9.29.2011

Lisa Hannigan - Passenger

lisahannigan_brytermedrice

Many people might know Lisa Hannigan from the work she did with Damien Rice. A couple years ago, the duo split (band and relationship) and she continued on her own path starting a successful solo career. She has just released her follow up album to her debut Sea Sew and has named it Passenger.

Check out some tracks below:

Knots - Passenger

Lisa Hannigan- Knots

I Don't Know - Sea Sew

Lisa Hannigan - I Don't Know by IASCA

- Bryce

9.28.2011

Calgary Concert Update

Calgary-Night-Skyline

Just a little update of the concerts coming to Calgary in next couple months, the city is really stepping up it's game and there are some great artists coming through. Take a look a whose coming by and check out just a fraction of what these artists/bands have to offer.

Tickets for the following shows are available through Prime Box Office:

September 29 - Arctic Monkeys @ MacEwan Hall (U of C)

Arctic Monkeys - Suck It And See

October 14 - Young The Giant @ MacEwan Hall (U of C)

Young The Giant - My Body

October 18 - The Boxer Rebellion @ The Republik

The Boxer Rebellion - Evacuate

October 28 - Cuff the Duke @ Dickens

Standing On The Edge - Cuff The Duke

November 4 - Dan Mangan @ MacEwan Hall (U of C)

Dan Mangan - Oh Fortune

November 5 - Chad VanGaalen @ Central United Church

Chad VanGaalen - Sara

November 14 - Hey Rosetta! @ MacEwan Ballroom (U of C)

Hey Rosetta! - Welcome

November 16 - tUnE yArDs @ The Republik

TUnE-yArDs - Bizness

November 19 - Austra @ Hifi Club

Austra - Lose It

November 21 - Jill Barber @ Knox United Church

Jill Barber - Tenderness

Tickets for the following shows are available through Ticketmaster:

October 25 - Sam Roberts Band @ Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium

Sam Roberts Band - I Feel You

November 10 and 11 - Matthew Good @ Jack Singer Concert Hall and November 17 - Matthew Good @ The Stone (Lethbridge)

Matthew Good - Non Populus

November 21 - Feist @ Jack Singer Concert Hall

Feist - How Come You Never Go There

- Spence

Stream: Feist - Metals

Feist has just recently provided the chance for an early stream of her new album Metals which is slated for release on October 4th (Arts & Crafts). Using the widget below, you can stream the album front to back... all they ask for is an email address. Pretty cool if you ask me. Enjoy everyone.




- Bryce

9.26.2011

The Swell Season (2011)

Many of you may remember a small Irish film Once staring Glen Hansard from The Frames and Markéta Irglová, a Czech singer and pianist. If you don't remember it or have not seen I suggest you do as soon as possible. The film was released in 2007 and since Hansard and Irglová have enjoyed substantial success, including an Oscar for their song "Falling Slowly" and the formation of a duo under the name The Swell Season. Since the conception of The Swell Season they have released a LP entitled Strict Joy in 2009 as well as capturing their trials and tribulations on film. On October 21, 2011 a documentary called The Swell Season will be released, depicting the life of Hansard and Irglová off the heals of Once til late 2010. Check out the The Swell Season Movie website for screening information and release dates in your area but in the meantime you can watch the trailer below and "In These Arms" from Strict Joy below.



The Swell Season - In These Arms by InfluencesOnly

- Spence

9.22.2011

Andrew Bird - Hospital

19044_AndrewBird_0

Chicago based multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird is writing the majority of the music for a new film coming out called Norman. A couple days ago one of the songs was released. It is an instrumental piece called Hospital and I have posted it below.


Hospital by AndrewBird

Here is the trailer for Norman. Chiming in at 1:10 is Chad VanGaalens's song Rabid Bits Of Time off his album Soft Airplane.




- Bryce

Dan Mangan Day

dan_mangan_clr_horiz_hr_2

In honor of today's arrival of Dan Mangan's new LP Oh Fortune, Blue Sloth would like to dedicated this day as Dan Mangan Day. This post will provide you with everything you could possibly want and need in anticipation for Oh Fortune official release of September 27th.

