Tom Savage Music

Don't Wait For the Gatekeepers To Say You Are Worthy

2025-05-23T09:58:00.006-04:00

Success is not a straight line. It is forward and backward and up and down and side to side....and when you're a creative person, the line blurs as to what success means. It's not solely monetary gain...for many artists I would say that is not number one on their list. But we live in a world that pushes us toward this capitalist/consumerist way of thinking/behaving.

Success in art for me, means being as true to yourself and your vision as possible. If you're going to be a full-time musician, most will need to take jobs that don't speak to them artistically...for those on the lower income end of things, there are the monetary considerations of buying groceries and paying rent. For those on the higher end of the income(and fame)scale, there are teams of people pushing and pulling you in different directions, and fans expecting you to perform certain songs in a certain way.

There's a sweet spot in there somewhere. I haven't completely found it myself, but I feel a bit closer to it with every passing year.

My greatest strength as an artist has been my ability to persevere. It's an important attribute to have in the music business. Rejection after rejection after rejection after rejection....there was a time when these rejections would really bother me...

But here I stand! A full-time working musician, performing material that I have written myself (for the most part), halfway through my 33rd year in the "business". I put "business" in quotes because, outside of the odd festival booking or opening slot with a name act, I've largely been shut out of THAT world.

I'll tell you what though, it makes what I've accomplished all the sweeter:

The longevity of my career. The fact that I have built a loyal fan base who attend my solo shows and Dead Root Revival concerts.
The respect that I've garnered from my peers. The friendships I've made with some truly wonderful people.
A body of creative works I can look back on and feel proud of (meaning, most of the time when I listen to old records I don't cringe and shout, "What was i thinking?!"...MOST of the time.😅)

And for all of this, I just had to work my ass off! And continue to do so…

BTW I'm writing this for those young musicians starting out, or musicians who have been at it for awhile and are feeling disillusioned....

Sometimes the powers that be in the music industry will shut you out and try to shut you down. But these rejections are only worth the weight you give them.

This year, for example, Dead Root Revival applied to pretty much every festival in Ontario, and we didn't get accepted to any. We may have gotten five "sorry not this year" replies.

One of the most common questions I get at our shows: "Are you playing any festivals?". My reply: "We're trying!! Tell your festival AD about us."

I know our band is good. The best I have ever had the pleasure of performing with in my 30+ years as a professional musician. Oftentimes that doesn't matter. Festivals have their agendas, booking agents have their agendas... block-booking of acts at multiple fests for logistical reasons, or a who-you-know clique mentality. Not to mention the hundreds and hundreds of submissions that programmers can't realistically go through in a way that gives everyone a fair hearing.

My point: Yes, apply for everything, but if nothing turns out, don't let it get you down. Keep going!

*same goes for clubs btw*

Don't Be Afraid To Take A New Approach

If the gatekeepers of the music industry aren't picking up what you're putting down, you can do one of two things:

1) Get yourself a decent stockpile of drugs and booze and quietly crawl into your pit of despair and self pity

or...

2) You can keep going! Keep trying new things. Keep failing!! Because if you keep trying, failing, learning, and growing, then that in itself is a success.

With DRR, we have taken the approach of promoting our own shows: renting the hall, providing the sound, printing the posters and tickets, taking care of the social media marketing, and more often than not working the door and merch table at the show. This has proven to be extremely effective, not just because we have a killer show that people want to experience, but because of (I believe of equal importance is) our connection to our fans. Ours is a grassroots approach that focuses on building community through music, and I have come to realize that this is my comfort zone for everything I do in regards to my music career. I would rather be working the door or chatting with fans at the merch table, instead of sitting twiddling my thumbs in the green room, or schmoozing with music industry types.

A New Festival Is Born

The logical next step for us was to create our own music festival. Dead Root Revival's Summertime Shindig had its first run at Two Blokes Cider in Seagrave, Ontario in 2024 with a very stripped down lineup of 3 acts. In 2025 we are kicking it up a notch, doubling our number acts, and featuring The Weber Brothers, Brock Zeman, Emily Burgess, Brodie Bell, Georgia Rose, and of course a closing set from DRR.

Will it succeed?

Hopefully.

Will it fail?

Possibly

Will we learn?

Undoubtedly

Will we keep going?

Definitely!!

Goodbye Sheila Rock: Northern Ontario Indie Rock Stalwart

2025-04-14T09:28:00.000-04:00

I was saddened to hear recently of the loss of my friend Sheila Stathopoulis, who had been living with cancer for many years. She passed on March 23rd, 2025.

Sheila was the owner/operator of The Apollo in Thunder Bay, Ontario for many years. The Apollo was a Northern Ontario indie rock outpost, where travelling Canadian bands would rest their weary heads for a night, play a set, drink some beer, and often enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared by Sheila and her mother Tina(who shuffled around the bar, visiting with the musicians, conversing in her thick greek accent, browsing and buying merch, and making sure everyone had been fed).

I must have played there 30 times over the years( I toured Canada a lot), to the point I was mistaken for a Thunder Bay local on a couple of occasions. The Apollo was indeed a home away from home for me, and I was always happy to find myself there. It was a weird and wonderful place and Sheila was a weird and wonderful owner.

Tina(left), a young, clean-shaven me, and Sheila(right)in The Apollo kitchen cooking up some grub...2007(?)

No other place that I have played across Canada exemplified the struggle to keep the music alive in this country like The Apollo did. It was a lifeline for many an indie musician, whether it be singer-songwriter, punk rock, blues, indie rock, etc. The fact being, Thunder Bay is a long way from anywhere...8 hours from Winnipeg...11 hours from Sudbury...15 hours from Toronto!! That is touring in Canada baby! It is daunting. It is stark. It is a threadbare two lane highway with no alternate routes...

It is beautiful.

For those of us who get in the van and lay it all on the line, we know what having places like The Apollo means for music in Canada, even as we watch them disappear one by one(The Apollo closed a few years ago btw)to be replaced by coffeeshops or condos. The geography of the Apollo's location profoundly accentuated how integral the venue was for artists making their way across the vastness of Ontario.

