In 2015, The High Dials are so on the radar of folks who think they define the nu-pop sensibility. In which case, dudes can claim O.G. stake, as ‘In The AM Wilds’, dropping Feb.3, is the duo’s fifth full-length cookie. This thing they’ve been doing is an amalgam of psychedelic, electronic, and folk rock influences, meshing with the compositions of singer-songwriter Trevor Anderson.
Centered around the band’s founders, Anderson and guitarist Robbie MacArthur, and operating with a rotating line-up, The High Dials have spent the last while working on soundtracks for two Montreal indie films, which led to a lot of experimentation. Any long-term band can slip into a comfort zone of lazy habits. That’s where producer Marc Bell (We Are Wolves, The Fugees) came into things. “Meeting Marc was huge because he really helped us stay fearless in moving forward. He knew nothing about our history. We were able to incorporate more of the influences that had always been there lurking but never really come through.”
As expected from a High Dials album, there is a concept in play. “The songs were written as I was working as a DJ and completely immersed in Montreal nightlife. That probably explains some of the groovier sounds and clubbing vibe, as well as the subject matter,” says Anderson. “This is obviously not a party record. It’s about the visions and dreams that come to you in that state of mind, and that means everything from ecstasy to anxiety, yearnings of the highest and lowest form. The night appears as a wilderness, a world people get lost in for better or worse. In the dark things appear and your mind wanders… And sometimes it’s hard to find your way home.”
Rising Brit songwriter Lesley Curtis has released her brand new single "Sally Didn't Mind”, the leadoff teaser from her upcoming album, Looking For The Girl, due for release worldwide later this month.
In it's first week of release, the song was added on radio stations in Canada, England, Australia, USA, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Uruguay, New Zealand, and Northern Ireland. The snappy, semi-retro single is available for download on Airplay Direct.
The CLOSER TO THE HEART benefit concert series continues with its 7th instalment on Thursday, February 12th.All proceeds from the show go to the Regent Park School of Music, a non-profit after-school program offering heavily subsidized instrumental and choral music classes to at-risk kids all over Toronto.
This year's host is the fabulously-velvet-voiced Jeff Woods (Legends of Classic Rock, Q107). The line-up’s David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears), Chris Tait (Chalk Circle), Anne Douris (Stella Ella Ola), Stephen Stanley (Lowest of the Low), David Diamond (The Kings), Justin Rutledge (2014 Juno winner: Best Solo Roots/Traditional album), Kathryn Rose (Sarah McLachlan, Jeans 'N Classics), Thompson Egbo (jazz pianist. Singers will cover two of their favourite Canadian songs with our fabulous house band, made up of CTTH co-founder and guitarist Kurt Swinghammer (Serena Ryder, Ani DiFranco), bassist Bazil Donovan (Blue Rodeo), drummer Davide Direnzo (Jacksoul, Canadian Idol) and keyboardist Michelle Willis (Hawksley Workman, Nikki Yanofsky).
The Regent Park School of Music offers youth-in-need affordable music lessons in the Regent Park, Parkdale, and Jane-Finch areas of Toronto where they learn everything from classical piano to voice, percussion to turntablism.
Parents pay as little as $1 per class thanks to the wonderful support of people like you, for what would otherwise cost
$1500 a year. 87% of the school's revenue is spent directly on its programs, ensuring the students the highest quality of music education. This year, the school embarked on the largest expansion in its history to reach 600 more students and a goal of 2000 students in all by June 2015.
You can help them reach that goal by coming out to Closer to the Heart!
For more info on RPSM, please visit: rpmusic.org
Winterfolk 2015 kicks off Feb.13 for three days of music from all things acoustic, rootsy and folked-up, in a mix of free and ticketed events. The primo gigs include The Blues Of Winterfolk
Black Swan Tavern (2nd Floor) 154 Danforth Ave. Fri. Feb.13
8 p.m. - Alfie Smith
9 p.m. - The Heavyweights Brass Band
10 p.m. - David Essig
11 p.m. - The Winterfolk All-Star Blues band with Jack de Keyzer, Gary Kendall, Al Lerman and more!
Same venue, next night Love At Winterfolk features
8 p.m. - Laura Fernandez
9 p.m. - HOTCHA!
10 p.m. - The Trio of Fun (Ken Whiteley, Wendell Ferguson, Tony Quarrington)
11 p.m. – Swamperella
The best free showcase Saturday happens at Dora Keogh's 141 Danforth Ave with this killer line-up
1 p.m. Duelling Tubas and other Nerdy Pursuits
Members of both Polka Dogs and The Heavyweights Brass Band utilize underutilized instruments.
3 p.m. Julian Taylor’s House Party
4 p.m. Traditional Irish Stuff
Deborah Quigley, Uilleann pipes, Patrick Orseau – fiddle, come and join
in – players welcomed!
7 p.m. Speak Music Presents
Hosted by Beverly Kreller with Howard Druckman, as they showcase
emerging artists
9 p.m. The O’Pears
10 p.m. HOTCHA!’s Americana Pie
With special guests Mr. Rick, Linda McRae and more
Timber Timbre is ushering in 2015 by revisiting one of 2014’s highlights – its magical May 23 performance at storied Massey Hall. The inaugural edition of the Live At Massey Hall concert-film series was recorded by Toronto filmmaker Mitch Fillion, and is available to watch online today courtesy of Massey Hall, in association with SiriusXM Canada.