Also, we would like to say thank you to @danmanganmusic twitter for the retweet of Blue Sloth Music and for the source of this wonderful information. Please do yourself a favor and follow him immediately if you have not already done so.

Full Length Stream of Oh Fortune:

Dan-Mangan-Oh-Fortune

Check it out via CBC Radio 3, AUX TV, and Exclaim.

Performances:

"Row of Houses" @ CBC Vancouver September 17



"Oh Fortune" @ Canada AM

Canada AM

Pictures and video from Oh Fortune premiere @ CBC Vancouver

CBC Radio 3

Free Download of "Post-War Blues" @ iTunes Single of the Week

iTunes


Canadian Tour:

Oct 14 – Ottawa @ Bronson Centre
Oct 15 – Kingston @ Sydenham United Church
Oct 16 – Montreal @ Theatre Outremont
Oct 17 – Quebec City @ Le Cercle
Oct 19 – St John’s, NFLD @ Cochrane United Church
Oct 22 – Fredericton @ Wilmot United Church
Oct 25 – Waterloo @ Starlight
Oct 26 – London @ Aeolian Hall
Oct 27 – Hamilton @ The Theatre at Hamilton Place
Oct 28 – Toronto @ Queen Elizabeth Theatre
Oct 29 – Guelph @ Dublin Street Church
Nov 1 – Winnipeg @ The Garrick Centre
Nov 2 – Saskatoon @ The Broadway Theatre
Nov 3 – Edmonton @ McDougal United Church
Nov 4 – Calgary @ MacEwan Hall Ballroom
Nov 9 – Vancouver @ Orpheum Theatre
Nov 10 – Victoria @ Alix Goolden Hall

Bryce and I will be attending the November 4th show in Calgary, if you happen to be going fire us an email at blue.sloth.blog@gmail.com. We would be happy to meet you, have a couple beers and listen to some great Dan Mangan music.

- Spence


9.18.2011

Dan Mangan - "Leaves, Trees, Forest"

Hello everyone, I am working on finding a re-broadcast of last night's Dan Mangan Oh Fortune album premiere for your listening pleasure. At this time I have had no luck but remain patient, I'm working. For now, enjoy Dan playing "Leaves, Trees, Forest" from Oh Fortune shot in an old ruin in Nijmegen, NL on September 4th.



- Spence

9.16.2011

Dan Mangan - Oh Fortune Album Premiere

Dan-Mangan-Concert_large

As you may know, Bryce and I are very avid fans of one particular Vancouver artist, Dan Mangan. We have posted the first two tracks "Oh Fortune" and "Row of Houses" from the upcoming Oh Fortune album, set to be released September 27th. But this Saturday, that's right tomorrow, Dan Mangan and some of his friends will be premiering the album live at CBC Vancouver and will be broadcast via CBC Radio 3 at 8:00 pm PT. Tune in to hear the new album and what I am sure will be some pleasant surprises!

- Spence

Kathleen Edwards (feat. Bon Iver) - "Wapusk"

wapusk

Canadian Kathleen Edwards is a alternative country artist from Ottawa. Edward's 2008 effort Asking for Flowers is an album I came across a few years ago and still frequents my iTunes playlists. Asking for Flowers is dark, haunting, and emotional with passion, anger and joy all in one. However, it has been three long years since Asking for Flowers but Kathleen Edwards is set to release a 7" entitled Wapusk on Sept 27th. The 7" will include the A side "Wapusk" featuring Justin Vernon from Bon Iver (who happens to be Edwards' boyfriend) and a B side "Change the Sheets" also produced by Vernon. You can check out "Wapusk" via Soundcloud by clicking HERE. Enjoy!

- Spence

Polaris Music Prize - September 19th 2011

polarismusicprize

So, who is Polaris? And what is the arguably, most celebrated Canadian music award all about?

For starters, here is their mission statement:

A not-for-profit organization that honours, celebrates and rewards creativity and diversity in Canadian recorded music. Polaris recognizes and markets albums of the highest artistic integrity, without regard to musical genre, professional affiliation, or sales history. it is is adjudicated by selected music journalists, broadcasters and bloggers.

Every year polaris will choose a 40-title long list and later, a 10-title short list. The judges choose their favorite album based upon 'their own tastes and determinations."

