this page is a work in progress…

2017
Jan 9: Hideout w Robbie Fulks
Jan 13: FitzGerald’s – special guest with The Zimmerman
Jan 14: Constellation – music of Allen Toussaint
Jan 20: Take It To The Bridge book event – Book Cellar, Chicago
Jan 21: Dolly Varden at SPACE with ellen cherry
Feb 12: Simon’s with Rachel Drew and the Bitter Roots
Feb 20: Silvies – the songs of John Kuczaj / Atomic Shop
March 4: solo set at Elevated Songwriter Series
April 2: Funeral Bonsai Wedding at Simons
April 7: Take it To The Bridge book event – City Lit Books
April 21: FitzGerald’s – opening for Jenny Bienemann’s CD release: me, Diane, Jason Adasiewicz, Mark Balletto, John Abbey
April 22: solo set at International Pop Overthrow, Red Line Tap
April 29: Cally and the Snag (can’t remember the venue!)
May 7: Simon’s with Rachel Drew and the Bitter Roots
May 12: Take it To The Bridge book event – Milwaukee
May 23: Dylan in the 70’s show with John Mead, Jimmy Tomasello, Peter Manis, Andrea Bunch
June 4: Birdee Num Num (me, Jim Barclay, Phil Angotti, Casey McDonough) at Simons
June 23: Hideout with Rachel Drew and the Bitter Roots
June 24: SPACE with Split Single
July 8: RPA Ensemble at OTSFM Square Roots Festival
July 8: Rachel Drew and the Bitter Roots at OTSFM Square Roots Festival
July 22: Red Line Tap with Dan Holohan AND Cally and the Snag
July 28 – 30 Take It To The Bridge Songwriting retreat in Buchanan, MI with Mark Caro
Aug 5: Cally and the Snag – outdoor festival in Roger’s Park
Sept 1: solo set at Friendly Folk Fest, Friendly Tap, Berwyn, IL
Sept 4: Hideout Residency: Dolly Varden plays “The Panic Bell”
Sept 11: Hideout Residency: Take It To The Bridge “Bridge Tacular”
Sept 25: Hideout Residency: Funeral Bonsai Wedding with Strings
videos and notes of the Hideout shows are all HERE
Oct 8: with Karen Stocker at Wishbone
Oct 15: Tonic Room with Rachel Drew and the Bitter Roots
Oct 21: Wine Goddess in Evanston with Nicholas Barron
Nov 13: Music of Al Green at Martyrs
Nov 25: Elevated Concert Series Benefit (3 songs)
Nov 30: Constellation – Remembrance of Lost Species benefit concert
Dec 4: Rick Vines CD Release show (sang 1 song)
Dec 22: SPACE – Dolly Varden, Jesus Christ Trio, Rachel Drew and the Bitter Roots

2016

2015

2014
Here is a whole page of shows from 2014, with pictures and video links!

2013
1/19: City Winery, Chicago: Dolly Varden CD release show for “For A While” with Jenny Bienemann opening

2012
1/8: SPACE: Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks w/ John Mead, Alton Smith, Cathy Norden, Peter Manis and others
1/28: Schubas with Dolly Varden: re-issue of ‘Mouthful of Lies’ w/ Jason Narducy
3/4: Szold Hall, OTSFM. Concert with Alton Smith, Diane Christiansen, Frank Rosaly, Jason Roebke
4/23: Schubas – Dolly Varden with ellen cherry
6/8: Trio set with Ingrid Graudins and Steve Frisbie, opening for John Engelmann’s CD release (a Kernel production)
6/30: SPACE: Funeral Bonsai Wedding opens for Phil Angotti
7/22: SPACE: Eugenia Elliot CD release (a Kernel production)
12/3: Hideout: the Jesus Christ Trio (Robbie Fulks, Diane Christiansen, me)

2011
UK TOUR
Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen with Magnolia Summer (duo):
Feb 12 (Sa) – Swansea – The Chattery
Feb 13 (Su) – Newport – Le Pub
Feb 15 (Tu) – private concert event in Wokingham
with Magnolia Summer (duo) and the Wynntown Marshals:
Feb 16 (W) – London (Brixton) – The Windmill
Feb 17 (Th) – Winchester – The Railway
Feb 18 (F) – Buckingham – Tingewick Village Hall
Feb 19 (Sa) – Sheffield – Greystones Pub
Feb 20 (Su) – Nottingham – The Maze
Feb 22 (Tu) – Kinross (Scotland) – The Green Hotel
Feb 23 (W) – Edinburgh (Scotland) – Cabaret Voltaire

Sept 10: FitzGerald’s duo set with Alton Smith, opening for Ana Egge
Sept 16th: The Coffee House (Milwaukee, WI).
Sept 17th: Dolly Varden plays the Brilliant Corners of Popular Amusements festival in Chicago
Sept 23rd: Front Porch Music (Valparaiso, IN) with Jami Lunde.
Oct 2nd: Simon’s Funeral Bonsai Wedding

2010
12/03/10 Martyrs, Chicago, with Dolly Varden

11/06/10 house concert, Chicago, with Diane Christiansen

10/23/10 Viaduct Theater, Chicago, Van Morrison’s ‘Astral Weeks’ with John Mead, Alton Smith, Tom Murray and others

10/17/10 SPACE, Evanston, IL accompanying Andrea Zohn at the Songwriter’s Circle

10/16/10 SPACE, Evanston, IL solo set opening for Chuck Prophet

10/03/10 Simon’s, Chicago, with Frank Rosaly, Jason Adasiewicz, Jason Roebke and Diane Christiansen.
sadly, I had a cold and my voice was pretty much gone for the this set.

09/25/10 Subterranean, Chicago Jay Bennett tribute and benefit concert with Edward Burch and friends

09/10/10 Acorn Theater, 3 Oaks, MI with Ingrid Graudins

08/19/10 Uncommon Ground, Chicago, with Ingrid Graudins

08/18/10 outdoor lunchtime performance, downtown Chicago, with Frank Rosaly and Jason Roebke

08/14/10 Acoustic Circus, Elbo Room, Chicago with Jason Roebke and Tommi Zender

08/09/10 Acoustic Explosion at Silvie’s lounge, Chicago, with Steve Sliga

08/08/10 old town school of folk music (909 w. armitage) benefit for Nashville flood victims, with Lisa DeRosia

07/29/10 In-store performance at Laurie’s Planet of Sound, Chicago, with Diane Christiansen

07/25/10 Simon’s, Chicago with Steve Frisbie

07/10/10 Old Town School Folk and Roots festival – songwriting all-stars

07/09/10 SPACE, Evanston, IL with Dolly Varden

06/27/10 OTS songwriter’s showcase, Chicago, Silvie’s Lounge

06/20/10 Portland, OR house concert

06/07/10 Hideout, Chicago, with Robbie Fulks (soul vs country)

05/31/10 Skylark, Chicago with Frank Rosaly, Jason Roebke, Jason Adasiewicz, Diane Christiansen, Keefe Jackson and Jeb Bishop

05/22/10 Milwaukee house concert with Diane Christiansen

05/16/10 Old Town School Of Folk Music, Chicago, Release party concert for “I Will Miss The Trumpets and the Drums” with a 14 piece band

05/08/10 Viaduct Theater, Chicago with Phil Angotti, Casey McDonough and others, performing Paul McCartney’s ‘Ram’ album

05/01/10 Off Broadway, St. Louis, MO duo set with Mark Balletto

04/30/10 Off Broadway, St. Louis, MO KDHX / James Brown tribute concert with Mark Balletto

04/25/10 SPACE, Evanston, IL Songwriter’s Circle hosted by Ingrid Graudins, with Robbie Fulks, Naomi Ashley, Chris Neville

04/16/10, Scotfest, Club Garibaldi, Milwaukee, solo set and with George Brumis’ band

04/11/10 Simon’s, Chicago, my birthday celebration show, recorded and released. with Frank Rosaly, Jason Roebke,
Jason Adasiewicz and Diane Christiansen

03/12/10 Martyrs, Chicago, with Frank Rosaly and Jason Roebke

03/06/10 Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, with Frank Rosaly, Jason Roebke and Diane Christiansen

01/30/2010 Dolly Varden / Benefit for Haiti, Old Town School Chicago

2009

11/21/2009 Old Town School Of Folk Music Chicago, IL(Steve Dawson, Diane Christiansen and Colby Maddox)

