When blues-rock guitarist David Gogo originally booked a gig for The Rainbow Room in Port Alberni, the end of March seemed like an ideal time. It fit into his promotional tour for Soul Bender, his 11th album, released last July.
Then he went and got himself nominated for a Juno award, so he had to switch dates. Gogo will now play The Rainbow Room on Friday, April 6—his first gig after the Junos, which this year are being held in Ottawa, Ont. March 26–April 1.
Soul Bender has been nominated for Blues Album of the Year.
“So who knows; I might have a Juno award to show Port Alberni,” Gogo said while on the road last week.
It’s been 10 years since Gogo played Port Alberni—the last time was an acoustic set with Ken Hamm. This time he will bring his band, and they’ll play from the new album as well as some old classics, Gogo said.
“It’s blues rock and high energy,” he said. The show will be a perfect fit for The Rainbow Room, he said, judging from what other bands like Brickhouse and Big Dave MacLean have said of the venue.
While awards are nice—Gogo has been nominated for Junos twice before—the bread and butter for any musician is getting in front of an audience, he said. “Touring is your No. 1 income source. You’ve got to get out there and play for the people.”
Gogo is known for both his acoustic sets as well as performances with his full band. He likes being able to switch back and forth between the two, as he says it keeps him fresh. Last year he did 10 solo shows and 10 with the band, and it was a good mix, he said. He’s happy to be bringing the band to Port Alberni.
He’s also happy with his new album, half of which he wrote himself. “I think they’re some of the strongest songs I’ve ever written,” he said.
Doors open for David Gogo at 8 p.m. on April 6. Tickets are $20 each, available in advance at Rainbow Lanes, .
The Juno Awards will be televised on CTV on Sunday, April 1. The award Gogo is nominated for will actually be presented at an untelevised gala dinner the previous night, but if he wins his name will be announced on the broadcast.
editor@albernivalleynews.com