Thrush Hermit - Toronto Dates Added

TWO NEW DATES HAVE BEEN ADDED to the THRUSH HERMIT TOUR!

• Fri, Mar. 26th Thrush Hermit @ Lee's Toronto, Ontario

• Sat, Mar. 27th Thrush Hermit @ Lee's Toronto, Ontario

In addition to:

• March 18th, 2010   Thrush Hermit @ The Manhattan Club  Moncton, New Brunswick 
• March 19th, 2010   Thrush Hermit @ The Paragon Theatre  Halifax, NS  
• March 20th, 2010   Thrush Hermit @ The Paragon Theatre  Halifax, NS 
• March 23rd, 2010   Thrush Hermit @ Starlight Club  Waterloo, Ontario 
• March 24th, 2010   Thrush Hermit @ Red Dog Tavern  Peterborough, Ontario
• March 25th, 2010   Thrush Hermit @ Capitol  Ottawa, Ontario

NOTE: To Thrush Hermit Fans in Western Canada and International Locations, we apologize; however, there are no plans to add additional Thrush Hermit performances to the tour.

Public Ticket Sales start on Friday, so you only have a few days left to take advantage of the Advance Ticket Bundles ( bundle prices vary ) which include one general admission ticket and one styling Thrush Hermit T-Shirt on the Maple Music website.

ABOUT THRUSH HERMIT

In its near-decade of existence, Thrush Hermit evolved from suburban East Coast teenagers churning out hyperactive inside-joke noise to one of Canada’s most beloved rock bands. Always valuing camaraderie over careerism, Joel Plaskett, Rob Benvie, Ian McGettigan, and Cliff Gibb will briefly reunite for a string of shows in March 2010, a stint that promises to be a meltdown of nostalgia, thrills, and proof that the Hermit can still help the masses Learn to Party. 

Find out more about Thrush Hermit on their new Myspace Page at http://www.myspace.com/ThrushHermitRox

Hannah Georgas : New Album and BC Dates

Hannah Georgas, a Vancouver favourite and recent winner of CBC Radio 3's Bucky Award for Best New Artist, is releasing her first full-length album This Is Good on April 27, 2010. So mark your calendars and start save your nickels and dimes!

In anticipation of her new release, Hannah will be playing a few shows around BC in support of other Canadian indie favourites, including good friends Said The Whale from Vancouver, and with Joel Plaskett as part of the Coldsnap Festival.

January 23 - with Said The Whale @ Sugar - Victoria, BC

January 24 - with Joel Plaskett @ Prince George Playhouse - Prince George, BC [SOLD OUT]


Click here for some photos of Hannah Georgas with Said The Whale back in November 09 at St. James Hall in Vancouver.

Also, keep your eyes and ears peeled to NxEW for more upcoming news about Hannah's new release, including an interview and contest giveaways!

Photo Credit: Vanessa Heins

NEW VIDEO : Joel Plaskett - You Let Me Down

Off of his latest, Three (Disc 1), comes the latest video for Joel Plaskett's second single off his 2009 Polaris-nominated record.

Enjoy!

Thrush Hermit Reunion Tour in 2010

Now that I've stopped hyperventilating out of sheer excitement, here are the details.

Thrush Hermit was formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1992 by Joel Plaskett (vocals, guitar), Rob Benvie (vocals, guitar), Ian McGettigan (vocals, bass), and Michael Catano (drums). They split in 1999, with the members working on various projects since then, including Joel Plaskett's solo career, the Joel Plaskett Emergency, Camouflage Nights (consisting of Benvie and McGettigan) and working as producers for various other bands. Plaskett also has his own record label, New Scotland Records.

Current dates:

Fri 03/19/10		Halifax, NS	Paragon Theatre
Sat 03/20/10		Halifax, NS	Paragon Theatre
Wed 03/24/10		Peterborough, ON	The Historic Red Dog
Thu 03/25/10		Ottawa, ON	New Capital Music Hall
Fri 03/26/10		Toronto, ON	Lee's Palace
Sat 03/27/10		Toronto, ON	Lee's Palace

More tour dates, including those on the west coast, will be released soon.

"From The Back of The Film" from Thrush Hermit's Clayton Park

Concert Review : Rose Cousins & Royal Wood at the Media Club

Rose Cousins and headliner Royal Wood put on a fantastic show on November 17, 2009 at the Media Club in Vancouver-- one full of switching roles, great laughs and even greater appreciation of your loved ones.

Halifax-based Rose Cousins, touring her new album The Send Off, began her opening set by the strumming of her guitar and the clear, warm tone of her voice. Well, not completely accurate. She opened her set by commenting on the amount of people surrounded the stage and how it made her feel "popular." And indeed there was a unusually large crowd for an opening set, which consisted of a dedicated base of "Rosebuds," which included Vancouver artists such as Jill Barber, Nat Jay and T Nile. She also thanked Grant Lawrence of CBC Radio 3, who was in the audience, for interviewing her earlier on during the day and heaped praise on the CBCs across Canada.

It wasn't long into her set that the rest of the people in the room were equally captivated by her honest lyrics, perfect (can I say that?) voice and gut-busting banter, which ranged from touchingly personal to hilariously inappropriate. She also accompanied herself for the entire set on keyboards, guitar and mandolin, save the beautiful "All the Time It Takes to Wait" which was accompanied by the "talented and handsome" Royal Wood.

Rose had the attention of the entire crowd in the usually chatty Media Club. Mid-set, she put the audience on the spot by asking for things in a den-- with the crowd yelling things like "chesterfield!" and "Jenga!" and her constructing a vivid image of that idyllic childhood den with her descriptive imagination. She then transitioned into her song "The Dancers" which imagined an elderly ballroom aficionado couple waltzing around this constructed den.

This was not the only time she called out for audience participation, of course. In another great switching of roles, she called out for an audience member "who's good at keeping rhythm" before playing the last song in her set, "Sadie in the Kitchen." I volunteered hesitantly, and soon found myself sharing the stage with Rose accompanying her on the shaker egg. She gladly regaled myself, an audience member, with the spotlight (and microphone!) while she led the rest of the audience in a sing-along, complete with "random vocal projections." The adorable refrain "before bed, before bed, B for bed, B for bed..." was written with her friends' young daughter in mind, and meant to be an "adult children's song" that she composed for said friends' wedding. Her willingness to share the stage and completely engage the crowd in participation recalls the show by her good friend, Joel Plaskett, whom she supported in a Vancouver show in May.

So yes, I'm going to include that in my resume and CV from now on.

Royal Wood took to the stage with guitarist Dean Drouillard inconspicuously, launching into their first of many songs. Playing many songs from his latest The Lost and Found EP as well as his 2005 A Good Enough Day, Royal filled the Media Club with his romantic, melancholy ballads without his usual backing band. And was the show romantic! Couples lined the perimeter of the stage, as well as filling the rest of the venue, while Royal told of the songs inspired by his brother's wedding, his parents' love, his own love and that of his friend's grandparents. In one of the more poignant moments, he told the audience to never settle for less than the reverberating, lifelong love that they deserve, and for which he sings. These touching anecdotes were nicely interspersed in the song-heavy, banter-light set, which included hits "Juliet" and "Don't Fall Apart."

Royal invited Rose back on stage for 2 songs near the end of his set, and wrapped up with an extended, passionate "Acting Crazy (It's a Breakdown)." Before returning on stage for the encore, he seemed confounded by the presence of washrooms where backstage is supposed to be. The Media Club's backstage is actually at the back of the room, and he commented that he wasn't sure whether to enter the men or the women's washroom in order to get there. Matching Rose's incredible sense of humour, he poked fun at the men in the room by encouraging a final sing-along by saying "this is to show your sexual confidence," which of course, got a burst of laughter and the desired louder audience participation.

All in all, the show was a heartwarming experience, and concert goers exited the Media Club with muted smiles, holding their loved ones into the windy, rainy Vancouver night.