But what was unique about The Apollo was that it didn't pretend everything was okay. It was gritty and it was real. It didn't try to cater to people or create a social media buzz. It had so much character, with Sheila, Tina and sound tech/bar tender Alex always there steering the ship in their own ragtag style.

Sheila wasn't shy about speaking about her struggles, about the venue's battles with the city just to keep the lights on. I took comfort in her honesty, because I too was struggling...in a way I had gotten used to it to the point of satirical enjoyment...but struggling just the same. The venue mirrored the experience of many of the artists stopping into play a show there.

And Sheila unapologetically carried the torch for those underdog indie musicians. She herself was an underdog, and it is in this that I believe we recognized ourselves in each other.

I'll miss her. The Canadian music scene will miss her. She affected so many lives, she supported so many touring musicians, she gave everything she could give to the arts in this country.

That's one helluva legacy if you ask me.

I wrote a song years ago that referenced The Apollo, entitled, "Northern Ontario Highway". It was always fun to play it at the bar, and have people hoot and holler when they heard "Thunder Bay" or "The Apollo" in the lyrics. Have a listen. I'll think of Sheila and my friends at The Apollo every time I play it.

Goodbye Sheila Rock!

2025-02-20T09:51:00.003-05:00

Wintertide Meltdown? More Like Snowmageddon Ramp Up!! by Tom Savage

Wintertide Meltdown III + Signal Brewery Concert + Painting DRRaw

Read on Substack

Wintertide Meltdown III + Signal Brewery + Album Painting DRRaw!!!

2025-01-10T12:08:00.005-05:00

The band is taking a brief January reprieve...it's too cold to lug heavy equipment around! We will be kicking back into gear though, beginning on Saturday, February 15th, with our third annual celebration of the frigid season, Wintertide Meltdown III

We are changing locations this year from Sharbot Lake to the Gananoque Legion, and we'll be changing things up a bit, performing sets as both Dead Root Revival AND Foley Mountain Playboys(for those of you not familiar, Foley Mountain Playboys are a band featuring members of DRR plus Kevin Bowers(guitar) and Kevin Davidson(fiddle). We perform mostly original songs steeped in country/bluegrass/americana). Local collective The Openers will be kicking things off. This time, Dale Driver(guitar) and Mike Corrigan(drums) will be joined by the immensely talented Jason Mercer on bass, and the legendary guitarist/songwriter Kevin Head.

3 bands for $20!! DEALS!!

TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1131067456209

We hope you make a plan to join in on the fun.

DRR at Signal Brewery

For our fans in the Quinte region, we will make our return to the area on Saturday February 22nd when we perform for the first time at Signal Brewery in Corbyville. It's our first show in the Belleville area since last July, when we performed at Empire Rockfest. Spread the rock and roll word and let's have ourselves an incredible rock and roll experience!

TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1131016854859

Album Painting DRRaw!!!

Some of you may have heard that we will be giving one of our fans the unique opportunity to own the original painting of "The Controller's Exam" album cover. We are selling a limited number of tickets(100 tickets. $30 per ticket, 2 for $50) for the painting DRRaw.

****PRIZES!!****

1st Prize - "The Controller's Exam" album art original painting (est. $2000 value)

2nd Prize - Dead Root Revival - The Controller's Exam - Double Vinyl, Tom Savage - 21st Century Lo-Fi Vinyl, DRR Hoodie($130 value)

3rd Prize - DRR/Tom Savage CD collection($100 value)

With your purchase you'll also release a digital copy of our new live album and an 11x17 poster featuring the album art plus album credits and track listing.

The original painting will be on display for fans to view at our Gananoque Legion and Signal Brewery concerts.

You can purchase your raffle tickets at these shows or by sending an e-transfer to deadrootrevival@gmail.com (please add a note with your contact info for the draw).

Winners will be drawn at our next Kingston show in April(Details TBA).

Rock and Roll,
Tom

New Substack - Tom Savage: Leave It All On The Stage

2025-01-06T12:32:00.001-05:00

The Currency I Trade in is Experience by Tom Savage

Read on Substack

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Ticket and a T-shirt for $40!

2024-12-05T09:40:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends!

Our final show of 2024 fast approaches and we would love for you to be a part of it! It's our third annual Christmas Party/Concert, Saturday, December 21st at the RCHA club in Kingston...also known as DRR's Christmas "ROCK"splosion!

For a limited time we're offering a couple of great deals for those of you who would like to attend the show and pick up a Christmas gift while you're at it:

Ticket + a T-shirt for $40

Ticket + your choice of DRR or Tom Savage CD for $30

This offer ends on Monday, December 9th so grab your tickets today!

Rock and Roll,

Tom

Shake off the algorithm and get on the dance floor!

2024-11-20T13:07:00.001-05:00

There are only three opportunities remaining in this calendar year to see Dead Root Revival, and two of them are this weekend! If you are fortunate enough to reside in the Peterborough or Napanee regions, please purchase a ticket and come out to the show. If you can't make these shows, perhaps you know music-loving family or friends that would benefit from a fun night out and a great rock and roll experience. Share this with them, please!

We are a fully DIY indie band, so we lean heavily on our fans to spread the word about DRR, and we are incredibly appreciative of the support you all have shown us over the years. As I have said before, there's no Ticketmaster, there's no Live Nation, there's no record label or government funding, there's only YOU!

I'll let you in on a little secret. I feel like giving up every other week. It feels like the tide is turning against live music in general...oh the cynicism is palpable my friends! 😅 I'm sweating it out here practically begging people to spend $20 on a ticket for a show in a small hall, while watching folks effortlessly drop a grand to sit in the nosebleeds of some stadium to watch a corporate globetrotting superstar.

I mean, don't get me wrong, the two aren't mutually exclusive, but if you're ONLY taking in live music in stadiums, then you're not supporting your local music culture.

Those of you who know me know that I'm all about grass roots community and culture...I feel in these times we need more of that face-to-face connectivity; away from our human storage units and our seemingly endless screen time. Live Music (particularly in a smaller venue) is the greatest tool for bringing people together...and we very much need to bring people together. Shake off the algorithm and get on the dance floor!

Buy a ticket...for our show(s) or some other show in your hometown. Get out and support live music and have some fun, while letting your actions make a statement about the kind of world you want to live in.

