Violet Femmes Music

Great Advice from Fiona Bloom - "Build your Brand" and Avery Sunshine

2013-09-20T10:23:00.001-07:00

I have recently become obsessed with Instagram and I am amazed at the valuable connections I am making with fello IGers. Here is Fiona Bloom whom I connected with there.
If you are an indie artist she has some great advice. Check out her Fiona Bloom youtube channel and subscribe to find some great artists.

Fabulous music from Avery Sunshine and Joya and more. Here I Avery Sunshine singing "That Ugly Part of Me"

Savages and Thank You NPR Music and KCRW.

2013-08-02T16:50:00.001-07:00

The joy of blogging here at Violet Femmes is discovering all the new great music out there.
I recently started really focusing on creating a following for the blog via my Violet Femmes facebook page and also via my twitter account of the same name. I encourage you to go follow and like these pages if you enjoy the music and information I post there.

Twitter brought me to Savages. NPR had a feature of them performing in the KCRW studio and this video is intense.

It was recorded on August 1, 2013, and on their site they describe how "The British post-punk band recently brought its intense live show to the studios of KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic. Watch the group tear through a vicious version of its song "She Will.""

Savages are from London and are Jehnny Beth (vocals), her real name is Camille Berthomier and she was previously part of the French indie rock duo John & Jehn. Gemma Thompson is on guitar, Ayse Hassan on bass andFay Milton is the drummer.

You can like them on their facebook page.

This photo is by French photographer Richard Dumas .

I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did. Thank you NPR.

Mother Falcon - Blue and Gold (Official Music Video)

2013-08-02T15:52:00.001-07:00

This is stunningly beautiful video by Mother Falcon, a collective of musicians from Austin.

The music video for "Blue and Gold" is off their new album 'You Knew' available now on iTunes at http://bit.ly/mf_itunes.

Mother Falcon are creating quite a buzz. Their bio from their website states:

The young group – which is comprised of a rotating group of 15 to 20 musicians and boasts three cellos, six violins, horns a plenty, several pianos, a bassoon and a glockenspiel – have developed a huge following in their native Austin, receiving as many accolades for their innovative chamber performances as for their electrifying live rock club performances. Beginning as an after school jam among a handful of orchestra students looking for a more creative outlet than reading sheet music, Mother Falcon expanded into an organic collective of classically trained musicians unafraid to explore their varied musical influences.

I am grateful to bitcandy , a great music site, with radio and news etc., for discovering this great group of music makers.

Mother Falcon is currently touring the West Coast in support of You Knew.
Here are their dates.
8/3: Tucson, AZ @ Solar Culture
8/5: Hollywood, CA @ School Night
8/9: San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar 
8/13: Los Angeles, CA @ Largo at The Coronet
8/16: San Francisco, CA @ Hotel Utah Saloon
8/17: Davis, CA @ Sophia's Thai Kitchen 
8/19: Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios 
8/20: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile Cafe

Selina Koop and The Blank new Video

2013-07-26T13:58:00.001-07:00

Checking my email today there was a newsletter from Music BC. I decided to click on a link to the video for the song Completely, by Selina Koop and the Blank. Am I ever happy I did. What a stunningly gorgeous video to subtly complement the music that is, Completely.

The sound is best described as "intimate yet expansive, dark yet sparkling wrapping itself around the listener to soothe, haunt, and uplift."

You can get Selina and the Blank's music at bandcamp . Also you can support her on facebook.

Rena Jones, "The Diva of the Ambient Cello"

2013-07-18T09:32:00.001-07:00

I love getting updates from artists whose email lists I have signed up for.
It is even better when I follow a link and I get to hear brand new music that is fresh and beautiful. This is why I do what I do. The excitement of hearing new music never dies.

I got such a newsletter from Rena Jones.

“Multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer Rena Jones is a force to be reckoned with. At age 30, she boasts more than 30 collaborative albums, 3 full length solo albums, 20 years of classical violin study, and 12 years of cello—and she is considered one of the leading women in audio engineering today.” -- Strings Magazine

Her video "Echoes" ft Ilya Goldberg won my heart.
It is off her new CD of the same name, Echoes.
I got this information from her website:
“Echoes” is the fifth full-length album from seasoned producer Rena Jones…

Unlike Rena’s previous releases, Rena has chosen a new path to make a truly collaborative and live studio album while still holding true to her unique take on down-tempo music.
Pulling from her years of experience as a session musician, Rena decided to work with many long time collaborators as well as world renowned artists Sophie Barker on vocals (Zero 7 and Groove Armada), Matt Robertson on modular synth (Bjork, Lamb, Bat for Lashes), Earl Harvin on drums (Seal, Air) Laura Scarborough on grand piano (Quixotic Fusion), a live woodwind section and solo violinist Ilya Goldberg (Emancipator) to name a few.

She has several wonderful shows this year. Rena will be taking the album out on the road with a live drummer and mutli-instrumentalist Laura Scarborough on electric vibes, accordian and more.Here is what she has planned so far!

Gratifly
Lake Hartwell, SC

Sun Jul 28 2013
7:00p

Beloved Music Festival
Tidewater Falls, OR

Sun Aug 11 2013
4:00a

Decibel Festival

Show Box
Seattle, OR

Wed Sep 25 2013
10:00p

Art Outside
Rockdale, TX

Sat Oct 19 2013
8:00p

"It may be ambient but unlike much of the downtempo music around it’s certainly not background music" — Total Music Magazine

"The Diva of Ambient Cello" — John Diliberto , NPR

"Literally one of the best experimental artists currently making tracks. " — Women's Radio Brian Ball, Digital Bliss - Compilation review

Summer Concerts in the Courtyard featuring Christie Rose

2013-07-17T23:34:00.002-07:00

Christie Rose is performing at the Firehall Arts Centre as the first of a three part concert series that Jack Vickery and Beth Southwell of Nightingale Productions are producing with in partnership with the Firehall Arts Centre. Sunday, July 28th at 7:30pm. Spread the word, it's a lovely outdoor event in the courtyard. Christie will be joined by Noah Walker on guitar and Michael Simpsonelli on drums.

The Firehall Arts Centre is located at 280 E Cordova Street in Vancouver.

Buy your tickets here

The Good Lovelies, Touring UK and Canada and their 'Lie Down' video

2013-07-10T09:42:00.001-07:00

It's hard to believe that it was in 2009 that I first got The Good Lovelies CD and fell in love with this song, Lie Down. I had it on repeat in my car.

The Good Lovelies, (Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore) are "funny and upbeat, with just a pinch of sass."
Now four years later, and they are just completing their current UK tour and they are definitely one of the hardest working bands I have seen for a while.
It seems they will only have set foot back in Canada for a few weeks and they will be off on a nationwide tour, playing as far west as Victoria in BC, and right across to St John's, Newfoundland.

Jul 27: Edmonton, AB
Jul 29: Canmore, AB
Jul 31: Vancouver, BC
Aug 3: Victoria, BC
Aug 4: Hornby Island, BC
Aug 9: St. John's , NL
Aug 12: Kensington , PEI
Aug 14: Haliburton, ON
Aug 29: Ingersoll, ON
Aug 30: Grafton, ON

Their 2012 CD Live at Revolution is available at Amazon and features 16 beautiful tracks highlighting
their beautiful three-part harmonies, their constant instrument swapping and their witty on-stage banter.

My Heavens by Adrienne Pierce

2013-06-27T21:32:00.001-07:00

Adrienne Pierce has a new single out and I just love it. The album is also called My Heavens .

You can get her wonderful songs on iTunes.

Adrienne is such a hard working and dedicated musician. In March she was touring in support of her new release. She performed in the States, (Indiana, Idaho and Washington) as well as througout western Canada.
Back home in Vancouver, Adrienne recently performed at the Backstage Lounge as part of the Cold Reading Series. This series takes place every Monday. It is an evening with a mix of performances: actors presenting readings and a featured musician. This is a great concept and I hope Vancouverites head out to the Backstage Lounge to check it out.

Adrienne is on facebook, so why not drop by her artists page, and see what she is up to there.

