Just a quick note to wish everyone happy holidays and a happy New Year.
We’ll get back to more regular news posts as things get rolling again in 2009. With the ECMAs coming, there should be plenty more to talk about.
Cheers,
Eric
Bookmark to:
Archive for December, 2008
Happy holidays!
Wednesday, December 31st, 2008Rawlins Cross reforms with album, tour
Sunday, December 28th, 2008In the 1990s, Celtic and roots music experienced a rebirth of sorts with a handful of bands and performers who took traditional sounds and blended them with pop and rock to create sounds that made old style music fresh and even “cool” again.
Great Big Sea, Natalie McMaster, Ashley MacIsaac and The Barra MacNeils were all a part of this resurgence. Right along with them, Newfoundland band Rawlins Cross took trad music by storm, rocking it up and adding a pop sheen that made it exciting for a new generation of fans.
Cross formed in 1988 and throughout the ‘90s had several hit singles, including “Reel ‘n’ Roll,” “Colleen” and “Long Night.”
In 2001, the band wound down. Each member went their separate ways, some having children, others seeking work outside music. But each of the band members kept music in their lives, so it’s no surprise that seven years later, Rawlins Cross is back to doing what it does best – performing.
Brothers Dave and Geoff Panting, Ian McKinnon, Joey Kitson, Brian Bourne and Howie Southwood reformed the band earlier this year, and the group released Anthology, a collection of 16 tracks including their biggest hits and three new tunes.
Ian McKinnon spoke to East Coast Noise shortly before Christmas to talk about the rebirth of the band and what lies in store for its future.
In spring of this year, McKinnon, who plays bagpipe, tin whistle, bodhran, percussion and trumpet with the group, says he and the rest of the band were “getting quite ambitious for the group again.”
Around the same time, a Warner Music Canada representative approached the group about the possibility of compiling a greatest hits CD.
It was a sign of things to come, but initially the group wasn’t sure after seven years how it would gel. When Rawlins Cross split in 2001, it was amicable. The band mates remained friends, they just wanted to concentrate on other projects. But still, after seven years, it could prove difficult to get back in the swing of things.
“Creatively, we felt it was time for a break,” McKinnon explains of the split.
The strange feeling upon reuniting didn’t last. Very quickly, once the group finally performed together, it “felt like we hadn’t left the stage.”
The band rehearsed and recorded Anthology’s three new tracks, “Look Ahead,” “Make The Change” and “The Story” in St. John’s in August.
“We released this record just a couple of weeks ago and the reception has been great,” he says. “If feels very much like we’re picking up where we left off.”
He says the band is “new and improved” in that they have more experience in life, music and business.
Asked of the shelf life of the reunion, McKinnon says the band is “feeling our way through this,” but he adds that there are a lot of opportunities that lie ahead for the group.
Currently, Rawlins Cross is planning some festival dates across North America and Europe for next summer.
You can catch the rejuvenated band on New Year’s Eve on CTV’s annual Year’s Eve bash in Halifax.
Since this interview, a spring east coast tour was announced by Sonic Concerts.
Rawlins Cross will perform the following dates: April 14 at Moncton’s Capitol Theatre, April 15 at Glace Bay’s Savoy Theatre, April 16 at Saint John’s Imperial Theatre, April 17 at Fredericton’s Playhouse and April 18 at Halifax’s Rebecca Cohn Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now.
While McKinnon wouldn’t go too deep into what the future may hold for Rawlins Cross, from the way he spoke of the group, it’s likely the tour dates that are currently being planned are just the start of things to come.
“Music is a passion for all of us,” McKinnon says. “I expect at this point that Rawlins Cross will be fairly active for many years to come.”
Bookmark to:
The Monoxides return with ‘new’ music
Sunday, December 14th, 2008By the mid-’90s, Sloan and Eric’s Trip had made it crystal clear to anyone paying attention across Canada that east coast music wasn’t all about fiddles and tin whistles. They paved the way for many other east coast acts to break out and find success elsewhere, and it’s an effect that is still felt today.