Yours in Rock and Roll,

Tom

P.S. ...don't worry about me giving up. I've made my choice and I'll die on this hill. 😎🤘

This Weekend's Shows

Friday, November 22nd

Peterborough Legion - 1550 Lansdowne Street Peterborough, ON K9J 2A2

$15 advance/$25 at the door

TIX- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bringing-the-drr-rock-show-back-to-peterborough-tickets-1008411856007

wsg Jeff Gutteridge and The Black Aces

Doors at 7:30 PM/ Show at 8 PM

Saturday, November 23rd
Doghouse Studios - 99 Dairy Ave, Napanee, ON K7R 1M5
$20 + fees advance/$25 at the door
https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/49561/
Doors at 7 PM/Show at 7:30 PM

The Gift of ROCK!!

2024-10-31T09:41:00.000-04:00

Today is my 51st birthday. It has been one helluva run on this mortal plain so far, and though this artist's life has been almost clichéd in its struggle at times, I would not change it for the world. If you told me twenty years ago that at this vintage I would be creating and performing inspiring, boundary-pushing music with Dead Root Revival, the best band I've ever had the pleasure to work with, I would be like, "Sign me up!!".

As one gets older in the world of rock and roll, every show carries a bit more, and a bit less weight.

More weight given to the immediacy of the moment, the fleeting nature of our time on stage together as a band.

How many more times do we get to do this thing we love?

Less weight given to ego and self-importance. Less weight given to the business of music...although to be honest, I've always had an adversarial relationship with the music business.

Music is about sharing. Live performance is about a shared experience. I've devoted my life to this cause and will continue to do so as long as I am able. Want to give me a birthday gift? Join Richard, Bonz, Tony, and I at a Dead Root Revival concert. Bring a friend. The gift of a three dimensional rock and roll concert experience is something we can all enjoy!

Cheers,
Tom

Here's what we've got coming up:

Friday, November 8th - Smiths Falls Civitan Hall wsg Brock Zeman - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1004675590737

Friday, November 22nd - Peterborough Legion wsg Jeff Gutteridge - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1008411856007

Saturday, November 23rd - Doghouse Studios - Napanee - https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/49561

Saturday, December 21st - DRR's Christmas ROCKsplosion!!! - RCHA - Kingston - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1067691807939

Dead Root Revival Releasing Live Album on Bandcamp Friday (October 4th)!!!

2024-10-03T10:34:00.000-04:00

It's Bandcamp Friday this week!

Purchasing your music on Bandcamp is the best way you can support independent artists in the digital realm. For example, the $12 purchase of a digital copy of DRR's album "The Controller's Exam" is roughly equivalent to the royalty payment from 5000 Spotify streams.

On Bandcamp Friday, it's even better because the site waives all of their processing fees, and directs 100% of earnings to the artists, which also makes it a great time to pick up physical merch like vinyl, CDs, and t-shirts.

For music fans, Bandcamp is a great music discovery tool, and you can stream your purchased music and create playlists using the Bandcamp app. It's a fun way to share music as well. My brother and I often send albums to each other(there is a 'send as gift' option when purchasing) on Bandcamp Fridays, or for birthday or Christmas gifts.

I'm a big fan of this site. It's really one of the shining lights in a music industry that often seems increasingly bleak for artists.

To celebrate Bandcamp Friday, Dead Root Revival are releasing a live album, available exclusively on the site.

*** Savage Song Supporters: This album has already been added to your collections! Learn more about becoming a Savage Song Supporter(for as little as $5/month)here: https://tomsavage.bandcamp.com/song-supporter ***

On March 9th, 2024, Dead Root Revival celebrated the release of their album "The Controller's Exam" with a concert at The Broom Factory in Kingston, Ontario. The band performed the album in its entirety then came back for a second set of epic jams.

This amazing two hour concert event was captured by sound tech Geoff Chown for your listening enjoyment!

Swing by https://deadrootrevival.bandcamp.com on Friday, October 4th to check it out.

Please purchase, download, stream, and share the news!

Rock and Roll,
Tom

6 Months Since the Release of "The Controller's Exam" + Concert at the RCHA in Kingston!

2024-09-16T09:31:00.001-04:00

Hello Friends!

It has been six months since the release of our debut studio album, The Controller's Exam...

Time flies when you're rockin' and rollin'!

We are incredibly proud of this record, and it has been fun travelling around Ontario and performing the songs for fans new and old.

We are super-appreciative of the support from our fans! This project, for a DIY band like ourselves, was a big undertaking....the trip to Athens, Georgia to record with David Barbe...recording and mixing to analog tape...and then releasing the album on double vinyl.

It was not cheap!!!

No record label, no FACTOR, no Canada Council or grants of any kind. Only you guys!

I am so pleased to announce that we have recouped 70% of our expenses through digital, CD, and vinyl sales of the album.

We even made $5.32 from Spotify!

Alas, the journey continues...still 30% to go...and we are doing our best to spread this music around to new listeners, and to introduce new people to the Dead Root Revival concert experience. But we don't have the music industry machinery behind us. It is vital that YOU continue to spread the word about DRR. It is imperative that YOU buy tickets to our shows...and bring a friend or two.

This is how we get the word out, and this is how DRR can continue to bring you our own unique brand of original retro rock/blues/prog rock/roots rock!

Our next concert is in Kingston on Saturday, September 21st at the RCHA Club. It's actually our first full (2-hour rock show) concert in Kingston since our album release at the Broom Factory this past March.

Buy a ticket. Bring a friend. It's going to be incredible!

Let's ROCK!!

Tom

Back To The Farm!

2024-08-16T12:57:00.000-04:00

We're super-excited to be performing at the Back To The Farm festival on Sunday, August 18th. Here's the full lineup:

11:30 Pound Salt
12:30 Christopher Jackson
1:30 Jon McLurg
2:30 Luella
3:30 Kojak
4:30 Frank Ryan
5:30 Dead Root Revival
6:30 Royal Castles
7:45 Said The Whale
9:15 JJ Wilde

Other shows coming your way. Be sure to spread the word to your music-loving friends!

Friday, August 23rd - Casa Del Popolo - Montreal wsg The Maximum Chill TIX: https://www.handstamp.com/e/dead-root-revival-and-the-maximum-chill-8yrmq5pr - 9 PM

Saturday August 24th - Live on Elgin - Ottawa wsg Tin Constellations TIX: https://www.revelree.ca/event/dead-root-2024 - 7:30 PM

JUST ADDED - Sunday, August 25th - The Foley Mountain Playboys perform at the Ontario Moonshine Festival - Top Shelf Distillers - Perth - one hour set at 1:45 PM

Friday August 30th - Joel Stone Park - Gananoque wsg Tom St. Louis - 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 31st - Tom Savage and Kevin Davidson live at Spearhead Brewing - Kingston - 2 PM

Thursday September 5th - Mills Hardware - Hamilton - w/ Ginger St. James, Greg Smith, B. Knox - TIX: https://www.tixr.com/groups/sonicunyon/events/dead-root-revival-greg-smith-b-knox-ginger-st-james-102485 - 8 PM

Friday, September 6th - Which Craft - Guelph - PWYC - 9:30 PM

Saturday, September 7th - Bonz Bowering performs with FABB at Hotel Wolfe Island

Saturday, September 21st - RCHA Club Kingston - TIX: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/934657986197 - 8 PM ( Our only Kingston show this Fall. Don't miss it!)

Friday, September 27th - Tony Silvestri performs a solo show at The Cove in Westport - 5 PM

Tom Savage and David Barbe interview

ICYMI David and I sat down via Zoom recently with Darryl Sterdan of Tinnitist TV to talk about the how "The Controller's Exam" came to be. You can see the full interview here: https://tinyurl.com/434z5zsv

It was great to chat with David again and get a peek at the familiar confines of his studio on the zoom call. Made me want to get back down there for another round!

Rock and Roll!
Tom

Toronto Show Tomorrow [Friday, June 28th] + Summertime Shindig!!

2024-06-27T12:27:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow night(Friday, June 28th) DRR will be performing at The Painted Lady in Toronto. It's an early show with singer-songwriter Lauren Carson kicking things off at 7 PM with a solo acoustic set. This will also be our last Toronto show of 2024, so take this opportunity to see the band in action(or to send your Toronto friends to see us 😉)!!

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dead-root-revival-with-lauren-carson-tickets-850383037557

Coming up next weekend...it's the Summertime Shindig!!

Join us Saturday, July 6th at Two Blokes Cider in Seagrave, Ontario. Where is Seagrave, Ontario you ask? Good question! It's a quick nine minute jaunt north of Port Perry...here are the coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/D8RHrXwtELkE2r5u8

It's going to be a great day of sun and cider and musical fun with The Colton Sisters, Matthew Holtby and DRR!

Road trip anyone?

"The Controller's Exam": Track-by-Track

I recently sat down with V13 media to offer a track-by-track rundown of the songs on the new album. I often think it's best for listeners to find their own meaning in songs, but let's face it, songs like "Poverty Line" and "People Zoo" kind of hammer the message home.😄

You may find these insights of interest. Check it out here: https://v13.net/2024/06/dead-root-revival-the-controllers-exam-track-by-track/

And, of course, if you haven't picked up your copy of the new album yet, head over to https://deadrootrevival.bandcamp.com now! Available on digital, CD, or double vinyl formats!

Rock and Roll!

Tom

Love for the Grad Club Indeed! Fundraising Concert an Overwhelming Success!

2024-06-13T09:34:00.004-04:00

I would call that a success. Love for the Grad Club indeed!!

$4791.65 raised to help support the Grad Club in their efforts to remain a fixture on the Kingston music scene.

And speaking of the Kingston music scene... what an amazing showcase of local talent on stage at Blu Martini on Sunday! We are very fortunate in this city.

Many thanks to Luther Wright for doing such a great job as host and keeping things running on time(we were only 5 minutes behind by the end when DRR hit the stage. Crazy!), to Trevor and Anita on sound( and to Geoff for helping with changeovers and mixing Luella), to Peter Delaney and the Blu Martini staff, to Kingston Live for helping with promotions, to Peter Hendra at the Whig, Stu Mills at CBC Ottawa, and Lauren Tucker at CFRC for press coverage, and to all the musicians who donated their time and talent for the cause:

Jon McLurg Old Tyme Trio

Piner

Holy Wow

Emilie Steele

Stephen Stanley Band

Luther Wright and the Wrongs

Goldwing

The Mill-Rights

Tim Sheffield

Luella

Dead Root Revival

And of course many thanks to the audience for your donations! You showed up on time and stayed until the end. Such good vibes!

I feel we sent a strong message on Sunday that we value our live music venues in Kingston, we want our music scene to survive and thrive, and when a member of our music community is in need we will be there to offer our support.

The Arts are not expendable!!

Up next for DRR...a Rock Show in a Barn!

Our next show is Saturday, June 22nd at the absolutely wonderful venue known as Furnace Falls Farm, just outside of Lyndhurst, Ontario. We performed here last year and fell in love the place! Grab your tickets now because you won't want to miss this one. It's one of a couple of shows we're performing in the Kingston/Leeds & Grenville region this summer, and THE ONLY SHOW where you'll get the full two-hour rock and roll extravaganza that is a Dead Root Revival concert!

See you at the rock show,

Tom

Check out www.deadrootrevival.ca for more dates around Ontario this summer

Love for the Grad Club - Fundraiser at Blu Martini - Sunday, June 9th + DRR Concert News

2024-05-23T13:14:00.001-04:00

Attention music fans: the Grad Club needs you. Let's show the city of Kingston that we want live music to survive and thrive!

Come to Blu Martini on Sunday, June 9th from 3-8PM to support the Grad Club, and to take a stand for local culture and the small live music venue.

The story of the Grad Club's financial troubles are far from uncommon across the province, country, even across the world! Small music venues everywhere were forced to cease operations during COVID, burning through any reserves they had, and taking on support loans just to keep the lights on. Now loans are coming due and rents are being increased, the result being that the ecosystem of small venues in this country is under threat.

It's time to stand up for culture and recognize the importance of art and music as it relates to the collective well-being and mental health of our society.

Tickets are by donation($25 suggested) and are available on Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/896504116947

This is going to be an incredible afternoon/evening of music!

Luther Wright will be hosting this concert event which will feature performances by:

Holy Wow
Jon McLurg Old Tyme Trio
Piner
Hugh Christopher Brown & Stephen Stanley
Goldwing
The Mill-Rights
Tim Sheffield
Dead Root Revival

**plus surprise guests!!**

________________________________________

DRR CONCERT NEWS

In addition to the Grad Club fundraiser on June 9th, DRR has some fun concerts coming up over the next month. First up is the Summer Kickoff Music Festival at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith this Saturday, May 25th. This is a free admission event, and features music from 4-10 PM (our set is at 7 PM).

Ottawa fans be sure to catch our show at The Rainbow Bistro on Thursday, May 30th with well-known local singer-songwriter Graven opening the show in full band style! Tickets available here: https://therainbow.ca/event/5434804/670192413/dead-root-revival-kingston-wsg-graven

On Saturday, June 22nd, Dead Root Revival returns to Furnace Falls Farm in Lyndhurst, ON. We are really looking forward to this concert, as we had an amazing show there last year, and the setting is magical for live music: a big old barn with a 100-foot ceiling. An important note for DRR superfans: while we are playing some shorter sets in the Kingston region, June 22nd will be one of the only chances this summer to take in the full-on two hour concert experience that you have become accustomed to seeing from the band. Not to be missed!

Toronto: we are returning on Friday, June 28th! Hold off on your holiday weekend excursions out of the city and take in a good ol' fashioned (early) rock show! We're at The Painted Lady on Ossington, Lauren Carson opens the show with a solo acoustic set at 7 PM. Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/dead-root-revival-with-lauren-carson-tickets-850383037557

See you at the rock show!

Tom

Dead Root Revival - The Controller's Exam Now Available for Streaming/Purchase

2024-03-01T22:11:00.002-05:00

The debut studio album from Dead Root Revival, The Controller’s Exam is now available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, etc.,etc., and available for purchase on Bandcamp(digital, cd, double vinyl formats) and our online store.

We are incredibly grateful for the support our fans have shown us throughout the entire process of creating this album. You’ve been there from start-to-finish and we couldn’t have done it without you! We look forward to celebrating this momentous rock and roll achievement with you on March 9th at The Broom Factory(SOLD OUT!!) and March 22nd at the Shrine Hall in Belleville(tickets still available).

A very special thanks to our producer David Barbe, for believing in our music and inviting us down to Athens, Georgia, for what turned out to be one of the best recording experiences we could ever have hoped for. Your knowledge, wisdom, and warm, welcoming personality were essential ingredients in seeing our vision realized. We hope to do it again down the road!

Also, thanks to Jeremy Bruneel for creating the out-of-this-world album cover art. Such an outstanding job! You really knocked it out of the park!

Have a listen and let us know what you think? And if you love it, buy the album and spread the word!!

Cheers,

Tom

P.S. Pre-order deals (vinyl bundle, CD bundle, DRR Merch bundle) continue on indiegogo until March 8th.

Kingston Release Show SOLD OUT!! Belleville Release Show ADDED! plus Wintertide Meltdown 2

2024-02-10T09:01:00.000-05:00

It certainly was a surprise, the speed with which our Kingston album release concert sold out! A welcome change, as many times we are holding our collective breath days before a concert, wondering if people are going to show up.

We definitely feel your excitement and enthusiasm for this new album, and we are equally excited to share it with you. We'll be performing the album in its entirety for our first set at The Broom Factory on March 9th, then we will return to rock out some more after a brief intermission, and a chance to mingle with the crowd(and hopefully sell copious amounts of merchandise).

It's gonna be great!!

BELLEVILLE RELEASE SHOW ADDED

Many of our fans also did not anticipate our Kingston show selling out so quickly, so for that reason, we've decided to add a Belleville album release concert on Friday, March 22nd to give our fans in the Quinte/Prince Edward County regions a chance to celebrate this rock and roll achievement with us. Tickets will move fast so act now!!

WINTERTIDE MELTDOWN 2

For those of you in the Kingston/Sharbot Lake/Westport regions that didn't get a chance to buy your ticket for the album release show, come get your DRR fix at Wintertide Meltdown 2 at Oso Hall in Sharbot Lake on Saturday, February 24th. We put on this event last year with a couple of local businesses(Frenchie's Chip Hut and K & P Brewing) and it was so much fun that we decided to do it again!

This time around Frenchie's is offering a dinner option, so you can take in the concert AND have a great meal for the incredible price of $55!! When purchasing your tickets you can choose between beef, chicken, or vegetarian options.

Grab your tickets today and let us know you value us bringing these type of high quality concert events to smaller communities.

See you at the rock show!

Tom

LOW TICKET ALERT: Album Release Celebration on March 9th

2024-01-25T11:09:00.003-05:00

Things have been trucking along with the preorder for our new album "The Controller's Exam"! We are so pleased with the response to the campaign so far, in particular the concert ticket + CD/Vinyl perks!

We are very close to selling out of seated tickets for the March 9th Album Release Celebration at The Broom Factory in Kingston(currently 4 spots left). There are 20 standing room only tickets available for the show, so going forward anyone who purchases a concert ticket + vinyl or CD perk on the preorder page will receive a "standing room only" ticket to the show, along with their choice of double vinyl album or CD.

If you have purchased a concert + CD/Vinyl perk already(before Thursday, January 25th) your ticket(s) are for "guaranteed seating".

Thank you for your continued support of this album project. Please keep sharing and check out some of the other perks we are offering on the preorder page, such as discounted DRR t-shirts, vinyl bundles, CD bundles, and the DRR merch bundle(includes DRR t-shirt, DRR Live Volume I CD, Double vinyl album of "The Controller's Exam").

Rock and Roll,
Tom

Double Album Pre-order Plus New Single "Trillions of Stars"

2024-01-12T14:22:00.005-05:00

It's happening! The long-awaited studio album from Dead Root Revival, "The Controller's Exam", is on its way! The official release date is March 1st, but you can preorder today on indiegogo: https://igg.me/at/DRR

We've also released the first single from the album,"Trillions of Stars". It is available on all streaming services and on Bandcamp.