11/06/2009 Uncommon Ground Chicago, Illinois w/ Ingrid Graudins

10/30/2009 Martyrs Chicago, Illinois (trio with Frank Rosaly and John Abbey)

10/19/2009 Acoustic Explosion 1 year anniversary at Sylvies Chicago, Illinois

10/17/2009 Dolly Varden at Fitzgeralds Berwyn, Illinois

10/02/2009 Studio B Chicago, Illinois (with Bill Brickey)

09/12/2009 Dolly Varden at S.P.A.C.E. Evanston, Illinois

08/31/2009 Acoustic Explosion at Sylvies Chicago, Illinois (solo set)

08/21/2009 Dawson / Christiansen duet (house show /private event) Chicago

08/15/2009 Old Town School Of Folk Music 40th anniversary of Woodstock show)

08/09/2009 S.P.A.C.E Evanston, Illinois (solo)

08/08/2009 Old Town School Of Folk Music Chicago, IL (Bill Monroe tribute concert with Colby Maddox and Diane Christiansen)

08/02/2009 Simons Chicago, Illinois (with Jason Roebke and Jason Adasiewicz)

07/18/2009 Uncommon Ground – Chicago, Illinois(with Ingrid Graudins and Liam Davis)

07/12/2009 Mellow Gold Ensemble at Folk and Roots festival Chicago, IL

06/13/2009 Dolly Varden – Old Town Art Fair Chicago, Illinois

04/25/2009 FitzGeralds Sidebar Berwyn, IL (double Dawson show with Juilian Dawson)

03/21/2009 Jovitas Austin, Texas (Twangfest at South By Southwest)

03/19/2009 Habana Calle 6 Austin, Texas

02/21/2009 Folk Alliance Conference Memphis, Tennessee

02/20/2009 Folk Alliance Conference Memphis, Tennessee

02/19/2009 Folk Alliance Conference Memphis, Tennessee

02/07/2009 Elastic Arts Chicago, IL (Dolly Varden acoustic show with Colby Maddox)

01/31/2009 Dolly Varden at S.P.A.C.E Evanston, Illinois

01/16/2009 Abbey Pub chicago, Illinois (with Frank Rosaly and John Abbey) it was 20 below zero that night!

2008

12/28/2008 Alex Chilton tribute at Empty Bottle – Dolly Varden Chicago, Illinois

12/19/2008 The Horseshoe – Folk You 7th anniversary show Chicago, Illinois

12/15/2008 “Acoustic Explosion” at Sylvies chicago, Illinois 60613

12/05/2008 S.P.A.C.E with Ingrid Graudins Evanston, Illinois 60202

11/30/2008 Simons Chicago, IL (with Frank Rosaly and Jason Roebke)

11/21/2008 Dolly Varden at Martyrs Chicago, Illinois (with Al Rose)

10/19/2008 Double Door Chicago, IL (with Frank Rosaly and Jason Roebke)

10/11/2008 INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN STAGE NEWSONG CONTEST FINALS Charleston, West Virginia

09/14/2008 Birdee Num Num at Simons Chicago, Illinois (Phil Angotti, Casey McDonough, Steve Dawson and Jim Barclay)

09/13/2008 uncommon ground street festival- Dolly Varden chicago, Illinois

08/11/2008 the Ark Ann Arbor, Michigan (regional finals for the Mountain Stage New Song contest – I won!)

07/13/2008 Old Town School – Folk and Roots staff stage chicago, Illinois (my songwriting classes showcase their works featuring: Kate Magnusson, Steve Sliga, John Kucjaz, George Brumis and Jeff Carpenter. With Scott Besaw on drums and me on guitar.)

07/12/2008 Uncommon Ground – with Kate Magnusson chicago, Illinois (Kates CD release show)

07/05/2008 the NEW Uncommon Ground Chicago, ILDolly Varden trio: me, Diane and Mark Balletto 2 sets

06/28/2008 Dolly Varden House Concert St Louis, Missouri

06/21/2008 Old Town School of Folk Music Chicago, IL(tribute to Fleetwood Mac)

06/21/2008 Sylvies Lounge Chicago, Illinois Atomic Shop CD release show I played guitar

06/13/2008 Old Town School of Folk Music Chicago, IL Dolly Varden 13th anniversary show SOLD OUT!

