Song Of The Day: September 04, 2015 - "She Could Tell" The Wild Romantics

Somewhere on the spectrum between Whitehorse and July Talk, lives The Wild Romantics. 

In the few years they have been making music together, Evan Miller and Aleisha Kalina have been wowing crowds with their energetic rock 'n' roll hooks, haunting lyrics, and gorgeous harmonies. Now they're finally set to release their debut EP, She Could Tell. 

It's out September 14th and promises to "reflect their amazing live performances" -- which makes me eager to hear it, since have been more and more impressed each time I see them live, especially with a full band. 

Check out the title track right down here.

3am Playlist #11: Breaking, Out West!

The 2015 editions of Break Out West and the Western Canadian Music Awards, taking place in Victoria, BC, are only 2 weeks away.

The festival is running in conjunction with Rifflandia, and the awards will take place on Sunday Sept 20th. If you're a band and want to attend the conference, or anyone that wants to go to the award show, make sure you register and/or get your tickets ASAP!

For this week's playlist we put together a collection of songs from both WCMA nominated artists and those performing at either Break Out West or the awards show. Quite a mix, so click the photo above to hear and enjoy.

Song Of The Day: September 03, 2015 - "All Clear" Aidan Knight

More music from Aidan Knight's upcoming album Each Other has been released. The new track, titled "All Clear", if definitely a step toward the 'true tear jerkers' that Aidan promised after receiving many tweets that "The Arp" was 'too sunny'.

It definitely sounds like classic Aidan and company, with a soft melody and vocals, that make you want to stare deep into a space-themed screensaver or an iTunes visualizer while you listen. We don't know the exact release date of the album, but seems like it will be the fall, and the band will be heading to Europe with Dan Mangan + Blacksmith in the meantime.

Have a listen below:

Song of the Day: September 02, 2015 - "Oh Donna" Library Voices

I knew that Library Voices had taken a bit of a break, as a band. I also knew that more recently, they had been working on some new stuff. I did not, however, know that it would be ready so soon. And I especially didn't know some of what happened to the band while they were recording it.

It seems a little while after they started work on the album, singer/guitarist Carl Johnson was jumped, beaten, and left unconscious in the street in an act of random violence. He ended up with a severe concussion, and the inability to smell bad odours. For a few months they were not sure if he would even be able to continue writing and performing music.

In the end, Johnson contributed 7 songs to the album (though apparently he still can't detect foul scents) and the remaining four tracks were fronted by Brennan Ross. Including the first single from the brand new album Loveish, "Oh Donna"

Song Of The Day: September 01, 2015 - "My Mind Is A Shark" Blimp Rock

Usually when I write these song of the day blurbs, I put a little something about how I feel about the song. Maybe pull a quote from the press release. Tell you why I think you should listen.
But the email I got from Blimp Rock (whose album Sophmore Slump has been one of my favourites of the year so far) is so awesome, I am just going to copy and paste it for you.

As both a marketing team and band we frequently get overwhelmed. This is where the inspiration for our latest song came from.

Animated by Parker Bryant, My Mind Is A Shark is a tribute to those of us who have busy brains. Whether your head is filled with to do-list items, social media statuses or blimp specifications, it's safe to say there are no shortage of ways for things to get crowded in the ole' noggin. Blimp Rock invites you to add another thing to the pile while hoping that it somehow helps lighten the load.

Our focus on funding our $700k festival on a blimp floating over Lake Ontario has come up short. We're still pushing forward planning on reaching our goal by releasing albums, touring as a relatively unheard of Southern Ontario rock band, and selling vintage office supplies such as rolodexes, fax machines and floppy discs. 

To purchase these, visit our website: http://www.blimprockenterprises.com/

Questions? See our FAQ.

Thanks for your time, we'd love to do business with you. 

BLIMP ROCK

There is nothing about this band I don't love. Their songs are ridiculously clever and catchy (as you can hear below), and I want nothing more than to buy vintage office supplies from them in order to fund Blimp Rock Live, their music festival that will take place on a blimp over Lake Ontario.
Failing that, I just want them to bring their live show (and powerpoint presentations) to Vancouver. 

Song Of The Day: August 31, 2015 - "Ride" Lowell

I wish this song came out at the beginning of summer, as I would have played it on every road trip I took over the last few months.

I'm still grateful for it, as I've had it on repeat the last little while, and it's helpful to pretend it's totally summer still (here in Vancouver at least). Close your eyes and picture yourself in a car on a highway, with the windows down, heading towards some sort of adventure.

Lowell has another hit on her hands with this one. Take a listen: 

Song Of The Day: August 30, 2015 - "Monument" Mutemath

It's been a few years since Mutemath put out their last album, Odd Soul, but the New Orleans four-piece has returned with a taste of what's to come. The first single off their upcoming album Vitals is "Monument", which toes the line of pop music, but without losing that distinct Mutemath flair. 

But I am most excited about the prospect of Mutemath touring the new album, and coming back to Vancouver. They are one of the most bonkers live bands I have ever seen, from drummer Darren King duct taping his headphones to his head, to lead singer Paul Meany's keyboard handstands, and crowdsurfing on a large air mattress.

Song Of The Day: August 29, 2015 - "Spirits" The Strumbellas

When I saw The Strumbellas play the Vancouver Folk Music Festival last month, they played a few new songs in their set. Two in particular stood out; one was "Shovels and Dirt" (which you can conveniently watch them perform at the CBC Music Festival in Toronto), and the other was this tune, "Spirits". 

It's a powerful and chilling song, and really makes me eager to hear the new album.