With A Bullet

Flogging Molly

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 04:26:56 +0000

Artist Bio:
What makes a band truly remarkable? Insightful lyrics? Memorable melodies? Blow-your-mind live performances? The truth is that it takes all of those things along with a boundless enthusiasm, an infectious energy and a supreme devotion to the fans. With this rare combination, a band may ascend past “good,” – or even the record industry’s Holy Grail, “marketable” – and reach sublime. Drawing on the hardships and joys of their own lives and a musical history ranging from old world Celtic to modern day punk rock, the seven members of Flogging Molly do just that, and they do it with a charm and an ease that makes them one of the most accessible bands performing today.

With a sound anchored in such diverse influences and with band members ranging in age from their 20s to their 40s – a decidedly non-MTV-friendly demographical mix, Flogging Molly was not embraced by the mainstream music industry. The band simply didn’t fit any preconceived notions of what a “successful” band was. Not deterred in the least, Flogging Molly embraced a DIY philosophy (that’s “do-it-yourself” for those of you not in the know). Their amazing work ethic and rapidly growing fan base led them to DIY-style record label, Side One Dummy, and the two fit hand in glove.

Flogging Molly’s latest album, Float, recorded in King’s native Ireland, delivers still another iteration of the band’s sonic evolution. More mature yet retaining the immediacy that marks all of their work, Float may find the widest audience acceptance of any Flogging Molly album. Hard charging tunes “Paddy’s Lament” and “You Won’t Make a Fool Out of Me” give way, as listeners have come to expect, to more sober ruminations on tracks like “Float.” The overall effect is a symphonic layering of sound that possesses a unique rhythmic flow from boisterous to bereaved and back again. Long time fans and new discoverers will be equally astounded.

Artist Website • Myspace

Birds Of Wales

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:25:50 +0000

Artist Bio:
Toronto based act BIRDS OF WALES along with Sparks Music recently announced a worldwide licensing deal. The band which was originally conceived by singer/songwriter MORGAN CAMERON ROSS in his hometown of Vancouver has now settled in Toronto. The debut album entitled ‘Belgravia Hotel’ [a hotel in London where Morgan penned some of the songs] will be released in Canada on APRIL 13 through Sparks/EMI. The project was produced by Jeff Dawson [Daniel Powter] at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver and mixed by Jeff Dawson, Mike Fraser [Aerosmith, Franz Ferdinand] and Mike Gilles [Bryan Adams, Metallica].

“We are very excited about the tremendous team that surrounds this band and our goal is to create an international success story for Birds of Wales!” states Larry Macrae, president of Sparks Music.

Over the last five years the band through their own self marketing have already made inroads in Canada, Europe and the U.K. They have toured with Marianas Trench, The Sadies, Lights, Xavier Rudd, The Beautiful South and Mishka. Morgan Cameron Ross was featured on the MUCHMUSIC produced show ‘Hotties Next Door’ and scored a photo feature in the U.K.’s largest teen magazine ‘TV HITS’.

Birds of Wales current line-up also includes Mike Caputo from Windsor Ontario on guitar, British drummer Ben Standage and Toronto’s Dan Taylor on bass. They are represented by Ralph James, president of The Agency Group and managed by Christi Thompson, who also manages international artists Xavier Rudd and Mishka.

Radio Strategy:
The first single “Uninteresting” serviced to AC / Hot AC radio. The album “Belgravia Hotel” serviced to Campus, CBC, and Satellite Canadian radio stations.

Artist Website • Myspace

Maurice

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:21:28 +0000

Artist Bio:
Maurice began in Victoria, British Columbia in parent’s basements, community halls, and the bars of Vancouver Island. The young members crafted memorable pop songs mixed with humor, heartbreak, and references to their Western Canadian landscape. These songs caught the ear of David Foster, who was so taken with their sincerity and level of songwriting, that he signed the group to his Warner Brothers imprint, 143 Records.

The years that followed were a period of growth for the band; they spent several months writing and recording what would become Young People With Faceswith Producer Matt Hyde. Recording nearly 25 tracks for the album in Silverlake, Hollywood and Van Nuys, Maurice had a large catalogue to contribute to their first offering.

