Friday, May 15, 2009

The bands I need to Know Inside out For July

The Acorn

(ON) - Intricate arrangements and euphoric melodies paint an electro-acoustic post card for lost souls.

Justin Adams and Juldeh Camara

(UK/Gambia) - Guitarist/producer Adams and griot master Camara create a rousing African-rock fusion with echoes of ancient blues.

Akron/Family

(USA) - These improvisational alt-folkers orchestrate epic, vintage otherworldly hymns around three-part harmonies.

Darol Anger, Mike Marshall & Väsen

(USA/Sweden) - Two virtuosos of American new music meet Sweden’s influential instrumental trio to push acoustic music boundaries.

Apostle of Hustle

(ON) - Broken Social Scene’s Andrew Whiteman builds polyrhythmic collages from re-imagined Cuban music, mambo, Americana and pop.

Arrested Development

(USA) - For 15 years, these pioneers of conscious rap and hip-hop have shaken the booties, hearts and minds of listeners across the globe.

Danny Barnes Acoustic Band

(USA) - An imaginative banjo player and his hot trio create unplugged bluegrass alchemy with a deep respect for traditions.

Bell Orchestre

(ON) - A textured chamber-pop orchestral group that shares members with Arcade Fire and the Luyas and borrows freely from post-rock, jazz and classical music.

Bellowhead

(UK) - This rousing, sharp-suited folk big band recounts colourful historical tales in a glorious multi-instrumental genre-blending mash-up.

Mark Berube and the Patriotic Few

(BC) - Beautifully-rendered stories, soaring harmonies, surprising twists in pace and style, and pure musicianship.

Glen Campbell

(USA) - This living legend is loved for his countrypolitan crooning, virtuosic guitar playing, witty banter and recordings that stand the test of time.

Hayes Carll

(USA) - Caustic and charming, irreverent and observant, this is Texas folk that will melt the hardest heart and heat up a roadhouse.

Jay Crocker

(AB) - A deftly woven, experimental pop/jazz trip with strong melodies, surreal lyrics and inspired instrumentation.

Amelia Curran

(NFLD) - Unpretentious, crisp and melodic songs that echo in your head as the lyrics resonate in your conscience.

Kat Danser

(AB) - Throwing down laidback rhythms and thought-provoking lyrics, this is music steeped in early blues traditions, backed by soulful lap slide guitar picking.

Steve Dawson

(BC) - Multi-instrumentalist, producer and musical chameleon brings his big ears, musical imagination and endless classy licks.

Decemberists

(USA) - Creative independent pop music that often utilizes elaborate song forms rooted in ancient languages, myths and imagery.

Deep Dark Woods

(SK) - Their timeless sound is built around raw emotion, beautiful vocals, strong harmonies and well thought out arrangements.

Dragon Fli Empire

(AB) - Classic, unadulterated down-to-earth hip hop with insightful and comedic lyrics.

Dry Branch Fire Squad

(USA) - For over 25 years, they’ve crafted ruggedly soulful bluegrass, fired up with biting satire and wry political commentary.

The Ebony Hillbillies

(USA) - Touted as "the last black string band in America” their 19th century string dance band sound is built on fiddles, banjo and washboard.

Alejandro Escovedo

(USA) - Original, gutsy and moving roots music from an artist whose musical incarnations range from punk rock to string quintets.

Esthero

(ON) - Her sound and captivating voice have been the thread that weaves jazz, funk and soul into an effortless ethereal melting pot since she emerged in the late ‘90s.

Ferron

(BC) - For 30 years, this acclaimed singer/songwriter has moved audiences with her commanding alto voice and mesmerizing, experiential lyrics.

Michael Bernard Fitzgerald

(AB) - An old soul who pens refreshing soul-infused pop songs.

Michael Franti and Spearhead

(USA) - His latest CD All Rebel Rockers further imbues Franti’s fiery protest music with seductive elements of dub and hook-infused soul.

Dick Gaughan

(UK) - This raconteur takes no prisoners with his vast repertoire, powerful voice and rapid-fire guitar-playing.

Gomez

(UK) - Mercury Prize winners create rootsy, quirky independent pop music that often incorporates psychedelic sounds, experimentation and loops.

Good Lovelies

(ON) - Armed with an arsenal of instruments and a repertoire of sassy, fun and sophisticated songs that borrow from by-gone eras.

Sarah Harmer

(ON) - Engaging, ageless urban folk and newgrass from an artist also known for her strong environmental convictions.

Jolie Holland

(USA) - Haunting, timeless simplicity from a writer with a singular vision who has been dubbed the ‘queen of indie teardrop ballads.’

Ray Wylie Hubbard

(USA) - This legendary Texas troubadour writes like he has the devil at his tail, the Good Lord in his heart, a saddlebag of poetry and a pistol in his boot.

Iron and Wine

(USA) - Sam Beam’s deeply affecting, lyrically-evocative songs range from quiet and haunting to driven and hook-laden.

