Being a relative newcomer to the Taiwan music scene, I had no idea who Scott Cook was, other than what I had read online. I knew that he had played locally for several years, and that he later went back to Canada to embark on his solo career. So before the show started, I had relatively no idea what to expect.
David Chen gave a nice little introduction before the start of the set, and that added a little more information. Talented musician, went solo and started touring Canada and the U.S. Lives in his minivan as he drives about performing at different places. Overall, sounded like a pretty chill dude who apparently sings purdy darned good.
When Scott took to the stage, my initial reaction was, “OMG its Seth Rogen!” Of course, it wasn’t Rogen, but Cook bears a resemblance to the actor. And then he opened his mouth and started talking. Again I thought, “OMG it really is Seth Rogen.” He did kinda sound like him, if only with a lot less California frat boy in timbre.
He started off just playing by himself; a guitar and vocals, doesn’t get much simpler than that. The songs were all new to me, of course, but they were all quite pleasant and had a solidity that reflected the polish they had from numerous performances. He even played a few songs written by others that fit his overall style, and honestly if he hadn’t said anything I wouldn’t have noticed they weren’t his. In general, the songwriting was pretty witty, and the underlining theme and feeling was one of joviality and freedom through the experiences of life.
Later on the “band” took to the stage; David Chen on guitar, Conor Prunty on harmonica and Thom Squires on bass (thanks Scott for the info!). With more or less a full ensemble, Cook’s music took on even more life and the crowd loved it. Speaking of the audience, Scott’s rapport with them was excellent. I don’t know if it was due in part to familiarity or because of charisma, but the energy in the room was great on both sides of the performance.
Overall it was a great show that lasted through a couple of encores. Afterwards, Scott got off stage and got around to pitching his new album, which was on sale and available for autographing… It’s apparently available on his website and I highly encourage buying it. Aside from getting great music, it’s really important that we all support independent artists. Along with us lowly photographers, musicians have a lot of competition to turn a profit and every bit of help counts when one’s trying to make a living from the arts.
Hi there friend,
This particular Travelogue has a novel claim to fame, in that it’s the
very first Travelogue not to include any travel. I’ve been parked for
a month, and now that it’s coming to a close I suppose I can tell you
all where I’ve been hiding. I’m in Fulong, a sleepy little beach town
on the northeast coast, where I’ve rented a place above a Taiwanese
gambling den (no word of a lie) for the month. It’s been raining
nearly constantly, which has been good for my work ethic, but it has
shown me a few splendid sunny days as well, including this beautiful
sight: http://www.scottcook.net/fulong%20rainbow.jpg. I’ve gotten
caught up on plenty of things, emptied both my email inboxes, and even
written three songs. But the time here’s been good for more than
work; it’s been good for my soul. As I said last time, I haven’t had
a break like this since I started this full-time rambling almost five
years ago, and as it turns out, I needed it even more than I knew.
Besides work, I’ve been filling my hours with exercise, yoga, bike
rides, and eating healthy, mostly raw. I’ve haven’t had a drink in
three weeks, which was a milestone and a learning experience in
itself. It’s been a drastic change of pace from the road, slowing
down, listening to and learning to inhabit my body rather than just
driving it around like I do, paying attention to my breath, and
watching as thoughts and emotions come up and drift by. Along with
all that has come plenty of reflection on this life I’ve chosen, the
enduring reasons for doing it, and the precedence of real human
connections over work. I’m very grateful to have had this chance, and
all it took was saying no, something I’ll hopefully learn to do more
often.
The real trick will be remembering all these lessons once I’m back on
the road, which is fast approaching. If you’re a Facebuck friend of
mine, you likely already know that I’ve got a very physical reminder
of a new leaf having been turned… I am shorn, and reborn. If
you’re still quaintly reading this from the comfort of your own email,
here’s photo proof: http://www.scottcook.net/haircut.jpg. After
wearing the same hairstyle (if you can call it that) for twenty years,
a change really does feel good. For those who fear I’m sliding
perilously close to getting a real job, or joining the Conservative
Party, rest assured, my haircut may be respectable, but if so it’s
alone in that regard.
I’ve got ten shows coming up around the island in the next three
weeks, including visits to Taoyuan, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and the ol’
stomping grounds in Jungli, and I’m excited about them all. I’ll
happily direct you to http://www.scottcook.net/news.php for the
details on those, or to http://www.facebook.com/events/239237452815014/
if you’d rather stay in Faceburg than dirty your feet in my digital
den. But while we’re all gathered around here, there are four in
particular I’d like to talk more about.
