Mississippi Kings get crowned on the Radio

Alright alright, sure the title of this blog is a bit obvious but come on - check out the attached clip and see if you don't agree. We Canadians can sometimes not see the forest for the trees...the mountain right in front of us. These guys are HUGE in Europe - headlining shows in Italy and selling out wherever they go. Here in their home country - not so much.

This act has it all - killer players and some wonderful vocals and arrangements to their songs.

A new EP is being release by the band soon. In the meantime check out the clips of the MK's unplugged. A couple of rare clips are up on You Tube. More to follow.
The entire performance will be uploaded to this blog page shortly. You will be able to upload it as a podcast - for your entertainment pleasure!

In the meantime if you want to pick up their wicked first CD, please go go:
http://www.chcanada.com/product/6195/Canadian_Sounds

Hamilton Indie Bands Live on the Radio

We are pumped to have a bunch of Hamilton Bands join us on the CHCanada.com Indie Radio Show this coming Wednesday. The bands you'll hear performing in the Caledon Radio Studio are as follows:

The Cartakers
Matt Paxton
Barry Mac
and the fabulous Mississppi Kings. If you listen to the show you know we like this act. They have a classic rockin' sound that mixes blues and funk with equal messure. It is an interesting stew of influences. Even the songs they cover are interesting - case in point is this attached video of them performing the old Marvin Gaye classic "What's Goin' On" with all proceeds going to charity. Now that's putting your money where your mouth is!
Be sure to tune into Radio Caledon on Wednesday night from 8 till 10 EST to hear some really unique performances. And if you miss the show, you can upload it from this blog.

A Challange to all True Artists and Songwriters

With the whole world seemingly going to hell in a basket, where big banks and corporations are taking all of the money and turning the time back to where there is a monied elite, where the rest of us are left grubbing for scraps from their table the big question becomes "what are the artists saying about all of this?" Well, nothing as it turns out. Huge changes are occuring, massive inequities are forming all over the world and what do the singer songerwriters - our proverbial canaries in the coal mine - have to say about all of this? Again - nada.

So I throw down a challenge to all thoughtful songwriters - wake up! Get your head out of the sand and look around and notice what is happening. Take a stand and write something worthwhile about how you view the state of the universe. It is not enough to write about your bling, or your girlfriend.

I came across this email posting on  Bob Lefsetz' amazing music blog from guitarist Danny Kortchmar which is worth repeating: 

"A message to the Killers ..the yeah yeah yeahs .. mgmt...fall out boy..etc..try writing ONE song that has the power and truth of The Pretender, or Millworker by JT, or anything by Bruce or "Not Dark Yet" by Dylan or "Won't Get Fooled Again...how 'bout it,"Monsters Of Folk? Do you have enough ass in your britches?

Don't look like it...

The Supreme Court just decided to turn over the whole policital process to the corporations...any one got any thing to say about that? Ting Tings? Killers? Lady Gaga? Anyone?

It's not bad enough that our leaders are of no help...where are the "artists"?

If you have nothing to say except "look at me" then... f*&% you...remember when music used to mean something? Get your head out your collecitive asses and write something that speaks to the hearts of men (and women) or go away.."

Danny Danny Kortchmar is a guitarist, session musician, and songwriter. Kortchmar's work with singer-songwriters such as David Crosby, Carole King, Graham Nash, Carly Simon and James Taylor helped define the signature sound of the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s. Jackson Browne and Don Henley have recorded many songs written or co-written by Kortchmar. Kortchmar is credited as Daniel Kortchmar, Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar, Danny Kortchmar, Dan Kortchmar and even Danny Kootch on different recordings.

What Danny is referring to in his rant is the U.S. Supreme court decision yesterday to grant corporations the same rights as individuals.  Indeed, in a momentous 5 to 4 decision the New York Times called a "doctrinal earthquake," the U.S. Supreme Court handed down an unprecedented ruling that gives new significance to the phrase "corporate personhood." In it, the Roberts court overturned the federal ban on corporate contributions to political campaigns, ruling that forbidding corporations from spending money to support or undermine political candidates amounts to censorship. Corporations, the court ruled, should enjoy the same First Amendment rights as individuals.

This is a very big deal that should have all who believe the democracy up in arms.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Obama, whose critics on the left have accused him of being beholden to Wall Street, has called upon Congress to "develop a forceful response to this decision."

"With its ruling today," he said, "the Supreme Court has given a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics. It is a major victory for Big Oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and the other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans."

Check out this link for more information on the subject, and then get out there and write a relevent song on the subject:

http://www.alternet.org/workplace/145322/supreme_court's_'radical_and_destructive'_decision_hands_over_democracy_to_the_corporations/

Haiti Gets a hand in the Hammer

The musical community in Hamilton continues their outstanding work with a benefit for Haiti. A whose who of Canadian talent will be on hand this weekend to support this very worthy cause.

Bands performing during this two day event are: Feist, Lee Harvey Osmond, Jacob Moon, Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet, Brian Melo and Attack in Black. Also on hand could be sometime Hamilton resident Daniel Lanois.
The Hamilton Spectator is co-sponsoring this event and will be webcasting the show on their site this weekend.

Glen Marshall from Vibewrangler is organizing this fundraiser for Haiti. The shows will be mixed and will be released as a CD for additional fundraising.

You've gotta come and check this one out. It's worth the drive down the QEW. Where else can you see the best in musical talent for cheap, with all of the proceeds going to the hell on earth that is Haiti.

Basia Bulat - Powerhouse singer songwriter on a Winter Tour

You know an artist is serious about their craft when deciding to tour across Canada in the middle of winter. Basia Bulat is such an artist. Bringing her new music to the Canadian public at this time of year has got to be tough. It is a long drive between gigs, so you know Basia is committed to her art. But maybe it's because she's from London Ontario(in the snowbelt region) that Basia is used to the snow drift driving.

Check out this clip and let me know what you think. Basia was filmed on CBC Radio One's GO stage last Saturday morning. Go to the details area of this You Tube clip for a list of tour dates across Canada.

Do yourself a favour and go and see Basia as she travels across the largest country in the world!

Huron - Critic band pick for 2010

Now magazine and National Post music critic Tim Perlich was right on the money when, in his "bands to watch for in 2010" column he gives new band Huron the nod.

These guys have seemingly come out of nowhere to rock the planet. Where to start on influences heard in their music. Sometimes sounding like The Beatles in their white album faze - think Helter Skelter, mixed with the darkness and light of Wilco. They've got the boogie rock sound of the Allman Brothers Band, but also they have an almost Kraftwerk quality to their music - they do a song that sounds remarkably like that classic europop song Autobahn, but with guitars instead of synths.

So, in a nutshell these guys are a disciplined rock combo, that your Dad would like. A throwback to the '70's jam band sound, that includes some really wild improvisational forays.

This is especially true of their Wednesday night residency at the Dakota Tavern in Toronto. Each Wednesday night since November they have been rocking the house with a couple of sets. Then, indie rock legend Ian Blurton joins them on stage for a set of his music, and finally a sprawling jam session to cap off the night.

Bring your earplugs – put them firmly in place and be prepared to be shaken. They play loud, inventive original rock n roll. The best place to see them is at the Dakota Tavern – a small intimate club that is one of the best rooms for live music in Toronto, if not all of southern Ontario.

Check out these clips – I’m sure you’ll agree!

btw: we have invited Huron to join us for an unplugged radio performance on the CHCanada.com Indie Radio Show, heard on the last Wednesday of every month.

Go go http://www.chcanada.com for all of your indie band musical needs.

Rae Sun - Live on CBC Radio

This past Saturday new up and comer Rae Sun performed live in the studio on CBC Radio One's GO.

Born in Ghana Africa he immigrated to Canada when he was eleven years old. The family made their way to this Country in the coldest month of the year - January.

He performs here with his crack touring band. Check out this clip and let us know what you think.

Chris Murphy of Sloan - Underwhelming on CBC's GO

Chris Murphy is one funny dude! Not only is he one of the driving forces behind Sloan, he's also got a radio show on CBC (natch). He surprised the early morning crowd at GO on Saturday morning with his unplugged version of the Sloan hit Underwhelmed.

Although his appearance on the show was great (and funny), it was in the question and answer portion of the show where he really shone. This portion of the show does not go live to air, but is for the audience only. They should be broadcasting this portion of the show - totally off the hook and unfiltered!

Off air Chris talked about meeting Celine Dion back stage at a Juno presentation a couple of years ago. He witnessed Celine getting ready for her Juno performance - "is there anything on my teeth" she asks one of her people just before she goes on stage. Yes she is a real person, says Murphy. He also had the line "as Celine gets skinnier, she gets uglier - are we still taping?" Hilarious off the cuff comments that just scream for Chris Murphy to have his own drive program - if CBC could stand the heat of Murphy without a lease!

Check out his unplugged performance on this You Tube clip, performed live on CBC Radio One's GO.

Patrick Dickinson Live on the CHCanada.com Indie Radio Show

The clock is ticking and we are into 2010. Just saying 2010 sounds so futuristic. Shouldn't we all be driving flying cars, just like on the Jetsons?

The future belongs to all of us, and Patrick Dickinson is making a future for himself in music. Dickinson has been a frustrated songwriter for most of his life. But in the last couple of years he has turned that yearning into a solid new career path. In the last year he has written and recorded his first CD - "Sweet Weakness".
This year he'll be taking on the road touring around the country bringing his brand of country rock to a dance hall near you.

He joined us on the CHCanada.com Indie Radio Show in the final days of 2009. Performing three songs live in studio with his guitarist Grant Lyle.

You will be able to upload the the entire performance as a podcast - go to the posting listed as Wednesday December 30, 2009.


Let me know what you think of this new artist. If you like what you hear, his new CD will be available soon on CHCanada.com.