Tag: Canadian Music

Talent Tuesday – Canadian Releases – February 7, 2012

It’s Tuesday and time to run down the latest in Canadian music.  A very active week it is as well.  I have also added an International release of the week as, apparently, there is other music in the world besides Canadian music.

First up, we have Bahamas new release, titled Barchords.  Bahamas is actually Afie Jurvanen.  Born and raised in the Toronto, he has played with such people as Feist and Zeus.  This is his second release.  The song I have added here is titled Lost in the Light and is a live rendition.

Lost In The Light

–

Rococode at Green Couch Sessions
Rococode at Green Couch Sessions (Photo credit: Raul P)

Next up is alternative band Rococode and their new album “Guns, Sex and Glory”.  That name should bring me a few hits off search terms.  They are a 4 piece band out of Vancouver.  This is their first full length album.  the song I chose to showcase is dynamite.  Enjoy “Empire”.

Empire

–

English: Michael Kaeshammer performing at the ...

The next is a live album by one of my favourites, jazz pianist Michael Kaeshammer.  The album is simply titled Kaeshammer Live.  This guy is great.  I saw him live once so when you view the attached video, imagine yourself sitting in the front row, no stage and the drummer about 6 feet away from you.  The best seats we ever had for any concert.  the song is called Lovelight.

Lovelight

–

Next we have The Experimental Tropic Blues Band and their new album, “Liquid Love”, which should also generate a few search hits.  A rocking blues band out of Quebec, their album promises to be a rollicking good time.  The song is a live version of Keep This Love.

Keep This Love

–

My international pick for the week is the new release from The Fray.  Their new album is titled Scars and Stories.  The Fray is from Denver, Colorado who have enjoyed major success since the release of the “How To Save A Life” album in 2005.  Good band.  I have inserted “Heartbeat” from the album.  The song is true to their style.

 

Heartbeat

Related articles

Talent Tuesday – Canadian Releases – January 31, 2012

Happy Tuesday all.  What’s that, it’s not Tuesday.  What day is it then.  Wednesday, no, can’t be Wednesday.  I haven’t posted Talent Tuesday yet, so it has to be Tuesday.  Well, let’s pretend it’s Tuesday so I don’t have to screw up the title.  My blog, my rules.  It is Tuesday right here, right now, and will be as long as you are on this post.  and we’re off.

English: Leonard Cohen

The big release of the week, maybe the year is Leonard Cohen.  He released “Old Ideas” this week.  Not much to say about him, except, it doesn’t get any better than this.

Darkness – Leonard Cohen

–

Next up is an excellent new band (new to me) called Young Empires.  They released an EP this week titled “Wake All My Youth”.  Hailing from Toronto, they formed in 2009 as a 3 piece unit.  The song I have posted is a live version of a single released from this set.  This is a band that could become a household name in a hurry.

White Doves – Young Empires

–

Joel Plaskett Emergency Playing the Aliant Stage

My last entry this is week is from Joel Plaskett.  This is an interesting concept.  Joel is releasing 1 single a week over the next 10 weeks, which will culminate in the release of his new album “Emergency”.  I don’t think I have ever seen this done before.  The video is not from the album, but is from a previous record, “Make a Little Noise”.  If this is the first time you have heard anything by Joel, you are in for a treat.  Check him out on YouTube, the songs are great.

Nowhere With You – Joel Plaskett

–

Told you it was good, see you next week, hopefully on Tuesday.

Related articles

Talent Tuesday – Canadian Releases – January 24, 2012

Happy Tuesday all.  Tuesday is an innocuous day, follows Monday, a day closer to the weekend, seldom a payday.  Not very exciting is it, EXCEPT, it is the day when musicians release, (sometimes inflict) new material on the world.  And this Tuesday is no exception.  Let’s browse the new Canadian releases for the week.

English: Dave Bidini at the 2008 Ottawa Bluesfest.
Dave Bindini

First up we have the Bidiniband and their new entry “In The Rock Hall”.   Dave Bindini was a founding member of the  Canadian band “The Rheostatics“.  The band was formed in 2007, shortly after The Rheostatics broke up.  This is their second album.  The song “Last of the Dead Wrong Things” is off the new release, and performed in my favourite format, LIVE.

“Last of the Dead Wrong Things”

–

Next up is a new EP from K’naan, titled “More Beautiful Than Silence”.  He is the man who created the theme song for the 2010 World Cup, “Waving Flag”.  Quite an honor for the man, and quite the elevation as a worldwide star.  He was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, managing to make it through the 1991 Civil War and getting the hell out of there.  He arrived in Canada via the USA.  Quite the life, and success story.  The song off the album I have chosen is called “Is Anybody Out There” and features another Canadian star, Nelly Furtado.

English: K'naan at Tribeca Film Festival 2010
K'naan

–

“Is Anybody Out There?”

 

That wraps up the week for us up here in the Great White North.  Keep your stick on the ice.

Related articles

Talent Tuesday – Canadian Releases – January 17, 2012

After a lengthy drought, ostensibly for Christmas, Canadian artists have begun to release new music once again.  Just in time, as we are now deep in the throes of a Canuck cold spell and need some new stuff to keep the blood flowing.

John K Samson

English: John K Samson, performing with the We...
John K Samson

The first album to look at is by John K Samson, and is titled “Provincial”.  He hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Some may know him as the front-man for the Weakerthans, a folk-punk band that has enjoyed some success in recent years.  This album is part of a series on Manitoba’s provincial roads.  An interesting subject.

The song below is from the album and performed live.

“Letter in Icelandic from the Ninette San”

Kathleen Edwards

Kathleen Edwards at Wakefield, Quebec's Black ...
Kathleen Edwards

Next we have a highly anticipated release by Kathleen Edwards.  The album is titled “Voyageur”, and as with all her releases, is very good.  If you are interested, she is David Letterman tonight.  I have posted on her in the past. I put the link to this post in the related articles, New Canadian Music Releases – December 6, 2011.   I simply say, download and or pick up this disc.,  You will not be disappointed.  The song I have attached is simply called Mint, and is a live version.  Enjoy.

“Mint”

Luke Willms

My last release for the week is a new set from Luke Willms, called “Atlasphere”.  Currently based in BC, his sound has a familiar feel to it.  I could not find much biographical material on him, so the description will be short.  The tune I have posted is off the album.

“Throw It To The Universe”

Related articles

My Top Tunes of 2011

Raphael Saadiq, American singer-songwriter.
Raphael Saadiq

This post includes songs that were new to me in 2011, meaning some of them may not be real 2011 releases.  Once again, my blog, my rules.  Now that I have set the ground rules, I will not mince words or platitudes on these bands or songs and will simply post the video with a link to their website.  Please visit them, and remember, support these artists and any others that strike you, be they authors, musicians, sculptors etc.  It is hard to be creative when you are starving.

10. Adele        Rolling In The Deep

Could have picked any of the songs on this album.

9. Matthew Barber    Keep It Alive

A beautiful ballad.

8. Foster The People   Pumped Up Kicks

The lyrics are what sets this song apart from the pack.  Easy to sing along, but what is it that you are singing.

7. Sara Bareilles    King of Anything

A light pop sound, but done, oh so well.

6. Amos Lee    Windows Are Rolled Down

This guy has been blowing me away for years.  Great, great song.

5. Cake    Sick Of You

My solar-powered entry.

4. Frank Turner   If Ever I Stray

British folk songs, sung by ex-punk stars with really cool videos seem to be very popular now.

3. Eliza Doolittle   Pack Up

Another cool retro style British pop song, and I have no idea why I liked it so much.

2.  Raphael Saadiq   Stone Rollin’

Saw him at the House of Blues in New Orleans.  PERFECT!!!  If R&B hadn’t been invented, he would be right now.

1. Trombone Shorty     Do To Me

I was stunned when I first heard this album.  Couldn’t download it fast enough.

