Alright, so I said there wouldn’t be news for at least a few days, but I wanted to throw this up on the site quick:

Knife Party, a Moncton band we profiled here in late 2008, has been dormant for some time due to band members’ various obligations.

Tonight, they’ll get together to perform again at The Manhattan in Moncton with The Blackrats.

Drummer Eric Bourque says Knife Party never really split up, they’ve just been busy with other things.

“I don’t think we will ever really break up, rather, we go through periods we don’t play, but odds are you can count on another show down the road (specifically when we release our 2nd album, still tied up in post production),” he tells East Coast Noise. “We use the term reunion loosely. I moved away to Toronto to study audio engineering. Now I’ve graduated and am taking time for a vacation home. Figured, we’re going to jam out some tunes anyway, might as well throw a show together, too!”

While Knife Party might not be the most active band, most of the band members are active with other projects.

“Musically, Danny Whoremoan is keeping the dream alive with his new band, Impulse Items and I’ve got a post punk act in Toronto called Careers In Science. Davey Romance romanced his lady so much they had a beautiful baby daughter and Rudy, The Belgian Berzerker, fights crime via vigilante justice by night, while being a handsome truck mechanic by day,” Bourque explains.

Admission to tonight’s show is $7. Show is set to get underway 10 p.m.

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The Once has signed with Borealis Records. (Mark Bennett photo)

Borealis Records announced this week that Newfoundland trio The Once is joining its roster of artists with their self-titled debut.

The Once (Andrew Dale, Geraldine Hollett and Phil Churchill) is a band armed with bouzouki, banjo and guitar who deliver ballads, shanties and original songs stemming from the rich traditions of their Island home.

Winners of four Music Newfoundland and Labrador awards in 2009 and nominated for an East Coast Music Award in 2010, The Once appeared with Stuart McLean on CBC Radio’s Vinyl Café, and this summer the band will be appearing at a number of festivals across Canada before embarking on a fall tour of Ireland.

Tom Fun Orchestra makes big return

The renowned Tom Fun Orchestra is returning to the stage for a national tour this July and August. The band has also made “Miles Davis,” their first offering since 2008’s You Will Land With a Thud, available for free download.

Upcoming tour dates:

July 27 – Toronto, ON Sound Academy
July 29 – Midland, ON Atlantic Challenge Tent
July 31 – Sudbury, ON Townhouse Tavern
Aug. 05 – Winnipeg, MB Park Theatre
Aug. 06 – Saskatoon, SK Amigo’s Café
Aug. 07 – Calgary, AB Marquee Room
Aug. 08 – Lethbridge, AB The Slice Bar & Grill
Aug. 10 – Victoria, BC Hermann’s Jazz Club
Aug. 12 – Vancouver, BC The Shark Club
Aug. 13 – Salmon Arm, BC Salmon Arm Fairgrounds
Aug. 14 – Salmon Arm, BC Salmon Arm Fairgrounds
Aug. 15 – Salmon Arm, BC Salmon Arm Fairgrounds
Aug. 19 – Thunder Bay, ON Black Pirates Pub
Aug. 21 – Montreal, QC Il Motore

ECMA seeking music submissions

The East Coast Music Association announced a call for submissions for the third edition of the “Canadian Music. East Coast Style” compilation CDs. Distributed to 2,000 international and Canadian delegates, as well as sold exclusively at ECMA events and an online store, the two promotional CDs will be used to market and promote Atlantic Canadian artists at upcoming Canadian and international music industry.

ECMA will be producing two-genre themed promotional compilation CDs: “Canadian Music. East Coast Style Roots” and “Canadian Music. East Coast Style Rocks.”

Sonicbids has partnered with ECMA to reserve 30 slots for Sonicbids artists on the two compilations.

Criteria for inclusion:

- Artist (s) must be a member in good standing of the ECMA
- Artist (s) must have released at least one professionally manufactured CD (or single) released between June 1, 2009 – October 1, 2010
- Artist (s) must own and control master (track/song usage)
- Artist (s) must control publishing

Submissions are open to all genres including but not limited to: pop, rock, alternative, indie, urban, electronica, hip-hop Roots, folk, traditional, country, jazz, blues, Celtic, bluegrass, instrumental, world, singer-songwriter.

For more information and to submit, click here. The deadline is July 30.

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Brockway Biggs will perform at a hip hop show in Fredericton on July 2.

News from my old pal Brockway Biggs …

“From 2003-2006, Fredericton rappers and DJs developed their skill in front of friends and fans every Wednesday at Hip-Hop Night. The weekly night started out at The Capital, and later moved to Nicky Zees.

