P.E.I.'s Boxer The Horse is set to release its sophomore album.

Prince Edward Island’s Boxer the Horse will release its second album, French Residency, on March 13.

The band – Jeremy Gaudet (guitar/vocals), Andrew Woods (guitar/drums), Isaac Neily (keys/drums) and Christian Ledwell (bass) – released its debut full length, Would You Please, in 2010 to widespread critical acclaim.

They were named the Best New Band of 2010 by CBC Radio 3 — who shortlisted lead single Mary Meets the Pilot for 2010 Song of the Year — and were awarded the Music PEI’s 2011 Rock Recording of the Year. The band has appeared in support of such nationally heralded acts as The New Pornographers, Two Hours Traffic, In-Flight Safety, Dog Day and Hey Rosetta!.

Returning to the studio with producer Alec O’Hanley, Boxer the Horse recently completed their sophomore record French Residency.

The band will be taking French Residency on a national tour and dates will be announced soon.

Former Inbreds member back with solo record

Mike O’Neill, of long-defunct duo The Inbreds, has released Henry, the first single from his forthcoming album Wild Lines, available for free download (here).

Wild Lines is the follow-up to O’Neill’s 2004 album The Owl (Zunior) and will be available on Feb. 28.

Catch O’Neill at the following dates:

Feb. 04 – Fredericton, NB – Shivering Songs Festival
Feb. 29 – Halifax, NS – The Carleton
Mar. 10 – Ottawa, ON – TBA
Mar. 20 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe (CMW)
Mar. 21 – Guelph, ON – Ebar
Mar. 22 – Hamilton, ON – The Casbah

Halifax’s Rising Waters to release debut

Roughly four years after forming, Halifax’s Rising Waters will release its debut record with a CD release show on Feb. 17 at Montes Showbar & Grill in Dartmouth, N.S.

Their first full length studio album was recorded in the fall of 2011 with Rob Crewe (Stillwater Studios) and mastered by Don Chapman (DC Productions).

Rising Waters features Richard Schaller (lead vocals, guitar), Keegan Leblanc (guitar), Sheldon Hodder (drums) and Nick Patterson (bass).

More dates are expected to be announced shortly.

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Andrew Sisk (photo by Scott Munn)

Share and Coco et Co. frontman Andrew Sisk will release his debut solo LP, Treelines, on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

Treelines was completed in Sisk’s apartment in Montreal with his son Elliott sleeping on his lap during vocal takes and quietly watching him record classical guitar parts. While self-engineered and produced, the album features contributions from members of Wintersleep, Snailhouse and The Two Minute Miracles.

Shivering Songs gears up + free stuff!

The second annual Fredericton-based Shivering Songs Festival is set for Feb. 3-5. Included in the lineup this year are Mark Kozelek of Sun Kil Moon/Red House Painters, Micah Blue Smaldone (SubPop) Postdata, Hot Toddy, Catherine MacLellan and many others.

Several shows are planned for throughout the weekend, including the Songwriters and Storytellers Matinee show at the Wilmot Church, with David Myles hosting for a second year. Myles will moderate the Saturday Matinee, which also features David Adams Richards, Catherine Maclellan, Mike O’Neill and Andrew Sisk.

The festival will take place at Wilmot United Church, the Cedar Tree Café, the Capital Bar and the Boyce Farmer’s Market. Passes and tickets are now on sales at Backstreet Records, Picaroon’s Brewtique and online at www.shiveringsongs.com Physical tickets are on sale now in Fredericton at Backstreet Records (384 Queen St.) and Read’s Newsstand (435 King St.).

The fine folks at Shivering Songs have shared a sampler album featuring festival artists, which you can download here. (Click on the blue button part way down the page for quickest download …)

The Just Barelys release album

Halifax’s The Just Barelys are ready to launch their latest record, Mad Bits, on Tuesday, Feb. 14.

Stephen Kelly and Eleanor King are The Just Barelys. A two-piece art/pop project, the band has independently recorded and released three albums and a variety of singles since 2001. JB’s home recordings feature King on drums and Kelly on guitar, and incorporate a wide variety of instruments, computer manipulations and home-made noise devices.

Lovestorm releases new video

Moncton-area two-piece Lovestorm, Nina Khosla and Tim Isaac, have released a new video for the title track from their album Overripe. The video was shot last winter in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.

Check out the video here:

Moncton bar launches Soirées Cabaret

Moncton bar The Igloo, located at 300 Elmwood Dr., has launched a new French-language concert series.

Called Soirées Cabaret franco de l’Igloo, the series hosts a different Acadian or French act every Wednesday for only $5. For more information on the Soirée cabaret franco de l’Igloo, call the Igloo at (506) 858-9397.