New Canadian Music Releases – November 15, 2011

Tegan and Sara playing a show in Hamburg, Germ...
Tegan and Sara

A slow week  for new releases as groups prepare for their Christmas releases or are releasing Christmas albums.  Having said that, our first new release is technically not new.  Tegan and Sara (from Calgary, Canada) have released a live album (Get Along) to go with their new DVD concert release.  They are twin sisters, Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin, and they have had some success on the indie/alternative scene around the world.  They have been recording since 1999.  This is their 7th disc.  They have been nominated for Juno awards in Canada on 4 occasions, having yet to win.  They have won 2 Western Canada Music Awards, the most recent in 2010.  This award was significant as it was an International Achievement Award.

The video below is “Call It Off”, not a live version, but is indicative of their body of work.

 

 

Don't Call Me Baby (Kreesha Turner song)
Kreesha Turner

Next up is Edmonton native, Kreesha Turner.  She is an R&B/Pop artist with a hip hop lean.  She began her road in music directly out of high school in 2003, winning an Edmonton radio station’s talent contest in 2005.  This is her second album release, a follow up to 2008’s “Passion”.  In her career she has twice been nominated for Juno Awards, losing both times.  She has already had some USA success having reached number 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart  with “Don’t Call Me Baby”. The video is from the new album and is titled “Rock, Paper, Scissors”.

Related articles

New Canadian Music Releases – November 8, 2011

Welcome back to my weekly rundown of new releases by Canadian artists. This post will cover the week of November 2 to November 8, 2011.

First up today is Said The Whale, who released a new EP today titled “New Brighton”. I feel I have to be very nice as I live in a part of Calgary called New Brighton. Having said that, the band is an indie-rock quintet from Vancouver, BC. they released their first album in 2007 and have now recorded 2 albums and 9 EP’s. They have a full album scheduled for release in March of 2012. They were the 2011 Juno award winner for new group of the year. The Juno award is Canada’s equivalent of a Grammy. They are well worth checking out. the track posted is off the record and is called “Lines”

My second release is Couer de Pirate and the new album “Blonde”. Beatrice Martin is Couer de Pirate. She exploded onto the Canadian music scene 2008 as an 18 year old, a classically trained pianist. Yes, it is in French, but Canada is a bilingual nation with many great bands and singers coming out of the province of Quebec. The cut here is called “Adieu”. Beatrice is rapidly becoming Canada’s next international superstar.

Jacob Hoggard, the lead singer of Hedley playi...
Jacob Hoggard of Hedley

My final release for the week is another Canadian staple, Hedley. They released “Storms” deluxe version today. The band is formed around former 2004 Canadian Idol contestant, Jacob Hoggard. Not surprisingly, Jacob is the bands lead singer and front man. They have released 4 albums since forming in 2004. The band is a multiple Juno nominee although only winning once (video of the year in 2011). I have chosen the track “Invincible” off the album. See you next week.

Related articles

Western Canadian Music Awards

The Western Canadian Music Awards were held in Whitehorse, Yukon on October 23.

Whitehorse on the Yukon river
Whitehorse, Yukon

These awards have been happening in one form or the other since 1995 and were created to recognize musicians from, you guessed it, Western Canada.  A link to all the winners is here.  I have included some video and links to showcase some of the winners in categories I follow,.

Outstanding Blues Recording ~ Little Miss Higgins ~ Across The Plains

Little Miss Higgins was born in Brooks, Alberta, grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and now has roots in Saskatchewan.  The award is for her 2010 album and the song I have attached is “Bargain Shop Panties”.  Lots of Saskatchewania in this tune.

Outstanding Rock Recording ~ The Sheepdogs ~ Learn & Burn

The SheepdogsOn the Cover of the Rolling Stone.  What a year for these Saskatoon players.  They won the contest to be on the cover of Rolling Stone, they will clean up at the Junos and are taking the music world by storm.  In the meantime, they have won Outstanding Rock Recording for their recent album.  The Sheepdogs are riding the wave.  The video is “I Don’t Know” off the album.  I do believe they are channelling Lynyrd Skynyrd or something, what a great song.

Outstanding Roots Duo/Group Recording ~ The Wailin’ Jennys ~ Bright Morning Star

The Wailin' Jennys #0807
Wailin' Jennys

Winnipeg’s Wailin’ Jennys have been around since 2004 and have been creating excellent roots/folk music since that time.  Attached is “Storm Comin'” off the album, performed live at CBC Radio 3.

New Canadian Releases – November 1, 2011

Welcome back to my weekly rundown of new releases by Canadian artists.  This post will cover the week of October 25 to November 1, 2011.

Down with Webster performing on TELUS Stage at...
Down With Webster

First up is Down With Webster and their release of “Time To Win, Vol. II”, which is an aptly titled follow-up to their award-winning 2009 release “Time To Win, Vol I”.  The band is from Toronto and is in the rock rap category of music.  The band is a textbook case on how to break through.   They have played everywhere and at any function in their quest for success.  My personal first exposure was during a half time show at a Grey Cup game (Canadian Football League Championship Game), when they played “Whoa Is Me”.  That song was an immediate iPod download.  I have chosen a video of a song called “She’s Dope”, which was released in May as the first song off the album.

 

Jann Arden
Jann Arden

Next up is a Canadian favourite, Jann Arden.  This singer-songwriter is from Calgary ( we ate at her restaurant when it was open) and has had success for many years, having released her first album in 1993.  On the way she has been nominated for Juno Awards on 19 occasions, winning 8 times and has a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.  She is known for her quirky sense of humour and her easy way with people, not to mention a stellar singing voice.  This release is titled “Uncover Me 2”, and contains her covers of a range of tunes.  There are no videos off the new album, so I have inserted one of her classics, “Insensitive”

 

Our 3rd release is by a Kitchener, Ontario indie-pop band, Courage My Love.  Don’t know much about them other than they are a 3 piece band with high intensity in their sound.  They have toured extensively and may be appearing at a venue near you.  Their album is “For Now” and the cut I have here is titled “Barricade”.

 

Hey Ocean - Band Portrait Candid
Hey Ocean!

My final band for the post is Hey Ocean! and their new release “Big Blue Wave”.  This is a discovery.  They are definitely an up and coming alternative band.  I started looking for tunes online for a video link and found a live version of the title track on the album, followed by a second tune “Liar”..  Astounded.  This band will be heard from, a lot.  The band hails from Vancouver and is quickly gaining a fan base with their energetic, clean and different sound.  Very impressed.

 

Related articles

New Canadian Releases – October 2011

I missed a few weeks due to vacation.  This will be a lengthy, yet abbreviated edition of new Canadian music, encompassing October 2011.

First we will see and hear Rich Aucoin and his new release “We are all Dying to Live”.  Out of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rich has a unique alternative sound.  The featured track is “Push” and features Rich handling all the roles in the band.  Good video, interesting tune.

Next up is Current Swell and their album “Long Time Ago”.   The band is out of Victoria, BC and can be labelled as new roots style.  The attached video is a track called “Young and Able”.  An excellent tune, and added to my iPod s I type this.  I predict that we will hear more from this band.

My third entry is from Hamilton, Ontario based rock outfit, Arkells and their new disc “Michigan Left”.  Another highly regarded and talented Canadian group, this band will be around for a while.  The attached track is called “Whistleblower”.

My 4th and biggest release for the month is Calgary’s Feist.  Her new album is titled “Metals”.  the first single released is “How Come You Never Go There”.  The attached is Feist live, performing the single on David Letterman.

We next visit with the son of Canada’s legendary Leonard Cohen, Adam Cohen.  Adam released his album “Like a Man” and I have to say he has some of his father in his music, yet it is definitely his own.  The attached video is a live version of “What Other Guy”, played at CBC3’s Studio 211 sessions.  A great song by any measure, worth the listen.  The potential is here to be a major talent.