I have been playing stringed instruments since I was 5, studied classical cello for 12 years, picked up my first guitar when I was 10. For most of my teen years I was sure I was destined to be a metal guitar god like many of us do at that age, but as life, reality, and fate conspired, my priorities changed direction. I have been fortunate enough to have a successful career outside of music that has consumed most of my time and energy for the last 20 years, but in the last few years have dusted off the old chops to fuel my need for some additional form of creative expression.

Now much older and hopefully somewhat wiser, I write and record a variety of styles of instrumental guitar based music ranging from soft jazz to heavy rock, and am grateful for the advances in technology that allow a solo musician to write and share his own music from a small home studio with the rest of the world.

If you like my music, please download and share with your friends. I play for myself mainly and am happy to have anyone listen at all. Please visit my website for a full selection of all of my current demo recordings and links to other web pages and projects of mine.

Damian was raised on Oldies Country,Bluegrass,and influenced by Rock from the mid-1960's to todays Rock.He has drawn inspiration from all of these genres of music for his own songwriting.
He became hooked on playing guitar at age 16,and began writing songs a couple of years later.Damian has said," that his songs are melodicly driven".He is currently working on an alt/indie rock project/album "Something Hidden".Damian also enjoys writing Country songs/music.
It is rumor soon he will be working on a Country album with his good friend,and cousin Jon Semmes.

Ottawa, Canada-born singer/songwriter John Allaire became first know to Canadian audiences with his alt-rock band in the '80s and '90s, The Town Cryers. After spending two decades touring North America and performing alongside other international acts with The Town Cryers and other bands, John put out his first solo recording in 2003, Crime and Punishment. In 2005, John teamed up with his backing band, the Campistas, and released Thank You Waitress!, an album that went to the top of many college and university radio stations across North America and garnered a particularly large audience in Europe.
Summer 2007 sees the release of John’s third solo album, Ghosts of the Royal Motel, with the accompanying North American tour in the Summer and Fall 2007.
For the most part, John’s songs are traditional folk stories, sprinkled with wit and edgy instrumentation, often drawing comparisons as far-ranging as Neil Young to Joe Strummer. He has been the recipient of national songwriting awards, such as the CBC Telefest award for best independent video, PROCAN top independent song release, and album of the month by Canadian College and University Radio Association.

PERFORMED WITH…
Alanis Morrisette, Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Donovan Leech, Hoodoo Gurus, BoDeans, Dr. and the Medics, The Church, VSpyVspy, Nada Surf, Econoline Crush, Weddings Parties Anything, Tom Cochrane, Lynn Miles, Grapes of Wrath, Nils, and many more…

John’s vocals have been compared to Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom), Joe Strummer (The Clash), Bob Mould (Husker Du), Paul Westerberg (Replacements) and many others of this ilk. His songwriting echoes that of Neil Young, Paul Westerberg, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) and Elvis Costello.

For the most part, John’s songs are traditional folk-influenced stories and the solo show incorporates quick wit, banter and a direct connection with the audience. His straightforward guitar and harmonica styles are reminiscent of early coffeehouse troubadours like Dylan and Donovan. Each show is different from the last, with changing arrangements (acoustic and electric accompaniment), material choices and the stories he relates.

John has shared the stage with: Alanis Morrisette, Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Donovan, Lynn Miles, Hoodoo Gurus, BoDeans, Dr. and the Medics, The Church, VSpyVspy, Nada Surf, Econoline Crush, Weddings Parties Anything, Tom Cochrane, Grapes of Wrath, Nils, and many more...

AWARDS
CBC Telefest top independent music video in Ontario
Top independent video in Canada 1989 as selected by MuchMusic
PROCAN (now SOCAN) independent songwriter award for "Cry at Night"
Canadian College and University Radio Assoc. top album of the month - "All's Well"

That was then...
Starting his professional music career in 1984, John has been in a number of bands, including the award-winning "The Town Cryers", a band that reached the number one spot on seven radio stations in Canada with their first release in 1987 called "All's Well".

Allaire toured the country with the Cryers all the while releasing their 1989 CD, "Surprise Surprise", which included a supporting video for Allaire's song "Never Bin Hurt B-4". The video won honours as top independent video in Canada in 1989. The CD also had the dubious pleasure of being the first release in Canada by an independent band on the emerging CD format.

The Town Cryers parted ways in 1992, but not before recording a whopping 18-track CD called "Stanley's Cup".

In 1995, John founded the alt/punk band The Mercy Miners, playing with such signed recording artists as Econoline Crush and Nada Surf. The Mercy Miners released a 10-song CD called Knuckle Sandwich in 1997.

In 2003, John released his first solo effort called Crime and Punishment. The album was a 12-song collection and, while not doing much in the way of charting on radio stations, the CD sold more than 1,000 copies (admirable for an independent release), including copies numbering in the hundreds on the east coast of Canada and the USA.

John's latest release "Thank You Waitress" is out now and is garnering rave reviews as his best career work.

Who are the Campistas? John's band of studio and live musicians include: Jeff Tanguay, Bass, Breeze Smith - drums, Glenn Torresan - guitars, slide guitar, Tony Dunn - keyboards, sax, Valerie Daley - flute, Juan Gratton-Dominguez - horns, Tom Simpson - percussion, Zeke Smythe - drums and programming, Thomas Marsdon - cello

Admiral Twin is a pop rock group from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The band consists of three singer/songwriters who blend rich harmonies with catchy melodies over a variety of music styles.

Biography

Matt Harlan is a songwriter's songwriter. He composes scenic landscapes and pointed statements disguised as songs. Often non-linear, but always melodic, Harlan's works confront social norms, celebrate lives overlooked, or just wax poetic about coffee and bus stops. Whatever the inspiration, the music is always heartfelt and genuine.

Born and raised in Texas, Harlan soaked up the richness of the state and its song-smiths while bouncing between big cities and small towns. Always in love with music, he eventually learned to play and write it. From '60s pop in kindergarten to alt-country in college and all the angst in between, Harlan draws from a range of influences, interpreting a generation steeped in plastic and filtered through the Hill Country limestone.

After gigging in rock bands around San Antonio and Austin, Harlan dropped the pick and the power chords to develop his own unique fingerstyle guitar technique. Now back in Houston he is working to promote his earthy, socially conscious sound, which is continually evolving.

Accomplishments

In 2003 Matt Harlan won the Kerrville Folk Festival's Texas University Songwriters Competition based on the merit of his songs “Suitcase Blues,” “Warm November,” and “The Optimist.” Winning the competition allowed him to play on the Threadgill's Stage at the Festival along with other songwriters from Texas universities.

The Houston Fort Bend Songwriter's Association (HFBSA) has nominated Matt Harlan's “Heavy Steel and Spinning Wheels” for their 2006 Song of the Year award.

Matt Harlan was recently offered the chance to play at the legendary Anderson Fair for its songwriters showcase series. Details can be found on Matt Harlan's websites and at www.andersonfair.com.

•  Good Folk Story
•  Thoughful folk song