Category: Adult Alternative

Listening to Adele – Again

Cruising YouTube and up popped “Someone Like You” and, even though everyone already know who Adele is AND how phenomenal she sings (only 22 million views), I had to post it.  This song showcases her outstanding vocal ability.  Wow!!

It is even more important now to support her in her time of need as she faces throat surgery, awash in strong rumours that she may have throat cancer.  Very scary time.

She has cancelled her entire tour as she prepares to face this surgery.  I, and her millions and millions of fans, wish her the best and a speedy recovery and full recovery.

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Listening to Canadians – The Deep Dark Woods

Cover of "Winter Hours"
Cover of Winter Hours

The Deep Dark Woods are from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and could be considered as an alt-country band.  Regardless, they have been carving out a fan base with their smooth sound and strong song writing.  To date, they have released four albums and have contributed a song to CBC Radio 2‘s Great Canadian Song Quest.  When we lived in Saskatoon we had occasion to see them a couple of times and enjoyed their music.  Their most recent release “The Place I Left Behind” has just been released worldwide, a big step for the band.  The video attached is from their previous album “Winter Hours” and is titled “All The Money I Had Is Gone”.

Enjoy.

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New Canadian Releases – September 27, 2011

Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Slean opening...
Sarah Slean

Our first new release is by Dan Mangan.  The album name is Oh Fortune and was released today.  Born in Smithers, BC and now living in Vancouver, Dan is an indie-folk-rock singer songwriter.  This album is his third as he steadily grows in popularity.  The video is the song “Rows of Houses” from the new album.

The second new release is by Canadian alternative band “Cuff the Duke” and is titled “Morning Comes”.  Hailing from Oshawa, their sound is kind of country folk mix in the style of Blue Rodeo.  The video is a cut from the album “Count On Me”

The Barr Brothers, are a Montreal based rock band and just released their self titled album.  They are not an in your face band and their music is very lyrical and though out.  The video is a lve version of “Beggar in the Morning” off the album.  As you will see, it is very laid back, but nicely done.

Our 4th entry is from Juno nominated artists, The New Cities.  Their latest album is called “Kill the Lights” and the attached video is “Heatwave” off the album.  This Trois-Rivieres pop band is riding a wave of popularity with the release of this, their second album.  Their music has been featured on “Gossip Girl” and “So You Think You Can Dance”.

Our final entry is a new release by Pickering, Ontario’s favourite songstress, Sarah Slean.  This is Sarah’s 11th album (6th studio).  Her first album was released in 1997.  She has cultivated a large following in Canada.  The video attached is titled “Set It Free” and is a catchy number that will continue to win new fans for her work.

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New Canadian Releases – September 20, 2011

elliott brood @ westfest

I am adding a new weekly posting, usually on Tuesday, that will highlight new releases by Canadian artists.

First up is Elliott BROOD and their new album “Days Into Years”, released on September 20, 2011.  This 3 piece band is out of Toronto, Ontario.  Mark Sasso plays harmonica, string instruments an handles the lead vocals.  Casey Laforet handles backup vocals, guitars and bass pedals.  Stephen Pitkin plays drums and does some backup vocals as well.  their music is self described as “death country”.  I would call it more of alt-country with pieces reminiscent of Blue Rodeo.  This release marks their 4th album, their first “Tin Type” was released in 2004.  The cut featured is called “Northern Air”.

Next up, The Midway State released a single this week, a remake of Bryan Adams classic, “Run To You”.  An interesting and very well done version of one of Adams best songs.  Another band out of Toronto, they have released 2 albums and an EP since 2007. The band was nominated for 2 Junos in 2009.

Other notable releases this week are

Rock and Roll Romance by “State of Shock”  Alternative rock.

Unpersons by “The Pack A.D.”  Fusion of garage rock and blues, with tones of Jack White.

Fire/Water and EP released by “Yukon Blonde”.  Great band, just couldn’t find a video.

See you next week.

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New Canadian Music – Library Voices

Library Voices
Library Voices

Regina band “Library Voices” released their new album on August 23. (Available on iTunes). The album is titled “Summer Lust”, which is what people in Western Canada definitely do for summer. The attached video is their first single released from the album “Generation Handclap”. The band hails from Regina, Saskatchewan and are following up a successful album “Denim on Denim” from 2010. If you like the video, and are interested in hearing more from this band, hit the link*. It will take you to CBC3 and has most of their songs.

