Focus on Indie: Romi Mayes
Who: Romi Mayes
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Genre: Roots blues country
Check out: Any track from her 2009 release Achin’ in Your Bones is a spectacular choice.
On the Web: Everything Romi Mayes can be found on her website
My Take
Deceivingly petite with a mouth like a trucker and an insatiable appetite for the drink, Romi defines “diamond in the rough.” But when she steps on stage and opens that beautiful voice, this little gem doesn’t just shine. She illuminates.
Romi’s previously mentioned Achin’ in Your Bones is a perfectly crafted record and has been in constant rotation in my iTunes for more than a year. I find it unfathomable that this record didn’t garner truckloads of awards and accolades. Not even short-listed for Polaris?! Pardon me, but that’s just not right. I have little doubt that, based on Achin’ in Your Bones alone, we’ll be referring to Romi as a national treasure sooner than later. Do yourself a favour and pick yourself up a copy and listen repeatedly.
In the mean time, check her out live if you can…
Friday, March 18 – From Scratch, Medicine Hat, AB
Saturday, March 19 – The Ironwood, Calgary, AB
Sunday, March 20 – Haven Social Club, Edmonton, AB
Friday, April 08 – The Cyrk, Winnipeg, MB
Saturday, April 30 – Winnipeg Folk Festival presents Millenium Library Concert Series
Monday, May 02 – The Apollo, Thunder Bay, ON
Tuesday, May 03 – Loplops, Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Wednesday, May 04 – The Townehouse, Sudbury, ON
Friday, May 06 – Prairie Music Scene presents Women’s Blues Night, Ottawa, ON
Saturday, May 07 – Prairie Music Scene presents Winnipeg Folk Festival Workshop, Ottawa, ON
Wednesday, May 11 – Hugh’s Room, Toronto, ON
Thursday, May 12 – Banjo Jim’s, New York City, NY
Friday, May 13 – Betsy’s Backyard, Northfield, NJ
Saturday, May 14 – Music Beacon Concert, Pittsburgh, PA
Sunday, May 15 – Wilbert’s, Cleveland, OH
Monday, May 16 – TBA Nashville, TN
Thursday, May 19 – Black Widow Clubhouse, Fort Smith, AK
Friday, May 20 – 3rd Annual Romi Mayes Oklahoma Barn Party, Oklahoma City, OK
Saturday, May 21 – TBA Dallas, TX
Tuesday, May 24 – Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, TX
Wednesday, May 25 – The Old Quarter w/John Evans, Galveston, TX
Thursday, May 26 – Continental Club, Austin, TX
Saturday, May 28 – Knucklehead’s, Kansas City, MO
Sunday, May 29 – Flying Mango, Des Moines, IA
Tuesday, May 31 – High Noon Saloon, Madison, WI
Donna Hopper Photography 