On deck:
Coming soon: Go The Road by folk group Tiller’s Folly; Brasstronaut’s Mean Sun (May 15).
Already here: Stef Lang’s EP, Fighting Mirrors. First single is “Paper Doll” with a tour to follow. Tour kicks off April 1 with a show at Joe’s Apartment. Get a taste at steflang.ca or watch her video below.
Among the B.C. bands attending next week’s South By Southwest blast in Austin are Chains Of Love, Dan Mangan, Said The Whale, Slam Dunk, Humans and Monolithium. These six have been gathered up for a showcase presented by Winnie Cooper and Beat Route Magazine, March 17.
Bob Kemmis, who recently released a new album, No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, under the name The Mockingbird has been selected to perform in Ottawa at JUNOfest, March 30.
sylvi macCormac is a fine songwriter in the Joni Michell vein but she has branched out considerably and now is about to add film maker to her resume. Her documentary Patience And Absurdity debuts March 22-25 at the WAM Festival.
Gigs:
Lots of them!
Chantel Upshaw premieres her album (Media Club, March 13); Buckman Coe gets a new lease, and new cover and record label for his By The Mountain’s Feet (Biltmore, March 16); David Newberry (launches No One Will Remember You, Railway, March 15); Swollen Members (Venue, March 15); Cloudes Of Analog air its impressive The Funeral March (Biltmore, March 15) Trees Coffee House continues its Thursday and Friday bookings with two acts The Garage continues to watch (Marq DeSouza, March 15, Mark Osochoff, March 16); The Dreadnoughts present Anti Saint Patrick’s Day Polka Party (and, if you can, read the book of their English tour, This Place Is Awesome, Fortune Sound Club, March 17); Rob Montgomery and Friends Blue Monday series at the Jazz Cellar is Murray Porter (March 19); and here’s big one (The Belushis, Gold Stars Are For Suckers, B-Monster, The East Vamps, Media Club, March 24); Boom Booms (Venue, March 29).
The Deadlights take over the Princeton Pub on Thursdays. First show is March 22.
Dalannah Gail Bowen is one of the performers at the “Songs Of Mahaliah Jackson” concert at St. Andrews Wesley Church, 1022 Nelson, March 24. Mahaliah Jackson was a leading and very influential gospel singer, doing much to do her duty – spreading the word of God – but also popularizing gospel. Kind of a crossover act and controversial during the intense years of racial integration.
Making noise, raising funds
Two fundraisers to note.
Girls With Guns: The Girly Rock Show presents three rock bands fronted by women, Uncle Sid, Night At The Chelsea, Heatscare. They’re rockin for the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, March 30, at Joe’s Apartment.
Joe’s Apartment also hosts a fundraiser for the B.C. Children’s Hospital with Centrefold and Pardon My Striptease, April 7.
Reid rides the rails
Singer-writer Reid Jameison won the grand prize in the annual John Lennon Songwriting contest. His entry was “Rail,” a song inspired by touring with Stuart McLean and his Vinyl Cafe by train. “Rail” isn’t quite typical of Jameison. Although it is well sung atop acoustic guitar and bass, there are dramatic vocal shifts in his phrasing that create a subtle but discernible urgency.
