Album Reviews: February 3, 2020

 La Roux - Supervision (London, UK) Despite the heavy saturation of synth-pop these days, La Roux has found a way to maintain a unique voice of her own. Though this latest release has a lot more cheeky tones to it, it is clearly her attempt to tap into diversify into

Timeout with the Twins talk family, new music and Tessa and Scott with Jim Cuddy

 Photo credits: Warner Music and Daniel Vazzoler / Video by Amanda and Brittany van Frankfoort On Feb. 26, 2018 fans of Blue Rodeo front-man Jim Cuddy were invited to share in new melodic stories of love and loss – delivered in the familiarly plainspoken storytelling style characteristic of Cuddy – on his fourth

Big Wreck Forms New Memories

 Whether on hold or resurrected, Big Wreck has been a consistent staple of the Canadian music diet for the last few decades. After their hiatus, singer Ian Thornley is finding the band as exciting as ever, with his years as a solo artist making each new record feel even deeper

Trooper Ready to Raise a Little Hell at Grey Cup Fest

 After 40 years on the road, Trooper knows what works best for them, and while they haven't put out new material in quite some time, that's perfectly fine with them. Evolving with the times, the "Raise A Little Hell" hit-makers keep bringing the heat on tour, and have made a

The True North’s Serenade

 Photo by Beverley Daniels.  What does Canada sound like? Some would say it’s the whisper of a cold wind blowing through the needles of a pine tree. Others think of the sudden crack of a slapshot and the bitter hiss of a skate blade digging into a turn. For Eleanor McCain,

Language Arts’ Indie Pop Carol to Sable Island

 Perhaps it was fate that intervened to alter the course of Kristen Cudmore’s career in music, though it was more than likely the botched VISA. She was heading to Hawai’i by way of Nova Scotia to complete her Masters of Music when a paper-work error grounded her in Vancouver. Having

The Secret Side of Ian Fletcher Thornley

 Ian Fletcher Thornley is best known as the lead singer and guitarist for multi-platinum selling hard rock band Big Wreck. On December 11, he will be stepping on stage as a solo act for what is sure to be a captivating performance at Mavericks. Thornley’s first independent album Secrets was released on

Alyssa Reid’s Flaming Phoenix

 By Katie Hartai As enchanting as the mythical bird itself, Alyssa Reid’s new album Phoenix will surely set fire to the hearts of fans when released on November 27. It may also spark a pleasant surprise. With Juno and MMVA nominations under her belt, the 22-year-old singer songwriter is no stranger to Canada’s

Lloyd Frost Provides Social Commentary with a Groove

 Photo courtesy of Ben Dionne © Blue Plazuela Music. Lloyd Frost has many tales to tell. Frost is a Montreal-born singer/songwriter and musician who lives and plays his songs in Ottawa. Lloyd has recently released The Sun Is Rising and Other True Stories, an 11 track album. People have told Frost that it

Dear Rouge, From Ottawa

 Falling leaves are not the only noteworthy shade of red in the city this week. Vancouver-based electronic rock band Dear Rouge will be showing its colours downtown with a performance at Mavericks on October 29. Dear Rouge is led by husband and wife duo Drew and Danielle McTaggart. The name

One Giant Step for the Tourist Company

 L to R: Swindells, Parry, Levey and Quezada. All photos by Brian Chan photography.  Vancouver’s own The Tourist Company formed in 2013 after camp friends Taylor Swindells (singer/songwriter/multi instrumentalist), Jillian Levey (vocalist) and Brenon Parry (drummer) began playing folk music together. After recording the trio’s first album, Brother Wake Up,

Giant Paper Heads: Who Wore it Better? Arcade Fire or WOTE?

