A Small Town Eulogy that will bring a tear to your eye

Well thanks again to Meg from Rock Me Joe, we've got some more amazing Canadian music to spark your interest.  Perhaps not surprisingly, I'm taking us to Toronto yet again, where we can feast our ears (does that even make sense?) on Graydon James & The Young Novelists.  The group has released a four song E.P., there first collaborative works, entitled A Small Town Eulogy. 

Graydon has done plenty of writing and recording in the past, but these 4 songs mark the beginning of a total group collaboration.  They have certainly picked great tracks, showcasing a great ability to change speeds and feel.  The album really gets the imagination going as to how good their live show must be.  Plenty of members with an abundance of talent makes for a great act, and I suspect these guys don't disappoint. 

All four songs are certainly worth checking out, and like many bands these days, they are using a "name your price" campaign on bandcamp.  Whether you pay a dollar or a hundred dollars, you'll never think twice.  Graydon James & The Young Novelists are worth every penny.

Open your ears to Lady Hayes

Well I know it's been a while, but I promise you all this is worth the wait.  And if you can imagine, Toronto is yet again where our featured artist resides.  Shelly Hayes, or as listeners know her, Lady Hayes unleashed Opening Hearts & Apertures on the world in February, and if the rest are like me, they are diggin it.

This is Hayes debut solo effort, and it's 12 tracks will induce an interest for more.  Her voice alone is going to keep you glued, sounding perfect and effortless throughout the album.  Lucky for us it's full length, all because Hayes sound impressed producers enough (from a DIY demo she was working on), to push forward with this debut.

"Recipe for Disaster" is featured on Lady Hayes blog, and is by far my favourite.  It kicks along with an awesome drum beat, and has some brass that puts it over the top.  Apparently I'm a sucker for first songs these days as well, because the other song that really sticks out for me is the first track from Opening Hearts & Apertures, titled "Defining Lines".  She got me right off the hop with her voice, and this is a great two minutes that really showcases just that.

I'm looking forward to more from Hayes.  This album really got me quickly, and I'm confident I'm not alone.  It's another spin you won't be disappointed with.

Catch a ferry to Jacob's Island

Looks like I'm not finishing that Toronto kick anytime soon.  Dan Kosub call's Ontario's capital home, and he is set to release Jacob's Island March 8th. I'm really enjoying E.P.'s lately, they seem like such a great way to create buzz and excitement for more from the artist.  Kosub's latest works are no different.  Six solid tracks, and now I sit and wait for the tour...

With an upbeat sound, and a great voice, it's an easy album to fall into.  Kosub sounds like he's been releasing albums for years.  "House Arrest" and "Til I'm there" are my two favourites.  I love the instruments in "House Arrest", and "Til I'm there" is a killer song to start the album off with, Kosub's singing pulling you in immediately.

This talented singer/songwriter has tour dates lined up in Ontario to support this latest release.  He also has plans of hitting the road hard this summer, making his way out here to Victoria and then heading back.  Bringing Jacob's Island with him, gives us all the chance to visit and take in the sights and sounds.

Dinosaur Bones, a rare and precious find

I am officially on a Toronto kick.  Hailing from the Big Smoke is the latest recommended listening from Island SoapBox, Dinosaur Bones, and their debut full length My Divider.  Due out March 8, this bad boy is down right good.  Taking their time in the studio (they spent over six weeks recording), the five men behind the sound have put forth 11 tracks worth listening to.

My first impression of the record was it seemed very dramatic.  The songs have a great flow, and I found myself going through a range of emotions listening, but the dramatic undertones seem to carry through.  I think that's why I'm enjoying this particular album so much, this is music that is out of my "typical listening", especially when it comes to a five piece group, but these guys have me hooked.

"Ice Hotels" is probably my favourite right now.  I think it offers up a lot of what Dinosaur Bones offers up, and what I just talked about.  The song builds really nicely, and stays quite simple sounding while getting there.  "Bombs in the Night" would be my other favourite.  I like the driving beat behind this one, and I just really like how it's put together.  It does a weird thing in my brain I can't quite describe, I just know I enjoy it!

