Chloe Albert ~ Honey Bee

And now for a return to some Alberta-bred musicians!

I saw this girl for the first time at a FolkFest. Was it last year or the year before? Right now, I can't remember. All I always remember about a great musician is how amazing they sound! Check out her myspace page!

Katie Melua - Closest Thing To Crazy

I REALLY need to update my iPod...seriously, if I have any more of this gush LOVE crap coming my way for the rest of this week, I may puke, or burst into tears as I did this morning...

Alas, I love Katie Melua to ever cut HER out of my life, at least not completely...maybe I'll just put a moratorium on it for, say, the next three weeks.  That should get this single girl through Valentine's Day, no?

Sara Bareilles - Bottle It Up

I remember moving back to Canada almost three years ago, only to find this brilliant new artist sending ripples out across the airwaves. I heard this song and was immediately sold on her as an amazing artist! Then, last summer, she came out with another album of genius, and I remain in awe of her.


Check out my post from earlier this year:

http://edumusication.blogspot.com/2011/01/sara-bareilles-king-of-anything.html

Alanna Clarke - Fine Line

“Alanna has a voice that is a natural gift. But it’s the artist behind that voice that excites me. She writes with a depth and passion that reveal wisdom and an unmistakable style. You’ll be hearing this voice for a long time to come.” - Christopher Ward, Clarke's producer

Born and raised in Cochrane, Alberta, this 18-year-old songstress has been performing her music since the age of ten, and it shows. Her lyrics and her voice capture the emotion of mature music soul, and there is no second guessing that writing music is her calling.

Her talent for creating music was discovered by Christopher Ward, through her cousin's performance at a Songwriters Association of Canada panel in ottawa. Overly impressed and aware of talent when he heard it, Christopher Ward approached Clarke's cousin and her big break began to happen. This song, Fine Line, was featured on a movie produced by another Canadian classic, Degrassi, last summer, which will only add to her publicity. That same summer, she was a member of U22, an organization that promotes blooming musical talent under the age of 22. Through U22, she was able to perform at both Canmore and Edmonton's Folk Music Festival, where I was introduced to her sound, and subsequently bought her cd. It's been through my cd player a few times since then, and I am delighted to finally share her with you! As Ward said, "You’ll be hearing this voice for a long time to come.”

For more on Miss Clarke, check out her website:

http://alannaclarke.com/index.php

Day 111: Melissa McClelland - Passenger 24

How did I ever come across Melissa McLelland? I can't really remember...it was at least eighteen months ago, I remember that. But I can't remember how I came to know of her...and that is strange.

Every time I listen to McClelland's fourth album, Victoria Day, I remember riding in my sister's Ford Ranger, riding out of the city for a mountain-bike-riding adventure. The dust from the sides of the road explodes behind us as the beat picks up between the first and second parts of my favourite tune, the title track. That transition - between Victoria Day (April Showers) and Victoria Day (May Flowers) - reaches into my psyche in a way that music is supposed to; in the way that I fell in love with the craft. It's not just about the lyrics, but so much more than that. As a writer, I understand the rhythm of words, and how to use them to create a certain affect on the reader. It is music like this that makes me wish I was a musician so that I could understand how to create so much more than words to have a greater affect on the listeners...

If this is your first time hearing McClelland, I hope it's not your last. Born in Chicago, but raised in Hamilton, Ontario, she made her big break in Toronto and will therefore forever be claimed by Canada. Her music is reminiscent of great American folk artists, though - reminding us all that it matters less where you're from than what artists have influenced you. In North American folk, it's pretty tough to not have been touched by numerous different cultures. That's what I love about living in this mosaic.

Passenger 24 is off of her third album, Thumbelina's One Night Stand, which I have yet to add to my collection....must put that on a 'To Do' list somewhere (it looks worthy of being on my shelf, not just playing in my ears). This single, apparently, made big waves for her south of the border, which never hurts an artist. For her fourth album, she did a few more collaborations (fellow Canadian Ron Sexsmith and her husband, Luke Doucet, who also produced the album), and apparently that's when she popped onto my radar: 2009. Well, I'm glad she did, because every once in awhile you need a good album to listen to while you sit back, relax, and go on a journey through the country roads of our past...

SHAD - Rose Garden (Official Video)

Born in Kenya, to Rwandan parents, and raised in London, Ontario, this hip hop artist is Canadian. Unlike most other hip hop artists, he is self-deprecating. He also values education, as he is currently working on his Masters in liberal studies at SFU, and holds a business degree form Wilfred Laurier University. And I love this song! It's so upbeat, and reminiscent of the Jackson Five...but in a twenty-first century sort of way...

Twangtown Paramours ~ The Ballad of Little Lula

Self-described as a combination between gospel, old country and blues, this duo makes a really good sound! They remind me of my roots - old country. The first time I heard their album in its entirety, I fell in love with their sound, and listen to it now when I need to hear a good old-fashioned country love tune. My favourite is "Simple and True."

From Nashville, these two met through a random acquaintance at a recording studio. They began dating, and eventually started to lend musical incite into each other's work. One thing led to another, and they've recorded a self-titled album together. Check out http://www.twangtownparamours.com/music/ for more information.

This song is a delight! Oh, Little Lula...

Corb Lund ~ (Gonna) Shine Up My Boots

Get ready for 2011!

I know that New Year's has passed and all that jazz, but, well, you still have today before you go back to work/school/the real world. Well, that is, of course, if you're not like me and THIS is your real world. In any case, I hope the next twelve months are filled with fun, fabulous events like the one Corb Lund describes in this song...or however else you describe a good time!

Video From Day Five: Michael Bublé ~ Haven't Met You Yet With Lyrics

Ah....Buble...so good for a good love song...I LOVE you!

Day Five: I've had this song running through my head for the last few days. Love it! Love Mr. Buble! True Canadian Talent...

Update: Still love Mr. Buble...but kinda cynical about the whole "falling in love" thing. Well, no...not really... My old roommate is rolling her eyes now... Yeah, I will always be a romantic, no matter how many times my heart is broken on the way to not just dancing in a grocery store (already did that!) but to having confetti fall on me and people dance around me as I SING and dance in a grocery store...awn, makes my heart flip just thinking about it. I like falling in love... It's a nice concept...

Video From Day 24: Feist ~ 1234

Day 24: Such a colourful video!
Can I be thankful for technocolour?

Update: I will always be thankful for Technocolour...and for Black and White too ;-) ... and for Feist!

Ben Lee - I Love Pop Music

This song makes me feel better about my love for pop music. And, yeah, the song has a very "poppy" sound to it...although, I wouldn't call Ben Lee one of those "pop artists." Remember his song, Catch My Disease? Yeah, you don't hear him on the radio...not even CBC radio! (Because, of course, his Australian-American, but whatever...)

Video From Day 24(2): Hannah Georgas ~ The Beat Stuff

Day 24: I'm thankful for good friends, good family, good music, and finding my home wherever I go. :-D

Update: Who wouldn't love this lady?!? Definitely impossible for me not to...

This is the song that did it in for me. Just listen to that beat...and then she put lyrics that rock on top of it! Man, this girl is going places...and I can't do enough to help her get there!

Oh, man, I love this song...I hope you do too!

Okay, I'm done gushing...

MASS CHOIR - 90's Inspired

A few months ago, I came across another artist I used to ride the bus with, Matt Skopyk. He's a bit older than me, so I've ALWAYS looked up to him, especially since he was in the artistic programs of high school that I gravitated towards as well. At some point, reverence follows talent more than age; but in high school, it's easier to recognize the latter. Now I recognize the talent, as do members of our current community, Edmonton.

In September, Mass Choir was named SONiC's Band of the Month, which brought the band a bit more face time out there, but they're definitely ready for more. Although not produced in the 90's, their sound is - as Matt explains in the video - reminiscent of those dance mixes we heard in our childhoods, but with a modern beat pounding throughout. You can't here that so much in this live version, but check out their video on vimeo:



You may need to copy and paste this into your browser: vimeo.com/14602653

Then, if you ARE in Edmonton, and still looking for a great way to spend your Friday night, come on out to Teddy's and here them LIVE:

The Bedrooms & Basements Recording Company is proud to present: The Provincial Archive's First Annual Christmas Party!
Featuring:
MASS CHOIR

http://vimeo.com/13395165

&
THE PROVINCIAL ARCHIVE

www.theprovincialarchive.com

&
DJ WIJIT
Spinning the finest in Disco/Soul/House to keep the party shakin'
FRIDAY DECEMBER 17
Teddy's - 11361 Jasper Ave (Upstairs)
Advanced tickets go on sale Nov 25 from


http://www.theprovincialarchive.com/tickets

Tickets are cheap, too, which is something I look for in an up and coming band...

Video From Day 27(1): Royal Wood ~ On Top Of Your Love

Day 27: If ever given the chance, you must see this man live! The song captures his energy well, but nothing beats a live show!!!

Update: Yeah, now that I know Royal, I can't stop hearing about him...and hearing him. Amazing Amazing Canadian Artist! Still looking for the perfect gift for somebody - this is it!!!

Video From Day Four: Danny Michel & The Camp Town Racers - Sweet Things

Oh, Danny Michel!

Day Four: This will be the best trip ever - saw Danny Michel first thing off the plane!!! So stoked! Already been a fabulous night! Thanks, ladies!

Expansion: Danny Michel was the first indie artist I saw live, and I fell in love with his life performance. Sadly, I did not fall for the recorded album of his that I bought there...it wasn't the same.
Luckily, perspectives change. :-D And his sound has only improved. You know how some artists are fabulous on their first album, but then it slowly declines. I've had this conversation with another music snob before, but in regards to BNL (an old fav of mine). With BNL, though, their music declined because they had so much success, the music snob argued. Same thing with Death Cab For Cutie.

And that, my dear friend, is the beauty of slow success!

Danny Michel is well known throughout the indie scene, but he is very indie. Even my best music friend did the whole, "Danny who?" when I talked about him. So, without huge success in his beginning, he's only gotten better. Now, though, I think he's ready for people to appreciate all his hard work. So, if you're still looking for the perfect gift for the music lover on your holiday list this year, consider Danny's work. And, if you're still thinking about what you should get me, ... he's coming to Edmonton in 2011, and I would love to have tickets to his show! ;-)

Video From Day Three/Fifteen/Sixty-Nine: Jeremy Fisher - Fall For Anything

Ok...so perhaps this song needs no more exposure from me, but I love it! So you get to see the music video the SECOND time on my blog...and hear a small rant on it for the fourth time...

Day 3: I'm so tired of ignoring the universe...it's time for me to stand for myself above all else.

Day 15: Happy World Vegetarian Day!
This came on my shuffle yesterday, and I had one of those amazing experiences that happens when I listen to my personal favourites in public. The rest of the world disappeared for four and a half minutes, and I escaped into my own thought. This year marks seven years of vegetarian living for me...and every year, I stand just a little bit stronger for what I believe in...

Day 69: Last week, I met this girl through an indie radio station who referred to Jeremy Fisher as 'this guy, Jeremy Fisher.' At first, I was shocked. Did she really not know Jeremy Fisher? Everybody I had talked to about folk music had already known about him. In the end, she didn't like him, and I believe that was why she referred to him as 'this guy' rather than by his name. That made me sad, but, it's ok. Everybody gets to have their own favourite music. Jeremy Fisher is one of my many favourite artists.

This song was number two on Day 3, and the only one on Day 15. Now, on Day 69, I share the video on my blog. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoy sharing him with you.

Update/Expansion: I really have started to listen to the universe and feel better about myself as a cheating vegan. I'm getting stoked about launching my vegan blog in January and even went back to the library to begin research on it too. Every week, I'm more productive, and less distracted, which is always my biggest problem. Well...that has nothing to do with Jeremy Fisher, but it is related to me changing the world, which is what this song inspires me to do! I hope it does the same for you, too! :-D

PS>> If you ever have the chance to see this man live, go for it!

Video From Day Three: Hawksley Workman ~ Jealous of Your Cigarette

Ok, this second video from the first fifty days does return us back to the week of H, but it goes back a long way - day 3!

Day Three: first song of the day ... I <3 Hawksley Workman!

Update/Expansion: There were two songs on this day. I'll repost the second right after this one. I feel like I was a bit harsh on Hawksley earlier this week, and I do want to apologise. I don't like the Striptease video, though, and it's fair to say that I can't like everything. This video, on the other hand, I do enjoy! I hope you do, too!

Video From Day Two: Coco Love Alcorn ~ Intellectual Boys

We Interrupt The Week of "H"s with a look back at some of my fav videos/songs from the First Fifty Days. I'll start with Coco...

Day Two: From the girl who brought you the song about the bicycle...I love Coco! So sad I missed her in Edmonton this spring!

Update/Expansion: Coco was in E-town the weekend that I moved into my apartment in Garneau. She was playing at the Myer Horowitz, so it would have been a quick trip to see her, but I think my friends and family who had volunteered their time to help me move might have been a bit upset if I had just left everything with them at 7. Such is being a responsible individual...ugh...
Coco was on tour while pregnant, which would have made for an interesting show! She'll probably be out for a few more months, or years - I'm not sure. When she starts touring again, though, def check her out! Until then, enjoy her music, and buy her cd - Joyful!

Day 75: "Fake Palindromes"- Andrew Bird

I know the best things of my life have been unplanned but today was not among those. Don't get me wrong, it was good, just not the best. Stumblin' upon this musician was better than today...

When I first saw Jeremy Fisher, he explained how the live recording worked, and the fact that he had picked it up from Danny Michel. When I last saw one of my friends from uni, she showed me this dude on TED Talks. He illustrated the live recording with approximatey fifteen different instruments - lovely! - but long. This is a shorter, but still sweet song of his. Enjoy!

Jill Barber Oh My My

Another Jill Barber song to the rescue!

This one is more reminiscent of the swinging sixties...and slavery-fighting field chants (Oh My My). There is a proper word for that...I jut can't think of right now. Please comment! I love the urgency with which her heart seeks freedom. It's a good video too...