I love this review from her show in Yakima, as it says things so perfectly:

“She’s a breathy chanteuse whose sensibilities are in line with the Wes Anderson set, the lovers of tiny and bittersweet and beautiful. If you like Feist you’ll probably like Pierce. If you like songs that sound pretty but have a little bit of a melancholic edge, you’ll probably like Pierce. “
-Yakima Herald

2012 was an exciting year for Adrienne Pierce. She recorded her new album My Heavens, scored a film and even got a Grammy nod. Her song “It’s Your Day” which was featured in two international commercials, made the ballot for Best Song from Audio/Visual. This all happened while she was taking a year off from music to teach Art, History and English at an alternative one on one school. 2013 looks to be a great year too. She released her fourth full length album, My Heavens February 19th and embarked on a tour across Canada and the USA February 17th. - See more at: http://www.adriennepierce.com/band_bio/#sthash.ae3HmTKr.dpuf

I just had to share this video of My Heavens and hope you enjoy it too.

Beth Southwell: Debut CD Release Concert at the Firehall.

2013-06-19T07:59:00.000-07:00

Vancouver's Beth Southwell has a new CD out and it is stunning. You can hear it on soundcloud.The CD Release concert is at the beautiful Firehall Arts Centre in Vancouver, BC and it is on June 22nd, 2013.

Beth will be joined by some of Vancouver's finest musicians including Jesse Waldman (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukulele, and piano), Michael Simpsonelli (drums), Michael Rush (bass), Monica Lee(viola), Meghan Engel (violin and saw) Christie Rose an Bahiyyih Peters (harmony vocals). Beth has said she is honoured to be in such fine company and looks forward to experiencing the magic that will be created on June 22nd.

Tickets are $12 and available through the Firehall website and
by telephone at 604-689-0926 or in person at the Firehall Arts Centre ( 280 East Cordova St.Vancouver)

Here is Beth joining Jesse Waldman at the Rio Theatre on June 6, 2013 for the Tom Waits Tribute Part 3. Michael Rush is on the bass and Michael Simpsonelli is on drums. These three will be part of the CD release concert so you can see will be an amazing night.

LINDSAY MAY: Shimmer (lindsaymay.com)

2012-03-12T09:30:00.001-07:00

This is taken directly from the Province and shared with you music lovers out there. I know Lindsay May and I am so happy for her and her new release.
LINDSAY MAY: Shimmer (lindsaymay.com)

Recorded over the past six months with co-producer Mark Gordon at Nimbus School of the Recording Arts, Vancouver singer-songwriter May doesn’t miss a single detail on this 10-track release. Every guitar slide, breathy harmony and note is Nashville-quality which is exactly where her music is geared. Already lauded by folkies in the know, it’s time that some DJs started showing some love to songs such as the “party all night” vibe of “Spinning 45s” and the tour de force of “Lie to You” (which gets both a band and solo acoustic treatment to clearly note how strong the writing is). That she’s blessed with killer pipes which can go all torch singer on a tune such as “Stick Around,” only to slide into almost ’70s Laurel Canyon country/rock balladry on “It Ain’t Easy . . . Being Me,” is one more bit of icing on the cake. Guess that’s why she does everything from solo gigs to the annual Motown Meltdown charity gig at the Commodore Ballroom (March 31) with such ease. For fans of everyone from Kathleen Edwards to Linda Ronstadt and all points in between.
Grade: A-
CD Release at Joe’s Apartment, Thursday, early show.

Miss Quincy - Dangerous video and the New CD

2012-03-10T17:03:00.001-08:00

Miss Quincy plays a stripped down acoustic version of "Dangerous" live from a glorious red couch found on Commercial Drive in Vancouver, BC.

Miss Quincy has a new CD coming out in April.

Pre-order a copy of Miss Quincy's new album Like The Devil Does and receive it before the release date. You can pre-order at the website.

