Canadian Musician Blog

Fist Fight In The Parking Lot

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:39:00 +0000

SNL hasn't been funny in years, but Dave Grohl can make anything cool (even Ashton Kutcher). Sounds like Black Flag's "TV Party."

The Musical Brain

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 15:44:58 +0000

I just saw an ad on Bravo! promoting their airing of The Musical Brain, a documentary that I've been rather interested to see. Here's a synopsis from Bravo!'s website:

The Musical Brain (E) 2008.
This documentary illuminates how the brain uses music to shape the human experience. Featuring insights from Grammy Award-winning musicians Sting and Wyclef Jean; Grammy and JUNO Award-winner Michael Bublé, and seven-time JUNO Award-winner Feist, this riveting one-hour documentary reveals how music is interpreted by those who create it and those who listen to it

I think the relevance is pretty apparent here, and recommend checking it out. Perhaps we can discuss here sometime this week?

Thrush Hermit Reunion

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:46:17 +0000

I know the blog has been a bit saturated with Joel Plaskett news since we stuck him on the cover back in November 2009, but this is too good to be ignored. Joel's original band Thrush Hermit has announced a short reunion tour that'll hit the east coast before travelling to Toronto for two dates at Lee's Palace. This is a pretty cool opportunity for anyone in or around one of these cities.

The dates and one of the band's videos can be found HERE. The blog is called North by East West, and it seems pretty cool...

Help For Haiti

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:15:02 +0000

Help the earthquake victims in Haiti. Visit the World Vision Canada donation
page at www.worldvision.ca/give-a-gift/Pages/EarthquakeinHaiti.aspx

A NAMM Good Time

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 22:26:19 +0000

Just got back from a crazy busy (but fun busy, you know?) week down in Anaheim, CA at the NAMM Show. For those unfamiliar with it, the NAMM Show is basically the biggest annual gathering of music gear in North America, where all of the big names in drums, guitars, DJ equipment, recording gear, and everything else in between come together to show off the latest and greatest. Of course, along with the next-generation toys are last generation's hairstyles, but I digress...

We'll have a wrap-up video for you in no time with some of the sights, sounds, and celebs from the show, and you can check out spots on some of the gear unveiled there in the next few issues of CM. Expect a big impact from new stuff by Pearl, Roland, Sanyo (yep), and many others...

A Regular Bob Dylan (but not really...)

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:43:16 +0000

I was lucky enough to finally land myself a decent acoustic guitar. I mean, I was getting pretty crafty with my electric's clean tone, but it's just not the same trying to rock a campfire with a Fender Twin. Anyhow, my neighbours have been listening to nothing but second-rate Weakerthans and Joel Plaskett covers this week, and I couldn't be happier about it.

It's an Ibanez EW20 ASE (nice, isn't it?), and while Ibanez isn't a company that built its reputation with acoustic guitars, this beautiful-looking and sounding instrument leads me to believe they could have. I'm really, really impressed, and glad my family was kind enough to give such a stellar gift.

I'm working on a countrified version of an Alexisonfire tune. I'll let you know how it goes...

Year-End Lists

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 12:43:27 +0000

So a lot of the popular webzines and print publications have dropped their "Best Of 2009" lists, though I'm having a hell of a time trying to think of what my top 10 will look like (though #1 might be obvious...). There were some terrific releases this year, and when I get it to a pool of 20 or so, about 17 of them are Canadian. Sure, most of the albums I receive through my profession are Canadian releases; however, the amount of quality Canadian albums released in 2009 far surpasses what one might expect from the ratio of Canadian and foreign releases (at least in this guy's eyes...)

Feel free to post or link to your list in the comments - I find them a great source for new music I was either unaware of or simply unable to check out.

Happy New Year, and cheers to a musical 2010.

5 Music Business Predictions

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:06:22 +0000

SonicBids founder Panos Panay's blog, Panos' Brew, is a great resource for industry info and opinions from one of the decade's most influential music moguls. With the new year only a couple of days away, why not check out Panos' "5 Music Business Predictions" for the new year. What do you think?

Read the entry by clicking the link below:

http://panosbrew.sonicbids.com/2010-5-music-business-predictions-and-a-football-one/

Tweet, Tweet!

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:20:11 +0000

Have you signed up to follow us on Twitter? Find us at: www.twitter.com/cdnmusician. Santa's checking our list of Followers for guaranteed "Nice" list placement, so don't waste time. Hope all's well gearing up for the holidays.

I can't wait to spike an eggnog and sing Weakerthans covers near the fireplace with a Santa cap. You?

Mornings Are Best For Words

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:20:01 +0000

The next issue of CM has a rather quirky, but ultimately quite useful songwriting column from Vancouver's Sam Bradley. He's the dude that wrote the tune "Never Think (So Far Gone)" that was made SUPER famous by the Twilight film and its star. (in fact, this lovely photo of Sam is from some "Twilight Sisterhood" site. Yikes.) One of Sam's assertions in the column is that mornings are best for words.

Just now, I'm understanding exactly what he means. It's 9:30 p.m. here on the gentle island, and I'm trying to chip away at a piece. It's not particularly difficult - actually, it's a lot of fun; however, I'm hitting a brick wall trying to think of a clever way of getting the story to you. I think what I'm going to do is heed Sam's advice by grabbing a beer and getting ready to watch The Office, then getting up nice and early tomorrow and giving this thing the bright-eyed attention it deserves.

If you have the time, check out Sam's site at www.sambradley.com, and keep an eye for the Jan/Feb 2010 issue.

Sennheiser Has Your Hook-Up

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:51:39 +0000

Our friend at Sennheiser are currently running a contest that should have musicians salivating. After the company's summer-long Sound Tour, it rolled out the Sound Tour Hook-Up, where one winner will take home a $10,000 sound experience of their choosing. We're talking $10K towards new Sennheiser gear for your band, or to have a huge backyard party with an international DJ, or to ship you off to, say, Seattle to see one of your favourite artists. You can get the skinny at SennheiserSoundTour.com, or by checking out the promo video at the new CM Multimedia page - CanadianMusician.com/Multimedia.

The New Testament

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:28:44 +0000

The 11th (and therefore newest) edition of The Indie Bible is now available. The book lists thousands of places where your music can be reviewed or underground radio stations that will play it. Basically, the book is a go-to resource that will show you how to promote your music, regardless of music style, and save you quite a bit of time.

We're talking 4,200 publications that might review your work, 3,400 radio stations, 600 vendors that'll help you sell your music, 330 sites where you can upload MP3s, and more. There are also articles to help propel your career. You can check out the title at MusicBooksPlus.com.

Ohbijou, So Relaxed Are You

nospam@example.com (Lynsey Kitching) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:40:59 +0000

So, it's a fall afternoon, and this video encapsulates my desire to go and frolic in the leaves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXcebV04aVM

enjoy!

Band Foto

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:15:12 +0000

We've got a feature coming at you in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue about sync licensing for your tracks, and one of our helpful interviewees is Benjamin Rouse, the Producer of aux.tv's Band Foto. In each episode of the show (which both stream online and appear on the newly-formed Aux.tv cable channel), an up-and-coming Canadian artist is professionally photographed and, during the taping, able to discuss their music, careers, and more.

Our friends in The Artist Life, as well as great artists like Mother Mother, The Reason, and Magneta Lane have all been (or are about to be) featured, so check out the program if you get a chance.

The Canadian Musician's Survival Kit

nospam@example.com (Andrew King) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:14:29 +0000

We're nearing the holidays, and in the true spirit of giving, we've got a Santa-sized deal for those of you that are missing either your subscription to CM or NWC's Music Directory Canada, 9th Edition. By heading over to MusicBooksPlus, you can pick up your Survival Kit for $45.95 CDN. This includes a year's subscription to CM (normally $19.95) and your copy of Music Directory Canada (usually $44.95).

I'm pretty good at math, but for anyone who isn't, this is a pretty sweet deal. MDC is your guide to the Canadian music industry, with 60 categories of contacts you may need in your pursuit of success. CM is, well, CM, and that should speak for itself.

This Kit is waaayyy better than a lump of coal in your stocking, and not too far off price-wise, either, so Ho Ho Ho from the elves at CM - and happy holidays!