05/23/2008 The Horseshoe Chicago, Illinois song swap! with Simon Flory, Clark Patterson, Trevor McFaddon

04/19/2008 Victory Auto Wreckers at FitzGeralds Berwyn, IL (with Phil Angotti, Casey McDonough and Jim Barclay)

04/06/2008 the NEW Uncommon Ground chicago, my birthday! with Jason Roebke. Also: the Orange Mighty Trio

 

2007

12/21/2007 Dolly Varden – the Empty Bottle chicago Project Peanut Butter benefit with Robbie Fulks and Devil in a Woodpile.

12/14/2007 Dolly Varden – The Charleston chicago, Illinois xmas party!

12/09/2007 old town school of folk music chicago, IL carter family tribute concert, the final Robbie Fulks Secret Country show – With Robbie Fulks, Scott Ligon, Danny Barnes, Joy Lynn White, Steve Dawson, Chris Ligon, Kelly Hogan, Casey Driessen and Carter biographer Charles Hirshberg

11/11/2007 Old Town School Of Folk Music Chicago, Illinois CD release show for OTS songbook volume 4

 

10/31/2007 Palma Mallorca (Spain) (trio: Steve Dawson, Diane Christiansen, Mike Bradburn)

(DV UK tour, Steve, Diane, Mark and Mike )
10/28/2007 Dolly Varden – The Maze (UK) Nottingham, UK

10/27/2007 Dolly Varden – Buckingham (UK)

10/26/2007 Dolly Varden – Hot Burrito at Le Pub (UK) Newport, Wales

10/25/2007 Dolly Varden – The Chattery (UK) Swansea, Wales

10/24/2007 Dolly Varden – Electro-Acoustic Club at The Slaughtered Lamb London

10/23/2007 Dolly Varden – private function (UK) London

10/22/2007 Dolly Varden – The New Roscoe Leeds, Midlands UK

10/21/2007 Dolly Varden – Pleasance Bar (UK) Edinburgh, Scotland (with Mark Olson (Jayhawks)

10/20/2007 Dolly Varden – Aldersyde hotel, Isle of Arran – Scotland

10/19/2007 Dolly Varden – Aldersyde hotel, Isle of Arran – Scotland

09/22/2007 Dolly Varden Schubas Chicago, Illinois

Dolly Varden Panic Bell Tour
08/31/2007 Dolly Varden – house concert Verona, Pennsylvania 15147

08/30/2007 Dolly Varden – Beachland Tavern Cleveland, Ohio

08/29/2007 Dolly Varden – Chaplins Spring City, Pennsylvania

08/26/2007 Dolly Varden – TT the Bears Cambridge, Massachusetts

08/25/2007 Dolly Varden – house concert Peace Dale, RI

08/24/2007 Dolly Varden – The Living Room New York, New York

08/23/2007 Dolly Varden – Jammin Java Vienna, Virginia

08/05/2007 uncommon ground Chicago, IL Steve Dawson & Jason Roebke with Ellen Cherry

07/14/2007 Dolly Varden – Double Door – Chicago, IL (with Frisbie)

06/11/2007 The Hideout Chicago, IL Edward Burch going-away show with many celebrity guests

05/20/2007 uncommon ground chicago, duet with bassist jason roebke.

05/19/2007 Dolly Varden – trinity house theater – Livonia, MI

05/18/2007 Dolly Varden – Schubas – chicago,

05/10/2007 FitzGeralds – Berwyn, IL double Dawson show with Julian Dawson

04/17/2007 Dolly Varden – The Abbey Chicago, international pop overthrow

04/12/2007 WGN am radio – Steve and Johnnie show chicago,

04/01/2007 uncommon ground chicago, Illinois with Steve Frisbie, “loose unison” debut performance!

03/15/2007 Dolly Varden – south by southwest – jovitas – Austin,

03/15/2007 Dolly Varden – south by southwest – habana calle – Austin

03/09/2007 Dolly Varden – Martyrs Chicago, IL ‘Panic Bell’ release show

03/06/2007 live on fearlessradio.com chicago, Illinois www.fearlessradio.com

02/24/2007 folk alliance conference memphis, Tennessee

02/23/2007 folk alliance conference memphis, Tennessee

01/27/2007 Dolly Varden House Concert downers grove, Illinois

01/05/2007 Elastic Arts – old town school songwriters performance chicago,

 

2006

12/30/2006 Dolly Varden – Fitzgeralds Berwyn, ILwith Robbie Fulks.

