Mining For Freedom: Johnson Crook Live at The Horseshoe Tavern

One of our favourite things about Toronto is that on any given night you can find live music that you love… and that exactly what we did on Wednesday when we hit the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern on Queen St. for a little beer and toe tapping.

With 4 bands on the bill there was already a strong chance there was going to be something to like, but the inclusion of or pals Johnson Crook the odds shot way up, and we sat back to enjoy the show.

Well, we sat back once the music started, but before that we chatted with the guys a little as folks mingled throughout the bar. It was good to catch up, Boots & Hearts 2015 feels like a long time ago now, and it was really good to hear that there are some exciting things coming for the 4 dudes in the band.

We can’t tell you everything (there are some secrets to keep) but we can tell you…

→ There are show and festival announcements coming soon
→ An 11 track album is in the works, and the boys are excited to get it out to the world
→ They still love doing what they’re doing
→ They’re getting better as they go

Note: Also on that 4 band bill at the Horseshoe were The Middle Coast, Kevin Myles Wilson & the Useless, and Whiskey Epiphany – all doing a good job with their tunes and getting the Wednesday night crowd into the live music vibe. Thumbs up to all 3 bands.

When Johnson Crook took their turn on the venerable old stage they didn’t disappoint.

The hit us with a heap of tracks, some we’d heard, some new to us (and coming on the record) and 1 that Noel told us about pre-show that was written the day before it was recorded in studio in the aftermath of a beer and bro sleepover with Jared. Mining For Freedom is the result, and it’s pretty darn good.

We didn’t get the whole set list down, too busy singing and stomping and drinking… but here’s a selection of what we heard.

♫ Minnedosa, Manitoba
♫ Call Me Home
♫ Old Crow
♫ Hardwired
♫ How The Hell Did We Go Wrong
♫ Mining For Freedom

We always love the deep beats that Johnson Crook plays, they lend themselves well to boot stompin’ and drinkin’ and good timin’. And that’s never a bad thing. We’ll take more of it any time we can get it.

High fives to the boys for putting on a fun set and getting the people in the crowd involved, we’re looking forward to the record and more live tunes sometime soon!

Check out more pics from the night and stay tuned for more.

Be Awesome!

Johnson Crook at The Horseshoe

The Middle Coast at The Horseshoe

Kevin Myles Wilson & the Useless at The Horseshoe

Whiskey Epiphany at The Horseshoe

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Joshua Murray

creator of content, daddy blogger, writer, coffee drinker, fan of the Batman. proud mo bro. prouder dad.