Last Friday, I was incredibly fortunate to have attended Amanda & Tim Edwutz’s third ever house concert, featuring Montreal-based Lake of Stew. As early arrivers and bearers of beer, John and I were treated to some superfine cookin’ by band member Richard Rigby, and got to hear the rest of the crew practicing up for what promised to be a feel-good evening.

Local singer/songwriter Eric Vieweg kicked off the show — he charmed and disarmed us with his solo performance and witty banter.

Photo by John Bagnell

Lake of Stew took the stage afterward, filled it to the gills. The six band members who came for the show took turns playing different instruments and taking the lead on vocals — and every one of them looked like they were having a ball. The lucky roomful, in turn, had a ball too.

I’m not usually a hand-clapping-to-the-beat type for live shows, but it was inevitable this night. Hands were clapping, feet were tapping… and loads of grinning all around. They sang about armadillos, walking-on-ice mishaps, and bear bites… All six musicians blew me away, but I was most mesmerized by Julia Narveson’s seemingly effortless playing of the washbasin bass — amazing!

Here is one of the videos I took of them playing a song about Oprah and God:

Sorry for the dimness! The sound’s decent though, and hopefully this gives a good idea of the show we were treated to.

I unfortunately missed recording ‘the 105′ and ‘Water Bill’ (both of which you can hear on their myspace page), worth checking out! Or better yet, catch them live if you ever get the chance — I promise, your feet will be tappin’ too.

good peeps, music Amanda Putz, Eric Vieweg, house concert, Lake of Stew, music, Tim Edwards