The Beatdown sign to Stomp Records and announce tour in support of Spring full length release

Jamming news for ska and reggae fans, Montreal's The Beatdown (ex-One Night Band members) have signed with Stomp Records (Johnstones, Saint Alvia, Creepshow) and will be releasing their debut album in April 2010.

Previous project "One Night Band" is currently on a break, but singer/guitarist Alex Giguere has been keeping busy. Joining forces with Giguere is ONB bass player Pascal Lesieur, ex-drummer Nicolas Fizzano and friend Jovanny Savoie they are The Beatdown. Expect pure reggae, ska with soul, and a punk edge.

The four-piece spent the fall recording in Montreal at Indygene Studios and frontman Giguère, who's worked with bands such as The Planet Smashers, Staylefish, One Night Band, and RDC, produced the forthcoming record. The 12 tracks that make up the full-length features well-known musicians including Larry Love and Patty (One Night Band) and Josh Fuhrman (the Kingpins).

The Beatdown will be spending most of their time on the road, playing their contagious reggae/ska with new and old fans alike. The Beatdown will be hitting the road in January across Quebec and Ontario before heading over to Europe for a month-long tour. In their short time together as a band, The Beatdown have already played at the Montreal International Reggae Festival, Montreal Ska Festival, Ottawa Ska Fest, Festival du bout du monde in Gaspé and has backed Jamaican singer Vernon Maytone and toured with The Johnstones, The Slackers, U-Roy, and Green Room Rockers, just to name a few. So fans of indie music and ska/reggae, will probably dig the unique sounds of The Beatdown.

DOWNLOAD/STREAM tracks from the forthcoming LP:
"Get Ready" - http://drop.io/thebeatdown_preview
"One Night" - http://drop.io/thebeatdown_preview2

TOUR DATES
January 18th @ Université de Trois Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres w/ Planet Smashers
January 21st @ Kathedral, Toronto
January 22nd @ GTA, TBC
January 28th @ Petit Campus, Montreal
January 29th @ L'Agitée, Quebec w/ Subb
January 30th @ Rainbow Bistro, Ottawa
January 30th @ Chez Maurice, St-Lazare
February 5th @ Cégep Lionel Groulx, Ste-Thérèse

LINKS
http://www.myspace.com/jointhebeatdown
http://stomprecords.com

Heather Blush and the Uppercuts: January Tour in BC

Sooth those blues with Heather Blush and the Uppercuts...

Heather Blush and the Uppercuts are braving the snowy mountain roads in January to warm your winter blues with their brand of jazz-infused roots pop. Don't miss your chance to be impressed by these musical troubadors in action! While you're shaking your thing on the dancefloor, pick up a copy of the newest album from the group, VERSA, and if you missed it the the last time through BC, you will also want to complete your collection with the acclaimed predecessor, VICE! Contact ModMay Promotions for more information or to schedule press appearances with Heather Blush and the Uppercuts. CLICK THE PICTURES OR LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION!

TOUR DATES

Thurs. January 7: The Slice, Lethbridge, AB
Sat. January 16: Logan's, Victoria BC w/The Gruff and the Crooked Brothers
Tues. January 19: The Cambie, Nanaimo, BC
Wed. January 20: Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan, BC
Tues. January 26: Cafe Deux Soliels, Vancouver, BC
<Fri. January 29: Wild Bistro, Gibsons, BC

The voice of Heather Blush is a gift to the ears. Smooth, sultry and captivating, the sound is somewhere between Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Harmer, and Heather is known for her clever lyrics that cover all bases from witty sarcasm to gutwrenching honesty. Energetic and engaging, the band is instrumentally gifted as well, Heather's guitar style appears effortless and the trio weaves together musical delights ranging from smoky blues to roots-pop. With the Uppercuts, "Captain" Steve Hazlett on drums and "Cannonball" Shane Sutherland on the upright bass, and both showcasing their own backing vocal skills on some tracks, this trio of friends packs a punch and leaves a lasting impression on every audience they meet.