Check out the video on YouTube :

A Double Vinyl Album Recorded Completely Analogue

In 2023, we had the incredible opportunity to travel to Athens, Georgia to record our debut studio album at Chase Park Transduction, under the guidance and tutelage of renowned engineer and producer David Barbe, who is known for his work with Drive-By Truckers, among many others. The result is "The Controller's Exam", over an hour of music recorded completely analogue(16-track to 2-inch tape) that exemplifies the raw energy, tightness, and astounding musicianship of Dead Root Revival.

We are releasing this record to the world on March 1st on double vinyl, CD, and digital formats.

What we need from you and what you get

Pressing a double album is very expensive, and we are completing this project without any government grants, or record label assistance. The band has laid it all on the line to bring you our best, and we sincerely encourage you to support this momentous rock and roll achievement by preordering the double vinyl album, or one of the other perks we've made available exclusively during this pre-order campaign.

Here are the different perks:

The Controller's Exam on digital, CD, or double vinyl album
Vinyl Bundle including "The Controller's Exam" plus my 2022 release, "21st Century Lo-Fi"

Tom Savage CD Bundle - 5 CDs for $60(a 40% discount)

DRR Merch Bundle - includes Double Vinyl Album,CD, DRR LIVE - VOLUME I - CD,DRR T-SHIRT

a rare opportunity to have a drum Lesson with Bonz Bowering!

Tom Savage will write a song exclusively for you and record it with members of Dead Root Revival!

Your very own private rock concert with Dead Root Revival

The original 32 x 32-inch painting of "The Controller's Exam" album cover by artist Jeremy Bruneel

Plus, when you pre-order the new album, you can add-on discounted tickets to the album release celebration on March 9th at The Broom Factory in Kingston.

Your support is invaluable to us! Our fans were there for us in the first phase of this project, helping us with travel costs to Athens, Georgia, and our recording expenses. Now that the project is complete, we are calling on you once again for your support, by simply purchasing a copy of the album we've created.

Other ways you can help the cause

If you are not in a financial position to contribute at this time, we encourage you to show your support for Dead Root Revival by spreading the word by sharing links on social media, and talking up the album in your in-person conversations. Word-of-mouth is an essential tool towards this campaign's success.

Thanks for helping the DRR train roll on!

Tom

BIG NEWS: Double Vinyl Album From DRR Coming March 1st!

2024-01-05T12:07:00.002-05:00

The long-awaited Dead Root Revival studio album is coming your way, with an official release date of March 1st, and an album release celebration on Saturday, March 9th at The Broom Factory in Kingston.

Take a look at this mesmerizing album cover art, painted by London, Ontario artist Jeremy Bruneel!

We'll be releasing the first single from the record next Thursday, and kicking off our pre-order campaign on Friday, January 12th. You'll be able to pre-order the record in double vinyl, cd, or digital formats, and there will be deals on other merchandise, plus some one-of-a-kind opportunities to support the band.

DRR fans are going to be so pleased with this record. It was our goal to create an album that delivered our live concert energy and I believe we have achieved that in "The Controller's Exam".

Our trip down to Athens, Georgia to record at Chase Park Transduction not only provided us with the amazing experience of collaborating with renowned producer David Barbe(known for his work with Drive-By Truckers, R.E.M. and many others), and recording completely analogue (16-track to 2-inch tape); it also gave us the laser focus needed to create this album effectively, and brought the band closer together, allowing our music and performances to soar to new heights.

The journey continues. We're thankful to have you on board!

Tom

What's This? A Surprise Album?!!

2023-11-29T12:00:00.003-05:00

Two more shows for Dead Root Revival this year! Friday, December 1st we will be at The Atria in Oshawa, warming the stage for Doghouse Rose and Trash Puppets, then on Saturday, December 16th, we will be at the RCHA club in Kingston, for our final show of 2023(Get your tickets at the bar or on Eventbrite).

I know there's a lot of anticipation for the release of our album that we recorded in Athens, Georgia this year. We are putting the finishing touches on the record, with the album cover being painted by London artist Jeremy Bruneel, and I can tell you that the release date of the album will be March 1st, 2024, with a Kingston release celebration to take place at The Broom Factory on March 9th.

It has been a long wait and we appreciate your patience. With that in mind, I've decided to release a surprise album to tide you over until then!

As recording sessions for my 2017 release Everything Intertwined came to a close, we decided to add another day in the studio, switching out bass players(Seamus Cowan played on EI), and bringing in Geoff Chown to record some Blues tracks. It was a really fun day of letting it all hang out musically and getting gritty, live off the floor at North of Princess studio. The recording turned out great, but was promptly put away in the archives for future considerations. In the ensuing years many crazy events occurred in this world of ours, so in the archives the Blues record stayed.

Until now!!!

Looking back at Everything Intertwined and now listening to Sure Can Play That Guitar!!, I can really see how my music and songwriting were turning a corner in 2017, and the seeds were being planted that would grow into what we now know as the band, Dead Root Revival.

Many songs have found their way into the DRR setlist. From EI, there's Kid, Burnt By The Sun, Come Home, and 17 Years, and on Sure Can Play That Guitar!! you will hear the familiar jams An Angel Rose, Train Blues, Moonshine Baby, as well as the title track.

I hope you enjoy this collection of previously unreleased music.

Pick it up Friday, December 1st on Bandcamp as part of #BandcampFriday. Available only in digital or CD format. No Spotify...no Apple Music...no Deezer...no Tidal... you get the idea. 😄😉

Rock and Roll,

Tom

One Night Only: Brock Zeman and Tom Savage in Concert

2023-11-16T10:06:00.001-05:00

If you are in the Chelsea/Wakefield/Gatineau-area next Friday, November 24th, don't miss the rare opportunity to take in a concert by myself and Brock Zeman! We've made a few excursions around Ontario in 2023 performing in-the-round style, and it makes for an entertaining concert, showcasing our distinctive songwriting styles. Fans of Americana, Roots, Blues, don't want to miss this one.

Motel Chelsea is located at 1418 Route 105 Chelsea, QC J9B 1P4

Tickets are available on Eventbrite ( https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/motel-chelsea-presents-troubadours-tom-savage-brock-zeman-tickets-688497363147) or at the door(reservations are recommended).

Spread the word!

Cheers,
Tom

Motel Chelsea presents Troubadours : Tom Savage & Brock Zeman

Combined, this duo of grass roots Eastern Ontario musicians have released 25 albums over the past twenty years, performed thousands of concerts, and traversed the continent more times than one cares to remember. Now they are joining forces to take you on a journey through their collective songbook; retelling tales of the road, love and loss, and life lived on the wrong side of town.

About Brock Zeman

“With a voice that recalls early Tom Waits crossed with Johnny Dowd, a talking blues style, and backing instrumentation that lays down a slinky late night groove Zeman makes MUSIC THAT FILLS THE SOUL… Discovery of the year so far.” -Americana UK

“Jaw dropping songwriting genius.” - Fatea Records

“His songs have more depth than can be realized first time through, which only enhances with each listen.” -Penguin Eggs

About Tom Savage

"Coming on like a rocking, later day Townes Van Zandt, Savage colors outside the lines with tales of those living beyond the margins. Every generation needs one who holds up the fun house mirror to the absurdities and this is a cult hero for our times"- Midwest Record Review

"We are dealing with a brilliant poet and troubadour" - Country Jukebox

"Recommended to those who still believe in Roots Rock power and poetry" - Lonestar Time

One Year of Tunesdays plus the DRR Rock n' Roll Experience

2023-10-02T12:46:00.009-04:00

I feel I've been shouting this from the rooftops for years: Live music = Community. Music is an integral component of our collective mental health as a society. It brings people together. Whether in a participatory fashion through community choirs and orchestras, open mics and jams, in passive engagement with intensive listening, or in a casual setting where music is the backdrop used as an opportunity for socialization.

The beauty of the TUNESDAY open mic at the RCHA is that it brings all of these components together with the added bonus of accessibility due to the early hour of the event (4-7 PM). It is a joy to see the dance floor full at 5 PM on a Tuesday afternoon(with some of the dancers in their mid-eighties! There's no age limit on having fun!).

This Tuesday marks one year since we started the mighty TUNESDAY jam. Thanks to all of you who have made it an overwhelming success.
Come celebrate with us. Rumour has it that there will be cake!
And pizza too of course. ; )

Dead Root Revival Concerts

I often feel a bit embarrassed, seemingly tooting my own horn about DRR, but really I'm not. I'm simply repeating what fans new-and-old tell me at the end of every concert we play. I wish I could bottle their enthusiasm. I wish I could convey the overwhelmingly positive(oftentimes profound and emotional) experience to those who have never taken in one of our shows...

...but barring the act of me shoving a phone in their face to record these testimonials...

I'm not gonna do that.

What I will do is continue to tirelessly promote this band! I'm fast-approaching my 50th birthday...I've spent 30 years (and recorded 11 albums..??) as a musician/songwriter. To be creating and performing some of the best music of my career, with this scarily super-tight band of musicians, with collectively over 100 years of stage experience...well, it's a sincere honour and privilege.

Yet, it's still at times like pulling teeth to convince people to buy tickets for our shows. As my friend Seamus Cowan said to me recently, in regards to concert promotion, "It's a heart attack game!" So true!

DRR put on our own shows or work with small independent promoters. We are attempting to operate outside of the traditional music industry structure. No agents, no managers, no record labels, no Live Nation, no Ticketmaster. This is grass roots rock and roll. For my money, that's where the true spirit of rock and roll lies.

Why wouldn't you want to be a part of that?

Prince Edward County and Kingston, here is your opportunity.

Join the Revival!

The unofficial Pumpkinfest kickoff concert!
Tickets available:
Wellington Legion - $15
Eventbrite - $15 + fees
$20 at the door
or contact organizer at:
780-691-2887
or lowperchproductions@gmail.com

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dead-root-revival-with-tony-forbes-tickets-718507765067

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/704546195637

Dead Root Revival return to rock Blu Martini in Kingston for our fall concert, this time with special guest Josh Piché(Toronto)!

Yours in music,
Tom

Say this 5 times fast: Furnace Falls Farm Fall Harvest Feast of Fields & Concert

2023-09-07T11:56:00.002-04:00

Dead Root Revival has a bunch of fun shows around Ontario in September and October. I'm particularly looking forward to this meal...er, this show next week!

However, I may get my dinner to go. There's nothing like finishing an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet a half hour before you perform an opening set for The JD Edwards Band at the Times Change(d) in Winnipeg to teach you to not eat too much before you go on stage. I carry this lesson from the road with me to this very day(even though it's Bhuna long time 😄😅🥁).

Fall Harvest Feast of Fields & Concert Featuring Dead Root Revival with Tom Savage. Attend the Dinner and Concert or Concert only.

Dinner & Concert - $70

Concert only - $25

Tickets 👉👉https://tinyurl.com/2p8pt5b8

Menu:
Fall Fritters
Family style meal
Garden salad with sweet potato vinaigrette
Herb grilled chicken
Roasted fingerlings
Seasonal roast vegetables
Irish Apple Cake with custard sauce
Blueberry maple lemonade

Cash Bar!

The Concert is indoors in the large barn with five indoor restrooms for your convenience.
Arrival 5 pm
Dinner 5:30 pm to 7 pm
Concert 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Upcoming DRR Fall Shows

October 8th - Keystorm Pub - Brockville

October 13th - Wellington Legion - Wellington Take note fans in PEC/Quinte Region!! Tickets available soon!

October 14th - Blu Martini w/ Josh Piche - Kingston - Get Your Tickets Now: https://tinyurl.com/6cbybxys Hometown Show! Support Local Rock and Roll!!!

October 19th - Heartwood Hall - Owen Sound w/ TROFLOW - Tickets: https://heartwoodhall.ca/events/oct-19-dead-root-revival-troflow/

October 20th - Corktown Tavern w/ Back Road Bourbon

November 2nd - Dakota Tavern supporting Josh Piche

November 4th - Richmond Tavern - London

See you out there!

Cheers,

Tom

Last Call for ROCK!! Plus DRR in Montreal and at MusicWestport

2023-08-10T13:01:00.000-04:00

Summer is truckin' along at breakneck speed it seems. I've had a fun variety of shows, performing with Brock Zeman, Noah Zacharin, Savage Family Band, Dead Root Revival, and hosting the incredibly enjoyable juggernaut that is the "Tunesday" Afternoon jam at the RCHA! Good times indeed!!