Here are some past artists who have won the Polaris Music Prize:

Final Fantasy - 2006
Patrick Watson - 2007
Caribou - 2008
Fucked Up - 2009
Karkwa - 2010
TBA - 2011

Now that you have some background. Here is this year's short list in no specific order (which was announced back on July 6th) and a select track from each album! The Gala and selection will happen the evening of September 19th.



Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Arcade Fire - The Suburbs

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3. music page to stream some great tracks.

-----

Austra - Feel It Break

Austra - Lose It

Austra is soon undergoing a North American Tour! Check it out HERE.

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3. music page to stream some great tracks.

-----

Braids - Native Speaker

Braids - Plath Heart

Braids has planned a lengthy tour. Scan the list over at CBC Radio 3 and stream their tunes while you are at it.

-----

Destroyer - Kaputt

Destroyer - Chinatown

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3. music page to stream some great tracks.

-----

Galaxie - Tigre et diesel

Galaxie - Piste 1

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3. music page to stream some great tracks.

-----

Hey Rosetta! - Seeds

Hey Rosetta! Yer Spring

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3. music page to stream some great tracks.

-----

Ron Sexsmith - Long Player Late Bloomer

CBC Radio 2 - Live Session

Ron Sexsmith - Get In Line (Live Radio 2 Session)

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3. music page to stream some great tracks.

-----

Colin Stetson - New History Warfare Vol. 2: Judges

Colin Stetson - Judges (preview)

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3. music page to stream some great tracks.

-----

Timbre Timbre - Creep On Creepin' On

Timber Timbre - Black Water by othertongues

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3 . music page to stream some great tracks and check out their upcoming shows.

-----

The Weeknd - House Of Balloons

The Weeknd - Coming Down

Want more? Head to their CBC Radio 3. music page to stream some great tracks and check out their upcoming shows.

-----

So, what do you do if you want to check out the Gala?

It will be webcasted live on the Much Website at 8pm ET on September 19th.

You can listen to it live on Sirius XM & CBC at 8pm ET on September 19th.

Lastly, it will be broadcasted live on Much, September 24th at 1pm and Midnight ET.

Well that's the short-list for this year and it is packed with some great bands and great music. Canadian musician's sure are putting out some amazing records and songs. If you like any thing you hear, head to the Polaris Webpage where you can buy any of the records listed above (I believe they throw in some perks too).

Support Canadian Music!

- Bryce

9.15.2011

Mat McHugh - Go Don't Stop

TBG-0337

Mat McHugh of Australian group, The Beautiful Girls released a solo album in 2009 entitled Seperatista! which took listeners back to the early days of TBG. In June of this year he released a 4 song EP called Go Don't Stop based again, around acoustic melodies and laid back sound. I knew this album had been released, but have not had a chance to listen to it until today. I wish I had earlier.

Everytime I hear McHugh playing a stripped down acoustic song I cannot help but enjoy myself. He has a way of doing that with his music... it's simple, but very listenable.

I suggest you go to his Bandcamp page and listen to Go Don't Stop and Seperatista!

Also, check out an acoustic roof top session of Love Come Save Me Below:



- Bryce

9.14.2011

Basia Bulat - "It Can't Be You"

One of my first posts on Blue Sloth was a fan shot video of Canadian singer songwriter Basia Bulat performing "It Cant Be You". Although the quality was rough, it still moves me to this day as much as it did when I heard her play it while opening for Josh Ritter in Calgary. The song has been featured in many of her shows, however, a decent video of the track has been hard to find, until now. The video I am talking about is streaming via yourstru.ly. Check out the video below, as well as NPR for Basia's Set from Sasquatch 2011, featuring the very same track and other amazing songs from her previous albums Heart of My Own and Oh, My Darling... both of which are must own albums.

BASIA BULAT "IT CAN'T BE YOU" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.


- Spence

Pink Mountaintops - Through all the Worry

Check out this cool new track by Pink Mountaintops called Through all the Worry. Apparently, the band is appearing in a new movie called, Everything Louder Than Everything Else, which is where this song comes from.



Also, if this is your first time listening to Pink Mountaintops you should definetely listen to Execution, which is conveniently placed below for your listening pleasure. It is off of their last album Outside Love (2009).

