Andrew Bentham-Riley

In August 2022 I traveled to Canada's east coast, landing with my family in Nova Scotia about forty-five minutes outside of Halifax. After twenty-two hours in the truck, at least a dozen cups of coffee, and a handful of roadside companions I had everything needed to write what would become my Mom’s favourite song, Voyageur. Now it can be yours as I’m proud to announce the release of this new single on August 25th 2023 and you can Pre-Save it here. 

Voyageur is about being kind to one another. While each of us walk our own pathways through life that impact our perspective, and daily coffee intake, no one makes it to the other side without some scars. Each of these mile markers like a road map traced onto our skin showing the steps we've taken and the storms we have weathered. 

This song has joined me on stage over the last year, gaining more miles, sorry, kilometers as I strummed through its progression allowing it to follow its path. I recorded this song live in my apartment delivering a few unique takes of the track, letting it be its own entity captured into my computer, with each recording. 

After experimenting and teaching myself more about my recording software, Logic, with every take I laid down Take #9. Dismissing after first listen because of the bumps within it and eventually embracing it for the exact same reason. My goal since releasing my first song, “Try,” has been to capture specific performances and just try stuff. 

I hope you enjoy this song, at least half as much as my Mom does, and helps you remember to hold a few doors open along the way. 

See you around the bend, Voyageur…

ABR

When I began performing my music out in public I fell in love with Open Mics and the community around them. It was not long into this journey that I began hosting my own events Songwriter's Lounge in Hamilton, Mahtay Matinee, and different Songwriter Round events throughout Hamilton and Niagara. 

After starting these events my own open mic or event was added to my list of plans for 2023 and now I am excited to announce that I will be hosting a Monthly Coffee House in partnership with Third Space Cafe!

At events I often talk with performers of about music, community, and what people enjoy most about sharing with others. Amongst the conversations the phrase “Coffee House” has been brought up quite often. My new friends would describe coffee houses as warm welcoming events for artists of all disciplines to share their creations with an invested audience. Often taking place in a space free of the usual distractions of a busy restaurant or bar.

After meeting with Lisa, the Executive Director of Third Space Cafe, we quickly agreed that a Coffee House would be the perfect event to collaborate on. With this monthly Coffee House our aim is to create a safe space for all performers to be vulnerable while sharing their work no matter how far into the process they may be. The Coffee House will take place in the Listening Room giving our audience the opportunity fully engage in and enjoy the performances. 

A huge thank you to Lisa and Third Space Cafe for collaborating with me on this event and providing another space for the community to share and connect through music, art, and of course coffee. A special shoutout to my sister, Emma, for all her hard work on the promotional material for this and all of my events, your support means the world. 

For more information about the Third Space Cafe Coffee house please reach out to myself or the cafe any time through my website or social media. 

Performers are asked to prepare a 15 minute set and bring along their instrument of choice. On site we will have amplification for vocals, acoustic instruments, and a house keyboard. Performers can also sign up ahead of time online through my website contact form and include “Third Space Coffee House” in the subject line. Spots will also be available for walk in performers. 

I look forward to seeing all the talent and art the creative community has to share with us and hope that you can make it out for our first Third Space Cafe Coffee House on Friday June 23rd 7:00-10:00pm. 

Let's keep making better days.

ABR

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Third Space Cafe

4345 Queen Street
Niagara Falls, ON, L2R 5J3
(289) 296-9557
https://www.thirdspaceonqueen.ca/ 

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https://andrewbenthamriley.com/shows 

For the June 2023 Edition of Songwriter's Lounge I am thrilled to introduce Amanda Lyn Parker and Leif Strand to The Casbah and hope you will join us for another night of original music.

I first met Amanda Lyn Parker in the summer of 2022 as I was starting out as a Singer Songwriter, looking for solo gigs, and starting to sing with my friends in Georgia Pines. Amanda was kind enough to share some guidance around building a set, including original music during cover gigs, and performance anxiety. This was huge for me and I try to pay it forward whenever I can.  

Amanda is one of the hardest working musicians in Niagara regularly gigging throughout the region along with producing and recording other artists. You can find Amanda on stage performing her solo material, with her band Years of The Modern, and other projects. 

I am a massive fan of her 2021 release Memory Motion Picture which you should absolutely purchase on BandCamp or stream through your DSP of choice. 

Leif and I met in The Casbah Lounge while I was covering hosting duties for Brennagh Burns' Monthly Open Mic, give Brennagh a follow for more opportunities to share music and connect. 

Leif's songwriting and the attention he gave to the other performers struck me and I knew that I would have to invite him for an evening in the Songwriter's Lounge. Leif is the primary songwriter, singer, and a guitar player in the Hamilton based band Rymal. Be sure to stay on the lookout for Rymal online!

I am excited to have Leif along with his bandmate Jared join us in the Songwriter's Lounge. 

You can RSVP to the June Edition of Songwriter's Lounge and pay advance entry here: Songwriter's Lounge June Edition - RSVP Link 

Also be sure to follow and share the Songwriter's Lounge Series Spotify Playlist to continue supporting our songwriters. 

Thank you for supporting original music and making better days!

Andrew Bentham-Riley

In November 2022 I was lucky to be featured at The Dakota Tavern in Toronto, ON and ever since have been eager to bring my sad sounds back to the big city.

Well, Toronto, I am thrilled to say that I will be back on May 26th 2023 at First and Last Coffee Shop with the amazing Cinzia & The Eclipse. 

Here's the wonderful thing about music, it has lead to so many new friends. Since the first time I stepped on stage with my own music I was embraced by the Niagara music community making the Mahtay Cafe Open Mic a regular stop on my Friday nights. 

"Hey you should do a show with my friend Cinzia!"

Chances are when you meet a cool musician they know other cool musicians. This was the case with my friend Danielle Mattachini after performing together at Medium Baby's Fireside Sessions. Danielle linked me to Cinzia & The Eclipse, a friend of her's recently relocated to Toronto. 

After checking out Cinzia's music and connecting online we quickly agreed a show together would be a great excuse to meet in real life.

Fuelled by caffeine and the combined strength of our heartbreak infused songs we hope you can join us at First and Last Coffee Shop.

Tickets Here

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Cinzia & The Eclipse

"Music has always been this magical healing thing that I can never really explain and I'm excited and humbled by the fact that you're here along for the ride with me!

To be honest I didn't think I'd be doing this a few years ago. I'm impulsive, I say exactly what I feel and somehow that's gotten us here. Opening up for great talents like bülow, Billy Raffoul and MONOWHALES, sold out gigs and millions of streams (WHAT?!) to experiencing once in a lifetime moments with Canada's Music Incubator and to millions of connections with listeners around the world all I can say is we're only getting started baby!"

Andrew Bentham-Riley

“Drawing from inspirations spanning Indie, Alternative Rock, and Americana Roots based music Andrew writes songs informed by his past, present, and future. 
 Indie Folk Singer Songwriter, and guitarist Andrew Bentham-Riley, was born and raised in Hamilton, Ontario and currently splits his time between the GTA and Niagara Region. 
 Thanks for tagging along for the ride.”

First and Last Coffee 

346 Dupont Street

TORONTO, Ontario M5R1V9

(905) 922-7429

firstandlastcoffee@gmail.com