Album Reviews: Cults, Aiza, Fenne Lily

 Cults - Host (New York City) The only thing we seem to keep with Cults between records is moody tones, and infectious harmonies, but that keeps things interesting. The orchestra-informed pop of their latest record lands between sonic experimentation and vintage pop for a weird trip through the dark. "Trials"

From the Garage to the Dance Floor: 20 Years of Partying with Sticks ‘n Stones

 Photos courtesy of Sticks 'n Stones. “Brown Eyed Girl”, “Dancing in the Dark”, “Go Your Own Way”, “Satisfaction” and “Free Falling” all sound like songs that would be included in the ultimate rock and roll jukebox. For Ron Warwaruk, Sam Timmins, Craig Kennedy, Peter Kornherr, Sarah McClurg, Kyle Gilbert and

The Many Journeys of Laila Biali

 “Intense focus on the verge of chaos at all times,” says Laila Biali on how her new album House Of Many Rooms began its journey in the studio. With a full choir steeped in gospel grace, a 15-piece string section, one wailing sax solo and tonal shifts accentuating a more

Jim Bryson Returns Home

 “If it looks like I’ve seen a ghost I just want to go home” -Jim Bryson (Cigarette Thin) It’s 4 a.m. I am awoken by Jim Bryson’s voice singing about ghosts. Below me the snowploughs clatter in the street. Bryson’s new album, Somewhere We Will Find Our Place, has seemingly

Sam Roberts is Coming to the TD Place

 The group behind ‘Brother Down’ is teaming up with the union who supports public servants like our health inspectors and librarians this November to put on an enormous, free concert at the TD Place. To be more specific, November 14 the Sam Roberts Band will take over the TD Place

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,

CityFolk Impressions

 ABOVE: Ewan Currie from The Sheepdogs plays at CityFolk. (Photo by Michael Wing)  This year’s CityFolk festival swept into the new venue at Lansdowne Park on the perfect weekend. It was warm and sunny most days, with as little rain as anyone could have hoped for. The festival line up

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

James Leclaire: The Sing-a-Long Sounds of Storytelling and Sorrow

 Album cover by Brett Clarke. James Leclaire’s fourth album, These Weights, combines the soulful storytelling of folk and country music with the anthemic energy of punk, to create a sound he calls ‘dirt country.’ “There is a country twang to it but it’s got an edginess that is a little

Ariana Grande Lights Up the CT Centre

 The Ariana Grande show started with a bang, or more precisely, a “Bang Bang.” The hit song by Jessie J, nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards 2015, was the opener for Grande’s Honeymoon Tour in Ottawa, on August 7th. Screaming young girls, accompanied by

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

The Musical Storm of Ash & Bloom

 The powerhouse folk duo Ash and Bloom, is bringing a musical storm to Ottawa. Echoing thunderous harmonies and striking bolts of brilliant songwriting, these two are a must-see act this spring. Hamilton-based Matt McKenna and James Bloemendal have been playing music together for almost a decade, originally meeting in the

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