“There were cyphers, out-of-town performers, $2.25 drink cards for emcees (I still have mine) and a whole lot of good times & memories. Seven years later, Black Ice Entertainment brings you the Freddy Beach Hip Hop Reunion Show …”

The show takes place Friday, July 2 at 9 p.m. at Nicky Zees, 375 King St, Fredericton, N.B.

There will be music by DJ Scout, Loc Dog, STV and Baby Grand and performances by Mick D, Phakt, Monark, First Words, Socially Exceptable, Brockway Biggs aka Pimp Tea, Jed Nice, Al Boogie, Miracle and KNO.

For more on the event, visit the Facebook page.

Wintersleep announces summer/fall tour dates

Halifax indie rockers Wintersleep are on the road right now and will be touring non-stop through November. Dates are as follows:

July 9 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Bluesfest @ Pop Life Stage (York Street)
July 10 – Montreal, QC @ Live From Montreal @ The Apple Store
Aug. 6 – Saint John, NB @ Fort La Tour
Aug. 28 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Sept. 4 – Edmonton, AB @ SONiC BOOM Festival @ Northlands Grounds
Sept. 6 – Koln, Germany @ Luxor
Sept. 7 – Utrecht, Netherlands @ Ekko
Sept. 8 – London, United Kingdom @ Cargo
Sept. 9 – Glasgow, SL (United Kingdom) @ Stereo
Sept. 10 – Dublin, Ireland @ Academy 2
Sept. 11 – North Dorset, United Kingdom @ End of The Road Festival @ Larmer Tree Gardens
Sept. 12 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix
Sept. 14 – Heidelberg, Germany @ Kulturhaus Kastorbahnhof
Sept. 15 – Munich, Germany @ 59 to 1
Sept. 16 – Berlin, Germany @ Lido
Sept. 17 – Hamburg, Germany @ Molotow
Sept. 18 – Aarau Switzerland @ Kiff
Oct. 5 – Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Oct. 7 – New York, NY @ Beacon Theatre
Oct. 19 – Waterloo, ON @ Starlight
Oct. 20 – Hamilton, ON @ Studio Theatre
Oct. 23 – London, ON @ The London Music Hall
Oct. 30 – Montreal, QC @ Cabaret Mile End
Nov. 3 – Fredericton, NB @ The Market
Nov. 4 – Halifax, NS @ The New Palace
Nov. 12 – Victoria, BC @ Alix Goolden Hall
Nov. 13 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Nov. 17 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall
Nov. 19 – Saskatoon, SK @ Louis’ Pub
Nov. 20 – Winnipeg, MB @ The Garrick

Celebrate beer, art and music

FeelsGood.ca, in partnership with North Hampton Brewing Company (Picaroons) and Bullfrog Renewable Energy are taking over the Village of Gagetown FairGrounds on July 9 and 10.

Over 30 acts will grace two stages this year over the two days, including All of Green, Grand Theft Bus, Jimmy Swift Band and Tom Fun Orchestra.

Other notable acts include Isaac & Blewett, Thom Swift, The Olympic Symphonium, Gordon Gets Lost, Weak Size Fish, Owen Steel, Babette Hayward, Andy Brown, Sleepy Driver and many, many more.

For a complete schedule of performances here.

Folly Fest is striving to be a “green” festival using only Picaroon’s 100 per cent compostable beer cups, locally sourced food and a “green team” that will be on guard all weekend to ensure that everything gets put in the correct refuse barrel.

The original Folly Fest, held last year on Crabbe Mountain, was a celebration of the collaboration between FeelsGood.ca and Picaroons. The end result was the FeelsGood Imperial Pilsner, Picaroons first and only contract brew. This year will not only celebrate the FeelsGood Pilsner, but all of Picaroon’s award-winning traditional ales.

D5R announces A Weekend of Noise

Diminished Fifth Records and Morbid Entertainment have announced that they have partnered to present ‘A Weekend Of Noise: The Halifax Metal Festival’ set to take place July 30-31.

The festival is set to include the likes of Ottawa Grindcore band Fuck the Facts, Necronomicon, local stars Iron Giant and The.Daisy.Anthesis with various other local acts, including Napalm Raid and Orchids Curse.

The festival is set to include door prizes which include T-shirts from Pro-Skates, a CD give away by Diminished Fifth Records, free tickets to the upcoming Black Label Society concert by Sonic Concerts and various other prizes.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from CD Heaven and Random Play in Halifax. The cost is $20 in advance and $15 at the door for the first night and $10 for the second night.

The festival is set to take place at The Paragon Theatre for the first night and Gus’ Pub for the second night.

For more details about the show and a full line up, go here.