This coming Saturday, March 3rd, my old band The Anglers will be
reuniting to rock out at Bobwundaye, alongside our good buddies in
High Tide. I’m so looking forward to playing with these guys again.
There will be smiles, and hugs, and dancing, probably followed by
drunken folly. The Farcebook event’s here: http://www.facebook.com/events/299605766760125/
Next Friday, March 9th, I’ll be playing another house concert in
Taichung, in a bigger space this time, with a couple awesome musical
guests who will remain unnamed for now, cause it’s a surprise! The
last Taichung house concert, at Cat Brown’s place, was my favourite
show of tour so far, and if you were there I think you’ll know what
I’m talking about. People cried. It meant something.
Music plays all sorts of different roles in our lives, and far be it
from me to pick favourites. I like going to a party & carrying on &
dancing to a band as much as anyone; in fact, maybe more than most
short-haired folks do. But actually sitting down, listening to songs
and letting yourself be moved by them isn’t what we go to bars for. A
listening crowd is a rare thing among the folks I run with here, and
I’m very grateful and humbled to have the opportunity to share songs
in that kind of setting. Songs can do a lot for you if you hear the
words all the way through. They can show you things. They can open
your heart. If that kind of thing sounds like your speed, I hope
you’ll join us on March 9th at Eric Ganassin’s house, which also
happens to be a great place to go learn yoga, and the very same place
I’ll be sweating out booze in downward dog two days later. The
details are here: http://www.facebook.com/events/218711524880071/
The next day, Saturday March 10th, will indeed be a party. It’s been
almost two years since I last played the Dakeng Refuge, on a sunny
afternoon in May, for a little fest Paul named Hobo Happiness. The
Refuge now has new digs, which are amazing, in case you haven’t
already seen ’em, and Paul’s been kind enough to host an even bigger
bash this time. It’s called Hobo Happiness II; a celebration of the
rambling life and a group hug of a day that will include sets from the
Anglers, Three Day Bender, Andy Goode & Chris Bailey, Nick Fothergill,
Pat Reid, Pauline Edwards, Carrion Crow, Nathan Javens, Kevin MacCash,
Tyler Dakin & the Long Naked Bottles, and Taichung’s prodigal son Mike
Mudd, as well as yummy food, drinks aplenty, good friends, games (oh
yes, a party’s gotta have games), and as a bonus, no po-po to party-
poop. Lordy, it’ll be great to see all you good folks. I’ve been
working on a couple old hobo tunes for the occasion that I’m very
excited to show you. Doors open at 2pm, music starts at 3pm, and I’m
on at 5:15. And I should specify that when I tell you those times, I
don’t mean Boston Paul time, I mean the time on your watch. I hope
you can make it out early, but rest assured, we’ll be jamming til
late, and when I say late, I mean Boston Paul time. All the info you
need is at http://www.facebook.com/events/324708260898105/
My last show on the island will be the following Saturday, March 17th,
at Taipei Artist Village. This here Freemosan Farewell will feature
another boatload of talent, some of whom may be entirely new to you,
and some of whom may be all too familiar (you decide). Paul Lawrence,
Mister Green, Neil Surkan, Arman Torus, Nathan Javens, Mike Mudd,
Tyler Dakin & the Long Naked Bottles, and David Chen & Conor Prunty
will all be playing short sets, and of course those ever-lovin’
Anglers will close out the evening. Doors open at 3pm and I’m playing
at 4pm sharp. It’ll all be done by 11 so we can go afterparty
wherever’s suitable. The deets are on http://www.facebook.com/events/237508999673941,
and I must say, the poster (http://www.scottcook.net/freemosan
%20farewell%20poster%20web.jpg) tickles me somethin’ fierce.
Shortly afterward, I’ll be packing my bags and boarding a plane for
home, with a stop along the way in the Evil Empire, playing the Wanch
in Hong Kong March 22nd. If you happen to know anyone there, please
send ’em my way. My next big show will be March 28th at the
Engineered Air Theatre in Calgary for the Transcanada Alberta Music
Series, which is gonna be awesome, and my next hometown show’ll be
Saturday April 7th at the Black Dog in Edmonton with Gabrielle
Papillon and Corinna Rose. Plenty more dates are written on the wall
of my humble internet abode over at http://www.scottcook.net/news.php,
and you’re welcome to stop by any time.
I hope you’re all living well, and finding what you need. Like Woody
sez, take it easy, but take it. Big love,
Scott
http://www.scottcook.net