March 13: The Railway Club, Vancouver, BC

April 10: Ottoman Lounge, Medicine Hat, AB

April 12: The Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, BC

April 23: O’Hanlon’s, Regina, SK

April 24: Marquee Room, Calgary, AB

ARCTIC is creeping through the mountains to the prairies this spring, but don’t worry about being left in the cold. These progressive rockers will warm your hearts with their aptly coined ’space rock’, and they are playing near you! Contact ModMay Promotions for details or press opportunities with Vancouver’s darling rockers, ARCTIC.

ARCTIC was formed out of Marcus Martin’s desire to never, ever be in another band again. After a childhood spent on the land in the isolated Northwest Territories of Canada, the guitarist travelled to the metropolis of Toronto and became involved in projects ranging from jazz to metal to rap. Growing weary of band politics, he went solo, and headed west to Vancouver to write his own music. Marcus began performing using a looping device that would allow him to modify, loop and layer his acoustic performance into a haunting moodiness evocative of a cold Northern landscape. With a rich, unique sound that was already gaining an audience, he had no need for backing musicians.

But strong music attracts interest, and others came to express a desire to join the project. Following two solo cross-Canada tours as ARCTIC, Martin was invited to open for a CD release party, and on a whim, put a trio together for the show. The full band version of ARCTIC was instantly picked up by a local promoter, and began to perform regularly around Vancouver. Despite his initial wariness, Martin found that adding band members created new dimensions and possibilities to his music, and by working with colleagues who were equally inspired by his music and vision, the band’s spirit became collaborative and wholly positive.

The new members brought their influences from the furthest edges of the country. Kirsten Starcher, an east-coaster from St. John’s, Newfoundland, became the band’s bassist, keyboardist, and backing singer. On drums, Rob Sheldrick from St. Catharines, Ontario represents Canada’s southern border. Combined with Martin’s Northern roots and based in the west coast city of Vancouver BC, ARCTIC touches every point on the Canadian compass.

Always seeking contrast, ARCTIC is still sometimes a solo project, sometimes a full band, never exactly the same from one show to the next. In either form it combines diverse influences in unexpected ways: progressive rock, jazz, and industrial merge with ambient textures and acoustic singer/songwriter melodies to create something fresh, unconventional and intriguing.

projectARCTIC

ARCTIC on MySpace

ARCTIC on Twitter

April 2 @ 8:00pm: Cafe Deux Soliels, Vancouver, BC

April 3 @ 9:00pm: Fort St. Cafe, Victoria, BC w/ Far West

April 4 @ 7:30pm: Victoria Folk Club, Victoria, BC

April 7 @ 7:30pm: The Dream Cafe, Penticton, BC

April 8 @ 8:00pm: Jogas Cafe, Grand Forks, BC

April 9 @ 9:00pm: Velvet Underground, Nelson, BC

April 10 & 11 @ 8:00pm: Auditorium Hotel, Nanton, AB

April 12 @ 9:00pm: Henotic Lounge, Lethbridge, AB

April 14 @ 7:30pm: Mortlach Concert Series, Mortlach, SK

April 15 @ 8:00pm: Brandon Folk Music & Art Festival Studio, Brandon, MB

April 16 @ 7:30pm: Solid Grounds Cafe, Lorette, MB

April 17 @ 10:00pm: Times Changed High & Lonesome Club, Winnipeg, MB

April 18 @ 8:00pm: House Concert, Falcon Lake, MB

April 19 @ 9:00pm: The Apollo, Thunder Bay, ON

April 21 @ 8:00pm: Urban Cafe, North Bay, ON

April 22: Venue TBA, Toronto, ON

April 23 @ 8:00pm: Grumpy’s Bar, Montreal, QC

April 25 @ 8:00pm: Divant Orange, Montreal, QC w/ David Simard

April 27 @ 8:00pm: The Spill, Peterborough, ON w/ David Simard

April 29 @ 8:00pm: House Concert, Guelph, ON

April 30 @ 9:00pm: The Local, Toronto, ON

May 1 @ 7:30pm: Little Montreal, Sudbury, ON

May 5 @ 9:00pm: Bushwakkers Tavern, Regina, SK

May 6 @ 10:00pm: Lydia’s, Saskatoon, SK

May 7 @ 9:00pm: Track’s Pub, Olds, AB

May 9 @ 8:00pm: Ironwood Stage & Grill, Calgary, AB w/ Oh My Darling!