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It Kills will release its debut on July 20. (Mat Dunlap photo)

It Kills is the latest project from Halifax-based musicians Lisa Lipton, William Robinson and Solomon Vromans, the longtime collaborators behind the acclaimed I See Rowboats. The album will be released on July 20.

Track list for It Kills:

01. Dragons
02. No Ice
03. Le Coup
04. Jump Kid
05. Sinners
06. Sailors
07. Night Mayor
08. Vamps
09. Salt
10. Smoker
11. Old Song

Check out a track from the album here: Sailors by It Kills

Glory Glory Man United to release Zombies!!!

Comprised of music school friends Adam Warren (vocals, guitar), Gavin Maclean (bass, vocals) and Ryan Brown (drums, vocals), Glory Glory Man United (GGMU) released their self-titled demo in 2007.

The release caught the attention of Jon Epworth (The Dean Malenkos, The Improvements), who went on to produce the band’s 2008 EP, Friends of the Seen (From Here to There Records).

The Coast described it as, “what would happen if Q and Not U, circa 1999, covered Thrush Hermit’s Smart Bomb EP.”  Herohill said the EP, “Strikes the right balance between heavy and melodic to have me listening to it repeatedly for days.”

GGMU recently finished recording its upcoming full-length debut, Zombies!!! (July 13, Out Of Sound Records). While the band produced and recorded the LP themselves, it was mixed by renowned producer and Heavy Blinkers frontman, Andrew Watt (who the group acted as a backing band for on his solo debut, First Day of Summer Life).

Below is the track list for the upcoming album and tour dates. The band will be joining us for a Fridays with … feature in the coming weeks.

Zombies!!! track list:
01. Pop Song Automaton
02. Zombies
03. First Monkey Shot Into Space
04. Sun Don’t Come Out
05. Loud, Quiet, Loud
06. Mountain Town
07. Maintain Your Composure
08. Congratulations On Your Latest Engagement
09. Repeat, Dull
10. Fish in the Water

Upcoming tour dates:
June 29 – Peterborough, Ont. @ The Spill
June 30 – Toronto, Ont. @ Rancho Relaxo
July 01 – Guelph, Ont. @ Jimmy Jazz
July 02 – Hamilton, Ont. @ The Casbah Lounge
July 03 – London, Ont. @ East Village Arts Co-op
July 08 – Halifax, N.S. @ Gus’ Pub
July 09 – Moncton, N.B. @ Plan B
July 10 – Fredericton, N.B. @ The Capital Bar

Check out the first track on the album here:

Pop Song Automation by Glory Glory Man United

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Three New Brunswick bands are teaming up to storm their home province this month. Grand Theft Bus, Force Fields and Share, all from Fredericton, will perform in their home city and in Moncton this month.

It’s been months since these bands have performed in their home province, but with all three groups currently writing and recording new material, these performances will be a rare chance to hear some new material.

Catch the bands in Moncton at The Paramount on June 23 and in Fredericton at The Capital on June 24.

Grand Theft Bus and Share will be performing select east coast dates throughout the summer months, and you can find more information on that here.

Great Big Sea to release 10th album

Embarking on their 18th year as a band, platinum-selling Canadian folk rockers Great Big Sea voyage a little further from their signature Newfoundland-inspired sound to land Safe Upon The Shore with their 10th album due July 13 on Warner Music Canada.

Recorded in “fits and starts” over a six-month period, the album was produced by Los Lobos’ Steve Berlin and Great Big Sea in New Orleans, L.A., St. John’s, N.L. and anywhere that inspiration struck, including tour buses and various dressing rooms along their tour.

“A lot of this was recorded straight onto Alan’s laptop, as soon as we had the ideas,” explains Sean McCann, singer and bodhran player. “As for the rest, for a long time we wanted to record somewhere with a vibe, somewhere with an atmosphere that might seep into the songs themselves. There is nowhere on the continent, really, that has more of a vibe than New Orleans.”

Aside from Great Big Sea co-founders and songwriters Alan Doyle, Bob Hallett and Sean McCann, Safe Upon The Shore also includes co-writes and various acclaimed artists including Russell Crowe and Canadian singer-songwriters Randy Bachman, Jeremy Fisher and Joel Plaskett.

“At this stage, we sometimes all kind of know each other’s ideas too well,” explains multi-instrumentalist and singer Bob Hallett. “It’s too easy to do the obvious. Writing with a big group of people pushed everything into different directions. Of the songs we started there, we ended up using a bunch of them on the album.”

“Some of these songs took a long time to grow up, some of them came to us ready to head out into the world,” added McCann.

Fans can preview 3 new tracks from the album on the band’s website and expect tour news in the not-too-distant future.

Moncton hosts Fête de la musique 2010

On Monday, June 21st, Moncton will host more than 25 musical artists, singer-songwriter and groups for a variety of free performances in Fête de la musique 2010.

From 10:30 a.m., solo performers will wake up the crowds in Oak Park, Robinson Court and Café Clementine Deli. Westcut, Caroline Savoie, Glen Burg, Zax Hackett, Kendra Gale, Andre Saulnier, Denis Michel Haché and Sarah Cormier will offer to passers-by their finest tunes.

At 11:30 a.m., the official opening will take place outside the Moncton City Hall on Main Street. Upbeat musicians will entertain the crowds on their lunch breaks:  Craig Wright (bagpipes), the Harmony de l’Odyssée, Lisa LeBlanc, Kendra Gale and ALCAZ.

The main stage is located in Riverfront Park, next to the Petitcodiac River, behind the Blue Cross building. The line-up consists of experienced and emerging artists: Codiac Concert Band, Mario Lebreton, Natasha Richard, Xeno, Adam LeBlanc, Double Vision, Sarah Cormier, Lisa Leblanc, Caroline Savoie, Great Balancing Act, Julie Aubé, Melanie D, Robin Anne Ettles, Mel Keith & the Strombachs and Something Delicious. From traditional music to funk metal by way of folk and jazz singers, there will be something for everyone.

Find out more about the event here and here.

The Stanfields hit the road

Nova Scotia’s The Stanfields will tour Toronto and The Maritimes this summer to support the release their debut album Vanguard of the Young & Reckless (GroundSwell/Warner) on June 15.

The band (Jon Landry, Jason MacIsaac, Jason Wright, Craig Eugene Harris and Mark Murphy) formed in 2008. In March, they were voted by readers of The Coast Magazine in Halifax, “Best Band”, “Band Most Likely to Make it Big” and for the second consecutive year “Best Band to Get Trashed To.”

Upcoming performances include:

June 15 – Toronto @ The Horseshoe (NXNE Festival)
June 18 – Toronto @ The Mod Club (NXNE Festival)
June 19 – Toronto @ The Horseshoe (NXNE Festival)
June 30 – Charlottetown @ Hunter’s Alehouse
July 2 – Liverpool @ Privateer Days
July 4 – Canso @ The Stan Rogers Folk Festival
July 9 – Port Hawkesbury @ Festival of the Strait
July 23 – Halifax @ Halifax Common, Halifax Rocks 2010
August 6 – New Glasgow @ Glasgow Square Theatre, Dragon Boat Festival
August 18 – Quispamsis @ Quispamsis Concert Series
August 20 – Fredericton @ The Capital Bar
August 21 – Perth-Andover @ Hullabaloo Festival

Two Hours Traffic head down under

Charlottetown’s Two Hours Traffic has embarked on a 17-date Australian tour to celebrate the release of its album Territory down under on ABC Music, distributed by Universal. The release includes Heroes Of The Sidewalk, Jezebel, Nighthawks and Backseat Sweetheart from the 2007 album Little Jabs as bonus tracks.

The band is also preparing for the U.S release of Territory on Sept. 7 via Red Eye Distribution and will be announcing U.S. tour dates soon.

Remaining Australia dates include:

June 16 – Canberra – The Front Café
June 17 – Wollongong – The Harp
June 18 – Katoomba – The Clarendon
June 19 – Cronulla (Sydney) – Brass Monkey
June 20 – Sydney- Song Summit  Showcase
June 24 – Newcastle – The Cambridge
June 25 – Gold Coast – Sound Exchange
June 26 – Toowoomba – Bon Amici
June 27 – Brisbane – The Toubadour
June 30 – Coffs Harbour – Hoey Moey
July 1 – Central Coast – Lizottes
July 2 – Cronulla (Sydney) – Brass Monkey Headline
July 3 – Newton (Sydney) – Sandringham Hotel

The Sidewalks run into a Detour

Charlottetown’s The Sidewalks are taking a short break from the studio to head out on the road again for the second time since the East Coast Music Awards earlier this year.

Dates on The Detour consist of:

July 15th – Fredericton, NB @ The Capital
July 16th – Montreal, QC @ Hemisphere Gauche w/K-Man & The 45s, The Fundamentals
July 17th – Kingston, ON @ The Merchant Tap House w/Cody Allen
July 20th – Toronto, ON @ Rancho Relaxo
July 21st – Waterloo, ON @ Maxwell’s Music House w/Cody Allen
July 22nd – London, ON @ The Black Shire Pub
July 23rd – Ottawa, ON @ The Rainbow
July 24th – Ottawa, ON @ The Avant Garde Bar
July 27th – TBA, ON
July 28th – Peterborough, ON @ The Spill
July 29th – Oshawa, ON @ The Atria
July 30th – Hamilton, ON @ Club Absinthe
July 31st – TBA, QC
Aug 6th – Charlottetown, PE @ Hunter’s Ale House
Aug 7th – Halifax, NS @ The Seahorse

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Hey all,

The Fridays with … feature is a little delayed this week. My apologies. We’ll get it up over the weekend, I hope.

