Peterborough Folk Festival: What Are they Thinking

A note tonight from the Burning Hell indicates that they were 'turned down again' for the Peterborough Folk Festival (again?!?). I was shocked. I mean there is alot of talent in Peterborough no doubt but the note would imply that the Burning Hell, one of the best live acts in the country, and a band that proudly lives in (and around) Peterborough has been rejected more than once to play their hometown festival. It would be like a Toronto festival rejecting Broken Social Scene, or a Vancouver fest nixing the New Pornographers. I know the Burning Hell are nowhere near that big yet, but Peterborough isn't Toronto or Vancouver either.

I hope, I really hope, that when the festival announces their lineup that it's amazingly brilliant and packed full with great Canadian artists.

Sadly, according to the rumor mill the two front runners to headline at this point are:



Or these guys.

Plight of the Urban Yeti

Canada is supposed to be a tolerant, multicultural country. Usually it is, but what about the Yeti? This video from Peterborough's Patrick Walsh explores the plight of this misunderstood creature. (Someone should start a fund.)

Yeti in the city

You Should Know: Jill Staveley

I don't know what they are putting in the drinking water in Peterborough. There are roughly 75-100,000 people there, but they seem to have more than their share of talented musicians. Enough that Radio Free Peterborough gets by playing only Peterborough artists.

If the name Jill Staveley doesn't mean anything to you (it will soon just wait) then think the Burning Hell. As I've said, I know that Mathias Kom is the Burning Hell even when he's alone, but I've never seen him that way and can't imagine him without Staveley backing him up.

I mean what the hell would "Everything You Believe is a Lie" sound like without her?



So now you have some context and you've heard the incredible voice but did you know that she also has solo stuff? (No you didn't - at least not unless you picked that up from the first podcast.) Check out the Staveley Project! And in keeping with the "Everything You Believe is a Lie" theme you can grab the album Anything But the Truth on Zunior.

All by herself she sounds kinda like this:

Jill Staveley - Charlotte Street Symphony



And she absolutely kills on this cover of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (Dylan originally I think?)

Herohill Reviews The Burning Hell

One of my fav. Canadian music blogs, Herohill.com, has an excellent review up for The Burning Hell's new CD 'Baby' so if you didn't believe me yesterday go read this:

"A few months ago, The Burning Hell came to Halifax and really blew me away. I already enjoyed Matthias’ ukulele ditties – and yes, made the obligatory Stephin Merritt comparisons – but when the band crowded on the small stage at Gus’ Pub, the energy, excitement and enjoyment was unreal. That energy really carries over onto the band’s new Weewerk release, Baby.

...Really the fact you can't help but like the songs is probably the best way to sum up Baby. Fans will love it - it stays true to what you expect and love about the uke driven troubadour but moves more towards the energy and unashamed fun they deliver in a live setting - but the infectious melodies will win over new fans as well. Win, win if you ask me."