May 12 @ 8:00pm: Art We Are Gallery, Kamloops, BC w/ Texting Mackenzie

May 20 @ 10:00pm: Biltmore Cabaret, Vancouver, BC w/ The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra

May 21 @ 8:00pm: Moby’s, Salt Spring Island, BC w/ The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra

May 22 @ 8:00pm: Centennial Square, Victoria, BC w/ The Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra !!FREE SHOW!!

Burst Into Flower this spring with Fish & Bird!

Fish & Bird are hitting the road once again! These travelers of the highways are reaching far and wide across the country this spring, rousing audiences everywhere they go in their veggie-oil fueled Delica Van. Songwriter and banjo player Taylor Ashton (Winnipeg) and fiddler Adam Iredale-Gray (Victoria) are joined by guitarist Ryan Boeur (Vancouver) and upright bassist Zoe Guigeno (Toronto), rounding out an already irresistable sound with top notch players from across Canada. Don’t miss Fish & Bird in your neck of the woods this spring!

Fish & Bird’s relationship with folk music is a little complicated. Their love for old-time and folk traditions comes from deep in their hearts, but that profound respect doesn’t stop them from showing the genre a little abuse. At the core of Fish & Bird is a partnership between virtuosic multi-instrumentalist Adam Iredale-Gray and singer/songwriter Taylor Ashton, and their musical education stems from playing such diverse styles as Irish music, jazz, garage rock, musical theatre, and old-time. Fish & Bird layer these styles into their traditional roots and stay fresh and unique through their desire to create new and exciting music utilizing all these various influences.

Their self recorded, self-produced, and self-titled debut EP, was released in 2007, to attentive audiences across Canada. Their latest recording, also self produced, recorded and packaged, the full-length “Left Brain Blues”, is a more mature and developed exploration of what happens when the pair’s musical influences collide. In just under an hour, it takes the folk genre for a wild ride through eastern influences, pop rock and traditional roots, while remaining cohesive. It showcases Taylor Ashton’s agile voice, which ranges from a deep bass to a very sturdy falsetto, and the pair’s creative arrangements, as well as a full cast of well known guest musicians.

A live Fish & Bird show comes in many shapes and sizes; from a duo to a five piece full band, and all sorts of configurations between, even switching up instruments among themselves. They have played hundreds of shows, toured the length of the country four times and played loads of close to home shows. They’ve garnered attention from the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and heard themselves on CBC and college/community radio stations across Canada. From the fundraiser for the upcoming 2011 Folk Festival in Victoria, to house concerts, sold out nightclubs and back rooms of cafes, what keeps them getting back on stage night after night is a passion to perform their unique brand of art folk for as many people as they can get to listen. Are you listening?

“There is something about Left Brain Blues that carves a path right to your core in the most intimate way.” ~ Nancy Vivolo, VictoryMusic.org

Fish & Bird’s WEBSITE

Fish & Bird on MYSPACE

Fish & Bird on TWITTER

Fish & Bird on YOUTUBE

Fish & Bird on CD BABY

Left Brain Blues REVIEW on VictoryMusic.org

April 1, 2010: Blackbird Coffeehouse, Coleman, AB

April 2, 2010: Twin Butte General Store, Twin Butte, AB

April 3, 2010: The Ironwood Stage & Grill, Calgary, AB

April 8, 2010: The Haven Social Club, Edmonton, AB

Billy Manzik’s new release “AllTogetherNow” is getting rave reviews! Pick up your copy of this phenomenal album, enjoying play on radio across Canada including CBC Radio One’s “Fresh Air”, #8 on !earshot’s Roots Charts and being featured in February on InRetro Radio LIVE on the net. Scott James, Music Director for Q100.3FM in Victoria, BC says “…the real songwriting and real music deal. Sounds like The Great White North version of a young (Steve) Earle!”

REVIEW – Americana UK **9 out of 10**

REVIEW – NoDepression.com

REVIEW – babysue.com

REVIEW – GrayOwl Point

REVIEW – AllVoices.com

Billy Manzik’s musical journey began where Highway 61, the “Blues Highway” ends, in Thunder Bay Ontario. The soundtrack for his upbringing was provided by his guitar slinging, country singing mother, and influenced by roots rock, old rhythm and blues, and even (gasp) the metal bands of the 80’s, not to mention Billy’s penchant for wandering the continent. The result is a driving blues rock sound, complete with catchy riffs, lyrical hooks and a ‘feel-good’ toe tapping kind of style.