Following is the programming from now until the end of March:

January 25 – Caracol
February 1 – Loup Noir
February 8 – Daniel Goguen
February 15 – Kevin McIntyre
February 22 – Luc Tardif
February 29 – Gabriel Robichaud
March 7 – Mario Lebreton
March 14 – Danny Boudreau
March 21 – Le Bo Band
March 28 – Caroline Savoie et Philippe Desjardins

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Carleton Stone will perform at ECMA Week in April. (Mat Dunlap photo)

The East Coast Music Association has released its list of showcase performers for East Coast Music Week, taking place in Moncton, April 11-15.

The list includes Moncton’s own Motorleague, Backyard Devils, Divorcees and others like Kim Stockwood, Christina Martin, Old Man Luedecke, Roch Voisine, Tim Chaisson and the Morning Fold and many, many more.

Click here for the full list of performers.

Smith celebrates new album on tour

Warner Music Canada recording artist and 2011 Juno Award Winner Meaghan Smith is going on tour to support her new holiday collection, It Snowed.  The tour kicked off in Vancouver last week and passes through Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, before returning her home to Halifax on Dec. 16 (full list of dates below).

It Snowed represents Meaghan Smith’s first project since The Cricket’s Orchestra, which propelled her to winning the 2011 Juno Award for Best New Artist.

Remaining tour dates:

December 5 – Calgary – Ironwood Stage and Grill
December 6 – Hamilton – The Peart Company
December 7 – Toronto – The Rivoli
December 8 – Wakefield – The Black Sheep Inn
December 9 – Montreal – Club Lambi
December 16 – Halifax – St. Matthew’s United Church
December 19 – Fredericton – Charlotte Street Arts Centre

David Myles is Home For Christmas

New Brunswick native David Myles is home for Christmas, just in time for his second annual Singing For Supper tour in support of food banks in New Brunswick. Myles is performing three free shows for the public in Moncton on Monday, Dec. 12, at Champlain Mall; Saint John on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at McAllister Place Mall; and in Fredericton on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Regent Mall. All shows take place from 12-1:30 p.m.

Myles will be collecting cash donations and non-perishable food items, on location during the shows.

To help promote the tour, Myles released his own recording of I’ll Be Home For Christmas on Nov. 22; a song made famous by Bing Crosby in 1943. Fun fact: Myles’ great-great-great Aunt Catherine and great-great-great Uncle Patrick were Bing Crosby’s great Aunt Catherine and great Uncle Patrick.

There are two versions of I’ll Be Home For Christmas, one that is slow and one that is uptempo. Both songs were recorded by Charles Austin at the Echo Chamber in Halifax and feature James Hill on ukulele and violin. All proceeds from sales of the digital download will be donated to the Food Banks in New Brunswick.

Plan b launches 2-CD Best of

Moncton bar Plan b Bar & Lounge has officially launched The Best of b, a 2-CD compilation of some of the best acts that once performed on the stage of this bar that was named 2011 Venue of the Year during the last Music New Brunswick Awards.

Plan b opened in June 2009 with the goal of offering live music seven days a week. Since its inception, the bar has welcomed many top Maritime and Canadian music acts. Owner Tracy Petukohv with the help of several local musicians – some of them still working at the club, such as The Divorcees’ Brock Gallant, who books the talents and fellow band member Jay Byrd, who takes care of the restaurant side of the bar – have managed to raise this small watering hole into one of Canada’s most visionary live music venue.

While the place was gaining in popularity, they quickly realized that the equipment they had lacked the power necessary to keep up with the growing number of rock bands now performing at Plan b. In order to raise money to purchase the equipment upgrades, they decided to call upon the many artists that had graced the bar’s stage over the last two years.

The response was quick, with 24 acts from all over donating their works to be featured on the 2-CD compilation. Even before the proper amount of money was raised, Petukhov went ahead and placed the order for the replacement system. They hope to continue selling the CD as they have yet to reach their fundraising goal.

As they move into 2012, they intend on capturing many if not every show that happens at Plan b.

The bar has also launched a new website, www.planbmoncton.com, featuring concert listings, YouTube video page, streaming music and concert podcasts.

Plan b Bar & Lounge is located at 212, St. George Street in downtown Moncton. They are also on Facebook (search Plan B Lounge Moncton). One can reach them also by phone 506-384-2019 or by email planb.bookings@gmail.com

Flowers releases new single Disguise

Moncton-based singer-songwriter Phil Flowers has released Disguise, the first single from his album People People, launched in November of last year. This first solo album earned him three 2011 Music NB Awards: Anglophone Recording, Male Recording Artist, and Rock Recording as well as a nomination in the Emerging Artist category.

