North By East West

Braids Interview on Side B

2011-01-13T12:52:00.000-08:00

Braids are kicking off 2011 by releasing their long-awaited debut album Native Speaker, a startling unique pop record that was recorded and produced entirely by the Montreal quartet. Beyond making a great record, the band is also hands-down one of Canada's strongest live acts right now. I met up with them this past summer during a sort of mini-tour, which took them as far as New York City. Here's some of our conversation.

Visit thesideb.com for more interviews, and find Side B on Facebook and Twitter

Album Review: Sky One Room by Winchester Warm

2011-01-05T15:07:00.000-08:00

Last November, Winchester Warm, a folk-acoustic duet from Ottawa, released their first LP titled, Sky One Room. Ever since the group have been touring all over Canada winning audiences over. The group, consisting of drummer Matt Godin, and guitarist, Jon Pearce have been admired for their complex, two part vocal arrangements.

However, there must have been something lost in the recording process, which took place in the historic McLeod-Stewarton United Church by Jarrett Bartlett in Centretown Ottawa. The vocals on the album delivered by both Godin and Pearce require a bit more practice. The songs have incredibly profound, lyrics full of intense imagery which is lost in the lack of enunciation from both singers. The pitch of Pearce's voice also requires more work as it is a bit off tune and he does not have a great range.

It is definitely a unique style of vocal arrangement, similar to California's Counting Crows or even the vocals delivered by In-Flight Safety. However, Sky One Room lacks the range, and full sound delivered by these two bands. The vocals can be a bit difficult to listen to, but there are some moments of excellent singing on the album especially the song "Rubberneck" where Godin and Pearce are on the same wavelength and create moving harmonies.

Instrumentally, the album spews positive energy and mellow vibes. The whole sound blends country and folk music very well creating a good soundtrack to walk to. Using only two members, the group still creates a very full and ambient sound. They know have an amazing chemistry and are able to incorporate soft piano and banjo riffs making the sound much more complete.

The group will be performing in Halifax on January 17th at The Carleton and if the many reviews of their live performance hold true it will be an intimate and soothing experience. Hopefully, since touring the group will have gained some experience and will be able to deliver a stronger vocal performance.

Click to listen

Just what the doctor ordered ~ Virginia Leaves

2010-10-28T22:21:00.000-07:00

Need a little pick-me-up? A little hows-ya-fatha-nip for the upcoming frosty season?

Virginia Leaves will warm you up and tickle all your fancies with their charismatic charm and very cool vibe. I loved them at first listen - what a nice change from over-produced hype. Now sit back and relax and let me rub your feet.

"Virginia Leaves is a band from Vancouver, Canada. The band was initially an acoustic venture put together by long time friends Mike West (guitar/vocals) and Mike “Strides” Brown (guitar), but in 2009 Glenn Kelly (bass/vocals) and Brian Michals (percussion) entered the picture, to round out the act.

Their music is a blend of indie rock with a rural country twang. Producer Pierre Fraser of Resonant Mind Productions describes it as: “Elements of rock, with a thick mist of country blowing its way up from the south”. Vocalists, Mike West and Glenn Kelly write a unique blend of saccharine harmonies that are catchy singalongs. Fans have referenced the Virginia Leaves’ sound to iconic bands such as Social Distortion, Lucero and Deertick.

In April of 2010, Virginia Leaves played a free show at the Media Club in Vancouver for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society raising $2000 for their cause.

Virginia Leaves’ self titled 5 song EP was released in August 2010. The EP was an opportunity for the band to work with Pierre Fraser at Resonant Productions and be the first project out of his newly opened jam space/recording studio. Pleased with the outcome, the members of Virginia Leaves are playing more live shows to promote its’ recent release.

While having a tonne of fun performing and creating music, Virginia Leaves are hoping to make a lasting contribution into indie rock music. The name may conjure images of sweet tobacco, acres of auburn maple trees or the tragic girl that ran away. First impressions aside, Virginia Leaves have started to plant their wooden roots into the Vancouver music scene."

Check out their upcoming show November 6th at the Princeton Pub with Matt Stanley and the Decoys and The Light Machines ~ 5 buck door.

www.myspace.com/virginialeaves

Tokyo Police Club/Arkells @ Detroit's Magic Stick - Show Review

2010-10-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

Darrell Winningham - Special Correspondent

Where were you when you found out you were old? I was at the Magic Stick in Detroit a few Tuesday nights ago when I came to the realization. Tokyo Police Club rolled into town with Arkells for support and it was a show full of teen spirit.

I showed up a bit out of place to begin with, decked out in work attire, looking every bit the part of an accountant on a college recruiting trip. Only my fellow patrons weren’t looking for anything but a double dose of Canadian indie rock. They weren’t disappointed.

The Arkells ground their way through a 45+ minute set that included most of their latest release, 2008’s Jackson Square. The Hamilton, Ontario five-piece paid tribute to Motown, showing their appreciation of Stevie Wonder with a cover of “Signed Sealed Delivered, I’m Yours.”

I can’t legally speak to whether or not Max Kerman sang the Happy Birthday song (he did, a thank-you to a fan that made the trip from Ohio). There was a determined effort by the Arkells to get the crowd riled up for TPC, constantly encouraging singalongs and clapalongs.

The kids were excited (to say the least) as Tokyo Police Club burst on stage with “Boots of Danger (Wait Up).” At one point, Dave Monks had to stop the show to kick out one overhyped punk kid who thought he was at a Suicide Machines show.

Now, unlike a fellow CBC Radio 3 blogger and show mate, I didn’t have the guts to approach the band after the show for a set list, but I think it’s safe to say they played everything they have ever recorded (the average TPC song is under 3 minutes). The highlight of the show for me was the encore.

Weezer fans surely recognized the cover of “My Name Is Jonas” from Blue Album fame. Sadly, I was one of the few in attendance who was in high school when Weezer originally recorded it. Yes I’m old, and I own it…and I still rocked out to “Cheer It On” to close out the night.

Youth is invigorating. I’m ready for more.

Arkells photos: Russ Gordon
Tokyo Police Club photos: Pete Nema

Album Review: Places to Roam by: The Superfantastics

2010-10-28T19:14:00.001-07:00

The Superfantastics: Places To Roam

The Halifax based indie-pop-rock group has recently released their 8 track LP "Places to Roam". The CD release show was during the Halifax Pop Explosion and since then, the group have been getting a lot of attention. If you haven't checked it out already, you MUST see the band's new music video for the single "Push You Away".

The overall tone of the band is relatively upbeat and happy. It is the kind of music that will just give you a bounce in your step. The album sounds sort of unpolished and provides you that raw indie feel with a very upbeat sound. It is impressive how just two people are able to create such a complex yet easy to follow sound.

Lyrically, the album creates anthems for pretty much everyone. The songs are really relate-able and smart. These songs are an asset to everyone's back to school/fall mix.

I have listened to the album so many times over since getting it and I must say the group has really outdone themselves. The album features catchy songs like "Push You Away" which almost sounds like the East Coast response to Said The Whale. However, the real strength of this album is it's diversity. After working with Rick White in Elder Ontario to record it, the group has really pushed it's boundaries.

The album features more crunchy guitar riffs and drumlines than before especially on the track "Prison Cell" where drummer Stephanie Clattenburg creates a very unique and weird rhythm that will have your head bobbing. Don't be fooled though, the album can switch gears pretty suddenly too. The final track "Northern Lights" showcases guitarist/vocalist Matthew MacDonald's talents as a singer. He crafts a captivating harmony which is almost as haunting as Bon Iver.

The duo absolutely rocks out and will definitely receive some attention for this album. They will be performing in Halifax soon! You should definitely check them out at The Seahorse Tavern on November 6th.

Spotlight - David Vertesi - Album review and Interview

2010-10-26T00:16:00.000-07:00

CD review and interview with David Vertesi – Cardiography

Release date: Tuesday October 26, 2010

by Jade Sperry

JadedPhotography

Cover for the CD Cardiography.

David Vertesi is well known for being the bass player in the Vancouver indie pop group Hey Ocean!. He has just completed his first solo album, Cardiography, which is a diamond in the rough that sparkles with its beckoning intensity. Starting out with the song “Mountainside” with its fuzzed out feedback, bird-like chirps and prominent bass line, David's beautiful baritone voice sings of sincerity to the point of being self painful (love's a mountainside/that I wish I could climb/your love is a stormy sea). Following that song is “Gentlemen Say”, a poignant song about how love can be confusing without communication. David's vocals in some way remind me of Leonard Cohen in this song in particular – how he can tell a story through songs and get the emotional output across to the listener. The title song “Cardiography” is an upbeat, up tempo song that musically sounds almost happy in a forlorn way. The acoustic guitar is absolutely spot on in this song. Although musically the songs on this CD are simple in their melody and chord structures, they are effective in their subtle charm. Many different instruments were used in the songs which give the CD a good overall structure and versatility. Lyrically, David can weave emotions vocally through each song in a style that is his own. Other stand out songs are “Learn To Run”, “Rossland” and “Soft Skin”. This is a very refreshing and original start to his own solo career with this collection of 11 songs.

The CD will be available starting on Tuesday October 26 and you can order it at File Under:Music.

On a bright Wednesday morning, I met up with David Vertesi at an East Vancouver location in mid-October to discuss his new album Cardiography which is being released on Tuesday October 26. It was an insightful interview into David's background with music and family and what led to making this album of his original music. Here is the interview in a Q&A format:

Jade: So let's discuss the first song “Mountainside” - who's female voice is backing you up?

David: All the female vocals on the record were done by Hannah Georgas. There are four songs that she helps me out on which are “Mountainside”, “Gentlemen Say”, “All Night All Night All Night” and “Epilogue”. I went back and forth between having multiple female singers versus just one female singer and in the end, I wanted Hannah's vocals. She is a close, close friend of mine and I really love her voice. She's very easy to work with; she comes in, goes with it and figures it out.

Jade: How did you come up with the music and lyrics for “Mountainside”?