Billy’s new release AllTogetherNow packages this sound into one beautiful and diverse album, sure to catch the ear of any who hear it. From the anthemic, uptempo lead out track ‘On A Road’ and the sweet harmonies of ‘Hannah’, to the wailin’ bluesy rock of ‘61 Highway’ and the summertime pop sounds of ‘Has Been’, ‘AllTogetherNow’ combines musical ingredients so well it puts the icing on the rock n’ roll cake. Recorded at Orange Lounge Studios and Knob and Tube Studios in Toronto and produced by Chris Wardman (The Tragically Hip, Randy Bachman) with help from David Gavan Baxter (Justin Rutledge), ‘AllTogetherNow’ is music for modern times. Chock full of energy, hope, and a little melancholy, its mostly just plain fun. In addition to Billy on vocals and guitar, the album showcases the talents of many well-known Canadian musicians, Geoff Hilhorst (Deep Dark Woods) on keys, Erik Allen (Jenny Whiteley) on drums, Mike Filipowitsch on guitar and Jonny Kerr on bass, plus appearances from many others. Everyone, all together now!

Watch for a glowing review of “AllTogetherNow” in the spring issue of Penguin Eggs, Canada’s Folk, Roots & World Music Magazine, which calls the album “a powerful roots-rock assault that hits every pop nerve you’ve ever pumped with proteins.” (Eric Thom)

Billy Manzik’s music career debuted in Alberta in 2007 with his self-titled release, recorded at Calgary’s Rocky Mountain Studios with producer Rob Smith, with help from Daniel J. Coe (Aerosmith, The Trews) and contributed to by Canadian icons Tim Williams, Charlie Hase and Bill Zulak. “Billy Manzik” received critical acclaim, charting on several !earshot charts and being featured on CBC’s Key of A. In 2008 Billy showcased at the annual Alberta Sessions (Alberta Music Series), broadcast on CBC’s Radio 2, and kicked off the 2008 Juno Awards with a spirited performance at the annual Juno Welcome Reception. In recent years Billy has played with or opened for such luminaries as Blue Rodeo, Elliott Brood, The Trews, and Colin James. Billy currently resides back in Thunder Bay, Ontario while he decides where to go next!

“..do yourself a favor and purchase a copy of this brilliant new record from Billy Manzik. I don’t believe there will be a sorry bone in your body.” ~ ‘Rebel’ Rod Ames, NoDepression.com

“Once again a Canadian beats Americans at their own game…Billy Manzik writes cool, bluesy, Americana-based pop/rock that is fueled by genuine sincerity…Manzik is one of those up-and-coming artists who could easily become hugely popular if all the pieces just happen to fit together.” ~ babysue.com

Billy’s Website

Billy’s Myspace Page

Buy “AllTogetherNow” on IndiePool.com

Buy “AllTogetherNow” on KerfMusic

Buy “Billy Manzik” on KerfMusic

CD RELEASE PARTY SHOWS

April 17: The Den, University of Calgary, Calgary AB

April 18: Ironwood Stage & Grill, Calgary AB

May 7: The Axis Cafe, Edmonton, AB

The Stunning Debut from Ruth Purves Smith… Ruth Purves Smith and the 581 are on the radar! Don’t miss this wonderfully endearing Canadian country music group as they release their amazing debut album. Playing release shows in Calgary and Edmonton, Ruth and the band promise a rollicking country rock party for anyone and everyone, so come join in the fun! Contact ModMay Promotions for further details or press opportunities with the talented and dearly loved Ruth Purves Smith and the 581.

Ruth Purves Smith grew up rambling the prairie highways between her cultured mother’s urban home and her father and stepmother’s antique woolen mill rural home, and the paradox is evident in her sound and style. While the stories may appear to be simple, traditional country, they are supported by a sound that pulls influence from the city; complicated, restless and sometimes loud.

Grouping together with the 581, Ruth recorded her debut solo album ‘Out In The Storm’ after years with various bands in and around Alberta. It’s one of those long time coming albums and to all who hear it, is well timed yet way overdue! Built on a foundation of driving, electric country rock, laced with banjo, harmonica and acoustic guitar, Ruth constructs spine tingling imagery and emotion with her lyrics, and the entire package takes you through the gamut of emotions. From the heart-wrenching acoustic-turned-rock “Godzilla”, also released as a professionally produced High Definition Video, to the summertime feel of “Ride Around”, and the steady beats of “Out In The Storm Part I”, the songs engage listeners from start to finish. Recorded at Glow Music Arts in Calgary, AB and produced by Craig Newnes, Out In The Storm is a dynamic and enthralling album and Ruth Purves Smith and the 581 are proud to show the world. Ruth’s musical career is vast and diverse.