Young People With Faces presents a young band that has honed its songwriting and live show into a captivating performance, caught on tape for the world to hear. The fluid piano melodies of Simon Margetts allow Jean Paul Maurice’s voice to punctuate each verse with energy and ghostly allure. Connor Waddell and Mark Lavoie set a foundation that shies away from flashiness and brings a musical maturity to serve the songs instead of trampling them.

Maurice have created an album that embraces their influences, asserts a new voice and blends the two into something striking and original.

Radio Strategy:
First single “Love Is Love” going to Modern Rock/Rock/Alternative radio nationally plus looking for opportunities around their upcoming cross-Canada tour dates.

Artist Website • Myspace

Matthew Barber

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:18:47 +0000

Artist Bio:
Toronto-based singer-songwriter Matthew Barber returns with his fourth studio album on Feb. 23rd 2010. True Believer is the follow-up to the internationally acclaimed and Juno-nominated record Ghost Notes (2008, Outside Music); Barber enlisted producer Howie Beck (Hayden, Jason Collett) to man the helm. The result has been an artistic alchemy that takes Barber’s trademark melodies to new heights.

True Believer is an uplifting record, continuing the trajectory that began with Ghost Notes. Of course there are pensive moments; Barber after all made his name crafting beautiful but heartbreaking “sad” songs on earlier records like Means and Ends (2003, Paper Bag) and Sweet Nothing (2005, Warner), where his single “Soft One” went Top 5 on the Canadian Hot AC chart. But the overarching themes of love, hope and wonderment ultimately carry the day on this new album.

Radio Strategy:
First single “I Think You’re Gonna Feel My Love” going to AC, Hot AC, and AAA radio nationally.

Press Quotes:
“The Toronto singer/songwriter knows how to knock out classic-sounding tunes that are hummable and familiar, and that’s no easy feat.” — NOW Magazine

“…[he] has made an assured record, one with varying tempos and heartfelt moods that is smartly ordered and marked by the sharp marriage of melody and word.” — The Globe and Mail

“His supple and sweetly melodic voice is in top shape, his writing is versatile and accomplished, and the choice of underrated peer Howie Beck (Hayden, Jason Collett) as producer was a wise one.” — Exclaim!

Artist Website • Myspace

Said The Whale

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:16:07 +0000

Artist Bio:
Said The Whale formed in 2007 as a collaboration between songwriters Ben Worcester and Tyler Bancroft. The pair’s debut EP, Taking Abalonia, featured sunny west coast indie pop, with breezy harmonies, shimmering guitars, and lyrical tributes to their home city of Vancouver. In 2008, the album was rereleased as Howe Sounds/Talking Abalonia, featuring seven additional tracks that stretched the band’s stylistic palate to include bubblegum folk (“The Light Is You”), thundering hard rock (“Last Tree Standing”) and gentle ukulele ballads (“The Real of It”). After several personnel changes, the group settled upon a five-piece lineup that included bassist Peter Carruthers, drummer Spencer Schoening, and keyboardist Jaycelyn Brown. The quintet embarked upon a rigorous touring schedule, crossing Canada numerous times and landing high profile gigs at V-Fest 2008 in Calgary and the nationally televised Canada Day celebration on Parliament Hill.

The group is now poised to take the next step with their sophomore album “Islands Disappear” out via Hidden Pony/EMI. Produced by Howard Redekopp (Tegan and Sara, The New Pornographers, Mother Mother) and Tom Dobrzanski (Hey Ocean!, The Zolas). Unlike the west coast focus of previous releases, the new album draws on the experience of driving across Canada, from the van breaking down in Manitoba (“Dear Elkhorn”) to camping in Alberta (“Emerald Lake, AB”). With stylistic forays that include backwoods folk (“False Creek Change”) and danceable ukulele/glockenspiel rave-ups (“Goodnight Moon”), it’s the sound of a band coming into its own, delivering on the promise of its early recordings.

Radio Strategy:
First single “Camilo (The Magician)” to the targets of Modern Rock/Alternative radio nationally. Focus will be on achieving maximum spins at stations while also looking for opportunities around their Canadian tour to partner with stations through interviews, contesting, and performances.

Second Single “Emerald Lake, AB” – following up on the fantastic response to “Camilo” – we will continue to pursue Modern Rock and Alternative radio nationally and continue to look for unique opportunities to continue the relationship with radio.

Achievements:
First single “Camilo (The Magician)” – Reached #20 on the Mediabase Canada Alternative Chart and went up to #26 on the BDS Modern Rock Chart!! Both firsts for this hardworking band from Vancouver!

Artist Website • Myspace

Hannah Georgas

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 02:11:48 +0000

Artist Bio:
She may have started last year under the music radar, but by the end of 2009 chances are you heard something, somewhere, about Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Hannah Georgas.

Perhaps you read one of the overwhelmingly positive reviews of The Beat Stuff EP, caught her summer performance for the Prime Minister (and several thousand others) on Parliament Hill, or heard her co-written TV jingle that brought Taylor Swift to tears – and to Twitter to say so. Hannah also racked up a CBC bequeathed Bucky Award proclaiming her to be the “Best New Artist” of 2009. eTalk included her in their ‘Ones To Watch’ music picks for 2010 and Starbucks licensed The Beat Stuff to play in its stores across North America.

On April 27, 2010, Hannah Georgas released her much anticipated, full-length album, This Is Good (Hidden Pony/EMI).

This Is Good is a warm collection of pop-roots songs, highlighted by Hannah’s unmistakable voice – one that is bittersweet and as cool and collected as an indie film heroine. Produced by Howard Redekopp (Mother Mother, Said The Whale, Tegan and Sara) and Ryan Guldemond (Mother Mother), This Is Good reveals Hannah’s range as a songwriter, guitarist and vocalist, and also offers a hint of her secret life as a dancefloor diva.

“I love to dance and I just wanted to write a song that would inspire people to rip it up on the dancefloor,” she says. Come On The Dancefloor is her electro-punk inspired track that fits the bill.

Chit Chat and The Deep End, previously released on a split 7” are both included on This Is Good’s full 11 track listing and endure in the themes of love, language and awkward situations revealed by the album. Others include, Lovers Breakdown, lead single, Bang Bang You’re Dead and Your Ghost. There is the dark, piano driven Thick Skin and a celestial missive inShine, replete with Hannah’s shining vocals taking centre stage.

Hannah will undoubtedly find herself centre stage this year as tours and promotional events line up to celebrate the launch of This Is Good. Full details will be unveiled shortly.

Radio Strategy:
The single “Dancefloor” is currently at Modern Rock / Alternative Canadian Radio while “Bang Bang You’re Dead” has been serviced to Hot AC radio. The full album “This Is Good” was serviced to CBC and Campus radio.

Artist Website • Myspace

In-Flight Safety

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:56:08 +0000

Artist Bio:
In-Flight Safety soars to great heights with their latest, We Are An Empire, My Dear. Last winter, the Halifax based four-piece took to the proverbial woods and recorded in Fox River, Nova Scotia with producer Laurence Currie (Sloan, Wintersleep). The result of their seclusion is a 12-track collection of royal and poignant pop songs. Perhaps it was the late night domino games, mini-stick hockey matches, all-hour writing sessions or the friendly townsfolk who randomly popped in, but this wintry venture set the tone for an album rich in beauty, instrumentation, politic and heart. In-Flight Safety has crafted an auditory call to arms, In these seemingly ambiguous times, the fever to connect to one another is fierce. We Are An Empire, My Dear explores this terrain through the lenses of wealth, greed, love, faith, and humanity’s ability to change. The musical mapmakers share their latest findings via their own label, Night Danger, in January 2009.

In-Flight Safety’s critically acclaimed Vacation Land EP arrived in 2003 and was followed in 2006 by the band’s debut LP, The Coast Is Clear. The latter went on to earn JUNO and Much Music Video Award nominations and three East Coast Music Awards.

Radio Strategy:
Take their single “Model Homes” to the targets of Modern Rock/Rock/Hot AC radio nationally while also targeting Satellite, CBC and Campus. Focus will be on achieving maximum spins at stations while also looking for opportunities to partner with stations through interviews, contesting, and performances during the life of the single as well as during national tours.

Press Quotes:
“The album swells and fades with the subtlety of the best shoegazers. It burns like an Unforgettable Fire but jangles with all the longing of a Nashville Skyline” -FFWD Weekly

“…music delivered with soaring atmospherics, plaintive lyrics and sweet-as-honey melodies…”-The Coast

Artist Website • Myspace

Tin Star Orphans

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:54:08 +0000

Artist Bio:
Formed in 2003, Tin Star Orphans have steadfastly built a rock-solid reputation for writing inspiring roots-tinged anthems alongside heart-wrenching ballads. For the recording sessions that produced their upcoming debut album “Yonder”, Zachary Bennett (singer) and Dean Marino (band member and producer of Born Ruffians, Ruby Coast, Tokyo Police Club) worked closely as co-producers, capturing and assembling sounds and shaping the album into its final form. Featuring string and horn sections, pedal steel, banjo, harmonium, and even a musical saw, the album is a blend of acoustic-driven romps and sonically gripping love songs. Using a volatile mixture of both humour and humility, Bennett’s songs paint a stark and sometimes frightening portrait of life, love and loss, while blurring the line between reality and fiction.

Radio Strategy:
The single “Let You Down” will go to the targets of Modern Rock/Rock/AAA/Indie shows and Satellite radio nationally while also targeting CBC and Campus once the full album is ready to go. Looking to build a a strong foundation for the band at radio and gain a new audience for this great emerging band!

Press Quotes:
“Displaying a clear knack for catchy songwriting, verses build into stomping choruses. (They are) definitely a group of city slickers to keep your eye on, keeping things interesting with an affinity for diverse instrumentation.” - Now Magazine

“A well deserved spot a 1 this week. Impressed from my very first listening, and the airplay only followed.” -Ron Burd CIUT Music Director

Myspace

Library Voices

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:50:10 +0000

Artist Bio:
Library Voices is a ten-piece pop collective from Regina, Saskatchewan. Blending tremolo soaked guitars with analog synths, vintage organs, circuit bent electronics, accordion, saxophone, and glockenspiel, their songs play out like an AM radio jingle; mixing the best of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and today. Since forming in spring of 2008, the group has operated at a feverish pace, having recorded a 3 song demo, recorded and released a 6 song ep, and participated in several high profile festivals and showcases including Sled Island (Mogwai, Of Montreal, Okkervil River), Regina Folk Festival (Broken Social Scene, The Weakerthans, Final Fantasy), Gateway Festival (Greg Keelor), and performed before 2500+ at Ness Creek. Library Voices debut EP. Hunting Ghosts & Other Collected Shorts, offers a clear and concise introduction to the collective. The group’s songwriting objectives are evident, bridging sophisticated pop hooks and melodies with complex harmonies and anthemic sing along choruses.

Radio Strategy:
Introduce the band to campus, CBC, and indie shows at Mainstream radio through their EP Hunting For Ghosts & Other Collected Shorts, readying them for their upcoming full length due out January 2009 on Young Soul Records.

Press Quotes:
“Library Voices give pop a good name! Mixing classic influences (The Kinks, The Zombies) with a more contemporary indie-pop collective aesthetic they have managed to craft a handful of timeless tunes that couldn’t exist anytime but right now. While unexpected mid-song disintegrations and perfectly imperfect gang vocals add a nice seasoning to their mix, it’s their ability to never lose sight of the song that makes this so vital.” - Sled Island Festival 08 (Calgary)

“Just when you feel like you’re all used up and it’s time to go, some music gets under your skin and changes your mind.”SEE Magazine (Edmonton)

Artist Website • Myspace

Bad Flirt

caraheath — Thu, 13 May 2010 01:47:54 +0000

Artist Bio:
In 2005, Jasamine White-Gluz founder and front woman of Bad Flirt decided to finally take the leap from solo project and turn her vision into a full band. From the band’s inception, they were working hard booking their own US and Canadian Tours and selling a few thousand of their first EP from off the stage. Following their hectic touring schedule, the band buckled down with famed producer Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire, Godspeed You Black Emperor, Wolf Parade) to create their upcoming full album Virgin Talk. The idea for Virgin Talk stemmed for the band’s love for a certain 90’s family sitcom. Using the ideas of youth and childhood memories as the backdrop, Bad Flirt created an homage to the splendour of innocence. Virgin Talk is high-energy pop rock that’s chalk full of stellar hooks with perfectly archetypal post-punk bass lines. From the danceable chaos of Hiroshima Mon Frere to the lingering lines of Separate Rooms, Virgin Talk is a ’stuck-in-your-head-for-days’ kind of album. Virgin Talk is set to be released on October 7th in the US & Canada and Bad Flirt continues to tour North America.

Radio Strategy:
Targets are Campus radio, CBC, and indie shows at Mainstream radio. Set up interviews around tour dates as well as setting up contesting.

Artist Website • Myspace