Hey everyone. I’m just popping in here to remind you that the Annual Salvation Army Winter Relief Benefit show is happening tonight at The Mansion.

Luther Wright says:

This time we are at the Mansion in Kingston for 2 shows in one night featuring Sarah Harmer, P.S. I Love You, Sheesham Crowe, Luther Wright, Chris Brown, Kelly & Ball xmas xplosion, Paul Langois of the Tragically Hip and Awna Teixeira of po girl. Tickets are limited and available at the club or Zap Records in Kingston. First show is 7:30 and is all ages and the 2nd show is at 11 and is 19 plus.

Got that? Two shows -  but I hear that they are going to be more-or-less the same sets. Get out, support a great charity & see Weeping Tile.

Can’t go? Give to the Salvation Army – they do exceptionally good work and you should support them.

Here are some highlights from the Weeping Tile sets from the 2004 and 2006 shows. Enjoy & happy holidays.

* Good Fortune [2004]
* Hey Ya! [2004]
* Cold Snap [2006]
* Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight) [2006]

Buy the fantastic Weeping Tile records.

Hello friends. It has been a while, eh? Did you think I forgot about you? Honestly, I sort of did. I had posts more or less prepared and then…nothing. What does it take to bring me out of hibernation after 2 months? The rawk of the Constantines, that’s what. The band is celebrating its 10th anniversary by going on a 10 date tour of Ontario with some of their friends. They kick it all off in Ottawa on Tuesday and then, on Wednesday, they are going to blow the doors off the Grad Club in Kingston. The opening act? A fellow by the name of John K. Samson, you might be familiar with his band. Yeah…it is going to be pretty amazing.

And, amazingly, it appears there are still tickets left for the Kingston show. You better  hop on it, ’cause it almost certainly will sell out. [update: the show is now sold out].

Dates on the Constantines’ tour include (full dates):

December 8th, 2009 (w/ Tropics), Mavericks Bar, Ottawa
December 9th, 2009 (w/ John K. Samson),The Grad Club, Kingston
December 10th, 2009 (w/ John K. Samson), The Casbah, Hamilton
December 11th, 2009 (w/ Attack In Black & John K. Samson), Lee’s Palace, Toronto
December 12th, 2009 (w/ Oneida, METZ), Lee’s Palace, Toronto
December 13th, 2009 (w/ Tropics), Ebar, Guelph, ON
December 15th, 2009 (w/ Lullabye Arkestra), Starlight Room, Waterloo
December 16th, 2009 (w/ BA Johnston), Montreal House Peterborough
December 19th, 2009(w/ Ladyhawk, Julie Doiron), Lee’s Palace, Toronto

The Cons and the Weakerthans swung through town in the 2009 Rolling Tundra Review tour in March. They were both pretty spectacular. Below you will find a few tracks from both sets. Enjoy.

Rolling Tundra Revue, The Alehouse, Kingston, 29 March 2009

The Constantines

* Hotline Operator
* Soon Enough
* Young Lions

The Weakerthans

* Aside
* Benediction (w/ Sarah Harmer)
* Anchorless (Casio version)

Be sure to buy Constantines stuff as it makes wonderful xmas gifts for the whole family & get the new JKS’ single – I recommend going for the white vinyl + the shirt as it is a pretty sweet combo.

Hello Friends,

It is going to be a huge night over at the Mansion tomorrow, October 15th, and, if you know what’s good for you, you will be there to stomp, shout, sway, and have an all ’round good time. Two of my very favourite live acts – Bruce Peninsula and b(oot)log favs Entire Cities – will be sandwiched between Share (whom I’m not really familiar with but I like what I hear – check ‘em out for yourself – here’s “Maybe Always” featuring the ever-lovely Jenn Grant and you can hear more here) and Kingston gentleman Reuben DeGroot. It is gonna be a helluva night of live music.