Then it’s onto the freezing road for a Canadian tour with stops in the equally frozen and snow-struck eastern US beginning February 18. The band's latest album, Hot Dreams, has earned rave reviews from Billboard, TIME, Nylon, The Guardian, Esquire, and a spot on last year’s Polaris Music Prize Short List. Hot Dreams album track “Run From Me” was recently featured four times on NBC’s The Blacklist and the song also made its way onto the trailer for Lifetime’s Big Driver by Stephen King.
Dee Bronte’s first full length album “Preface”, a beautifully mastered blend of pop, R&B and urban sounds with an acoustic twist, is now available on iTunes. The lady brings a whole lotta dynamics to the vocal palette, informing the narrative in each of the album’s 10 tracks. On top of the full-length studio album, Ms. Bronte recently released a stunning collaboration with recording artist Deion, entitled “The Landmark EP”. “Preface” is the perfect demonstration of how powerful eloquent song writing and an honest vocal performance can be. The album was produced by Norm Sabourin who has an extensive resume ranging from working with John Legend to 98 Degrees. This full length studio album includes songs like “Bring It Back” and “Say It Loud”, mastered by the very talented Brian Malouf who has worked with music icons Madonna, Barbara Steisand, David Gray and Michael Jackson. Other tracks of note include the album’s 2014 lead single “Same Mistake” (a collaboration with Toronto recording artist VITAL) and the emotionally charged “Wonder”.
Timber Timbre is ushering in 2015 by revisiting one of 2014’s highlights – its magical May 23 performance at storied Massey Hall. The inaugural edition of the Live At Massey Hall concert-film series was recorded by Toronto filmmaker Mitch Fillion, and is available to watch online today courtesy of Massey Hall, in association with SiriusXM Canada.
Then it’s onto the freezing road for a Canadian tour with stops in the equally frozen and snow-struck eastern US beginning February 18. The band's latest album, Hot Dreams, has earned rave reviews from Billboard, TIME, Nylon, The Guardian, Esquire, and a spot on last year’s Polaris Music Prize Short List. Hot Dreams album track “Run From Me” was recently featured four times on NBC’s The Blacklist and the song also made its way onto the trailer for Lifetime’s Big Driver by Stephen King.
TIMBER TIMBRE TOUR DATES:
Feb 18 – Detroit, MI – The Magic Bag
Feb 19 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Feb 22 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
Feb 23 – Philadelphia, PA - Milkboy
Feb 25 – Boston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
Feb 26 – Providence, RI - Columbus Theatre -
Feb 27 – Portland, ME – Port City Music Hall
Feb 28 – Burlington, VT – Signal Kitchen
Dan Mangan’s follow up to 2011’s highly acclaimed, multi JUNO-Award winning Oh Fortune sees the Vancouver-based artist return and officially join forces with his long-time, now integral, band members from the Vancouver experimental music scene to play under the moniker Dan Mangan + Blacksmith.
Blacksmith is Kenton Loewen (drums), Gordon Grdina (guitar), John Walsh (bass) and often JP Carter (trumpet), Jesse Zubot (violin) and Tyson Naylor (keys). They bring an unmistakable character to Club Meds; a stark glassy edge that swells and sways like a roaring ocean. Through a fog of analog feedback loops and synths, the band's performances breathe deeply and steadily like a dragon at rest.
The album title, Club Meds, is one of the driving lyrical motions of the record; the idea that we’re all on vacation from having to be honest with ourselves – that sometimes it’s easier to medicate than deal with reality.
“Club Meds is about sedation” Mangan writes in the record’s liner notes. “Sedation can be chemical, but not exclusively so. There is a great vacation from actuality going on. Maybe there always has been. It seems like everybody else is already at the party and that life is somehow easier or more fun under the fog.”
The Vancouver band returns to Toronto’s Massey Hall February 28 with label mate Hayden, as part of their winter tour, listed below.
Jan 30 – Whitehorse, YT – Yukon Arts Centre
Feb 18 – Halifax, NS - Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
Feb 19 – Fredericton, NB - The Fredericton Playhouse
Feb 20 – Quebec City, QC – Imperial
Feb 21 – Montreal, QC - Corona Theatre
Feb 24 - Kingston, ON - Grand Theatre
Feb 26 - London, ON - London Music Hall
Feb 27 - Ottawa, ON - Theatre at NAC
Feb 28 - Toronto, ON - Massey Hall
Mar 1 - Guelph, ON - River Run Centre
Mar 5 - Winnipeg, MB - The Garrick
Mar 6 - Saskatoon, SK - O’Brians Event Centre
Mar 7 - Regina, SK - Darke Hall
Mar 9 - Banff, AB - Eric Harvie Theatre
Mar 10 - Calgary, AB - Jack Singer Concert Hall
Mar 11 - Edmonton, AB - Francis Winspear Centre for Music
Mar 13 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
Mar 14 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre