Nathan Wiley 
Who: Nathan Wiley
What: Fast-rising alternative-roots star
Where: Summerside, PEI
To Contact: Wendy Phillips/Phillips Public Relations Ltd., (902) 492-0960, www.nathanwiley.com.

Nathan Wiley's star is definitely on the rise. The Summerside, PEI native has been perking ears all over the country, especially since winning the CBC Radio program Definitely Not The Opera's "Big Break" contest. The singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist's debut CD, Bottom Dollar, was recorded entirely in his home province with a local crew of compadres, and Wiley on an array of instruments including electric and acoustic guitars, slide and lap steel, bass, drums and organ. The 25-year-old also wrote, arranged and produced the record. Often drawing comparisons to a young Tom Waits, Wiley's songwriting explores a wide range of characters, emotions and situations. "I don't really make an effort to write; they just sneak out when I least expect them," he says of his songs. "Sometimes I'm not even sure what they mean until later. I've just learned to leave them alone, instead of trying to mould them after they come out to one thing or the other." On record, the songs come swaddled in a warm, roots-y sound, with vocals that can either swagger or soothe, and melodies that have a yen to linger. The Waits-ian title track depicts the mindset of a man who is desperate enough to do anything, while the gorgeous ballad "Comeback" travels a forlorn heartscape, and the nostalgic "Home" yearns for the simplicity and comfort of childhood. Touring recently with Sarah Slean and Sarah Harmer has helped gain some extra exposure. Don't be surprised if Bottom Dollar puts Nathan Wiley on the fast track to the top.

Local Rabbits 
Who: Local Rabbits
What: Sophisticated, melodic indie rock
Where: Montréal/Toronto
To Contact: Dennis Stewart, Brobdingnagian Records, (902) 425-9669,

Montréal's Local Rabbits aren't so local anymore. The band's two guitarists/songwriters Peter Elkas and Ben Gunning have moved to Toronto, while the rhythm section - bassist Ryan Myshrall and drummer Jason Tustin (who also double-shift in the band Soft Canyon) - resides in Montréal. But if their third release This Is It Here We Go is any indication, they're not letting the Two Solitudes situation put a damper on their creativity. Recorded at the Gas Station in Toronto with co-owner Don Kerr (Rheostatics, Ron Sexsmith) behind the board, the record is a smart and savvy salvo of indie rock adventurism. With Gunning's keen melodic sense and Elkas' instrumental versatility, they forge a straight-up guitar rock sound, a la Joel Plaskett/Thrush Hermit or Sloan, but with elements of prog rock adding some sophistication. Perhaps Elkas' no-frills description of their genre-dodging sound works best: "It's rock with two guitars, bass and drums and keyboards and two songwriters. There's a focus on lyrics and instrumentation. And all our gear is '70s gear." And while he acknowledges the '70s influence, Elkas adds that they're "Always trying to be progressive at the same time and push some sort of boundary." Highlights include Gunning's elastic vocals on "At Least You Got The Cake" and "The Lights Turn On", Elkas' soulful "Poured All That I Got" and their nod to Steely Dan on "Pass It To You". Though their bi-local existence makes the Rabbits a cottontail of two cities, like their furry namesakes, when it comes to creativity, they've got a jump on all the rest.

Meraudio 
Who: Meraudio
What: Energetic modern rock with hooks galore
Where: Toronto, ON
To Contact: (416) 890-7581, , www.meraudio.com.

Meraudio is essentially the nom-de-rock of Toronto-based musician Matt Ruttan. Formerly known as Mer, Ruttan decided to alter the handle of his project when he learned that there are several similarly named bands in the US. After releasing a few EPs under the old moniker, Angels & Gasoline marks the first full-length CD under the Meraudio name. Calling his music "two-parts rock, one-part pop," Ruttan aims for edginess, accessibility and sincerity in his music. "For me, the number one thing is always honesty in a song," he explains. "I want to feel like I've exposed some part of myself. It's gotta be honest and it's gotta be edgy, but at the same time I'm pretty pop-oriented too, so it usually subscribes to that pop formula." Angels & Gasoline is fuelled by energetic modern rock with accessible melodies, churning guitars and modern beats. Standout tracks include the upbeat opener "Wasting Me", the ultra-catchy "Life For Forever" and, adding a change of pace for the closing cut, the aching acoustic ballad "Burdened Eyes". The disc has been getting support from campus radio and Ruttan hopes to push it further, though he is currently focussing mainly on publishing. "I just wanna get songs into ears. That's the bottom line." If he keeps writing and recording the kind of songs that wouldn't sound out of place on any modern rock radio playlist, you can bet that more ears will be filling up with the sounds of Meraudio.

Credit: Jim Kelly is a Toronto-based freelance writer.

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