Starting off from answering an ad for a “girl country singer” for Frank James, a slighty nuts one man band, Ruth moved to band incarnations Rodeo-A-Go-Go and Roadside Turnout, highlighted by a performance at the Calgary Folk Music Festival, before taking time to raise her young child. By 1996 after the birth of her second child, Ruth was ready to strike out on her own musically, and began performing solo at various clubs, events, and festivals among such well knowns as Fred Eaglesmith, Jann Arden, The Fates, and Willie P. Bennett. Over the years she has continued to play her own music, loving the writing process and not always playing other people’s music anymore, though she still loves to join in on a jam and belt out a few covers or traditional numbers. Loving the rural Alberta life, Ruth is a true symbol of Canadiana country music!

“Godzilla” HD VIDEO

Ruth’s WEBSITE

Ruth on ITUNES

Ruth on MYSPACE

Ruth on REVERBNATION

Ruth on SONICBIDS

March 2 – 6: Playing on board VIA Rail passenger train, Vancouver to Ottawa

March 12: Grumpy’s Bar, Montreal, QC w/ Scott Dunbar

March 16: Co-op Bar L’AgiteE, Quebec, QC w/ Scott Dunbar

March 19: House Concert, Halifax, NS w/ Scott Dunbar, Story & Mogli

March 20: Plan B, Moncton, NB w/ Scott Dunbar & Story

March 23: Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown, PEI w/ Scott Dunbar & Story

March 26: AKA, Kingston, ON w/ Scott Dunbar, The Dirty Lickins & Boucan D’Enfer

March 27: TBA, Toronto, ON w/ Scott Dunbar

March 28: Ossia, Peterborough, ON w/ Scott Dunbar, Sean Conway & The Late Night Revue

April 2: Jack’s Pub, Thunder Bay, ON w/ The Rough Sea

April 3: House Concert, Winnipeg, MB w/ The Rough Sea

April 5: The Palomino, Calgary, AB w/ The Rough Sea

April 6: The Schoolhouse, Ymir, BC w/ The Rough Sea

April 7: Voodoo’s Lounge, Penticton, BC w/ The Rough Sea & Ladybug The Rambler

April 8: Joe King Ballpark, Hornby Island, BC w/ The Rough Sea & Ursula

April 9: Duncan Garage Showroom, Duncan, BC w/ The Rough Sea & Ursula

April 10: Fort St. Cafe, Victoria, BC w/ The Rough Sea, Ursula & Stella Lupa

April 11: HD Lab, Vancouver, BC w/ The Rough Sea, Ursula & The Creaking Planks

Jeff Andrew’s Twisted Road…

“Hobo Folk Noir” pioneer Jeff Andrew just can’t stay in one place long, and no matter where he goes, there’s a fan of his music in the vicinity! From a treehouse in east Vancouver to the mighty Canadian rails and the stretching highways, Jeff Andrew is going coast to coast this spring, matching up with other wandering folk musicians like Scott Dunbar, The Rough Sea and Story, playing shows for everyone and anyone. Don’t miss being haunted by the sounds of Jeff Andrew! Contact ModMay Promotions for details or press opportunities.

DOWNLOAD “Truck Stop Wall (Highway of Tears)” FREE on ModMayPromotions.com

Jeff Andrew is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and fiddler-for-hire living in Vancouver, BC. A ferocious performer with a pawnshop’s worth of instruments and a chameleon-like range of styles, he frequently works straight from the floor, stomping his boots and belting like a born-again carnival barker. Jeff learned his craft during years spent hitchhiking, tree planting and busking all over Canada and the United States (including a cross-Canada hitchhiking tour in 2008 with the folk/spoken word group Ghosts of the Highway). He recently returned to Vancouver from a trek to Boston with fellow folk-punk acts O’Mally and Gumshoe Banshee.

