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

Juno-nominated Canadian singer-songwriter, Jeremy Fisher, will be hitting the road in the new year to continue to promote his debut album Back Porch Spirituals.  “This tour is going to be an interesting change for me. I’m excited for the focus of my performances to be on the songs that helped get my start in this industry. I feel like I’m able to get back to my roots as a musician and I really can’t wait to perform live and be on the road again!” says Fisher.

Here’s the track list:

1. The Devil Found A Friend In Me
2. Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Plenty Of Time
3. Jolly Roger
4. Kiss The Moon
5. You, Me, And The Sunshine
6. Twister
7. Saddle Up The Horse
8. Marengo, Saskatchewan
9. Song For Robert Zimmerman
10. Safe And Sound

Here are the Canadian tour dates (with Hannah Georgas):

• January 24 – Victoria, Metro Studio
• January 28 – Vancouver, St. James Church
• January 30 – Calgary, The Gateway
• January 31 – Edmonton, Horowitz Theatre
• February 1 – Winnipeg, Park Theatre
• February 5 – London, London Music Hall
• February 6 – Waterloo, University of Waterloo
• February 7 – Toronto, MOD Club
• February 8 – Wakefield, Blacksheep Inn
• February 11 – Halifax, Seahorse Tavern

To learn more about Jeremy, visit his official website, MySpace profile or pick up goodies at his store!

image used with permission

Post from: Canadian Music News

Hannah Georgas will be releasing her debut album The Beat Stuff on January 27, 2009 and will be embarking on a cross-Canada tour with Jeremy Fisher to kick things off. 

The Vancouver native recently won the Music BC Songbird West Singer/Songwriter Competition for 2008 with the title track from the album and, I’ve got to say that judging from what I’ve heard on her MySpace profile, I’m really intrigued and impressed.  I’m a real fan of the American indie star, Meiko, and Hannah really reminds me of her.  Hannah’s MySpace music player features the tracks “Mama’s Boy,” “Let’s Talk,” “The Beat Stuff,” “The National” and “All I Need.”  Every single one of them is really good and I love the purity and honesty displayed in her lyrics and vocals.  Really nice!

Hannah got quite a year planned.  Not only is she releasing her first album and going on tour, she’s also slated to perform at New Songs, New Voices as well as at the Winter Olympics Cultural Olympiad. 

Here’s the track list for The Beat Stuff:

1. Lets Talk
2. The Beat Stuff
3. Mamas Boy
4. The National
5. All I Need
6. Gabriella

Here are the Canadian tour dates (with Jeremy Fisher):

• January 24 – Victoria, Metro Studio
• January 28 – Vancouver, St. James Church
• January 30 – Calgary, The Gateway
• January 31 – Edmonton, Horowitz Theatre
• February 1 – Winnipeg, Park Theatre
• February 5 – London, London Music Hall
• February 6 – Waterloo, University of Waterloo
• February 7 – Toronto, MOD Club
• February 8 – Wakefield, Blacksheep Inn
• February 11 – Halifax, Seahorse Tavern

If Hannah is performing in a city near you, I would really recommend going out to see her because I think you’ll be witnessing the birth of a great new Canadian artist.  I see huge potential and I hope that 2009 is Hannah’s year!

images used with permission

Post from: Canadian Music News

Canadian trio, Heavy Jack, are pure rock and roll.  I haven’t listened to a new album in quite a while that made me feel like I was transported back to a time before I was even born but that’s how I felt when I listened to the group’s Multiply. 

The album kicks off with the high-energy track “Bushfire” that features a long guitar outro that you just don’t find too many places anymore.  I enjoyed it and was eager to hear more.  

“Blood Red Sun” is a drum-driven tune that borders on too repetitive but manages to work itself out in the end.

The third track, “What’s In a Name” is probably my favorite.  It reminds me of something but I just can’t figure it out.  Anyway the chord changes are really nice so it totally won me over.

The rest of the album proceeds pretty much the way you would expect.  Lead singer/guitarist, Ben, has a versatile voice that can sometimes remind you of Creedence Clearwater Revival right on through to Steven Tyler of Aerosmith (as is the case in “Moving On”). 

Here’s a tracklisting for the album:

1. Bushfire
2. Blood Red Son
3. Whats In A Name
4. Movin’ On
5. Jumpin Jack Flash
6. Bandits In The Night
7. Fly Away (Black Crow)
8. Peace Soldier

The group also did a cover of “Gloria” which you can listen to here.  I think the track features some really impressive guitar work.

If you would like to know more about Heavy Jack, visit their official website or their MySpace profile.  You can also pick up a copy of the album at CD Baby.

images used with permission

Post from: Canadian Music News

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

The singer, who told an Australian television show that he wanted to be a hockey player growing up, has lofty goals for himself – he eventually wants to own the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team: “My goal, and it might be a ridiculously silly goal, is that I would love to own the Canucks one day as well. I have a lot of work to do but, you know, you dream, right? You set ’em high and if you don’t make it, you still land pretty close to where you want. This is a huge start for me.”

I think it’s really exciting when someone gets to do something they’ve wanted for their whole lives.  He may not ever be a hockey player but he can sing the national anthem at the games of the team he owns!  That’s pretty awesome!

image: Bauer-Griffin

Post from: Canadian Music News

Kardinal Offishall

According to Chart Attack, the remix was supposed to be released earlier this year but was pushed back along with Dre’s long-awaited album Detox. 

You can listen to the song here:

image: MuchMusic.com

Post from: Canadian Music News

Canadian Idol has been cancelled for 2009.  According to the National Post, CTV released the following statement:“as a result of the current economic climate, production of Canadian Idol will rest for the 2009 year.”

Wow!  That’s huge news and, of course, a terrible sign for the Canadian economy.  I hope it comes back as other Idol shows have done who have taken a year off in the past (Germany, Russia and the Netherlands, for example).

image: CTV

Post from: Canadian Music News

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

I am torn between Hedley and Theory of a Deadman… actually, Finger Eleven looks like a good choice too.  Argh!  How great is that, though?  When making a decision is tough, you know it’s been a good year in Canadian music. 

It’s also cool to see so many former Canadian Idol contestants nominated.  Carly Rae Jepsen is nominated for "Sunshine on my Shoulders," which is a nice cover of the John Denver classic but I really love her song "Tug of War."

Here are the nominees:

Rock                       
Age of Daze – "Afflicted"
Art of Dying – "Get Through This"
Daniel Wesley – "Ooo Ohh"
Die Mannequin – "Do it or Die"
Rides Again – "Infected"

CHR:                         
Addictiv- "Tonite"
Crash Parallel – "World We Know"
Danny Fernandes – "Curious"
Kreesha Turner – "Bounce with Me"
Lights – "Drive my Soul"

Urban:                                                                  
Danny Fernandes – "Curious"
Di’Ja – "Rock Steady"
Ish feat. Cory Lee – "Falling in Love with You"
Kreesha Turner – "Bounce with Me"

HOT Adult Contemporary:                   
Addictiv- "Tonite"
Crash Parallel – "World We Know"
Kreesha Turner – "Bounce with Me"
Lights – "Drive my Soul"
The Reason – "We’re so Beyond This"

MAINSTREAM Adult Contemporary:  
Carly Rae Jepsen – "Sunshine on my Shoulders"
Julie Crochetiere – "Precious Love"
Kreesha Turner – "Don’t Call Me Baby"
Lights – "Drive my Soul"
Simon Collins – "Unconditional"

Country:
Crystal Shawanda – "You Can Let Go"
Jaydee Bixby – "Old Fashioned Girl"
Ridley Bent – "Heartland Heartbreak"
Tara Oram – "Fly Girl"
The Higgins – "Flower Child"

Fan’s Choice:
Hedley
Finger Eleven
Kreesha Turner
State Of Shock
Theory of a Deadman

S.A.C. Song of the Year
Hedley – "For the Nights I Can’t Remember"
Finger Eleven – "I’ll Keep your Memory Vague"
Avril Lavigne – "Hot"
Kreesha Turner – "Don’t Call me Baby"
Kardinal Offishall – "Dangerous"

image: maplemusic.com

Post from: Canadian Music News