Quebec - Basia Bulat

Bienvenue au Province du Quebec. I have great memories from this vast province. My cottage is here, my grandmother lived here until recently, my first time at a bar, my first time at the "ballet" and my first arena concert, Dave Matthews Band circa 1997. So I am not sure how many new people I've introduced you too at this point but if any this artist might be one. Her name is Basia Bulat and she is awesome. She is originally from Toronto bu now lives in Montreal. I have never seen her live as our schedules never seem to work out but I cannot wait until they do. I think the first thing that attracted me to her music was her main choice of instrument, the auto harp. She is the only person I know (personally or making a go of it) that plays one. She is super talented. I think it takes a certain something from a person to try to make it as an artist playing an instrument such as the auto. Same can be said of Old Man Luedekye and his banjo. The other thing she does by mixing it up and keeping it fresh is playing the same song with different instruments. She interchanges the auto harp, guitar, mandolin and piano seamlessly it is amazing. Here's a taste of what I am talking about. Her song, Gold Rush,done 2 ways:

Auto Harp:


Solo Acoustic Guitar (start at 50 seconds)

(HD Available)

Now that you got a taste of Basia, I really hope you like her and keep looking for other songs online. She has allot of great videos out there and she is headed to Newfoundland and Ontario soon so if you get a chance please go see her. Here's a couple more of my favourite songs

The Shore

(Available in HD)

Heart of my own

New Brunswick / Fredericton Rap up.

There are so many great artists in New Brunswick and even more specifically the most beautiful city in Canada, Fredericton. Freddy beach as its more affectionately known to locals has a great music scene which culminates in the great music fest in Atlantic Canada, Harvest Jazz and Blues. I want to introduce you to three more Freddy artists that all deserve to be heard. The band Oh No Theodore (kick ass name) is a young group that has a folkie roots thing going for them. To be honest I have yet had the opportunity to see them live but as I have recently moved back home I hope to see them soon. I just checked and they are playing tonight at the Charlotte Street Arts Center, solid. Another young Fredericton band that I saw for the first time at Harvest last year and that has been getting allot of local press is Andy Brown. He has a great voice and puts on a great show. He was been doing well for himself lately with a number of awards and honourable mentions in sing writing contests. Go out and see him if you can. I promise you will not be disappointed. The final person I want to introduce you too is a former member of another solid Freddy Band, Hot Toddy. His name is Thom Swift. He has now branched out on his own and can be seen mostly around Halifax. He has also been doing well for himself. Winning the right to represent NB in the most recent CBC Song Quest competition. His song about the beautiful drive along the St John river can be seen here: http://goo.gl/WdJKl He is back on tour both solo and with his backup band this summer. Be sure to check out both formats if possible because they are quite different and great in their own right.

Oh No Theodore:


Andy Brown:

(Available in HD)

Thom Swift

(I love this guitar)

New Brunswick - Olympic Symphonium

I am back. Sorry for the delay but I have been trying to who to showcase for my final NB artist and I have decided it should be The Olympic Syphonium. I mentioned them briefly last week and I haven't stopped listening to them since so they get the nod.  I previously saw them at Harvest with another blog inductee, Rose Cousins.  It was a great concert but I missed most of their act but liked the videos they were sending out when playing with Rose. You might also notice the bass player, Kyle Cunjack,  from a David Myles CD or concert. He has been touring with Dave for a couple of years now.  I like how interchangeable the band is as well. I have seen videos where each had played each other's music. This band really gets the social media aspect of a developing artist. They have some of the highest quality and video's on the web. I am looking forward to seeing them at the Dooryard Arts Festival in Woodstock, NB. Here is their lineup just announced today: http://www.rivervalleyarts.net/schedule/   You will notice Jenn Grant will be there, another artist I have introduced you too.  Its going to be a great little weekend and I am looking forward to exploring more of this province. I hope you enjoy their soothing sounds as much as I do:

Great song and video

(HD Available)

Another great video

(HD Available)

This song is nice

New Brunswick - Matt Anderson

I have seen Matt Anderson probably 15 times to date and each time I see him I am just as happy as I was the first time I saw him. I have seen him play in a small pub in old Quebec to the big stage of the NAC in Ottawa and everywhere in between. I love to share new music to people, especially Canadian Music. Matt is someone that is great on album but amazing life. If you get a chance to see him live you will be blown away. He's playing allot of acoustic shows lately which highlights his song writing and lyrical ability. His lives shows will show you one of the best guitarists around. He is playing a pretty much every music festival there is this summer so be sure to check him out.  You can find a little preview here http://goo.gl/WRkOA or better go out and buy his album Live at the Phoenix.  It has been in my  rotation since I got it. Yes I still buy Cd's. Matt is originally from a small farming community up the river from Fredericton. I cannot wait for the next time I get to see him. Here are some of my favorite songs and version. I hope you enjoy:

I love this song. From the aforementioned Live at the Phoneix CD

(Available in HD)

Why not with the orchestra?

(Available in HD)

I'd say hey can play the guitar - probably his most popular cover, you can see why.

Apology

Chris Kirby is not playing this Friday:(

Apparently I was looking at a calender from May when I was reading the first Friday of the month.

Sorry

Fredericton Stop

Hello Everyone. Sorry for the delay between posts but I have been busy out listening to some great music. So far this week I have seen Isaac and Blewett (twice), 2/3 of the members of Hot Toddy (twice) and I was supposed to see Keith Hallett and Olympic Symphonium and to finish the week off on Friday night I am going to see Chris Kirby. Pretty good week I'd say. The week started with an outdoor concert with Isaac and Blewett. It was a descent concert but what I was later to find out it was simply a venue issue. Later that night with some good friends I went to see them play at the Capital Complex with the remaining Fredericton based members of Hot Toddy including Geoff Arseneault and Joel Leblanc. Up on stage were some of the best musicians in Atlantic Canada playing most of the same songs I heard earlier in the day but this time I was in love with what they were putting together. Isaac on his cello was probably the highlight for me. I don't think I have ever seen a cello in that environment. He was doing loops, wawa pedal and allot of things that I didn't even know what to call it. The next night I went downtown again to see Keith Hallett live. Keith is a good old Freddy boy that has been cranking out the blues for quite along time relative to his age. Unfortunately he was unable to make the show and so I then went back to the Capital and too my delight the members of Hot Toddy were playing on their own this time. I am never good and labelling bands but I would say Jazz/ Blues and it was good. Tonight was another outdoor show but due to the weather it was cancelled. It was featuring the Olympic Symphonium, another Fredericton group. I think they are one of my new favorite groups which is why I am disappointed I did not get to see them tonight. To finish off the week I am going to see Chris Kirby at...you guessed it , the Capital. Chris is a Newfie that I first caught...you guessed it, Harvest. I have his solo acoustic CD but I am looking forward to hearing him with his full band (The Marquee) this weekend. Please check out some more music and videos of these great NB artists (and Kirby)and I promise you will not be disappointed.

Some pretty cool things going on with that Cello

(Available in HD - Sorry for the brief video)

A little bit of blues for you from Mr Keith Hallett


Great find if I do say so myself - Olympic Symphonium

(Available in HD)

Chris Kirby

It is going to be a fun Friday night. You want to come?