Tyler Butler joins the crew over at our label Yer Bird Records and re-releases ‘Winter King’ on March 20th, 2012!

If you are reading Slowcoustic on a regular basis, you already know of Mr. Butler from Edmonton and we are very excited to bring one of our favourite albums of last year home to us over at Yer Bird Records.  We are re-releasing it with a couple of ‘bonus tracks’ as well!  The bonus tracks are a newly recorded version of “Feral Horse” from his previous EP Feral Horse plus the previously unheard title track ‘Winter King’.  All in all we couldn’t be happier here at Slowcoustic/Yer Bird Records with having Tyler on board as this album is simply amazing.  See a quick teaser trailer below plus the track listing.

Tyler Butler :: Winter King (March 20, 2012) from Yer Bird Records on Vimeo.

1) Barghest*
2) Morana*
3) Child-Ghost*
4) House Painter*
5) Waxwing
6) Kingfisher
7) Plover
8) Sparrow
9) Feral Horse (Winter King Version)
10) Winter King (previously un-released)

(*Re-Mastered for the 2012 release)

You also might want to check out a new video for Plover recorded in conjunction with this re-release over on the new Winter King website.  We will be uploading a video performance of all 8 of the original tracks on this site over the next few weeks!  For now also enjoy the newly remastered ‘Morana’ below.

~Smansmith

Andrew Sisk (Photo by Scott Munn)

Today’s song of the day is from one Andrew Sisk, who was passed on to me from Matt over at Pigeon Row (see them & their full list of clients here) and I am greatfull this brooding singer songwriter’s newest album is now with me.

The album, Treelines, was released on January 31st and is nine thick-with-character songs recorded “…in his apartment in Montreal with his son Elliott sleeping on his lap during vocal takes, and quietly watching him record classical guitar parts“.  The song “I Whispered It” is a stunning example of what what you would think from that last sentence.  It is a layered but still stripped down beauty – vocals just scratchy enough to feel worn in and echoing guitars in the distance causing texture.  The song both floats and digs into you at first listen.  My only ‘complaint’ is that it ends to soon.  So then, stop and listen for at least two minutes and seventeen seconds today.

Find the full album from Andrew Sisk over on his Bandcamp page.

~Smansmith

Canadian Matt Paxton has a new single from the good folks at Other Songs Music and it is a free download from their Bandcamp page.  The song was finalized late last year with the help from Scott Orr (of Other Songs Music) and features guest vocals by Allison Geleynse.  Its a beauty and I look forward to more from Paxton (you can catch a previous album on his own bandcamp here).

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Next we have another look into what we can expect from the upcoming Kim Janssen album Ancient Crime that should see a release from Snowstar Records on March 9th, 2012 (despite their website saying Jan. 26th…typo?).  We previously posted on the stunning lead off single “Tors” (see here) and with the new live performance of ‘Drift’ via InDeKringloop.nl, I have to say I am getting very excited about the album!

Enjoy your hump day by relaxing to these two new tracks already!

~Smansmith

So the other day my close personal friends The Deep Dark Woods (don’t you know all Canadians know each other?) posted on their website and social outlets about a live download they are giving away.  Well after I feigned hipster nonchalance I casually grabbed a copy of it…I mean whatever…might as well…

Okay, so honestly I was excited and rightfully so.  The download is 8 tracks and does a great job of spanning their discography and shows a range from uptempo jams (of which their live show is known for) and their amazing downtempo balladeer tracks.  The recording is from the Birchmere out in Alexandria, Virginia from January 19, 2012.  I thought I would do you all the favour and send you in their direction to pick it up and give you some sampling below.  You can find it on their website HERE and it is also where the photo atop this post and the banner image on the front page is from.

I have chosen 3 tracks for y’all to sample as each one is from a different album and all stand out.  I have also done you the favour of giving them a slight gain in volume and ever so slight cropping of the tracks with fades…because I love you all.  Now listen and go and grab the whole set from these good ol’ Saskatchewan folks.

“Hang Me, Oh Hang Me (Live at the Birchmere)”
~from ‘Hang Me, Oh Hang Me (2007)’ – Purchase
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“All the Money I Had is Gone (Live at the Birchmere)”
~from ‘Winter Hours (2009)’ – Purchase
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“The Place I Left Behind (Live at the Birchmere)”
~from ‘The Place I Left Behind (2011)’ – Purchase

Enjoy your Saturday and simply pretend you are ‘Live at the Birchmere’ out in Virginia if even for a few minutes.

~Smansmith

Tomorrow sees the CD Release Show for hometown troubadour Reuben Bullock over at the Arrata Opera House here in Calgary.  I believe there is still space but make sure you check into the Facebook event for more info.

The new album “Man Made Lakes” from Bullock sees an album growth from the previous “Pulling Up Arrows” (see our feature here).  The new album is 11 tracks and honestly shows a full range of performances from delicate introspective to punchy indie rock.  Well mostly it is to the softer side but there is always something about Bullock’s performance that lets you know there is something inside almost clawing to get out.  Whether it is the gothic “Burial” to the definitely epic sing a long “Bow and Arrow”.

Where the album soars is in the moody and hallow tracks like “How to Fight” and “Pray For You” and even the stunningly fragile “Once Upon a Time” or “Lullaby”.  I also must list the track “We Belong” as it seems like the epitome of a Reuben Bullock track; focused acoustics along with the back and forth of cadence in the songcrafting.  The type of song you know brings the house down at live shows.  Wait…if there was a live show to see him where would you go?  Tomorrow’s CD Release makes for the perfect moment to see the album, hear the artist and come away with a new favourite album in Man Made Lakes.

Take a listen to a couple of tracks below to get you started along with a recent Streaming Cafe performance of a earlier Slowcoustic favourite “The Rain”.

~

Find out more on Reuben Bullock: Facebook | Bandcamp | Website |

~Smansmith

Found this EP just the other day due to an invite to a local house show here in Calgary.  Wow, am I glad that I got that invite.

So the artist is Paul Stewart and to be honest, I have only been listening to this EP for about 4 days now…but it has been a glorious 4 days.  The 5 songs are available as a “name your price” download over on his Bandcamp page and I immediately dropped my $5 for it after about 48 seconds of total preview split between all 5 tracks.  Why do I note this?  I am noting this as I almost can’t put forward one song as the lead track or single from it – they are all frickin’ great.  He describes his sound as “Defeatist Folk” or as many readers of this blog might call it, “Sad Bastard Folk”.  The songs might be a bit down on their luck but at the same time bring such rich beauty and comfort that I almost miss that fact.

I am selecting 2 tracks to embed below and they are the opening and closing tracks: “Glass Skull” opens the EP with gentle sepia toned echoes of lost summers…you almost picture the song playing over silent video footage of a summer camp in the 50s…it sounds like it floats due to what could be a slide guitar/pedal steel in the background, then the piano hits for the last few moments – stunning.

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Next is the closing track “Crowd Cocoon” which comes in a bit more ominous but with many of the same elements of piano, acoustics, reverb…but used in a more late night solitary drinking binge sort of way.  As many sad bastards know, this can be some of the most stunning and wrecking moments…the same can be said about the song.  It kills me each time I hear it.

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As I mentioned, all tracks are worthy, so if you like the above 2 tracks then there are 3 more just waiting for you and they are just as good.  Highly recommended.

Calgary Concert Alert: Any Calgarians can find Paul Steward at ‘The White House’ next weekend – January 21st with Alex Wesley Cardinal on their Winter Tour.  See the Facebook event for more details.

Find Paul Stewart: Bandcamp | Facebook

~Smansmith

Zachary Lucky and Carly Maicher (two of my current favourite Canadian acts) are going to be here in Calgary tomorrow.  The show is at the House of Commons which is literally 3 blocks from where I am typing this.  So I don’t really have an excuse, right?

Zachary Lucky

Lucky has just finished mixing his new album “Saskatchewan”, so we can hope to expect some new material with addition to his stellar back catalog including his amazing 2010 album “Come and Gone”.  Speaking of which, you can swing by his Bandcamp page to purchase a recent live performance that will benefit the printing/promotion of the new album by visiting that release here.

~~~

Carly Maicher

This week I also received my hand silk screened CD copy of Carly Maicher’s album “Hiding” – a nice little post holiday gift to myself!  This album is another folk, singer-songwriter gem from the prairies and was a surprise/out of nowhere late year find.  This album is absolutely stunning and comes very highly recommended.

Lucky assists on Maicher’s album and Maicher assists on the new live recording from Lucky as well.  So what could be better than both playing together here in Calgary tomorrow.  I would say just about nothing.

Facebook Event
(House of Commons – 6435-Bow Crescent NW)

Zachary Lucky: Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter
Carly Maicher: Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter

~Smansmith

The Sumner Brothers - photo by Nate Lepp

Recently I received the December newsletter from The Sumner Brothers (sign up on their website here) and for the last bit they have been coming with a new cover song each month.  Well, to be honest they have been absolutely stellar.  Some Cash, some Haggard and even some Waits.  Well this December came a great track originally from Airon Dugas (or A.P. Dugas as he records under…I believe) called “Old Skin”.  It was recorded essentially solo from Brian Sumner and it has floored me lately, it is that good.  While I have been a fan of the Sumner Brothers for years, Dugas is new to me from the last month or so.

A.P. Dugas - photo by Kristin Dione Photography

So, after telling you that the most recent cover song is that good, I am not posting it.  I’m a bastard that way.  Sign up for the newsletter and get it free – I ain’t stealing music from musicians…I’m a blogger!  ;-)  No seriously – both A.P. Dugas and The Sumners have been on serious repeat lately after hearing that cover song, so I thought I would throw a few tracks at ya to get you on board.

Tomorrow Wendy by A.P. Dugas by Pluckluck Seattle
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Lose Your Mind by Bob Sumner by Pluckluck Seattle
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09 Ticket to Ride by thesumnerbrothers
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A.P. Dugas – Old Skin by For The Sake Of The Song
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Bonus is the video for Carolina from A.P. Dugas that I found about a week or so ago via The Sumner Brothers Facebook page.  Soo good.

So class, what are you listening to?  That is right – The Sumners and Airon Dugas.  Thank you.

Visit The Sumner Brothers: Website, Facebook & Twitter
Visit A.P. Dugas: MySpace (sorry, not too much on Dugas…yet)

~Smansmith

p.s.  If you haven’t heard the Sumner Brothers cover Townes Van Zandt’s “Colorado Girl” you are in for a treat.  Visit HearYa who posted it a while back right here.

This track has seriously been on repeat for about 2 weeks and qualifies for “Best New Music” already. You know him, but do you know him as a “solo artist”?  Ryan Boldt of The Deep Dark Woods looses none of the prairie roots magic with his own material in comparison to the DDWs.

The track is “Mary Hamilton’s Last Goodnight” and is a spectacularly slow and waning Canadiana track.  The signature vocals of Boldt that immediately bring you to those achingly beautiful tracks from his day job as lead of the Saskatchewan indie heroes The Deep Dark Woods.  I apologize for consistently mentioning the band as this track stands alone as proof of Boldt as a solo artist (even if he isn’t one).  Thanks again to Zachary Lucky & the Prairie Roots Revue for bringing this recording to my attention.  Everyone, enjoy your new favourite track, “Mary Hamilton’s Last Goodnight”.

Follow Ryan Boldt on Facebook and follow on Twitter already!  You can also find The Deep Dark Woods and their newest album (our #3 album of 2011) “The Place I Left Behind” HERE.

~Smansmith

The numbering (as most year end list makers will indicate) is pretty accurate but each album had definitely fluctuated over the course of the year but overall they can easily settle at a +/- 3 spots.  So let’s get started!

~Slowcoustic’s Favourite Albums of 2011~

12.  Mount Moriah – Mount Moriah

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11.  South of Lincoln (now Great American Desert) – Homes

Man, Pt. I by South of Lincoln

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10.  Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy – Wolfroy Goes To Town

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9.  Bon Iver, Bon Iver

“Calgary”

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8.  William Elliott Whitmore – Field Songs

William Elliott Whitmore – Field Song by antirecords

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7.  Chris Bathgate – Salt Year

“Salt Year”

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6.  Frederick Squire – Sings Shenandoah and Other Popular Hits

“All Things Past Serve To Guide You On Your Way”

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5.  Tyler Butler – Winter King

“Morana”

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4.  Dolorean – The Unfazed

Dolorean – Country Clutter by Fargo Records

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3.  The Deep Dark Woods – The Place I Left Behind

West Side Street by The Deep Dark Woods

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2.  Jeffrey Foucault – Horse Latitudes

“Goners Most”

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1.  Josh T. Pearson – Last of the Country Gentlemen

Josh T. Pearson – Woman, When I’ve Raised Hell (Alternative Version) by Mute UK

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There you have it.  Now…discuss!

~Smansmith

Today is kind of a blast of 3 artists/songs that I have been listening to the past week due to recommendations and obvious discoveries.  Soo then, BAM, quick hitters!

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First off, Northcote is Matt Goud out of Victoria BC (that’s in Canada folks) and I discovered him as he is on the bill for the “Prairie Roots Revue” tour that Zachary Lucky updated me on as he is also part of this great roster of traveling musicians.  Then I discovered that Northcote has some free tracks from his website, so I think you all need to listed to a few of these acoustic demos/outtakes/alternate versions.  He has an album worth checking out called ‘Gather No Dust’ (iTunes) which includes the formal & less acoustic version of the track ‘Devils’ below:

“Devils (Acoustic)” – Northcote

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Next we have fellow Prairie Roots Review member Carly Maicher which was a combination Zach Lucky recommendation and April at Common Folk Music mentioning her…so obviously I had to look into it.  I had heard of her before but didn’t actually hear her prior – god dam, this is a great album that she has out now, “Hiding”.  She has a sultry and earthy vocal presentation over mostly sparse banjo laden tracks.  What else can a guy ask for really?  The album is one of my favourite end of year discoveries for sure.  Find it streaming on her Bandcamp page and find the absolutely gorgeous track “Worry” below.

~~

Finally we have a recommendation from Ben over at Vocal Nerd Rodeo who slapped the below track on my Facebook wall all casual and what not.  You know, no big deal just a guy from Denmark with some pretty damn decent acoustic jams and the below sad bastard track.  So I thought you could all check it out as well – he is offering the full WAV version for free download from his below linked Soundcloud page as well.  If you wanted to check out the whole album and offer up some pay what you want action, you can visit the Bandcamp Page as well.
December by TheWhiteAlbum

That is all.  Stick around tomorrow as there will be 2011′s Favourite albums by Slowcoustic making an appearance!

~Smansmith

This young respectable folk artist pictured above is Mr. Tyler Butler.  He is playing a show tomorrow night at Wunderbar in Edmonton – or as it is also known, The New Wunderbar Hofbrauhaus.  Other than the obvious reason I am bringing this to your attention in order to go and see him play music, is he is also selling an EP of demos and cover tracks in support of the venue itself.  Tyler is a big proponent of local music and here he is doing his part by providing all proceeds of the sales of this EP to the Wunderbar itself.

So bottom line here, if you are in the Edmonton area, check out Wunderbar tomorrow night for a full line up of great music including Sheree Plett (new album now out), Tyler Butler, Jordan Norman, James Rockliff and an apparent surprise performance from Johnathan Inc.  The whole night was put together from the good folks at Old Ugly Co. and you can check out a bit more on the Facebook event for full address, etc.

For now, let’s listen to one of those covers from Tyler Butler, here is Lionel Ritchie’s “Hello”;

~Smansmith

Just a quick one today as I have been a bit ‘meh’ lately on getting my bloggin on.  One thing that recently got me out of my funk (or is getting me out of my funk) is the series of Sunday live performances in Vancouver arranged by Slowcoustic favourites The Sumner Brothers.  For The Sake Of The Song Sundays is my kind of gig, if you are in the area this weekend, you should go.  Stripmall Ballads will be playing for Christ’s sake (pun intended).

Listen to a free download from the new Stripmall Ballads website: “Blue Flavored Gatorade”

Also as a bonus and proof of the amazing talent hitting these shows – listen to the below and be blown away.

A.P. Dugas – Old Skin by For The Sake Of The Song
~
Ben Rogers – Cowboys and Indians by For The Sake Of The Song
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Find out more on the events by following them/liking them on Facebook here: For The Sake Of The Song.

~Smansmith

Mid 2010 found Tyler Butler recording a new-to-me session (I actually just found it the other day) for his Feral Horse EP that was released in January 2010.  I wanted to touch on this release as I tend to get wrapped up in his newer album Winter King and forget the amazing debut by this Edmonton singer songwriter.

I wanted to post these two videos because they are great songs and let’s face it, they are still new to me so I am in the honeymoon phase of ‘new’ things.  As I tend to enjoy the stripped down fully acoustic versions of songs, these live solo videos do this in fine fashion and almost comes across as an alternate version.  Currently my favourite of the two is the title track Feral Horse as it is truly a finger picking sombre track – so then, right up my alley.  Check both videos and a stream below.

The Edmo Sessions Vol 6 – Tyler Butler – Feral Horse from Daelan Wood on Vimeo.

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The Edmo Sessions Vol 6 – Tyler Butler – Maythorn from Daelan Wood on Vimeo.

~~

Tell me that isn’t great?  Well thanks to The Edmo Sessions for providing these great videos and an early look into Tyler Butler’s excruciating talent.  Find them online here and the Tyler Butler session here.

Find more songs by Tyler Butler: Bandcamp

~Smansmith

Now playing the newest Scott Orr album Where I Lived, And What I Lived For this Sunday.  If you are looking for a great acoustic album that brings some slow burners and even a few not so slow burners (for those mid-tempo-coustic types) this just might be your next album.

I apparently thought I was listening to this album for a few months but in turn I found out I wasn’t listening to it at all until about 3 weeks ago when Scott called me on it.  For shame.  It was quickly remedied by Other Songs Music Co. and I had a copy of the album almost instantly.  Good folks over there.  So I started listening and the album starts out on a high note with what most are calling “THE song” on the album “In the Belly of a Whale”.  The song is getting a fair amount of warranted buzz for the pitch perfect delivery and soothing acoustics that it brings to the listener.  It is weird, the song has no real percussion for the most part but you feel the ebb and flow as it plays…almost like breathing.  A clear winner for the album.

I warn you not to stop and keep this track as “The Song” as there are more that can stand just as tall in this singer songwriter’s bag of acoustic goodness.  Currently songs like “Knots”, “Who Loves You” and “Nobody’s Someone” are just as compelling and warrant the same amount of love as the lead off track.  Take a listen to Nobody’s Someone below and tell me it doesn’t hit the same mark?

Overall the album should be part of your Sunday listening (regardless if your Sunday happens 7 days a week) and you should take the time to find out what Scott Orr lives for.

Visit Scott Orr:  Website | Other Songs Music Co. | Facebook
Purchase Scott Orr:  Other Songs Music Co. Bandcamp

~Smansmith

I thought today I would do a bit of a blogger round up of for ‘items of note’ that I have noticed, and you should as well.  Well, enough about me…let’s send you other places than Slowcoustic!

• Did y’all see the Wilderness of Manitoba did a HearYa Session?  Well they did, and its available for your waiting ears right here.  Sample:
  
  The Wilderness of Manitoba – Hermit from HearYa.com on Vimeo.
• My good friends over at Mostly Midwest did me another solid and put up even more videos of Chris Bathgate.  Damn, there are lots of vids to choose from from MM, so dig into the most recent pair of acoustic performances from Bathgate right here.  Sample # 1:
  
  Chris Bathgate : Farm Block Session Pt. 2 from Mostly Midwest on Vimeo.
• Martin (or Geordie as he blogs as) at You Crazy Dreamers put up a nice post on Red Heart the Ticker’s new album along with a mp3 from it!  Check out the post on some great old school folk right here.
• The East representing the West over on Herohill as they cover Calgary sweetheart and soon to be music staple Samantha Savage Smith’s new album.  Swing by and check out a track and their take on ‘what’s next’ in Canadian music right here.  Sample a track below:
  Samantha Savage Smith – “You Always Come to Mind” (mp3)

Enjoy your Friday with good music and the great bloggers above!

~Smansmith

This November 7th sees the full length album “Repentance” from British Columbian (and for a short while, Calgarian) Jordan Klassen. One of my favourite artists from the 2010 Calgary Folk Fest is bringing his infectious indie folk to life once again.

Klassen’s music can be akin to a Canadian Sufjan Stevens (without all the crazy art folk mixed in) and possibly more accurately to someone along the lines of Dan Mangan. After sitting down with Jordan during the 2010 Calgary Folk Fest, I know Mangan is considered a personal favourite for him, so I think that is for an obvious reason. The two can make tracks that instantly cause toe tapping and humming along – melodies that can sound almost familiar at first hearing them. They both also mix in a great selection of upbeat indie pop with some slowed down folk ballads with great ease. Definitely a pretty polished sound for this up and coming Canadian talent.

So let’s listen to “Go To Me”, which is the first (and currently free) single from his Bandcamp Page (here).

~

Klassen released his debut album in 2009 and followed it up with the St. Brigid EP late last year, both are streaming as well as available for purchase at his Bandcamp page. Since hearing of the new album, I have been revisiting his debut, Tempest and Winter, and have really enjoyed getting back into it. If you like the above track, definitely check out the songs ‘Anatomical Literacy’, ‘Song of Deborah’ and especially ‘Sing Your Song to Ares’ from his first full length.

Find out more and keep in touch with Jordan Klassen via: Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter & his Website.

~Smansmith

If you are Alberta based and you fancy yourself musically inclined, you have a goal.  That goal is to join the ranks of the musicians included in the TransCanada Alberta Music Series for 2012.  The deadline to submit your talent is upcoming (Sept. 30th), so don’t sleep on this, just do it – we want to see & hear you!

The event is a 4 day series of shows at the lovely Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts and features local talent showcasing what Alberta has to offer.  You can schmooze with industry folks, fans and other musicians – what could be better?  Each night almost has a ‘theme’ of sorts and is both interesting and entertaining at the same time.  So check your memory banks and if you have not already been in the series and your ID indicates you are from Alberta, then get to the submitting already!

I already have my recommendation and I look forward to seeing Tyler Butler from Edmonton featured predominantly in the showcase (are you listening Epcor crew???).  Just kidding, I don’t want to influence anybody at the acceptance committee…but seriously, don’t make me have to make a few visits….again, just kidding…

Listen to a track from Tyler from his wonderful “Winter King” album from earlier this year:

The details are below, so if you have any questions you can download the pdf info sheet at the below address.  Hell, email me and let me look into it for you!

Event Description:  15th Annual Festival of Alberta Music
Opening of Call: June 1, 2011
Closing Deadline: September 30, 2011
Festival Dates:  March 28-31, 2012
Website: www.epcorcentre.org/CareersAndOpportunities/ArtistOpportunities.aspx

~Smansmith

Today is a guest post from Tyler Butler, creator of one of my favourite albums of 2011 thus far, Winter King (see here).  Crawl inside his head and read into how Butler comes to terms with one of the very things it is to be Canadian.  Enjoy the below feature and swing by and visit him on Old Ugly Recording Co or his Bandcamp page.

Friends,

The dark cold of Edmonton’s winter is an isolating force. I know this is an inappropriate time to speak of such a thing — I spent the duration of last weekend wearing a tank top and shorts, dancing in the sun at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival — but the looming threat of snow is never far from the Albertan psyche.

How best to combat the need to stay inside our shelters? Groups of us huddle around fires, wrapped in blankets, holding cups of wine and telling stories. When I wrote Winter King, I focused on these stories. The album is a collection of winter mythologies that I compiled and reconstructed. What I ignored was the great influence of my fire-side friends.

I have compiled a list of songs that provides you with samples from a few of these friends — artists who guided me through the deep cold, held me until the thaw.

1. Caity Fisher – Only the Wind

Thought I would point you all in the direction of fellow Calgarians ‘Welcome to the West‘ today.  I am doing this today of all days due to two fantastic videos they have had on their site recently.  In all honestly I was just going to post the ‘pool party post folk fest’ video, but then saw a nice new Sumner Brothers video and I can’t ignore that!

Welcome to the West focuses on just that, the West of Canada’s music scene – not necessarily Canadian content exclusively, but they do show off that talent often as well.  The video below for The Head and the Heart was filmed after the Calgary Folk Fest just this last weekend in the stairwell of the Westin Calgary and it turned out fantastic – the acoustics of the acoustics came out quite well…you could say.  Watch it now:

the Head and the Heart – Winter Song from Welcome To The West on Vimeo.

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Now this morning I went to grab the above video and noticed a new video from Vancouver’s The Sumner Brothers…can’t resist! The ever touring brothers are on the road promoting their upcoming album “I Love You, Smile” which I am eagerly anticipating. Check out the crazy Kimball Organ in the video as well…

The Sumner Brothers – Lose Your Mind from Welcome To The West on Vimeo.

~~

So there you have it, visit Welcome to the West on their website here.  Check out their archives here.
Visit The Head and the Heart here.
Visit The Sumner Brothers here.

~Smansmith

p.s.  check out the logo design for WttW from Charles Roberts here.

New albums are on their way from a couple of bands that might do something for you Slowcoustic readers.  The albums are from the Canadian sister duo Tasseomancy (nee Ghost Bees) and the Rhode Island duo Brown Bird: while they are both albums to look forward to, they just might be nothing alike!

First off, Tasseomancy are moving in the direction of atmospheric folk and ambient indie – a bit different from the more traditional folkier moments of their former persona ‘Ghost Bees’.  This obviously was a changing in Romi and Sari Lightman’s musical being and hence changed their sound (or refined, maybe?), took on some influences from the boys of Timber Timbre and presto – new album on its way for August 30th.  The album is called ‘Ulalume’ and is definitely on my radar.  Listen to two tracks from a previous 7″ single they put out:
Tasseomancy – The Darkest Of Things by killbeat music
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Tasseomancy – Healthy Hands by killbeat music
~

Next we have a Slowcoustic staple in Brown Bird – no stranger to the pages of this website and I was more than pleasantly surprised to hear of a new album from David Lamb and Morganeve Swain!  The new album is called ‘Salt for Salt’ and the lead off track is a great sampler of what is to come…at least I can hope it is because it is sounding great.  A more acoustic banjo laden track as compared to Tasseomancy above, but that is also a very good thing.  The artwork for the album (see below) is a piece of art from Will Schaff (of Okkervil River fame – as you can tell with its similarity to the OR cover art for ‘Black Sheep Boy’).  Listen to the track ‘Fingers to the Bone’ below.

‘Fingers to the Bone’ – Brown Bird, from 2011′s ‘Salt for Salt’ due Oct. 18th, 2011.

~Smansmith

