NEWSLETTER - Aug. 31, 2023 |
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Okay kids, summer was a blast but now it's time to get back to some serious business, namely a jam-packed fall release schedule. This month's newsletter contains all you need to know about this season's finest Canadian roots and alt-country releases (+ one awesome jazz record), so please enjoy and don't hesitate to get in touch if you'd like to speak to any of the artists. JS
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JERRY LEGER / Donlands Oct. 27 :: Latent Recordings
On his new album Donlands, internationally acclaimed Toronto singer/songwriter Jerry Leger has teamed up with legendary Canadian producer/engineer Mark Howard (Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Neil Young), whose trademark atmospheric sound adds an entirely new dimension to Leger’s approach. Named after the street in Toronto’s east end where it was recorded, in what once was the Donlands Theatre, Donlands presents Jerry Leger as he’s never been heard before.
EPK :: "THREE HOURS AHEAD OF MIDNIGHT" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
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ART BERGMANN / ShadowWalk Sept. 29 :: (weewerk)
Member of the Order of Canada, Juno Award winner, two-time Polaris Music Prize long listed artist... Art Bergmann has been honoured by his home country in a multitude of ways. But behind the accolades is still a man coping with the unforgiving realities of life as he enters his seventies. ShadowWalk is Bergmann’s ode to Sherri Decembrini, his beloved wife of 30 years who passed away unexpectedly in March 2022. The album’s 12 songs capture the darkness, grief and desolation that comes from such a soul crushing loss, while also offering genuine hope that life will go on.
EPK :: "RAW NAKED MONDAY" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
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SEAN BURNS / Lost Country Oct. 27 :: Department Store Records
With Lost Country, Winnipeg's Sean Burns updates the classic honky tonk template with 10 tracks that pay tribute to many of Canada’s forgotten country music heroes, some of whom never became known outside of their home regions. Lost Country is part of Burns’ ongoing work to preserve and promote Canada’s country music legacy, something he did for over five years as host of “Boots & Saddle” on Winnipeg’s CKUW and his podcast The Northern Report, launched in 2021. However, much of Burns’ time is now occupied by his new role as bassist in Corb Lund’s Hurtin’ Albertans, a gig that’s given him additional motivation to expand his own musical pursuits. Having already released several themed albums, Burns’ Lost Country now shines the spotlight on Canada, and from one glimpse of the album cover’s incredible photo of Toronto’s bustling Yonge Street in the 1960s, you know he means business.
EPK :: "DESTROY ME" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
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MATT PAXTON & THE PINTOS / Tornado EP Sept. 15 :: Down By The Point Records
Whether he's on stage or in the studio, Hamilton, Ontario's Matt Paxton wears his heart on his sleeve, delving into themes of love, loss, and self-reflection. That's all contained on Tornado, the debut release by Paxton and his new band The Pintos, produced by Tim Allard of The Redhill Valleys. Since forming The Pintos -- consisting of bassist Carrie Clark and drummer Robin Pirson, along with pedal steel wizard Chris Altmann -- Paxton has proved he's ready to establish himself within the Americana world, with plenty of new music on the way courtesy of his own label, Down By The Point Records.
EPK :: "SOUTHSIDE OF THE WEST TOWN" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
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DENNIS ELLSWORTH / Modern Hope Sept. 29 :: Pyramid Scheme Records
On Modern Hope, Charlottetown PEI singer/songwriter Dennis Ellsworth once again displays his mastery of the craft. Working with old friend Leeroy Stagger as producer, Ellsworth was inspired by British folk-rock legends Bert Jansch, John Martyn and Nick Drake to create 10 mini-masterpieces that address the challenges we've faced as a society in recent years, while also reflecting his own changes that have come from welcoming a new baby into his family.
EPK :: "PRESSURE" (YouTube)
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THE FUGITIVES / No Help Coming Oct. 20 :: Fallen Tree Records
The Fugitives are a Vancouver-based acoustic folk-roots group headed by songwriters Adrian Glynn and Brendan McLeod, and joined by banjo player Chris Suen (Viper Central) and violinist Carly Frey (The Coal Porters). Their sixth album—and first for Edmonton-based Fallen Tree Records—No Help Coming follows 2020's acclaimed Trench Songs, which set to music poems written by First World War soldiers. Along with its companion film Ridge, the project was warmly compared to Peter Jackson’s 2018 documentary They Shall Not Grow Old. Now with No Help Coming, The Fugitives turn their focus to the existential crisis of our era, climate change, and what can be done to deal with it.
EPK :: "IT MIGHT JUST RAIN..." (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
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RUSS MACKLEM / The South Detroit Connection Sept. 29 :: TQM Recording Co.
No matter what kind of music you’re into, there's nothing more thrilling than a five-piece group of musical virtuosos pushing their abilities to the collective limit. That’s precisely what’s contained on The South Detroit Connection, the debut recording by trumpeter Russ Macklem. Recorded live on Jan. 4, 2023 at Phog Lounge in Windsor, Ontario, the album exudes all the intimate energy of classic recordings from Birdland and the Village Vanguard, but with a modern flair expressed through Macklem’s horn, accompanied by saxophonist Kasan Belgrave (son of legendary Detroit musician, trumpeter Marcus Belgrave), Sam Dickinson on acoustic and electric guitars, and the rhythm section comprised of Jonathan Muir-Cotton on bass and Adam Arruda on drums. As jazz has continued to evolve into the 21st century, something it lacks are the singular personalities that marked its various stages of development. Russ Macklem is the type of musician who could have easily found a place playing rock and roll or R&B, but he plays jazz as if his life depends on it. As it should be.
EPK :: ALBUM STREAM
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OUT NOW! (Click covers for EPKs) |
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GRAHAM BROWN / Solo |
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The Vancouver roots rock veteran puts down his electric guitar and goes acoustic, putting the full focus on his brilliant songwriting for the first time on record.
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The Weber Brothers / In The Tangled Web |
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The former Ronnie Hawkins proteges return with the second instalment of their raw, live-off-the-floor, original rock and roll and R&B trilogy.
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JOHNNY EATON / here's the thing |
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On his first album in 16 years, Ottawa-based Eaton shares his vision of Canada, when all anyone needed was a guitar and Greyhound ticket.
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NORTHUMBERLAND / self-titled |
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Led by singer/songwriter Corey Matheson, this Nova Scotia outfit offers vintage alt-country in the spirit of Steve Earle and Drive-By Truckers.
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This past spring, Ontario's David James Allen released By The Summertime, one of this year's finest records (in my totally unbiased opinion). A personal highlight is "The Devil And Me," a funky swamp rocker that any fan of The Band, JJ Cale or Tony Joe White should immediately love. Dave says of the song, "It's loosely inspired by Henry Lee Lucas - the confession killer - and speaks to the themes of 15 minutes of fame, the need and addiction for attention, queer love and societal norms or rejection of traditional norms." Dig it and share widely!
EPK / LINKTREE
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Member of the Americana Music Association |
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