It’s been a few years since Joe Nolan put out new music, but with back-to-back sold out shows for the launch of Cry Baby, it’s clear his fans were more than ready for new music.
The popularity of his album release in his hometown, Edmonton Alberta, forced the addition of a second show to be added. With just two days notice on what was essentially a pop-up show with tickets at the door on a first-come first-served basis and THAT sold out too! There were people stuck outside trying to have doors kept open to listen during the second show!
He is a contradiction of sorts. On the exterior is an easy-going 20-something in jeans whose eyes seem to always be smiling. But when he starts singing, his voice emits a raw, soulful voice that seems well beyond his years. To hear the music and then see the man on video, one would wonder if it was some Hollywood trickery.
Joe Nolan, CKUA Performance Hall, PhotoByEGO
In watching him perform live, Joe Nolan clearly gets lost in his music and his face full of emotive expressions when he plays guitar, but someone also manages to bring the audience along with him. It’s a hypnotic blend of roots rock with a little bit of folk and soul that may not always be upbeat but when it is the crowd doesn’t hold back. A standing ovation at the end of the first show lead to an encore where the isles turned into a makeshift dance floor.
Joe Nolan, CKUA Performance Hall, PhotoByEGO
The music from the new album, Cry Baby, plays as an exorcism of the demons that arose courtesy the beast of the music industry and almost loosing your voice. The sounds are almost melancholy and one would incorrectly assume an album entitled Cry Baby to be on the side of depressing and lamenting. In playing through the record there is a notable underlying message of rejuvenation, rebirth, and finding your inner strength to follow your own path.
Another Dead Poet was written and recorded as a solo acoustic on purpose to reflect on his experiences with the inner workings and expectations of the music industry. When performing, he had the band get off the stage so he was literally alone.
Joe Nolan, CKUA Performance Hall, PhotoByEGO
Joe Nolan, CKUA Performance Hall, PhotoByEGO
This new album is several years in the making, is independent, recorded on home ground, and appears to be the springboard to the potential that all the industry critics and names saw in him. Joe has found the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel of struggles developed as a result of his earlier experiences as an artist surrounded by a team of people. Only this time, Joe is steering his own ship on his own terms.
Joe had a full band for the official album launch, including a grand piano and back up vocals provided by his sister. An advantage of having the album launch at the CKUA Performance Hall meant that the venue was able to get a live recording of the set which will air at a later date.
A bit of trivia … Joe actually cut off his own hair with old scissors in a dirty gas station washroom on the video for his single Breaking Up and Out. He joked, “I didn’t realize I looked like a serial killer until I watched the video!”
The entire audience sung along with the chorus of Main Street … Joe hopped off stage and went off mic to join them.
Joe Nolan, CKUA Performance Hall, PhotoByEGO
Joe Nolan, Empress Ale House, PhotoByEGO
For the second show, Joe took to the stage solo, with the exception of his sister occasionally joining him as vocals back up. He played the electric and acoustic guitars without back tracks but his talent with the guitar made it sounded as though there was more than one instrument being played.
The encore for the second show was a single off the new album entitled Music in the Streets, a duet he recorded with Lydia Loveless. The microphone at the piano wasn’t working so Joe offered to just play the guitar instead. The crowd quite nearly turned on him in protest, prompting the sound tech to scramble and switch out the microphones!
The extra show is a solo acoustic set, much like what can be expected from his tour that starts next week. With multiple stops across Western Canada over the next month, including a performance at the Breakout West Music Festival in Kelowna … hopefully without the technical challenges!
Special thanks to Joe Nolan for granting stage access to both shows and for being the sole photographer.
Tour Dates
- Sept 26 :: Chilliwack BC :: Tractorgrease Cafe
- Sept 28 :: Kamloops BC :: Boom Boom Rex Room
- Sept 29 :: Sun Peaks BC :: Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre
- Sept 30 :: Kelowna BC :: Milkcrate Records
- Oct 5 :: Calgary AB :: House Concert
- Oct 6 :: Brooks AB :: House Concert
- Oct 7 :: Medicine Hat AB :: House Concert
- Oct 11 :: Golden BC :: Whitetooth Brewing Company
- Oct 12 :: Rossland BC – The Flying Steamshovel
- Oct 13 :: Kelowna BC :: Kettle River Brewing Co. (Breakout West)
- Oct 14 :: Chilliwack BC :: Bozzini’s Restaurant
- Oct 15 :: Vancouver BC :: Guilt & Company
- Oct 25 :: Lloydminster BC :: The Root Bistro
- Oct 26 :: Saskatoon SK :: 134 Homemade Jam
- Oct 27 :: Winnipeg MB :: Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club
- Oct 28 :: Winnipeg MB :: The StuDome
- Oct 29 :: Saskatoon SK :: The Bassment
For more information on Joe Nolan, his new album, and tour visit www.JoeNolanMusic.com
