Ottawa Tonite.com : Section Title
UPCOMING CD RELEASES
Hippie Campfire Gets Shiny Object Syndrome
Hippie Campfire CD Release Party
Chasing Shiny Objects
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Ottawa Little Theatre, 8:30pm
Tickets $15 at the door
While most people get introduced to a band by listening to their album or seeing them live, I first met Hippie Campfire in a basement rehearsal studio. Instruments scattered the room, cables were strewn everywhere. There was chaos around us, but then silence. 1, 2, 3, 4….the drum sticks counted. Then, the sound that filled the room completely blew me away. These guys were good. Really, really good.
Hippie Campfire are six local boys who know how to groove. Their music is not easily pigeon-holed, as they move seamlessly from hard rock to funk to blues to rock ballads. Their super tight guitars, drums and keyboards are fronted by not one, but three incredibly powerful vocalists.
I was tickled pink when Rich Rankin, vocalist and keyboard player for the group, offered to send me an advance copy of their new CD, Chasing Shiny Objects. I immediately popped it into my car’s CD player and turned the volume to 5000 (because that’s really the only way to listen to Hippie Campfire).
This is the 2nd album from Hippie in recent years – their self titled debut came out in 2006 and although it’s a romping good time, Hippie Campfire has gone to another level completely with this new album. It’s exceptionally produced, and really accentuates the supreme musicianship of the band. It’s a listening experience – I found myself tapping my toes one minute and listening reflectively the next.
Ragtime dares you to not get up and start dancing on the spot, while Waiting for Digby leaves you contemplating as the harmonies send shivers down your spine. If there’s one thing that Hippie excels at, it’s bringing da funk. Trippin’ is way too much fun, and Spanking the Monkey will leave you with a brand new and potentially embarrassing earworm (I was caught singing it out loud the other day).
Hippie Campfire is a band not to be missed live, either, and lucky for us, Saturday, June 25 is the CD release of Chasing Shiny Objects. The show is at 8:30pm at the Ottawa Little Theatre, and tickets are $15 at the door. It’s sure to be a rip roaring good time. Bring your dancing shoes!
The album is available for download at their web site. Buy it!
Here’s a little more Hippie for you, in Hi-Fi Technicolor Web video – but be warned – once you’ve seen this, you’ll be hooked too.
Ottawa’s Music Community Working Together for Haiti
Cover art by Yvon Villarceau
It began with a desire to help in the face of disaster.
Over the past 2 years, OttawaTonite.com has grown from a fledgling blog/web site about the Ottawa arts and culture scene into a hub of community and connectedness. It’s helped to bring artists together many parts of the city, and created a space where they can not only feature their work, but where they can share a glimpse of what it’s like to be a creative person in our city. Most importantly, it’s brought artists together, and created some powerful relationships.
This web site has enabled the community to become more connected, and it’s that connection that spawned the idea to bring artists together, to try and help the people of Haiti in any way possible.
Photo by Sean Sisk
Ottawa for Haiti is a remarkable CD compilation put together by many artists in the Ottawa music community. The project, headed up by Ottawa Tonite founder Cheryl Gain, is the culmination of many months of work by a team of generous and talented people. The CD contains 14 tracks from a broad range of local musicians, such as Lindsay Ferguson, Silver Creek, Jill Zmud, and Juno Award winner Kellylee Evans. It is a magnificent recording that truly showcases the many talents of our local music scene.
All proceeds from the sale of Ottawa for Haiti will go to Hope for Haiti, a wonderful organization that is working on the ground to help Haiti’s people rebuild.
I sat down with Producer Cheryl Gain to discuss how this remarkable project came together. (If you can’t see the video, click here.)
Photo by Sean Sisk
This project would not have been possible without the efforts of the many people involved. In addition to the amazing contributions of the artists and their songs, much appreciation goes to recording engineer Matt Ouimet, mastering engineer Philip Shaw Bova, artist Yvon Villarceau who designed the gorgeous album cover, graphic designer Ben Welland, photographer Sean Sisk, web designer Steve Donnelly, Jester Creative for lending a hand with the web site and video, Darner Media for tech support, and our amazing sponsors, Jeff O’Reilly of D’arcy McGees, and Chris Saracino at Standard Media.
Ottawa for Haiti is being officially released on Saturday, April 30th at 8pm at D’arcy McGee’s on Sparks Street in downtown Ottawa at a special show featuring artists from the album. Lindsay Ferguson, Shannon Eddy-Smith, Megan Jerome, Ken Voita, Jill Zmud, Kellylee Evans, Matt Ouimet, and more, will all be performing tracks from the album. We hope you can join us!
The CD will be available at the show on April 30th and is being sold at Compact Music for $7. You can also purchase it online at www.ottawforhaiti.ca or download it from iTunes.
Emerging artist Renée Yoxon’s debut album release “LET’S CALL IT A DAY”
On Friday, October 1st at First Unitarian Church in Ottawa, Ontario, Renée Yoxon & René Gely will be releasing their first collaborative work.
LET’S CALL IT A DAY is a minimal and intimate, jazz-inspired guitar/voice duo featuring the sweet yet strong vocal stylings and compositions of emerging artist Renée Yoxon with the stark and beautiful arrangements of veteran guitarist René Gely. The release concert will also feature the brilliant Montreal guitarist Mike Rud.
As Yoxon’s debut album, this work showcases her clear and unembellished lyrical delivery, poignant song choice, and emotionally charged performance. Using a wide variety of guitars, Yoxon & Gely create atmospheric, folk-influenced interpretations of jazz standards.
Recently, Yoxon has been garnering notice with several of her tracks getting play on local radio shows such as CBC’s All in a Day with Alan Neal.
To celebrate the release, a digital EP version of the album will be offered to every attendee of the concert on October 1st.
About the artists:
Young vocalist Renée Yoxon is quickly becoming one of the most in demand jazz singers in the Ottawa region thanks to her grace, captivating presence and beautiful voice. Introduced to jazz music in high school, her tastes and vocal repertoire range from bebop to contemporary favourites. After graduating from high school Renée studied voice with Tena Palmer while completing a degree in physics with minors in math and music from Carleton University. Recently, Renée has participated in the National Arts Centre’s Manhattan on the Rideau masterclasses led by Theo Bleckmann and Peter Eldridge.
Distinguished by more poise and assurance than most young women her age, Renée delivers unique interpretations of jazz standards. Hear her every Monday night at Bar 56 in Ottawa’s Byward Market.
www.reneeyoxon.com
René Gely has pursued his musical passions in San Francisco, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Paris. A Parisian for 12 years, he studied with the French world music guitarist Pierre Bensusan and the acclaimed American expatriate, soprano saxophonist Steve Lacy. René has recorded with Toronto jazz musicians such as Perry White and George Koller, as well as with the Irish singer Mary Reidy. While in San Francisco in 2003, René started his world beat trio Pulse Mondiale. He later relocated to the Ottawa area where he is originally from. Here he has formed a new edition of Pulse Mondiale, as well as new collaborations with the city’s best musicians.
www.renegely.com
CD release concert
Friday, October 1, 2010, 8:00pm
First Unitarian Church, 30 Cleary Avenue
$20, tickets available at Compact Music in Ottawa
Featuring: Renée Yoxon (voice), René Gely (guitars), Mike Rud (guitars)
“The Anybody” – CD Release – March 31st at The Cajun Attic
The Anybody is an Ottawa-based indie rock project lead by musician, singer and songwriting troubadour Connor Mercury. The Anybody has recorded and produced its’ own songs for more than 4 years. Before even reaching his twenty-something years, Connor amassed a devoted following. He usually plays alone but occasionally is joined on stage by a variety of musicians.
Connor’s musical meanderings incorporate shoegaze, country, psychedelic rock and even techno. His work is profoundly influenced by the world around him as well as indie sounds from artists like Elliott Smith, Pavement, Wilco and even David Bowie. Connor’s poignant stories and experiences are woven throughout his words while his music comes straight from his heart. The Anybody’s first release, a six-song, self-titled CD that showcases Connor’s gift for crafty song writing and features a minimalist approach to song production.
The Anybody’s second release Let it Damn Well Hurt, is a self produced collection of Connor Mercury’s songs, chronicling six months of living in a dingy basement apartment – the building eventually burned to the ground. Connor plays all the instruments on this work, and what results is a distinct sound that captures his passion for music through upbeat numbers like San Francisco and quiet moments of introspection found in Car Crash.
Check out more about Connor Mercury and The Anybody at www.myspace.com/theanybody8
The Polymorphines make it work with Transistor Sistor
Here’s the sad truth: bands like the Polymorphines don’t really exist anymore.
There are a few here and there still dishing out original hard rock, but most groups that sound like this are rehashing the tired old Zeppelin and AC/DC covers in places like the sad wreck of what once was Barrymore’s. But the Ottawa-based combo is creating new material, fresh energetic rock that is a far cry from simply aping the old masters.
I’m not sure a lot of people still listen to music like this, outside of live venues, although there are several instances I can think of where the Polymorphines’ new Transistor Sistor would be appropriate. For example, while hanging off the side of a 747 in mid flight, or being chased down the tracks by a runaway locomotive; or, say, parachuting into a VietCong encampment during the Tet Offensive, circa 1968. Those kind of special occasions.
Then again, this is the kind of group that, once they start playing, all notions of stylistic pigeon-holing disappear.
They produce sweaty, riff-driven hard rock without the pretension of much mid-to-late 70′s fare (even Zeppelin was guilty of this). There are no 25-minute keyboard solos, no flowery lyrics about hobbits and wizards and magical stairways, but the band kicks up a solid groove and keeps it going throughout the record. Transistor Sister has a remarkably consistent feel from start to finish.
Like a lot of 70s rock, their music is heavy on guitar, drums and a particularly fluid bass, but there is a unique feel to the recording that sounds like a cross between a church basement and Shea Stadium.
The band lists Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath and Neil Young among their influences and they’ve absorbed and synthesized elements from all of them.
Outside of standard blues-rock groups, not many rock acts have tried to incorporate a harmonica player. Aerosmith does it once in a while when they’re trying to revive their flagging rock cred. Mick Jagger fooled around with it in the early years before discarding the harmonica in favour of sexually ambiguous gyrating. There are a few scorching harp solos on this record that will make your ears burn.
The Polymorphines make it work, too. Transistor Sistor, is a full-length collection of high-powered rock songs that evoke sweaty bars, mosh pits and beer-fueled dance marathons. It sounds like a live album from the studio floor and is tastefully underproduced by Dave Dudley; the group is tight and obviously very used to one another, which is why the record sounds like they stepped right off the stage and into the booth.
A major highlight is “Dirty Cop”, which is one of the funnier tracks on the album, a tongue-in-cheek skewering of overstuffed authority figures. There’s a lengthy harmonica solo on this one and a cool beat. “Goodbye Kiss” woudn’t sound out of place on a Black Sabbath record, circa 1970, only this is even heavier and the band seems more concerned with sound than image. “Black Sky” has one of the hottest opening guitar licks you’ll hear in this day and age.
Another high point is “Wicked Woman”, where the beat momentarily slows down and they channel the ghosts of early-70s Santana. (Santana’s not technically dead, but the music sure is.)
In the end – and without denigrating the studio effort in any way – this is a band that will make its reputation through live performances. What the album gives you is a keyhole glimpse into what must be an amazing stage show.
You get that chance March 20th at Babylon for their CD release party.
Listen to The Polymorphines here: http://www.myspace.com/thepolymorphines
Jehan Khoorshed is a music reviewer for Ottawa Tonite, and can also be found here: http://www.myspace.com/jehankhoorshed
Ken Workman & The Union & ‘Roots-Rock’ at Tucson’s
Ken Workman & The Union are readying for: “A night of old, new, and ne’er been heard before…” and Ottawa roots-rock music lovers are READY too!!!
The band is just about to hit the studio again and record their 2nd full-length CD, which promises to be yet another example of Workman’s ability to produce deeply affecting and honest material that he and his band The Union are well-known for on the Ottawa music scene.
“Workman’s originals are personal tales with a lot of big picture wisdom to take away from each song” – Fateema Sayani – The Ottawa Citizen
PRESS RELEASE: Ken Workman was raised on the vinyl sounds of roots, from Townes Van Zandt and Steve Earle to Blue Rodeo and Bruce Springsteen. No stranger to the road, Workman got started singing in the small pubs and bars of Eastern Ontario, sometimes driving for hours to a show only to make a return trip the same night. His repertoire consisted of mainly cover material until he was encouraged to share some of his little-known originals.
Workman shows great flexibility in music styles, having been asked to perform early original material at the Central Canadian Bluegrass Awards in 2003. His attention to detail in lyrics and ability to create emotion through melody caught the attention of musicians and promoters alike, who promptly contracted him to perform various fairs and festivals the following year. In 2009, his songs gained the attention of legendary Rush producer Terry Brown who quickly took him under his wing to mix his debut CD.
Tones of blue collar struggle and working-poor values line songs that breathe to life tastefully crafted melodies. A true roots-rock experience with a hint of pop, his live show demonstrates dynamics that can reduce a room to silence or fill a dance floor by exploding with a driving beat. His songs unite a heart full of emotion and a memory full of experiences of a working class childhood.
Workman performs as part of the The Ontario Council of Folk Festivals (OCFF) Showcase
Ken Workman & The Union at Tucson’s
Friday, November 27, 2009 at 9:15pm
Tickets: $8
| http://www.myspace.com/kenworkmanandtheunion |
Lisa Poushinsky packs a “stiletto punch”
PRESS RELEASE – Ottawa-based singer-songwriter, L. Poushinsky, is already well known for her hallmark dramatic vibrato and rich, lyric-driven song-writing. Self-styled, “feverish cabaret folk rock for lovers and wolves,” as she calls her material, she combines intimacy and naivety – in the French chanteuse tradition – with a stiletto punch.
Her 3rd CD, “Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter,” to be released with a live performance in Ottawa (at the Ecclesiax Church, 2 Monk Street) on Friday, Nov 13th with many special guests, and cookies too.
Ottawa’s excellent country crooner Trevor Alguire will open the show.
Doors open at 8:30, music starts at 9.
Tickets will be sold at the Monk St entrance. $10 per ticket, and $20 at the door gets you a CD too.
Like her previous releases and more than 100 live performances (with bands Red Fey, Hollow Water, and as a solo performer,) Poushinsky delivers deliciously interesting compositions about love and life that are musically textured and emotionally exposed.
But there’s no self-indulgence here.
Poushinky does not wallow.
With a subtle touch, Poushinsky navigates her audience through a raw emotional landscape with a quirky, flirty, even frolicky bounce. The complex jazz-fusion instrumentation throughout “Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter” provides a sweetness to the vulnerable femme fatale vocals that are powerful.
Her band is first-rate, and includes many notable Canadian musicians, including:
Adam Fogo (upright electric Zeta bass and bass guitar); Craig Pederson (trumpet); Brian Simms (electric lead guitar and b.u. vox); Brendan Allistone (electric lead guitar and b.u. vox); Mike Schultz (trombone); Ashley Newall (bass guitar and b.u. vox); Evan Runge (violin); Kader Blaine (banjo and b.u. vox), Tim Watson (drums), and even Bova chips in with hand claps, back up vocals, and maracas.
Now Poushinsky is taking her new material on the road in her CD Release tour, first to Ottawa, where she’ll recreate the CD in its entirety with 12 accompanying musicians at the Ecclesiax Church (on Monk St. in the Glebe); she’ll share the bill with Ottawa alt-country crooner Trevor Alguire.
Then Poushinsky will take the show on the road and tour Southern Ontario with Dave Norris and Local Ivan for a series of double CD release parties that promise to be a true musical tour de force.
Ottawatonite will be sharing in the Ottawa performance and bringing some special moments from the show to YOU. Come on down to the Glebe on Friday November 13th and take in Lisa’s show, share in her spirit and cookies too!
To hear sample tracks from “Heart Shaped Cookie Cutter,” and a regularly updated tour calendar, visit:
www.myspace.com/lpoushinsky
Jill Zmud Launches: “As we quietly drive by”
PRESS RELEASE: Jill Zmud has never robbed a bank. But that hasn’t stopped her from writing about it. She pens and sings songs about bank robberies, late-night rides home in winter, and how a person’s skin can sometimes feel like home.
This up-and-coming Ottawa songstress launches her first full-length album entitled “as we quietly drive by”on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at the Black Sheep Inn
“Without a doubt, Jill Zmud is the winner of this year’s Black Sheep Favourite New Artist – Female“ Paul Symes, The Black Sheep Inn
A bit of a late bloomer, Jill began writing and playing music in her early twenties: she alternates between keyboards, acoustic guitar, and a late 1960s Fender Telecaster that belonged to her Uncle Eddy (a member of the band Witness Inc.). Since moving to Ottawa over three years ago, this Saskatchewan native has been featured on CBC Radio, played at Westboro Village’s Westfest and performed with Ana Miura’s Babes for Breasts tour.
Recently, Jill has enjoyed sharing the stage with a number of notable musicians, including Danny Michel, Amelia Curran, Kyrie Kristmanson, and Dave Draves – who is also the producer of her new album, a collection of torch-folk pop gems.
“Not all the songs on this album are about love and romance. But I’d like to think that when people listen to the songs, they might want to abandon the edges of their beds for a warmer place closer to the middle,” says Jill.
To sample tracks from Jill’s haunting and intimate debut album, have a listen at: www.jillzmud.com
“It’s not often I’m actually moved to tears at my desk upon the first listen to someone’s MySpace page. That’s the kind of reaction Jill Zmud evokes with her perfect voice”
Amanda Putz, CBC Radio 1
Prior to her album launch at the Black Sheep Inn, Jill Zmud offers an in-store public performance on Thursday, November 12, 2009 from 12:30 to 1pm at Compact Music, 190 Bank Street (at Gloucester).
Ottawatonite has a feature interview with Jill Zmud – coming soon!