For more photos of the show, visit my Flickr set.

Part 3 of Joel Plaskett Interview - tomorrow on CKCU

Hey Folks - if you have been following my radio program, the Thursday Morning Special Blend, you have already heard the first two parts of my interview with Joel Plaskett at the Ottawa Folk Festival last August. Tune in tomorrow to hear the final instalment, where Joel talks about opening for Paul McCartney in Halifax, what it's like for him to perform, his relationship with other artists, and his role as a young musician in an early wave of indie rock which has changed subtantially over time.

Plaskett, of course, is an acclaimed Canadian artist, the very recent winner of four Music Nova Scotia Awards, and a wonderful person. Check out this great interview with him tomorrow, shortly after 8:00 a.m., on FM 93.1 in the Ottawa area, or online at http://www.ckcufm.com/.

(Image taken by Ingram Barss)

Fan Video: Joel Plaskett - All the Way Down the Line

A home made video for Joel Plaskett's "All the Way Down the Line" made by Dale Ryan Leckie.

Joel Plaskett - Ireland, US show dates, Radio 2 SongQuest, Music Nova Scotia Awards

From email newsletter:

Joel in Ireland and the United States
November is the month for international Joel Plaskett Fans!  Joel will be hitting Massachusetts, New York and Ireland this month!  These are select shows and we recommend marking these dates down and getting out early.  They are not to be missed!!!! 

Thu, Nov. 12th The Middle East Cambridge, Massachusetts 

Fri, Nov. 13th Union Hall Performance, Bell House/Union Hall Brooklyn, New York 

Thu, Nov. 26th Whelan's Showcase Show-Joel Plaskett , Whelan's (Upstairs Venue) - Dublin

Fri, Nov. 27th The Set Theatre - Kilkenny -Joel Plaskett , The Set Theatre - Kilkenny Ireland

Sat, Nov. 28th The Opera House, Cork, Ireland-Joel Plaskett , The Opera House - Cork, Ireland

Sun, Nov. 29th The Roundy - Cork , Ireland-Joel Plaskett , The Roundy, Cork, Ireland

Congrats to Joel on the Great Canadian SongQuest!
We are delighted to announce that Joel Plaskett has been chosen as the Nova Scotia winner for CBC Radio 2s Great Canadian SongQuest. Joel will be writing about the beautiful Cabot Trail and on November 23rd you can tune in to CBC Radio 2 for the final result!  Congrats Joel!

Joel Plaskett wins Music Nova Scotia Awards!
Congratulations to Joel Plaskett who took home four Music Nova Scotia Awards over the weekend at the Molson Canadian Nova Scotia Music Week.  Joel’s hit album “Three” won Pop/Rock Artist/Group Recording, Album of the Year, Male Artist Recording and SOCAN Songwriter of the Year. Congrats Joel!

Joel Plaskett Emergency online:

http://www.joelplaskett.com

http://joelplaskett.fanbridge.com

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=joel+plaskett&m=text

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joel+plaskett&search_type=

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joel-Plaskett/8374317147
http://www.myspace.com/joelplaskett1

http://www.jpemergencyblog.blogspot.com/ 

Cultural Olympiad in Vancouver - Stars, K'Naan, Veda Hille, and more

No matter what your opinion is regarding the Olympics itself, its effect on its host cities and the inhabitants, its tendency to plunge cities into decades-long debt, or its direct and indirect victims in terms of budget re-allocations... all those heated opinions aside, the Cultural Olympiad of 2010 is bringing some of the best acts in Canada into Vancouver and the international spotlight.

Below are a few of the many ticketed and non-ticketed (i.e. free) events going on in Vancouver and Whistler BC in January to March, 2010.

Stars with Hey Rosetta!
K'naan with Tinariwen
Feist (misspelled Fiest on the website. C'mon; really?)
City and Colour
Malajube
Chromeo w/ Team Canada DJs
Corb Lund
Joel Plaskett (w/ Steve Earle)
Blue Rodeo
Veda Hille Trio

For a full list of music and other artistic events, visit the Cultural Olympiad website here.

Places and Songwriters Named in the Great Canadian Song Quest

For weeks the folks at CBC Radio 2 have been seeking nominations for places and then votes for places and artists to write about those places. Now it's all settled, the places and the artists have been announced and the artists have four weeks to write their songs. You will get a chance to hear them all on CBC Radio 2 Morning and Radio 2 rive on November 23.

Oh Susanna is writing about Tofino, British Columbia
Jay Sparrow will sing about Hoodoos/Badlands, Alberta
The Deep Dark Woods will have a song about Good Time Charlie’s at The Plains, Saskatchewan
Chantal Kreviazuk's song will be about Waskada, Manitoba
Hawksley Workman will have a new song about Algonquin Park, Ontario
Martha Wainwright will sing the priases of The Black Sheep Inn, Quebec
David Myles about Hopewell Rocks, New Brunswick
Catherine MacLellan will take on Singing Sand Beach, Prince Edward Island
Joel Plaskett will have something about The Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia
Hey Rosetta! will sing nice things about Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland
Dana Sipos gets Tuktoyaktuk Pingos, Northwest Territories
Kim Barlow will write a song about Dawson City, Yukon (I thought she already had a few...?)
and Lucie Idlout will tell us about The Road to Nowhere, Nunavut (pretty sure Talking Heads covers aren't allowed)

Joel Plaskett on Canadian Interviews

There is a new interview with Joel Plaskett up at Canadian Interviews.

“ I don’t feel young anymore. But I don’t feel old. I do feel like I’m in the middle somewhere, but I can still remind myself of what it felt like to be young, to be a teenager or be in my early twenties, and feel that anxiety and excitement that comes with that situation. Traveling to places for the first time, feeling edgy about stuff, feeling like I’ve got to carve a space for myself as a musician, hating stuff virulently, really actively hating shit – and then, as you get a bit older, you kind of go ‘ah, it takes all kinds’. ”

Read the whole thing at http://www.canadianinterviews.com/interviews/index.php?ID=139

Joel Plaskett Emergency - Work Out Fine

Joel Plaskett Nominated for Four Canadian Folk Music Awards

The Canadian Folk Music Awards 2009 Nominees have been announced and Joel Plaskett is at the head of the class. Joel has been nominated for Contemporary Album of the Year, Solo Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year and Pushing the Boundaries. The winners will be announced and the awards handed out at the Awards Night Gala in Gatineau, Quebec on November 21, 2009. For more info see canadianfolkmusicawards.ca. The full list of nominees goes:

TRADITIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• Colette Cheverie – Hours Before Dawn (Charlottetown, PE)
• Dave Gossage and the Celtic Mindwarp – Dave Gossage and the Celtic Mindwarp (Montréal)
• James Hill & Anne Davison – True Love Don’t Weep (Langley, BC)
• Réveillons – Malbrough n’est pas mort (Montréal)
• The Haints Old Time Stringband – Shout Monah (Cobble Hill, BC / Victoria BC)
CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• Great Lake Swimmers – Lost Channels (Toronto)
• Jim Byrnes – My Walking Stick (Vancouver)
• Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
• Ndidi Onukwulu – The Contradictor (Vancouver)
• Romi Mayes – Achin in Yer Bones (Winnipeg)
CHILDREN’S ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• Chris McKhool – FiddleFire! (Toronto)
• Kathy Reid-Naiman – Zoom Zoom Cuddle and Croon (Aurora, ON)
• Maggie G. – Around The House With Maggie G. (Thornhill, originally from Ottawa)
• Tasha Platt – Big Bad Bantam Rooster (Calgary)
• The Kerplunks – Walk On (Gabriola Island, BC)
TRADITIONAL SINGER OF THE YEAR
• Colette Cheverie – Hours Before Dawn (Charlottetown, PE)
• Dave MacDonald – Lazy Jacks – East Coast Live (Charlottetown, PE)
• Ian Bell – My Pious Friends & Drunken Companions (Paris, ON)
• Monique Jutras – Le Chant de la Mariniere (Longueuil, QC)
• Peter Wynne – Lazy Jacks – East Coast Live (Charlottetown, PE)
CONTEMPORARY SINGER OF THE YEAR
• Jessica Rhaye – Good Things (St. John, NB)
• Jim Byrnes – My Walking Stick (Vancouver)
• Marianne Girard – Pirate Days (Toronto)
• Melissa McClelland – Victoria Day (Hamilton)
• Suzie Vinnick – Happy Here (Toronto)
INSTRUMENTAL SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Guy Donis – Paroles d’arbre (Montréal)
• Don Alder – Not A Planet (Vancouver)
• Joel Fafard – Three Hens Escape Oblivion (Madeira Park BC, originally from Regina)
• Karrnnel – Karrnnel (Saskatoon)
• Tony McManus – The Maker’s Mark (Elora ON)
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• De Lònga – À l’abri du temps (Montréal)
• La Nef – Deserts (Montréal)
• OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montréal)
• The Rakish Angles – The Rakish Angles (Gibsons BC)
• Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
ENGLISH SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
• Jon Brooks – Moth Nor Rust (Toronto)
• Rob Heath – One More Day Above Ground (Edmonton)
• Rob Lutes – Truth & Fiction (Montreal)
• Susan Crowe – Greytown (Halifax)
• William Hawkins – Various Artists – Dancing Alone: Songs by William Hawkins (Ottawa)
FRENCH SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
• Guillaume Monette, Guillaume Meloche-Charlebois & Nicola Morel – 3 Gars su’l sofa – Cerf-Volant (Montréal)
• Caracol – L’Abre aux Parfums (Montréal)
• Catherine Durand – Coeurs Migratoires (Montréal)
• Maryse Letarte – Des Pas Dans la Neige (Montréal)
• Paul Cargnello – Bras Coupé (Montréal)
ABORIGINAL SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
• Buffy Sainte-Marie – Running for the Drum (Qu’Appelle Valley, SK)
• Don Amero – Deepening (Winnipeg)
• Vince Fontaine, Jay Bodner & Chris Burke-Gaffney – Eagle & Hawk – Sirensong (Winnipeg)
• Tagaq for Auk – Blood (Cambridge Bay, NT)
• Violet Naytowhow – Wind of the North (Prince Albert, SK)
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Cantarra – Beautiful Air (Ottawa)
• Dala – Everyone is Someone (Toronto)
• Madison Violet – No Fool For Trying (Toronto)
• Serre L’Ecoute – Buveurs Philosophes (Québec, QC)
• The Breakmen – When You Leave Town (Vancouver)
ENSEMBLE OF THE YEAR
• Annie Lou – Annie Lou (Whitehorse YT)
• OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montréal)
• Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
• The Deep Dark Woods – Winter Hours (Saskatoon)
• The Haints Old Time Stringband – Shout Monah (Cobble Hill BC, Victoria BC)
SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Catherine MacLellan – Water in the Ground (Charlottetown, PE)
• Ian Tyson – Yellowhead to Yellowstone and Other Love Stories (Longview, AB)
• Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
• Maria Dunn – The Peddler (Edmonton, AB)
• Suzie Vinnick – Happy Here (Toronto)
WORLD SOLO ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Florent Vollant – Eku Mamu (Montreal)
• George Koufogiannakis – Generations – Greek Oud Jazz (Edmonton)
• Karim Saada – La Danse de l’Exilé (L’Assomption, QC)
• Lorraine Klaasen – Africa Calling (Montréal)
• Wesli – Kouraj (Montreal)
WORLD GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Ensemble Montreal Tango – Enamorada (Montréal)
• Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko – Africa to Appalachia (Toronto / Québec, QC)
• La Nef – Deserts (Montréal)
• OktoEcho – OktoEcho (Montréal)
• The Huppa Project – Under the Canopy (Toronto)
NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• David Baxter – Day & Age (Toronto)
• The Good Lovelies – Good Lovelies (Toronto)
• Kate Reid – I’m Just Warming Up (Vancouver)
• Lynne Hanson – Eleven Months (Ottawa)
• The Breakmen – When You Leave Town (Vancouver)
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
• Jocelyn Tellier & Catherine Durand for Catherine Durand – Coeurs Migratoires (Montréal)
• Mike Roth / Dala – Everyone is Someone (Toronto)
• David Travers-Smith / Jayme Stone & Mansa Sissoko – Africa to Appalachia (Toronto)
• Jonathan Goldsmith / Jenn Grant – Echos (Toronto area)
• Joel Plaskett / Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES
• Doug Cox and Salil Bhatt – Slide to Freedom 2 – Make a Better World (Cumberland, BC)
• Joel Plaskett – Three (Halifax)
• Steve Dawson – Telescope (Vancouver)
• Sultans of String – Yalla Yalla! (Toronto)
• Wendy McNeill – A Dreamer’s Guide to Hardcore Living (Edmonton)
YOUNG PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
• Ariana Gillis – Ariana Gillis (Vineland, ON)
• Chrissy Crowley – The Departure (Margaree, NS)
• Fish and Bird – Left Brain Blues (Victoria, BC)
• Sierra Noble – Possibilities (Winnipeg)
• Taylor Mitchell – For Your Consideration (Toronto)

Joel Plaskett - Through & Through & Through

North by East West on CKCU Tomorrow Morning

Tomorrow morning on the Thursday Morning Special Blend on CKCU, Justin Beach will be talking about this blog and choosing a tune or two to play. Tune in to CKCU online at www.ckcufm.com or in Ottawa at 93.1 FM after 9:00 to hear the conversation between Justin and me about why NxEW was started, why it's so important, and what you can do to get involved.

And for Joel Plaskett fans, tune in to the same show during the first hour, around 8:35 or so, and you can hear the first instalment of my interview with Joel last August at the Ottawa Folk Festival. Great timing, too, since Joel's latest record "Three" has just been nominated for the Canadian Folk Music Awards in the categories of Contemporary Album of the Year and Solo Artist of the Year.

The 2009 Verge Music Awards

The Verge Music Awards were held Tuesday, Sept. 22 at The Mod Club in Toronto.

The Finalists:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Alexisonfire

Amos the Transparent

Dan Mangan

Joel Plaskett

Said The Whale

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals

Arkells - Jackson Square

Joel Plaskett - Three

Metric - Fantasies

Mother Mother - O My Heart

The Winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Dan Mangan

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Young Cardinals

Photo credits:

Dan Mangan - Cody Lobreau

From the 2009 WCMAs...nice job!

Alexisonfire - designermagazine.org

Concert Review - Hey Ocean! at Telus Studio Theatre

Originally posted here.

Tonight (September 17), Hey Ocean! played at the Telus Studio Theatre at University of British Columbia's Chan Centre. The show was phenomenal as per usual. More polished than the 3-4 previous times I've seen them... as the set was being recorded by CBC Radio 2; The beautiful albeit somewhat formal setting of the theatre must've helped as well.

The mood was somewhat subdued compared to other shows of theirs. The amount of dancing was about 87.43% less (approximately) and the cat-calls as well. Except for of course, me, who should really be carted around from show to show to make loud noises when it is lacking.

David Beckingham, the guitarist, even mentioned that it was a huge change from playing bars on their tour, to a quiet (but really appreciative) audience in their hometown.

Ashleigh Ball was in top form tonight, lilting her playful voice high and low, spitting rhymes interspersed in their West Coast-inspired set harder, better, faster, stronger. (thought I'd use a more positive Kanye reference.) Her family was in the audience cheering her along, as well as at least one member of local band Said The Whale, whom can be expected to be at any given show in Vancouver.

Hey Ocean! played hits from both their debut Stop Looking Like Music and their sophomore album It's Easier To Be Somebody Else. Their set was also interspersed with new material for their upcoming album, which is still in the process of being written.

Particular favourites from the set for myself included Uh Oh, a new song which I've heard live a couple of times, which is a catchy tune that references hipsters and the infamous Adbusters article about them (or us?). 15 Words is great when Beckingham is sober enough to get the riff right, which was the case tonight. Bicycle is a stripped down little ditty about love and love lost. Beatboxer is always fun and infectious, and Jolene had fantastic harmonies. (Is this the same Jolene who also haunts Jeremy Fisher?)

Another point of note is the new drummer. They've got one, at least temporarily. The last time I spoke with bassist Dave Vertesi (also of local band Topless Gay Love Tekno Party) he had mentioned that this one has promise, and is currently their touring drummer. Unfortunately, I didn't catch his name, but he seemed quite in sync with the rest of the members. After showing off his chops in an extended drum solo, he also proved that he can match the rest of the formidable band in terms of musical skill. This is important, as the biggest draw to Hey Ocean!, besides Ashleigh Ball's captivating presence and singular voice, is the driving and diverse rhythms that compels shoulders to sway and feet to dance. Here's hoping the band will find that percussive match soon, if they have not already found it in this current drummer.

Hey Ocean! is coming to a city near you! Below are some upcoming tour dates, including a stint in the United States. (Playing with Joel Plaskett in Pop Montreal?! Nicely done! Stacked show.)

18 Sep 2009 21:00	The Gateway	Calgary, AB
19 Sep 2009 21:00	Louis’ Pub	Saskatoon, SK
20 Sep 2009 20:00	WCMA Awards	Brandon, MB
23 Sep 2009 20:00	Phog Lounge	Windsor, ON
24 Sep 2009 20:00	Call the Office (All Ages)	London, ON
25 Sep 2009 20:00	The Bombshelter Pub - U of W	Waterloo, ON
26 Sep 2009 20:00	Paddy Flaherty’s	Sarnia, ON
29 Sep 2009 20:00	Algonquin College	Ottawa, ON
30 Sep 2009 20:00	The Ale House w/ Joel Plaskett	Kingston, ON
1 Oct 2009 20:00	Club Soda w/ Joel Plaskett (Pop Montreal)	Montreal, QC
2 Oct 2009 20:00	Blacksheep Inn	Wakefield, QC
3 Oct 2009 21:00	Montreal House	Peterborough, ON
7 Oct 2009 20:00	M Room (Manhattan Room)	Philadelphia, PA
8 Oct 2009 20:00	Piano’s (10 PM)	New York, NY
14 Oct 2009 20:00	M Room	Philadelphia, PA
15 Oct 2009 22:00	Piano’s	New York, NY
17 Oct 2009 20:00	The Rivoli	Toronto, ON
21 Oct 2009 20:00	M Room	Philadelphia, PA
26 Oct 2009 20:00	Uptown Bar	Minneapolis, MN
7 Nov 2009 20:00	NACA West	Portland, OR

New Video: Ana Egge - Morning

If you don't think you know who Ana Egge is, you're wrong. You'll at least know her from her work on Joel Plaskett's Polaris Prize Shortlisted album Three and the video for Through & Through & Through (pictured above with Rose Cousins). This is Ana's song Morning from her album Road to My Love. You can find out more about Ana and the album at anaegge.com. (Thanks to Joel Plaskett for the heads up.

Ana Egge - Morning



Directed by Paul Kloss, Trumpet by Shane Endsley

Joel Plaskett iTunes Originals & Tour Dates

Update from Joel Plaskett Emergency email list.

September 15^th marks the launch of Joel Plaskett’s iTunes Originals!  You can get your very own intimate and unplugged iTunes Originals of songs like “Deny, Deny, Deny”, “Heartless, Heartless, Heartless” and more  - only available at the iTunes Store!



LINK: Joel Plaskett iTunes Originals

UPCOMING TOUR DATES

Fri, Sep. 18th Union Hall Performance, Bell House/Union Hall Brooklyn, New York 

Thu, Sep. 24th Deep Roots Festival, Acadia University, Convocation Hall Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Fri, Sep. 25th Deep Roots Festival, Acadia University, Convocation Hall Wolfville, Nova Scotia

Sat, Sep. 26th Deep Roots, Festival Theatre Wolfville, Nova Scotia 

Wed, Sep. 30th The Ale House Kingston, Ontario

Thu, Oct. 1st Pop Montreal, Club Soda Montreal, PQ

Thu, Oct. 15th Union Hall Performance, Bell House/Union Hall Brooklyn, New York 

Sat, Oct. 17th Joel Plaskett, Hamilton Place - The Studio Hamilton, Ontario 

Fri, Nov. 13th Union Hall Performance, Bell House/Union Hall Brooklyn, New York 

Thu, Dec. 3rd Marigold Centre Truro, Nova Scotia

Sat, Dec. 12th Joel Plaskett, The Pearl Theatre Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

XM Verge Finalists Announced

Chances are you've gotten a few announcements from various bands urging you to vote in the XM Verge awards for Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. The voting is now over and the finalists have been announced. On September 22, the 2nd annual Verge Music Awards will be announced and the winner in each category will receive 25 thousand dollars.

The finalists are
Artist of the Year:

Alexisonfire

Amos The Transparent

Dan Mangan

Joel Plasket

Said The Whale

Album of the Year

Alexisonfire - Old Crows/Old Cardinals

Arkells - Jackson Square

Joel Plasket - Three

Metric - Fantasies

Mother Mother - O My Heart

For more info check out thevergeonline.com/vma.

Joel Plaskett in New York

From Joel Plaskett Emergency's mailing list:

On Thursday, August 20 Joel Plaskett will be starting his performance residency in New York at Union Hall in Brooklyn at 9:00 PM. This is a fantastic opportunity to see Joel up close and personal. If you are in New York, or know anyone that would appreciate that good ole Plaskett magic, please spread the word by forwarding this [message].


See you at the show!


Joel Plaskett
At Union Hall
Brooklyn, New York
http://www.unionhallny.com

All 10 Nominees to Perform at Polaris Gala

Via CBC Radio 3 comes word that for the first time in the history of the Polaris Music Prize history all 10 nominees will be on hand to play at the Plaris Gala on Sept. 21. That means (in case you didn't know or have forgotten):

Elliott BROOD
Fucked Up
Great Lake Swimmers
Hey Rosetta!
K’NAAN
Malajube
Metric
Joel Plaskett
Chad VanGaalen
Patrick Watson

Last year's winner Caribou will also be on hand and Radio 3 has promised a "podcast version of all 10 performances".

The Grand Jury that will choose this year's winner from the list above consists of Bryan Acker (Herohill), Stuart Derdeyn (the Province), Mary Dickie (Elle), Brad Frenette (National Post), Nicholas Jennings (freelance), Robert Mersereau (CBC TV), Brendan Murphy (Hour), Mia Parang (Musique Plus), Ben Rayner (Toronto Star), Brad Wheeler (the Globe and Mail) and Lisa Wilton (Calgary Sun).  

NxEW.ca's 2009 Shadow Polaris Short List

We started asking back in May who you thought should win the Polaris Music Prize, We started out with a list of almost 100 artists and asked you to vote. We had a "Long List", narrowed it to 20 and now there are 10. Five of these agree with the real Polaris Short List, five do not. Amanda Ash and Ladysound will be pleased to hear that four of those five are solo albums by women.

Now we'll need you to vote again (see the bottom of this page) but the 2009 NxEW Shadow Polaris Short List goes:

Chad Van Gaalen - Soft Airplane



Elliott Brood - Mountain Meadows



Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels



Hey Rosetta! - Into Your Lungs



Laura Barrett -Victory Garden



Jenn Grant - Echoes



Jill Barber - Chances



Joel Plaskett - Three



Julie Doiron - I Can Wonder What You Did With Your Day



Timber Timbre - self titled



Keep Voting
(poll closes at midnight on Sept. 20)

Ottawa Folk Festival Showcases Canadian Headliners and more

The Ottawa Folk Festival's summer festival is an incredible music event, with live music, of course, but plenty of other great, interactive activities. There's a Kids' Zone, an Artisan Village, an Envirotent with workshops, a ukelele building workshop, Festival Gardens, sound healing, and plenty more.

And then there is the music: in addition to bringing many awesome performers from around the world, this year the Festival has many many artists from Canada, including all the headliners. Just some of the Canadians you will see are:

- Canadian Music Icon Bruce Cockburn;

- East Coast sensation Joel Plaskett;

- former Barenaked Ladies front man Steven Page;

- Stars' Amy Millan;

- the Sadies, one of our best live acts;

- excellent songwriter James Keelaghan;

and many more.

And here's a great tip: Chris White, Artistic Director with the Ottawa Folkfest, tells me that Bruce Cockburn has suggested a songwriters' circle featuring himself, Amy Millan, Joel Plaskett, and Steven Page. This will be a unique and memorable chance to see four great Canadian musicians and songwriters work together under the theme of "Songs From the Road".
It likely takes place Sunday afternoon.

Althought the Ottawa Folk Festival programs events year round, you will definitely want to check out the whole of the summer festival to see all of these artists. It takes place August 21 - 23 at Brittania Park, in Ottawa. Check Ottawa Folk Festival website for details on schedules, activities, and tickets. Note there is special pricing on advance tickets until August 13, 2009.

Thoughts on the 2009 Polaris Short List

Art is art, it is neither science nor is it sports. It is entirely subjective, it can't be quantified or measured. The Juno Awards generally measure by record sales, though that is a measure of money, not art. Think of it like a Rorschach test (the one with the ink blots.)



What something looks like to me and what it looks like to you may be entirely different but that doesn't make either of us wrong (though it does mean that you're crazy). The Polaris Jury is made up of 'music journalists' - people from the national press, bloggers, radio hosts and others. They each get five votes for the long list, and five votes for the short list and then it goes to a 'Grand Jury' who spill chicken entrails on the floor and look for an answer in them.

You and I may not be happy with some of the results. I talked to a few Jurors today who weren't happy with the results. But it's hard to say it isn't 'fair.' Finding a 'fair' way to do it is nearly impossible when the subject is subjective.

It is true though that if you ask different people you get different answers. If you and I lay in a field and try to figure out what clouds look like we'll have different answers. Tomorrow we'll trim the long long long list that NxEW readers created down to 20 (I'll publish the top 40 just for point of comparison) and some people won't be happy with it but the answer will be different than Polaris' answer.

I do not know who all voted, but I have some idea who NxEW's readers are. They are, in some cases, music journalists. They are, in some cases, music bloggers. They are, in some cases, radio hosts. They are even, in some cases, polaris jurors. However they are also musicians, and promoters, sound technicians, and uber music fans - the people who go to shows on a regular basis, the people who buy CDs and t-shirts by the truckload. They are, in short all people who really love Canadian music (including people who aren't Canadian). So the votes of these others will change the dynamic, change the perspective and change the answer to the question. Granted we're small. We don't have 20 thousand dollars to give out but we will still acknowledge some great Canadian albums including albums completely overlooked by Polaris (I can guarantee at this point that some of our top 20 are not even on the Polaris long list.)

This does not mean though that Polaris is wrong. I sincerely congratulate everyone who made the list. That I would not have voted for some of them does not, in the least, diminish their achievement. They have all, whether you are a fan or not, worked very hard for many, many years and have achieved great things. They should all revel in it and everyone should show some respect to them - even if they have favorites not on this particular list.


the 2009 Polaris Short List

Elliott Brood - Mountain Meadows



Fucked Up - Chemistry of Common Life



Great Lake Swimmers - Lost Channels



Hey Rosetta! - Into Your Lungs (and around your heart and on through your blood)



K'Naan - Troubadour



Malajube - Labyrinthes



Metric - Fantasies



Joel Plaskett - Three



Chad VanGaalen - Soft Airplane



Patrick Watson - Wooden Arms

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

Lonely Vagabond saw Hank and Lily at the Drake.

CBC Radio 2 announces some changes.

Singing Lamb has an interview with Hannah Georgas

Herohill reviews Bahamas

the Burning Hell's Nick Ferrio share's some recipes.

Lonely Vagabond caught Pick A Piper at Sneaky Dee's

Will McGuirk says that Evening Hymns will be opening for Joel Plaskett who is opening for Paul McCartney.

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

I (Heart) Music talks about Polaris possibilities.

the Born Ruffians are studio blogging.

Sadie May Crash looks back on NXNE

Herohill likes Erin Costello

Sadly for Brent Randall and His Pinecones who made personal song and video to try to win him over, Paul McCartney has chosen Joel Plaskett to open for him on July 11 at the Halifax Commons.

Shad has a new blog if you'd like a list of some of the blogs by musicians that we know about look over here.

New Video: Joel Plaskett - Through and Through and Through

Apparently there was some disappointment about East Coast artists that were skipped by the Polaris Jury (NxEW has a lot of East Coast stuff in our fake polaris poll, go vote). Fortunately though one of Eastern Canada's biggest supporters and one of Canada's greatest treasures - Joel Plakett has come through with a video with some beautiful East Coast scenery for the song Through and Through and Through. Also, if you don't already have it grab this free Joel Plaskett concert from Radio 3 to help summerfy your mp3 player!

Northern Lights Festival Boreal July 3-5

The Sudbury Star has all of the details and the festival has a pretty amazing lineup:

"Joel Plaskett, 34, headlines the Friday show, followed by Hawksley Workman, 34, on Saturday and Serena Ryder (pictured), 27, Juno award winner for best new artist, on Sunday.

Also slated to play are JP Cormier, Kevin Breit and Folkalarm, Mr. Something Something, Aline Morales, Bambara Trans, Bob Snider, Bob Wiseman, Elliott Brood, Les Chauffeurs a Pied, The Marigolds, Jenn Grant, Mad Moiszelle Giraf, Jon and Roy, children's performer Norman Foote and many others."

...and no, I don't know why they felt the need to give the performers ages either.

Great Lake Swimmers (w/ Serena Ryder) - Your Rocky Spine at NLFB 2008

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

Herohill declares Kestrels Music Nova Scotia artist of the month.

Lonely Vagabond checks out Clouds (That Look Like Things) at Rancho Relaxo.

Herohill (yes again) has info on a Joel Plaskett - David Myles fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.

HistoryJen has her usual amazing list of stuff to do in T.O. this week.

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

Thick Specks has an interview with Joel Plaskett.

I (Heart) Music on Slim Twig.

Pete Nema has photos of the Dog Day CD Release show from Lee's Palace.

Herohill on the Novaks

Radio 3 has more on the Alison Crowe deportation story.

Torontoist on the new Ohbijou.

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

Pitchfork reviews 'Don't Haunt This Place' - Rural Alberta Advantage (Pitchfork also thinks that Paul Banwatt is the singer.)

Herohill talks about Joel Plaskett Live at the Rebecca Cohn.

Wavelength has some video from their 450th show.

I (Heart) Music is doing a NXNE showcase.

Herohill on the Julie Doiron / Calm Down It's Monday Heavy Snow 7"

Ottawa Folk Festival Adds Joel Plaskett to Great Lineup

Music lovers in Ottawa know that the Ottawa Folk Festival's summer event is a fantastic way to get exposed to great music in a gorgeous setting and to participate in plenty of hands-on, interactive musical activities.

Readers of this blog know that Joel Plaskett has been getting rave reviews as he plows accross Canada supporting his latest release, "Three". We are most excited Plaskett has been added to this year's lineup at the Ottawa Folk Festival, which takes place August 21 - 23, 2009.

There are plenty of other great Canadian acts performing as well, such as Bruce Cockburn, Amy Millan, the Sadies, the Good Lovelies, Mr. Something Something, Steven Page and many more. Check out the full line-up here, and be sure to attend one of Canada's best music festivals.

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

HistoryJen has some thoughts and reflections on her Over the Top fest. experience.

Exclaim reports a new Peter Elkas / Joel Plaskett single is on it's way.

the Rural Alberta Advantage reports that you can now pre-order "Hometowns" from Saddle Creek (if you're a RAA fan it's the one you already have.)

the Calgary Cassette Preservation Society has the Delusions of Reality's - Chocolate Moo from 1990.

Wolves, Hawkes and Kites on Think About Life.

Herohill talks Lee Harvey Osmond.

the Arkells would like to point out that they are way nicer to Jian Ghomeshi than Billy Bob Thorton.

From Blown Speakers is giving away tickets to Dog Day's Biltmore show on June 14!

Concert Review: Joel Plaskett at Massey Hall, Toronto

Massey Hall is arguably the most famous stage in Toronto. The acoustics are spectacular, and the majority of the seats have excellent site lines. Opened in 1894, and designated as a Heritage Property in 1975, Massey Hall has hosted such venerable performers and dignitaries such as King George V and his wife Queen Mary, Winston Churchill, the Dalai Lama, Luciano Pavarotti, George Gershwin, Oscar Peterson, and Bob Dylan among many, many others. Many famous live albums have been recorded there, including Charlie Parker-Dizzy Gillespie Jazz at Massey Hall (1953), Rush’s 1976 live album All the World’s a Stage, and more recently Neil Young’s Live at Massey Hall 1971 release in 2007. Massey Hall is also where Jeff Tweedy of Wilco infamously called the staid Toronto crowd “motherfuckers” for not dancing during their rock show. In the crowd’s defense (I was at that Wilco show too) Massey Hall isn’t exactly conducive to rockin’ out, but that didn’t stop Joel Plaskett from bringing the house down on Saturday, May 23.

Horseshoe Tavern owner/president “JC” introduced Plaskett and called him a musical “genius” and his “favorite singer and songwriter in the whole world.” Having never seen Plaskett perform before, I could only think, “Whoa. The owner of the Horseshoe, who has seen hundreds, if not thousands, of amazing musicians, is calling Joel Plaskett a ‘genius.’ I am in for a treat.”

Plaskett performed his first set mostly acoustically. He was joined on stage with his father Bill, and fellow musicians Ana Egge and Rose Cousins, all three of whom back him on his outstanding new triple album Three. Bill Plaskett and Cousins played acoustic guitar, while Egge rocked the mandolin, and Joel Plaskett flipped between acoustic and electric guitars, his “$7 Value Village” mini keyboard, and even percussion instruments. Joel backed each of the ladies as they performed original solo pieces. The vocal harmonies were spectacular, especially between Bill and Joel in the song “Nothing More to Say.” Joel Plaskett assured the crowd that the lyrics of this song had nothing to do with his relationship with his father while on the road, and the entire time I was thinking, “Wow. What an amazing relationship. If I traveled or worked with either of my parents, blood would be shed.”

Joel Plaskett in person comes off as such a normal nerdy dude, but at the same time cool as hell. He frequently showed off his slick dancing moves, and played to and with the crowd. A recurring joke through the night came at the expense of his father. While Bill was taking a while to tune his guitar, Joel quipped, “This is my secret B-side called ‘Tuning, Tuning, Tuning.’” And later on he joked that he registered “Tuning, Tuning, Tuning” with SOCAN so that he “gets paid every time someone tunes on stage.” Can you imagine the poor bastard in a bar trying to tune a 12-string and having to pay Plaskett for the privilege of “Tuning, Tuning, Tuning.” Hysterical!

For the second set Plaskett brought out his band The Emergency, drummer Dave Marsh, bassist player Chris Pennell, with Peter Elkas joining in on backup guitar and keyboards. They blasted Massey Hall into next week opening with “Work Out Fine,” and kept the rock intensity soaring for the rest of the show. Egge and Cousins soon joined in for backup vocals. And, unlike the aforementioned Wilco show, fans were freaking out in their seats, dancing in the aisles, and charging the stage. Fans ages 7 to 70 were having an awesome time, and it was great to see entire families together at the show. From my seat in the upper right gallery I could see Horseshoe owner “JC” freaking out backstage, dancing and clapping up a storm.

Plaskett cooled it down just slightly for the solo acoustic track “Spinning for You,” available as a password-protected download on his website (you probably can guess the password). Then he lead the audience with his 12-string in a sing-along to his hit “Nowhere.” The Emergency and the other musicians rejoined Plaskett for a rousing version of “A Million Dollars” and “Wishful Thinking.” The crowd went crazy. For the encore, Plaskett surprised the audience with the old Thrush Hermit song, “Before You Leave,” then rocked the crowd with the fan-favorites “Love This Town” and “Fashionable People.”

Plaskett started Thrush Hermit in 1992, and has been playing solo and with The Emergency since 1999. Seventeen years is huge longevity in the music business. At one point in the show Plaskett said, “I still can’t believe I’m in this room!” in reference to the legendary Massey Hall. After 17 years, you earned it buddy. Such a great performance. I can’t believe I waited this long to see Plaskett live.

First Set
1. Happen Now - La De Da (2005)
2. Deny, Deny, Deny - Three (2009)
3. Pine, Pine, Pine - Three
4. In the Blue Moonlight - Three
5. Farmer's Daughter, Ana Egge solo - Road to My Love (2009)
6. Nothing More to Say - Ashtray Rock (2007)
7. Heartless, Heartless, Heartless - Three
8. Rewind, Rewind, Rewind - Three
9. Lost in the Valley, Rose Cousins solo- If You Were Me (2006)
10. Rollin', Rollin', Rollin' - Three

Second Set
1. Work Out Fine - Truthfully Truthfully (2003)
2. Extraordinary - Truthfully Truthfully
3. Through & Through & Through - Three
4. Gone, Gone, Gone - Three
5. Sailors Eyes - Three
6. You Let Me Down - Three
7. Precious, Precious, Precious - Three
8. Ashtray Rock - Ashtray Rock
9. Run, Run, Run - Three
10. True Patriot Love - Down at the Khyber (2001)
11. Spinning for You - website download
12. Nowhere With You - Make A Little Noise EP (2006)
13. Lazy Bones - Three
14. A Million Dollars - Make A Little Noise EP
15. Wishful Thinking - Three

Encore
16. Before You Leave, Thrush Hermit - Clayton Park (1999)
17. Love This Town - La De Da
18. Fashionable People - Ashtray Rock
19. On and On and On - Three

Elsewhere in the Blogosphere

Now Magazine on Joel Plaskett @ Massey Hall

CBC Radio 3 has Joel Plaskett Super Fan Lauren Simmons' review of the Plaskett Massey Hall show as well.

Chart says Elliott Brood to play Festival of Beer (and other tour dates)

Herohill reviews Black Hat Brigade.

Lonely Vagabond on $100 at Whipper Snapper.

Herohill's take on Apostle of Hustle and the Handsome Family

CBC Radio 3 Sessions: Joel Plaskett

It's Hall of Fame week for podcasts or something. Yesterday Colin Medley had Julie Doiron on Soundcheck. Today the CBC Radio 3 sessions has Joel Plaskett, playing with his dad Bill Plasket, in a live acoustic show in Moncton, NB



Download it Here

A full list of the sessions podcasts to date is available here.

Joel Plaskett review

" Staring at a western sky

Rolling down the Rockies road

After a 14 hour drive

I only wanna be in Vogue

Thinkin' bout my love back home

Thinkin' bout my country

Think I'll sing a little song "

(Custom lyrics for Vancouver that I snatched after the show)

Any shows that come after this point have a hell of a high bar to reach. Joel Plaskett, Bill Plaskett, Ana Egge and Rose Cousins worked real hard to earn the two standing ovations that they received at the Vogue in Vancouver on May 9th. They played for around 2.5 hours, which included 2 sets, with an encore long enough to be a set of its own... more than the "THREE MORE!" that I yelled, thankfully!

Each musician was distinguished in their own right and each shared the spotlight. I think that was the major thing that made the concert spectacular. Joel was more than happy to share the stage and to provide back up support for both Ana Egge and Rose Cousins' performances of their own songs. There was no ego, just a lot of laughs (some uncontrollably during songs), a lot of sing-alongs and impromptu clapping from the audience, a lot of talent, and a lot of love and mutual admiration.

Some links:

Ana Egge

Rose Cousins

Bill Plaskett (Papa Plaskett sang a beautiful song named Places that he wrote when he first moved from England to Vancouver. Here's hoping Joel releases it on his label.)

Pictures from the show (as well as a couple of Immaculate Machine's CD release the night before)

For a more in-depth review (or maybe just one written sooner after the fact)

In a previous post, I'd mentioned that Joel would announce a "secret code" to enable the download of a free track. It turns out that this is a song off his Three More vinyl, which include 3 outtakes from his latest album Three. The song, which was performed live during his shows, is named Spinning For You and is available on his website. As for the password? It's really not that hard to guess. Hint: it's a number.

Joel Plaskett in Kelowna

via CBC Radio 3: There was a time when Joel Plaskett didn't care much for Kelowna, B.C. He famously wrote in the song "Love This Town":

"I played a show
In Kelowna last year
They said pick it up Joel
We’re dying in here
Picture one hand clapping
And picture half that sound
There’s a reason that I hate that town

If you saw my band in the early days
Then you’ll understand why we moved away
But you’ll hold a grudge anyway
Because it’s fun"

Last night Joel played in Kelowna again, explained the song and apparently all is forgiven.

k-os Joins NMC (finally), Joel Plaskett Gets His Hip-Hop On

As a big k-os fan, and a bigger CBC Radio 3 fan, it's long been a frustration of mine that the latter was never involved with the former. The fit seems perfect: Radio 3 promotes independent Canadian music, k-os is a Canadian musician who's all about promoting independence; it's like peanut butter ignoring jelly for years.

Poor metaphors aside, it was a happy surprise when I visited the Radio 3 site today and saw that Lauren Burrow's weekly rap sheet playlist contained none other than Mr. Brereton himself-- at long last, k-os has joined forces with the CBC! At the moment it's just stuff from his latest album, Yes!, but with any luck he'll start adding some of his older (and perhaps hard to come by?) singles to the list, as well.

While we're on the subject, you should now that the aforementioned rap sheet is a highlight of the CBC Radio 3 week. Remember on MuchMusic when for half an hour they would put aside the pop and the rock and just focus on the hip-hop artists during Rap City? That's what the rap sheet is like. Personally, I think it would be great to take these playlists and turn them into a podcast-- it would focus on an area of Canadian music that is oft-ignored, even in the open confines of independent music. As it is, though, just check out the archives-- Ms. Burrows has been putting these Saturday playlists together for a while, and it's easy to give them a listen and perhaps hear some artists you might not otherwise.

That's why it's so great to k-os is involved. He's about as big a crossover success as Canadian rap has produced, and if he's available as a hook it might open more doors for other artists. Alternatively, they could just do as Nova Scotian MC Classified has done and get Joel Plaksett to sing their hooks, because that's pretty awesome, too.

k-os New Music Canada playlist


Classified feat. Joel Plaskett - "One Track Mind"


The Rap Sheet on CBC Radio 3 Archives

Three notes to get you ready for the "Three" Tour

1. Here's a video of one of Joel Plaskett and co.'s first live performances of songs off his latest album "Three." This was back in February when Plaskett was opening for Sarah McLachlan in Vancouver for the one year countdown to the 2010 winter Olympics.

2. If that last clip didn't cinch it for you, CBC Radio 2 has recorded Plaskett, Plaskett, Egge and Cousins in concert at the Capitol Theatre in Moncton. The interactiveness, quick off-the-cuff comments and word play is as evident in his banter as in his music. You can listen to the concert in its entirety here.

3. In Plaskett's concert announcement to fans, he mentioned "an extra special thank you" to those who will be attending his shows. This turns out to be a free MP3 of a yet unspecified song... of which you need the password that Plaskett will announce to audience members during the shows.

Hopefully this will tide you over while you wait, wait, wait for Joel Plaskett and company to reach your local theatre!

Victoria Shows for the Weekend of April 25-26 (and beyond)

I already did one post about April shows in Victoria, but I've found a few new ones since then and this weekend is particularly full of quality performances. So just to be brief:

Saturday:

If you won tickets, 1/2 of Metric is putting on an acoustic afternoon show at the Zone/Victoria Dance Connection radio station, just like the one in Vancouver yesterday that fellow NxEW blogger B. Lee wrote about


Metric - Help, I'm Alive (acoustic)



And at 9:30 Logan's is hosting a CD release show for alt-country groups the Gruff and the Deep Dark Woods.

The Deep Dark Woods - All the Money I Had Is Gone



Sunday:

The buzz-worthy, Perez Hilton wooing Montreal/Toronto electropophip-hop duo Thunderheist play Lucky Bar. The Nirvana-loving (seriously, check out their myspace) electro-pop group Winter Gloves open.

Winter Gloves - Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana cover)



Monday:

In promotion of his new release that has, in the words of fellow NxEWer Tagish156 "A veritable who's who of Canadian hip-hop... and Joel Plaskett," Nova Scotian rapper Classified is playing two shows at Element, an all-ages in the afternoon and another that night.

Classified f. Joel Plaskett - One Track Mind



And of course, Thursday sees the Rolling Tundra Revue with the Weakerthans and the Constantines roll into town at Element.

I'll be at at least one of these, and probably more, if that's any incentive. Not that you should need any.

Classified: No Longer at the Back of the Paper

So East Coast rapper Classified put out a new album recently and I only found out through MTV Canada. My usual sources had let me down, normally Radio 3 is on the ball about these types of things so what happened? Well it seems that Classified has signed with a major label (Sony) and thus can no longer be considered "independent." Will that change how I see him? No. Class has put out such a ridiculous amount of great Canadian rap that it is about time he got some more exposure, especially beneath the 49th parallel. Will it change how he sounds? Read on to find out.

Self Explanatory is Classified's 13th album. 13! He's been around for a long time, but that's not to say his previous efforts haven't been for naught. Two of his last albums earned him Juno nominations as well as a host of industry recognition. So just how does this album measure up then? Let me say, its great. Classified has put out a solid collection for your listening pleasure. At 22 tracks in length the album is a bargain; no matter what you pay for it, you're going to get a good amount of music from it.

The first thing Class has put on this record to catch your ears is a twist on the usual skits you find on most rap albums. Each skit ends with a choose your own adventure type ending, telling you to go on to track A or track B. Its an interesting idea and Class incorporates some good rhymes into each adventure.

Now what about the music, get to the music you're saying. Class has his usual crew backing him up on this album. Mic Boyd, J Bru, Jay Bizzy, and Chad Hatcher all make welcome appearances on this album. However Classified expands beyond this for his collaborations and you can also find Maestro Fresh Wes, Joel Plaskett, Shad, Choclair, Moka Only, Buck 65, and many more contributing to various tracks. Its a veritable who's who of Canadian Hip Hop. . . and Joel Plaskett.

