BA Johnston allowed at Sovereign

Thank God BA Johnston is appearing in Creemore next weekend, otherwise why else would we leave the house on a damp, dark night in February.

After a false start (his particular kind of entertainment not being suitable for all venues in Creemore), the show was moved to the Sovereign restaurant, which makes it very handy for people to wrap their lips around some schnitzel before heading to the backroom to chug some beer and have their cell phones commandeered.

You do have to see it to believe it but to entice those on the fence about ponying up $12 for a ticket, there is a fair amount of acrobatic dancing, de-layering and clearing of the sinuses.

BA Johnston has been long-listed for the Polaris Music Prize twice – for his 2017 album Gremlins III (I Need Donair Sauce; IKEA, I Used to be a Man; Too Messed Up to be in this Canoe) and his 2015 album, that which cannot be named in this publication (IKEA hotdog; No Frills; Skinny Jeans).

You could say the show is entirely different each time, but that would be lying.

Although, the most recent post on his website alludes to some new shenanigans: “Yeah it’s winter time. So these days I mostly sit around and eat cheese and shovel snow and drink alpine. It’s a good life. I’ve started writing the new record and bought $100 worth of confetti cannons so I’ll probably do my dumb show for another two years or so. May as well, I guess. Got a ton of shows in the ol’ listings. Come on out and crap. Love, BA.”

Beginning in March, BA Johnston is on the road for shows in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. For tour dates, visit www.bajohnston.ca.

BA Johnston will be live at The Sovereign with special guest Lee Reed on Saturday, Feb. 3. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $12 in advance and $15 at the door. Tickets available at The Creemore Echo and online at www.ticketscene.ca.