The Take Note! Music House is thrilled to announce the inaugural house concert in our new Barrie location, the local CD release concert for Newfoundland singer-songwriter Ian Foster's new gem, "The Great Wave". We'd love to introduce our house concert series to our new folk-loving neighbours, so please do pass this information along to any Barrie-area music lovers you know!

The concert takes place on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30). Suggested donation is $15, with all proceeds going directly to the performer. You may reserve your seat by calling (705) 305-1687 or emailing concerts@takenotepromotion.com. Directions will be given upon reservation, but we're located close to downtown Barrie on the north side of the bay, just a little north-east of City Hall.

Accessibility-wise, we do need to to a bit of work on this house ' there are a few steps up to the front door, or two less-steep steps if you come around to the back. Once you're in the house, everything will be taking place on the main level, no steps involved. There is a main floor washroom, although it's not wheelchair-friendly. No pets at the moment, although the previous owners had dogs. A reminder, as always, to please refrain from wearing scents, as some of our "regulars" do have sensitivities.

Ian Foster (www.ianfoster.ca)

"Ian Foster is a serious songwriter and a seriously good one, having cut his teeth on the local folk and pop music scene. A storyteller and character sketch lyricist, comparisons can be drawn with David Gray, Hayden, Conor Oberst, and pioneers of the sub genre like Jackson Browne and Paul Simon. A talent to watch for." [Tony Ploughman, Fred's Records]

Newfoundland native Ian Foster has a way with words, both in song and through stories: you'll get to hear both when you see him live. He writes in a contemporary style and exudes a love of storytelling in the finest tradition of folk music.

Ian's brand new album "The Great Wave" is an evolution in style and lyric from his 2011 ECMA-nominated release "The Evening Light". You can sneak a listen to the first song of the album here: http://theovercast.ca/first-listen-man-time-ian-fosters-forthcoming-album/, and watch the first (live) video from the new album, "Good Good Heart" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K13MKSFej4&feature=youtu.be

"The Great Wave is an album with a warm, delicate precision and attention to detail that could only be created by a master craftsman and artist as talented as Ian Foster." [Craig Mills, The Eastern Passage]

"A tuneful contemporary singer/songwriter with a poet's keen sense and a searcher's infinite explorative mind' his best collection of songs to date." [Tony Ploughman, Fred's Records]

Ian Foster is familiar with the cycle of a song. Since 2006, the Newfoundland-based songwriter has been writing, recording and touring his work around Canada and Europe.

His music combines many of the classic elements of folk songwriting and storytelling with newer approaches to the genre. His albums contain a mix of traditional instruments and modern instruments and effects. He regularly plays both electric and acoustic live, making tasteful use of looping and delay effects to create a bigger sound than one would expect from a solo player.

A road warrior, Ian spends about half of every year playing shows, festivals, and conferences abroad, and regular shows all year long in his home province. His music has been played on radio internationally, from Newfoundland to the Netherlands. He has been nominated for multiple MusicNL (Newfoundland) and ECMA (East Coast Music Awards) over the last few years (including SOCAN Songwriter of the Year), and has been a finalist in the ISC (International Songwriting Competition), based out of Nashville, TN. He also has numerous co-writing credits, including one with the legendary folk songwriter Ron Hynes.

One can expect a dynamic live show, with regular stories interspersed throughout a set, adding a level of insight into the songs that can only come from an "in the flesh" performance.

Popular with fans and critics alike, Ian's music resonates. Glenn Meisner, long time producer at CBC Radio in Halifax has this to say: "Ian is special ' There are those special things about he and his music that you cannot quite put your finger on ' hard to express qualities that allow him to creep into your consciousness and superimpose his imagination on yours ' rare qualities that separate the wheat from the chaff in this business."

Ian's CD release tour is supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, Music NL and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.