AVAILABLE APRIL 10, 2012 - Miss Quincy gets down, dirty, and electric on her new album Like The Devil Does. Produced by Canadian roots & blues legend Tim Williams. Listen to a sneak peak here: www.missquincy.net/music

Pura Fe' - Hold The Rain

2011-08-20T10:31:00.000-07:00

Barbara Adler: Touring and 'Are You a Feminist?' Video

2011-05-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Barbara Adler is currently in the middle of a tour with Braveheart. She is playing as Fang! Here are the dates. If you are in the area, please check it out. "There is some mighty collaborating between both bands, and a whole lotta lift you by the seat-of-the-pants energy."

May 8th - The Somewhere There w/Kyle Brenders Quartet, Toronto

May 10th - Tranzac Club w/The Swyves, Toronto

May 11 - Featuring @ The Toronto Poetry Slam

Find the event on Facebook

May 12th - Almonte Poetry Slam

May 14th - CD Release Party! @ The Armatta Gallery, Montreal // 3255 St. Jacques, Montreal

Find the event on facebook.

May 26 - Vancouver CD Release Party @ El Barrio, Vancouver

Barbara will also be touring with the Fugitives from late May to early June. Ontario! Quebec! The Maritimes! Lobsters, Poutine, and running into the sea! They will be touring with one of our favorite humans and artists, Tanya Davis.

May 27: Barbara Adler featuring @ The Guelph Youth Poetry Slam

May 28: The Fugitives in Toronto, Toronto Poetry Slam

May 29th:The Fugitives in Kitchener, The Princess Cafe

May 30th: The Fugitives in Guelph, Ebar

May 31: The Fugitives in Peterborough, The Spill

June 1: The Fugitives in St. Marys, Once Upon a Thames Storytelling Festival

June 2: The Fugitives in Toronto, The Rivoli

June 3: The Fugitives in Ottawa, The Mercury Lounge

June 4: The Fugitives in Montreal, Le Divan Orange,

June 5: The Fugitives in Quebec City, L'Agitee

June 7: The Fugitives in Breadalblane, The Dunk

June 8: The Fugitives in Charlottetown, Hunters Ale House

June 9: The Fugitives in Fredericton, The Capital

June 10:The Fugitives in Hampton, Vintage Bistro

June 11: The Fugitives in Halifax, The Company House

June 12: The Fugitives in Halifax, The Company House (Noon Show)

June 12: The Fugitives in Wolfville, House Concert

June 13: The Fugitives in North Mountain, Garden Show

Isobel Trigger Nominated for Vancouver Island Music Award, "Nightmares" Music Video

2011-05-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

Isobel Trigger, based out of Vancouver BC, is a 5 piece all Canadian alternative pop/rock band that formed in May of 2008.
They have 3 nominations in this years Vancouver island music awards! Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the year AND Producer of the year!

Warpaint - Stars

2011-05-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

Warpaint make beautiful music. I went to their website for the latest info on them. The following is taken directly from their site.

Warpaint weave intricate guitar lines, hypnotic vocals and driving post punk rhythms into gorgeous, sprawling songs that skirt the line between psychedelia and intimacy. Both live and on record, Warpaint sound like they’re channeling something truly otherworldly, and mystical. Rough Trade released their long-awaited debut full-length album The Fool in October 2010.

Recorded in LA, The Fool was produced by Tom Biller (Beck, Karen O, Liars), with further mixes from Andrew Weatherall (New Order, Primal Scream, Bjork) and Adam Samuels (John Frusciante, Daniel Lanois). The Fool follows their Exquisite Corpse EP, released in 2009.

Following its release in October, Spin magazine gave The Fool an 8 out of 10 rating, while Pitchfork called it “a nine-song seance of an album that’s as subtle as it is disquieting.” Within the past year, Warpaint has been featured on the cover of NME magazine and was named one of BBC’s “15 Most Promising Artists of 2011”.

There is an incomparable chemistry between the three longtime friends (vocalists/guitarists Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman, bassist/vocalist Jenny Lee Lindberg) and the piston-like drummer (Stella Mozgawa) that got the group to proclaim “where’ve you been all our lives?” after a rehearsal or two. Stella did not become Warpaint’s steady drummer until The Fool’s final demo stages.