David: This is one of the last songs that made it to the record. I wrote this song around my break-up and around a book I was given in that same time period by Eric Fromme called “The Art of Loving”. It was written in the 1950's in response to Freud and his concept of love. The reason I like this book is because it discusses different views and levels on love between friends and family and also speaks of sexual love between people. It was an incredibly inspiring book to read but also really intense and dark too. Academically, when you read a line that states “Love is more a reflection of how alone we are than how much we really love that other person”... that is a really intense thing to read! My entire record is conceptual and meant to tackle the idea of love. Love is more than one dimension. There are some songs on my album that are about young love, others about devastating heartbreak … and there are other songs that fall somewhere in between. With “Mountainside” (and the entire album), I wanted to write about myself and try to understand this concept of love. The whole album is about me and the journey that I'm on. I wanted to start the record with talking about who I am. And that idea was inspired by Gene Simmons. He was the one who said that you should introduce yourself before you play music.

Jade: I like the way that by introducing yourself on this record it comes across in your music to the listener. Within the first three songs, I got a really good impression of who you are as a person in regards to what you're doing as an artist. I think that a lot of people can relate to what you're talking about. You're record is original and fresh and can crossover to other genres (jazz, folk, etc,.).

David: I really believe as an artist in the “Universal Experience” at this point in time. I've just been through some really intense times in my personal life and part of this record is about that. The more personal you are in your music and art the more you'll speak to people. I'm blown away that some people are relating to what I wrote about in so many different ways!

Jade: On this record, you have a friend helping you out from The Zolas - Tom Dobrzanski and also Adian Knight. What was it like to bring them into the project and work with them?

David: The Zolas are good friends of mine, yes. Tom Dobrzanski plays keys in The Zolas and he has his own studio in town (Vertical Studios). Tom has had studios in basements as long as I can remember and he's worked on every Hey Ocean! project. He works a lot with indie bands. I went and worked with Jose Miguel Contreras in Ontario on Cardiography and when I got home, it wasn't quite finished and I needed to get it done. A lot of the strings, horns, piano and Hannah's vocals were done in my parents living room. Tom brought in extra gear, and Adian came into the project because I really trust his opinion because I like his music. Adian is great to bounce ideas off of. I knew that I could turn to him at any point and say “Is this a stupid idea?” and I would always get an honest answer.

David Vertesi and David Joseph (By Divine Right) perform songs from Cardiography. Photo by Jade Sperry.

Jade: How did the song “Gentlemen Say” come about? I think that's the best song on the album.

David: Thank you! Well, this is one of those songs that literally happened, it's a true story …

Jade: Really? Well, the lyrics are awesome!

David: (laughing) Yeah, it was something that happened, and then I went home and wrote about it. I write the music first and the lyrics follow. It just came together. How I write music is I write a bit of music, then some lyrics, more music and the music takes the song in a certain direction so the lyrics then follow. Actually, my friend Shad has influenced me in how I write in some ways. He's a good friend. Hannah is also a good friend of Shad's. Shad learned how to play guitar that had 4 strings. One string was missing. But the guitar was in the house, so he just picked it up and took it on. So when he writes a song now on a guitar, he gets these quirky riffs and this is how he has influenced me. So getting back to the song, this is about that game of getting tired of the game. It's like a dog eat dog thing. Do I hurt you before you hurt me? Should get my guard up? When I played it for Hannah, she laughed her face off! We have our moments....(lots of laughter)...she's on tour right now actually.

Jade: Yes I saw on her website that's she's somewhere out east....having fun no doubt (more laughter)...

One song on the record “Learn To Run” has a really slow build for about three and a half minutes when suddenly the music just explodes within the song – how did this song come to fruition? The tension in the song is mind-blowing really...

David: Yeah, I like to record music and be open to what's going on in the moment and sculpt a song – I don't like forcing anything in music, it never works if you do that. It was always meant to build like that. The middle wasn't quite supposed to be that way; we pulled out the guitars and it just sounded so great. Jose said that I was lucky to be in a position in any song to be open enough to let the moment happen. And this is such a personal song. For me, this song turned out the way I wanted it to.

Jade: In the song “Cardiography” is that you playing the guitar part in the middle of the song? It's such an uptempo, funky piece of music …

David: Yes that's me. It was planned that way. Sort of. My philosophy with making music is that I want to make teenagers cry and older people dance. (we both break out laughing) If you make older people dance, everyone is dancing. I love the shoulder shimy too. Kind of fun with contrast. If you make people dance and get emotional it's good.

Jade: A lot of people are saying that Hey Ocean! are no more, that you've left the band to do this album. Is this true?

David: No. Hey Ocean! is still a band but we haven't done anything in a while. We're going on tour next month (November 2010). So when my album comes out, I'll be on tour with Hey Ocean! and not with myself (laughter from David). I'm actually producing the next Hey Ocean! record.

Jade: So you'll have producer credits as well.

David: Yeah. But, with Cardiography … I've been writing music since I was twelve years old and I did try to write a previous album but it fell by the wayside. The oldest song on this record is about 3 years old. I started writing a lot of love songs but at some point, I just wanted to write about different things – not love. I got into Hayden and other people's music. Then I went through this break-up. I went to a friend who said “Instead of fighting it, why don't you do it on purpose, write love songs and make an album about it?”. This is more about the journey than just a break-up album for me.

Jade: Yeah, when I was listening to the album, I felt like I was walking a path with you, because I could relate to what you were singing about.

David: Thanks. That was my intention.

Jade: One of the many people who follow my blogs sent me a question to ask you – what is the Topless Gay Love Tekno Party about?

David: Alright! This is such a joy for me. It's a band that I play in that's totally crazy, it's a great release for me and it's garage synth dance music! I wear a full body spandex suit (laughter). It's all performance based. The music is great too. Michael Schindler and Donne Torr started this about a year ago, looking for musicians to play bass and drums … so they recruited myself and the former drummer for Hey Ocean! Benny Schutze. We just played a show this past Saturday – and that was nuts! It was totally packed, I was playing bass lying on my back in the middle of the floor with the crowd around me ... and I'm wearing spandex pants, no shirt and space boots … (lots of laughter)...the lyrics to the songs are so over the top and it just goes....(more laughter), we also did crowd surfing and the place was packed! (The Media Club). This is why I do music – this is how I express myself and exist. Hey Ocean! is about musicianship and writing music and progressing as a band; my own music is about expressing things that I feel, and with Topless, it's about release; getting crazy and having fun. Different outlets to express different things all within the realm of music. When you tour for 5 years of serious music you just need to blow off steam. I just love it all.

Jade: What personal goals have you accomplished this year and what goals are you setting for yourself for the next year? I know some musicians don't set goals...

David: Actually I do set goals. Before last year I wanted to record 4 albums. And I've done 3. I did mine, I'm in the process of recording with Hey Ocean! (which should be done this winter) and recorded with Topless. And I'm happy with that. As for goals for this upcoming year, I'd like to do a lot more producing.

David Vertesi and David Joseph (By Divine Right) perform songs from Cardiography. Photo by Jade Sperry.

Jade: Do you like producing better than playing the music?

David: Producing is just totally different. I love to produce. Translating music into a recorded form is just a beautiful art form. With Hey Ocean! I've gotten to work with bigger name producers and I've learned a lot. Doing more mainstream producing as well as independent producing – I mean, I recorded my album in a barn out in the woods with Jose, living with his family … it was crazy and I definitely learned a LOT. I feel like I have a lot to bring to the table and I love music. With this record, my goal was to introduce myself to the industry. I've been around, I've done a lot, but because I'm the bass player in a band with an amazing vocalist (Ashleigh Ball), I tend to get overlooked. I'm an integral part of the musical process of Hey Ocean!. I just wanted my voice out there telling people where I'm coming from.

Jade: How was the whole recording process with Jose Miguel Contreras (By Divine Right), and how was sharing producing credits?

David: I loved it. I never could have done this without Jose. I really couldn't afford to go to Toronto but I decided in the end to do this with Jose. There are a few producers in Vancouver, but I just couldn't see myself doing this with anyone else. We have great chemistry and there is a dynamic element there between us that I liked. He's someone who believes in the “experience” of recording which translates to the record. I needed someone whose palate I trusted but at the same time who wasn't going to force anything on me. I like to experiment and feel my way through the music and I wanted someone to guide me and bring that side of me out. Enhancing that experience! There is so much on the record that is recorded weirdly. I play drums on the record – and I don't play drums at all. I took a kick drum and propped it up …then I took a snare drum in one hand and a rubber mallet in the other hand and I just went for it! You don't hear any cymbals on the record except for two songs. And that was me later just adding the cymbals in. I don't know of any other producers that put up with that kind of thing. Jose is always talking about the “vibe” and he also gets into the idea of “it sounds like something”. He's a very positive and supportive man. He is an underrated talented man. And he has so much patience!

Jade: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard of you or the bands you're in?

David: It's very personal music. I like the term “new-folk”, modern folk music, not based in roots. Music for the people. I use synths in an organic way, not a “Devo” way. Adian Knight has that same kind of music. New modern indie folk.....

Jade: What's your take on the Vancouver music scene in general?

David: I think it's a weird place because it's so removed from the rest of country. You have to drive a while to get somewhere to play a show. In Ontario it's not so removed. So that element makes Vancouver interesting. I personally feel that there is a vibrant scene here. It's an amazing scene and it's growing. I like watching it grow. I had a conversation with Ryan (vocalist/guitarist for Mother Mother) and drinking wine and playing songs and going to see his band at The Marine Club … and playing at The Fairview with Dan Mangan. And looking at these bands and people now....wow. It's amazing. There is so many great young bands like We Are The City and The Zolas … people don't realize how young these guys are! Said The Whale have only been on the scene about 3 years! So yeah in the next 5 years … who knows where it could go? We could be the new Montreal … well maybe not so much Montreal but …

Jade: You know, it's funny you say that but a few years ago, I interviewed Patrick Krief (The Dears, Black Diamond Bay) who said that Montreal and Vancouver have a common musical link ….

David: He's right. I think there's also an element of commonality between Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. We are the third largest city in Canada behind Toronto and Montreal. One thing is that there is a sound here just like in Montreal and Toronto which is just blossoming right now. The only problem is that there is no support structure for young bands starting. It just isn't there. Art groups focus on artists, not music. Factor is federal funding which can be difficult to obtain. Factor is based in Ontario and there could be a bias there for other bands in other provinces. In BC there should be a fund of some kind to support regional artists to become national artists. I think one of the worst things in not having all ages venues. Kids in bands have no where to play. Oscar Wroz in Kamloops let us stay at his house after Hannah and I had played in a music school that was weirdly shaped. Lots of people came, Colleen Brown, Hannah Georgas and I played then Oscar's band played. Then we went back to his Dad's house and there were rooms for all of us.....he shouldn't have had to do that, there should be something else in place to support what Oscar did. There are just so many ways to do things...

Jade: You're very passionate about this....

David: Yes! I truly believe in this.

Jade: If you ever need help with this I would like to help out.

David: Thanks, I think I'll take you up on that.

Jade: Yeah, I will publicize this for you big time! (laughter)

David: Cool.

Jade: What motivates/inspires/drives you to create music?

David: I've been making music since I was really young. My family is very musical. I took singing lessons until my voice changed when I was about 12. I was in the choir in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat” with Donny Osmond! I was Pink, that was my colour, Pink. Then, I wanted to be a hockey player at some point. I never thought about making music. At all. My mom taught me the ukulele when I was eight or nine. Shredding on uke! Then I tried to play guitar and I just couldn't get it. So I gave up. Then my older brother started playing guitar and that was it. I had to learn the guitar. It was that little brother thing. If he could do it, I could too. I wanted to impress girls with my guitar skills. I was in Sooke that summer and my brother taught me Pink Floyd's “Wish You Were Here”, and within 2 months I was writing like crazy! I started grade eight that year. My parents were always supportive of my music, but wanted me to stay in school. I went to Mount Allison and was in a band and did fund raisers for Cancer. I left after 2 years, came home and met David and Ashleigh and the rest is history. I thought I was just going to work in the Industry and thought that I wasn't good enough to work in music with a band. Inspirations have changed over time. It started with girls...

Jade: (lol) It usually does with most men.

David: Yeah. Well the album is about girls....and other things....

Jade: I heard that! (laughter)

David: Thanks for doing this Jade.

Jade: You're welcome. And thank you for this interview. I know a lot of people are really excited about this. They want to see what music you do outside of Hey Ocean!.

David: I just hope people check out the record, come to the shows and HEAR the music, not just listen to it.

Video courtesy of From the Garage. Thanks Brad!

New Video: Jody Glenham - Buttons

2010-10-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

I've been impressed for awhile now by the voice of Vancouver's Jody Glenham. As far as I know this is her first video though - if you like it check out jodyglenham.com for more:

Buttons - Jody Glenham from Jody Glenham on Vimeo.

Basia Bulat, Luke Doucet & K-OS lead a great week on Canada Live next week

2010-10-23T13:11:00.000-07:00

This is the weekly thing where I tell you what's coming up on Canada Live, or rather I pass it along. Every weeknight Canada Live on CBC Radio 2 brings you live concerts recorded all over Canada. Someone at Radio 2 passes the list on to me, and I pass it on to you.

Monday, October 25, 2010
BreakoutWest/Western Canada Music Awards -- guest hosted by CBC Radio 3's Grant Lawrence
recorded at multiple venues over the weekend in Kelowna. B.C.
From October 21-24, up and coming bands and musical veterans from all over the west are gathering in Kelowna for the BreakOut West Festival and the Western Canadian Music Awards. From club concerts downtown to the awards gala on Sunday night, Canada Live will bring you the best of the festival weekend in a special broadcast on Monday evening. Up for awards - and appearing on the gala stage - are Corb Lund, Bif Naked, Shane Yellowbird, Doc Walker, and more. Catch it all on Canada Live, while the applause is still echoing around the Okanagan Valley.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
concert 1: Basia Bulat
recorded at St. James Hall in Vancouver, BC
She wowed her audience at the Vancouver Folk Festival last summer and with this return visit Basia Bulat proved it wasn't a fluke. St. James is a cozy little old church in residential Vancouver that gives concerts a special intimacy hard to find elsewhere, and Basia made the most of that with her audience. Folk music is alive and well and this is what it sounds like today.
concert 2: "Bird in the Bush": Songs of Seduction and Courtship, featuring Anita Best, Eliza Carthy, Archie Fisher, and John Roberts
recorded at the Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival in St. John's, Newfoundland
Trading on the old expression "A Bird in the Hand," this set from the 2010 Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival brought together four fabulous tradition singers - characters all - to share songs of seduction and courtship. Under the big top canvas tent in the middle of Bannerman Park in the heart of St. John's the assembled were treated to songs of love (alas, mainly unrequited) from the English, Scottish and Newfoundland folk song traditions. Newfoundland's reigning queen of traditional music, Anita Best, leads a group of international troubadours that include Scottish balladeer Archie Fisher, England's renowned singer and fiddler Eliza Carthy and the US-based, England-raised concertina player and folk song collector John Roberts. If you love a good song and a good laugh you'll love this session.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
concert 1: He Said She Said
recorded at Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club as part of the 2010 TD International Jazz Winnipeg Festival
Musicians Sue Foley and Peter Karp first met at the Ottawa Blues Festival. They went their separate ways for the next year, performing with their own bands, all the while writing each other letters, sharing their thoughts and feelings about touring, about writing, about music, and about each other. Then they met again and decided to turn their correspondence into song. The result is a very special and intimate body of work, covering all aspects of their relationship, making for a show that is rich, romantic, unique and moving.
concert 2: Bia and Yves Desrosiers
In this recording, two longtime musical partners, Bia and Yves Desrosiers, are united on the L'Astral stage in Montreal, as part of this year's Francofolies de Montreal Festival. Bia,, who currently divides her time between France and Quebec, was born in Brazil during the years of the military dictatorship. At that time her parents were forced into exile and so the family moved to Chile, Peru and finally Portugal. It was in these foreign countries where Bia absorbed much of the Latin rhythms that would play such a huge role in her own music. While traveling as a young woman in France , she decided to immerse herself in that culture as well and found a welcoming audience in Quebec where she often tours. In 2005 she released Coeur Vagabond, which earned her Juno and Felix award nominations. She's currently working on her new record, Nocturno. For this concert she has teamed up with Quebec guitarist/and co-writer Yves Desrosiers, a Montreal-based guitarist and producer who also sings on a couple of songs in this show.

Thursday, October 28, 2010
concert 1: K-os
recorded at The Opera House in Toronto
K-os was born Kevin Brereton, and grew up in arguably the most polyglot and multi-cultural city on the planet: Toronto. And he's quite vocal about not belonging to any one genre - he belongs to them all. Says K-os: "I'm a historical opportunist who's grown up on everything from Dylan to Marley to KRS-One... I've never seen myself as just a hip hop artist." K-os explores many of those genres while performing old and new tunes from his four studio albums in front of a wildly enthusiastic crowd at The Opera House in Toronto. This concert was part of Canadian Music Week 2010.

Friday, October 29, 2010
concert 1: Keith Hallett
recorded at the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion in Sydney, Nova Scotia during the 2010 East Coast Music Awards showcase
Keith is a young blues guitarist with a very bright future ahead. He's been playing since he was a teen but now at the ripe old age of 20 - he's ready to take off. He's been influenced by all the great blues players and is already carving out his own distinctive and exciting style. This concert was recorded as part of the 2010 ECMA showcases in Sydney Nova Scotia - sort of like a cattle call with each act getting 30 minutes to impress the audience and music buyers. In Keith's case, he won the crowd over right away!
concert 2: Luke Doucet
recorded at the Yale Hotel in Vancouver, BC
Luke Doucet is one of those rare performers who can be heard on CBC Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3. The universal appeal of his music also makes him an in-demand session player and key member of the touring groups of the likes of Sarah McLachlan and more recently as a guest guitarist with Blue Rodeo. In September, Luke released his 6th solo album, Steel City Trawler. At this concert, Luke was joined by his 14-year old daughter, Chloe. Luke is a passionate advocate for music education for children, and he has been selected as the 2011-12 songwriter for the national music education initiative known as Music Monday.

CBC Radio 1 broadcast, Fridays at 2:05 PM
Friday, October 29, 2010 on CBC Radio 1
concert 1: The Great Canadian Song Quest 2010 gala concert -- part 1 (note: part 2 to air on Friday, November 5)
recorded at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto
This year, the Great Canadian Song Quest focused on the road song. Canadians chose the roads, the 13 Song Quest artists from across the country wrote the new songs and everyone was brought together for an evening at Toronto's Glenn Gould Studio to celebrate the Canadian Road Song. Jully Black sings the praises of a Toronto neighbourhood street in "At the Roncies", while Hannah Georgas takes her inspiration from a steep stretch of British Columbia highway in her new song called "Drive." Corb Lund, Keri Latimer, Jason Plumb and Chris Kirby all perform their own new songs, plus give us their take on some Canadian road classics like "Long May You Run" and "Carefree Highway." Rounding out the evening are Song Quest artists Coeur de Pirate, Thom Swift, Brandon Isaak, Leela Gilday, Madeleine Allakariallak, Two Hours Traffic, and Hopeful Monster. The Great Canadian Song Quest gala concert: for one night, all roads meet in Toronto.

Canada Live podcast, released on Fridays
Friday, October 29, 2010 on the Canada Live podcast
Luke Doucet
recorded at the Yale Hotel in Vancouver, BC
Luke Doucet is one of those rare performers who can be heard on CBC Radio 1, Radio 2, and Radio 3. The universal appeal of his music also makes him an in-demand session player and key member of the touring groups of the likes of Sarah McLachlan and more recently as a guest guitarist with Blue Rodeo. In September, Luke released his 6th solo album, Steel City Trawler. At this concert, Luke was joined by his 14-year old daughter, Chloe. Luke is a passionate advocate for music education for children, and he has been selected as the 2011-12 songwriter for the national music education initiative known as Music Monday.

Abandon All Ships Casting Call

2010-10-21T16:01:00.001-07:00

Underground Operations has posted a casting call for the new Abandon All Ships music video. Its been released that "The theme is dark, twisted and dirty...think fight club meets snatch...but sexier". The video shoot for these Much Music Disband winners is early morning (7am) on Tuesday October 26th at a currently undisclosed Toronto location. Everyone is welcome but in order to help with logistics attendees are requested to e-mail their full legal name, age, phone number, and email address to [email protected]

If you're interested more information can be found on the Facebook event here.