11/16/2006 Dolly Varden – The Hideout Chicago, IL

10/21/2006 Elastic Arts chicago, IL with jason adasiewicz, jason roebke and frank rosaly.

09/17/2006 old town school of folk music chicago, IL robbie fulks’ ‘secret country’ series, with Allison Moorer. With Jason Adasiewicz, Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Diane Christiansen

08/23/2006 Dawson / Christiansen sidewalk concert – downtown chicago –

08/16/2006 Dawson / Christiansen sidewalk concert – downtown chicago

08/12/2006 Alley Cat – Midwest Music Summit Indianapolis, IN

07/09/2006 Folk and Roots Festival – Main Stage! Chicago, IL With Jason Adasiewicz, Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Diane Christiansen and Frank Rosaly

06/22/2006 Harper College palatine, IL With Jason Adasiewicz, Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Diane Christiansen

06/10/2006 Dolly Varden – Undertow Party at Twangfest St. Louis, MO very hot day!

05/20/2006 House Concert – St Louis, MO Rick Wood’s house With Jason Adasiewicz, Diane Christiansen and Jason Roebke

05/13/2006 Elastic Arts Center with Doug Hoekstra

04/22/2006 Dolly Varden – Gunther Murphy’s (IPO show)  International Pop Overthrow.

04/21/2006 Dolly Varden – Logan square auditorium – chicago, IL

03/28/2006 mac and slater show on fearless radio www.fearlessradio.com

03/18/2006 Jovitas Austin, TX south by southwest.
With Joel Paterson, Jason Adasiewicz, Casey McDonough and Diane Christiansen

03/17/2006 Friends – (Neil Young tribute show) Austin, TX 73301

03/16/2006 Habana Cafe 6 Austin, TX south by southwest With Joel Paterson, Jason Adasiewicz, Casey McDonough and Diane Christiansen

03/02/2006 Dolly Varden WLUW live on air 88.7 FM or wluw.org

02/22/2006 uncommon ground – old town school songwriter’s show

02/15/2006 Uncommon Ground Chicago, IL 60601

(solo UK tour with Bill Mallonee and the Amazing Pilots)

02/12/2006 Windmill Brixton (UK) London,

02/11/2006 The Maze (UK) Nottingham,

02/10/2006 Brewery Arts Centre (UK) Kendal,

02/09/2006 The Errigle (UK) Belfast, N. Ireland,

02/08/2006 the frontier music club newry, Ireland,

02/07/2006 Norwegian Church Cardiff, Wales,

02/06/2006 Ents Shed Bedford,

02/04/2006 The Railway (UK) Winchester,

02/02/2006 The Musician (UK) Leicester,

02/01/2006 Komedia (UK) Brighton,

01/31/2006 The Soul Cafe (UK) Maidstone,

01/29/2006 Hoots Hootanany (UK) Invernes, Scotland,

01/28/2006 The Arch Inn (UK) Ullapool, Scotland,

01/27/2006 Barrels Ale House (UK) Berwick Upon Tweed,

01/26/2006 The Glee Club (UK) Birmingham, Bob Harris presents

01/25/2006 08:00 PM – The Stables (UK) Milton Keynes,

01/20/2006 Dolly Varden – FitzGerald’s Berwyn, IL benefit for Gary Schepers with Dolly Varden

01/14/2006 Trinity House Theater Livonia, MI Duet show with Diane Christiansen

01/07/2006 uncommon ground Chicago, IL solo performance. Tom Murray (violin) joined me for a couple songs

2005

12/29/2005 The Hideout Chicago, IL 60601 Steve Dawson full band with special guests The Lead Lined Bags. A legendary show!

12/27/2005 SCHUBAS (with Dolly Varden and others) tribute concert to Alex Chilton

12/21/2005 Uncommon Ground – OTSFM songwriter’s concert Chicago, IL 60601

12/01/2005 Gil’s Cafe Milwaukee, WI with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, and Jason Adasiewicz

11/03/2005 The Tin Angel Philadelphia, PA Duet show with Diane Christiansen

10/22/2005 the Hideout chicago, IL

Sweet Is The Anchor Tour:
09/29/2005 Cafe Nine New Haven, CT with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, and Jason Adasiewicz

09/28/2005 Jammin’ Java Vienna, VA with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, and Jason Adasiewicz

09/27/2005 The Mojo Room and Lounge Baltimore, MD with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Jason Adasiewicz and Diane Christiansen wow! That was a fun show.

