Avard Woolaver

When I was four years old in 1962, I had my first musical awakening. I was listening to the radio and Ray Charles was singing “I Can't Stop Loving You.” I sat behind the wood stove absorbing that music into my very core. That moment is as real today as it was back then. The local radio station played mostly country, and I was also fond of “Wolverton Mountain” by Claude King, and “Act Naturally” by Buck Owens.

A few years later, I discovered the Beatles—via cartoons on television. I remember hearing “Devil in Her Heart,” “Chains,” and “A Hard Days Night.” It was hard not to get swept up by Beatlemania.
By the time 1967 came along, the Monkees had surpassed the Beatles on my musical scale. I got the album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. for Christmas and listened to it non-stop. It was a wonderful album for a nine-year-old—psychedelic bubblegum pop music with great melodies and lots of references to love. I got it on CD a few years ago and still treasure it. Not much has changed. . . .
In my teens, I got interested in all kinds of music. I started out on the drums, and later got into playing guitar. High-energy music had a big impact on me—David Bowie, the Velvet Underground, and the Who, along with more introspective singer songwriters like Neil Young and Bob Dylan. When I write and record now, these early influences often seem to be present. I'm also influenced by the world around me, things my kids say, the quality of light--songs seem to come from the most unlikely places.
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Some info on my songs:

Why Do You Lie, Sarah?

Lies will always catch up with you. Truth is stranger than fiction.

I got the idea for this song from reading Andrew Sullivan's blog "The Daily Dish"--where the numerous lies of Sarah Palin are documented. "Why Do You Lie, Sarah?" has recently been added to Neil Young's "Living with War Today" site.

Visit Living With War Today

No Gain

A song which protests the lies and corruption of the Bush administration. This is my most sincere, most heartfelt song (and I must say that I finally have some satisfaction now that the Bush regime is out of action.) It's a tribute to Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and features me cutting loose with a rare guitar break on my Strat. It can also be found on the “Living with War Today” website. I'm grateful to Neil for setting up this site of protest songs and I'm honoured to be included on it with so many other artists. I want to thank everyone for their generous support.

Blackhawks Victory Song 2010

It has been 49 years since the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. I wrote this song to celebrate the victory. I made a video for the song using some old hockey cards from the 60s and 70s and you can see it here, or on youtube.

(It Ain't No) Fair Trade

If you treat people right, they will generally respond in kind--that is, they will treat you right, as well. To me, that's a fair trade. This song is not about the social movement of Fair Trade, rather about fair treatment in the workplace. "You work hard for the man and he gives you the can--that ain't no fair trade."

Springtime (Feel the Power)

This song is about the transformative power of spring, about the wonderful beauty that comes with the change of the season.

Unwaxed

"Unwaxed, white curly string can be used for anything." This song is about dental floss, as well as other waxed/unwaxed items and situations. It's a different take from Frank Zappa's "Montana" but hopefully shares some of its tongue-in-cheek humour.

A Solitary Bee

A solitary bee in semantic mystery, shrouded by a lonely veil--no suitors come to call; all is empty and lost until the fall.

All We Are

The world seems to be in an increasing state of flux. Things are changing so quickly; it's hard to know where we fit in. "All We Are" is about the changing times and a desire to make a great escape to the simpler life of the seventies. Where is Steve McQueen when we need him?

Where Is The Sun?

This song came to me on a stormy evening. It took me 30 minutes to write the song and about three hours to record the demo. It reminds me a little of the Yardbirds, but this was, of course, unintentional.

Rage Against the Night

My friend Stephen is sick with Lou Gehrig’s disease. This song is for him.

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When someone gives you music, you can listen to it forever--it's a gift that never gets used up. MySpace is such a great place to hear those hidden gems.