Kid Koala

(QC) - He deftly weaves hip-hop beats, silent movie soundtracks, spoken word and scratch-created melodies into magical multi-track stories.

Labess

(QC) - Intriguing, festive songs that celebrate tolerance and freedom, drawing from flamenco, Cuban and North African music.

LeE HARVeY OsMOND

(ON) - Swampy, hypnotic ‘acid folk’ from Junkhouse’s Tom Wilson, plus co-conspirators from the Cowboy Junkies, the Skydiggers, and long-time folkie Brent Titcomb.

Luluc

(Australia) - The spare, austere beauty of this duo’s haunting, reflective music is based around un-amplified instruments and close harmonies.

Carolyn Mark

(BC) - You'll laugh. You'll cry. And laugh some more, at the lovely and talented country songstress’s bang-on ditties about humanity.

Loreena McKennitt

(ON) - Singer/composer, harpist and pianist whose soothing songs are grounded in Celtic and Middle Eastern music and influenced by literature.

Mekons

(UK/USA) - A 30-year tour de force with art school roots and multi-pronged connections to other bands; their sound blends a punk ethos with left wing politics, folk and minimalist country.

Mirah

(USA) - The oh-so-charming Yom Tov Zeitlyn’s candid musings are enveloped in sparse, organic music with an edge, punctuated by horns and strings.

Los Misioneros del Norte

(Mexico) - Contemporary accordion-centred Norteño dance music, influenced by syncopated Caribbean cumbias and salsa.

Mutabaruka

(Jamaica) - Heavy, deep words and beats from a world-renowned revolutionary dub and reggae poet.

Myrol

(AB) - Spine-tingling harmonies and down-home lyrics from this live-wire female roots/ country duo.

Pacifika

(BC) - Take a Peruvian-born singer steeped in flamenco and electronica, add a new wave and classically-influenced guitarist, mix in one dubwise bassist and voila! You have new groove-based global pop.

Steven Page

(ON) - Infamous Barenaked Ladies co-founder, guitarist and lead singer is loved for his dynamic performances, powerful tenor, quick wit and arsenal of clever songs.

PAPAGROOVE

(BC) - This 13-piece collective blasts out horn-based funk, R&B and Afrobeat, for a full-on dance party with a solid political message.

The Persuasions

(USA) - Five kids who sang in basements and street corners in the ‘60s are now the kings of a capella, infusing standards and covers with their harmonious soul, gospel and Motown sound in concert halls world-wide.

Ramblin' Ambassadors

(AB) - Surf, rockabilly and instrumental garage music with a twist: expect the occasional trumpet, sleigh bell percussion and loopy keyboard.

Justin Rutledge

(ON) - His haunting, literate stories are snapshots of ordinary people’s lives, delivered in a tearstained voice, with the subtle backing of his crack band.

The Sojourners

(BC) - Spine-tingling, multi-textured vocals from a trio who capture the spirit of soulful “old school” 1930s and ‘40s gospel recordings.

Mavis Staples

(USA) - For over fifty years, Mavis Staples has been an international treasure, working her vocal magic on the highways and byways of gospel, folk and soul music.

Tarhana

(Nederlands/Turkey) - The sounds of ancient cultures come to life: Sufi grooves, Gypsy melodies and North African rhythms.

The Tom Fun Orchestra

(NS) - Cape Breton’s idiosyncratic eight-piece ensemble creates frantic cross-genre barnburners featuring feverish horns and violins.

Umalali

(Central America) - An entrancing journey into the heart and soul of the Garifuna people, built around powerful female vocals, pounding rhythms and an African/Caribbean music meld.

Chad Van Gaalen

(AB) - A visual artist and musician, he creates beautiful melodies with intellectually playful arrangements.

Vishten

(PEI) - Embark on a centuries-long voyage with traditional music, fiery fiddling, step dancing and sweet vocals.

Emily Wells

(USA) - Her songs combine electronics, orchestral strings, jazz structures, pop sensibilities and vibrato-laden vocals into one eclectic package.

Nancy White

(ON) - Take a carnival ride through life’s little perversities with this topical, cheeky folk/cabaret singer, theatre writer and performer.

Phil Wiggins & Corey Harris

(USA) - Deep-rooted 21st century country blues with renowned harmonica wizard Wiggins and adventurous, eclectic guitarist Harris.

Jason Wilson

(ON) - Vintage and visionary jazz-infused reggae from a refreshingly inventive band whose lyrical tales are meditations on the human condition.

The Woodchoppers Association with Jah Youssouf

(ON/Mali) - The electrifying kora of Youssouf collides with the trance-inducing grooves of Canada’s premier improviser’s orchestra.

Yeah no biggie. What do I need to know? Their sounds. Sounds like. Discography. When they're playing. Like I said no big.
Another post about music to come later.
Weakerthans are kiling me right now.

No comments: