\ ETOBICOKE \

Although it’s known as a Jazz venue, Etobicoke’s Old Mill Inn is by no means rigid in its musical roster, often offering Pop Rock groups, occasional Roots performers and, like tonight, Blues musicians with a smooth command of their craft.

Accompanied by Juno-winning pianist and Blues songwriter Julian Fauth, tonight’s feature there, songwriter and covers artist Brian Blain, is an intelligent lyricist with a strong command of elemental, authentic rootsy Blues music who’s been a fixture on both the Blues and Folk scenes in Toronto for the past 25 years.

Blain’s music has had to compete for his talent and time with his other skills as an music journalist (he’s the longtime editor of the Toronto Blues Society’s monthly magazine and also for a time produced a monthly newsletter for Mariposa Folk Festival, as well as doing one in the Jazz community) those commitments haven’t stopped him from getting some much deserved notice for his more creative endeavours.

His songs are plain-spoken but often clever observations on life as he lives it and include a tune about the frustrations of being a Blues musician and a wry ditty about a record label he worked with. Critics unanimously note that he’s completely without affectation and that he uses no discernible effects in producing his recorded tracks, which have received thumbs up from reviewers across the U.S. and Canada.

His sense of humour can be seen in the “Colorblind Brian Blain” moniker [American spelling intentional] he sometimes uses as a kind of send-up on some of the epithets affected by or ascribed to famous Blues icons over the years. But there’s no mistaking his love of the old-time Blues feel —his “Campfire” sessions that he often incorporates into gigs demonstrate his honest passion for unadorned, from-the-gut music that both resonates and adheres to the listener.

In addition to Fauth, tonight Blain will have stellar bassist Victor Bateman (best known for his Jazz chops —but Blain has worked extensively with Jazz artists over the years as well) accompanying him for the 7:30 show in the venue’s Homesmith Bar at the 21 Old Mill Road complex nestled next to the Humber River north of Bloor St. West, not far from Jane Street. There’s no cover charge per se but a minimum $20 purchase per person is necessary in order to get a seat in this classy room.

-Gary 17, TorontoMoon.ca

SHOW LISTINGS for Friday, October 30, 2021:

Listings are organized by area in which the shows occur and within each area field shows are listed chronologically.

Listings preceded by an asterisk (*) are repeating weekly events. (Double asterisk indicates repeating event with different hosts/guest/etc.). Admission prices followed by a slash and minus (/-) after the amount indicates door charge with availability of cheaper rates for some purchases. /+ indicates stated price is minimum.

Names of subscribers appear in bold, are underlined and, where applicable, include a live link to their websites. Advertisers’ listings are in larger type, highlighted, include live link to website and also have ad icon included in listings.

416 - Toronto Central

*3-7> acoustic jam with John Hutt @ Lola, 40 Kensington Ave., TO

*4-6> Hogtown Syncopators featuring Terra Hazelton @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

*5-8> Kensington Kitchen Party with host Kevin Jollimore of Sin City Boys, Kim Cadilla on bass & guest musicians @ Graffiti’s, 170 Baldwin St., TO ~Pop Rock with heart

*5-7> The Friends of Hugh Oliver @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Folk

6> Bidini Band @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen St. W., TO

6-9> Sunnie Paxson Trio with Laura Robinson @ Jazz Bistro, 251 Victoria St., TO ~Jazz

6-8> Ryley Murray @ 120 Diner, 120 Church St., TO ~Jazz

6:30> Bugaloo Squad @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

7> Death To TO @ Lee’s Palace, 529 Bloor St. W., TO ~$

7:30> Jean and Lance @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO

8> Rockhouse featuring Peter Guy @ North York Veterans Social Club, 6321 Yonge St., TO North

8> Patrick Brealey @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO ~Country

8> Alan Reid @ Musideum, 401 Richmond St. W., #133, TO ~Bossa Nova; $20

9> Hallowe’en Thriller with Brownman Ali Trio @ May Café, 876 Dundas St. W., TO ~Michael Jackson tribute ~Pop-Jazz; $15

9-1> The Mercenaries @ Monarchs Pub in Eaton Chelsea Hotel, 33 Gerrard St. W., TO ~Soul-Rock revival

9> Tops Puro; Instinct; members of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti @ Horseshoe Tavern, 370 Queen St. W., TO ~$13.50