I hope you are enjoying the season, and taking the opportunity to get out and enjoy live music when your schedule allows. Music is such an integral part of our collective mental health and an important tool in weaving together the fabric of our community. I feel that this fact is sometimes overlooked, so kudos to all promoters, small businesses, audience members, and musicians, who are doing your part to see that culture is kept alive and thriving!

Last Call for ROCK in Oshawa and Peterborough

Big weekend of shows coming up! Friday night DRR will be at the Atria Bar and Grill in Oshawa. Tickets are $15 advance/$20 at the door. Doors at 8:30 PM/Show at 9:30 PM.

Then on Saturday, DRR will be performing ERBEN in Peterborough with a special opening set by @tonysilvestrimusic!! Tickets are $20 advance/ $25 at the door. Doors at 8 PM/Show at 9 PM.

Tickets available at www.deadrootrevival.ca

***Use PROMO CODES to save $$$***
Oshawa show: Use promo code SuperFresh at checkout
Peterborough show: Use promo code DRR+TSB at checkout

Tickets could definitely be moving better. Please help out the band and share with your friends in Peterborough and Oshawa.

Savage Family Band Final Shows!

Be sure to come by The Mansion in Kingston on Sunday afternoon to check out the Savage Family Band. 3-5 PM. It's our 2nd last show ever!!!
The band is breaking up because Benji is off to University of Toronto this fall.*

Our last show is a lunchtime concert in confederation park in Kingston on August 17th. Come wish him well on his university journey and enjoy the SFB grooves one last time!

*more like a hiatus...but it's gonna be a long break!!

DRR plus Grindhouse Collective in Montreal on August 17th

Dead Root Revival makes their return to Montreal on Friday, August 18th at Casa Del Popolo! Don't miss this show! It's a double bill with local "Tarantino" Tribute Band Grindhouse Collective.

Doors at 8 PM. Show at 9 PM. Grab your tickets in advance here: https://lepointdevente.com/billets/czz230607003

$20 advance/ $25 at the door

DRR at MusicWestport!!

There have been a few Tom Savage-fronted bands who have performed at MusicWestport over the years, but the 2023 edition marks the first appearance of Dead Root Revival at this festival. Join us on August 19th! Our set is at 3 PM.

See you out there!

Tom

Gananoque: Last Call for Rock and Roll! Plus, Northern Lights Festival Boreal [Photos]

2023-07-14T09:11:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow night (Sat. July 15th) it's time for Dead Root Revival's Summertime Shindig at Mavericks in Gananoque!

DRR will be joined by The Mill•Rights for what promises to be an incredible evening of music. Get your tickets in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/617252698437

To avoid online fees, you can etransfer $20 per ticket to me at tomsavagemusic@gmail.com Tickets are $25 at the door. Doors at 7 PM. Show at 8 PM.

Two world class, locally grown bands, right in your own backyard. Don't miss it!

Northern Lights Festival Boreal

I had a great time in Sudbury last weekend at the Northern Lights festival Boreal. It was a unique opportunity to show off my skills as a kind of musical Swiss army knife: accompanying Brock Zeman on the main stage as his lead guitarist("The Eddie Van Halen of the acoustic guitar", Lloyd Spiegel dubbed me. 😄), performing a solo set of my own songs on the CBC Acoustic Stage, and helping to lead the Blues Beyond Borders workshop on the Canvas Cabaret Stage, along with Lloyd and his own fiery acoustic licks( and his incredible trombonist Lisa Baird), Angelique Francis and her family band( her two sisters on horns and her father on drums), and guitarist Paul Dunn. It truly was an epic jam!

Brock and I will be hitting the road again next week for a private party on July 21st and a Troubadours show at Skol House in Belwood, ON on Saturday, July 22nd at 6 PM. Tickets available at https://skol.house/

Tom Savage Music

Don't Wait For the Gatekeepers To Say You Are Worthy

Don't Be Afraid To Take A New Approach

A New Festival Is Born

Goodbye Sheila Rock: Northern Ontario Indie Rock Stalwart

Wintertide Meltdown III + Signal Brewery + Album Painting DRRaw!!!

New Substack - Tom Savage: Leave It All On The Stage

LIMITED TIME OFFER: Ticket and a T-shirt for $40!

Shake off the algorithm and get on the dance floor!

Saturday, November 23rdDoghouse Studios - 99 Dairy Ave, Napanee, ON K7R 1M5$20 + fees advance/$25 at the doorhttps://www.ticketscene.ca/events/49561/Doors at 7 PM/Show at 7:30 PM

The Gift of ROCK!!

Dead Root Revival Releasing Live Album on Bandcamp Friday (October 4th)!!!

6 Months Since the Release of "The Controller's Exam" + Concert at the RCHA in Kingston!

Back To The Farm!

Toronto Show Tomorrow [Friday, June 28th] + Summertime Shindig!!

Love for the Grad Club Indeed! Fundraising Concert an Overwhelming Success!

Love for the Grad Club - Fundraiser at Blu Martini - Sunday, June 9th + DRR Concert News

Dead Root Revival - The Controller's Exam Now Available for Streaming/Purchase

Kingston Release Show SOLD OUT!! Belleville Release Show ADDED! plus Wintertide Meltdown 2

LOW TICKET ALERT: Album Release Celebration on March 9th

Double Album Pre-order Plus New Single "Trillions of Stars"

BIG NEWS: Double Vinyl Album From DRR Coming March 1st!

What's This? A Surprise Album?!!

One Night Only: Brock Zeman and Tom Savage in Concert

One Year of Tunesdays plus the DRR Rock n' Roll Experience

Say this 5 times fast: Furnace Falls Farm Fall Harvest Feast of Fields & Concert

Last Call for ROCK!! Plus DRR in Montreal and at MusicWestport

Gananoque: Last Call for Rock and Roll! Plus, Northern Lights Festival Boreal [Photos]

Saturday, November 23rd
Doghouse Studios - 99 Dairy Ave, Napanee, ON K7R 1M5
$20 + fees advance/$25 at the door
https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/49561/
Doors at 7 PM/Show at 7:30 PM