Tag: Canadian Music

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.

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 – Jill Barber

Cover of "Chances"
Cover of Chances

A different like (for me anyway).  Jill Barber is a Canadian songstress out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.  A very folk/bluegrass style with country overtones, she released her 4th album, “Chances” in 2008, which the attached video is from.  The song is “Oh My My” and showcases her considerable talent.  She has a new album out “Mischievous Moon”, and I am guilty of not hearing much of it as yet.  I will make a point of checking it out in the next week or two.  In the meantime, enjoy.

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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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Listening to Canadians – Jeremy Fisher

Jeremy Fisher - 2009
Jeremy Fisher - -Image via Wikipedia

Jeremy Fisher, from Hamilton, Ontario, is gaining a substantial following in North America.  His Tour in 2002 gained notoriety as he completed it across Canada by bicycle.  It took 6 months, starting in Seattle, USA and ended 7500 KM away in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Amazing.  He has toured with such notables as Xavier Rudd, Sarah Slean and The Proclaimers.  The track I have chosen to share is “Shine a Little Light” off his 2010 album “Flood”  I chose this both for the music and the ingenious use of an iPhone in creating the video.

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Listening to Jordan Cook

Listening to Jordan Cook.