 Yesterday, Burlington ON band Walk Off the Earth released a new video celebrating trans youth and the importance of accepting ourselves and others. The video, ‘Alright,’ features a young girl named Ellie who is forced to wear boy’s clothes and just wants to be herself. The video also features Walk

Get Starstruck with Kodaline

 Vincent May (drums), Jason Boland (bass guitar), Steve Garrigan (lead vocalist), Mark Prendergrast (lead guitar). Photo courtesy of Ben Johnson. Kodaline has made a splash in the indie rock scene. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, the group has performed together since 2005 (as 21 Demands). In 2011, Jason Boland joined and Kodaline was

Folk in the City: Celebrating Canadian Talent

 Sounds of CityFolk are echoing throughout Ottawa, with the much anticipated music festival kicking off next week. This year's line-up the most brag-worthy to date, and OLM has put together a quick list of Canadian performers you won’t want to miss! Motel Raphaël Clara Legault, Emily Skahan and Maya Malkin

The Journey of ‘Five Crooked Lines’

 Finger Eleven has made a bold return to the Canadian music scene with the release of their sixth studio album, Five Crooked Lines. For the new record’s launch, the band has lined up a full summer tour across North America which includes a stop in Ottawa on August 13. Five Crooked

Could This Be Your Shot?

 Round five of Slaight Music’s annual talent search kicks off August 1, and this year’s “It’s Your Shot” is offering up a huge opportunity for Canadian musicians. The prize, which includes promotion from Maple Music Recordings, a professional photo session, an artist website and the chance to perform at a

An Old Guitar and an Ottawa Bar

 Union Duke’s soaring vocal harmonies and throbbing beats have enlivened hearts and dance floors across the nation. The quintet is sure to have Ottawa concertgoers heel-stomping and hip-swaying with their performance at the Black Sheep Inn on July 31. Balancing a mixture of soulful indie rock, bluegrass and country, the

Music from the Seoul

 Montreal-based trio, Seoul, will be casting a unique tone on the Canadian music scene with the release of their debut album I Become A Shade, on June 9.  Members Nigel Ward and Julian Flavin have known each other since childhood and have worked on various music projects together. They met

Upcoming Festival Launch for Westfest

 Ottawa’s favourite free arts festival is coming back to town! Westfest will be launching the line-up and programming for their 2015 event on Thursday, March 12, at 10 a.m. sharp. The public announcement will be made at Clocktower Brew Pub on Richmond Road. Each year more than 100,000 people attend

Catching Up With Singer-Songwriter Amir Brandon

 Photo courtesy of Alyssa Balistreri Since winning the 2014 Singer-Songwriter Mentor Experience, a contest for unsigned Canadian singer-songwriters, what have you been doing? Amir: Writing, performing, making YouTube covers, and writing some more. A lot more! Since last summer, I've been working on a new album with a fellow musician

C’est Up to You

 Photo courtesy of Claude Brazeau It’s that voice. Forget her magnetic stage personality, her glamorous good looks and the fact that you can groove to her tunes in both official languages. Those are all gravy. It’s her voice that’ll get you. If Dominique Forest sings a happy song, you’ll be

Escaping The City With Sandi Skye

 Photo Credit: Sean Sisk November 4th, 2014 hailed the release of ‘Country Groove’- a soul-inducing album, featuring Ottawa’s up and coming Sandi Skye. Unparalleled talent, fused with her unique presence, undoubtedly bumps ‘Country-Rock’ into fresh domains. Native to Ottawa, Sandi Skye has been knocking the socks off her fans since

Pilar’s Picks: Julie Crochetière

 Canada definitely has talent. I’d love to introduce you to singer-songwriter Julie Crochetière, born and raised in Montreal. Her music tugs deep into your heart and each track has you feeling passionate emotions. Crochetière recently released her fourth solo album Counting Dreams, and you need to give it a listen to! I’m

Bring Sunshine to Your Day with Days of Rain

 Patrick Ballantyne is no stranger to the Canadian music scene --- but usually he is the one creating the tunes instead of singing them. Canrock giant Gordie Johnson (of Big Sugar, Wide Mouth Mason fame), up-and-coming Meredith Shaw (the new Jann Arden) and the Trews are a few who have

Stunning Stop Motion Animation Creates the Guts for Royal Wood’s New Video: The Glory

 By Hank Reardon  “Every inch a king… The result is We Were Born to Glory, (Royal’s) most upbeat and cohesive album to date.” - National Post Royal Wood can now add “two-time Juno Nominee” to his list of credentials, as he recently received a Juno Nomination for Adult Alternative Album