~~~

NEW stuff from The Deep Dark Woods’ upcoming album The Place I Left Behind:
(album due August 2nd on Six Shooter Records)

“Westside Street”
(see more info on the new album and tour dates via Exclaim.ca)

~~

Herohill vs. Gordon Lightfoot: Turning Back The Pages Of My Sweet Shattered Dreams

In an homage to the great Canadian Singer Songwriters Herohill is feeling like Gordon Lightfoot can be taken, well, lightly.  Not true says the crew on the hill (among almost all of Canada) and they show you 36 reasons why Mr. Lightfoot is a legend in the great white north.  Visit the epic post on Herohill HERE.  Also, we have a song from this massive compilation (that is a fully free download folks) that hits home with local Cam Penner!

“Alberta Bound (Gordon Lightfoot Cover)” – Cam Penner (with Jon Wood)

~

Also, as I really had nothing to do with or coverage of NXNE this year, I really needed to show some love to one of Canada’s largest musical events.  Yesterday I noticed one of my Saskatchewan favs Zachary Lucky linked to an ‘in the park’ performance he had while in T.O. for the event.  The video is below along with new favourite Bellewoods that I found from the same afternoon performance (see them all at The Humble Empire YouTube Channel)!

~

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There you have some Canucks for your Canada Day. Please enjoy!

~Smansmith

Fisticuffs (or Jordan Kurtz) of Saskatoon is new but not ‘new’ to me.  You see, I am a fan of fellow prairie folkster Zachary Lucky and these two seem to be thick as thieves.  So I keep seeing Lucky’s twitter feed calling out this “@heyfisticuffs” and then after getting back into a favourite Shot At The Dark video session with Calgary artist Benjamin Bullock, who was the very next video?  Well, it was Mr. Fisticuffs himself – I watched and listened and then slapped myself full across the face for not listening sooner.  That story is completely true…except for the violence.

So this brings me to the Fisticuffs – I picked up his 2010 EP ‘The Wheat Weather’ over the weekend and started listening – right up my alley I have to say.  A bit of lo-fi indie dream folk (because I can’t fit anymore genres in one sentence…I’m terrible at that stuff) and essentially a more acoustic release.  The EP is 6 tracks total with my current favourite being the ‘recorded in the distance’ track Bellows – solo acoustic, echoing vocals, haunting piano strikes and overall just great stuff.  Turns out my boy Zach Lucky even played some guitar and banjo on the release.  I guess it makes sense that the two of them are touring together with some dates still coming up (see Lucky’s MySpace page for dates).