In 2009 he released his debut solo album Vagabonds and Wastrels (Shade Tree Records) to radio support and critical acclaim across Canada and western Europe. He has performed numerous times at the ArtsWells festival, the Robson Valley Music Festival and the Brandon Folk Music & Arts festival. He has shared stages with great artists like Geoff Berner, Carolyn Mark, CR Avery, Rae Spoon and Jason Webley. Andrew also plays fiddle with Vancouver’s notorious country-punk outfit the Joey Only Outlaw Band. Watch for him in 2010 as he releases his second album Hobo Postcards, assembles a touring band called Crows At Midnight and solves the Mystery of the Haunted Calliope…

Jeff Andrew’s Myspace Page

Vagabonds and Wastrels on CDBaby

BC Musician Magazine

Vue Weekly Review of “Vagabonds and Wastrels”

Americana UK Review of “Vagabonds and Wastrels”

The Polyjesters are hitting the stage at Vancouver’s LiveCity Yaletown venue as part of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics! Also showing up on the home stage at Alberta House in downtown Vancouver, Alberta’s favorite swingin’ folk chunk band are excited to dazzle audiences at two of the most fun venues in the middle of the downtown celebration.

February 25@ 8:15pm ~ Alberta House, Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics (at Robson & Beatty) FREE SHOW

February 26 @ 11:30am & 5:00pm ~ LiveCity Yaletown, Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics (at Pacific & Drake) FREE SHOW

Download the FREE UNRELEASED mp3 “MOTHERLOAD” from The Polyjesters!

The Polyjesters are a force to be reckoned with. Brothers Jason (bass) and Sheldon Valleau (vox/ukulele) form the root of this group and with Aaron Young (guitar) and Jon May (drums) they deliver an unforgettable performance that endears audiences to become life long fans. Known for their hilarious stage banter and catchy, unique ’swingin folk chunk’ music the Polyjesters have toured far and wide through Canada, the US and Europe, and even Japan over the course of the last 7 years; playing festivals, theatres, exclusive parties and For the last 4 years the brothers have been the center force of the up and coming MOUNTAIN VIEW MUSIC FEST in Carstairs, Alberta, and are currently in the works of opening The Cafe Radio in the same town as a quasi-festival headquarters, which is also be associated with their other, OTHER venture, www.KitchenRadio.ca. Kitchen Radio is a wonderfully diverse internet radio site, featuring The Polyjesters released their most recent album Kitchen Radio to rave reviews and several European tours as well as appearances throughtout Canada. Currently anyone can experience the Polyjesters music on Big Rock Brewery’s “Untapped” CD vol. 3 available in boxes of Big Rock!

“…they approach the idea of musicianship with a zeal that lands them on a wholly different plane than the average band… The Polyjesters are troubadours in the truest sense; they make music that draws people together, with a community feel that it seems only folk music is able to capture.” ~ Nick Winnick, BeatRoute Magazine

Polysite

Polyjesters on Facebook

MORE Polyjesters on iTunes

Little more than a year into the project, Edmonton’s iVardensphere is starting to make some pretty big waves in the industrial dance music world. Their debut, Scatterface, made several industrial “best of 2009″ lists and Scatterface is also now being released in Europe on Danse Macabre Records along with a couple remixes. The band seems poised to make an even bigger impact in 2010, with festival appearances and tours on the horizon as they begin to work on a follow up album.

I caught up with the men behind the synths, Scott Fox and Chris Lacroix, at their recent Vancouver show on January 30th at Club 23 West. The show was in association with Sanctuary, Vancouver’s second-longest running club night, which is practically an institution in Vancouver’s goth/industrial scene. Despite some potential set-backs with some of Lacroix’s gear getting manhandled during the flight, iVardensphere did a great live set and surprisingly enough, all the damaged gear works fine. Lacroix laughed, “the Nord actually sounds better now – there’s a mysterious distortion over everything!”

Speaking of shows, their Synthetic Sounds labelmates Left Spine Down will be touring North America with 16Volt and Chemlab this spring as part of the MIDI Ghetto Tour, and iVardensphere will be jumping in to open up on the Calgary and Edmonton dates [May 1 and 2 respectively.] Then they’re off to make their way to Montreal for the third annual Kinetik Festival, which is growing into a powerhouse showcase of electro and industrial music spanning several days. Fox commented, “Montreal is rad! Realistically, it’s our first year doing this projects and it’s gone up pretty steadily. We’ve opened up for Apoptygma Berzerk, we’ve played Das Bunker in LA, now we’re playing the Kinetik Music Festival the same night as Tactical Sect and Memmaker, it’s fantastic!”

Plans are in the works for a big tour in the fall of 2010 as well, but so far the details are hush-hush. “I’m not gonna announce all the details right now, but we’ve got plans for a tour southside of the border. We’re gonna take a nice run at that,” Fox promises.

Along with the growing fanbase, iVardensphere has recently been getting some love from underground, college, and internet radio, including the likes of digitalgunfire.com, and their reach has even extended Down Under, where they are regularly spun on Dark Essence Radio on 4ZzZ 102.1FM in Brisbane.

While working on the follow-up to 2009’s Scatterface, Fox and Lacroix are following in the footsteps of their labelmates at Synthetic Sounds, Left Spine Down, and putting out a remix album which came out last week as a digital release, simply titled Remixes Vol. 1. It contains remixes from several up-and-coming industrial scenemakers, including Left Spine Down, Psykkle, Memmaker, Komor Kommando and Maqlu. “Everything on there is bad-ass, man – it’s a great remix EP and I hope everyone really enjoys it. Some definite dance floor killers on there,” says Fox.

“Walking Miracles” is the debut EP from The All-Girl Boys Choir. Hailing from southern CA – via – Detroit, The All-Girl Boys Choir is a rock n’ roll noise assault, featuring the multi-talented Alicia Warrington and Marlene “The Hammer” Hammerle.

These girls are no amateurs to the scene or the road. Warrington, a session & touring musician worked with artists such as Kelly Osbourne, Canadian Popsters – Lillix and Uh Huh Her, before joining Hammerle’s, Gore Gore Girls (Bloodshot Records)on their 2008, 10-country, European tour. The magical chemistry between Marlene and Alicia, both on stage and off, sparked an immediate collaboration after the tour…thus, The All-Girl Boys Choir was born.

While keeping their feet planted firmly in Rock, the girls also blessed their ears with the sounds of: Ike & Tina Turner, Ry Cooder and John Lee Hooker for inspiration, during the writing of their debut E.P. “Walking Miracles”.

“Walking Miracles” is an independently recorded & released Digital E.P. – available worldwide through iTunes, Amazon and Napster. Look for The AGBC in your town, when the girls take to the road in 2010!!!

Listen to Western Star

This post was submitted by The All-Girl Boys Choir.

In June of 2009, the band released its debut CD and immediately started getting air-play on a number of college and Internet radio stations. In December of 2009, the next phase of MEN WHO LISTEN began when singer Jeff Anthony made his debut on their new single, “Cast Our Love Away.” MEN WHO LISTEN promises to stimulate and stir audiences wherever their songs are heard!

Cast our Love Away

This post was submitted by Dan Pokorni.

You know, we have got to thank Portland, Oregon sometime.  Not only has it bestowed some great bands/artists on us like The Wipers, Gossip, M. Ward, Dandy Warhols and Courtney Love. But, Pierced Arrows were on the scene, long before we even had these artists on our radar.  And you know what, they are pretty freaking great.

With a balls-out sound between garage rock and punk, Toody and Fred Cole along with drummer Kelly Halliburton play rock they way it’s suppose to be done.  So with the upcoming North American tour, what’s it like for Toody Cole getting back on the road, especially with her husband and long-time band-mate? “Being in a band together and touring has never been a problem.  We’ve been together since we were 18 years old and it’s probably one of the greatest things.  We are never separated six months out of the year.  It’s like an extended vacation and we’re doing something we love.”

So while touring may have its ups and downs (as Toody puts in, “Being stuck in a van together freezing your ass off may suck. But hey, that’s life on the road.”), the tour also let’s them see different parts of the country and introduce them to different musical acts they might not have heard before in their “gypsy lifestyle of touring”. For this matchup of the tour, Pierced Arrows will be taking the stage with Lullabye Arkestra, one of Toronto’s own.  Toody told me that the matchup was made due to them both working with VICE Records.  “It’s always fun to meet up with new bands and tour with them.   It’s the energy and the electricity.  It feeds off everything.  That’s up side to touring – you never know what’s going to happen the next day.”

Just recently, Eddie Vedder publicly endorsed Pierced Arrows stating: “In a day and age when authenticity is harder to come by than an honest Republican, legends Fred and Toody Cole deliver on every record and at every show,” and claims that Pierced Arrows are among one of his favourite live acts.  Cole claims that while Eddie is a good friend, she had no idea he was going to do that.

Well, if Eddie Vedder hasn’t convinced you to see a Pierced Arrows live show – hopefully the music can.  Remember, Pierced Arrows were probably the ones influencing all our favourite Portland artists, at some point in time.