This album has certainly made a fan out of me.  I was not very familiar with the group before, but I am quite pleased to know about them now.  I'm thinking March 8 will be a great day for the boys, and an even better day for their fans.  With a Canadian Tour planned already, there will be plenty of opportunity to grab this album for yourself, and add to that growing fan base.

A Mafia I could join...

Ok so we're headed to Toronto yet again, with some Manchester support in there for good measure.  The Hippy Mafia "is a collaboration of five individuals from five music genres hailing from Manchester UK and Ontario Canada." according to their website.  I think they are just rad.  Besides just really digging their tunes right now, their website is pretty fun in itself.  Some of the reading is right out there, but it is entertaining to read while you listen.

They only have 4 tunes up right now, and they have an E.P. in the works.  I will certainly be keeping an eye out for that.  As for what they have up right now, I really dig Apollo Creed.  This is more music that gets me wanting to move around, an instant energy boost when you really need it.  I like the fact they mention they come from 5 different music genres, because you feel like you hear a bit of everything in there.  I really feel if you're a music fan, there will be something about The Hippy Mafia you enjoy. 

Catch the Shortwave

Well we're headed back to Toronto again folks, and with good reason, Shortwave beckons.  Their new album The Skyline Verses, is the bands first kick at a full length, and I think they nailed it.   I don't often enjoy a record this much the first time through, but it really just sat well with me.  Eleven solid tracks make for a great play front to back.

There is something familiar about the sound of the whole record.  The first time through I was wondering if I had heard some of these songs before.  Not in the same-old-crap kinda way, but more in the favourite-old-diddy kinda way.  I really felt like the album just fell into the "old favourites pile", just like that.

This is certainly a more upbeat album, fourty-two minutes of music that gets me going.  I know usually I have pretty causal, easy listening on here, so that may be why I'm digging this as much as I am.  The energy is constant, and it's a good album to listen to for those times you're looking for a kick in the ass.

"Motown" is my favourite tune on the album.  I also think it gives a great idea of what the rest of the album is about.  It's just a super fun song, and much like the rest of the record, it fires up my inspiration as well.  The songs have such great beats, that the geeky inner-editor nerd comes out in me, and I just want to cut video to it!

It may be the bands first full length, but they are by no means new to the scene.  After giving this a spin, their experience is evident, and this album should generate nothing but positive vibes for Shortwave.

I've caught The Ruby Spirit! An Album Recommendation by Island SoapBox

We're headed to Toronto this time round, and it's well worth the trip.  The Ruby Spirit are "kaleidoscopic indie-rockers", which I've personally translated into simply meaning, it's fun.

Their album "Born Under a Veil" is set for release September 4.  It is very simply, awesome.  Paige Boy, is the voice that leads the way, and she produces nothing but smooth vocals that do wonders.  Behind her, the rest of the band (Alex Pulec, Mickey Donnell, Jay Cipparrone, Juliana Eye), play music that is driving, sometimes hypnotic, but constant with positivity and happiness.  Listening to it just makes me feel good.  It's the type of music that lends itself to just about anything.

The band is gearing up for a supporting tour of the six song E.P.  The album has a good variety of sound, my favourite tune has got to be Caligari though.  I really dig the organ in it, and Boy sings her heart out in parts.

With nothing but positive reviews in regard to their live show and stage presence, the energy behind this album would be very worthwhile catching live.  Their album release show in particular sounds very intriguing.  The group is taking over The Great Hall in Toronto (Queen and Dovercourt) on September 4, and turning the space into a multi-dimensional atmosphere.  A great opportunity to see The Ruby Spirit in their element.

If you need an album for your next road trip, bike ride, walk, run, paper-route, whatever, this is no waste of your time.  You don't need to be in any certain mood to listen to The Ruby Spirit, and in the end, it always leaves you in the same mood...a great one.

Links of Interest:
The Ruby Spirit Myspace
The Ruby Spirit Homepage
The Ruby Spirit Twitter