So let’s take a look at that video from Shot At The Dark (love those guys) that started it all along with a couple of embeds from the EP, The Wheat Weather:

SHOT AT THE DARK – Fisticuffs from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

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There you have it, my new find, is your new find for this Music Monday.  Please swing by and visit Fisticuffs on his Facebook Page, Bandcamp Page ( <— purchase and sample 3 free downloads) and even his MySpace Page.

~Smansmith

When you lay out the music that swings through the numerous channels here at Slowcoustic it can be overwhelming.  But you splay it all out and you pick a few things that catch your ear for one of many reasons.  So, this is simply a post to provide a few things that I thought you all might enjoy as my Slowcousticals.  Enjoy some Canadiana.

Canada has been impressing me lately, what with the Polaris Prize nominations and such.  And to show some love back to the fact that Frederick Squire made the long list (here we come short list!!) I have to pass on some of his newer magic.  Also, as not all things Slowcoustic and Canadian get to be soo lucky, I think they also need some singling out as sometimes it isn’t all about awards but just about good music as well.  So it is time to pass on some love for Canada (please, no Vancouver riot jokes, please..).

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While this is the brand new FS (not the currently nominated Polaris Prize Long Lister – see some love for it here) it is once again proving that he is going to be one of my all time favourites very soon.  Like by this afternoon.  Whatever.  The new album was recorded a little while ago with a sparse arrangements of instruments and recording equipment…just the way I like it.  The result is a stunningly beautiful collection of forgiveness laments.  Not always warm and fuzzy when it comes to songwriting with Squire – but he always seems to find the beauty in the ugly moments and possibly assists in having them more acceptable and then to the listeners, empathy.  Highly recommended.  Recommended highly.  See a bit more information here.

UPDATE: Purchase the album at Zunior HERE.

“All Things Past Serve To Guide You On Your Way” – Frederick Squire
from Frederick Squire Sings Shenandoah and Other Popular Hits (2011, Blue Fog Recordings)

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The Bravest Ghost is more of the younger singer songwriter crowd emerging from Canada and I like what I am hearing.  Sean Craib-Petkau brings finger picking acoustics, atmospheric backgrounds and a voice beyond his days.  There is a new album on the way entitled Nicotine Hymns, but for now, please swing by and pick up the excellent Nicotine Hymns Demos on his Bandcamp page.  For now, watch and listen to a track from his ‘I Left Home’ album that is you all can grab for FREE RIGHT HERE.

The Bravest Ghost – Northline from Emily Kohlert on Vimeo.

Mp3: “North Line” – The Bravest Ghost, from 2010′s “I Life Home” (Self-Released)

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Another regular around these parts who also finds himself in the up and comer category of Canadian singer-songwriter folk types is The Mountains & The Trees.  TM&TT is the moniker of Jon Janes who hails from a much more Easterly location in this fair county than I.  Regardless of the distance, he creates true indie folk tunes that you can’t deny.  Sometimes a bit quirky, sometimes a bit heartbreaking and all around a great listen.  I have included a track that is currently unreleased but will most likely find a home on a new release by the end of the year.  Need to know more?  Please sign up for his mailing list here (to get treats like the below track) and find him via his website.

“Carry On” – The Mountains & The Trees

Swing by iTunes for more TM&TT here.

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2011/06/18/saturday-grab-bag-with-frederick-squire-the-bravest-ghost-and-the-mountains-the-trees/feed/ 4 http://slowcoustic.com/2011/06/16/song-of-the-day-black-gold-from-one-hundred-dollars/ http://slowcoustic.com/2011/06/16/song-of-the-day-black-gold-from-one-hundred-dollars/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:29:19 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=6072

Just thinking about this album today as they are announcing the long list for the Polaris Prize today (keep an eye out here).  If you are unaware, the 2011 Polaris Prize is the ‘best’ Canadian album to be released between June 2010 and May 2011 as chosen by music editors, sites, critics in Canada.  Slowcoustic is considered one of those Canadian music types and I voted for my favourite albums and this band may have been among the list….I ain’t gonna tell.

One Hundred Dollars new album “Songs of Man” is a strong contender for reaching at least the long list of the Polaris, but unfortunately I don’t see a more country/roots type band winning for some reason.  All I can say is that I hope that the whole process isn’t just an exercise in voting Arcade Fire for the top spot (despite it being a good album as well).  Lets all hope we see $100 represented today on the announcement for the competition to Canada’s ‘best’ album of the 2010/2011 season.  That is all I am going to say on this subject (at this time).  ;-)

One Hundred Dollars’ ‘Songs of Man’: While you can expect a bit of a country experience from One Hundred Dollars, you also get a bit of retro rock, folky moments all mixed together into a rambling rootsy album.  This may sound wishy washy and almost a bit thrown together, but it isn’t – it feels quite well assembled in all reality.  If a slightly tamer Janis Joplin decided to become an outlaw country act, then One Hundred Dollars should be on your listening “long list”.

Enjoy Black Gold as your song of the day:

“Black Gold” from One Hundred Dollars album “Songs Of Man”

Find more/purchase: Website, Outside Music, Facebook and Zunior (purchase).

~Smansmith

After a conversation about ‘Cold Specks’ this morning with Drunk Country (from The Waiting Room Radio Show), I actually listened to this artist.  As I was not immediately sure who Cold Specks was but quickly became aware thanks to a conversation DC was having with Tim of The Blue Walrus (see their post on Cold Specks here).  We were essentially discussing the resurfacing of the artist in general and that she still has the chops to make you stop in your tracks and simply stand with mouth agape at the stunning sounds created (both sonically and vocally).  Cold Specks (& the name of Al Spx she now uses) are the newest monikers of this artist from Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada and she seems to be born anew with this project after taking the previous more lo-fi ‘Basket of Figs’ persona to its completion.

The song of the day is “Holland” and it is actually a reworking of the track from her ‘Oh Eye, Oh Night’ EP from a couple of years back.  While the original is still amazing in its own right, this Cold Specks final version is almost a phoenix from the flames – it grows in scape and is awash in the folk noir that it clearly basks in.  This version has the song doubling in length from the original and even finds the song to almost be a new beast all together.  Either way, its stunning.

Holland by Cold Specks

Find out more when information comes available on the new Cold Specks website, Facebook and MySpace pages.
Download the song via Mediafire HERE.

Expect a full length album very soon.

~Smansmith

“Unkind”

I have always had a soft spot for Sloan since ‘Underwhelmed’ back in the day.  I admit I haven’t followed them exclusively over the last few years, but they seem to still be pretty much Sloan.  The power guitar stroke and pseudo punk-pop feel.  This song I’m posting isn’t exactly ‘Slowcoustic’, but I need a little oompf today to get through until I go on vacation this Friday.  This new Sloan track is providing a bit of that oompf for me.

More On This Album

p.s.  One of my favourite bits of lyrics from Underwhelmed:

She wrote out a story
About her life
I think it included
Something about me
I’m not sure of that
But I’m sure of one thing
Her spelling’s atrocious

She told me to read
Between the lines
And tell her exactly
What I got out of it
I told her affection had two F’s
Especially when
You’re dealing with me

~Smansmith

Today gets a great track I listened to a few months back and never got around to posting on it.  Sooo much music I guess.  Not really an excuse, I know – especially for a great track like this one.

Daniel Huscroft is a Canadian singer songwriter that is a little hard to classify into a specific genre – I want to say folkish, indie singer songwriter-ish, or along those lines.  Listen to the song below and you will understand where I am coming from.  Clearly a powerful vocalist and I think the polish on the great HD video my belie any gruff exterior he might show.  I am sure that was the point of the video having Huscroft in the middle of classical musicians with strategic blur and the like – nice little video for the song I think.

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GONE by Daniel Huscroft
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“Gone” is from his 2010 album “Here Is Just For Now” and you can find it on iTunes here or CD Baby here.  Lots of strings, acoustic guitar and strong vocals – what’s wrong with that for a Friday?  Nothing, now go into your weekend as this week is….gone.  [weak, I know]

Find out more on Daniel Huscroft on his new Facebook page or even his MySpace page.

~Smansmith

Tyler Butler is creating slowed down folky soundscapes from the city of champions, Edmonton.  Sometimes I find myself scouring the US and Europe for music and end up finding some of the best stuff right in my own backyard.  Figures.

Tyler has recently released his latest album ‘Winter King’ on OLD UGLY Recording Co and while I am just getting into this stripped down acoustic album, it is truly impressing.  Winter King was created to infuse ‘Winter Mythology’ with ‘Complex & Controlled Poetry’.  What I take from this is that the album brings stories melded into songs that make you fall deep into them and you also get lost in the fantastic tales themselves.  Butler indicates that the album has come out of the exploration of social and personal life experienced over the long dark Edmonton winter.  Something I am not totally unfamiliar with and as an analogy, I have to say it rings true.  When days are short, bleak and isolating one can come out with clarity and even more so, great music.  Sample one:

With comparisons to true singer songwriters like J. Tillman, Will Oldham and Bon Iver – you get an impression of a down trodden but musically driven person.  While many dismiss lo-fi or minimal sounding music, this is where ‘real’ music lives for me – in the quiet moments of a song between versus, audible finger slides on strings and slight whispers that an artist mutters to themselves.  Butler brings you inside his world, sits you down next to him and he sings to you and not at you.  Listen in headphones to catch it all, it is truly worth your time.  Sample two:

The new album “Winter King” is now out via his Bandcamp page HERE and while perusing you can catch his live performance on CJSR for a pay-at-your-own-risk download (re: free if you wish) that is also a must.  Take the time, tell your friends and slow down for a moment.

~Smansmith

P.S.  Bonus track: “Morana (Live at CJSR)” – Tyler Butler.  Studio version on “Winter King”.

Today sees the local release of Samantha Savage Smith’s “Tough Cookie”, and I think this is one of the most anticipated local albums in a long while.  I think this statement can’t be more true after a few listens (I admittedly have only listen 3 or 4 times) – the album travels generations and genres in the span of 49 minutes.