Cheers,

Eric

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Rome – DOG DAY from Seth Smith on Vimeo.

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Halifax indie-rock outfit Dog Day has released a video for single Rome, taken from the band’s acclaimed album, Concentration (Outside Music, 2009).

Following Dog Day member Nancy Urich’s dreamlike journey after a car crash, the clip features thrift store props, deranged villagers, a shadowy lizard-man, and a cameo from Smith and Urich’s dog, Woofy.

The video was directed by Dog Day’s Seth Smith and stars the entire band: Smith, Urich, Crystal Thili and Rob Shedden.

Collective releases L.A.M.E. magazine

On Friday, June 18, Moncton’s The Manhattan will play host to the TBA Collective releasing the first in a five-part magazine series entitled L.A.M.E (Local Arts, Music and Eccentricities).

The ‘zine is a colour booklet filled with local artist profiles as well as DIY information for musicians and artists. The magazine, with support from Broken Coast printing, is designed with the hopes of inspiring others in the community to up their creativity and try new things. The event will be jam-packed with exhibited works from eight visual artists, live art and, for the first time, the collective will bring live projected illustration to one of their events.

The night also includes musical performances from “wacky band” Something Delicious, the debut of instrumental outfit QuoteUnquoteOnHiatus and the unique jazz-rock instrumental sounds of Les Païens.

The Manhattan will be transformed into a canvas for the event, as every corner will play its part in a gallery of sorts, the stage will hold live musical performances while live digital art from Jordy Jeppeson is projected on stage. Offstage there will be a space for two live artists; head of Fredericton art and music collective FeelsGood Jon Dennis and Moncton-based TBA Collective artist Pascal Leo Cormier will intertwine their creations onto one another’s canvas. Also from FeelsGood is photographer Mike Erb, who takes on a vast array of styles. The walls will be filled with works from these visual artists and others.

TBA Collective’s initiative is to promote emerging artists from the Greater Moncton community and expose artists to demographics they have yet to tap.

Buck 65 celebrates 20 years in music with DVD

The year 2010 is a milestone in the life and career of Rich Terfry.  It marks 20 years of the music and persona of Buck 65.

To commemorate the achievement, Buck 65 is set to release his first-ever DVD titled The Lost Tapes on Tuesday, June 8.  Also, over the next five months, a series of four-song mini-albums will be released digitally, culminating into a 20-song physical release in the fall.  Buck 65 – 20 Odd Years: Volume 1 – Avant will be included with the DVD as a bonus CD.

“The last twenty years of my life have been stranger and more amazing than I could have imagined.  Hip hop glory and heartbreak! In 2010, I’ll be taking a look back and forging ahead with 20 Odd Years,” Buck 65 said in a press release.

Loosely based on a true story, The Lost Tapes is a one-hour film that hinges on the true-life theft of videotapes that were stolen from a church during a Buck 65 show in April of 2008.  It offers a fan’s perspective of Buck 65 behind the scenes and on stage during the Situation tour, featuring performances, interviews and skits by Buck 65, Paul ‘Skratch Bastid’ Murphy, Cadence Weapon and others. Behind the camera is award winning Canadian director, Christopher Mills.

The volumes of Buck 65 – 20 Odd Years will be Terfry’s first releases as Buck 65 since taking the job as host for CBC Radio 2’s daily show, Drive.  It will feature multiple guest performances including Gord Downie, Jenn Grant, Meaghan Smith, John Southworth, Gentleman Reg and many other notable names.

The track listing for Volume 1 is:

1. Gee Whiz (w/ Nick Thorburn)
2. Who By Fire (w/ Jenn Grant)
3. Superstars Don’t Love (w/ Jorun)
4. Red-Eyed Son (w/ Coral Osborne)

Atlantic Standards hosts Kitchen Party

Warner Music Canada’s Atlantic rep John Poirier has done it again. After a successful run of albums featuring east coast music under the Atlantic Standards banner, Poirier has assembled the latest batch of tunes to make up a new album, Kitchen Party (Warner/Rhino). The album is set to be released June 29.