9:30> Pontune 5 @ Seven44, 744 Mount Pleasant Rd., TO North

9:30> North of 7 @ Alleycatz, 2409 Yonge St., TO North ~Funk/Soul/R&B; $10

9:45> Jeff King’s Catalyst @ The Rex, 194 Queen St. W., TO ~Jazz; $

9:45> Soular @ Reservoir Lounge, 52 Wellington St. E., TO ~60s Soul/Motown; $

10> Dave Murphy Band @ Orbit Room, 480 College St. TO ~Rock/Funk/R&B; $

10> Nick Teehan @ Cameron House (front), 408 Queen Street West, TO

10> The Ryan Driver Sextet @ Tranzac Club (Southern Cross), 292 Brunswick Ave., TO ~Jazz

10:30> Frankie Foo & The YoYo Smugglers @ Grossman’s, 379 Spadina Ave., TO ~Ska

10:30> Southbound Soul @ Fionn MacCool’s Esplanade, 70 The Esplanade

10:30> Played Cult’s Day Of The Dead Showcase featuring A Primitive Evolution @ The Hideout, 484 Queen St. W., TO ~indie Rock

416 - Toronto East

5-7> The Straight 8s @ Castro’s, 2116 Queen St. E., TO East

7> Joe Jackson @ The Danforth Music Hall, 147 Danforth Ave., TO East ~$60.25+

9> Hey Loretta @ Dora Keogh, 141 Danforth Ave., TO East

*?> open mic with Matt & Mike @ The Grover Pub, 676 Kingston Rd., TO East

*9:30> David Macmichael & The $5 Tall Boys @ Relish, 2152 Danforth Ave., TO East ~alt Pop originals and covers

9:30> The Brush & The Sword @ The Duke Live, 1225 Queen St. E., TO East ~$15

9:30> The Neil Young’uns @ Linsmore Tavern, 1298 Danforth Ave., TO East ~Neil Young tribute; $15

416 – Toronto Etobicoke

7:30> Brian Blain Blues Trio featuring Julian Fauth on keys @ Old Mill Inn Homesmith Bar, 21 Old Mill Rd., Etobicoke ~Blues; min table charge

9> Cadillac Daddies @ Blue Goose Tavern, 1 Blue Goose Rd., Etobicoke South ~ Rock/R&B

9> G-String @ Maple Leaf House, 2749 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Etobicoke ~Rock/Top 40/Blues

9:30> Harvest Moon @ Timothy’s Pub, 344 Brown’s Line, Etobicoke South ~Pop Rock/Top 40; $

9:30> Fat Tony @ Refinery Public House, 3039 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke ~Pop Rock

10-2> Campfire Poets @ Southside Johnny’s, 3653 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Etobicoke South ~5 decades of Rock/Blues/more

416 – Toronto Scarborough

9:30> City Soul @ Stone Cottage Pub, 3750 Kingston Rd., Scarborough ~Pop Rock

9:30> Gruv Station @ The Loaded Dog, 1921 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough

9:30> Tamin’ Thunder @ Kornerstones, 1601 Birchmount Ave., Scarborough ~Rock/R&B/Dance

416 - Toronto West

5-8> Whitney Ross Barris Band @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

7:30> Mike Barnes @ Brazen Head Pub, 165 East Liberty St., TO West ~acoustic Pop Rock

8-10> Heidi Lange @ Humble Beginnings, 3109 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Jazz

8> Sarah Burton Band; Marta Pacek @ The Painted Lady, 218 Ossington Ave., TO West ~indie; $

8> $2 Punk Show with Pseudo; Ship of Fools; Ruthless Ones @ D-Beatstro, 1202 Bloor St. W., TO West ~original Punk; $2

8:30> The Woodshed Orchestra album release with opening set by Stonetrotter @ Hugh’s Room, 2261 Dundas St. W., TO West ~eclectic; $20/-

9-1> Jazz Forge @ Gate 403, 403 Roncesvalles Ave., TO West ~Jazz

9> Hallowe’en party with tba @ The Tennessee, 1554 Queen St. W., TO West

9:30> Voodoo Walters Band featuring Dave McManus on bass and George Baumann on sax @ Axis Gallery & Grill, 3048 Dundas St. W., TO West ~Blues

9:30> Tyler Yarema Trio @ Fat City Blues, 890 College St., TO West ~Blues/Jazz

9:30> Kim Jarrett; Elana Harte @ Amico’s, 1648 Queen St. W., TO West ~acoustic Pop

10-2> Butch Haller and His Chesterfield Ramblers @ Dakota Tavern, 249 Ossington Ave., TO W. ~Country; $10

519

8> O’Deadlys @ Fionn MacCool’s Kitchener, 4287 King St. E., Kitchener

9> The Barriers @ Fionn MacCool’s Guelph, 494 Ediburgh Rd. S., Guelph

9> Indebt @ Brando’s Beach House, 135 Market St., Brantford ~Rock

9:30> Ross Burant @ Fionn MacCool’s Orangeville, 75 Fourth Ave., Orangeville

705

5:30> Rick & Gailie @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

8:30> The Rye Street Band @ Black Horse Pub, 452 George St. N., Peterborough

9> The House of Haunt; No Pussyfooting; Goodnight; Screamin’ Sins; Television Rd.; Honey Davidson; Sunrise @ The Spill, 414 George St. N., Peterborough

9:30> Express & Company; The Lohrwood; Kayla Howran @ Red Dog Tavern, 189 Hunter St. W., Peterborough ~Country

9:30> Chuck Jackson & The All Stars @ Sticky Fingers Dunlop, 150 Dunlop St. W., Barrie ~Blues

10> I Dunno @ The Garnet, 231 Hunter St. W., Peterborough

905 East

9-1> Yazoo Delta @ Simcoe Blues & Jazz, 926 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa

9> Kris Barclay @ The Corral, 433 Simcoe St. S., Oshawa ~Country

9> In Crust We Trust Fest with Out of Hand; Opposition Rising; The Almighty Trigger Happy; Pollitikill Incorect; Randon Killing; Three Impotent Males; Gag Order; Loss Aversion @ The Atria, 59 King St. E., Oshawa ~Punk/Hardcore; $

9> Hairy Holler; Fish Head Phil 7” record release & Devil’s Night costume party @ The Moustache Club, 15 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa ~$5

*9:30> Karaoke with Rob MacArthur & Lorraine @ Royal Canadian Legion #322, 112 Hunt St.

9:30> Acoustica @ The Edge, 250 Bayly St., Ajax

10-2> Jackson Fox @ Fionn MacCool’s Ajax, 36 Kingston Rd., E., Ajax ~Pop Rock/Top 40

10-2> Goldierocks @ Whisky John’s, 843 King St. W., Oshawa ~Rock

905 North

9> Eclipz @ King Richard’s Pub, 15570 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

9> pre-Hallowe’en party with live band 9-11 tba & DJ @ Brooks Sports Bar, 12774 Highway 50, Bolton

9> The Kingfishers @ Fionn MacCool’s Newmarket, 17315 Leslie St., Newmarket

9:30> The Doubts @ Jake’s Boathouse Brampton, 59 First Gulf Rd., Brampton ~Pop Rock

9:30> Your New Neighbours @ Stewart Maguire’s Landing, 15 Allan Rd., Bolton

9:30> Rough n Ready @ Oscar’s Roadhouse, 1785 Queen St. E., Brampton ~Top 40/Rock

*9:30> open mic @ Big Daddy’s, 460 Elgin Mills Rd., E, Richmond Hill

10> Synsonic @ Aw Shucks, 15230 Yonge St., Aurora ~Pop Rock

905 – South

9> Powerfist; Horror Biz; Kryptkeeper @ This Ain’t Hollywood, 345 James St. N., Hamilton

9> Dave Ptolemy Dup @ Coach & Lantern, 384 Wilson St E., Hamilton

9:30> Wild Child; Dr. Feelgood @ Corktown Pub, 175 Young St., Hamilton ~indie; $

10> By Design @ Doc Magilligan’s Irish Pub, 6400 Lundy’s Lane, Niagara Falls

905 West

*5> Adam Ostrosser & Joel Guenther @ Carrigan Arms, 2025 Upper Middle Rd., Burlington ~Pop

*6-9> Krista Blondin @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop/Jazz/Blues

8> Alfie Smith Workshop Series with feature Rick Taylor @ Moonshine Café, 137 Kerr St., Oakville ~Blues; $10

9> The Keynotes @ Fionn MacCool’s Oakville, 350 Dundas St. E., Oakville

9> Killin’ Time Band @ Fionn MacCool’s Burlington, 2331 Appleby Line, Burlington

9:30> John Chantry @ Shore Grill, 71 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock/Top 40

9:30> Rock Doll Social @ The Franklin House, 263 Queen St. S., Streetsville ~Pop Rock

9:30> Why Now? @ Fionn MacCool’s Clarkson, 970 Southdown Rd., Mississauga

9:30> Oldies Reunion @ Boston Manor, 4460 Fairview Ave., Burlington

10-2> The Dreamboats @ Roc’n Doc’s, 105 Lakeshore Rd. E., Port Credit ~Pop Rock; $

10:15> Love Supreme @ Failte, 201 City Centre Dr., Mississauga