scenic Route consists of ten songs with a quirky yet serious, mostly uplifting, alternative folk/pop feel. The songs range from quiet intimate arrangements such as with the beautiful simplicity of Never Known Sadness, to the lush musical soundscape of It’s Time. Expressive vocals are paired with rich albeit restrained harmonies. The album title is taken from a line in the folk rock track, Sleep through a movie again; “Oh I know I took the scenic route, on the way to figuring out…”. Tales of plans winding up taking the longer idyllic scenic route, and sometimes a much darker, twisted path. 

It is no surprise that the small body guitars shine and sparkle throughout the mixes. Cryer and MacDonald were inspired by the rich tones of the guitars and made every effort during recording and mixing to show them in their best light, and to support the songs beautifully.


Versatile bassist & songwriter Chris Bottomley started his recording and performance antics in 1982 in post punk Toronto, performing along with his brother John and Sev Micron in the successful rock cirkus Tulpa. He started his funk/rock/jazz collective Brainfudge in 1991, a project that takes an anything goes musical approach to live gigs, ambling cheerfully between funk, rock, reggae and jazz.    

This current incarnation of the band is all Toronto based musicians - drummer Great Bob Scott, saxophonists Richard Underhill and Perry White of Shuffle Demon fame, Trombonist Steve Donald, Malagasy guitarist and Juno winner Donne' Roberts, and Robert Scott on keys. 

Along with his band Brainfudge, Bottomley brings his unique sound to backwoods bars, concert halls, music festivals, conferences, fundraisers, on the street, in circus parades, after hours clubs, private events, fashion shows, wrap parties, studios, on the radio, house parties and art galleries. 

Performances of note include opening for Grupo Fantasma (2007) Adrian Belew (2009), & Living Colour (1988).

 Bottomley's latest independently produced CD, BRIGHT EyE DAY,  comes out of chaos, emotional upheaval, tragedy and hope.

Featuring longtime Brainfudge members Great Bob Scott, Donné Roberts, Richard Underhill, Perry White, Bryden Baird, Jono Grant and the late James Gray. 

People he's performed and toured with include; Tulpa, Look People, Boogiewall Soundsystem, Mofunk Collective, Rich Underhill's Funk Explosion, Donne' Roberts, Mary Margaret O'Hara, Wayne Lavallee, John Bottomley, The Kensington Horns, Asani, Andru Branch & Halfway Tree, Gisto, Michael Garrick, House of David Gang, FreeDubStar, Abjeez, Eccodek & Ainike

Discography:

Tangles & Spoils (1991), Brainfudge (1994), Knotty Bits (2004) Cerebral Lubrication" (2004). Bright Eye Day (2013)

Web: www.chrisbottomley.com

Email: crispy@chrisbottomley.com

 


Recent Tidbits

“African Head Dub” placed in Chris Dyer’s “Positive Creations” Documentary (Dreamtime Cinema)

His song “Belize City Bakin’ was  released on OhmGrown Record’s "Reggae Against Landmines Compilation VOL 2"
 
Bottomley played bass on Eccodek’s “Calling the Rain” Remix on CD “Remixstasy”.
He also played bass on "Sleep Six" first CD "Time Enough".
His song "Belize City Bakin" won 2nd place in the Unisong Int'l Song Contest in 2005.  


Windahl is following