According to a press release from Poirier, “Everything you need for a successful kitchen party is included on Atlantic Standards: Kitchen Party. Catchy sing-alongs are provided by world renowned artists Great Big Sea, The Barra MacNeils, Rawlins Cross, The Fables, The Irish Descendants, Shanneyganock and The Navigators.  We guarantee that you will not be able to stop dancing when you hear the critically acclaimed instrumental prowess of The Rankins, Vishtèn, Gillian Boucher, Samantha Robichaud, Fleur Mainville, Chrissy Crowley and Natalie MacMaster.”

Here is the track list for Atlantic Standards – Kitchen Party:

1. The Rankins – Christy Campbell Medley
2. Great Big Sea – Mari-Mac
3. Fleur Mainville – Whole On It
4. Rawlins Cross – Colleen
5. Samantha Robichaud – Musical Preacher
6. The Barra MacNeils – Coaltown Road
7. Gillian Boucher – Reel Hot
8. Shanneyganock – Courtin’ In The Kitchen
9. Vishtèn – Shédiac Bridge
10. The Navigators – Donald MacGallivry
11.  Natalie MacMaster – Gramma
12. The Fables – As I Roved Out
13. Chrissy Crowley – The Chisholm Influence
14. The Irish Descendants – Barrett’s Privateers

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Moncton rockers The Motorleague have officially released their latest music video for their single You Wear Me Down from their album Black Noise (2009, Forward Music Group) which won the 2010 East Coast Music Award for Loud Recording of the Year.

The video was filmed and directed by The Postman who also handled the band’s last music video Hymn for the Newly Departed which also took home a 2010 ECMA for Fan Choice Video of the Year.

Séan McCann to play Halifax

Great Big Sea’s Séan McCann released his debut solo record Lullabies for Bloodshot Eyes a few months back and he’ll soon be playing Halifax soon in support of the record.

Here are the dates:

June 9 – The Carleton, 1685 Argyle St. (Drop by or call 902-422-6335 for advance tickets)
June 10 – Bruce Guthro’s Songwriters Circle at Casino Nova Scotia. Advance tickets via www.ticketatlantic.com or by phoning (902) 451-1221.

Stan Rogers Folk Festival announces main stage schedule

The 2010 Stan Rogers Folk Festival, scheduled for Canso, N.S., just added Nova Scotia roots-rockers The Stanfields (which just released new album Vanguard of the Young & Reckless) to its line up of performers and announced its main stage schedule this week.

The festival takes place Friday, July 2 to Sunday, July 4, and here is the mainstage schedule:

Friday, July 2
7-7:30 p.m. – Cliff Eberhardt
7:40-8:10 p.m. – Cheryl Wheeler
8:20-8:50 p.m. – Alex Cuba
9-9:30 p.m. – Dave Gunning
9:40-10:10 p.m. – Baskery
10:20-10:50 p.m. – Enter the Hagis
11 -11:45 p.m. – JP Cormier and the Elliott Brothers
12-1 p.m. – Bruce Guthro and The Danes

Saturday, July 3
7-7:30 p.m. Valdy
7:40-8:10 p.m. Good Lovelies
8:20-8:50 pm Arrogant Worms
9-9:30 p.m. Pavlo, Rik Emmett, and Oscar Lopez
9:40-10:10 p.m. Alpha Yaya Diallo
10:20-10:50 p.m. Paper Lions
11-11:45 p.m. Lee Boys
12-1 p.m. Jerry Jeff Walker

Sunday, July 4
7-7:30 p.m. – David Francey
7:40-8:10 p.m. – Madison Violet
8:20-8:50 p.m. – Garnet Rogers
9-9:30 p.m. – Jim Hanlon
9:40-10:10 p.m. – David Myles
10:20-10:50 p.m. – The Stanfields
11-11:45 p.m. – Kathleen Edwards
12-1 p.m. – Ron Hynes and the Carnation Babys

Other performers include:

Alana Levandoski; Andres Godoy; Andrew White; Ariana Gilles; Chloe Albert; Chuck Brodsky; Danny Michel; Darrell Grant; Deep Dark Woods; Duane Andrews with Dwayne Cote; Eddie Schwartz; Irish Mythen; Jason Wilson; Keiran Goss; Keith Hallett; Lynne Hanson; Old Man Luedecke; Raymond McLain and Mike Stevens; Royal Wood; Shannyganock; Steve Poltz; The Navigators; and The Once.

StanFest is a celebration of musical talent honouring one of Canada’s most prolific songwriters, Stan Rogers.  The weekend-long musical adventure features a variety of genres including folk, country, jazz, swing, blues, rag, gospel, pop, rock, bluegrass and world music and has won the East Coast Music Award for Event of the Year three times (2002-2004). During each day of the festival, six daytime stages operate concurrently from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  The evening stage begins at 7 p.m. Thousands camp in on-site and nearby campgrounds.