Steven Bowers releases new album

Halifax-based Steven Bowers has launched a new album, Beothuk Words. Featuring nine tracks, the album was recorded in Port Howe, N.S. at the home studio of producer Dale Murray (Cuff The Duke, Christina Martin, The Guthries) and singer Christina Martin (who provides harmony vocals throughout, and a duet on the title track). Beothuk Words features a stellar line up of musicians including multi-instrumentalists Kev Corbett and Dale Murray, Keith Mullins (drums, percussion), Fleur Mainville (fiddle), Brian Murray (banjo) and Daniel Ledwell (trumpets).

Regarding the title, Bowers says: “I was wrapping up production and trying to finish two final tracks. I stumbled on an article about the Beothuk, who were native inhabitants of Newfoundland during the time of European colonization in the 15th and 16th centuries. They became extinct as a people in 1829, and subsequently much of their language was lost. That really stuck with me. The title of the record speaks to the lyrical themes of impermanence, seasonal cycles and generations. The album closer (Song for Little You) was written after I found a photograph of my wife as a child. Its sister song and album opener (Song for Grown You) bookend the record, and the lost Beothuk Language, the idea that it came and left so quietly,  was something that seemed to tie all of these ideas together.”

Halifax Pop Explosion accepting submissions

The Halifax Pop Explosion (HPX) is now accepting early bird submissions for its 20th anniversary festival, taking place Oct. 16-20, 2012.

Early bird artist submissions for HPX 2012 are $10, until Feb. 3. Regular submissions are $15 from Feb. 4 to May 21. Artist submissions are managed by Marcato Digital Solutions. For more information on Marcato, visit here: http://marcatodigital.com

For more information, you can visit http://halifaxpopexplosion.com or contact Ashley Moran, event co-ordinator at event@halifaxpopexplosion.com

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Penny Blacks (photo by Dan Culberson)

Saint John, N.B. band Penny Blacks released their debut album, Harbour, this week.

Formed in 2006, the band has released two EPs in its five years and received fantastic reviews in that time.

Penny Blacks began as a solo project for vocalist/songwriter Jason Ogden. Ogden had been hoarding more personal, intimate acoustic songs in his apartment that didn’t fit with his post-punk band Hospital Grade for over a decade. According to a press release, events in his life had suddenly created an overwhelming desire to finally get the songs out of his bedroom and before an audience. For all intents and purposes homeless for a period, Ogden drifted in and out of shows, theatres, and even karaoke bars meeting the friends and musicians that eventually fleshed Penny Blacks out into a seven-piece band.

Harbour took almost a year to complete. Wanting to capture the feel of the streets and atmosphere that lent so much to the writing of the songs, the band holed up first in a great, high-ceilinged loft in a historic building in Saint John’s uptown core to record the bed tracks. They spent a chilled autumn week and a handful of days putting the essentials down on a vintage Fostex reel-to-reel. The overdub sessions began in Hampton, and ultimately found their way to living rooms and basements all over the city and finishing up back at the same loft where it began, just as autumn was beginning to bleed its orange sunlight and chilled air in through the ancient windows again.

Harbour is now available from iTunes, Amazon, CDBABY, Rhapsody and bandcamp.

Penny Blacks upcoming dates:

TUESDAY, NOV. 8 – SAINT JOHN – CALLAHAN’S (JASON OGDEN SOLO)
THURSDAY, NOV. 10 – SAINT JOHN – WATER STREET DINNER THEATRE (OFFICIAL CD LAUNCH)
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 16 – HALIFAX N.S. – THE COMPANY HOUSE (JASON OGDEN SOLO)

Meaghan Smith to release It Snowed holiday record

Warner Music Canada recording artist and 2011 Juno Award winner Meaghan Smith has announced the release of her new holiday collection, It Snowed, arriving in stores and at all digital retailers Nov. 1.

The album includes a duet with fellow Haligonian Buck 65 of the holiday classic Baby It’s Cold Outside, which reverses the traditional roles of the singers in the song.  A deluxe It Snowed bundle is available for pre-order now at meaghansmith.com In addition to the CD, the deluxe bundle features an autographed lithograph of the album art, and an exclusive acoustic version of Smith’s original song Christmas Kiss.

When asked why she recorded this holiday album, Meaghan says, “I love December. As soon as January 1st hits, I start counting down the months ‘til it’s December again. People are thinking of each other, buying gifts for one another or just getting together. I want to be a part of the joy in people’s holidays, so I created this collection of some of my favourite holiday songs and some new compositions to share with everyone this season.”

It Snowed is Smith’s first project since The Cricket’s Orchestra, which propelled her to winning the 2011 Juno Award for Best New Artist.

It Snowed track list:

1. Breakable
2. Silver Bells
3. Baby It’s Cold Outside (Featuring Buck 65)
4. It Snowed
5. Christmas Time Is Here
6. Christmas Kiss
7. Drummer Boy
8. Zat U Santa Claus?
9. Silent Night

Gordie Sampson Songcamp Circle hits Yarmouth

On Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5, during Nova Scotia Music Week 2011 in Yarmouth, Music Nova Scotia and SpinCount will host The Gordie Sampson Songcamp Circle, from 5-7 p.m.

The event will be held at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, Yarmouth branch, 341 Main St. Hosted by Steven MacDougall, performers include MacDougall himself, Carleton Stone, Mo Kenney, Molly Thomason, Dylan Guthro, Breagh MacKinnon and Natalie Lynn.

In August 2010, The Gordie Sampson Songcamp was launched in Ingonish, Cape Breton. Songcamp was conceived as a way for Gordie to share some of the experiences and insights he’s gleaned from his years as a successful songwriter with promising young Nova Scotia writers. For four very intense days, Gordie and Steve MacDougall lead co-writing sessions that result in dozens of songs. Songcamp closes with a community concert where songs written during camp are performed for the public. In Aug. 2011, Songcamp celebrated its first birthday with six returning writers from the 2010 sessions and six new writers. The group wrote over 30 songs together.

Jon Mullane releases new video

Halifax-based rock singer/songwriter Jon Mullane has released a new music video for his song The One That Got Away.

The single, from his most recent album Shift. The music video was shot in Halifax, NS, and is a co- production between Halifax film companies Red Star Films and Rattle Snake Films. It was directed by John Rosborough.

Check out the video below:

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Rich Aucoin

Halifax indie rocker Rich Aucoin will release his latest record, We’re All Dying To Live (Sonic Records), on Nov. 1.

Aucoin’s new record is a musical scrapbook compiling more than 500 musicians, friends and fans from across Canada. From St. John’s, NL to Dawson City, YK, Aucoin invited everyone and anyone who wanted to be on the record.

“The record is really about making big life decisions or at least about thinking about those decisions and how to live one’s life,” says Aucoin.

Unlike his debut Personal Publication (2007), an EP that synchs to Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, We’re All Dying To Live is a very public affair.

Jon McKiel hits the road for Tonka War Cloud

We had some news on Jon McKiel’s latest record (released on Oct. 4) a few weeks ago. Since then he has announced tour dates in support of Tonka War Cloud, beginning tomorrow:

Oct 22 – Halifax, NS @ Company House – Afternoon show
Oct 22 – Halifax, NS @ Tribeca – Halifax Pop Explosion – 8 p.m.
Nov 02 – Lethbridge, AB @ Art Space
Nov 03 – Calgary, AB @ Broken City  w / Clinton St. John
Nov 04  – Edmonton, AB @ Meyer Horowitz Theatre w/ Chad VanGaalen
Nov 05 – Calgary, AB @ Central United Church  w/ Chad VanGaalen
Nov 10 – Broad Cove, NS @ Community Hall    w/ Jay Crocker / Paper Beats Scissors
Nov 24 – Moncton, NB @ Plan B
Nov 25 – Fredericton, NB @ The Capital
Nov 26 – Sackville, NB @ Thunder and Lightning
Dec 02 – St John’s, NL @ The Ship w/ Hollerado
Dec 03 – St John’s, NL @ The Shop w/ Hollerado

Rain Over St. Ambrose tours

Yarmouth rock quintet Rain Over St. Ambrose has been touring the east coast the last few weeks, giving fans a preview of their upcoming album, Overton Window (Acadian Embassy, Nov. 1).

Recorded over a weekend at Codapop Studios in Halifax, N.S., the band’s sophomore album will be released in November to coincide with hometown showcases during Nova Scotia Music Week.

The band’s inception started after a family tragedy.  According to a press release, a week after Curtis LeBlanc told his son Cory he’d rather see him be the frontman in a band than stuck behind the drums for the rest of his life, he suffered a heart attack and died.  The next day, Cory LeBlanc (once the drummer for Jon McKiel, Ruby Jean & The Thoughtful Bees and others) packed up his kit and picked up his guitar.
Assembling a band with his brother, Curt, and some of Yarmouth’s best up-and-coming musicians, Cory christened Rain Over St. Ambrose – a testament to the weather on the day of their father’s funeral – and began writing songs.

The band released their first self-titled EP in February, 2011 as a free download via Acadian Embassy and garnered initial praise for its “crunchy guitars, honest lyrics and memorable hooks” (IndieMusicFilter), its “sing-along friendly choruses” (Herohill), and “classic rock patterns [reminiscent of] The Hold Steady” (Round Letters).

In April, Rain Over St. Ambrose were named the winners of DevCom – a development competition for new and up-coming bands in Halifax sponsored by The Seahorse Tavern, SpinCount, Codapop Studios and Ballsy Cancer Society – beating out 12 other bands for a coveted prize pack that included recording time, promotion, and marketing, among other things.

The band’s remaining tour dates include:

Oct. 27 – Moncton, NB – Plan B
Nov. 05 – Yarmouth, NS – Dooly’s (NSMW Showcase)

Mark Bragg supports Your Kiss

St. John’s, N.L.’s Mark Bragg released his third full-length album, Your Kiss, in September via Blue Drop Music/ Fontana North.  After previously touring Canada, Germany and Ireland in support of past releases, Bragg has been touring Canada to spread word of his latest record. Up next month are some east coast dates.

Bragg and his band recorded Your Kiss live off the floor in Stage House Studios in St. Philips, Newfoundland. Everything was recorded in the same room at the same time… bass, drums, guitar, keys, vocals, band backups – everything.

Says Bragg of the live experience, “As a bandleader and vocalist who writes narrative fiction, I have a lot of license about how it’s delivered. Its role-playing, or acting I guess, whatever you want to call it. It doesn’t really feel like acting though, because a rock band on a stage isn’t a contrived environment. It is pounding drums, blaring amps, pumped up musicians, it’s natural. And I’m whoever I’ve written about this time, probably a murderer full of rage and desire or something like that, spitting lyrics into the midst. It’s way too fun.”

Bragg was awarded the CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award and the regional winner of the CBC Great Canadian Music Dream.  In 2006, he also won the Music NL Alternative Artist of the Year and was nominated for two ECMA’s for Alternative Album of the Year for both Bear Music and The Restless Kind.

Bragg’s remaining tour dates:

Thu Nov 17 – Charlottetown @ TBA
Fri Nov 18 – Halifax @ The Seahorse
Sat Nov 20 – Moncton @ Plan B

This Ship Tours through to Ontario

The six members of This Ship (formerly The Light Brights) will hit the road next month across the east coast and Ontario, armed with their Light Brights album and a new three-song demo.

Tour dates:

Thurs, Nov. 17th – Plan B, Moncton NB
Sat, Nov. 19th – The Red Herring, St. Andrews, NB
Mon, Nov. 21st – The Spill, Peterborough, Ont with The Details, Kalle Matson
Tues, Nov. 22nd – The Horseshoe, Toronto, Ont
Wed, Nov. 23rd – Slacks, Toronto, Ont with Minus World
Thurs, Nov. 24th – Live Lounge, Ottawa, Ont
Fri, Nov. 25th – The Capital, Fredericton, NB
Sat, Nov. 26th – Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown, PEI with Oh No, Theodore!
Fri, Dec. 2nd – Gus’s Pub, Halifax, NS – Flight of Fall Music Festival

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Memramcook’s George Belliveau walked away with the most awards on Sunday, winning six. The Backyard Devils and Phil Flowers won three awards while Babette Hayward and Bruno Jacques Pelletier each won two.

The gala awards event was co-hosted by CBC’s Bob Mersereau and Espace musique’s Amélie Gosselin. The winners were selected by Music N.B. members’ votes (50 %), a jury vote (25 %) and the general public (25 %).

Anglophone Recording: Phil Flowers – People People
Francophone Recording: George Belliveau – Whisky amer
Anglophone Male Recording: Phil Flowers – People People
Francophone Male Recording: George Belliveau – Whisky amer
Female Recording: Babette Hayward – You Might Be Somebody
Group Recording: The BackYard Devils – Self Titled
SOCAN Singer Songwriter (Anglophone): Chris Colepaugh
SOCAN Singer Songwriter (Francophone): George Belliveau
Emerging Artist: The BackYard Devils – Self Titled
Anglophone Country Recording: The BackYard Devils – Self Titled
Francophone Country Recording: George Belliveau – Whisky amer
Folk Recording: The Olympic Symphonium – The City Won’t Have Time to Fight
Pop Recording: Babette Hayward – You Might Be Somebody
Rock Recording: Phil Flowers – People People
Spiritual Recording: Mike Biggar – The Season
Classical Recording: Bruno Jacques Pelletier – Musique Ancienne/Early Music
Electronic/Urban Recording: The Arka Teks – Evolver
Classical Artist: Bruno Jacques Pelletier
2011 NB Expat Artist: David Myles
Musician of the Year: Christien Belliveau
Video/DVD of the Year: George Belliveau – La Grange à GB
Music Industry Professional of the Year: Carol Doucet
Event/Venue/Festival of the year: Plan B
Visual artist of the year: Jessica Rhaye – Jessica Rhaye Design
2011 Educator of the year: Isabelle Thériault
2011 Fans Choice Anglophone Artist: The Arka Teks – Evolver
2011 Fans Choice Francophone Artist: George Belliveau – Whisky amer

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“Our Support of ECMA is part of our commitment to support the growth of the cultural industries in New Brunswick,” Alward said.  “This event is instrumental in helping to promote East Coast Music both at home and around the globe.”

New Brunswick native Roch Voisine will host the awards show in Moncton, which will take place on Sunday, April 15, at Casino New Brunswick.  Other main stage venues for the week include the Delta Beausejour Hotel, the Capitol Theatre, the Oxygen and Manhattan clubs.  Other venues will be announced closer to the event.

The 2012 Gala Awards show will be live webcast to the world by Bell Aliant and musical events throughout ECMA Week 2012 will be widely broadcast on radio through CBC and Newcap radio stations across the region.

More than 6,000 people are expected to attend ECMA events during the four days in April that will provide $2.5 million in direct revenue and over $6 million in indirect revenue for Moncton and surrounding communities.

There are some shows this weekend to kick off the event, including tonight’s show at the Tide & Boar on Main Street featuring Les Païens, Andy Brown, Babette Hayward and Chris Colepaugh and The Crew. Tomorrow morning at The Moncton Market on Westmorland Street, between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Mike Biggar, Dann Downes, The Divorcees and Samantha Robichaud will perform. In the event of rain, that show will be moved to the Tide & Boar from 4-6 p.m.

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Jon McKiel released his latest record this week.

Halifax native Jon McKiel released new record Tonka War Cloud (Youth Club Records, Saved by Vinyl) this week.

His latest effort was recorded in The Old Confidence Lodge in Riverport, N.S. Built in 1929, the building was used as an Odd Fellows Hall until it was recently converted into a studio and venue.

Some the tunes on the new record were released earlier this year on the Confidence Lodge EP, which was a preview for the new record.

The recording approach often saw McKiel playing multiple instruments (guitar, bass, synth, large chains and percussion) over his own voice, building songs in layers. This proved challenging since the massive building did not yet have the luxury of heat when the album was being recorded in the dead of winter.

David Myles heads Into The Sun

Folk singer-songwriter David Myles spreads his wings a bit on new album Into The Sun (Tiny Little Records), also released this week.

David Myles (photo by Mat Dunlap)

On his latest record, Myles fifth, he blends Brazilian and African music into the mix, as he’d hinted to East Coast Noise a few months ago.

A press release for the record states, “With influences as obvious to pop audiences as Paul Simon and as obscure as Brazilian icon Jorge Ben, David is the ideal tour guide. The surprising and intricate songwriting is framed by carefully constructed arrangements, soaring harmonies and flawless musicianship.”

I’ve heard the album and I’m really digging it. There’s some classic acoustic guitar-driven Myles’ folk, but he adds some cool layers here and there, plays a little trumpet on some great instrumentals and even has rapper Classified produce a version of a tune called Simple Pleasures.

Into The Sun was co-produced with Charles Austin and Graeme Campbell in Halifax.

Jill Barber crosses Canada

Canadian chanteuse and Juno nominee Jill Barber is taking her latest acclaimed album, Mischievous Moon, to audiences across Quebec, Ontario and western Canada this fall. Mischievous Moon was released in April and debuted at #1 on the Canadian jazz charts and held the top position for 13 weeks.

Here are the remaining tour dates:

October 6 – Theatre Des Deux Rives, Saint Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC
October 7 – Theatre Petit Champlain, Quebec City, QC
October 8 – Pavillion de L’Ile, Chateauguay, QC
October 11 – Center Culturel de Beloeil, Beloeil, QC
October 12 – Maison de Culture, Gatineau, QC
October 13 – Eglise Sacre Coeur, Ste Therese, QC
October 14 – Bishop Centennial Art Centre, Sherbrooke, QC
October 15 – Theatre Hector Charland, L’Assomption, QC
October 19 – Syndenham United Church, Kingston, ON
October 20 – First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON
October 20 – Showplace Theatre, Peterborough, ON
October 21 – Glenn Gould Theatre, Toronto, ON
October 22 – Glenn Gould Theatre, Toronto, ON
October 25 – Aeolian Hall, London, ON
October 26 – Brock Centre for the Arts, St. Catherines, ON
October 28 – Dublin Street United Church, Guelph, ON
October 29 – The Gibson Centre, Alliston, ON
November 15 – Winnipeg Art Gallery, Winnipeg, MB
November 16 – Lyric Theatre, Swift Current, SK
November 18 – Broadway Theatre, Saskatoon, SK
November 19 – E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, Prince Albert, SK
November 20 – The Banff Centre, Banff, AB
November 21- Knox United Church, Calgary, AB
November 22 – Myer Horowitz Theatre, Edmonton, AB
November 24 – Lester Centre for the Arts, Prince Rupert, BC
November 25 – Mount  Elizabeth Theatre, Kitimat, BC
November 26 – Della Herman Theatre, Smithers, BC
November 29 – Key City Theatre, Cranbrook, BC
December 01 – Evergreen Theatre, Coquitlam, BC
December 02 – Centennial Theatre, North Vancouver, BC
December 04 – ACT Theatre, Maple Ridge, QC

Dog Day tours across the east

Halifax two-piece Dog Day is currently touring eastern Canada in support of their new album, Deformer (Fun Dog Records).

Dates are as follows:

Oct. 06 – Sarnia, ON – The Trinity Lounge
Oct. 07 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace w/ Sports
Oct. 08 – Hamilton, ON – Homegrown Hamilton
Oct. 09 – Kingston, ON – the Mansion
Oct. 21 – Halifax, NS – Gus’ Pub w/ Shotgun Jimmie (Halifax Pop Explosion)

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It’s been more than a month and I’ve been swamped with work and busy with a touch of vacation. But I’m back with an update on a ton of albums either just released or about to be released. And honestly, there’s way more coming, but I don’t have time to list them all tonight. I’ll try for another update in the next week or so to fill you all in on more of them.

Here we go …

Cheers!

Eric

Alt-country duo Madison Violet release new album

JUNO Award nominees and winners of the 2010 John Lennon Songwriting Competition’s Maxell Song of the Year Award Madison Violet released a new album, The Good in Goodbye (True North Records), earlier this month.

Carmel Mikol out with new album

Carmel Mikol

Cape Breton folk songwriter Carmel Mikol released her second album, Creature, on Sound of Pop/Fontana North earlier this month.

Creature is uniquely accompanied by a book of poetry and prose titled Creature of Habit.

A triple ECMA nominee and award-winning songwriter for her debut album In My Bones, Mikol also released her book in ebook format and it can be purchased in several packages with the new album.

Recorded live off the floor with her band in Cape Breton, Creature’s eight songs pay homage to the folk songwriters she grew up listening to, employing the varied textures of acoustic guitars, mandolin, banjo and piano.

Cicada launches new album

Halifax metal band Cicada (Chester Long, Joe Pottie, Anson May, Nathan Collupy) released its debut album over the weekend. The album was recorded at SoundMarket Studios and all artwork done by the band’s Djembe player Nathan Collupy with photography by Tifany Naugler.

Here is the track list:

1. Cleansing of the Wicked
2. Insame
3. Benefactor of Chaos
4. Guild of Guilt
5. Presence
6. Acquiescence
7. Steel Crusher
8. The Invention
9. Encapsulated (i)

Kuato releases Summer EP on Acadian Embassy

Kuato’s latest effort, Summer EP, is the third album released by the band in just under a year.

In an attempt to bring their music to the silver screen, the band recently launched a campaign to catch the attention of the filmmakers responsible for the new Total Recall film. (The band is named after a key character in the original 1990 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.)

Caledonia’s Steve Gates to release Hello Jesus

Steve Gates

Halifax songwriter Steve Gates (Caledonia) steps out on his own with a four-song EP recorded in his apartment and finished and mixed by John Critchley (Dan Mangan, Elliott Brood) at Toronto’s Green Door Studios.  Hello Jesus will be released on Oct. 18, and it will be followed up with Steve’s debut long player in early 2012.

The title track, Hello Jesus, is one of Steveʼs first songs, written years ago while busking on Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.

Over the past few years Steve has been touring and releasing records with Caledonia. Recently, Steve has ventured out on his own as a solo performer. This past July, he performed at the Dawson City Music Festival, sharing the stage with Amelia Curran and Yukon Blonde. This performance was preceded by a nearly two-month Canadian tour with roots rockers, The Warped ʻ45s.

Devarrow drops album for free online

Sackville, N.B.-based singer-songwriter Graham Ereaux, who goes under the stage name Devarrow, released his first full length album last April.