Erin Costello, Jesse Cook, the Barenaked Ladies & more this week on Canada Live

2010-10-18T10:02:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 18, 2010
concert 1: Erin Costelo with the Blue Engine String Quartet
recorded at The Sir James Dunn Theatre in Halifax
Erin Costelo grew up listening to a lot of popular music, practicing Bach and Chopin, and playing woodwinds in the school band. She studied jazz at St. Francis Xavier University and composition at North Texas State. Despite all the jazz and classical training, songwriting seems to have won out and Erin has been writing, recording and touring for the past few years. Her songs are richly layered piano-driven compositions with lyrics often as searing as they are sweet, sung by her unique baritone voice. For this concert she arranged some of her songs for piano, vocal and string quartet -- not your average singer/songwriter!
concert 2: Ross Taggart with Darren Radtke
recorded at the Jazz Cellar in Vancouver
You may know Ross Taggart as a sax man, but he plays a fine piano as well. For this concert, he teams up with another great Vancouver jazz musician - bassist, Darren Radtke. Charming, sparkling jazz by two musicians in carefree synchronicity. A real treat from MusicFest Vancouver at The Jazz Cellar.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
concert 1: Jesse Cook
recorded at the Epcor Centre's Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary
Jesse Cook is a phenomenal Canadian guitarist who has traveled the world absorbing music of other cultures. All you have to do is look at the titles of some of the songs he performs in this concert to see that broad range of influence: "Baghdad," "Havana," and "Bogota by Bus." His music has a broad appeal and you'll find his hits on smooth jazz, new age and world music charts. He's generous with his fans, even answering questions during his live shows. All he asks is for the audience to get up and dance and make it a rumba party!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010
concert 1: John Reischman and the Jaybirds
recorded in John Lawson Park as part of West Vancouver's Harmony Arts Festival
John Reischman is considered one of the world's top mandolin players. Since moving to Vancouver from the San Francisco Bay area, John has assembled a handpicked band called the Jaybirds. This highly respected ensemble plays unpretentious, straight-ahead bluegrass that flows out of the deep current of this beloved North American roots music tradition.
concert 2: Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party
recorded at Kenosee Lake in southern Saskatchewan
Welcome to the Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party! This annual summer event invites everyone to come enjoy the fun, conversation, traditional music and dance, whether it's a jig, reel, waltz or new tune. The Kenosee Lake Kitchen Party's main objective is "Music as Fun for Life!' The goal is to imitate any kitchen party where musicians, friends and family gather to share a song - only this time it's a little bigger. The idyllic camp setting is in Moose Mountain Provincial Park nestled in the southeast corner of Saskatchewan. The music making simply never stops from the crack of dawn until late into the night. During the day there are workshops and non-stop jamming sessions with musicians of all ages. The evenings are topped off with outdoor public concerts performed by master fiddlers, guitarists, banjo, bass and keyboardists from across Canada. They perform in a variety of traditions, including Irish, old time, Métis, French-Canadian, and down east styles, among others. This show includes fiddle performances by Nova Scotia's Gordon Stobbe and Mairi Rankin, Quebec's Stephanie Labbé, Donna Turk from Calgary, and Karrnnel from Saskatchewan. Other artists include Saskatchewan guitarist Ray Bell and Winnipeg's Daniel Koulack on banjo & bass. Pull out your lawn chair, put on your sunglasses, turn up your radio and let the party begin!

Thursday, October 21, 2010
concert 1: Barenaked Ladies
recorded at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton
The Barenaked Ladies begin a new chapter with the release of the CD All in Good Time and a world tour...their first without co-frontman Steven Page. The other main songwriter and singer, Ed Robertson, remains at centre stage, but the BNL are a tight band of brothers, and prove this unit still works, and plays, very well together. The crowd at Edmonton's Jubilee Auditorium was vibrating at the chance to see their favourite band, and showed no signs they expected to have 4/5 of a good time.

Friday, October 22, 2010
concert 1: Marie-Pierre Arthur
Singer-songwriter Marie-Pierre Arthur was named Discovery of the Year by Radio-Canada last year. In fact, 2009 was a big year for this brand new solo artist! Three ADISQ nominations, a nod at the Indie Music Awards for Best Francophone Album, and spots on year-end best-of lists in Le Devoir and La Presse. An energetic crowd greeted Marie-Pierre Arthur and her band at the Théâtre Petit Champlain in Quebec City.
concert 2: The Trews
recorded at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg
Rock outfit The Trews pared it down for their cross-Canada tour -- but their unplugged act is no less energetic than what audiences are used to. The band hails from Antigonish, NS and this show was one of the last sold-out shows on a cross-country tour promoting their latest CD "Friends And Total Strangers". The concert casts a different light on the Trews' hit songs and really lets the harmonies come through.

CBC Radio 1 broadcast, Fridays at 2:05 PM
Friday, October 22, 2010 on CBC Radio 1
concert 1: Barenaked Ladies
recorded at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton
The Barenaked Ladies begin a new chapter with the release of the CD All in Good Time and a world tour...their first without co-frontman Steven Page. The other main songwriter and singer, Ed Robertson, remains at centre stage, but the BNL are a tight band of brothers, and prove this unit still works, and plays, very well together. The crowd at Edmonton's Jubilee Auditorium was vibrating at the chance to see their favourite band, and showed no signs they expected to have 4/5 of a good time.

Canada Live podcast, released on Fridays
Friday, October 22, 2010 on the Canada Live podcast
Erin Costelo with the Blue Engine String Quartet
recorded at The Sir James Dunn Theatre in Halifax
Erin Costelo grew up listening to a lot of popular music, practicing Bach and Chopin, and playing woodwinds in the school band. She studied jazz at St. Francis Xavier University and composition at North Texas State. Despite all the jazz and classical training, songwriting seems to have won out and Erin has been writing, recording and touring for the past few years. Her songs are richly layered piano-driven compositions with lyrics often as searing as they are sweet, sung by her unique baritone voice. For this concert she arranged some of her songs for piano, vocal and string quartet -- not your average singer/songwriter!

Spotlight: Hot Panda

2010-10-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

It's strange for me to be writing the spotlight for Hot Panda. I can't really do a review, there's a bit of a conflict of interest. I do their official website. It will tell you something about how I feel about them though that I do their web site for free, because I like them and because they asked.

Without an actual review I can tell you that the album takes it's name from a book found in a thrift store on tour. "How Come I'm Dead" is not so much a reference to actual death as it is a reference to separation, life on the road and long distance relationships. While apart from those you love you get daily updates (via Facebook and Twitter) on what is going on in their lives. So, ghostlike, you can observe but not participate.

The album was recorded by John Collins and David Carswell of JC/DC Studios (the New Pornographers, Destroyer, Tegan and Sara) in less than a week, largely live off the floor, in the midst of the Vancouver Olympics. I'm personally a big fan of 'live off the floor' recording. A good live show is usually my introduction to bands that I like and the closer the recording can get to the feeling of that live show, the better. I also think, among those without a good home studio, that live off the floor is going to become a more and more popular option.

In addition to going out and buying the album, you should get in on the Hot Panda remix contest and follow along on their tour blog.

David Vertesi Show Review - The Media Club, Vancouver BC

2010-10-17T11:05:00.000-07:00

Show Review – David Vertesi

The Media Club, Vancouver BC

Friday October 15, 2010

by Jade Sperry

JadedPhotography

It was a cool night here in Vancouver as my friend Denis and I made our way to The Media Club to check out 3 Canadian bands – David Vertesi of the brilliant indie band Hey Ocean! whose debut solo CD Cardiography is set to be released on October 26, Vancouver band Run River and Edmonton artist Northcote (formerly of Means and The Emerson Letters) who debut EP Borrowed Chords, Tired Eyes has done well in Canada.

I was there specifically to cover David Vertesi's show and although we arrived a bit late, the club was in fine form with many people there for David's show. Shortly after getting a beer and drinking that down, David started his 45 minute set with “Gentlemen Say” which is the second song on his upcoming CD. As I began taking photos of him onstage, I noticed that the 100+ people were really into his songs from the first notes he strummed on his acoustic guitar. About 50 people began approaching the stage and sat down on the floor to enjoy themselves and listen to some fine music.

David Vertesi (left) and David Joseph (right) from The Media Club. Photo by Jade Sperry.

To start with, David is very musically inclined and really knows how to tell a story within a song. At times, the crowd clapped and got into the songs, but at all times people were listening to the songs. That is a high compliment from any crowd. He was joined onstage with a keytar and David Joseph (from By Divine Right) to accompany him with his songs. Every song was performed well and these two guys played flawlessly together. David's storytelling within a song really reminded me of three artists whose elements I find in David's music, especially live – Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Sid Barrett (of the early incarnation of Pink Floyd). With his deep baritone voice, David could mesmerize anyone. He sang “Mountainside” and “Jolene” with the raw emotions of pain and confusion and powerful vocals mixed into the songs. David ended his set with the song “All Night All Night All Night” which got a loud round of applause, whistles and shouting from the crowd. I managed to capture that final song on video which turned out very well. With that brilliant start to the night by David, the stage was set for the other two bands performing.

David Vertesi plays to the crowd at The Media Club Friday October 15, 2010. Photo by Jade Sperry.

Vancouver band Run River came onstage afterwards. I wasn't familiar with their music, but I really enjoyed their songs and how they performed generally speaking. In many of their melodies and some chord structures, they remind me of Radiohead but with their own stamp on it. I did manage to get up and dance a bit and had some fun.

Northcote was the last and headlining artist on the bill and although I'm not familiar with Americana Folk/Roots music, I totally enjoyed his full sound with other musicians backing him from the previous band Run River. I thought they all played well together, and for this writer, I enjoyed the fact that different band members played with other musicians on the same bill. That is the spirit of the independent music in a vibrant scene such as Vancouver.

As I left the venue, I had and still have the vague feeling that something is brewing out here in the city of Vancouver, musically speaking. And I will wait and see if that feeling comes to fruition in the near future.

Interview with...Jeremy Allingham from Vancouver band Like A Martyr

2010-10-12T15:04:00.000-07:00

Like A Martyr

Interview with singer/songwriter Jeremy Allingham

by Jade Sperry

JadedPhotography

On a bright Friday morning, I met up with Jeremy at an East Vancouver location that I used to live nearby. I had forgotten how good the sweet East Indian coffees are in this place. Jeremy was the only customer in the place at the time I arrived, but as we talked about the album that Jeremy's band Like A Martyr has just released, As Long As You Don't Get Caught, the place was full of customers in no time.

Here is how the interview went in a question and answer format.

Jeremy with drummer Alex Glassford in the back live @ The Media Club. Photo by Jade Sperry.

Jade: How did the song “Calloused Hand By Calloused Hand” come about?

Jeremy: This song was written with one of our old drummers in a jam space called Alley Cat Music on Clark Street. Ben (Henthorne, lead guitar) came in with the opening riff idea and that was it. We knew it was going to be solid pretty quickly and within 20 minutes the music was done. We built it off that one riff. Strong melody, good chorus, and the insistent drum beat. Kind of a dark song but it has the juxtaposition of that uplifting chorus. That's why I like it.

Jade: What about the song “Rock and Roll Made Me Do It”, who came up with the groove for that?

Jeremy: I actually wrote this. When I write a riff, I feel like I have a bit of leeway to go further with the arrangement because I do write most of the melodies and the lyrics. This song was pretty much fully done except for the backing vocals. Matt (Denny-Keys, bass) and Ben are absolute ace singers - technically better than me. They just know what the harmony is and how to vocally pull it out. We had all the lyrics and the riff and once that drum beat and the pickup with the vocal were added, it just cooked. And then the three part harmony and the chorus came, what a gearshift! Based on jamming this song, we really liked it.

Jade: In the last year, what personal goals has the band as a whole achieved?

Jeremy: Well, with being in a “DIY” band as it's called now, just to be able to make a record is a herculean effort. It's so much work on everyone's part. As a person who drives the band in a large way from some clerical/administrative work (with the record label folks) to recording the vinyl, pressing it and getting it out there – this was our goal; to make a really good rock and roll record that people enjoy. And being able to talk about it with people such as yourself makes it a reality. We've also done a couple of mini tours up in the interior of BC. We definitely want to tour more. We were also in the CFOX Seeds competition with a goal to play live for the CFOX folks because our music isn't really geared for FM or any radio play the way it is in Vancouver. We have a really big live feel to our music which can be lost in compressing the songs for radio play. We recorded As Long As You Don't Get Caught live off the floor. Most bands can't do that in this day and age of ultra pre and post production. Our engineer/mixer Marcel (Rambo at K&M Studios) went for a Glynn Johns/ACDC feel to it and I think it worked out really well. Four dudes in a room giving it all they’ve got.

Jade: Having discussed past goals over the last year that the band has achieved, what goals are the band setting now to work towards over the upcoming year?

Jeremy: One crucial thing that we do need right now is a good manager. We're good at what we do, we have great support from our indie label (Fantasy Ranch Records) and other people who support us, but, we lack connections. An agent and/or manager would be a huge and welcome help to us in where we see ourselves going. We would love to get great reviews, tour more regularly and to be better known as the band we are here in the Vancouver scene as well as anywhere else. We want to play live for everyone. We just released this album but we have enough material now to do another record which is costly! (lots of laughter) Just to be playing to people who are enjoying the music.

Jade: As a band, what has been the BEST thing that has happened, and what has been the WORST thing that has happened?

Jeremy: Okay, two best things that have happened were The Georgia Straight review which said “we were resurrecting rock”. I was shocked and thought they were joking. I had to read it twice just to make sure they were serious. Very humbling and awesome. The writer had listened to our first album The North on vinyl and then came to see a show and based the review on that. And the second thing was the day the vinyl came in for As Long As You Don't Get Caught. I was flying so high when they arrived! We were all so excited.....we rehearsed, got the vinyls and went to a bar in Gastown called The Diamond which is right across from our jam space. We had one of the happiest band times just saying to ourselves “wow look at what we did”. A lot of arguments, disagreements and strife that went into that album just dissipated with that shiny piece of vinyl.

And the worst thing would be our recent struggles with finding a drummer. We had a drummer named Dom Coletta who is a terrific drummer but we just didn't gel. On the whole, our music is positive and fun and he wasn't having fun. It needed to end and it wasn't bitter at all. We thought we had finally found our drummer but then he got hired to tour with Hail The Villain for 7 months. So we tried to find a “band member” rather than a hired gun. But it just didn't work out. And in the end we found Alex Glassford who came through a friend of mine and he seems to fit in well.

Ben Henthorne, lead guitars live @ The Media Club. Photo by Jade Sperry.

Jade: How does the band see the Corporate Music Industry as it is today?

Jeremy: Well, every one keeps talking about this “transition” period … isn't that done yet? I do find it frustrating because there are still aspects of the old guard in the music industry that completely control access to the market now. We give away albums and give away free downloads to get people interested in our music, our sound, to come to a show, buy merch and drink some beers and tell their friends what that they had a great time. For us, we can't apply for many of the Factor grants because our band doesn't have a distribution deal. That to me is so ass backwards because in a way, distribution doesn't mean anything anymore apart from a marketing presence in record stores. A good example of this is on CD Baby. We sold a copy of each one of our albums to a guy in Denmark. Does this not count as distribution? People around the globe can buy this record. That is distribution. In that realm, there can be too many contradictions and it is confusing.

Jade: How do you as a band feel that you have control over how your music reaches the fans?

Jeremy: As far as control, I think you have to let it go at this point in the game. If it reaches anyone that is a success. It doesn't matter how it gets to a fan. The music is your leaping point for sales. This prompts fans to come and see you play, buy the vinyl, talk about your band to their friends...I don't care how it gets there as long as it does.

Jade: How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard the music before?

Jeremy: We play rock and roll with no sub-genres. No emo, screamo, grunge - nothing like that. Straight ahead dirty sweaty rock and roll. Our influences are ACDC, T-Rex, Thin Lizzy, The White Stripes....we listen to bands like My Morning Jacket, The Faces, CCR, The Kinks.....and it goes on. Mostly classic bands with some modern bands sprinkled in.

Jade: What is it about these bands that have inspired you to do the classic feel to the music?

Jeremy: We all love the classic, raw powerful rock music sound … we love every second of it. Also, in some small way our music is a reaction to what is out there that we don't like. Like backing tracks behind the live show. We play honest rock and roll without any of that shit behind us. Our album has very few overdubs and no massive post production at all. I would like bands to just be honest about who they are, especially live. If you're in the audience watching a band mimic playing their instruments and singing, are you going to know that? Maybe not.

Jade: Who are the primary songwriters in the band? Do you collectively write the songs?

Jeremy: The two people who write the riffs are myself and my cousin Ben. I write most of the melodies and the lyrics. Sometimes Ben comes in with a melody and we work off that. We also write melodies collectively on a vague idea and in 15 minutes we have a song that is killer. On one of the last tunes we wrote, Ben was taking a leak and Matt and I just start playing a riff and Ben walks back in and we have a solid song in 5 minutes. Matt has some great ideas that will be on the next record as well. If it's a good idea, it doesn't matter where it comes from.

Jade: How did you all come up with the band name Like A Martyr?

Jeremy: We struggled with this for a long time. We had some really shitty names. I really like Buck 65 and I'm a big fan…you might even call it a bit of a man crush. I've toned it down though. He is the best Canadian lyricist. He has a song on the Talkin’ Honky Blues LP called “463” and in the second verse he says “like a martyr / I drove myself harder and harder”. And I really fell for that name and passed it on to Ben who really liked it as well. I think in the end, the music affects how people respond to the name, so making that initial choice isn’t quite as dire as it feels right at the beginning.

Jade: What is your opinion of the Vancouver music scene?

Jeremy: If we were where we were five years ago now, it would be really tough because you have to play shows to get good. We were really awful when we first started out. Terrible. But over the last four to five years we’ve practiced endlessly, writing songs, etc., and I think now we’re pretty darn good. With a lot of the live venues shutting down, it isn't too too bad for us because we have connections in certain clubs and venues. When the Bourbon becomes a country bar, Richards gets torn down for condos, it's sad. It would be nice to see a real commitment to live music in the city, but at the same time, I haven’t seen these clubs’ balance sheets. They could be hemorrhaging money for all I know.

Jade: In reading over a bio sent to me on your band, there was a reference to a “Gallagher-esque relationship” (between Ben and Jeremy) which intrigued me. What does this mean?

Jeremy: It refers to the tumultuous nature of our relationship. Neither of us has a brother, we're 5 months apart in age and we are maternal cousins. We’re like brothers; very tight and very close. With that level of comfort comes a level of animosity and of not being afraid to say “shut the fuck up” or “fuck off”. A lot of people around us get very uncomfortable when this happens. We also have extremely stubborn attitudes about how the music should sound. We're not shy about vocalizing it to each other. It's really intense and it can become dangerously unbalanced. We get through it and the music is better for it. It adds to the tension to the music.

Jade: That definitely comes through in the recording and adds an element to the music, a layer that is emotionally hard to get across to the listener.

Jeremy: Exactly.

Jade: How did you like the whole recording process at Factory Studios with Marcel Rambo?

Jeremy: Marcel Rambo engineered and mixed it. He was outstanding, I really enjoyed working with him. You always knew where you stood with him at all times. He was calm, meticulous, patient, detailed, organized … and honestly he fed into my OCD need for detail-oriented work. He was very technically sound. I would work with him again in a heartbeat. The live room is awesome. We were only in there for 5 days, because of cost, but I could have spent 2 months in there.....drinking, writing, drinking, writing.... JJ Golden mastered the record on the recommendation of some of our friends. But initially he compressed it. And we panicked. I finally got him on the phone and told him that we wanted that live sound for vinyl and he understood what we meant and got it on the third try. So it was all a good experience and we learned a lot throughout the process.

At this point, Jeremy and I talked about a few other things, but I want to move on to the show review.

On Friday October 1, my friend Denis and I went to The Media Club to check out Like A Martyr live. I have to say I was excited about hearing the music live in person.

As we arrived in the club, it was half full and The Best Revenge had just started. A 3 piece band that was definitely loud and passionate about their music. Anarchist music was how the frontman described it. They played for about 40 minutes, and then a duo by the name of War Child took the stage to a fairly full club. After one song, the guitarist wanted some technical help. After a few minutes, they went right back into it. The drummer was the rhythm while the guitarist was flavoring the drums. They played tight, well rehearsed songs, and at the end, the guitarist went into the drum kit softly like Kurt Cobain did many years ago in that famous Bleach photograph.

Ben and Jeremy, live @ The Media Club. Photo by Jade Sperry.

This leads up to Like A Martyr. They took the stage and started with “As Long As You Don't Get Caught”. I wanted to immediately put my camera down and start dancing. However, I overcame that urge and started taking pictures. Matt on bass was really working every single note with some stellar riffs that weren't necessarily on the record. From the get-go, I could tell that this band practices a lot and are very tight. New drummer Alex Glassford is a gifted drummer who was playing his first show with this band. He made very minor mistakes that I'm sure no one heard but me. He really added that missing element that Jeremy talked about in our interview. Through the course of the hour plus set, they played every song from their album As Long As You Don't Get Caught, did a killer version of Bob Seger's “Ramblin' Gamblin' Man” and just had fun giving it 100% sweaty rock and roll. The entire time the band was onstage they had high energy and were in total control musically. A few things that stood out for this writer is “Let's Ride” which was performed straight up rock and roll played at high volume and was as fast as bottled moonshine takes to hit your brain. The ballad “7^th and Main” was truly awesome and a slow break in the show which just killed the audience. The last song they did was this writer's favorite song “Worker 684” which was played right on the money – tight and fast with Jeremy's red smoking hot vocals that by now were raw, emotional and manic. Jeremy and Matt's guitar and bass work flowed really well with what Ben and Alex were doing. I saw the birth of a new phase in the band Like A Martyr, and I know it won't be the last. The sweat flew, girls were dancing and guys were drinking. I finally put the camera down at some point and just let the music take over. A truly awesome show that left me wanting more.

Jeremy and Matt playing in a frenzied moment onstage @ The Media Club. Photo by Jade Sperry.

You can find the band on their MYSPACE page which will give you links to cd sale pages, videos and info on the band.

Halifax Pop Explosion 2010: Guide to Free Shows

2010-10-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

We’ve all been there, well maybe not, but most of have been. You love music, but you’re getting your education. Ya gotta be careful with your dough. Well don’t worry, Halifax Pop Explosion won’t break the bank. The price of wristbands is already a steal of a deal. But let’s say you don’t want to spend any money on shows (or you go to bed really early) here are some shows that you should check out. If you go to the free shows, maybe buy a t-shirt or cd, or just give the artist a high five and tell them you dig their tunes. All free shows are all ages.

Tuesday

Who: Long Long Long (8:00pm), DJ James Reid (6:00pm)
Where: Citadel Hotel
Why: Its your boi James Reid, a phrase that is embedded deep in my brain courtesy of Jenocide. DJ James Reid often accompanies her live and does some fun mixing of everything under the sun. Later on in the evening Long Long Long will be playing. Long Long Long is mainly compromised of members of the now defunct band York Redoubt. Their songs are short and sweet. Raw guitar with vocals bringing back a nostalgic feel. They also have a few EPs for free on their bandcamp page.http://longlonglong.bandcamp.com/

Thursday

Who: Forest City Lovers (4:45pm), Cousins (4:00pm), Secret Guest (5:30)
Where: CKDU Lobby
Why: Cousins are a Halifax based duo with that bare bones rock sound. Vocals sort of buried behind the sounds of clashing cymbals and fuzzy guitar. Forest City Lovers are a Toronto folk-pop band with well arranged instrumentation and the classy vocals of Kat Burns complimented with Timothy Burton as well as other band members chipping in on the background vocals. Definitely a must see show.

Friday

Who: Radio Radio (8:00), Random Recipe (7:00), Camaromance (6:00)
Where: Citadel Hotel
Why: If you’re looking for some early evening fun to kick of an amazing night of pop explosion or whatever you are doing on Friday night, make sure you stop by and check out the Bonsound Showcase. Camaromance, the solo project of Montreal’s Martine Groulx, will start things off with some softer singer/songwriter type tunes. Next up will be Random Recipe who will take the energy up a notch as they deliver their hip hop flavoured indie-pop kaleidoscope sounding songs. And can you pass up a chance to see the Polaris short-listed Radio Radio. Just youtube one of their live performances and you’ll see they are a bucket of hilarity with some pretty awesome tunes. Check out our review of their album and interview with them.
Bonus: IT KILLS will be playing at the CKDU lobby at 4:45. They play post-rock style songs that sound very organic and real. Chiming guitars and drum beats that build in intensity, sweeping string arrangements, indistinguishable but anthemic and choral voclas are all elements of this band. IT KILLS will move your soul.

Other free shows:

Wednesday: Bad Vibrations, Cursed Arrows, Secret Guest @ CKDU Lobby. 4:00 start
Thursday: Pat Lepoidevin, Rebekah Higgs @ Citadel Lobby. 6:00 start
Friday: Dance Movie, IT KILLS, Secret Guest @ CKDU Lobby. 4:00 start
Saturday: Kestrels, Gardening, Not Architecture, Heavy Meadows @ Citadel Hotel. 6:00 start.

Full coverage of the festival on http://thebrokenspeaker.com/

Alex Cuba, Great Big Sea, a Bruce Cockburn Tribute & More this week on Canada Live

2010-10-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

Monday, October 11, 2010
concert 1: Le Vent du Nord
recorded at the Place des arts de Cheticamp, Cape Breton Island during the 2009 Celtic Colours International Festival
The 2010 Celtic Colours International Festival is in full swing in villages and towns all across Cape Breton Island with performers from Canada and abroad who share a common Celtic heritage. At last year's festival one of the most popular acts was from Quebec. Canada Live caught up with Le Vent du Nord in the Acadian village of Cheticamp, which was the perfect opportunity to connect the group's interpretations of their Celtic and Breton based music with their Acadian cousins who share a common heritage.
concert 2: Don Ross
recorded at Hugh's Room in Toronto
2009 saw the release of Don's first all-vocal CD, Any Colour. For the past five years, Don has been percolating the idea of recording a vocal record on which he would also play all the instruments. In late 2006, he finally started working on the CD between tours, and wrapped up recording and mixing in early 2009. Much like some of his musical heroes Prince, Steve Winwood and Todd Rundgren, Don has engineered, produced, performed and mixed an album of vocal material that sounds like a tight band...but it's all Don! But tonight we catch Don performing this new material with a hot band in tow. The band is at Hugh's Room, Don's second home, and is made up of Jordan O'Connor on bass, Colleen Allen on sax, Brooke Miller on guitar and vocals and Al Cross on drums.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010
concert 1: Donné Roberts
recorded at the 2010 Ness Creek Music Festival in Big River, Saskatchewan
Donné Roberts is a passionate performer. When he hits the stage he carries with him an energy that immediately exhilarates the crowd - even if they've never heard his music before. Donné sings mainly in Malagasi, his mother tongue from his birthplace of Madagascar. Yet this never proves to be a barrier to the audience, providing living proof that music truly does transcend language. A member of the Juno award-winning collective the African Guitar Summit, Donné has made his home in Toronto for a little over a decade. Prior to that his journeys took him from Madagascar to Moscow with his diplomat parents. He remained there for 20 years before making his way to Canada by way of France. Donné is truly a man of the world - speaking Malagasi, French, Russian, and English. This performance was definitely a highlight at this year's Ness Creek Music Festival. Along with his excellent band mates Donné wowed the Saturday night crowd and got almost everyone up off their blankets and lawn chairs to dance under the beautiful northern skies.
concert 2: e.s.l.
recorded at the 2010 Calgary Folk Music Festival
Marta Jaciubek-McKeever chose e.s.l. as a band name because she was born in Poland and moved to Canada when she was 12 -- so she speaks "English as a second language." Marta teamed up with classically trained cellist Cris Derkson, drummer Joy Mullen, trumpeter Tess Kitchen and fiddler Diona Davies to form a band that plays a wide range of music from traditional Polish tunes to original pop.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010
concert 1: Alex Cuba
recorded at the home of Ed Henderson and Jean Teillet in Vancouver
A few years back when Ed Henderson and Jean Teillet completed a renovation on their early 20th century Craftsman-style home in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant, they were rewarded with a new look and excellent acoustics. What a great bonus for a household that is so into music! Guitarist and singer Alex Cuba was invited to perform as part of a fun and lively kitchen concert called "Kitchen Scratch." He was joined by an amazing house band comprising four members of the Henderson family (Ed, Bill, Saffron, and Camille) with bassist Darren Parris and violinist Cam Wilson. The music was a mix of new and old songs from the musicians who happily squeezed around Ed and Jean's comfy kitchen table. The music, the company, and the resulting atmosphere created by these artists produced a wonderful concert that probably couldn't have happened anywhere else.
concert 2: Pavlo, Rik Emmett, Oscar Lopez
recorded at L'Astral in Montreal:
Three master players collaborate to form an acoustic trio of passionate, fiery guitars. Pavlo, Rik Emmett and Oscar Lopez have each forged brilliant independent careers, garnering awards both at home and internationally and winning the hearts of their respective fans. Their newly released CD, Trifecta, was nominated as the Instrumental Album of The Year at the 2010 Junos . This performance at the new Montreal venue L'Astral captures the warmth and humour of the guys on stage. There are many world influences in the music – Mediterranean, Gypsy swing and Latin - all performed with vitality and conviction. The music they make spans a gamut of emotions from tender, intimate melodies to hot solos - it's no wonder why they are making new fans right across Canada.

Thursday, October 14, 2010
concert 1: Bruce Cockburn Tribute
recorded as part of the 2010 Luminato Festival in Toronto
Bruce Cockburn is one of Canada's finest and most prolific popular musicians. To mark 40 years of achievement since his debut album in 1970, Cockburn is joined on the Massey Hall stage by musical director and long-time collaborator Colin Linden, as well as musical friends: Amelia Curran, Barenaked Ladies, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Buck 65, Hawksley Workman, Jason Fowler, Michael Occhipinti, Sylvia Tyson, and The Wailin' Jennys.

Friday, October 15, 2010
concert 1: Great Big Sea
recorded at Mile One Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland
Great Big Sea was nearing the end of a seven-month international tour when the band hit the stage at Mile One Centre in St. John's. The place went wild as hometown heroes Alan Doyle, Sean McCann, Bob Hallett, and a supporting cast of several thousand crazed Newfoundland republicans ramped up for the best kitchen party on the planet.

CBC Radio 1 broadcast, Fridays at 2:05 PM
Friday, October 15, 2010 on CBC Radio 1
concert 1: Bruce Cockburn Tribute
recorded as part of the 2010 Luminato Festival in Toronto
Bruce Cockburn is one of Canada's finest and most prolific popular musicians. To mark 40 years of achievement since his debut album in 1970, Cockburn is joined on the Massey Hall stage by musical director and long-time collaborator Colin Linden, as well as musical friends: Amelia Curran, Barenaked Ladies, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Buck 65, Hawksley Workman, Jason Fowler, Michael Occhipinti, Sylvia Tyson, and The Wailin' Jennys.