Advance tickets are now on sale. Weekend passes are $85, Friday tickets are $35, Saturday and Sunday tickets are $40. All prices are plus tax. Tickets are available at all Ticketpro Outlets, by phone at 1-888-311-9090 and online at here.

Campsites are available by contacting the festival office. All campgrounds open at noon on Thursday, July 1 and close at noon on Monday, July 5. Thursday night accommodations are $10 plus tax and weekend accommodations are $50 for tents and $65 for RVs (plus tax).

The Trews release charity single

Nova Scotia’s own The Trews have recorded a song, Highway of Heroes, which pays tribute to the fallen members of Canada’s armed forces serving in Afghanistan.

The single can now be heard on radio, and it’s available for purchase exclusively through iTunes. Net proceeds from sales will benefit the Canadian Hero Fund, an organization that assists the families of Canadian military personnel through academic scholarships.

The song was co-written and co-produced by The Trews and Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar, Grady) and was inspired by the 2006 death of Captain Nichola Goddard from The Trews’ hometown of Antigonish, N.S., who returned from duty along Canada’s Highway of Heroes, the section of the MacDonald-Cartier freeway named to honour those who have sacrificed all in service of country.

Owl releases debut album for free

Originally starting as a bedroom recording project between Vanessa Murnaghan and Matthew Macdonald (The Superfantastics) in Aug. 2008, Owl quickly made its way onto Internet music blogs, into rotation at indie dance nights and onto the stage.

The duo’s debut album, Chants (The Vibrations in the Streets Keep Me Weak in the Knees), is a seven-song EP, and it’s been released online for free on the band’s website.

Chants (The Vibrations in the Streets Keep me Weak in the Knees) track list:

1. Morning Eyes
2. Airport
3. Sandi With an I’s Song
4. Roadtrip
5. She Is
6. Goodbye Bye
7. Travels

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Julie Doiron will perform at SappyFest this summer.

Sackville, N.B.-based music festival SappyFest recently announced Old Man Luedecke, Attack in Black, Rockets Red Glare, Daniel, Fred & Julie, The Heavy Blinkers, Apollo Ghosts, Mecca Normal, and more for its 2010 line-up.

SappyFest is an independent music festival produced annually in partnership with the Ok.Quoi?! Arts Festival, Struts Gallery and Faucet Media Arts Centre. The festival takes place July 30 to Aug. 1.

Other acts announced for the 2010 line-up include: $100, BA Johnston, Baby Eagle, Baird Brothers, Braids, By Divine Right, Contrived, Cat Pontoon, Diamond Rings, Dog Day, Etaoin Shrdlu, Julie Doiron, Katie Moore, Lullabye Arkestra, Metz, Michelle McAdorey, Moonsocket, P.S. I Love You, The Reveries, Richard Laviolette & The Oil Spills, Shapes & Sizes, Shotgun Jimmie, Skeletones Four, Snailhouse, Steamboat and The Silt.

Bands already confirmed for SappyFest 2010 include: The Sadies, Jim Guthrie, Chad Van Gaalen, The Felice Brothers and Holy Fuck.

SappyFest passes are available at all Ticketpro outlets and online here.

Dwayne and Duane release debut duet

Renowned Cape Breton fiddler Dwayne Côté and multi-award winning Newfoundland guitarist Duane Andrews have joined forces on a new album.

Côté and Andrews will launch their new self-titled CD this weekend with performances in Atlantic Canada and Maine. Atlantic dates are as follows:

May 15 – Sydney, N.S., CB Yacht Club, 6-10 p.m., $8 at the door – all ages
May 21 – St. Andrew’s, N.B., Arena Complex Theatre, 8 p.m.
May 22 – Halifax, N.S., 1313 Hollis St., 8 p.m., $10 – all ages
June 4 – Carbonear, N.L., Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre, 8 p.m.
June 5 – St. John’s, N.L., DF Cook Recital Hall, MUN, 8 p.m., Tickets $15 at the door

The Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews CD is available for purchase at their live shows, select music retailers, online at www.maplemusic.com and iTunes.

Diminished Fifth releases new compilation

Dartmouth metal label Diminished Fifth Records has announced the track listing of bands and songs to be released on its upcoming compilation album ‘The Music of Artisanship and War: Volume 3′ scheduled for a summer release.

This is the third compilation album to be released by the label as its approaches its four-year anniversary this summer, and the compilation features 21 tracks by some of the east coast’s heaviest acts.

Label head Josh Hogan says the toughest part of releasing these compilations is selecting tracks. D5R received over 65 submissions for songs from various artists and a jury pared the number down to 21.