Execution by Pink Mountaintops

- Bryce

9.13.2011

Feist - Flyaway Contest

Feist-feist-1566126-2000-2001

Want a chance to see Feist live in an intimate concert in Toronto? First Row? Free Airfare? Hotel?

CBC is putting on a contest and here is an excerpt from their blog:


CBC Radio 2 wants to celebrate 75 years of CBC by flying one lucky listener (and a guest) to Toronto for a once-in-a-lifetime evening with Feist and friends on Saturday, October 8th. The prize package includes airfare, hotel accommodations and two (2) tickets to the concert.

The contest runs from September 6 through September 23; the winner will be drawn at random and announced on September 26.

TELL US ABOUT THE BAND OR MUSICIAN YOU DISCOVERED THANKS TO THE CBC."


So go on, TELL CBC ABOUT THE BAND OR MUSICIAN YOU DISCOVERED THANKS TO THE CBC!!!!.

Good luck all.

- Bryce


9.12.2011

Cuff the Duke - Count on Me

cuff_the_duke_morning_comes

Alt-country Canadian group Cuff the Duke is set to release their 5th studio album Morning Comes on October 4th of this year via Paper Bag Records. This band has a really great sound in my opinion... Country music style can be heard throughout their songs, but they stick in enough rock/indie rock elements to keep me interested.

The single Count on Me as well as Standing on the Edge can be both streamed and downloaded from their Facebook Page. You just have to 'Like' them.

If you need more convincing check out this video of Count on Me below.



- Bryce

9.09.2011

Imaginary Cities - Temporary Resident

imaginary_cities

Hailing from Winnipeg, Imaginary Cities has started to make a name for themselves on the Canadian scene in a very short time. 

The band is comprised of the musical duo of Marti Sarbit and Rusty Matyas; Marti was previously playing in a cover band and Rusty is a multi-instrumentalist with the Weakerthans. Their debut, Temporary Resident which was released on February 22nd, 2011 has given them the opportunity to tour several countries and share their music.

Check out a couple tracks from their album below:

Please disregard the poor music video,



The title track,

Imaginary Cities - Temporary Resident

- Bryce

9.07.2011

Aidan Knight - Alberta Tour

Aidan Knight, who has been posted several times on the Sloth has just recently announced a tour through Wild Rose Country... That's Alberta for those of you who do not know. There will also be a show or two in BC, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Aidan said that this tour will put his Versicolour album to bed for a while. I expect he is gearing up towards the release of a new album within the next year or so.

Anyways, check out the dates below and the video for Jasper.

Tour:


9/25 - Lethbridge AB - The Slice - Solo Show*
9/26 - Medicine Hat AB - Riverside Park - Solo Show*
9/27 - Edmonton AB - The Haven - Solo Show*
10/1 - Canmore AB - Communitea - Solo Show*

*with guests Boreal Sons

9/20 - Vancouver BC - Biltmore Cabaret w Karkwa
9/23 - Nelson BC - Hume Hotel w Karkwa
9/24 - Calgary AB - The Gateway (On SAIT campus) w Karkwa
9/28 - Saskatoon SK - Roxy Theatre w Karkwa
9/29 - Winnipeg MB - WECC w Karkwa


Jasper by Aidan Knight from Aidan Knight on Vimeo.


- Bryce

9.06.2011

Chad VanGaalen - On Tour

Chad_VanGaalen_1

Calgary homebody, Chad VanGaalen is set to tour in support of his most recent release Diaper Island. He will be conducting his tour throughout the U.S. and Canada this fall. Here is the list of dates. Make sure to support this guy if he is playing near you.


