Category: What’s New

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – New Single & Video Release

Just released a new single and video of the Christmas classic, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”.  The track blends my nylon string acoustic guitar with fretless bass (played by California-based bassist/composer Henrik Bridger) and is supported by an ever evolving orchestral meets jazz meets pop arrangement.  Henrik also played upright bass and recorded both his parts in his own studio (with some great gear!) — so a huge thanks to him for all of his creativity and work!

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” is my third single release for 2024 following “Drivetrain” (April 2024) and “For All” (September 2024).  I have a number of releases planned for 2025 as well as continuing my Live in the Studio video series — so stay tuned.  You can listen to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” right here by playing the video or you can check out the music on pretty much any streaming service (I put a couple links below).  As always, thanks for listening/watching!

— Stream “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” —

Apple Music

Spotify

Art Focus Artists’ Association Art Show & Sale


This Friday (October 25) from 7-9 PM, I’m playing the opening reception for the Art Focus Artists’ Association Art Show & Sale .  I’ve had the opportunity to play at previous opening receptions (thank you Art Focus for having me back again!) and it’s always been a great time!  The show is being held at the Outlet, Leigh Square (McAllister Avenue) in Port Coquitlam this Friday (7-9 PM), Saturday (11AM – 5PM) and Sunday (11AM – 5PM).  Hope to see you there!

For All – New Single & Video Release

Happy to announce the release of my new single (and video), “For All”. I’ve always loved introspective, poignant ballads that feature a blend of acoustic sounds and synth textures. This track really is defined by that blend, with my acoustic nylon string guitar floating above a slow moving, rhythmic synth pad. “For All” is available right now on just about any streaming service (I’ve included a couple links below) and/or you can check out the music right here by playing the video. As always, thanks for listening/watching and I hope you like “For All”!

— STREAM “FOR ALL” —

Apple Music

Spotify

Art Focus Artists’ Association Art Show & Sale

I’m playing at the Art Focus Artists’ Association Art Show & Sale this Friday (May 3rd) from 7-9 PM at Mabbett Hall, Port Coquitlam Community Centre. The Art Focus shows always feature terrific art, nice people and refreshments, so please drop by to check out this free, family friendly event!

Drivetrain – New Single & Video Release

Just released my new single (and video) “Drivetrain”!  The track combines my love of melodic acoustic guitar and 80’s New Wave.  Growing up, I listened to a huge variety of music — everything from fusion to classical to free jazz – with my main pop influences primarily coming from late 70s to early/mid 80s New Wave.  With “Drivetrain”, I took some of the elements that were already present in my previous music and slightly emphasized them — things like synth textures and parts are more up front.  Thanks for listening and I hope you like the music and the video!

You can stream Drivetrain from pretty much any service you’d like.  Here are a couple links:

Apple Music

Spotify

New Acoustic Pedalboard

Last project of 2023! Put together a new acoustic pedalboard. And not without a few hiccups… I wanted to keep the small form factor of the Pedaltrain Nano+… and I wanted this combo of pedals… so, more than a little bit of a jigsaw puzzle. And to top it off I used an under the board power supply. Bit of a challenge and I’m not happy with the cabling, but the most important thing is it sounds killer! Happy New Year everyone!

Joy to the World – Steve Sheppard Music Reviews

Joy to the World – Steve Sheppard Music Reviews

The music of Jamie Bonk has been in my life as a European radio host since 2012 and the album Necessity, but the artist has been plying his trade for far longer; however I get to review his first new Christmas music in a decade, since the release of The First Noël back in 2013, and it has to be said it is one of the most charming of arrangements of Joy To The World I think I have ever heard.

The whole piece is given a total make over, and beautiful over laid vocals can be heard drifting over the snow tipped mountains of a lush and textured orchestration. Jamie’s signature acoustic guitar of course is a huge part of the composition, and one must say that his performance on it is very uplifting.

This well-known Christmas piece is now a single, and as such its potential to go all the way is real and very tangible. The overall construction and quality of this piece is incredibly attractive and has a popular quality feel to it, one could imagine with ease Jamie playing it live over this festive period, and that experience ending with a rapturous applause, as there can be no doubt that Joy to the World by Jamie Bonk is the perfect of placements on any Christmas playlist this winter.

– Steve Sheppard, Steve Sheppard Music Reviews