Recently, he decided to put it online for free via Bandcamp. Check it out at the link above.

And in other news …

Rebekah Higgs tours New Brunswick

Halifax-born, Toronto-based songwriter Rebekah Higgs will perform in New Brunswick this month in support of her recently release sophomore effort, Odd Fellowship.

Check her out at the following dates:

Sept 22 – Montreal, QC @ Pop Montreal
Sept 28 – Moncton, NB @ Plan B
Sept 29 – Fredericton, NB @ The Capital
Sept 30 – Saint John, NB @ Peppers Pub
Oct 01 – Quebec City, QC @ The Scanner

Berserker Lion presents Minus World on tour

Halifax-based Minus World has gone from a curious bedroom project to a high-energy two-piece, releasing their self-titled EP in May. Justin Wiles and Kat Williams can be found on the following dates at:

Thursday, Sept. 22nd – Plan B, Moncton NB w/ The Caravan
Friday, Sept. 23rd – The Capital, Fredericton NB w/ Scientists of Sound
Saturday, Sept. 24th – Peppers Pub, St. John NB w/ Scientists of Sound
Thursday, Sept. 29th – Baba’s Lounge, Charlottetown PEI w/ Whale Skin & Coyote
Friday, Sept. 30th – Sackville, NB
Saturday, Oct. 1st – Release Party at The Company House, Halifax NS
w/ The Caravan, Whale Skin & DJ Wiley Kyoto

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Dog Day is now a two-piece, Nancy Urich and Seth Smith.

Halifax-area two-piece Dog Day released its new record, Deformer, this week on the band’s own label, Fundog Records.

Deformer is the follow-up to 2009’s acclaimed Concentration and the band’s debut as a duo. Prior to recording the new record, husband and wife Seth Smith and Nancy Urich decided to trim their four-piece band down to a duo.

With Nancy learning drums, and Seth on guitar, the band is aiming for a more raw sound.

Check out the band at the following dates:

2011-08-04 » Sydney NS @ Governor’s w/ Apollo Ghosts & Ladyslippers
2011-08-05 » Halifax NS @ the Seahorse w/ Apollo Ghosts & Bird World
2011-08-06 » Sackville NB @ the Legion w/ Apollo Ghosts & Baby Eagle

Jimmy Ranking on the road with Blue Rodeo

Legendary east coast roots artist Jimmy Rankin is currently touring the Maritimes with Blue Rodeo (dates below).

Rankin’s fourth solo album, Forget About The World, along with the rest of his catalog, is currently available at approximately 150 Needs Convenience stores throughout Atlantic Canada.

Rankin has been enjoying success with non-traditional retail, and surprising the retailers by visiting the stores and meeting with fans.

“Fans are constantly telling me that it’s hard to find CDs in stores,” says Rankin.  “So we thought, why not provide easy access, and with their broad coverage across the Maritimes, what better way to do this than through Needs Convenience stores.’”

Rankin recently wrapped up shooting the video for the single I’m Just Saying in Nova Scotia with award-winning documentary filmmaker and video director Jeth Weinrich (Royal Wood, Chantal Kreviazuk, 54-40, Jann Arden).

Atlantic Canada tour dates:

08.05 – Truro, NS – Truro Exhibition Park
08.06 – Windsor, NS – Hants County Exhibition Grounds
08.07 – Sydney, NS – Harbourside Commercial Park

Kuato releases Summer EP on Aug. 9

Halifax-based band Kuato will release its latest effort, Summer EP, next Tuesday. The new EP is the third album released by the band in just under a year.

Halifax Thrashfest unveils complete line-up

Halifax metal festival Thrashfest has announced its full line up, including Baltimore’s deathgrind band Misery Index, Quebec’s Fuck The Facts, Ottawa’s Aggressor, as well as local openers Hellacaust, The.Daisy.Anthesis, Orchid’s Curse and many more.

The festival is set to take place on Aug. 19 and 20 at Gus’ Pub; tickets are $20 in advance or $10 for Friday night and $15 for Saturday night

“We are very proud to announce the fifth annual Thrashfest will include 15 acts who will perform over two days and three shows,” said festival organizer Myron Cottreau in a press release. “This year’s event will host a variety of local and international acts.”

The full festival line-up is as follows:

Friday, Aug. 19
SOVIET CROWBEAK
SPEW
NORTH END METAL ALL-STARS
THE DAISY ANTHESIS
HELLACAUST
AGGRESSOR

Saturday, Aug. 20
COTTUS
BURNT CHURCH
UNBREAKABLE HATRED
ORCHID’S CURSE
FUCK THE FACTS
MISERY INDEX

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