Dave Borins

An audience-funded album is definitely something that should be bragged about, and it should be doubly bragged about if it ends up being a pleasure to listen to.

The Room Lights Up is a collection of songs from Toronto roots-rocker Dave Borins, supported by an absolutely fantastic backing band. Most of the tracks were taken live at a show at Hugh’s Room and the energy and intensity of the show shines through on those tracks.

Borins plays a good blend of roots variations, with some songs sounding more like traditional country songs while other lean towards the more bluesy end of the spectrum. This makes for a more interesting listening experience for sure, and also showcases the talent of both Borins and his band.

The album begins with “Fashion Poster” which is a song with a fun country twang, sounding almost like a call-and-answer type song. The energy for this opening number is easily audible through the thunderous claps and vocal harmonies of Borins and backup singer Angie Hilts. It also has an interesting line toward the middle of the song “I am not a passing season/You are timeless like the land.”

The next song is a little quicker and could almost be called roots-pop if such a sub-genre exists. It shows the band’s fun side.

Another notable song would be “What’s Wrong With You” which picks up the blues sound mentioned earlier. It is a lot more sharp and could probably serve pretty well as a good breakup song.

Interestingly, later on in the album Borins has a track called “Poison Tree.” It turns out to be the poem “Poison Tree” by William Blake but with Borins and his band providing musical accompaniment. The music works well in turning the poem into a song almost effortlessly.

The energy of the live show can also be seen on the “track” “Witty Banter” which is, in reality, just witty banter. Borins tells the audience that for a week after the show is finished he won’t Tweet or post on Facebook since he spent a lot of time advertising the show.

The overall package is a pretty great mix of roots songs and is most definitely something to be heard. Check out Borins’ website to place a pre-order.

Top Tracks: “Fashion Poster”; “What’s Wrong With You”

Rating: Proud Hoot (Really Good) - Greyowl Point

I first heard of Dave Borins a while back, when apparently out of nowhere he announced to the world that he was celebrating his 100th gig with a big concert at Toronto’s Hugh’s Room, an acknowledged gem of folk-roots venues in Canada.
Audacious! was my first reaction. First of all, who celebrates a number that many musicians do in a year or less; secondly, who’s celebrating having only done 100 gigs in his late 20s; thirdly, what’s a guy I’ve barely heard of doing at Hugh’s Room?
But I cut Dave Borins some slack because even in press releases, his boyish enthusiasm came through. He seemed like an affable guy – and anyway, what’s wrong with a little audacity? I seem to recall being similarly undaunted at his age. I decided I’d keep my eye on Borins and see how long he managed to stick around.
He’s still around, alright. Borins, who runs with a crowd of promising younger musicians, has managed to parlay 100 gigs and his affable audacity into a solid run of real road engagements and some pretty prestigious gigs.
Case in point: the video above was shot at Mariposa Folk Festival. Borins earned his spot by doggedly attending last-chance auditions for three years running before getting the nod.
When he finally took to the stage for his big show, he was counter-programmed against a 50th anniversary VIP concert on mainstage hosted by Shelagh Rogers that included Ian Tyson, Sylvia Tyson, Murray McLauchlan, Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, and headliner Gordon Lightfoot.
Borins, banished to the beer garden, never blinked, never wavered, and never stopped smiling from the stage for the die-hards and drinkers cheering him on. Kudos to him for pulling off another affable, audacious, ambitious plan.
And now he’s upping the ante on his own ambition, recording two nights of live performances back at Hugh’s Room. The idea is to cram the room with fans and friends, charge a slightly hefty cover charge, and favour everyone with a copy of the CD that will be recorded at the event. It’s like a CD release, fundraiser and recording wrapped into one.
It’s the sort of vision independent performers have been pursuing some time, but Dave Borins’ timing may be just right, as both the tools and the public acceptance necessary for this type of approach have come a long away. Plus, he’s signed up George Massenburg, the Grammy winning producer/engineer who worked with Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat and James Taylor to record the shows and Chris Stringer whose credits include Wooden Sky, Timber Timbre and Obijou, signed on as the producer.
Dave Borins impresses impressive people.
Borins has talent, presence and personality in abundance: winning assets for any performer. But what artists should really be watching is his ability to make stuff happen for himself musically. This is a musician and songwriter who is propelling himself into a credible career on the basis of a formidable attitude.
Affable audacity. It’s a trait worth learning.

by David Newland - Roots Music Canada

Blessed with matinee idol looks, Dave Borins has back-packed in the Himalayas, through China, Japan, Indonesia, India and Peru and stayed the course with the locals in St. John’s where he played a manic 7 shows in 8 nights–and always with his guitar and a folio of self-penned songs at the ready.

On Oct. 20 and 21, Borins and his band return to Hugh’s Room to record a live album of original new music. George Massenberg – the Grammy-winning producer/engineer best remembered for his work with Linda Ronstadt, Little Feat and James Taylor – is recording the shows with Chris Stringer (Timber Timbre, Obijou, and Wooden Sky).

The performances will be the centerpiece of a documentary currently in production about the Canadian independent music industry — seen through the eyes of an emerging artist. And $30 in advance guarantees fans a personalized copy of the live album. Borins plans to have the whole thing completed by early January. “We’ll throw a party for everyone who supported the initiative, and we’ll hand out the completed album,” he says… - FYI Music News

ACOUSTIC/ROCK/FOLK Reviewed 11-13-07
Dave Borins
Songs of Sense and Color

Impressive new artists don�t materialize out of thin air. But when you start with incredible talent from Toronto and add legendary producer Bob Gallo, the result would lead you to believe that Dave Borins did. After a sneak peek at his debut album, Songs of Sense and Color, these tracks are exactly what you�d expect from these two incredible inputs; music in its finest form.

Borins� lyrical and musical abilities permeate your speakers right as track one, �Call Somebody You Love�, begins. The vocals and unique writing style take center stage in a song that conjures refreshing feelings of a Sunday stroll. He has great tone, range, and his dynamics change effortlessly. The song travels through the slow and melodic, with detours to the more upbeat and driven. Borins adds his soulful vocals and artistic flair to complete a radio-ready track.

The next track has rock roots laced throughout. Borins enhances the track by teetering on the edge of straining his vocal chords, adding edginess and conviction to his tone. The perfect placement of Hammond organ fills radiate. �You Don�t Really Love Me�, is a toe-taper that shows Borins� arranging ability through shifting moods.

�She�s Under My Wing�, is a dynamic track that screams influences one-by-one ranging from Bob Dylan to Jack Johnson. It has a Counting Crows meets CCR appeal. With its great acoustic feel and harmonious ambient background vocals, this track is layered with plenty of intricacies to keep even the most analytical listener occupied. Borins shows his maturity through careful arrangement and changes that keep the musical monotony in check.

"My Hit Song" shows the cynical, yet hopeful wit of Mr. Borins. At the beginning, the songwriter lists numerous artists that he has "borrowed" ideas from; Neil Young, Hendrix, Cobain, the list of musical royalty goes on. His roll-call lyrics serve to expose and glorify what so many writers seek to hide: their undeniable debt to the music that inspires them. This rather mature statement is packaged with a nod and a wink to rock'n'roll clich�s. The song is wonderful and the ironic stadium sound arrangement creates an impressive sonic canvas. Borins sounds like he belongs on that stage and few will be surprised to see him there soon.

Dave Borins is an extraordinary talent. His lyrics are meaningful, poetic, and introspective. His voice is incredible in all ranges and he is able to color it with so many shades. His sound is reminiscent of every prolific artist he could ever want to emulate; with distinction. Dave Borins is FOR REAL.


David Warren

- Cashbox Magazine

Dave Borins - The Lucky Ones


MUSIC
Artist Dave Borins
Label Independent
Genre Pop
Score 4/5 stars

It's hard to put my finger on what it is about Dave Borins that captures me. The Lucky Ones, a five-song EP, fuses the warmth of late 60's Island Record releases with a modern country/roots flair. Sometimes jaunty, sometimes melancholy, but always familiar, the songs feel as though they could have been written in the same room you retreat to for relaxation.

No surprise, therefore, that Borins was nominated for Best Acoustic Performer and Best Folk Artist at the 2008 Toronto Indie Music Awards. His songs have a softened inclination audibly, but his voice is assured and steady, the kind you could lean against and trust to lead you home on a long walk from the pub in the night rain. Album closer "A Door Wide Open" was recorded at legendary Hugh's Room in Toronto on what would become his 100th show. It's a testament to his ease on the stage and command of the space. No studio is needed to weave Borins' magic; he's got it naturally.

Track Listing:
1) Detroit Mercy
2) Whiskey Women (Nothing But Trouble)
3) Ontario
4) The Lucky Ones
5) A Door Wide Open (Live At Hugh's Room)
- Lucid Forge - Canadian Arts and Entertainment Mag

Dave Borins - The Lucky Ones


MUSIC
Artist Dave Borins
Label Independent
Genre Pop
Score 4/5 stars

It's hard to put my finger on what it is about Dave Borins that captures me. The Lucky Ones, a five-song EP, fuses the warmth of late 60's Island Record releases with a modern country/roots flair. Sometimes jaunty, sometimes melancholy, but always familiar, the songs feel as though they could have been written in the same room you retreat to for relaxation.

No surprise, therefore, that Borins was nominated for Best Acoustic Performer and Best Folk Artist at the 2008 Toronto Indie Music Awards. His songs have a softened inclination audibly, but his voice is assured and steady, the kind you could lean against and trust to lead you home on a long walk from the pub in the night rain. Album closer "A Door Wide Open" was recorded at legendary Hugh's Room in Toronto on what would become his 100th show. It's a testament to his ease on the stage and command of the space. No studio is needed to weave Borins' magic; he's got it naturally.

Track Listing:
1) Detroit Mercy
2) Whiskey Women (Nothing But Trouble)
3) Ontario
4) The Lucky Ones
5) A Door Wide Open (Live At Hugh's Room)
- Lucid Forge - Canadian Arts and Entertainment Mag

Although his day job is as a backcountry guide (and no I don’t know what that is either), Dave Borins’ music career is building nicely as evidenced by his latest EP, The Lucky Ones. With a plaintive, quavering voice not unlike Loudon Wainwright III’s, Borins also mines Wainwright’s songwriting vein with songs that find the heartbreak and humour in life in equal and sometimes simultaneous measure. To point to highlights would be to name the entire contents of this modest EP. Less is more on Dave Borins' The Lucky Ones in so much as it leaves desire for a follow-up. -- Bob Klanac - SCENE - London's Arts and Culture Magazine

Although his day job is as a backcountry guide (and no I don’t know what that is either), Dave Borins’ music career is building nicely as evidenced by his latest EP, The Lucky Ones. With a plaintive, quavering voice not unlike Loudon Wainwright III’s, Borins also mines Wainwright’s songwriting vein with songs that find the heartbreak and humour in life in equal and sometimes simultaneous measure. To point to highlights would be to name the entire contents of this modest EP. Less is more on Dave Borins' The Lucky Ones in so much as it leaves desire for a follow-up. -- Bob Klanac - SCENE - London's Arts and Culture Magazine