While many around the world are highly anticipating Calgary albums from artists like Chad VanGaalen and Women, they are going to need to start to share the world stage soon.  The album “Tough Cookie” has been in the making for some time, but songs have been circling for a while during the finalization of this album.  The songs below from her Bandcamp page just might not be the actual versions as the final album feels a bit more polished all around.  There are the classics I have been listening to for a couple of years (The Fight) and some that I have been listening to on a regular basis for at least 6 months (albeit without the final touches).

The album is immense, loud & a bit brash at times, then soft and soothing the next.  This 24 year old has put together songs that still connect while being diverse and I find each song can even stand alone in texture and feel…as they each glide through our Rocky Mountain air.  Don’t worry, non-Calgarians will also agree, that voice can’t be stopped by any location.  That leads me to something that often is the focal point of many overviews of Savage Smith and I won’t deny that I sometimes feel a bit dated saying it.  But now that I have been listening for a while, it really can’t be denied.  The voice of this woman is soo distinct & powerful it would be a shame to overlook the obviousness of it due to it being so, well…fantastic.  Her deep and powerful (almost out of body) vocals polish off all of these songs, it is the sometimes missing instrument in almost any other band.  Her voice sounds older than her 24 years on this earth could even possibly ever have hoped to have created.   It reaches back to classic crooners in smokey cabarets…albeit as long as those cabarets had a little bit of bite.

I admit I find myself almost partial to SSS…maybe because she is local, but it might be because she seems like such a great individual.  After seeing her perform 3 times last summer at the Calgary Folk Fest, as well as sitting down with her to talk to her a bit, she seems like such a down to earth person…except she is creating this immense and catchy music on the side.  So, please ignore any fawning, the album is good and not just getting the local shine.

Slowcousticals can enjoy songs like You Always Come To Mind, Devilman, The Fight & Good of Goodbyes.  For a bit of down tempo/summer pop, you can enjoy a song like 1000 days or The Hats.  Overall the album seems a bit gritty, at 3/4 speed and I dare say a bit sexy in a late night whiskey induced nightclub sort of way.  The album, not unlike Samantha Savage Smith is more than a little bit intoxicating.

The album really took off into becoming reality after local staple Lorrie Matheson (visit) started listening to some of the many demos from Savage Smith.  She was getting a bit of a well deserved buzz in the local scene and Matheson heard the potential immediately.  The album was completed in late 2010 and found the backing crew of Chris Dadge, Scott Munro and Brooker Buckingham (who have lent their talents to recordings and live shows by Chad VanGaalen, Rae Spoon, Ghostkeeper, Fake Cops and Woodpigeon).

Listen to a couple of tracks below:

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**The album gets it’s local release TONIGHT at The Palomino Club (see here) and you will even get to hear another local hero on the bill, SAVK (see a quick post on him here).  This is truly a great line up of local talent and you will even get a chance to purchase the new album at the show!  Unfortunately at the moment I only know of her Bandcamp to purchase the album or individual tracks, but hopefully that will expand very soon!

UPDATE: Locals can purchase the new CD here in Calgary at Hot Wax, Sloth Records and Melodiya and if you are not local, you can email me and I can pass on the information about ordering direct (PayPal required & $15.00 which includes shipping worldwide).  <— get on it!

Please visit Samantha Savage Smith on her Bandcamp Page & MySpace page.

~Smansmith

p.s.  Bonus video that I LOVE from the good folks at Shot At The Dark:

SHOT AT THE DARK – Samantha Savage from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

I have been a bit out of touch on the blog lately and missed a few days due to the rigors of my non-blog life (the farce of ‘real’ work) so I needed to come back with a couple of tracks at least! Well, lucky enough there are a few artists that I truly enjoy that are releasing some new songs for all our listening pleasure. Lets start with this mini-mixtape!

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Marissa Nadler is hard at work finishing up her upcoming self titled album (June 14th, 2011) after a successful Kickstarter project to fund it. Always a fan of Nadler so we know it will be stunning with a side of soaring ethereal moments. Or something like that. Listen to a sampling of the new album below:

“Baby, I Will Leave You in The Morning” – Marissa Nadler, from the upcoming S/T album (2011)
Find more on Nadler on her Facebook, Twitter, Website (& pre-order the album)

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Next we have a classic track from Lewis & Clarke who have been known to get stuck on my listening playlist on purpose. The band are masters of wrapping you in sound courtesy of Lou Rogai and his trusty crew. Beautiful and aching is probably the best way to describe the music – it’s fragile but not minimal, its full and sonic at times – take a dip into a recent cover from the good folks at WXPN in Philly.
My Name Is Carnival (Jackson C. Frank Cover) WXPN Live 2/20/11 by Lewis & Clarke

Find more on Lewis & Clarke on Facebook, Band Website as well as label La Société Expéditionnaire.

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Also someone who I have been following a lot lately is Canadian singer songwriter Sean Craib-Petkau or as we know and love him, The Bravest Ghost. His new “Nicotine Hymns Demos” are out in advance of the actual Nicotine Hymns and try another great track from this must have EP.
Devil’s Hooves by TheBravestGhost

I would have posted his new track from Bandcamp “Winter Rolls”, but damn that bandcamp only uses iframe for embeds now, so go visit here for that.

Find more on The Bravest Ghost on his Facebook & Bandcamp.

That is all I have for now, enjoy your Thursday.

~Smansmith

New video for the track “Woman” from Timber Timbre’s new album Creep On Creepin’ On, set to be released next week!
Get your creepin’ on below!

Find the new album via Arts & Crafts or visit the Timber Timbre site.  Also, make sure to see if TT are coming to your neck of the woods with their extensive tour here (Calgary – May 28th!!).

Listen:

~Smansmith

*Also, any purchases for the rest of this weekend for this EP will have 50% of their purchase price donated for the relief efforts for the Japanese disaster.

Stream the album below:

Bonus track: “I am Hungry (Alternate Version)” – from the I Left Home album.

~Smansmith

Just a teaser post today featuring the teaser track from the upcoming album from The Bravest Ghost.  If this is just the beginning, we just might be salivating for the remainder of this feast of an album on its way.

The upcoming album entitled “The Nicotine Hymns Demos” from The Bravest Ghost (or Sean Craib-Petkau) sounds, in title alone, like it is something Slowcoustic would be very interested in and then I listened to Soul to Sell and I’m officially hooked.  Sean is a Saskatchewan native who now resides in London, Ontario and came to me via recommendation from another artist, Zachary Lucky.  If you read Slowcoustic on at least a semi regular basis, you know that I am a huge fan of Lucky and if he is vouching for The Bravest Ghost, I am listening.  And listening I am doing…and I want to do more.

For now, listen to the slightly haunting, hushed beauty in Soul to Sell below:

~

Find out more on The Bravest Ghost on Facebook, MySpace and his Bandcamp page!

~Smansmith

Nothing new to the regular Slowcoustic fans I am sure, but we are big fans of The Wilderness of Manitoba and have been for a few years now.  Well, the first album from the troupe “Hymns of Love & Spirits” was recently reissued – while technically an EP, it feels more like an album now with the additions of new songs and reworked originals.  The album is full of the soaring vocals, hushed moments that all great folk albums include and this one comes with a full on double thumbs up.  If you had the original, please consider getting the new release that includes the below track “Mother” and a re-recorded “Dreamcatchers’ (a much larger sound this time, but don’t worry the original isn’t replaced, both versions included on the new release) and a traditional folk track in “Softly & Tenderly”.

Enjoy today’s Song of the Day:

“Mother Song” – The Wilderness of Manitoba
from the reissue of Hymns of Love & Spirits

Bonus video for “Evening” from the release:

Find out more on The Wilderness of Manitoba on their Facebook & MySpace
Purchase on iTunes

~Smansmith

p.s.  Keep an ear out for the 3 track Summer Fires digital EP that should see a release in mid-late March

Green Couch Sessions • BEN CAPLAN from Green Couch on Vimeo.

Find more on Ben Caplan & the Casual Smokers on their Facebook, MySpace and CBC Radio 3
Find more on the Green Couch Sessions on their Website, Twitter and Facebook.

~Smansmith

Timber Timbre has always intrigued me with his cryptic unique sound.  And once again, he brings it with the new lead off single to his upcoming album.  At least we do know (so far) that more of his signature gothic folk is on its way.  This makes me happy and looking forward to the April 5th release date.

If you’re Canadian you will most likely be familiar with Taylor Kirk & company’s music for a few years now and with his albums starting to be released (and re-released) globally, more people are finding this gem of a local hero.  His music brings in an aura that is hard to describe, but you know it immediately – almost as if your hearing became equivalent to watching grainy black & white movies from the 1940s.  There is a bit of gothic mixed with “folk” and even jazz and blues – and that voice coming out of the unassuming Kirk is something else.

Listen above with me as we wait or you can grab a copy to download with your PRE-ORDER.  Check out the package options on that pre-order link as well, it all looks very tempting.

Check out the artwork – this is very much Timber Timbre!

~Smansmith

So I was going to do a “Calgary Concert Alert” as I saw Del Barber was going to be at the Ironwood here in Calgary this weekend…but apparently he isn’t.  Thank you very much Pollstar concert listings!  But then as I was gearing up to put a quick something together on the show, I realized I didn’t actually do a post on Del Barber’s most recent album “Love Songs for the last 20″.  Bad, bad Canadian (also from Winnipeg) music blogger.

I am no stranger to Del’s music (see previous mentions here and here) and I knew he had a new album, but with how things go, I simply missed out on at least a mention.  Well, better late than never I guess.  So Del Barber has a new album!

