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28 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 11, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Artscene Oakville Beaver · WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2007 28 Music is always on tap at Moonshine Café From local musicians to seasoned recording artists, Kerr Street café offers live music seven nights a week By Krissie Rutherford OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF "Having this place is like having your own rec room. The only difference is you have to charge your friends for beer." Moonshine Café co-owner John Marlatt There's nothing café-like about the Moonshine Café. It has a liquor license, it's open until 2 a.m. seven days a week, and its stage area is bigger than the kitchen. Owners Jane MacKay and John Marlatt will be the first to tell you their priority isn't coffee, food, or even liquor ­ it's all about the live music, seven nights a week. "That's what the moonshine is," said MacKay. "It's the music. That's why people come here." The pair opened the small bar in January 2006 and have since had more than 300 local, national and international acts hit their stage. Last week, local rocker Tom Cochrane dropped in to play a set with Dala, a group he recently toured with to promote his new album No Stranger. "Having this place is like having your own rec room," said a smiling Marlatt of the Moonshine Café. "The only difference is you have to charge your friends for beer." A singer and songwriter himself, Marlatt spent years promoting local musicians, organizing battle of the bands, open stages, outdoor concerts and charity events. "I had a pretty good staple of musicians, and a pretty good reputation with musicians on a contact list," he said. "It's to the point where people approach us to play and we just say, `sure.' We basically supply the space." That space is something Marlatt noticed was lacking in Oakville. "We have a real passion for the music, but also there's a need for this. There's no place really for independent musicians to play in this area," he said. "We opened it with the idea that it was going to be a venue for musicians, for inde- ASHLEY CAMARA / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER ENJOYING THE MOONSHINE: Moonshine Café owners Jane MacKay and John Marlatt relax in the comfortable confines of their Kerr Street business. pendent artists." The 1960's-style decorated bar has no TV or radio ­ the only music is live or from the records of various independent artists who have appeared there, which fill several CD towers in the café. Artist of the week, songwriter night, a night in Nashville devoted to country music, a monthly ladies' night featuring live female artists, a weekly blues jam and open mic are just some of the acts hitting the stage monthly and weekly at the Moonshine Café. "It's a comfortable, interactive place for musicians and appreciators of music," Marlatt said. "We have a lot of people that are not musicians, but they come in here because they love listening to the music." In some cases, their patrons get right in on the action, too. "People jump in and they'll grab the shakers," said MacKay, smiling. "They get right in there." SABRINA BYRNES / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER JAM SESSION: Tom Cochrane joined Sheila Carabine and Amanda Walther, otherwise known as Dala, on stage for a few songs during their performance at the Moonshine Café last week. Dala had toured with Cochrane earlier this year and the Oakville resident stopped in for a visit with the duo. A piano, guitars and more are always set up at the Moonshine for those who want to make their own music during open mic and other sessions. "We want to encourage people to play," said Marlatt, "to just pick up an instrument and give it a try, and just have a good time." As for the genre of music, the Moonshine's owners say it's mainly roots and blues, acoustic-type music. And as for where their artists come from, through an e-mail list he has developed over the years, Marlatt has secured artists from Australia, Britain, England, Ireland, all over Canada and the United States. But the focus at the Moonshine, he notes, is on showcasing the local talent. "I would say about 75 per cent of the people who perform here are local people," he said. "That's an important part of why we're here." Many of the artists that have hit the stage of the Moonshine Café were also featured during Canadian Music Week earlier this year. "We get a lot of the guys in here that are just emerging, and are just getting some play time on CBC," said Marlatt. Most nights of music include a ticket at the door and a hat-passing and CD sales to support the artists on stage. There's up to seven or eight acts on stage a night, with three or four being the norm. Not only is the Moonshine promoting local acts, but its walls are also covered with art by local artists, most of which is for sale. It's also a venue for various poetry events. Sandwiches, pizza, chili, snacks, espresso, beer, liquor and wine are all available during these events. But the Moonshine Café, the owners stress, isn't for everyone. "You can't watch TV and you can't have a fancy drink," said Marlatt. "Nothing fancy," added MacKay, smiling. "It's the Moonshine, after all."