There’s plenty of new music from the East Coast coming out in the next few months and we have updates on a few of those projects today.
Cormier joined by East Coast favourites
Later this month, Cape Breton multi-instrumentalist J.P. Cormier will release his latest collection of tunes on The Messenger, a 14-track album. This is the first collection of new Cormier songs since 2001’s Now That the Work is Done. The new album will be released June 17.
Produced by Andre Bourgeois, Cormier (as usual) plays just about everything on the disc – piano, bass, percussion, mandolin and guitar. Joining him on a few tracks are East Coast favourites Rita MacNeil (on the duet “Brother’s In Darkness”) and Ron Hynes (on “Great Harbour Deep”).
Cormier pays tribute to the late John Allan Cameron on “The Minstrel”, which leads into the final track, “Afghanistan” which was inspired by the experience had and the people met on J.P.’s visit to Afghanistan in spring 2007.
The Strombachs finally make debut
Also this month, Moncton’s Melanie Keith finally releases the debut album from her band The Strombachs. The EP, titled Lemongrass & Cider, features eight tracks and it was produced by Keith’s bandmate, singer/songwriter Robin Anne Ettles. Ettles played nearly every instrument on the disc while Keith supplied her powerful vocals.
The Strombachs is Keith’s project, but her regular touring band members include Ettles and Moncton multi-instrumentalist Chris Colepaugh.
It’s been a long time coming for Keith who will play CD release shows throughout New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The album actually had to be recorded twice because of problems in the studio with the original recording. While it was frustrating for her, Keith has said turned out better the second time around.
Mir showcase new album all summer
Later in the year, Halifax-based pop-rock three-piece Mir (Asif Illyas, Shehab Illyas and Adam Dowling) will release its fourth album, OK2GO! The album comes out September 16, but to whet appetites leading up to the release, the band is releasing the album’s 18 songs for streaming over 18 consecutive weeks on its website.
Currently, you can stream three of the 18 tunes from the album, “Run Away,” “Promise Me” and “Say It’s Alright”. OK2GO! will be Mir’s fourth studio record, and you can stream each of their previous works on the band’s site as well. Watch for a new track every week leading up to the album’s release.
Also notable …
In addition to these releases, Moncton metal bands Iron Giant and Gallactus recently released new discs, Creator of Scars and Nine Mile Woods, respectively.
In a huge move for a Moncton band, The Motorleague is on its way to Toronto early this month to record the follow-up to the band’s debut EP, White Tape. The four piece will be recording with producer/guitar god Ian Blurton (C’mon, Change of Heart).