The album was released last June and continues on Del’s penchant for rootsy on the road Canadiana.  Yes Canadiana…its like Americana but comes with Canadian subject matter, locations, descriptions and it simply sounds like a great description for it.  Admittedly I haven’t given this album to truly enough listening to truly review or comment intelligently on it but it does stand up to the listening so far and I am punching myself now for not listening earlier.  Of the album so far, I prefer the pining tracks which he performs beautifully with such songs like “Katy Sparrow”, “62 Richmond”, “Miles and Years” and the duet “Love Song For the Last 20″.  He even has a prairie drawl if you listen, really great open range tunes.  But Del isn’t afraid to kick it up a notch and put some songs that I am sure to provide the extra something for his live shows.  Which is something I am not seeing this weekend.  Thanks again Pollstar.

Regardless, for a listen of the song Chicago, simply click below (courtesy of Craig over at Songs:Illinois – another Canadian album he posted on before me…).

“Chicago” – Del Barber, from 2010′s “Love Songs For the Last Twenty”

Bonus tracks previously posted:

“Harvest”
“Where the City Ends”
from the FANTASTIC 2009 album “Where The City Ends”

Find more Del Barber on his Facebook, MySpace and Twitter
Purchase Del Barber on CD Baby, eMusic, iTunes

~Smansmith

p.s.  Hey you Winnipeg peeps, don’t think “62 Richmond” is lost on me!  Lyric: “At a bus stop, confusion’s got him cornered…” nice, very nice.

p.p.s. Also, I am not having a stroke, I know I go back and forth with “20″ and “twenty” – Album art is “20″ vs song names are tagged “twenty”, so there.  ;-)

A little bit of everything for your Saturday today.  I haven’t done one of these “round ups” in a while, so I thought I would put one up as I wanted to get votes tell you some happenings around Slowcoustic HQ and ramble on…more or less….

Site News

• First off, do you ever feel like you really need to vote for us here at Slowcoustic?  Okay, fine.  Well, how about you listen to me ask you to vote for Slowcoustic?  Better.  We have been nominated for CBC Radio 3′s Searchlight Poll where they are looking for the “Best Canadian Website”.  Its a little vague, but essentially, if it is a website and it is about music in some way then which one is your favourite.  There are actually a massive amount of great sites to vote for, so if you get a chance you should visit to vote for someone at least (and if it is Slowcoustic, then we thank you).  VOTE HERE.

• Slowcoustic (or rather me, Sandy) has been asked to be a juror for the 2011 Polaris Prize!  Yeah, me!  So I will be voting as part of Canadian media on what album released by a Canadian from June 1, 2010 – May 31, 2011 is really doing something for me.  If you are in the UK, it is essentially like the Mercury Prize there.  Have a couple of albums I really like but there are a couple open slots….are you listening Canadian bands?

Upcoming Albums

I thought I would post a couple of tracks from upcoming albums that I recommend.  I was also going to call this feature albums that leaked and I now can’t wait to buy them, but then that sounded like an admission of some sort of guilt.  ;-)

• The Low Anthem – “Smart Flesh” – Feb. 22nd (Pre-Order).  This album seems familiar but worlds away from Charlie Darwin and I dare say it works.  While I still think Charlie Darwin had one of my all time favourite tracks in its title track, the new album brings Americana (Hey, All You Hippies, Apothecary Love), Indie-Rock(Boeing 737) and their great mixture of strings, piano, harmonica and great delivery of lyrics together for an album to look forward to.  There is even a contender for that slow, pining song that makes an album for me in the track “Love and Altar”.  Recommended.

Listen: “Ghost Woman Blues”

• The Rural Alberta Advantage – “Departing” – March 1st (Pre-Order).  This album was surprisingly not as “upbeat” as I thought it was going to be.  And maybe “upbeat” isn’t the word I should say, but maybe not as driving of a record.  This suits a sad bastard like me just fine.  While there are fantastic “get out of your chair” tracks like Stamp, there are some great slowed down tracks that still hold on to that signature sound of The RAA…like Coldest Days, Two Lovers and Under the Knife.  Now that I am actually typing it, maybe it is more like 50/50 in the rocking vs. listening tracks…that Tornado ’87 and Barnes’ Yard have some crazy good hooks.  Okay, this album is great and I am sure a lot of fellow bloggers are having a collective sigh of relief in the fact that the follow up to Hometowns is worthy.   Recommended.

Listen: “Stamp”

• Oh, and that new PJ Harvey album ‘Let England Shake’ is killing.  I think this will be an album like The National’s “High Violet” – it is all around good and is going to stand up to many ears.  Just sayin.

Just Stuff

“Just Stuff” is a little misleading for the below as it makes it sound like it is lesser?!?  This stuff is stuff that I have been listening to and I have to share as it is just too good.

• Conrad Plymouth who’s self-titled release was one of my favourite EPs of 2010 are said to have their debut full length coming out this spring.  Details are still a bit light, but I am very much looking forward to it.  CP are the type of band that I always sing to, it just makes me want to join in – the songs pull me in, the melodies and harmonies can’t be denied and it just sticks with you.  If you follow Conrad Plymouth on Twitter (follow them) you would have been privy to a tweet with a collection of 3 live tracks from a WMSE fundraiser show last May.  I mention this as one of the tracks “Tapes” is stellar and will be on the new album.  This makes me want it even more.

“Tapes (Live on WMSE)” – Conrad Plymouth (purchase their Vinyl EP at Ten Atoms)

• If you know me, you know I am a fan of Jason Molina and the things he does (well, mainly his solo or Songs:Ohia stuff) and I wanted to recommend an artist who has a release with a few songs that give me the same type of chills as some of the earlier Molina stuff.  The band is Psalmships who is essentially Joshua Britton from Philadelphia and he creates moody pieces of music that like I said, give me shivers.  Listen to 2 tracks of his Kronotsky album now.

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Find more on Psalmships and 5 releases worth of music on his Bandcamp page.

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Enjoy your Saturday updates.

~Smansmith

Zachary Lucky made one of the best albums in Canada last year and I am still humming along to that damn thing.   Well he shot a “Green Couch” session late last year and it is now available for watching!  Those that are not familiar, Green Couch Sessions is a Vancouver based video series of talented Canadian musicians (I think it is only/moslty Canadian…) – of which Lucky is.  Watch one of my favourite songs of 2010 “O’ Ontario” below:

Green Couch Session • ZACHARY LUCKY from Green Couch on Vimeo.
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Visit Zachary Lucky: Bandcamp, Facebook, MySpace & Twitter
Visit the Green Couch Sessions: Website, Facebook & Twitter

~Smansmith

Slow down, Molasses is a Saskatchewan band (yes, that’s in Canada) that is coming out with their second full length release this coming March.  As far as albums go, this one has a little bit of everything – this is becoming a bit of a trend with bands in order to not be all “samey” and it really shows Slow down, Molasses…well, being a band…if you get my meaning.

The album is 9 tracks that span musical styles from indie pop-rock, almost Radiohead like moments and then all the way to an expansive wall of sound and still finish up nicely with intimate laments!  This can be a challenge for some bands to have such range in one album, but this prairie outfit don’t seem to have any issues.   You have full on indie rock in tracks like “Late Night Radio” and “Wake Me Up At The Coast” then they about face and immerse you melancholy with “As Meant To Be” or “Bodies” or the absolutely stunning title track “Walk Into the Sea”.  The band have also taken to full use of orchestral elements in their building of a fuller sound and it really works – now, why doesn’t everyone have trumpet alongside electric guitar and a cello?  There is no reason not to and Slow down, Molasses show your ears how much they like it.

The album also has had some truly great contributors throughout the year or so it has been coming together…ummm, Julie Doiron and Olenka and the Autumn Lovers…very nice.  This is also why I feel like the new album is a larger sound and shows growth in SdM as a full on outfit – this could be one of the next great Canadian bands.

The lead off track is “Feathers” which is below along with the newest sampling, “Fade Out”, which are both available from their Bandcamp Page.  Having a listen to both will start you on the journey that is this album, they almost sound like they could be from Side A and Side B or separate acts of a play, and not unlike the album – I like it that way.

“Feathers” – Slow down, Molasses – from 2011′s “Walk into the Sea”

~~

Find our more on Slow down, Molasses: Website, Facebook, MySpace & Twitter
Purchase Slow down, Molasses: iTunes, Zunior & CD Baby

Upcoming Tour Dates

March 10 – Saskatoon – Caffe Sola Walk Into The Sea All Ages album release
March 11 – Saskatoon – Amigo’s – Walk Into The Sea album release & tour kick off!
March 12 – Edmonton – Wunderbar w/ Jeans Boots and Jessica Jalbert
March 15 – Vancouver – The Biltmore w/ Jeans Boots
March 17 – Calgary – Broken City w/ Deadhorse and Scars & Scarves
March 18 – Regina – O’Hanlons w/ Jeans Boots
March 19 – Winnipeg – The Lo Pub w/ Jeans Boots, The Empty Standards and The Slow Dancers
March 20 – Thunder Bay – The Apollo w/ Jeans Boots
March 22 – Toronto – The Horseshoe w/ Jeans Boots
March 24 – Halifax – Gus’ Pub w/ Jeans Boots, Dance Movie and Klarka Weinwurm
March 25 – Fredricton – The Capitol w/ Sleepless Nights and Writer’s Strike
March 26 – Sackville – The Royal Canadian Legion – Shotgun Jimmie’s cd release!!!
March 27 – Charlottetown – Baba’s w/ Jeans BootsM
March 29 – Montreal – L’escogriffe w/ Jeans Boots
March 30 – Ottawa – The Raw Sugar w/ Jeans Boots
April 1 – Toronto – The Garrison w/ Forest City Lovers
April 2 – London – APK Live w/ Forest City Lovers

~Smansmith

Twilight Hotel are bringing their new album and tour through Calgary this coming weekend at the Kerf Music Showcast at the Ironwood.  If you are interested in a slighly 60′s influenced indie pop this will be the place for you.  I find the music of Twilight Hotel hard to describe, there are so many elements intertwined here, but it feels about what the photo above would make you think it sounds like.  That does make sense, right?

Regardless, the show is this Sunday and Calgary’s own SAVK is going to be performing as well, so it will be a great show.  Find a couple of tracks below from the new album “When The Wolves Go Blind” that was just released in January.

Twilight Hotel
“Ham Radio Blues” (mp3)
“Golden Eagle” (mp3)
“When The Wolves Go Blind” (mp3)

from “When the Wolves Go Blind”
(Cavalier Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
More On This Album

Visit Twilight Hotel on their Website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter.

~Smansmith

Devil’s Time – Trailer from Shot at The Dark on Vimeo.

Reuben Bullock’s album Pulling Up Arrows made it to my “Best Canadian Albums of 2010″ list (see here) and now we are seeing a video feature for one of the tracks from the album, that track is Devils Time.  This is not just a “video” as much as it is a short film.  The Devils Time feature is a combination effort that includes musicians/brothers and now actors, Reuben and Benjamin Bullock and was directed by Brock Mitchell (of Shot At The Dark fame) and produced by Justin Huculak.  From the look of the first teaser, then the second teaser above – this looks to be epic!

Description from the new website & Bandcamp stream of the track (its a free download as well folks!):

Devil’s Time is a short film / music video for the song “devil’s time” off of Reuben Bullock’s debut album, “pulling up arrows”. It was filmed in the late summer in the badlands, taking shape among the jagged terrain, endless prairies and wide open sky landscaping southern Alberta.

There is a bit of back story as well for this whole thing (for me at least) as I remember last summer sitting down with Reuben over coffee and talking about his music and he mentioned “Devils Time”.  So I know the song already, but he mentioned there was going to be a video and he was really excited about it…there was going to be a horse rented!  So this isn’t your run of the mill, indie made video thrown together to get something out there – there is intent here and possibly gravitas for lack of a better word.  The trailer leaves me feeling like this will be something to really dig my teeth into.

Brock Mitchell told me a little about the experience and by the sounds of it, there are bits and pieces of mental (and possibly physical) shrapnel embedded into the psyche of Bullock and crew after creating and capturing the vision of Devils Time.  Some of the quotes and descriptions on the video shoot are included below;

• “…we built the short story for Devil’s Time, involving Reuben as this fugitive that has been caught by the sheriff…no back story…sheriff had been on his trail for years”
• “…looking for something authentic, and unique…”
• “…the song would involve him being tied and bound…”
• “…tension between the sheriff and the fugitive during one night of their travels together…”
• “…to bond with this horse, and really become part of the landscape….”
• “…[the landscape]…which had its own curiosity to it, where we never knew what was around every bend…”

The shoot itself didn’t go without obstacle – if you get the chance, you can ask the Bullock brothers or crew about the unforeseen storm that swept through the filming that almost put a end to the shoot…

Hmmmm, got ya thinking didn’t it?  Well, this “EVENT” will take place at the fantastic Theatre Grand Junction (see info) and will be the place to be.  There will also be a performance from Bullock as well as another local favourite, Samantha Savage Smith.  All you local Calgary types should consider this a no-brainer – great music and a great film.  Listen to a track from Reuben and Samantha and tell me you won’t be there…

“The Rain” – Reuben Bullock (from 2010′s Pulling Up Arrows)
“You Always Come to Mind” – Samantha Savage Smith (from her upcoming March 2011 release)

Find More Info on this event & Reuben Bullock: Website, MySpace, Facebook
Find More Info on Shot At The Dark and Brock Mitchell – Vimeo, Twitter

Purchase Pulling Up Arrows on CD Baby and on iTunes

Below are a few ‘behind the scenes’ photos from the experience courtesy of Shot At The Dark.

See y’all there on Friday, January 28th, 2011 at the Grand!

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2011/01/18/calgary-eventconcert-alert-reuben-bullocks-devils-time-premiere-on-january-28th-2011/feed/ 2 http://slowcoustic.com/2010/12/06/slowcoustics-favourite-canadian-albums-of-2010/ http://slowcoustic.com/2010/12/06/slowcoustics-favourite-canadian-albums-of-2010/#comments Mon, 06 Dec 2010 14:35:11 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=5416

This is more or less a list of most played and/or my favourite albums from Canadian artists released in 2010 – I don’t say “Best” and I don’t pretend to have listened exclusively to Canadian content this past year.  So let’s not dig too deep into this post, it is simply a list of albums that really work(ed) for me, are better than most and are recorded by someone from the great white north.  I am also not going into summary of the albums with each below as I am a niche genre music blogger, and lets be honest about it, most selections will be pretty close in style, sound, vibe, feel, aura, acoustics, lyrical content, etc, etc…  So dig in, listen to a track, I guarantee there is quality music below…eh?

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The top 6 album that I listened to

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1.  Postdata – “Postdata”
Listen: “Tobias Gray”
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2.  Donovan Woods – “The Widowmaker”
Listen: “Lawren Harris”
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3.  Zachary Lucky – “Come & Gone”
Listen: “Coming Back Home”
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4.  Frederick Squire – “March 12″
Listen: “Frankie and Albert” (now known as “The Future of Tradition”)
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5.  Reuben Bullock – “Pulling Up Arrows”
Listen: “The Rain”
~

6.  The Wilderness of Manitoba – “When You Left The Fire”
Listen: “Hermit”

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Additional great albums in 2010

(in no specific order)

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The Sumner Brothers – “In the Garage 2 – Your Last Chance”
Listen: “Going Out West”
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Siskiyou – “Siskiyou”
Listen:
~

Savk – “Savk”

The Mountains & The Trees – “I Made This For You”
Listen: “More & More & More”
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Woodpigeon – “Die Stadt Muzikanten”
Listen: “Spirehouse”
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Gianna Lauren – “Some Move Closer, Some Move On”
Listen: “Stowaway”
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Frazey Ford -  “Obadiah”
Listen:
~

Doug Paisley – “Constant Companion”
Listen:
(late entry for me!)
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Aidan Knight – “Versicolour”
Listen: “Jasper”
(late entry for me!)

~~

Did I miss anyone?  By that, did I miss a great Slowcoustic album from a Canadian artist (for example, No Arcade Fire, Wolf Parade, etc)?  Who in your area of Canada (if you are Canadian) released a stellar album and I need to hear it?  This list can be added to, let me know in the comments if you have suggestions!

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2010/12/06/slowcoustics-favourite-canadian-albums-of-2010/feed/ 7 http://slowcoustic.com/2010/11/25/alexander-fairchild-makes-giving-in-sound-beautiful/ http://slowcoustic.com/2010/11/25/alexander-fairchild-makes-giving-in-sound-beautiful/#comments Thu, 25 Nov 2010 15:38:31 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=5363

“Not Gonna Argue”

Personally I believe if sadness and beauty were music, they just might sound awfully similar.  The song below about giving in to a relationship for whatever reason can be viewed as a loss or triumph…pending the vantage point.  But we all know where a relationship like this is ultimately going.  We’ve all been there, giving in and just not caring anymore or because you simply know where you want to be (and with whom).  In this case giving in to beauty for the sake of being in the presence of beauty and the fear of being alone.  Nathan Finochio (who performs this album under the moniker Alexander Fairchild) creates an eclectic collection of songs for his “self titled” album, with the below being my current stand out ballad/lament selection from it.  You know what they say; Love (or musician) by any other name…

As mentioned above, we all know where a relationship like this is going…and below you see it all in HD.  Watch the stunning, if not disturbing, video for “Not Gonna Argue”.

Alexander Fairchild – Not Gonna Argue from Brooks Reynolds on Vimeo.

“Not Gonna Argue” – Alexander Fairchild, from 2010′s S/T

Find more Alexander Fairchild at MySpace or purchase the album on iTunes.

~Smansmith

I think touring in Canada can be one of the greatest things for Canadian Bands.  The country is soo vast and truly makes a “road trip” out of a tour, even if you only have 3 shows!  We don’t have super concentrated areas for the most part, so unlike a US band doing a 8 show date, they may only have to drive a couple hundred miles – do that in Canada and you may drive a couple thousand.  That being said, the Canadian tour is something I admire and I recently sat down with two such road warriors who are currently on a tour through the “Western” Canadian landscape.

Zachary Lucky has been featured on this blog a few times as his new album is one of my favourite albums of the year (and will be top 5 at least for Canadian albums this year) and I was lucky (no pun intended) enough to miss their Calgary date just over a week ago, but had a coffee with him and tour mate Andy Shauf the next day.  Below is part of what we talked about and honestly, we just sat around and “talked shop”, but take a look inside the Canadian tour of Zach and Andy:

(Videos, streams and song downloads at bottom of interview)
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• Zachary, even before “Come and Gone” was released, you have been touring and have not stopped.  What inspired such a lengthy Canadian tour(s)?

When I decided to pursue music I went into it with the mind set that I would be devoting most of my time to it – and so that’s what I’ve tried to do.  I don’t feel overly comfortable in the studio (although this past record was a different experience…) and performing live seems to be what comes natural to me, plus I love getting to travel as much as possible.  Also though, in recent weeks I’ve come to realize where I (probably) got my sense of how touring should go – and I feel that my idea os touring were probably sprung from the music scene that I grew up in, which was the hardcore and punk music scene.  When I started to go to shows at a young age, it was to see bands that toured for months on end, night in and night out.  It probably had a lot to do with how I now approach touring.

• People don’t automatically think of Saskatoon/Saskatchewan for music, tell us about the Saskatoon Music Scene – the two of you are examples of the young talent in the city, what creates the urge to be a musician in SK.

Zachary: I don’t know if there is anything that really urges anyone to make music in the prairies specifically, I think there is a collectiveness to the prairies though.  Believe it or not, there is a ton of great music coming out of the prairies, Saskatoon and Regina Specifically.  I feel blessed to be among those artists that are taking their songs out of the province, around the country.

Andy: The Regina music scene is pretty close-knit. There are some great bands and talented individuals in the city. My urge to be a musician comes from my urge to be a good songwriter, and I think that’s influenced strongly by my living in the prairies.