Tour Dates:

Chad VanGaalen

October 6 :: Portland, OR :: Holocene
October 8 :: Santa Cruz, CA :: Crepe Place
October 9 :: Los Angeles, CA :: Culture Collide :: FILTER Magazine’s Culture Collide festival
October 10 :: San Diego , CA :: Soda Bar
October 11 :: San Francisco, CA :: Café du Nord
October 13 :: Eugene , OR :: Sam Bond`s
October 14 :: Seattle, WA :: Sunset :: Details
October 15 :: Vancouver, BC :: The Rio :: More info here
October 22 :: Halifax, NS :: St. Antonios Community Hall
October 23 :: Fredericton, NB :: The Capital Complex
October 25 :: Montreal, QC :: La Sala Rossa
October 26 :: Kingston, ON :: Chalmers United Church
October 27 :: Ottawa, ON :: Ritual Nightclub
October 28 :: Toronto, ON :: The Mod Club Theatre
November 4 :: Edmonton, AB :: Myer Horowitz Theatre
November 5 :: Calgary, AB :: Central United Church
November 16 :: Regina, SK :: The Exchange
November 17 :: Saskatoon, SK :: Roxy Theatre
November 18 :: Winnipeg, MB :: West End Cultural Centre

Below you can check out some tracks from his newest album (Sara, Peace on the Rise) as well as one of my favorites from his 2008 release Soft Airplane (Willow Tree).

Chad VanGaalen - Sara by subpop

Chad VanGaalen - Peace on the Rise by subpop

Chad VanGaalen - Willow Tree

- Bryce

9.05.2011

Is's and Ought to Be's - Summer 2011 - April

atp-erez-avissar66

Well summer is coming to end, the weather is changing, we head back to school, to work and etc. But I hope this post will bring you some listening joy over the month of September and while the good weather lasts. This post will feature the return of the "Is's and Ought to Be's" segment that fell to way side during Bryce's adventures in France and my general busyness of the summer. Therefore this week long edition will feature the albums that profoundly impacted us here at Blue Sloth and then those disappointing albums that were anticipated more then the crisp taste of Miller Highlife and glistening waters of Lake Koocanusa. Day 1 will feature April, Day 2 May and so forth. Enjoy!

April - Is's


TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light

tv-on-the-radio-nine-types-of-light

April was a very light month in term of alternative and indie releases, but what April did include was TV on the Radio's Nine Types of Light LP. To this day this album remains one of my most listened to albums of 2011. What I feel TVOTR did with this record was enjoy it, where as there previous effort Dear Science is a very emotional album with tracks like "Family Tree" and "Lover's Day". Don't get me wrong, those are excellent songs and I still enjoy that album. However, Nine Types of Light fills me with a sense of optimism and positivity with tracks like "Killer Crane". Featuring lyrics such as "sunshine I saw you through the hanging vine, a memory of what is mine fading away, but this night heals the ground, and the moonlight steals the sound, I could leave suddenly unafraid." I can't help but feel like I should be out in the summer sun when listen to this album and with songs like "Will do", "Keep Your Heart" and "Repetition" you can't help but enjoy this album.

TV On The Radio - Killer Crane

TV On The Radio - "Will Do"

April - Ought to Be's

Augustana - Augustana

1303435387_400_

Augustana have made a name for themselves with their piano and melody driven love songs such as "Fire" and "Hey Now" from there previous album Can't Hurt, Can't Love. With their April release of their self-titled album they worked with KOL producer Jacquire King, which has been famed for helping bands create stadium worthy, bigger sounds. Yet, this is not what Augustana is, nor should be, it feels like a want-to-be Killers album with Augustana trying to force the emotion of Can't Hurt, Cant Love into it. It just doesn't work and they should realize not every band can have what happened to Kings of Leon happen to them, just return to what works for them and experiment within your own limitations.

Augustana - "Steal Your Heart"

Check in tomorrow for May's "Is's and Ought to Be's", which was much heavy month for music.
- Spence

9.01.2011

Patrick Watson & Esmerine - Snow Day For Lhasa

Patrick-Watson-and-Esmerine

Past Polaris Prize winner Patrick Watson teamed up with the Montreal duo Esmerine to create this song for Lhasa de Sela who was a great Canadian artist. Lhasa died on January 1, 2010 at the age of 37 from breast cancer. Her death sent waves through the Montreal music community. The following song was a tribute to her. It is called Snow Day For Lhasa because after her death Watson said that it snowed for 4 days straight.


 Snow Day For Lhasa by Constellation Records

If you want a further glimpse into Watson and Lhasa you can watch the video below. It is a great cover of Elliott Smith's "Between the Bars"

Fiume Night 11 _ Lhasa de Sela & Patrick Watson _ Montreal, april 2009 from Vincent Moon / Petites Planètes on Vimeo.

- Bryce