The song listing for the album is as follows (alphabetically) :

Big Game Hunt – Lucky 13 (Halifax, N.S.)
Black Moor – Red Blood, Cold Steel (Cole Harbour, N.S.)
Bomarc – 11th Hour (Moncton, N.B.)
Broken Ohms – Give (Halifax, N.S.)
Coffin Birth – Hatchet Burial (Saint John, N.B.)
The.Daisy.Anthesis – Iced Currant and Crimson Ivy (Saint John, N.B.)
Dawn Brings Vengeance – Ravenous Horde (Fredericton, N.B.)
Death Valley Driver – Mothsblood (Charlottetown, P.E.I.)
Gallactus – Cylon Rising (Moncton, N.B.)
Iron Giant – Creator of Scars (Moncton, N.B.)
The Kamikaze Survival Guide – Earthquakes (Moncton, N.B.)
Last Call Chernobyl – Beneath the Veil (Halifax, N.S.)
The Motorleague – Let It Go (Moncton, N.B.)
North End Metal All-Stars – The Ballad of Drunkenforce (Halifax, N.S.)
Obsydian – Divine Sedition (Cole Harbour, N.S.)
Orchid’s Curse – Shadows of Imitation (Dartmouth,N.S.)
Rusted Dawn – I Am Becoming Death (Saint John, N.B.)
Thy Flesh Consumed – The Disciplined Scorn (Halifax, N.S.)
Uigg – Monstrosity (Charlottetown, P.E.I.)
Uncooperative Death – Murderous Apotheosis (Halifax, N.S.)
We, The Undersigned – Tonight I Dine On Turtle Soup (Fredericton, N.B.)

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Nova Scotia indie rock band Dog Day’s frontman Seth Smith just released another solo record, New Problems, a collection of unreleased songs, demos and home recordings from 2006-2009.

The album is available online now at Smith’s site.

Dog Day recently released its sophomore album, Concentration (Outside Music), which was produced by John Agnello (Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr.). The acclaimed album was quickly followed by the Rick White produced 12″ EP, Elder Schoolhouse (Divorce).

New Problems track list:

Side 1
Warm Regards
Make The Right Decision
Fish
♋
Sleeping Dogs
Black Beauty
Transformer
Mutants of Apocalypse
Peter

Side 2
No Driver
Precious Lady
Jailbird
The Cape
Jailbird
Nice
Giant
In The Evening
Answers
Slow Death
Outro

The Stogies working on EP

Halifax four-piece rock act The Stogies have announced they are heading into Nova Scotia’s Fortress Studios at the end of this month to record their new EP No Couth, No Class, No Nothin’.

“(When you’re in the studio) it makes you feel like you’re doing something productive, ya know? And being in The Stogies you don’t get that feeling everyday,” commented vocalist/guitarist Blake Johnston in a press release.

Meantime, you can check out The Stogies on a handful of upcoming dates in the east coast:

May 5th, Tribeca, Halifax, N.S.
May 6th, Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown, P.E.I.
May 8th, Plan B, Moncton, N.B.
May 15th Hunter’s Alehouse, Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Steve Poltz returns to Halifax

Halifax native Steve Poltz will perform dates throughout eastern Canada this month in support of his Joel Plaskett-produced album, Dreamhouse (New Scotland Records), which was released this week.

Dates are as follows:
May 7 – Hampton, N.B. @ Vintage Bistro
May 8 – Truro, N.S. @ Marigold Theatre
May 9 – Halifax, N.S. @ The Carleton
May 10 – Halifax, N.S. @ The Carleton
May 11 – Halifax, N.S. @ The Carleton
May 12 – Wolfville, N.S. @ Al Whittle Theatre
May 13 – New Glasgow, N.S. @ New Glasgow Theatre
May 15 – St. John’s, N.L. @ The Ship Inn
May 16 – St. John’s, N.L. @ The Ship Inn

In the summer of 2008, Poltz traveled back to his birthplace of Halifax to perform a series of shows. Mid-way through one of the dates, he noticed award-winning songwriter, producer and performer Plaskett in the audience. A long-time fan, Poltz invited him on stage to perform the classic Light of the Moon from Plaskett’s Down At The Khyber. The two formed an instant friendship.

Soon after, plans were made for Plaskett to produce Poltz’s next release at his studio, Scotland Yard. It was recorded in analog on 16-track, 2-inch tape.

Performing from Australia to Canada and throughout the United States, Poltz clocks over 220 dates a year. The former Rugburns frontman performs anywhere from house concerts to clubs and  theatres, either touring solo or with his band The Flight Attendants.

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