• You both have new albums out, tell us about them or something about what brought them to be.

Zachary: I feel that Come and Gone was a natural progression for me – with three two EPs and a pre-release to the record, it came pretty naturally.  The record definitely took its time though, and wasn’t a fan of sticking to any sort of plan.  We originally planned to do the record with a couple different producers, one in Saskatchewan, and one in British Columbia.  Both plans fell through.  So we took what we had in our hands (metaphorically) and used it to the best of our abilities.  We spent two weeks in the attic of a 100 year old home in Yorkton, Saskatchewan and crafted what became Come and Gone.  All in all, I am super happy with how things turned out, but in the same breath – I can’t wait to start working on new songs, and some sort of new release.

Andy: My new album is an EP of songs that I really liked to play live right after my full length Darker Days came out. They are a little bit older, but they are songs that I feel were important to a time in my life.

• What is on your road trip mix-tape?

Zachary: A few records that I’ve been listening to a lot:
Deep Dark Woods – Winter Hours
J. Tillman – Year in the Kingdom
The Band – S/T
Roscoe Holcomb – That High Lonesome Sound
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Ashtray Rock
Wilco – Ghost is born / Being there

Andy: Zach just pumps the Nickelback all day and I plug my ears. Just kidding

• As a blogger, I sit and write about artists being out there on the road, but don’t actually experience it.  What is the most challenging thing / most rewarding thing when touring?

Zachary: The road can both be real easy, and natural, and quite difficult and isolating sometimes.  I think what I find hardest is how you can be distanced from society, and any sense of stability and normality.  In this documentary about Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Conor says something along the lines of… “The longer you are gone, the less you can relate to anyone outside of the tour” and I find that to be pretty true.  I think touring is like any other job, you can totally let it get you down, or you can make it the best thing you’ve ever been apart of.  Its all what you make it.

Andy: The most challenging thing is probably just being away from home, and then coming back and wanting things to be the same as they were. The most rewarding thing is probably just playing shows.

• What has been the most receptive audience so far on tour (outside of hometown), either together or on your individual tours?

Zachary: On this particular tour so far, we’ve only three or four shows into the tour so things are still getting going – but out of the shows Andy and I have done together I would have to say that our house show in Calgary was the most enjoyable for me.  It was packed to the rafters and there were people sitting upstairs against the railings, and crowded on the floor in this tiny living room – the place really felt full (which it was) – but everyone was there for the same reason.  And I think those sorts of shows can be really amazing when everyone is on the same wavelength and there for the same purpose.  It was a beautiful night.

Andy: We played in Edmonton a few nights ago a guy got kicked out of the bar for being disruptive, so that was pretty cool. They were pretty receptive. I’ve never had that happen before.

• Do you consider being tagged as “Canadian Musicians” as a sense of national pride or a descriptor for being in a niche market?

Zachary: I totally would wear the hat of being a Canadian Musician.  I think the music business is constantly changing, especially in the past few years.  Its gone from Canada being the hat to the American Music Industry to us being our completely own entity and I think that is something to really be proud of.  I’m so proud about it and feel honored to be among the many amazing musicians that are leaving their mark on the music scenes around the world.

Andy: I think it’s a good thing. People seem to be interested in what’s going on in ‘Canadian Music’ these days.

• What is the biggest tool to getting noticed as a musician in Canada – is it the Web (and what parts), is it the tour or does the old adage “Make great music, make great fans” ring true?

Zachary: I think its a combination of both, the use of internet marketing and performing live.  For me, I rely pretty heavily on touring.  Its what I feel I excel at most, and in regards to touring, I think its just important to be consistent in different cities.  People want to know that they’ll be able to see you perform in their city after the release of your record, and then a few months after that.  At least as a listen, I feel that way.

Andy: I just to make good songs and hope that people want to keep listening. I have some pretty loyal fans and I’m incredibly lousy at doing internet things, so maybe it’s working out.

There you have a little insight into the touring of two of Saskatchewan’s best new musicians.  They still have 7 dates together upcoming (See Zach’s MySpace page for a crap load of upcoming dates).

Find a video of Zachary playing “Small Town Streets” for Naked Jams Sessions – fantastic, you will see why I have been enjoying his album soo much.

~

Bonus stream of “O’ Ontario” – this one kills me!

~

I also had a chance to listen to the new release from Andy Shauf, and I have to say I am hugely impressed with this guy.  He comes across as a quiet guy at first, but you know he has a sense of humour and an incredible talent for songwriting.  The new release that he is selling on the tour is called “Waiting For The Sun To Leave” and is such a hushed collection of acoustic tracks that range from almost upbeat to a extra quiet laments – if you find it, definitely pick up a copy.

“Open” from Andy Shauf that appears on the new album:

“With You” – Andy Shauf, from “Waiting For The Sun To Leave”

Thanks again to both of this guys for stopping by a coffee shop in Calgary before heading out to BC to play shows.  If you can catch either one of these two, I recommend it….if only you can tell me how the show was as I keep missing them…

Zachary Lucky: Bandcamp, MySpace, iTunes
Any Shauf: Bandcamp, MySpace, iTunes

~Smansmith

Caity Fisher was recommended to me recently so I thought I would pass it along to you all.  Also, since I had some Edmonton love yesterday with F&M, I might as well keep it with even more Edmonton talent with Ms. Fisher.

Caity’s music can almost be classified as Gothic Americana with a folk vibe to it.  So it essentially hits the mark all over the place for this blog.  It is a bit downtempo, a bit dark and that’s how I like things for the most part.  Just a really good listen from some more Canadian talent!  The album this track is from called “Only The Wind” was released at the end of August of this year from Old Ugly Recording Co.

Enjoy the track via her Bandcamp page along with the video!

~

~

Swing by and visit Caity on her Bandcamp page (pick up two other free tracks from the new album) or see her on MySpace.

~Smansmith

The duo from Edmonton known as “F&M” have been around for a few years in this and other incarnations, but they are continuing on full force with their 5th release in the album “Sincerely, F&M” to prove it.

The 12 track album landed at my doorstep a few weeks back, sent from the lovely Becky Anderson.  The band is made up of the real world couple Ryan and Rebecca Anderson, they co-create a blend of folk, pop, rock that often finds a down tempo aspect.  Honestly it sounds like a couple might make this music, as they switch vocal duties often and either join together in a song or find themselves solo for the track, and both work (which can be a hard scenario for some bands).  While they both provide a different angle of F&M; Becky providing a more classical/traditional folk sound and Ryan comes in to gruff it up a bit making a bit of altcountry-folk-rock-pop angle.  The track featured below is “Victoria” and it features Ryan center stage on vocals with flecks of Rebecca overtop in a slowly building balladeer track.  This is a great introduction to the band if you haven’t heard them prior, so dig in.

F&M
“Victoria” (mp3)
from “Sincerely, F&M”
(Shameless Records Canada)

More On This Album

~

You might remember F&M making an appearance on my label playlist for Edmonton based “Shameless Records” (see here) that also had a solo Rebecca Anderson under the moniker of “Becky”.  So take a listen, you just might think a bit more about one of the city of champions.

Visit F&M on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter and their Website.

~Smansmith

]]> http://slowcoustic.com/2010/11/18/edmontons-fm-launch-new-album-hear-lead-off-track-victoria/feed/ 0 http://slowcoustic.com/2010/11/17/frazey-ford-brings-obadiah-to-calgary-slowcoustic-sends-you-there/ http://slowcoustic.com/2010/11/17/frazey-ford-brings-obadiah-to-calgary-slowcoustic-sends-you-there/#comments Wed, 17 Nov 2010 16:43:45 +0000 slowcoustic http://slowcoustic.com/?p=5331

Frazey Ford of the new defunct Be Good Tanyas has a new album.  And she is bringing it to Calgary!

Canadian songstress is making her way across her home and native land and is stopping in Calgary on November 21st at the new Ironwood Stage.  So if you are into a fusion of folk, bluegrass and even a touch of 70′s country torch song, then you are in for a treat.

This Vancouver raised singer songwriter who’s album is actually her middle name is known for her almost signature voice that cuts through a ballad with it’s slight warble and endears itself to almost anyone who hears it.  She has a timeless voice, but with it sounding contemporary at the same time.  I have to say that this style of vocalist is becoming more pronounced in the music industry these days (or in truth, maybe we are just finally coming to our senses and now finally hearing what has been there all along) and I can’t be happier about it.

Frazey Ford – Blue Streak Mama by nettwerkmusicgroup

So if you want to see the show this Sunday (and you do), simply hit us up at admin(at)slowcoustic.com and the first folks to email will get on the guest list for complimentary entrance and we will send you a copy of the CD to you as well!  All this is courtesy of the good folks at the Nettwerk Music Group.

Find Frazey Ford on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.
Purchase at iTunes and Amazon.

~Smansmith

My love for bands with regional names.  Hmmmm.   You have the Rural Albert Advantage (but not really being based in Alberta) or The Wilderness of Manitoba (not really being from Manitoba) and there is something about these bands of my current and former home provinces that always seems to impress.  I don’t really know where I was going with that…I guess The Mountain Goats are really goats after all…  Sorry it’s Friday and I need the weekend.

Anyway, find the great new-to-me video for “November” from The Wilderness of Manitoba’s 2010 release “When You Left The Fire”.  I love the actual crackling fire in the video, the stripped down stylings, the whole late night campfire scenario is just perfect.  So let’s get on with it, see below:

The Wilderness of Manitoba perform ‘NOVEMBER’ from Kaan Akalin on Vimeo.

Bonus mp3: “Hermit” (a favourite from the album).

Find out more about TWOM and one of my top 10 Canadian albums of the year on their MySpace or Facebook pages.  Pick up the “When You Left The Fire” on iTunes or eMusic.

~Smansmith

p.s.  Don’t forget about their previous album, the absolutely fantastic “Hymns of Love and Spirits”!