Tour Dates:

3/03/10            TORONTO, ON                        EL MOCAMBO
3/04/10            MONTREAL, QC                        GREEN ROOM

For more info:

http://www.piercedarrows.com
http://www.myspace.com/piercedarrowspdx

For Immediate Release

KISS MY WIFE FOR HAITI – CALGARY SONGWRITER CONCERT & FUNDRAISER

Award-winning Calgary songwriter, Anthony Burbidge, will stage a “Songs Of Love” concert at the Calgary Unity Church Saturday, February 13th at 7 PM. As part of the show, Burbidge and his wife, Lilian, will raise funds for Haiti’s earthquake victims with an old fashioned kissing booth. The “Kiss My Wife For Haiti” fundraiser was born from Burbidge’s personal connection with last month’s tragedy.

That connection came on January 18th when, less than a week after the earthquake, Burbidge flew to Orlando to sing at the Positive Music Awards. Due on stage in less that an hour, the singer took the first taxi in sight. Upon entering the cab, he had no idea what he’d encounter on the way to the venue – Burbidge’s driver was a Haitian immigrant named Jin who was hit hard by the week’s tragic events.

As Burbidge relates, “Jin was soft spoken, polite and, oddly enough, quite cheerful. But when he revealed he was from Haiti, the conversation grew grim. He’d lost relatives in the earthquake and both his father and his youngest son had gone home for a visit and got trapped in Haiti. His phone was ringing 24 hours a day with desperate pleas for help. What really struck me though was when he said how important it was that we Canadians not forget about Haiti in a few weeks.”

Burbidge resolved to do his part upon returning home. Notably, the singer’s concert and kissing booth fundraiser will be held the day after the Canadian government’s program to match public donations to Haiti expires. This fact is not lost on the socially conscious musician, “It’s a great time to remind people to keep reaching out to Haiti especially on a Valentine’s weekend filled with love.”

While the fundraiser may be called “Kiss My Wife For Haiti” the singer believes in equality. To ensure the ladies don’t forget Haiti, Burbidge will also exchange a warm hug and a peck on the cheek for a donation to the cause. Funds raised to Haiti’s aid will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross. For more info on the event or to buy tickets, visit www.anthonyburbidge.com.

- END -

To hear songs from Burbidge’s CDs or to download hi-res photos, visit: http://www.anthonyburbidge.com/

If you would like to book Anthony Burbidge for an interview or live performance, please direct your request to: burbidge@telusplanet.net or phone 403-253-1845.

This post was submitted by Anthony Burbidge.

The American Idol controversial runner-up Adam Lambert sat down in Studio Q to talk about his debut album and coming out in front of the world.

Not everyone in Vancouver is excited to see the 2010 Olympic Winter Games come to town.

Former US Vice-President Al Gore and CBC host of The Nature of Things David Suzuki sat down for a two part talk about Climate Change.

Fall Hard track listing:
1. Fall Hard (album version)
2. Fall Hard Pt. 2
3. Can’t Explain

Shout Out Louds are offering album track “Walls” as a free download at www.shoutoutlouds.com, along with a worldwide contest to win a trip to their sold out March 1^st performance at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY. Pre-order their new full-length Work on CD and LP (with MP3 download coupon) in the Merge store.

Shout Out Louds on tour:
3/1 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg SOLD OUT
5/2 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
5/3 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church
5/5 New York, NY Webster Hall
5/6 Boston, MA Paradise
5/7 Montreal, QC Cabaret Music Hall
5/8 Toronto, ON Mod Club
5/10 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
5/11 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater
5/14 Vancouver, BC Commodore Ballroom
5/15 Seattle, WA Neumos
5/16 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
5/18 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
5/20 San Diego, CA House of Blues
5/21 Los Angeles, CA El Rey

Sourced from: Merge Records » News

Former US Vice-President Al Gore and CBC host of The Nature of Things David Suzuki sat down for a two part talk about Climate Change.

Tannis Slimmon’s extensive musical career is populated with a swath of critical acclaim. The sweet sounding songbird brought home Contemporary Vocalist of the Year at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards for her album ‘Lucky Blue’ and that barely scratches the surface of her professional career. Coming from generations of musical talent Tannis situated herself in Guelph, Ontario in 1980 and started writing, recording and touring regularly, including eleven years with the acclaimed trio The Bird Sisters. She struck off on her own in 2001 with her solo debut ‘Oak Lake’, and followed it up with 2007’s award winning ‘Lucky Blue’.

