ddgrecords.com

THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The Garbage Man Song…

Greetings music fans.

Let me tell you a little something you might not have suspected about ol’ Jon Raw: I hate winter. Fucking hate it. Hate.

I moved out west years ago to get away from the frozen nose hairs, burst pipes and five months of scraping windshields. The only chains I want to deal with are the blingy ones around my neck. The only snow Mr. Raw wants to shovel is waiting patiently on my mirrored coffee table to be chopped up nice and fine with my American Express Black Card. Dig?

But there has actually been one thing about this year’s winter that I’ve been able to tolerate: The Great Outdoors’ final release in their series of four seasonally themed EPs entitled – what else? – Winter.

Featuring songs from Randy Forrester (vocals, guitars, keys), Steve Wells (vocals, guitars) and, of course, the illegitimate son I’ve always wished I had, Adam Nation (vocals, guitars), the Winter EP is as fine a recording as DDG Records’ answer to The Eagles (or The Band, or CSNY, or The Highwaymen) has ever released. Randy, Steve and Adam, along with Craig McCaul (bass) and Steven Wegelin (percussion), have not only put together a great EP, they have put together a great accomplishment. An EP for every season, all recorded over the course of a single year at our East Van Eden Studios, and each one collecting even more rave reviews than its predecessor. I am certain the Winter EP will be just as well received.  And that’s not just the “snow” talking.

So music fans, if you’re like your ol’ Uncle Jon and you think the only good thing about winter are the holiday deals on Irish Cream at the liquor store, fret not.  The Great Outdoors’ Winter EP is so brilliant it will even make that tingle of frozen nose hairs in your nostrils seem enjoyable. Now I gotta go. I’m off to the DDG Christmas party to give my nostrils a completely different sort of enjoyable tingle. Dig?

Shine on you crazy diamonds.

Jon Raw
owner/operator
DDG Records

The Great Outdoors perform a lo-fi set at a July 15th, 2010 art opening featuring the work of Daniel Brodie.

MACINTOSH APPLES

SHADOW MOUNTAIN LIFESAVERS CLUB

BLACK WATER ROAD

THE BOYS AT THE SHOP

MARIGOLD

Adam Nation –  vocals, bass, guitar, banjo
Randy Forrester – keys, guitar, vocals
RC Joseph – guitar, vocals
Steve Wells – vocals, guitar

Summer in the City, from The Great Outdoors Summer ep, is the CBC Radio 3 Track of the Day. Thanks again, Lisa Christiansen. You have equisite taste.

CBC 3 Track of the Day – Summer in the City

Listen while you read…
Spring Flower…

Hello again music fans.

DDG Records’ folk-rock ensemble extraordinaire, THE GREAT OUTDOORS, is releasing a series of four themed EP’s – one for each of the seasons – and I couldn’t be happier.

I know I come across as a miserable, old drunk sometimes but, truth be told, Jon Raw really does love some of the things this world has to offer. Most notably, I love the changing of the seasons and all that defnes those glorious times of transition, hope, and new beginnings. Yes indeed, I love that first, sweet waft of newly-budding cherry blossoms that creeps into my well-worn nostrils every Spring. I love that feel of thick, luscious lawn between my toes as I sip pear cider and vodka shandies at a backyard barbeque on a warm Summer evening. I love the smell of burning leaves in the early Autumn as I stroll through a wooded mosaic of oranges, browns and reds (whilst smoking my own leaves, if you know what I’m saying). And I really love sitting near an icy hillside on a bright winter day hearing the joyful screams of merry toboggan enthusiasts fill my head as a strong hot toddy fills my tummy.

Yep, I love it all. That’s why I really had no problem getting behind THE GREAT OUTDOORS’ latest series of releases. You see, releasing four themed EP’s over the next year – one for each of the seasons – is just going to give me one more reason to get excited about each impending

solstice and equinox. The first of these releases is due out Spring 2008, with a new release to follow every three months and, if I do say so myself, they’re all shaping up to be some of the finest work to come out of East Van Eden Studios yet. Songwriters, Steve Wells, Adam Nation

and the boys are really on top of their game these days, and that’s got old Jon Raw on top of the world. (I told you I get all giddy this time of year. The changing of the seasons always gets me feeling great. Plus, I am little medicated right now, but that’s neither here nor there.)

Shine on you crazy diamonds.

Jon Raw
owner/operator
DDG Records

THE GREAT OUTDOORS – The Garden 

Greetings Mr. McLean,

Thanks so much for featuring The Great Outdoors‘ song ‘The Garden’ on your Vinyl Cafe this weekend. It was really an honour. And it has catapulted The Great Outdoors back into the number one slot at DDG Records. Yes, they are now officially my favourite band here at my beloved label. I know what you are thinking. You are concerned the other bands on DDG Records might read this and think that I don’t care about them as much. Not to worry. They knew that a long time ago. And besides, it’s kind of my management style. I did the same thing with my four kids. Every six months or so I would sit them down and tell them which one I loved the most and where the other three subsequently ranked. It was very effective. They were great kids. I can’t understand why now as adults they’re all such a complete and utter mess. Big time issues. I mean, none of them have even talked to me in the past eight and a half years. Between you and me, a lot of the blame probably lies with their mothers. Those three ladies screwed those four kids up something fierce. But I digress.

Anyways, I really am a fan and just wanted to express my gratitude for letting us be part of your weekly institution. You know, there are all kinds of different ways you can show the world you’re a true Canadian.  You can win an Olympic gold medal in hockey then smoke cigars and drink beer at center ice…

Smoke 'em if ya got 'em

You can get some oh-so-Canadian, witty-but-not-too-offensive-style tattoo plastered somewhere on your body. (Though honestly, I think getting such a  tattoo is really more about getting laid on vacation than it is about nationalism. Ah Mexico, you really must think you are the intellectual powerhouse of this continent. I know I would.)…

"You have Corona down here, eh?"

 Or, you can have one of your songs spun on Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe.

The Great Outdoors happened to be in a cold, mystic wooded area full of blue trees when they heard the good news. They laughed with glee. Then then got the hell out of there.

So thanks again, Mr. McLean. The Great Outdoors appreciate it, DDG Records appreciates it (even those artists I presently think less of – I am talking to you, RC of Kingsway), and Jon Raw appreciates it. If you get a chance, come visit us next time you’re out west. I always have a nice bottle of scotch on hand. I will make sure RC has the good tumblers washed and ready.

Shine on you crazy diamond(s).

Jon Raw
owner/operator
DDG Records

posted: April 12, 2010
 

The 2005 release from The Great Outdoors.

Listen while you read…
SONG: The Main Drag…

“… nice stuff by respected Vancouver singer-songwriter Adam Nation…” – Hour Magazine

“… we might just be witnessing the emergence of the next Canadian songwriting legend…” – 24 Hours

looking west but thinking east