While they’ve gone through several drummers and countless sonic shifts since their West Coast start six years ago, one thing has remained certain about the all girl-quartet from Los Angeles: the goose bump-producing power of their live show, which has reduced many rooms to rubble in recent years. Warpaint has toured incessantly over the last couple of years with standout performances at CMJ, SXSW, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, as well as the Leeds, Reading and Laneway festivals. They have also shared the stage with The xx, Band of Horses, Yeasayer, Akron/Family, Javelin, and The Walkmen.

Warpaint is Emily Kokal (vocals/guitar), Theresa Wayman (vocals/guitar), Jenny Lee Lindberg (bass/vocals), and Stella Mozgawa (drums).

Time Heals: Lachi Helping Japan Through Music

2011-04-06T05:59:00.000-07:00

I got an email from Lachi, one of the artists on Violet Femmes, the CD Compilation, and she says;
"Let's help do our part in the effort of Japan relief through music! Donate to download "Time Heals" mp3. 100% will be donated to the Red Cross Japan Relief effort! So please enjoy some uplifting music as you help donate to the cause! You can help here at her site. A special thanks to the many who've donated already!

Sarah Cook singing Signals (Original)

2011-04-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

Sarah Cook is a young folk musician from Houston, Texas. Visit her on facebook.

Heather Haley, WILD WOMAN @ the Calgary International Spoken Word Festival

2011-04-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

Heather Haley, is appearing at WILD WOMAN @ the Calgary International Spoken Word Festival on Sunday, April 3 from 11:00am - 2:00pm. Come on down to the Auburn Saloon at #163, 115 – 9 Avenue SE, Calgary, AB

Heather is also one of the featured artists in the Spoken Word Workbook to be launched at the festival.

For more information on the WILD WOMEN event visit the Calgary Spoken Word Festival site.

The artists appearing alongside Vancouver's Heather Haley are Jen Kunlire (Calgary), Mary Pinkoski (Edmonton), Monica Caldeiro (Barcelona) w/ Eliz Robert, Elyse Maltin (Toronto) and Deanna Smith (Montreal).

What a hot line-up. What a way to wake-up! Women with something to say and unique ways to say it. A festival favourite—story circle woman song with a twist! Passion in the morning, and champagne and coffee.

The 8th Annual Calgary Spoken Word Festival is on is on from March 29 – April 16, presenting the most eclectic and exotic collection of Spoken Word artists in Banff & Calgary. With one of the hottest line ups they have had, this festival will storm the area with phenomenal poetry! With artists such as John Giorno, Sheri-D Wilson, Quincy Troupe, Robert Priest, George Elliott Clarke, Paul Dutton, Christian Bök, bill bissett, Brian Brett and many more! This year’s Festival welcomes the launch of the Spoken Word Workbook: inspiration from poets who teach – the 1st Spoken Word book and connected interactive website of its kind for Spoken Word enthusiasts to play and learn more, featuring 28 of the biggest names from across North America. Performances. Panels. Discussions. School Visits. Workshops. Something for everyone! For tickets, call 403.686.4292 or visit: www.calgaryspokenwordfestival.com

Here is Heather in AURAL HEATHER with a piece from her Princess Nut CD available on RPW Records.

Jaclyn Guillou - To The City CD Release Tour and Video

2011-04-01T22:20:00.000-07:00

I was recently invited to be Jaclyn Guillou's friend on facebook. I checked out her site and thought you would love to know more about Jaclyn and her music.
I found this info on her bio page,
"Vancouver based, B.C. born and raised Jaclyn Guillou (pronounced Ghee-you), is an award winning jazz vocalist who performs original music and jazz standards. Her soon to be released album, To The City, has a sound that is most comparable with crossover artists and female jazz singer-songwriters such as Melody Gardot and Madeleine Peyroux.
Her compositional skills include interesting and unusual arrangements of standards that are reminiscent of Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy King. Her influences range from the queen of the blues Dinah Washington, passionate Diane Reeves, folk singer-songwriter Martin Sexton and Brazilian legend Elis Regina. This young twenty-something artist strives to merge the sound of deep jazz roots and hip modern sounds to appeal to music lovers of all sorts."

Jaclyn is taking to the road to promote her new CD, To The City and she has been sponsored with 2 beautiful dresses to wear on tour by Vancouver fashion designer, Mara Gottler!

Wednesday April 6th sees her at the Cultch in Vancouver. Their site has this to say:
" This concert marks the start of her Western Canada tour and celebrates the release of her debut studio album To The City.... With her international band: New York vibraphonist Tom Beckham, Belgian pianist Bram Weijters, Vancouver bassist Michael Rush and Toronto/Vancouver drummer Joe Poole she has delighted audiences everywhere.
A recipient of the 2009 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award, Jaclyn has attracted the attention of all sorts of music lovers with her diverse and eclectic style."

Here are the tour dates for the WESTERN CANADA “To The City” CD RELEASE TOUR
You can email info@jaclynguillou.com for information on times etc.
Tue, April 5th 2011 Surrey, BC Newton Cultural Centre
Wed, April 6th 2011 Vancouver The Cultch
Thu, April 7th 2011 Silverton, BC Silverton Gallery
Fri, April 8th 2011 Invermere, BC Strand’s Old House
Sat, April 9th 2011 Creston, BC Sasquatch Arts and Music Society
Mon, April 11th 2011 Lethbridge,AB Lethbridge Jazz Society Presents
Tue, April 12th 2011 Medicine Hat House Concert
Wed, April 13th 2011 Moose Jaw, SK Library Theatre
Thu, April 14th 2011 Rosthern, SK Station Arts Centre
Fri, April 15th 2011 Edmonton, AB Yardbird Suite
Sat, April 16th 2011 Calgary, AB BeatNiq Jazz Club
Sun, April 17th 2011 Kelowna, BC Vineyard Estate, House Concert
Tue, April 19th 2011 Kamloops, BC Caffe Motivo

"Spring" by Leah West nominated in the BC Interior Music Awards

2011-03-31T01:03:00.000-07:00

Because it's Spring and because this song is up for "Single of the Year" ♥ parce que c'est le Printemps et parce que cette chanson est en nomination pour la "Chanson de l'Année" ♥

Leah West has caught the attention of the music world with her clever lyrics, ingenious melodies, and her amazing voice. One minute you'll be moved to tears with her ethereal ballads and the next be rockin' to her upbeat tunes. Her songs can be light and quirky, or deep, thought-provoking and soulful. Her voice is powerful, captivating and soaring with a hint of grit. Infectious hooks that will haunt you. People often tell her she left them with goosebumps. Keep an eye on this super-talented woman; she's destined for great things.

She is up for awards at this years BC Interior Music Awards. In addition to being up for People's Choice, she is also a finalist for "Songwriter of the Year", "Pop Song of the Year" and "Pop/Contemporary Recording of the Year"

Shelley O'Brien at Cellar Jazz: Everything is Green Video

2011-03-31T00:32:00.000-07:00

TURNER MUSIC EVENTS presents SHELLEY O'BRIEN at

Cory Weeds Cellar Jazz Club, 3611 West Broadway in Vancouver, BC on Thursday, March 31 from 8:00pm - 10:30pm.
Shelley presents accessible Pop music from a Melancholy Poet with an unshakably happy streak.

Canadian ukulele songstress Shelley O'Brien has been joyfully sharing her artistry in far-off places for some time. In whatever changing landscapes she finds herself in, Shelley lands, sings, and leaves behind stories of child-like wonder, vast northern spaces, and the much more intimate spaces of the heart.

Since 2008, she has toured Europe, played at festivals in Paris, Venice and Helsinki, been hosted by venues in Barcelona, Rome, Tokyo, Rotterdam and Reykjavik, as well as returning to her Canadian homeland to play at major city hot spots.
Tickets $10 Reservations 604 738 1959 reservations@cellarjazz.com

Shelley will be playing Ukulele, keyboards and singing and will have Caitlin Hayes on Accordion and Matthew Rogers on Bass, guitar, percussion and drums.

Papermoon - Where Did All Our Time Go

2011-03-28T06:35:00.000-07:00

Paper Moon is a pop band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Broken Hearts Break Faster Every Day is the group’s second record.

Filled with gorgeous, expansive melodies, Broken Hearts... builds layers of instrumentation and expertly delivered vocals into an elegant pop record. Standout tracks include “Turning Colours Into Greys,” “Last Goodbye,” “These New Friends of Yours...” and “String of Blinking Lights” (co-written with New York producer/Ivy member Andy Chase).

You can visit them on facebook.

Madison Violet at Pacific Contact and "The Ransom" video.

2011-03-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

Madison Violet will be at Pacific Contact on April 1, 2011. Then they continue touring.
Both hailing from Scottish small towns in Canada, Brenley MacEachern and Lisa MacIsaac have chosen another musical path; one that channels their parent’s vintage record collection that comprised of the likes of Neil Young and Dolly Parton. Madison Violet came to be nearly 10 years ago after a chance meeting at restaurant in Toronto. Since that fateful meeting, the pair have come into a sound of their own, which has been described as both city-folk and Americana.

The NO ORDINARY HIGHWAY SPRING TOUR features the Canadian female duo Madison Violet and The John Henrys. As both of these bands tour through Ontario and the West Coast come check out this site for daily tour blog updates and news from the road!.

Visit True North Records for info on their CD, No Fool For Trying.

Amanda Tosoff Trio back in Toronto, and video from the Zacatecas Jazz & Blues Festival 09

2011-03-25T17:51:00.000-07:00

Amanda Tosoff and her trio will be at the Old Mill Homesmith Bar this Saturday, March 26, 2011. She has two wonderful musicians joining her: Jon Meyer on bass and Morgan Childs on drums.

Come on out for some great tunes composed by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Monk and Amanda.

Time: 7:30 to 10:30.
Address: 21 Old Mill Road, Homesmith Bar, Toronto
No cover, $20 Minimum

Amanda has been in NYC for the last few months and she's happy to be back in Toronto.
Here she is performing at the Zacatecas Jazz Festival.

Sharon Van Etten at SXSW sings Don't Do It, and her Vancouver Show

2011-03-25T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sharon Van Etten has just had a great SXSW experience and she will be appearing at the Media Club here in Vancouver on March 29th. It is just one night of a huge tour promoting her new CD, Epic. Doors 8 pm, show 9:30 pm

Sharon is a Brooklyn indie guitarist and singer-songwriter ("One Day", "Much More Than That") and is appearing with guests Little Scream.
Tix are $14 (plus service charges and fees) at Red Cat, Zulu Records, and www.ticketweb.ca/

Media Club ( 695 Cambie, Phone: 604-608-2871 )

As found on Sharon's website:
"Epic, Van Etten’s second album, lays a romantic melancholy lining over the gravel and dirt of heartbreak, without one honest thought or feeling spared. She sings of betrayal, obsession, egotism and all the other emotions we hate in others and recognize in ourselves. Yet, Van Etten’s grounded and clenched vocals convey the sense of hope – the notion that beauty can come out of the worst of circumstances. Epic is indeed that beauty.
The album was recorded at Miner Street Studios in Philadelphia with Brian McTear. Where Van Etten’s first record, Because I Was In Love, explored her thoughts on love through minimalism and sparseness, Epic embellishes her music to grandiose luminosity. Guitar and singing are joined by drums, piano, lap steel, and a trio of backing vocalists: Meg Baird (Espers), Cat Martino and Jessica Larrabee (She Keeps Bees). The result is a fully realized album that astounds as it elucidates, disturbs as it soothes. The final track, “Love More,” has already been covered live in a collaborative effort between Sharon fans Bon Iver and The National.
A few things need to be made clear about SVE’s music. She’s not the type of “female singer/songwriter” who champions women-centric perspectives and denies personal accountability. Nor is she a strident provocateur. Rather, Van Etten is a performer who fully embraces her femininity while confidently expressing it through intelligent and mature perspectives on relationships. Those turned off by the provincialism of other performers will be pleased that you can identify with Van Etten’s incisive and universal observations about love and loss.