Both albums have been met by critical acclaim. In addition to the Folk Music Award, ‘Lucky Blue’ garnered the Independent Music Award for Best Folk/Roots Song for “Ernest, Charlie & Allan”, a nomination for Best Folk/Roots Album from the same, a spot in the Top 10 Critics Albums of the Year by Penguin Eggs; Canada’s Premier Folk/Roots Music Magazine, a Porcupine ‘Golden Quill Award’ for songwriting, and was 16th on the Galaxie Folk/Roots Channel’s Top Spins of 2008. Lewis Melville was nominated for Producer of the Year for ‘Lucky Blue’ as well at the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Awards. Tannis’ 2001 album ‘Oak Lake’ won the Porcupine award for Favourite Album of 2001 and the Orillia Folk Society’s ‘Songs for Living Rooms’ for “There’s A Lift”.

Tannis Slimmon’s beautiful voice has been featured on more than 74 albums, contributing harmony vocals for fellow musicians like Willie P. Bennett, Valdy and Rheostatics, and added her voice to the chorus on the Barenaked Ladies hit ‘If I Had A Million Dollars’. Broadening her horizons even further, Tannis also traveled to Mali, West Africa in 2004 with a quartet of musicians exploring the role of music in development and appears in the documentary of the trip ‘Road To Baleya’, by Bay Waymen (Close Up Films). Picking up a the travel bug Tannis again went exploring to Matansas, Cuba and has subsequently hosted Malian musicians in her home for two summers. Keeping a steady pace in the music scene, Tannis continues to tour and is kicking off spring 2010 with a Home Routes Tour of Manitoba.

“A breathtaking vocalist with a bright, angelic disposition, Slimmon is a favourite folk attraction whose harmonies are as warm as her smile.” – Exclaim Magazine

“…one of the most beautiful voices I have had the pleasure to listen to.” – David Francey

Tannis on CD BABY

Tannis’ WEBSITE

Tannis on SONICBIDS

Tannis on YOUTUBE

Tannis PODCAST on CBC RADIO 3

Tannis at OCFF 2009 with Maddy Rodriguez

Your House was formed in 2006 as an amalgamation of two bands, one with reggae tones and the other a mix of hip-hop and rock. Each member possessed a different musical talent and influence from a particular genre. After much experimentation, this new group eventually found their sound in a unique middle ground, blending all of their individual niches to produce a dynamic and intriguing mix. Seven musicians hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia shape the diverse sound of Your House. Adam and Joness combine smooth vocal melody and lyrical flow to deliver meaningful themes and messages. Sean anchors the music with his funky and catchy bass lines, while Ben laces the melody with unique licks and solos on his electric guitar. James freshens the dynamic of the sound by switching between his acoustic guitar, keys, and trumpet. Quinn lays the foundation for most of the tracks with his energetic and intricate drum beats, while Raf

compliments him with elaborate hand drumming or by spinning samples on his tables. And when Raf steps in on the drum kit with his punchy hip-hop style, Quinn is free to rip his saxophone at times combining with James’ trumpet to form a two-man horn section.

Your House’s sound has been compared to The Police, The Roots, Sublime, Bedouin Soundclash, Sweatshop Union, and others. Only until you’ve heard their repertoire and seen their live performance will you be able to fully understand that their music is their own. They have no predefined genre, no specific rulebook that constricts the creative output of seven dedicated musicians; their sound is who they are, where they’re from, and what they play.

Listen to the Podcast HERE

The first snow boarder to ever win an Olympic Gold medal (eventually) sat down in studio Q to talk about his new book ‘Off the Chain’.

Jacob Moon. Wow. I knew I’d heard the name before. This isn’t the typical genre of music playing on my ipod but the second it came on, the ambient guitar gave me a dreamy feel. The performance is passionate and the lyrics are well written with imagery and a sense of urgency. I love it. I’m going to check out more of Jacob’s stuff immediately. Good on you, Jacob!

I was wondering if this was in fact Peter Gabriel’s song. It’s one of my favorites of his, and this is great job done covering it! The tapping style (which I’m a big fan of) is really well executed, and I like the blend of acoustic and electric. We don’t even miss the girl harmony part, as the lead vocals integrate it well. Good live sound too. I’d be curious to hear this artist’s original material. now. =)

Dan and his father Peter recently wrote ‘A History of Ghosts; The True Story of Seances, Mediums, Ghosts and Ghostbusters’.

Producer extraordinaire David Foster sits down in Studio Q to talk about Haiti, benefit concerts and the upcoming Grammys.