Archive for December 2009

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Kompoz.com

www.kompoz.com

Music collaboration, share music tracks, Pro Tools, GarageBand, Sonar, remix, share beats - Kompoz.com.

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Grooveshark

www.grooveshark.com Find new ways to promote and share your music with your fans. Use Grooveshark's tools to focus on your target audience and determine what they like to listen to.

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KeishaLeisha

Born in 1985 Keisha & Leisha were brought into this world to sing. Being Taurus they had the innate trait of musical artistry. First discovering this trait at a young age,they knew that this was something they not only wanted to do, but had to do. Being inspired by the sounds of Soul ( Neo and old Skool), they set out to make a name for themselves. Along their musical journey they were exposed to different and unique genres, which now shapes KeishaLeisha’s sound. Now as individuals; Keisha - The Eldest of the duo (by two minutes), sees herself as a singer 1st and a songwriter 2nd. Writing came to her at the age of 13. Keisha would write about the world and experiences that she saw and lived. Being bashful about her work, Keisha wrote but never shared her talent with anyone until the age 20. When she finally did, the reaction of her songwriting abilities were well received. "I just want to make good music. Music that makes you think, feel, and get inspired. That’s all I really want to do." Leisha - Being the youngest of the duo, Leisha realized she had a lot of creativity running through her veins, not only with music, but with makeup artistry. This would make her the visionary of the group. Through dissecting her favorite songs as a child she learned the skill of basic song structure, but through the years and loving different genres she stepped out of the box and dares to use different sounds and styles to create KeishaLeisha’s sound.

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Dulcimerhead

David Rankine - mountain dulcimer & keyboards Fernando Villalobos - percussion Daniela Godina - vox & percussion Improvisational playing and a dedication to "open space" creativity has allowed Dulcimerhead to create a seemingly endless string of original songs laden with beautiful melodies and infectious rythmns. The synthesis of numerous folk traditions with classic rock began with the experimental/progressive project "East by West" (Dave Rankine and Billy Fairley) on their "Trancemhor" CD release (Arathusa Records 2006). Dave went on to form Dulcimerhead in 2007 with the addition of Fernando Villalobos (and initially) Gillian Thomas and Tara Hillyer. The EP, ALL THAT IS was released in March 2007 followed by GNOSIS in June and REVEALED STRUCTURE in October 2007. Each member of Dulcimerhead has brought their own influences into the mix. Dave's love of Indian music, classic rock and progressive rock combined with his years of experience as a bagpiper to create a songwriting and playing style that is hard to define. Fernando adds a totally unique and original hand percussion style that is based upon his years of experience as a drummer in a number of metal bands (Heavily Medicated, Krakatoa and presently, Skorched). "Innovative and progressive" are words that are often used to describe Dulcimerhead's fusion of folk, medieval, indo -persian, rock, metal and jazz.

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Past Performers

LYE (Toronto) GLENDORA (Toronto) Inner City Surfers (Toronto) The Saigon Hookers (Kitchener) Romeo Liquor Store (Toronto) The Favorite Game (Windsor) The Joys (London) Leviride (Toronto) - indie rock The Silenced (Toronto) Jamil (Toronto) Dave Borins (Toronto) Melanie Joy (Toronto) Emma Lee (Toronto) GIRL + THE MACHINE 5th Project (Toronto) October Sky (Montreal) All The Brightness (Toronto) The Knifings (Toronto) Sleddogs (Kelowna, BC) Captain of Industry (Dayton, OH) PETER KATZ RIXFORD KNIGHTS (NOAH VACHON) Super Being (Vancouver) The New Flesh (Toronto) Guv'nor Generals (Welland/St. Catherines) Deadbolt Zen (Houston, TX) Shade (Niagra Falls) Commander Chameleon (Athens, Ga) Sleep the Season (Welland/St.Catherines) Len's Haulage (Toronto) PDF Format (Toronto) Paul Filek (Kamloops, BC) Miwa Gemini (New York) Electricutie (Toronto) Jessica Beach (Vancouver) Ainsley McNeaney (Toronto) Shobha (Halifax) Clara Lofaro (Toronto/New York) Brockway Biggs - aka Pimp Tea (Ottawa Ultimate Power Duo Red Light Rippers (Toronto) Life Theoretic (Toronto) Scarlet Sins (Toronto) Adam Farrell (Burlington) EVERLEA Shawna Caspi Eden Ants (Toronto) Emily Grogan (Boston, MA) Peter Bloom (Toronto) Michellle Ursini (Toronto) Captain of Industry (Dayton, OH) Contrast (Collingwood) Letters To Elora (Toronto) Sons & Daughters (Hamilton)

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Zoo Lion

Craig Aikman - guitar Matt Tysowski - bass Mark Heit - guitar Tyler Reimer - drums Zoo Lion has played all over Canada, but it was Calgary that brought them together. Each of the four members that make up the organic indie band have seen different parts of what this country is made of: from the frozen lands of Inuvik, to the beautiful northeastern shores of Nova Scotia, to the golden fields of the Saskatchewan prairies and the urban vibrations of Vancouver City. But it was in Calgary, a place not always known for its culture, which synchronized their lyrical rock into a band riding the first wave of fresh music crashing into local bars. Born and raised prairie boys, the band is comprised of lyrical anthems from the beating rhythm of Craig Aikman’s guitar, the groovy riffs of Matt Tysowski’s bass, the intense licks of Mark Heit’s guitar and the complex yet solid beat of Tyler Reimer’s drums. Zoo Lion has caught attention by winning a handful of songwriting contests — including the most recent Canadian Radio Star title from Calgary's radio station CJAY 92 for their song Pry.  They then went on to represent Calgary in the Astral Media, National Radio Star Songwriting contest at Canadian Music Week in Toronto. Other titles under their belt are the 2007 Calgary radio station X 92.9 Denim Lounge Songwriter’s Showcase and the $25,000 preliminary round of the Calgary radio station Fuel 90.3 Big Rock Star contest. Zoo Lion went into the studio in spring of 2008 to work with producers Aaron Nordeen and Shawn Penner of District Four Studio’s in Vancouver, B.C., to record their debut album Telling Your People, which was unleashed last July. Their next step is to go back out and explore every corner of Canada with a tour, and they have started work on a second album set to be released in winter 2010. For information visit www.zoolionmusic.com or their Zoo Lion myspace. Their CD is available on their website or iTunes. www.zoolionmusic.com craig@zoolionmusic.com

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The In & Outs

Alexandre Pépin: bass & vocals David Groover: vocals & guitars François-Michel Beauchamp: drums The latest rock'n'roll fury coming out of Montreal is none other than The IN & OUTS, headed by Dave, Frank, and Alex. This trio has been creeping into the local scene over the last few years with live shows throughout town, gaining momentum with each show.  Due to their high-voltage gritty performances, they have amassed a loyal following, sitting in the front row, moshing it up on the floor, or merely seated at a table to slam their beer down and holler for more.  Whether it is to hit the crowd with a wall of guitars, bass, and a flurry of drums, or to come onto the set dressed in painting gear, one can always expect spontaneity, a little humour, well-funnelled rage, and good ole rock'n'roll. Hailing classic influences such as The Doors, Jon Spencer, Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, The IN & OUTS are like a sponge that absorbs all strains of rock and churn it out into their own fibre.  A blend of blues, classic rock'n'roll, punk, as well as a sample of the post-punk rockabilly vibe, are cooked up and served hot. As can be heard at www.myspace.com/theinnouts, the tunes "Boo My God", "Me Myself and My Guitar" and "Often on the Moon" exemplify the band's melting pot of influences. Lyrically the band delves into personal issues, drawing from their  life experiences with relationships, a love for music, and  the  hard  luck  life  has  a  tendency  to  doll  out.  The IN & OUTS have managed to give their lyrics a poetic twist that compliments the fast-paced energy they sustain so well.  This gives their music a sense of venting frustration while maintaining depth and substance.

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The Lost Chord

Louis Marc - bass, electric and acoustic guitars & vocals Kirill - keyboard & vocals Eugene - cello, percussion & vocals Hannnah - vocals & percussion Dave - guitar & vocals Caleb - guitar & vocals Michael - vocals The Lost Chord is a Toronto-based collective that draws on influences from the styles, such as pop, rock, jazz, classical, country, folk as well as world. With 6 vocalists, the band features 3 and 4 part, layered harmonies, surrounding their audience with a wall of beautiful arrangements colored by soaring melodies, driving rhythms and tight polished grooves. It features the compliment of drums, bass, guitars, keyboards plus percussion and cello, sometimes supported by a chamber orchestra, both live and in recordings. The Lost Chord have composed music for film, television, award winning documentaries and toured across Canada several times. In 2006 they created the campaign theme song for the Premier of New Brunswick, and in 2008 were nominated for “Best Indie Rock” band at the Ontario Independent Music Awards. After 7 weeks on the charts, the band recently reached number 1 on the CIUT Top 30, and are currently recording the follow up to their self titled release. They are a band not to be missed. EPK at www.sonicbids.com/thelostchord Myspace – www.myspace.com/thelostchordband Facebook – www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lost-Chord/19328594790?ref=ts Youtube - www.youtube.com/thelostchordband Band website - thelostchord.ca

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Sidney York

Sidney York - vocals, guitar, piano & banjo It’s certainly fitting that the world was first introduced to the multi-faceted musical charms of Sidney York on Feb. 29, 2008. That’s a special leap year day, and since that public debut at a Edmonton benefit, York’s career has progressed in rapid leaps and bounds. With a well-received self-titled EP already under her belt, Sidney is now ready to release her full-length self-titled debut album, one destined to grab the Canadian music industry by its collective ear. Sidney York may be a new name on the scene, but she’s far from a musical novice. You see, she’s the creative alter-ego of Brandi Sidoryk (the choice of name is a clever near-anagram), a highly accomplished musician and teacher in the classical realm. She has a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Toronto and a Master of Music from the University of Melbourne, and remains active as a classical music performer and teacher. She took a principal role in the opera medley “Children Of War” in Melbourne and played the role of The Leader in Kurt Weill’s “Down In The Valley” in Calgary. The seeds for Sidney York’s creation were sown while Sidoryk was studying in Melbourne. Inspired by that city’s fertile music scene, she began writing her own songs, something she quickly discovered was “a really good expressive outlet for me.” This material drew upon a wide range of musical influences and styles, and her healthy eclecticism is vividly showcased on Sidney York . Trying to define the Sidney York sound is about as tricky as riding a bucking bronco. ”I do not have a nifty phrase for it,” Brandi admits. “It is just so me, in so many aspects. There are country influences from the music my parents listened to as I was growing up in Saskatchewan and Alberta, there are jazz influences, and many of my vocal techniques come from the classical side. I still teach classical and musical theatre and perform classical music, I sing jazz every now and again with the military, and I’m a French horn player. I don’t fit into a category so I don’t expect my music to.” If pressed, she’ll live with the ‘f’ word. “I latched onto folk music a little later in my life, but it’s a genre I felt was welcoming and encompassing enough for me.” In turn, the folk music community has been quick to embrace this talented new arrival, and Sidney York won in the category of Best Song by a Newcomer at the 2008 Calgary Folk Fest Songwriting Competition with the song “Stalker.” Brandi’s acknowledged influences include fellow westerners Joni Mitchell to Corb Lund , and she is inspired by such Canadian singer/songwriter peers as Basia Bulat, Woodpigeon, and Hawksley Workman. Sidoryk’s highly educated musicianship was clearly in evidence on her Sidney York EP, a self-described “labour of love” that she co-produced. Three of its songs have been revisited on the full album, but in a more fully realized form. Brandi recorded the album in Vancouver and Abbotsford B.C., with experienced producer/musician Mike Norman (his playing has graced over 100 albums) at the helm. Sidoryk gives Norman real credit for “helping me choose musicians beneficial to the project. They really understood what I was doing and did my music such justice.” The cast list assembled is indeed impressive. It includes Norman on piano and organ, internationally-famed jazz bassist Rene Worst (Chet Baker, Phoebe Snow), guitarist Tom McKillip (Ian Tyson, Lisa Brokop), drummer Jerry Adolphe (Chilliwack, Jim Byrnes), fiddler/background vocalist Sierra Noble, and the Odds rhythm section of Doug Elliott and Pat Steward. The Odds connection was thrilling for Sidoryk. “Their Neopolitan album was the soundtrack to my high school years. To connect with one of my influences in creating this album-was huge.” “I loved that I had a mish-mash of musicians to deal with my mish-mash of music,” says Brandi. “They listened to the stripped down guitar and vocal versions, and we let them do what they did. I’d give specific directions at times, and my classical music background means I have the confidence to say ‘this is what I want,’ and be able to translate that.” The happy outcome is a record whose musical adventurousness perfectly complements the imaginative and emotionally eloquent lyrics of Sidney York. The use of instruments as varied as horns and banjo (played by Brandi herself) matches songs that move easily from the introspectively personal (“Fallin’”, “Buddy,” “Safe n Sound”) to playful satire (“Stalker”) to upbeat melodic pop (“My Name Is Karma”). “I am so picky about my lyrics,” explains Brandi. “I usually like to have something on the surface, then something deeper you’ll find if you really listen to the lyrics.” A perfect example here is “Mortimer,” a breezy tune that sounds like a lament about a neglectful lover but might just be about her unreliable car. Sample lyric: “I could go for a ride but I know you’d never last that long.” The gently haunting “Fallin’” will be the first single and video, and it’s a song that, in Brandi’s words, describes a situation where “you’re falling into this state of total desperation, yet you are still falling in love.” Slated as a second single is the potentially controversial “Stalker.” Set to a jaunty melody, this is a deliberately over the top, but also very funny, cautionary tale told from the perspective of a female stalker: “Sorry I keyed your car, but I couldn’t find a pen to leave you a note.” The quickly blossoming love affair between Sidney York and her audience is destined for a far happier outcome. Armed with this compelling set of new songs, she is getting ready to hit the road this summer. This is an artist and an album to be reckoned with. by Kerry Doole