Canada Live podcast, released on Fridays
Friday, October 15, 2010 on the Canada Live podcast
Alex Cuba
recorded at the home of Ed Henderson and Jean Teillet in Vancouver
A few years back when Ed Henderson and Jean Teillet completed a renovation on their early 20th century Craftsman-style home in the Vancouver neighbourhood of Mount Pleasant, they were rewarded with a new look and excellent acoustics. What a great bonus for a household that is so into music! Guitarist and singer Alex Cuba was invited to perform as part of a fun and lively kitchen concert called "Kitchen Scratch." He was joined by an amazing house band comprising four members of the Henderson family (Ed, Bill, Saffron, and Camille) with bassist Darren Parris and violinist Cam Wilson. The music was a mix of new and old songs from the musicians who happily squeezed around Ed and Jean's comfy kitchen table. The music, the company, and the resulting atmosphere created by these artists produced a wonderful concert that probably couldn't have happened anywhere else.

CD review - The Murder Plans - Good Omens

2010-10-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

CD Review - The Murder Plans – Good Omens

Released: September 24, 2010

by Jade Sperry

JadedPhotography

Residing in Canada's capital city of Ottawa ON, The Murder Plans have released their newest offering called Good Omens. The 11-song CD is definitely a well crafted listening pleasure. Starting out with the haunting song “Someday I Won't” which weaves a particular feeling through the listener to set up the rest of the songs that follow. Melancholy, strong and patient are words that best describe this song. In comparing these songs to their 2007 debut EP, this is a much more introspective offering. “Tell A Lie” is a song that is moody, dark and brooding in its melody and chord structure. The music through all songs is at times funky, jazzy, rocking and brooding – just the sort of music you would expect from a band that is emerging into its own style of music. Recorded and mixed by Dean Watson at Gallery Studios (the Soiree, Ana Miura, Jetplanes of Abraham) and mastering done by Phil Bova of Bova Sound (Jason Collett, Zeus, Hiltotrons, Arts & Crafts), the checks and balances are pretty much perfect. Other standout songs are “Hurt Somebody”, “A Minefield” and “Electric Lights” for this writer based on the remarkable seamless melodies and the way the songs make you feel...almost as if the band were in my living room and playing only to me. A job well done!

You can find The Murder Plans at their MYSPACE page which will give you various videos and links to where you can buy this CD as well as vinyl.

The Murder Plans - Good Omens Album release party September 24 2010 @ Elmdale Tavern.

Artist Spotlight: Nadia Von Hahn

2010-10-05T21:51:00.000-07:00

Nadia Von Hahn is on the brink of releasing her debut, Wait And See What Happens, and it seems like she is doing anything but sitting around and waiting. Nadia just completed her first tour of Western Canada and is currently on her CD release tour across the country. The EP was recorded with singer/songwriter and producer Winston (Hannah Georgas, Hey Ocean!) at Vancouver's Fadermaster Studios.

Wait And See What Happens, is a beautifully honest, and brutally emotionally debut. Songs like "This Holy Night" and "The One I Want" are dripping with passionate melancholy that draw you right into her sentiments. Nadia also shows off her sassy nature and musical theater influences in "Love Maker". With a band name like Nadia Von Hahn and the Boy Toys, and Madonna/burlesque inspired outfits, Nadia is more than just another delicate singer/songwriter in a pretty dress.

Last year, Nadia started recording her debut album in Victoria BC, until one night she received a devastating e-mail. Someone had broken into the studio, and the computer was taken. There were no back-ups. Everything was gone, just when it was nearly finished. “More than anything I was in shock, thinking about the time and energy that was lost, special moments in the recordings you just can't re-create. But, eventually, the experience taught me that starting over can be a good thing, and now I'm stronger for it. I'll be releasing a very different album soon, and I pretty much feel ready to take on the world.”

Watch out world.

You can buy tickets to the Vancouver CD release + an advanced copy of the album on Hip City's website.

Download the single "Love Maker"

Tour dates:
10/06 Toronto, ON @ The Garrison
10/07 Sarnia, ON @ Paddy Flaherty's
10/08 London, ON @ Blackshire Pub
10/09 Ottawa, ON @ Zaphod Beeblebrox
10/10 Kington, ON @ The Mansion
10/13 Sault Ste. Marie @ Bottoms Up Lounge
10/14 Thunder Bay, ON @ Kilroy's
10/15 Winnipeg, MB @ The Central
10/16 Mosse Jaw, SK @ 23 Main St.
10/18 Lethbridge, AB @ The Slice
10/19 Calgary, AB @ Dickens Pub
10/20 Edmonton, AB @ Axis Cafe
10/25 Victoria, BC @ Fort Cafe
10/26 Vancouver, BC @ Media Club (official album release)
10/30 Kelowna, BC @ Streaming Cafe

"This Holy Night" video, directed by Christopher Fisher

Links:
http://www.myspace.com/nadiavonhahn
http://twitter.com/nadiavonhahn
http://www.facebook.com/nadiavonhahn
http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Nadia-von-Hahn

Interview: The Mountains & The Trees

2010-10-04T10:39:00.000-07:00

The Broken Speaker caught up with Jon Janes late in August before a show in Halifax to discuss his latest global endeavors, discuss his latest album “I Made This For You” and other things. He will be performing at Halifax Pop Explosion on Saturday October 23 along with IT KILLS, Boats, and Ghettosocks as partof the Herohill Showcase. He is on at 9:00pm at the Company House for $10. If you enjoy folk music, singer songwriters, and earnest musicians be sure to check this show out.

What was the inspiration behind the name The Mountains & The Trees?

The idea behind The Mountains & The Trees is that even though it is just me I often have lots of people who join me on stage and on the recordings. I don’t ever want to turn down a show if I really want to do it. So I decided instead of going under the name Jon Janes i wanted to go under a stage name/band name and The Mountains & The Trees sounded kind of fitting, especially considering where I grew up. Now I never have to say “this is Jon Janes featuring so and so and so and so. This is The Mountains & The Trees.” It could be anywhere from one to eight people.

What did you learn from the recording process of your latest album I Made This For You?

It was my first time being in a professional studio working with a lot of other people. Time is money. Always. Thats a big part of it. I learned that not everything has to be perfect even if it is done in the studio. Sometimes leaving in the little mistakes are some of the best parts of the recordings.

What was that moment where you gained more attention in the Canadian music scene.

It was definitely TIFF. It was the CBC radio 3 broadcast concert at TIFF. And Radio 3’s constant support. I mean even just a week before [TIFF] Grant Lawrence put me on his podcast and said “its my favourite new Canadian singer songwriter. I still get people approaching me in the UK talking about that.

Are there any themes or ideas you tried to convey through the album?

I definitely talk about traveling a lot in my music. The idea of traveling and moving around. Its kind of what I hope is relatable music. I’m not singing about all too specific instances although some of the songs are derived from specific instances. I treat it almost like a storytelling songwriting. I grew up on Dylan and Steve Earle. I’m writing more about each song as a story in itself.

How have you used social networking platforms (twitter, facebook, myspace) to connect with your fans?

It’s how I connect with a lot of people. A lot of those people I’ve gone on to know in real life. “IRL” (followed by laughter) On this past Canadian tour I stayed with. for almost the entire tour, Radio 3 listeners who knew me through my blog posts on the website let alone my music. Sometimes, especially when you come from an isolated area like Newfoundland where its really hard to get off the island and tour, you use what you have to. I don’t think it necessarily hurts artists who don’t use it all the time. For me it’s my way of connecting with people, especially when I do a lot of touring by myself.

What was it like touring the UK?

It was really really nice. It was definitely a bit mind boggling at first, especially considering I hadn’t been over there in years and never went over there in this capacity or traveled this much. I had to learn how to drive less than 24 hours after touching down on the other side of the rode and that sort of stuff. Once I got it down it was like driving around Canada. I drank a lot of Starbucks because they have a Starbucks everywhere over there. Mcdonalds was a great source of wifi. I would often stand outside of Mcdonalds and get on my ipod touch to get wifi.

The big difference is they would often tell me “I’m really sorry you have a long day of driving today.” I was like “what do you mean” and they would say “Liverpool is 4 hours away” I replied “Really, only 4 hours away. Sweet!”

Any good tour stories?

We went up to Inverness in Scotland and played a show as part of Go North Festival and I ended up hanging out with another Canadian band Woodhands which was really nice. I met a lot of Canadian bands abroad. I met more abroad than I would in Newfoundland.

(editors note: After the show later that day he told me a fantastic story about playing at a hippy commune in Germany. If you see him at Pop Explosion be sure to ask him about it)

What were your tricks for surviving a cross Canada tour?

Lots of music in the car. Having a great long distance plan to keep in touch with people. I did do it mostly by myself. The other band had their own van. Knowing when to sort of push for a little extra time off. I got to Vancouver a day before a show out there and I took a couple extra days off out there because I knew I wanted to meet a lot of people. Having priorities and knowing when to take that extra little time off, when to relax, when to take it slow. Obviously staying with people across canada saved the tour for me. If I had to stay in a hotel every night that would have been the end of The Mountains & The Trees.

What albums helped you get across canada? Which artist/albums have you been listening to recently?

Nice, Nice, Very Nice (by Dan Mangan), a lot of Hayden albums, Basia Bulat, and Great Lake Swimmers. I would trade albums with bands we had played with on the road. It was funny at some points people would come up to me after shows and say they like my music and they were like Ii’m a musician here is my CD, have a listen, tell me what you think.” Am I really that guy now? I totally remember doing this to musicians. Have I really hit that point? Zachary Lucky has been a big favourite of mine as of late.

First album you bought with your own money?

My grandmother drove me to the store because I was forbidden from buying this album. I went in and I bought Nirvana’s Nevermind with my own money. I hid it under my mattress and would only listen to it when they left the house. Which is way better [than my first album], because I think the first album they may have bought me might have been the Free Willy soundtrack.

What was the first instrument that you played?

Drums. I was a drummer for 14 years. I started learning how to play guitar. I won a photography contest when I was in university because i did a photography degree and then I won $1500. I used a portion of it to buy my first banjo. It went from that, and now I have a ukulele, piano, accordion, glockenspiel, melodica, and you saw me attempting to play violin.

People should check out Which artist/albums have you been listening to recently? because….

….its a reciprocal relationship. the more people that come out to shows and that support the music, the more music that gets to be made in the end and released. its sort of like if you come out and support me then i’ll have the resources to go out and make more music to give back to you. i often do things like giving out songs around the holidays for free or every once in a while give out a download code whoever uses it first. its a reciprocal thing. i would never want to force someone to come out and see me if you don’t want to. but for those who do, i am quite thankful.