One band that came out of New Brunswick in the late-’90s found quite a bit of success, including a single on MuchMusic, tour dates with ZZ Top and a contract with major label BMG. The Monoxides released a handful of independent cassettes in the band’s hometown of Moncton before they were picked up by BMG, which released the band’s 1997 album Galaxy of Stooges. The tunes “Can’t Get Excited” and “Whole Lotta Rosie” both came off that release.
Ultimately, the Monoxides-BMG relationship didn’t last and the band returned home, releasing one final album – arguably their best – The Free Release of Energy in 2000.
Eight years have passed and while the band – Steve Hickox (vocals/guitar), Ken Kelley (drums), PJ Dunphy (bass), Derek Robichaud (guitar) and Marco Rocca (vocals/guitar) – still plays well-attended shows once or twice a year, talk of new material has come and gone, with no new music coming out.
However, recently the band announced that it would be releasing a new CD full of old tracks, music from its early tapes, b-sides and rare tracks. The album is due to be released this week at the band’s annual Christmas show on Friday, Dec. 19 in Moncton.
The album will be released via the recently resurrected Superbob Records. I’ll have more on the new release when I get it.
Bookmark to:
ECMA nominees announced
Friday, December 12th, 2008The East Coast Music Awards unveiled their 2009 nominees this week. Here they are:
DVD of the Year
Squid – SQUID: The Evolution (Directors: Ryan Fraser, Mark Jamieson, Daniel St. Pierre, Ian MacMillan)
The Northern Ramblers – The Northern Ramblers, “Sideways” (Directors: Jimmie Inch & Ian McInnis)
Wes Jagoe – Live at the Pitt Upstairs (Director: Greg Hemmings)
Colemans Entertainer of the Year
Chris Colepaugh
Dave Gunning
David Myles
Jill Barber
Joel Plaskett Emergency
The Grenfell College, Memorial University Female Solo Recording of the Year
Christina Martin – Two Hearts
Jill Barber – Chances
Norma MacDonald – The Forest for the Trees
Tanya Davis – Gorgeous Morning
Tara Oram – Chasing the Sun
Group Recording of the Year presented by Western Petroleum
Hey Rosetta! – Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood)
Hot Toddy – Trio
Matt Mays & El Torpedo – Terminal Romance
Troy MacGillivray & Shane Cook – When Here Meets There
Vishtèn – Vishtèn Live
Konica Minolta Male Solo Recording of the Year
Dave Carroll – Perfect Blue
David Myles – On The Line
Duane Andrews – Raindrops
Gordie Sampson – For The Few And Far Between
Matt Andersen – Somthing In Between
Max MacDonald – Songs of Home
FACTOR Recording of the Year
Damhnait Doyle – Lights Down Low
Gordie Sampson – For The Few And Far Between
Hey Rosetta! – Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood)
Jill Barber – Chances
Matt Mays & El Torpedo – Terminal Romance
CBC Galaxie Rising Star Recording of the Year
Chad Hatcher – Tunnels & Pathways
Chris Picco – Ferris Wheel
JD Clarke – Satisfied
Meaghan Blanchard – Changing Things
The Tom Fun Orchestra – You Will Land with a Thud
Vibe Creative Group Single of the Year
Age of Daze – Afflicted
Gordie Sampson – We Are Young And So Is The Night
Joel Plaskett Emergency – Face of the Earth
Jon Mullane – Make Your Move
Matt Mays & El Torpedo – Tall Trees
SOCAN Songwriter of the Year
Asif Illyas – “U Dream” (performed by MIR)
Christina Martin – “Two Hearts” (performed by Christina Martin)
Gordie Sampson (with J. Smith & JT Harding) – “We Are Young and So Is The Night” (performed by Gordie Sampson)
Matt Mays – “Terminal Romance” (performed by Matt Mays & El Torpedo)
Tim Baker – “New Goodbye” (performed by Hey Rosetta!)
Star Style Creative Works Video of the Year
Chad Hatcher – Do It All Again (Director: Harv)
Drumlin – Stormy Weather Boys (Director: Joel Mackenzie)
Rebekah Higgs – Parables (Director: Tim McDonough and Raised by Media)
Tara Oram – Fly Girl (Director: Stephen Scott)
The Tom Fun Orchestra – Watchmaker (Director: Christopher Ball)
Wintersleep – Weighty Ghost (Director: Sean Wainsteim)
Newcap Radio Alternative Recording of the Year
Grand Theft Bus – Made Upwards
Hey Rosetta! – Into Your Lungs (and around in your heart and on through your blood)
Mardeen – Read Less Minds
Sleepless Nights – Turn Into Vapour
The Tom Fun Orchestra – You Will Land with a Thud
Bluegrass Recording of the Year
Blue Horizon Bluegrass Band – No Stoppin’ Now
Paul Hébert – Les Pauvres Riches
Roxeen Roberts – Red Handed
The Grass Mountain Hobos – The Grass Mountain Hobos
Spinney Brothers – Going Home
Blues Recording of the Year
Hot Toddy – Trio
Keith Hallett – Bear With Me
Matt Andersen – Something In Between
Terry Whalen – The Devil’s Fireplace
Children’s Recording of the Year
Donna & Andy – Blue Skies and Pirates
Eleanor McCain – Bundle of Joy
Maria Alley – Nature’s Lullaby
Rik Barron – Shine
Scotty and the Stars – Here We Go!
Classical Recording of the Year
Choeur Neil-Michaud – Le Chœur Neil-Michaud interprète : La Deuxième Messe en sol majeur pour les sociétés de chorales Charles Gounod et Autres chants sacrés
David Chafe & Christopher Bowman – Over Hill and Valley
Jasper Wood – A Child’s Cry from Izieu – Oskar Morawetz complete works for violin and piano
Patricia Creighton, flute & Peter Allen, piano – Wind Song
Trio: Bonnell, Bottazzini and Green – Souvenirs: Chamber Music for Horn Flute and Piano
Country Recording of the Year
Chris LeBlanc – Too Much Nothin’
JD Clarke – Satisfied
Rob Russell – Turnin’ Heads
Ryan Cook – Hot Times
Tara Oram – Chasing the Sun
Folk Recording of the Year
David Myles – On The Line
Max MacDonald – Songs of Home
Meaghan Blanchard – Changing Things
Steven Bowers – Homing
Teresa Ennis – Space
Instrumental Recording of the Year
Bill Brennan – Solo Piano 2
Duane Andrews – Raindrops
Kendra MacGillivray – Love O’ The Isles
Jazz Recording of the Year
Jill Barber – Chances
Mark Duggan – Diggin’ Duggan
Mary Barry – Red Eye Tonight
Patrick Boyle – Still No Word
Shan Arsenault – Below Sea Level
Loud Recording of the Year
Gallactus – Nine Mile Woods
Holophonic Porno – Obsession
Iron Giant – Creator of Scars
Shelter With Thieves – A Dark Chapter in the Human Experiment
Newcap Radio Pop Recording of the Year
Aaron MacDonald – John Prine’s Advice
Christina Martin – Two Hearts
Damhnait Doyle – Lights Down Low
Dave Carroll – Perfect Blue
Gordie Sampson – For The Few And Far Between
Ian Foster – Room in the City
MIR – OK2Go!
Sirius Satellite Radio Rock Recording of the Year
Age of Daze – Hollywood Ending
Battery Point – A Kick in the Blood
Matt Mays & El Torpedo – Terminal Romance
Pat Deighan & The Orb Weavers – In A Fever In A Dream
Terri Lynn Eddy Band – Tonight
Roots / Traditional Solo Recording of the Year
Brenda Stubbert – Endless Memories
Colette Cheverie – Hours Before Dawn
Dominique Dupuis – Bourrasque
Jason Roach – Jason Roach
Neil McDaniel – 10 Years Too Late
Roots / Traditional Group Recording of the Year presented by Central Dairies
Bette & Wallet – Voici…Bette & Wallet
Lazy Jacks – Watercolour Windows
La Famille Arseneault – Un Bouilli Acadien
Troy MacGillivray & Shane Cook – When Here Meets There
Vishtèn – Vishtèn Live
World Recording of the Year
Dr. Zoo – Southern African Field Studies
Idlers – Corner
Ryan Leblanc – Against The Grain
Newcap Radio Aboriginal Recording of the Year
Gary Sappier – Wanted
MO3 – Phyllis Grant – Up Risin’
The Flummies – This is the Life for Me
CBC Galaxie Francophone Recording of the Year
Bette & Wallet – Voici…Bette & Wallet
Kevin McIntyre – Le monde est truqué
Mike Parker – Mon p’tit paradis
Paul Hébert – Les Pauvres Riches
Ronald Bourgeois – J’ai trouvé dans une chanson
Gospel Recording of the Year
4Given – Fountain of Life
Hugh Toner – Jane Robichaud – Angels and Light
Julia Gannon – No place like here
Life Support – Roar of Heaven
The Burkes – The Reason We Sing
Rap / Hip-Hop Single Track Recording of the Year
Hotbox (feat. Spesh K & Y-Rush) – The Main Event
Joe Buck – No More
Mic Boyd – Guess Who’s Back
Mischif – The Motto
Mixre – Spit That Murder
Bookmark to:
More noise from the east coast
Thursday, December 4th, 2008Hey all,
I’m going to try to get in the habit of doing more frequent, yet smaller, updates to give everyone a quick read every few days.
Also, I have another interview coming down the pipe soon with a recently reformed east coast band.
Finally, I’ve been asked why the comments section of the site is turned off. Well, the answer is simple. I get anywhere from five to 30 spam messages through the comments feature a week, and I’m not interested in them cluttering up the site.
Please, spread word of the site amongst your musician friends and other music fans. The idea is to be a resource (if a small one) to anyone interested in east coast sounds.
Any questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me at eastcoastnoie@gmail.com
Cheers!
Eric
Alicia Penney & friends head out on tour
Cape Breton singer-songwriter and former member of the Tom Fun Orchestra and Yellow Alicia Penney is heading out on a short solo tour of the Maritimes with fellow songwriters Billie Yvette Rogers and Steve Fifield. The tour is dubbed the “Odd Socks Tour.”
Penney tells East Coast Noise the tour is exciting for her because each artist has their own sound and there’s a lot that can be done with the show formats because its simply three people and their guitars.
The tour dates are as follows:
Dec. 9 – Babas – Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Dec. 10 – Just Us Café – Halifax, N.S.
Dec. 11 – The Grad House – Fredericton , N.B.
Dec. 12 – Sessions – Rothesay, N.B.
Dec. 13 – House Show (7 Allison Ave.) – Sackville, N.B.
The Keats tour Afghanistan
Twin sister country performers Jolene and Sharlene Keats of Newfoundland have been added to the latest tour entertaining Canadian Armed Forces Personnel stationed in Afghanistan.
The tour will visit a variety of bases throughout the country, specific dates and places undisclosed because of normal security procedures. Also appearing are Alfie Zappacosta, Carson Downey and Two Bullet Parade.
“We’re amazingly excited and honoured,” Jolene Keats said in a press release for the tour. “But also nervous, just knowing that the troops have been there for weeks or months and that we’re a connection to back home.”
The Keats’ single ‘Bring On The Next Town’ was originally written about the rigours of being on the road in a country band. “But it sure takes on new meaning and humbles you to know you’re playing for people who literally put their lives on the line to get to that next town.” said sister Sharlene.
This tour is a result of a bid put forth by the Jim Kuehnel, General Manager of the Atlantica Centre for the Arts in Saint John, N.B. Atlantica Live is an artist management and special event booking company that deals with events on a national level.
In the last few years, The Keats have played and toured with The Divorcees, JD Clarke, Mark Cameron and Ryan Cook. They have showcased at the East Coast Music Awards and Canadian Music Week and they continue to tour throughout Canada on a regular basis.
N.B. artist releases new tunes
Owen Gilbride of Quispamsis, N.B. dropped us a line to mention he released his first album, Scary Monster, for download here.
Gilbride, 17, makes music with all kinds of random sounds (fireworks exploding, pieces of metal being banged together, broken electronic toys and more) and using heavy digital modification.
He says he’s been compared to Nine Inch Nails, Kraftwerk and film soundtracks. To purchase the album on CD format, see here.
Bookmark to: