Canadian Music News » Canadian Bands

Pick Up a Copy of Mojave “Stories” – Good Music, Good for the Environment!

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:12:00 +0000

Have you heard of Mojave? I’ll admit that I hadn’t until I had the CD forwarded to me and I’ve got to say that I really loved what I heard.

Mojave is an acoustic band from Vancouver with a strong passion for music and environmental causes. They donate a percentage of their album sales to environmental charities through “1% for the planet and offsets all carbon emissions through tree canada.” When I hear that sort of thing, I’m immediately more willing to hear what kind of message a group is sending through their music.

The songs are haunting and just absolutely gorgeous. The music is minimal but that’s the beauty of it – they let their lyrics, chords and lead vocals speak without cluttering up their songs with useless layers and distractions. I really can’t decide on which track is my favorite but you can get a preview of some of the songs on Mojave’s MySpace profile.

In the meantime, here’s the tracklisting (they have the titles in lower-case so I’ve kept them that way):

faultline lyrics / listen
lights out lyrics / listen
hollow lyrics / listen
not obsessive lyrics
a place that time forgot lyrics
casa rosita lyrics / listen
here i am lyrics
unbroken lyrics
one will fall lyrics
old dale road (instrumental)

If you like what you’ve heard, you can pick up a copy of the album through iTunes, CD baby and Amazon.

You can also check out the band at one of their upcoming shows:

Jan 10, 2009: Wired Bean, North Vancouver, British Columbia – 8pm
Feb 10, 2009: The Roxy, Vancouver, British Columbia – 8pm

image: Mojave Music.ca

Post from: Canadian Music News

Finger Eleven’s New Years Show in Ottawa

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:22:55 +0000

Finger Eleven will be performing at the Samsung New Year’s Eve celebration on the Rideau Canal in our nation’s capital!

It sounds like it’s going to be a great night in Ottawa since the free event will feature a countdown to midnight with the Amanda Rheaume Band and Finger Eleven but will also include my other passion, hockey. The World Junior Hockey Championship will be broadcast on four big-screen televisions on the canal’s Skateway.

What could be better than music, celebrations and hockey all together on New Year’s Eve? Not much, in my opinion!

image credit: Jeanne Dupuis

Post from: Canadian Music News

Ed Robertson’s Mother in Hospital, Barenaked Ladies Cancel Concerts

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:49:03 +0000

The Barenaked Ladies had to cancel two shows at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on Saturday due to yet another hurtle was thrown their way.

The band explained (via their official website) that Ed Robertson’s mother "has been admitted suddenly to the hospital with a serious illness." The shows will be rescheduled soon so you’ve got the choice of keeping your ticket (it will be honored) or getting a refund through Ticketmaster.

This is just the latest in a series of unfortunate events for BNL this year – lead singer Steven Page was arrested on several charges including drug possession and Ed Robertson survived a plane crash.

My thoughts go out to Ed, his mother and their family.

image: Newscom

Post from: Canadian Music News

Christmas in Canada: The Barra MacNeils "The Christmas Album"

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:30:31 +0000

The Barra MacNeils are so definitively Canadian that it’s impossible to exclude them when putting together a collection of Christmas albums from across our nation.

The group puts their signature stylings to oldies like "Carol of the Bells" and "O Holy Night" but the album also includes Gaelic tunes like "Annam Baile Ri’oghail Dhaibhidh," "Galician Carol" and "Taladh Chriosda."

I will admit that I haven’t heard all of the songs but I will definitely try to pick up a copy from Amazon!

image: Amazon.com

Post from: Canadian Music News

Christmas in Canada: "Barenaked for the Holidays"

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:25:02 +0000

Like many of you, I tune into a local station that carries all of my holiday favorites and I’m also thrilled when a song from Barenaked for the Holidays comes on.

The Barenaked Ladies have a fun collection of songs (20 tracks all together) that range from silly (like Elf’s Lament which you can download for FREE!!!) to the funky, acoustic (and awesome!) collaboration with Sarah McLachlan on "God Rest Ye Gentlemen."

When it comes to holiday music, you may just want to go Barenaked…

image: Amazon.com

Post from: Canadian Music News

Barenaked Ladies "Closer" After Tough Year

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:39:29 +0000

It has been quite a year for Canadian band, Barenaked Ladies. Lead singer, Steven Page was arrested for drug possession and fellow co-founder, Ed Robertson, survived a plane crash! Talk about stress! Yet, the members of the group, which has been together for 20 years, says the events of 2008 have only made them grow closer. As drummer Tyler Stewart put it: “Any time one member of the group has a problem, we tend to rally. And I think that person becomes a better person because of it."

Close friend of the band, Jason Priestly, who you may remember as the hunky Brandon Walsh from Beverly Hills 90210, said that he was "stunned" by Page’s arrest: "It was surprising. "(I offered) all the support that he needed and whatever he needed to help him, whatever I could do to help. And I think everybody offered him that same support. How could you not?"

He added that Page was "upset" to be involved in that kind of scandal but is otherwise doing relatively well.

Following the example of fellow Canadians, Simple Plan, the band is recording a 45-second cover of the former Hockey Night in Canada theme song. Since it was bought by CTV earlier this year, TSN has invited famous Canadian bands to cover the iconic tune. The BNL version is said to have a "banjo-driven bluegrass sound." Hmmm… that should be interesting…

I want to wish the band all the best in 2009!

image: Newscom

Post from: Canadian Music News

Finger Eleven Touring with Kid Rock

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:01:44 +0000

Finger Eleven will be opening for Kid Rock while he embarks on his European tour. The Canadian rock group, who you may know best from their smash hit “Paralyzer,” which is officially the18th most downloaded song in history (can you believe that!?). I think that, if you happen to be near one of their tour stops, you should check them out (you can ignore Kid Rock, if you want – that’s what I would do!). I saw them at the Calgary Stampede this past year and they were incredible!

Here are the currently announced tour dates:

November 29th: Dublin, Olympia Theatre
November 30th: London, Apollo
December 2nd: Zurich, Maag Event Hall
December 3rd: Munich, Zenith
December 6th: Vienna, Weiner Stadhalle
December 7th: Schladming, Planai Arena
December 9th: Hamburg, Sporthalle
December 10th: Berlin, Columbianhalle
December 12th: Offenbach, Stadhalle
December 13th: Tilburg, 013
December 14th: Dusseldorf, Philipshalle

If you go, I’d love to hear about it!

image credit: Jyle Dupuis

Post from: Canadian Music News

One Second 2 Late “World Timebomb” – Video

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:58:19 +0000

Here’s the official music video for the song “World Timebomb” by One Second 2 Late, off of their album entitled after this single. The album was released earlier this year and is their debut CD. I like the beat of the song and the message of it. The video for is interesting too. Check it out below.

Tags: one second 2 late, world timebomb, video, music video

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The Black Lungs "Hold Fast (Sink or Swim)"

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 06:54:54 +0000

The Black Lungs is fronted by Wade MacNeil who is also the guitarist for AlexisonFire. I’m guessing he just wanted a side project to be able to be the lead singer but it hasn’t been the most successful venture – all of the members of the band have quit so, when they tour, Pat Pengelly from Bedouin Soundclash will be playing drums, George Pettit from Alexisonfire will be playing bass, and Haris Cehajic from Moneen will be playing piano.

I have to say that, based on the song “Hold Fast (Sink or Swim),” I’m not terribly impressed. I really applaude Wade’s effort to try something new but sometimes, guitar players should, well… play guitar. Watch the video and decide for yourselves:

Technorati Tags: hold on,hold on video,the black lungs,wade macneil,alexisonfire,bedouin soundclash,pat pengelly

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16mm "Darling Democrat" Pokes Fun at American Politics

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:41:18 +0000

Wow. With the U.S. presidential elections just a little more than a week away, I got a real crack out of this weekend that pokes fun at some of the world’s most recognizable politicians. You’ll see appearances from Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton, President Bush and even personalities and stars like Anderson Cooper, David Hasselbeck and Alex Trebek (and many more!).

It’s a good thing the video is so entertaining because it distracts from the repetitive, banal song. I am hoping that it is just because it is a remix but I have no desire to ever hear this song again – the synthesizers actually grated on my nerves and his vocals verged on boring. I will, however, re-watch the video. Check it out!

Technorati Tags: darling democrat,16mm,barack obama,john mccain,hillary clinton,president bush,video,watch

Post from: Canadian Music News