09/26/2005 Lakeside Lounge New York, NY with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Jason Adasiewicz and Diane Christiansen

09/25/2005 The Pour House Music Hall Raleigh, NC 27601 with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Jason Adasiewicz and Diane Christiansen

09/17/2005 trinity house theater Livonia, MIwith Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Jason Adasiewicz and Diane Christiansen

09/09/2005 09:00 PM – Frederick’s Music Lounge St. Louis, MO with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Jason Adasiewicz and Diane Christiansen

09/01/2005 the charleston chicago, IL 60647 with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Jason Adasiewicz and Diane Christiansen

08/28/2005 Schubas chicago, IL record release party for ‘sweet is the anchor‘ with Joel Paterson, Casey McDonough, Jason Adasiewicz and Diane Christiansen, Frank Rosaly, Tom Murray, Julie Liu, Josh Berman, John Crowell, Jamie Branch

08/24/2005 Old Town Tavern Ann Arbor, MI with Joel Paterson

08/18/2005 400 Bar Minneapolis, MN with Jason Adasiewicz, Casey McDonough, Diane Christiansen, and Jimmy Olson

2004
United Kingdom dates: Steve Dawson and Diane Christiansen – Duet – with Bill Mallonee and Julie Lee
2/20 – Cardiff – Norwegian Church
2/22 – Southampton – The Brook
2/23 – Brighton – The Greys
2/24 – Nottingham – The Maze
2/25 – Leeds – The New Roscoe
2/26 – Barton on Humber – The Carnival Inn
2/27 – Barrels – Berwick
2/28 – Comrie  – WRI Hall
2/29 – Liverpool – The Barfly
3/1 – Milton Keynes – Stables – Bob Harris presents…
3/2 – Birmingham – Ceol Castle
3/3 – London – Borderline
3/4 – Belfast – The Errigle
3/5 – Maidstone – Soul Cafe
US dates:
3/18 – Austin, TX (SXSW) – Jovitas / Twangfest Party (with Dolly Varden)
3/20 – Austin, TX (SXSW) – Redeyed Fly / Undertow Records Party (with Dolly Varden)
3/26 – Chicago, IL – Subterranean (with Dolly Varden)
4/9 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern
4/10 – Portland, OR – House Concert
4/13 – San Francisco, CA – Makeout Room
4/16 – Los Angeles, CA – Knitting Factory

UK ‘Americana Songwriters’ tour with Adam Reichmann (Nadine) and Gregg Safarty (Stewboss)
September
17 Cardiff
18 Buckingham – Granary
20 Brighton
21 Nottingham – The Maze
22 Barton – The Carnival
23 York – Fibbers
24 Arran (scottish Isles)
25 Arran
26 Arran
28 Leicester – Musician
29 Northern Ireland – can’t remember the venue
30 Belfast – Errigle Inn
OCTOBER
1  Berwick

2003
08/02/03: Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL – release party show for ‘Duets’ with Diane Christiansen, Jason Adasiewicz, Joel Patterson, Mike Bradburn, Dave Williams, Josh Berman, John Erickson. Opening set by Steve Frisbie and Liam Davis

additional notes:
I’m not sure what the origins of these notes are – found on an old computer – notes about a bunch of Dolly Varden shows:
Schubas May 27, 2000
this was our release party show for ‘dumbest magnets’. it was a packed, sold-out show with a great, fun audience. the recording is from the
soundboard and the soundguy (paul) did a great job of leveling everything. rarely heard songs:’the wheels have left the road’. we used to do this one a lot in 98 and 99, but don’t do it much at all anymore. ‘along for the ride’ we rarely do this live with the full band ‘progress note’ ditto also: this was the first (and maybe the best) time we ever did ‘you sexy thing’