Following up the success of the trio's first album VICE, a collection of songs focusing in on various "vices", Heather Blush and the Uppercuts were stoked to add their follow-up album and antithesis album, VERSA to the repertoire in 2009. Recorded by Rob Smith at Rocky Mountain Recording Studio in Calgary 'VERSA' is a little more sunny than its predecessor, while maintaining the bluesy roots pop sound that has brought the band much recognition. With such fun tracks as "Papaya, Papaya", an upbeat, fruit-laced love song; the fast talking ditty "Restless", which has been in heavy rotation on CBC's morning radio; and sweet bluesy numbers like "Speechless", it leaves listeners feeling intoxicated. 'VERSA' also medlies traditional tunes "When You're Smilin'" and "Smile" and covers the talented Trina Nestibo's tune, "Baby Its Late".

Heather Blush and the Uppercuts have had a busy year, touring the country and dipping toes in both the Atlantic and Pacific in May and June 2009, releasing 'VERSA' and taking the stage at Central Music Fest, Soulfest and Mountain View Music Fest in July and August. The band attended the OCFF Conference this year as well, as part of the Alberta Showcase, and have also recently showcasedat the Alberta Sessions in Calgary's Epcor Centre (2006 & 2008), and acted as house band on CBC Radio One's Homestretch. Appearing on various radio programs and television shows across Canada, being played as far away as Macedonia and the UK, and performing alongside Stephen Fearing, Ray Bonneville, and Maria Muldaur, Heather Blush and the Uppercuts have proven audiences can't get enough, and they are turning up their volume on the Canadian music scene. Be on the lookout for this smashing group who is sure to make their mark.

CONTACT / LINKS

THE WEBSITE
MYSPACE
Buy the albums on KERFMUSIC
VERSA Review in !EARSHOT

The Zolas! LIVE from their Tour Van!

This is the technology of the future... The Zolas are currently streaming live from their tour van.

Click here to watch right now: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/thezolas

They even made a stop at Booster Juice and took their live stream with them:


Streaming Video by Ustream.TV

The boys recommend you follow them on twitter: @thezolas and you can check out their drive from Oshawa to Kingston tomorrow...

The Deep Dark Woods Sing Something Sweet

Ryan Boldt’s voice is so deep breaking the awkward air between The Deep Dark Woods haunting songs that you cannot help but giggle at the mystery. The low grunting sounds that come from Ryan the lead singers voice, as he says “ a guy with little words should not be left in front of a mike.” acknowledging his awkward sense of self on stage.

A couple of ladies sitting next to us at the Park Theatre in Winnipeg during The Deep Dark Woods show noticed that we knew the boys and asked me after the show if the band was as mysterious and serious in real life as they are on stage and in their lyrics....I giggled again and replied.... “umm I think they are just shy!”. This is actually the truth I believe, when talking to Lucas Goetz about his acceptance speech at the WCMA he laughed and said it was horrible, he pretty much forgot everyone to thank and without the comfort of the band on stage with him. Lucas thanked most people on a first name basis realizing afterwards that his speech didn’t make any sense!

Guitarist Burke Barlow’s solos are so beautiful that he shys away from the audience and serenades the amp! When I asked him about this strange stage performance, he denies it being a “shy” thing but more of a “concentration” technique, which I take with a grain of salt. Chris Mason rocks out on bass, don’t let his chicken dance and head bob fool you, his voice is shockingly angelic. The composition of Chris’ voice with Ryan’s low transcending sound equals roaring melodies.



These boys are old soles, their sound is sweet, dark and timeless.

The Deep Dark Woods took home an award for Roots Group Recording of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards in Brandon, MB this September.

From their self-titled sophomore album to their recent WCMA win the Saskatoon, alt-country band- The Deep Dark Woods are killing it. The crowd was initially watching the boys and the sneak peek of a few of their new songs left a longing for the release of their next album, sure to be a hit. DDW show promise for Canadian music and I cant wait to hear the sounds of their next album.

Check out their latest Eastern Canadian tour dates:
thedeepdarkwoods.com
myspace.com/deepdarkwoods