Every song is Classified at his best, solid rhymes sliding over solid beats. He's got the more traditional, to the point hip hop anthems like Self Explanatory, Quit While You're Ahead, They Call This Hip Hop, and Still Got It mixed in with laid back stories about life in Up All Night and One Track Mind(this is the track with Joel). Two favourites of mine would have to be Oh, Canada and Things Are Looking Up. I'm a sucker for Canadian references in rap and as the name suggests, Oh, Canada is full of them. But its also a great ode to our great country in the way Class does best. Things Are Looking Up features Chad Hatcher's melodious vocals matched to his acoustic guitar. This song is just one of those feel good hip hop tracks you really need sometimes, I would compare it to Atmosphere's Sunshine.

Now that he's with Sony what will become of Classified? Will his fans turn their back on him for "selling out." This is just another of the great debates of the music industry. I don't think Class has sold out. Even though major labels are seen as the evil empires of the music industry they still can offer a lot to a struggling artist. In Classified's case I think it was about time he got the recognition and this will help spread his music far and wide. With a ratio of 12 indie records to 1 major label one I think we know where Class sits.

To say Classified has finally struck gold with his 13th album and first release with a major label would be wrong. Class struck gold years ago and you all know it. With Self Explanatory he's just adding more gold to the pan in the form of a bigger, juicier nugget.



Catch Classified on tour:

   Thursday April 23rd, 2009 - Vancouver, BC @ Boss Nightclub - 19+

    Friday April 24th, 2009 - Whistler, BC @ Garfinkels - 19+
    Saturday April 25th, 2009 - Kamloops, BC @ Cactus Jack Saloon - 19+
    Monday April 27th, 2009 - Victoria, BC @ Element - AA (MATINEE)
    Monday April 27th, 2009 - Victoria, BC @ Element - 19+
    Wednesday April 29th, 2009 - Medicine Hat, AB @ KC JAX ULTRALOUNGE - 18+
    Thursday April 30th, 2009 - Calgary, AB @ The Whiskey - 18+
    Friday May 1st, 2009 - Lethbridge, AB @ Blarney Stone - 18+
    Saturday May 2nd, 2009 - Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room - 18+
    Tuesday May 5th, 2009 - Banff, AB @ Wild Bills - 18+
    Wednesday May 6th, 2009 - Saskatoon, SK @ Odeon - AA/19+
    Thursday May 7th, 2009 - Regina, SK @ Distrikt - 19+
    Friday May 8th, 2009 - Winnipeg, MB @ Pyramid Cabaret - 19+
    Saturday May 9th, 2009 - Thunderbay, ON @ C2 - 19+
    Monday May 11th, 2009 - Cobalt, ON @ COBALT CLASSIC THEATRE - 19+
    Wednesday May 13th, 2009 - Waterloo, ON @ Starlight Club - 19+
    Thursday May 14th, 2009 - London, ON @ London Music Hall - 19+
    Friday May 15th, 2009 - Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Concert Theatre - AA/19+
    Saturday May 16th, 2009 - Whitby, ON @ Johnny B's - 19+
    Tuesday May 19th, 2009 - Peterborough, ON @ Montreal House - 19+
    Wednesday May 20th, 2009 - Milton, ON @ Hardball - 19+
    Thursday May 21st, 2009 - Hamilton, ON @ Club Absinthe - 19+
    Friday May 22nd, 2009 - Ottawa, ON @ Ritual Night Club - 19+
    Saturday May 23rd, 2009 - Montreal, QC @ Les Saints - 18+
    Friday May 29th, 2009 - St John, NB @ Ozone - 19+
    Saturday May 30th, 2009 - Fredricton, NB @ Capital Exhibition - 19+
    Friday June 5th, 2009 - Halifax, NS - The Palace - 19+

Joel Plaskett and Friends "Three" Tour

“Three” coming to a city near you in April and May!

Joel Plaskett and Friends are getting ready to head out to play for fans across Atlantic Canada this week, and then on the Central and Western Canada in May to round out the tour in Halifax on the 28th and 30th. Joel’s new album “Three” has been gaining critical acclaim for its “traditional and uniquely tasteful Maritime alternative rock that allows for a consistent experience irrespective of modernity “ (Montreal Mirror ) and “ listening to Three is like inviting the unfailingly earnest Plaskett, along with his guitarist father and a pair of female backup singers, into your living room to provide an evening’s entertainment” ( Eye Weekly – Toronto ) and “Plaskett has written and recorded what could very well be the album of his career.”(Vancouver Sun ).

As an extra special thank you to his fans, everyone who attends the Joel Plaskett live shows over the next 6 weeks should listen close as Joel will announce something special just for them. Only concertgoers will know and you have to be at the show to get it!

For a full listing of upcoming dates and information on the album, you can check out http://www.joelplaskett.com . You can also join Joel on Facebook, Myspace and all his fun sites ( links below ) . Don’t forget to upload your pics to flickr and let us know! And, you can also get a copy of the album through Maple Music (http://www.maplemusic.com/artists/jpe/default.asp )

http://joelplaskett.fanbridge.com
http://www.jpemergencyblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=joel+plaskett&m=text
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=joel+plaskett&search_type=
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joel-Plaskett/8374317147
http://www.myspace.com/joelplaskett1

See you at the shows!

PERFORMANCE DATES ( Please contact the Box Offices for Ticket information )
Tue, Apr. 21st Confederation Centre for the Arts Charlottetown, P.E.
Wed, Apr. 22nd Fredericton Playhouse Fredericton, New Brunswick
Thu, Apr. 23rd Imperial Theatre Saint John, New Brunswick
Fri, Apr. 24th Capitol Theatre Moncton, New Brunswick
Sat, May. 2nd Cobalt Classic Theatre Cobalt, Ontario Tickets
Tue, May. 5th Garrick Centre at the Marlborough Winnipeg, MB
Wed, May. 6th The Distrikt Night Club Regina, SK
Thu, May. 7th Knox United Church Calgary, AB
Sat, May. 9th Vogue Theatre Vancouver, British Columbia
Sun, May. 10th Alix Goolden Performance Hall Victoria, BC
Tue, May. 12th Habitat Kelowna, BC
Wed, May. 13th Pavillion Theatre Kamloops, BC
Thu, May. 14th McDougall United Church Edmonton, Alberta
Fri, May. 15th Broadway Theatre Saskatoon, SK at the Broadway Theatre
Wed, May. 20th The Bronson Centre Ottawa, ON
Thu, May. 21st La Sala Rossa Montreal, PQ
Sat, May. 23rd Joel Plaskett with the Emergency, Family & Friends, Massey Hall Toronto, Ontario
Mon, May. 25th Park Playhouse & Performing Arts Centre Cobourg, Ontario
Thu, May. 28th Rebecca Cohn Auditoirumm Halifax, NS SECOND SHOW ADDED
Sat, May. 30th Rebecca Cohn Auditoirumm Halifax, NS SOLD OUT


-- From JPE fan newsletter and Facebook page updates.

Some Great Indie Shows Coming to Winnipeg

Now that it is warming up outside, Winnipeggers can once again venture out of their houses to all of the great Canadian indie shows that are happening around the city. Here are a few you should check out: (links to the artists' CBC Radio 3 pages can be found at the bottom)

Plants and Animals: March 24 Park Theatre $13

Hey Rosetta!: April 9 Shannon's Irish Pub

The Weakerthans & The Constantines: April 17 Burton Cummings $29.50

Melissa McClelland: April 21 Park Theatre $15

Bloc Party & Hot Hot Heat: May 3 Burton Cummings

Joel Plaskett & Friends: May 5 Garrick $20

The Stills: May 16 Garrick $20

Single Review: Through & Through & Through

Loving the new Joel Plaskett song Through & Through & Through.
From his album called "3".
This song has that groovy rock feel.
Love the upbeatness and just feel like dancing to this song.
I am really excited for this new album.

Its going to be three disc and great rocking tracks.

Heard him play this song CBC's Q was totally amazing.

It was the Free Single Of The Week from iTunes but now its $.99 for the song.