Abbey Pub  July 14, 2001
this show is interesting to me because it is about a week before we went down to Nashville to record ‘Forgiven Now’. So you can hear the songs we planned to record in the ‘pre-produced’ stage. The recording was made by a fan in the audience on a minidisc recorder. The sound is actually pretty good (especially considering it comes from the Abbey!). rarely heard songs: ‘put it out of your mind’ – a song that has only been played this ONE time. we didn’t record it. Now that’s RARE! ‘4th of July’ – cover of this great song by X. We learned it for a 4th of
July party that Summer. also: the version of ‘Forgiven Now’ is very different than on the CD. Here it’s more in the sorta Otis Redding mellow-soul style I originally wrote it in. ‘Lotus Hour’ is completely different, with some really cool and weird guitar playing by Mark that the audience freaks out over.

Schubas, March 30, 2002 (early show)
the first of two shows this night to celebrate the release of
“forgiven now’. Both shows were sold-out. the audience was
great, remarkably quiet during the quiet songs, and enthusiastic
and vocal the rest of the time. Recorded by the same fan who recorded
the Abbey show. (thanks, man!).
rarely heard songs: we did ‘the better it gets’ from ‘mouthful of lies’
a song we hadn’t done since 1998.
also a cover of Stevie Wonder’s ‘I wish’ to close the show.

Schubas, March 30, 2002 (late show)
the second show. it’s a little more relaxed and a bit longer.
rarely heard songs: closed the show with ‘meant to be’ which we
don’t do very often, and did the second version of the night of
‘I Wish’.

Old Town School, May 10, 2002
in some ways this was a follow-up release party show for ‘Forgiven Now’.
We’d just gotten back from a couple weeks on tour up and down the east coast
and south, and we were glad to be home. The OTS stage is one of the best in the
country. the show was sold out, or at least very nearly. The recording is from the sound board so the singing is very clear. Mark’s guitar mostly didn’t go through the board, so his guitar
is pretty low in the recorded mix here. This was a real high-point for the band, I think.
Lots of fun with the audience and, if you were there you’ll know that it was the
infamous ‘wig’ show. ’nuff said.
rarely heard songs: well, nothing too rare here except a short version of a song
from our old band, Stump the Host, called ‘The Secret’s in the Wig’…

Schubas, June 22nd, 2002
This was a very strange show! A Dolly Varden Trio show -me, Diane and Mark on
guitar. We shared the bill with Will Johnson from Centro-Matic, who was touring to
support his solo album, hence the paired-down line-up.
This is a very relaxed show that almost turns into stand up comedy at times, with
impressions even. (by the way, that’s ME doing Satchmo, not Mark!) I did get some
negative comments from a fan who was expecting a more ‘professional’ show….
so download this one only if you can handle it!
the sound is a good audience recording. and this is a chance to hear the songs
in a different light, ie: no drums. (We toured a bit on the West Coast and in Holland
with this line-up, by the way.)
OK, and at the end of the show it was requested that we do an ‘Undertow Jam’ due to the
fact that Jay Bennett and Will and Scott Danborn from Centro-Matic, all Undertow Records
artists, were there. So we decided to do ‘California Zephyr’, an easy to learn 3 chord song.
The drummer turned out to be a guy from the audience who decided to just come on up and
play. That took guts! Jay plays a very cool guitar solo on this. Scott is on wurlitzer, Will
played tamborine.
We followed that up by trying to do ‘Let’s stay together’ by Al green. Will took to the drums for this.
It gets off to a rocky stary, but about midway through it kicks in and sounds pretty good.

Turf Club, Nov. 15, 2003
a short set in the twin cities recorded by a fan.
this was a fun show in a great club.
we pretty much stuck to the ‘greatest hits’ for the set,
though we did do a full band version of ‘the second round’
which is a song from the ‘duets’ disc.

Schubas, Dec. 5, 2003
I guess it’s pretty obvious that we like playing at Schubas!
This was a really fun show just before last Christmas. This
is an audience recording and the sound is pretty good.
Included here is the only live version of ‘steal the crumbs’ –
the song we recorded for the Uncle Tupelo compilation.

Subterranean, march 26, 2004
We thought we’d try out a new place for a change!
This show is notable because we played ‘the old in and out’ which
we never never do….I just felt like it on this weird night.
We also debuted a couple of brand new songs, ‘the truth is told’ (listed
as ‘I don’t like you’ and ‘sold down the river’.