David Rovics returns to the Comox Valley for a Mayworks Festival show at Joe's Garage on May 22 starting at 7:30 p.m.
Rovics last played in the Valley at the 2009 Miner's Memorial Day dinner, where he gave a great concert.
To say that Rovics is a protest singer would be understating things. He lives and breathes music that wakes us up, inspires us with hope and moves us to act.
Folkworld magazine even called David the reincarnation of Phil Ochs. They are two different singers and different people and we live in different times but in a lot of ways that statement is true. They both are just a man with a guitar, both are prolific songwriters and both have a great sense of humour.
David began his Miner's Memorial Day show with his ode to The Pirates of Somalia with his tongue only partially in his cheek. When he finished he said, "Since that didn't clear the room out, I must be in the right place."
David calls Portland, Ore., home but he spends at least half the year on the road, from Copenhagen to Courtenay. In each locale he seems to find inspiration. After attending Miner's Memorial Day he was inspired to write his own version of a Ginger Goodwin song.
A Wobbly, that is a member of the Industrial Workers of the World, he lives like the Little Red Songbook troubadours, mainly from concerts and donations. He posts all his music on the Internet so people can download his songs for free. Check it out at www.davidrovics.com.
His songs range from the epic the Battle of Blair Mountain and St. Patrick's Battalion to odd little songs about Star Trek and Travelodges.
David says, "As an artist it is the personal up close stories that you tell. These are the stories you can put into a song that can most powerfully make sense of the bigger picture."
The show May 22 at Joe's Garage starts at 7:30 but you can get a meal before the show by calling Milo at 250-702-6456. Otherwise get your tickets ($12) at Bop City Records in Courtenay.
Rovics will also be on Denman Island this Friday in the Backroom. The show starts at 7 p.m. and for more info on that concert, contact Ron Sokolsky on Denman Island.
For details, call 250-334-3624.
— Mayworks Festival