Bruce Peninsula and Entire Cities will be traveling East together for the next little while – below are a few of their dates. See their Myspaces (EC + BP) for these shows and for upcoming solo dates:

15 Oct – The Mansion, Kingston
17 Oct – Neat Cafe, Burnstown
18 Oct – Bar Tapageur, Sherbrooke
19 Oct – house show, Saint John

Here are a few tracks from Entire Cities from the last time they shared a stage in Kingston – at the Apple Crisp Music Fest (Bruce Peninsula’s set can be found here). Enjoy.

Apple Crisp Music Festival, Next Church, Kingston, 20 March 2009

* Cop Song

* Dancing With My Brother

* Accountant’s Dream

(Pick up Entire Cities’ “Deep River” from Zunior)

Hey folks,

A quick post to share with you a couple of songs from this big weekend of music at the Grad Club in Kingston. On Friday night Cuff the Duke is playing and then on Saturday Amy Millan is taking over the smallest but best stage around.

As is expected, both shows are sold out but there will be a few tickets available at the door. So if you want to go to one or both (you do, trust me) get there early so you aren’t stuck out in the cold, standing in the bushes with your face pressed up against the glass.

Both Amy Millan and Cuff the Duke have new albums out (“Masters of the Burial” and “Way Down Here“, respectively). I have only heard snippets of them but I must say I likes what I hears – and I am a big fan of both their previous work. You should pick the records up for yourself – get Millan’s at Arts&Crafts and Cuff the Duke’s from the band directly.

And, here are a few live tracks because I know that’s what you are really looking for.

* Jenny Whiteley & Amy Millan, Baby I, (recorded at the Sydenham St. United Church, 25 November 2008)

* Cuff the Duke, Ballad Of A Lonely Construction Worker, (recorded at the Grad Club, 21 November 2007)

Enjoy and get yrself out there for some great music this weekend.

photo by Staciaann Photography in Minneapolis on 13 Oct 2007 (check out the entire set here.)

On Saturday, the Grad Club stage will be graced by the lovely, lovely Basia Bulat and her lovely, lovely band (so lovely it needs to be said twice). I am told there are only a few tickets left so if you don’t want to miss out you better get movin’ and get your ticket now.

This show is very well timed as yesterday some big BB news was released – Bulat has signed to the excellent, and very discerning, Secret City Records, and she/they will be releasing a new album on January 23rd. You can check out a brand new song called “Gold Rush” here (I’ve had it on repeat all morning) and if you sign up for the mailing list here you can get a download.

Opening the Grad Club show will be the excellent Phonemes who I have not seen live myself but I really dig their albums.

Basia Bulat and band have a few Canadian dates and a show in Brooklyn before heading of to Europe. Cdn dates below – check out her myspace for full listings.

9/19 Kingston, ON – The Grad Club
9/23 Vancouver, BC – St. James Hall
9/24 Victoria, BC – Metro Studio
10/3 Wakefield, ON – Black Sheep Inn
10/7 Brooklyn, NY – The Bell House

Here are a few tracks from the amazing show at the Grad Club from a year and a half ago (and check out her WIMF2008 set here and from the 2009 Vancouver Folk Fest, courtesy of the Ceeb, here). Enjoy.

Basia Bulat, Grad Club, Kingston, 28 March 2008

* Heart of My Own
* Snakes & Ladders
* I Was a Daughter
* Touch the Hem of His Garment

You can pickup the stunning Oh My Darling from Hardwood (available on CD here or digitally here)/Roughtrade (and some other goodies as well). Both Bulat and The Phonemes have contributed to the fantastic compilation Friends in Bellwoods 2 – get it if you haven’t already.  Great music + a great cause means that you can’t go wrong.

Photo of Matt & Jill Barber, with Stu Crooks, taken at Hillside, 2006, by Easternblot.

This Sunday, two performers I love -  Matthew Barber and Jill Barber – are playing at a place I love By Chadsey’s Cairn Winery, located in beautiful Prince Edward County. This afternoon show (2pm start), which they are calling “Barbers in the Barn”, is going to be a perfect way to send off the summer.

I am getting even more excited about seeing these two amazing singer-songwriters perform, as today Matthew Barber announced that he has begun work on a new album, which should be out in the New Year. So, if we are lucky, we might get to hear some brand new songs, as well stuff from the great Ghost Notes, Sweet Nothing, etc., which I have talked about on these pages before.

Matthew Barber has just announced some West Coast tour dates so if you are in the area be sure to check him out at the following (see his site/space for full details)

13 Sep 2009 By Chadsey’s Cairns Winery, Wellington, ON
24 Sep 2009 Communitea Cafe, Canmore
25 Sep 2009 Haven Social Club,Edmonton, Alberta
26 Sep 2009 Liberty Lounge (Mount Royal College), Calgary
27 Sep 2009 The Habitat, Kelowna
28 Sep 2009 The Media Club, Vancouver

Jill Barber will be playing in Fredericton on Sept. 19th and then will be off to Australia in October. See her site for details.

To get you in the mood, I offer you a few tracks from the Sibling Revelry tour, the last time I saw Matthew & Jill Barber share a stage. Come on out to the County this weekend, drink some amazing Gamay Noir, and take in two of the best musicians around.

Matthew Barber, Grad Club, Kingston, 29 February 2008

* Easily Bruised
* We’re Gonna Play
* Morning Light
* Sleep Please Come to Me

A few songs from Jill Barber’s set can be found here, including:
* Jill & Matthew Barber It’s A Dream (Neil Young cover)

Stream songs and find out where to buy Matthew Barber’s great cds here.

Photo by Chromewaves, taken at The Opera House in Toronto on June 25, 2009 (more photos here)

A very quick post to say Wolfe Island Music Fest kicks off TOMORROW! It is going to be two days of amazing music and you would be crazy not to take the ferry out to the island and soak it all up.

Performing at 7pm of the main day of the festival (Saturday) are the amazing Ohbijou. I happen to have a recording of their 2007 show at The Artel which has been sitting on my computer untouched for way too long so I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to share some of the highlights from that show. Really, it is too gorgeous not to put out there into the world. They filled the tiny space with strings, strums, tinkles and Casey Mecija’s distinct and utterly captivating voice.

They have a few Ontario dates – they are touring to support their fantastic new record Beacons – before heading over to the UK and Europe but don’t worry, they will be touring the heck out of Canada again in October and November (hey look! they will be back in Kingston in November in time for my birthday!) Check out their site/space for tour details.

7 Aug 2009 The Roaring Frog, Brockville
8 Aug 2009 Wolfe Island Music Festival
28 Aug 2009 Lee’s Palace, Toronto [note: this show is listed on their site but NOT on their myspace. You may wish to confirm this show is still happening.]

Ohbijou, The Artel, Kingston, 23 February 2007

* St. Francis
* New Years
* Wildfires
* Heartbeats (Annie cover)

Buy their lovely, lovely albums as well as shirts at their online store and digitally at Zunior. And be sure to look out for Friends in Bellwoods II on August 25th which is two discs of amazing bands with proceeds going to a great cause.

photo taken at the Gladstone by Marc Hodges.

The 2009 Wolfe Island Music Fest is only a few days away now. You are undoubtedly already excited about the whole thing but I figured I’d try to get one or two more posts about bands that are going to be performing.

In an all-’round strong line up, The Rural Alberta Advantage are one of the strongest bands who are only getting more and more notice. I first posted about them in July of 2008. Here’s what I said previously:

Hey everyone. I hope you all had a smashing Canada Day. To celebrate I’m going to give a quick shout out to a great, Canadian band, The Rural Alberta Advantage, who shared the bill with Entire Cities at The Artel. Going into this show I had a passing familiarity with The RAA – I’d heard a song or two – but hadn’t investigated them in any serious way. Man, I was missing out. They are top-to-bottom amazing on record and live. The RAA feature powerful lyrics & delivery by Nils Edenloff; flawless, frenetic drumming by Paul Banwatt (who was pulling a double-shift as he played with EC earlier); and sublime backing vocals and killer glock work by Amy Cole. They kept up an amazing pace, blasting through the better part of the stellar album Hometowns. The album is dark and sweet and evocative and very very wonderful. They don’t look to be on tour at the moment but be sure to catch them if you have the chance. As usual, here are a few songs from their set in february. Enjoy.

All that remains true. Since that show in February I’ve had their astounding “Hometowns” on heavy rotation and am very excited to see them live again. Speaking of live, they have a bunch of dates in the US and Canada coming up (check their site/space for full listings), including :

5 Aug 2009 – The Middle East Cafe [Upstairs], Cambridge, MA
6 Aug 2009 – Mavericks, Ottawa
8 Aug 2009 – Wolfe Island Musicfest, Wolfe Island
20 Aug 2009 – The Intersection [Front Lounge], Grand Rapids, MI
21 Aug 2009 – WMSE Radio Summer Camp @ Cactus Club, Milwaukee
22 Aug 2009 – Memorial Union Terrace, Univ of Wisconsin, Madison
24 Aug 2009 – Pritzker Pavilion [AA], Chicago
25 Aug 2009 – Bear’s Place, Bloomington, Indiana
27 Aug 2009 – Rubble’s Bar, Mount Pleasant, MI
29 Aug 2009 – V-Fest Ontario, Oro-Medonte, Ontario

So get out there and see them, especially this weekend at the Wolfe Island Music Fest (tickets available online and around town).

I only posted a few highlights from the show previously. Here is the full set for your listening pleasure.

The Rural Alberta Advantage, The Artel, Kingston, 16 February 2008

1. let’s get it started (talk)
2. The Ballad of the RAA
3. Rush Apart
4. ah whatever (talk)
5. Don’t Haunt This Place
6. cds (talk)
7. Luciana
8. from Alberta (talk)
9. Frank, AB
10. The Air
11. Sleep All Day
12. very nice (talk)
13. Four Night Rider
14. Edmonton
15. In the Summertime
16. tension in the band (talk)
17. The Dethbridge in Lethbridge
18. last song (talk)
19. Goodnight
20. louder ones (talk)
21. Drain The Blood

Check out the setlist at Lists, Plans.

Buy the re-released record from the band (CD) or via SaddleCreek (CD, LP, MP3).

photo taken in Peterborough in December 2008 by MissGillian.

There is just a shade over two weeks until this year’s Wolfe Island Music Fest. The line up (found here with set times) is pretty sweet and getting sweeter with the addition of Winter Gloves and the band I want to talk about today, $100.

This Toronto band made quite an impression with the release of the powerful Forest of Tears. As amazing as their recorded output is (and it is fantastic – I wouldn’t have been surprised if it made the Polaris Shortlist… if the short list hadn’t been kinda odd and..um..safe) the band really shines onstage. I’ve seen them twice now – as a full band as part of Fucked Up’s Halloween series of shows last year in Toronto and this show at the Grad Club where they performed as a three-piece – and both times I was astounded by the passion and emotion being conveyed.

This is gritty, raw stuff. Over a very traditional country sound, delivered by a group of astounding musicians, vocalist Simone Schmidt conveys tales of the marginalized, the powerless, and the dejected with a voice that swings easily from world-weary and vulnerable to defiant and powerful. As beautiful as it is heartrending, this is a voice that has been through it all but as survived.

They have a ton of dates coming up – including WIMF on August 8th and then they are back with Carolyn Mark at The Mansion on the 17th. Be sure to check them out if you can. Full details on their myspace.

23 Jul 2009 Bruar Falls, Brooklyn, NY
25 Jul 2009 Bovina Hangtender, Bovina, NY
27 Jul 2009 Plan B, Moncton
28 Jul 2009 Capital w/ BA JOHNSTON, Fredericton
29 Jul 2009 Ampersand Cafe with BA Johsnton, All AGES!     Charlottetown
29 Jul 2009 Alibi w/ Barnkats, New Royalty, BA Johnston, Charlottetown
30 Jul 2009 Gus Pub, Halifax
1 Aug 2009 SappyFEST, Sackville
8 Aug 2009 Wolfe Island Music Festival, Kingstonish
15 Aug 2009 Fred Eaglesmith Charity Picnic, Aylmer
And, As Duet with Carolyn Mark & Sunbear
17 Aug 2009 The Living Room, Kingston
18 Aug 2009 Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto
19 Aug 2009 Horseshoe Tavernk, Toronto
20 Aug 2009 the Starlight, Waterloo
21 Aug 2009 Oshawa
22 Aug 2009 The Casbah, Hamilton
23 Aug 2009 Van Gogh’s Ear, Guelph

and here are a few live tracks for your listening pleasure.

$100, Grad Club, Kingston, 27 March 2009

* No Great Leap
* 14th Floor
* Careless Love

Buy Forest of Tears from Zunior & be sure to get the first of the Regional 7″ from Blocks/The Blue House and get your tickets for WIMF here.

photo from The Gertrudes’ myspace.

There are three reasons why I want to talk about The Gertrudes today. First of all, they are playing the Friday night Lake Ontario Waterkeepers event at the Wolfe Island Music Fest on August 7th at the Island Grill along with Dave Bidini and other friends.

Secondly, a few members of the band will be playing at a fundraiser for the awesome Made4You on Friday, July 17th at The Artel – cover is only $10 and you get a 15% coupon for your next purchase at the store. Get all the wedding presents you need for the rest of the summer and get a jump on your xmas shopping while supporting this wonderful collective. More details can be found here.

And last, but certainly not least, I wanted to talk to you about The Gertrudes today because I just got my hands on their wonderful, brand-spankin’-new ep called “Hard Water”, which set to be released on August 7th.

The new record features 6 new songs, two of which were recorded live. A gentleness pervades the album. The aquatic theme which runs across the majority of the songs and the pace of the record definitely bring to mind early summer evenings by the lake. The Gertrudes are going to get where they need to be at their own speed. Their songs are never forced but rather seem to evolve slowly but purposefully. Textures and layers are developed, only to be stripped away and reapplied, as guitar, banjo, accordion, percussion, horns, theremin etc. etc. appear and disappear, commingling, playing off each other.  And above it all are the fantastic vocals of Annie Clifford and Greg Tilson.

What is perhaps most remarkable about The Gertrudes, and exhibited so perfectly on the new record, is their restraint. Despite having 12 members in the band, there is no jostling to be heard. Each instrument is used to its best effect, showing up when needed and retreating when not. This is so key, given the frequently gentle and delicate harmonies employed by the band. Which is not to say that they can’t rock-the-heck-out when needed, but they use the power of their numbers to create solid foundations and intricate textures, without having ever a muddled or overwrought sound.

The Gertrudes have produced an EP that is at the same time timeless and innovative. Their sound is rooted in folk tradition but, through their creativity and talent, they take their folky tunes into wonderful, unexpected places.

From Hard Water:

River (aka Turn Out the Lights)

Live video of the song ‘Hard Water’

And here are a few live tracks recorded at the 2009 Apple Crisp Music Fest.

The Gertrudes, Apple Crisp Music Festival, Next Church, Kingston, 20 March 2009

River

Hard Water

Catfish John (cover)

The Gertrudes have a few live dates coming up in addition to WIMF so check ‘em out if you can:

1 Aug 2009 Sappy Fest, Sackville, NB
6 Aug 2009 The Blacksheep Inn, Wakefield, PQ
7 Aug 2009 Wolf Island Music Festival, Marysville, Wolfe Island, ON

Buy The Gertrudes’ first ep from Zunior and at discerning retailers around Kingston. I imagine Hard Water will be available there too in due time [update: Hard Water is now available for only $6.66. Scoot on over to Zunior and get it now!]