Their upcoming tour dates:

date city venue tix
Sep 16 Saskatoon, SK Amigos Cantina
Sep 17 Edmonton, AB Pawn Shop
Sep 19 Jasper, AB Horseshoe Club
Sep 20 Kelowna, BC The Habitat
Sep 22 Vancouver, BC Biltmore Cabaret (Presented by The Peak 100.5FM)
Sep 23 Victoria, BC Rifflandia Festival
Sep 24 Victoria, BC Rifflandia Festival
Sep 25 Robert’s Creek, BC The Gumboot
Sep 27 Penticton, BC The Barking Parrot
Sep 28 Nelson, BC Spirit Bar
Sep 29 Canmore, AB Canmore Hotel
Sep 30 Calgary, AB The Gateway (Presented by X92.9FM)
Oct 01 Regina, SK The Exchange
Oct 04 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen
Oct 07 Brooklyn, NY Spike Hill
Oct 13 Hamilton, ON Casbah
Oct 14 Kingston, ON Mansion
Oct 15 Wakefield, ON Black Sheep Inn
Oct 18 Charlottetown, PEI Baba’s
Oct 19 Moncton, NB Plan B
Oct 20 Fredericton, NB Capital
Oct 21 Halifax, NS Halifax Pop Explosion – Seahorse Tavern
Oct 25 Quebec City, PQ Le Cercle
Oct 26 Montreal, PQ Casa De Popolo
Oct 27 Peterborough, ON Trash
Oct 28 Toronto, ON Horseshoe Tavern
Oct 29 Guelph, ON E Bar
Oct 30 Windsor, ON Phog Lounge

Listening to Canadians – Ash Koley

Ash Koley at the Rio Theatre
Image by emmerogers via Flickr

Ash Koley is a Canadian talent, born and raised in Winnipeg.  Winnipeg is a major Canadian hotbed of musical talent having spawned the Guess Who, Crash Test Dummies, The Watchmen and  Chantal Kreviazuk just to name  few.  Ash Koley performs a mix of pop, alternative and a dash of new wave in her music.  The song I have chosen to introduce to you, the reader is “Brighter At Night”.  Not a chart topping monolithic anthem, but a light enjoyable summer type of song, heavy on the pop.  Hope you enjoy, even a little bit.

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Listening to Canadians – Royal Wood

Royal Wood
Royal Wood

Royal Wood is a Canadian singer songwriter, born in Peterborough, Ontario.  He has been releasing albums since 2002.  In 2010, he received the  iTunes songwriter of the year award for his album “The Waiting.  His sound is all over the map, from being compared to Randy Newman to Tom Waits and even to the Beach Boys.  Each album is different, but each is musically very sound.  The attached song is of of “The Waiting” and is titled “On Top of Your Love”.

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Listening to Canadians – Danny Michel

Danny Michel performing at the 2006 Ottawa Blu...
Image via Wikipedia

Danny Michel, an undiscovered Canadian treasure, as pronounced by the CBC.  I tend to agree, very talented singer songwriter, from Kitchener-Waterloo.  Someone, somewhere needs to push this one over the top.   We own”Valhalla”, released in 2006, and were hooked on his sound, Songs like Tennessee Tobacco and Midnight Train are both quirky and instantly likeable  We also own his 2010 release “Sunset Sea” and were treated to more of the same.  The clip I have attached is a live version of Midnight Train.  Great tune.

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Listening to Foster The People

Mittwoch ist heute,
Image by baerchen57 via Flickr

This song is kind of a hoot.  The band, Foster The People, is an indie pop band out of California.  They enjoyed success with the song “Pumped Up Kicks”, the video for which is attached.  Released in early 2011, the song is infectious and could almost be called a perfect summer song.  It reached number one on several charts, including Canada.  I enjoy the song, but not as much as Lori, who really likes the beat and, for some reason, really likes saying “pumped up kicks”

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Listening to Canadians – Library Voices

Wascana Lake Regina Saskatchewan
Wascana Lake - Regina, SK - Image via Wikipedia

My focus tonight is on a band from Regina, Saskatchewan, Library Voices.  I discovered this band (and song) via my normal channel for new Canadian bands, iTunes free single of the week, although CBC 2 was playing it a bit as well.  The song in the video is “Drinking Games”, also a well known Saskatchewan pastime, along with just plain drinking.

The band itself is a 10 piece unit whose work has been reviewed positively in Spin magazine and The New Yorker.  Their EP, Hunting Ghosts (& Other Collected Shorts), was nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award and their follow up album, Denim on Denim was nominated in 2010.  You might also want to check out “Step Off the Map & Float” which Now magazine noted as the stand out song on the EP.

A catchy tune, utilizing a wide variety of instruments and voices, please enjoy “Drinking Games”.

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