Full Halifax Pop Explosion lineup

The Halifax Pop Explosion will be previewed and reviewed on The Broken Speaker all month long.

Album Review: Scott Dunbar- Philosophies of a Moth Vol.3

2010-10-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

We all have opinions on a lot of important issues and sometimes we just need a soap-box to stand on so they can be heard. Scott Dunbar's soap-box is his music. Dunbar, a Vancouver native is about to release a double CD full of his charismatic and unique music. Dunbar creates clever instrumentals using what he calls a one man band with either his guitar or accordion in hand, and percussion at his feet. However; the greatest strength of this album is the lyricism. Dunbar delivers powerful, radical and important messages on issues including political ideologies, sustainability, and industrialization. His outspoken nature on this album creates songs which will leave you full of questions about the world. If you give a shit about current global issues, you should listen to this album. Although a word of caution, only listen to the album if you are ready for a strong dose of reality.

The style of Dunbar's voice is both powerful and full of so much passion. He sings with a really in your face blues style. If Propaghandi made music with Dan Mangan, it would sound something like this hard hitting, face paced record. Dunbar Started out as a street busker and gained popularity on YouTube with his Michael Jackson covers. He is now gaining momentum with this new release of the double CD. It has 24 tracks total All of which were recorded within the time-frame of one week. An ambitious project to say the least but the album still produces clever tracks with their own distinct sound. The album is released in a modest case with clever album art to say the least. The two discs come in a pocket fashioned out of re-used cloth material. It is Sustainable, original, and just plain cool. Not to mention he also provides the chords to his songs in the included booklet with lyrics. A good way to have listeners pass the message along by learning to play some of their favorite tracks. Dunbar continues to role model sustainability with his percussion. He uses rusty chains, old pots and his suitcase kick drum. Dunbar transcends social justice and completely spews, modern day activist. Releasing this album completely independently with no record label or deal, he just aims to have his message heard. It is refreshing to listen to an artist who has a clear motive with their work. This album will make you think.

Scott Dunbar's Myspace

Seaside Mic Check

Book Review- The Top 100 Canadian Singles

2010-10-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

In 2007 Bob Merserau released a national bestseller: "The top 100 Canadian Albums". It got so much attention it was ridiculous. The 2007 collection was the pinnacle of most of my arguments that year. I was worried to hear a new collection like it was to be released. However, in the opening pages of Meserau's new book, "The Top 100 Canadian Singles"; which is to be released on September 30th 2010, he discusses how generating some controversy and disagreement is his goal. He has crafted this book based on thousands of different opinions, if you disagree with any of the list, then, power to you. Mersereau explains that if you argue over this book you are only manifesting the fact that there is a copious amount of amazing music produced by our true north strong and free.

I won't spoil who wins the whole thing, but I will tell you that the usual suspects of Canadian greats made the list. The book is a neat blend of artists both young, and old. Artists like Neil Young, The Guess Who, and Joni Mitchell are of course on the list, but I was thrilled to see more recent artists like Wintersleep, Arcade Fire and K-os on there too. Mersereau has masterfully crafted an incredibly diverse list as he interviewed such a diverse group of music buffs to help him come up with the list.

Overall, the book is just really well laid-out. Each single is given at least an entire page with the top 10 having four pages dedicated to them. The amount of new interviews and perspectives, inside this collection make it a must-read. Opinions from artists, producers, and press people are directly quoted and just make the reader feel like they were on the inside of producing the single. The book also contains personal top 10 lists from some current Canadian icons like Buck 65, Bubbles from the Trailer Park Boys, and Joel Plaskett to name a few. The book also contains a two page spread with a list of the top 100 French-Canadian singles. This list was necessary as francophone music is not as popular as it should be in Canada. With this book, Bob Mersereau will definitely generate some heated arguments as well as some interest. I found a few Canadian music gems that I would have never heard of before. Thanks Bob.

Album Review - Like A Martyr - As Long As You Don't Get Caught

2010-09-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Album Review
Like A Martyr – As A Long As You Don't Get Caught
by Jade Sperry

Album cover for Vancouver band Like A Martyr's "As Long As You Don't Get Caught".

Vancouver band Like A Martyr serve up some mighty tasty tunes that will have you and your friends rocking out in no time. With influences such as ACDC, The White Stripes and My Morning Jacket, the album's standout song for this writer is “Pistol”, a funky, uptempo song with powerful raw vocals and jazzed out guitars. And it only gets better from there. Every song on this album is outstanding in its own right. With lyrics like “rock and roll / don't you want to feel it?” and “i've been screwed by the law / why don't you give us some more”, you just know this band is going places. Jeremy Allingham and Ben Henthorne, who are cousins and have that rare love/hate relationship similar to Noel and Liam Gallagher, really know how to write lyrics that everyone can relate to. The standout songs are “As Long As You Don't Get Caught”, “Rock and Roll Made Me Do It” and “Worker 684”, this is straight out rock and roll at its best. Most songs on the album are 2 or 3 minutes long with one ballad (7^th and Main) that has some awesome acoustic guitar work behind the soulful vocals. Matt Denny-Keys plays some of the funkiest bass lines this writer has heard in a long time. And one brilliant song that has some great lyrics is “You Selling Snake Oil”. This album is now in local record stores in the Vancouver area and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes powerful rock and roll.

Like A Martyr's album release party is this Friday October 1 at The Media Club with special guests The Best Revenge and War Baby. Cover charge of $15 at the door gets you in as well as a copy of the CD. Vinyl is also available.

You can also check out the band at their various links through their website here.

Artist Spotlight: Kim Wempe

2010-09-28T12:41:00.001-07:00

2010 Galaxie Prize and ECMA Winner Kim Wempe's new record features 11 original songs with performances from fellow east coasters Joel Plaskett, Old Man Luedecke, Carmel Mikol and Thom Swift as well as Geoff Hilhorst of The Deep Dark Woods.

Kim Wempe “Painting With Tides” - Folk/Roots

(Groundswell/Warner)

September 28, 2010

www.kimwempe.com

by Carmel Mikol

“I had a dream that I sailed out to sea with a shield upon my chest and my heart in my right hand” Kim Wempe sings in the opening line of her new album “Painting With Tides”. Framed by a hooky guitar line (contributed by the venerable Joel Plaskett), the song sets the theme for the eleven original songs to follow: life journeys, battles and convictions. The title track explores these same themes, albeit with a gentler metaphor, handling matters of the heart with forward-looking acceptance of the past and uncompromising confidence in the future.

From there the album reads almost autobiographically, tracing Wempe’s life from her Saskatchewan “Roots,” through a series of life lessons learned proudly in “Warrior.” There are love stories too, ranging from the dark, warning tone of “Running” to the sweet lighter side of “Your Middle Name.” In each case, Wempe’s lyrics reveal vulnerability not readily admitted by her powerful, smoky voice, which sounds like it’s lived much longer and harder than the youthful, optimistic person behind it. It’s this contrast - the space between what Wempe is writing and how she vocally delivers it that makes the album most interesting.

Wempe and producer Charles Austin draw from both the traditional and contemporary folk realm with mandolin, fiddle, three-part harmony, and help from Old Man Luedecke’s banjo, Thom Swift’s slide guitar and Dale Murray’s pedal steel. Perhaps intentionally, it sounds unrehearsed, under-played and at times even a little clumsy. But the unpretentious production allows Wempe’s strong vocals to inhabit the forefront of the recording, which more than compensates for any lack in breadth of instrumentation.

With bold vocals, honest songwriting, and a definitive message “Painting With Tides” has more to offer than the average female singer/songwriter album cluttering up CD racks these days. “Painting With Tides” is at once light and dark, proud and vulnerable, wise and naïve. And while Wempe’s voice “carries with it great powers,” as she sings in Chameleon, her songs are certainly accessible and her experiences common. By the end of the album, we know who Kim Wempe is and we see a little of ourselves in her songs.

Side B at the 2010 Polaris Prize Gala

2010-09-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

For five years now the Polaris Prize has been hooking Canadian artists up witha cool $20,000. The money goes to the artist who has created the best album of the year, based solely on "artistic merit" (Justin Bieber didn't make the cut.) I was fortunate enough to speak to a handful of the contestants at the gala, including members of Broken Social Scene, Karkwa, Caribou, Dan Mangan, and Shad. On a side note, the gala was a lot of fun - free perogies!

Follow Side B on Twitter! @andpopsideb

Your New Best Friend - Tanya Davis

2010-09-28T01:58:00.000-07:00

I don't usually get 'lost' in music any more. I listen to so much. But tonight, after a loud mixing session, I nearly melted clear away when I heard Tanya Davis's Glorious Morning(2008). I know I have said this before, sometimes to lovers and sometimes to Derek Bird, but this voice was made for my ears. Not just her voice, but her words twin my own mind's thoughts, and I suddenly want cadence in everything I write, and perfect spaces in between my words.

I'm trying hard to think of who to compare her to, to help you make the decision to buy her music, but I can't think of a soul. The music isn't perfect, but there are jazzy chords and sometimes a drum, the voice is sweet and she sometimes talks, but I can't think of anyone like her.

Based in Halifax, Tanya Davis has already had a claim to fame in her video projects with the equally as brilliant filmmaker Andrea Dorfman, but thankfully this was not a 'flash in the pan' type of fame and only served to bring her immense talents to light. Now working on her next album, and planning a trip to the west in the early spring of 2011, to talk and play, Tanya is very busy. CBC did manage to get a bit of her, and you can relax to her Autumnal mediation here, because it too is swell.

Tanya Davis sounds like your best friend, and you DO feel that you will never be lonely again. I predict she is going to be big stuff in the poetry world and favorite stuff with music fans; her truth blurs all the boundaries and genres and everyone will relate to some bit or another.

I just knew this was going to be good and I for one, c.a.n.n.o.t.w.a.i.t. for the next album, which is nearly done, she tells me it will be released in November. And she knits, I think she knits.

http://tanyadavis.ca

Sound the Fog Horn.

2010-09-26T15:39:00.000-07:00

So Parks Canada has this Celebrate Parks video contest happening as of now. Canadian film-makers have been posting videos about why they love their national parks and so on. I stumbled across a pretty cool one, it's a heart-felt rap video with a guy in a tree. This Dalhousie student is making some waves with this video and the band which won a campus wide talent show. Worth checking out!

Gros Morne National Park: Tales from da Trailz