A rockin' start to the new school year

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: PATMALONEY.CA

A Falcon is flying home to kick off the Fall semester with his sweet tunes.

Pat Maloney, Music Industry Arts alumnus and former entertainment programmer for the Fanshawe Student Union, is taking the stage with local band Gypsy Ghosts and Hamilton-based Blind Mule for a free show on September 6 at The Out Back Shack.

Maloney plays folk music that “(follows) a long tradition of storytelling and lyrics that attack the status quo and challenge authority.” If you're a fan of artists like Craig Cardiff, Peter Katz or Danny Michel, or bands like Wilco and Joel Plaskett, this is a concert that's not to be missed.

The night will be an intimate singer/songwriter experience. “The lyrics and storytelling are at the forefront of every performance,” Maloney said. “It's best heard with an open mind, in the silent dark, with a glass of your favourite drink. It's not uncommon for audiences to laugh... or cry. But mostly laugh!”

Maloney's played with the Gypsy Ghosts a few times, and the guitar player was his roommate for the last three years. “They are a really great band, a kind of surreal experience,” he said. “There are seven or eight of them on stage at once. Lots of hand drums, and spooky chord progressions. Lots of flat 9s and strange rhythms. They're great.”

He described Blind Mule as “a trip ... a country bumpkin jam band thing” that will be a lot of fun.

As the FSU's former entertainment programmer, Maloney knows there's always something good going on on campus. “Keep your eyes peeled on the student event listings. They are something to take advantage of, and the team at Fanshawe does a great job, working very hard to bring in quality entertainment.”

The September 6 show at The Out Back Shack starts at 9 p.m. It's all-ages with valid Fanshawe student card or 19-plus without. Event details are available at fsu.ca/event_info.php?id=376. Learn more about the artists at their websites: patmaloney.ca, gypsyghosts.com and blindmule.ca.