Over time, pressure creates cracks in the foundation and fragments any stability of almost any structure, but when magical conditions are met, that same pressure can create diamonds.
There is a weight resting on the shoulders of Kathleen Edwards, a microscope focused in on every cell of her being. Whether it’s her limitless potential, her break-up or subsequent high profile relationship, everyone has an opinion on a woman that by her own admission, “only wanted to sing songs.”
So when you sit down with Edwards’ latest record, Voyageur, you should realize the ten songs aren’t about the Grammy nominated and Pitchfork approved producer she chose, the end of her marriage or even the new beginnings that dictate the subject matter. For Edwards, this record, her most complete and risky to date, is about her desire to change her expectations and ignore ours.
Voyageur isn’t simple strums of her acoustic supporting the endless stable of heartbreaking characters Kathleen creates. She’s not competing for the Canadian country/roots crown, although she still shows moments of folky brilliance (the ray of light that beams through the melody of “Empty Threat” when she sings of the concrete cracks of a condo town, could be the 2012 equivalent of Joni’s “Big Yellow Taxi”). No, Edwards is letting go, of everything she was expected to be.
Working with not only Justin Vernon, but underappreciated power popper John Roderick and her immensely talented band, Kathleen opens up herself for input and sings proudly of her life. New textures and more muscular hooks are explored (the punch of the lead single and spacy synths, “Change the Sheets”, are undeniable and “Mint” is an effort husky enough to make Peppermint Patty blush), but tender piano ballads are introduced and augmented just as successfully.
“Soft Place to Land” tugs at your heartstrings, but leveraging her producers preferred textures and her band’s talent she adds triumphant, marching band drums, bicycle bells and a confident crescendo to infuse a tale of true love dying with a surprising amount of life. “The album closer, “For the Record” uses electric guitars and blasts of noise to find a surprisingly nice groove, but all songs move in new directions without overshadowing Edwards’ voice.
For those wondering, Edwards pen is still as potent and professional as ever. Nothing is sugar coated or embellished and she doesn’t hide behind characters we already sympathize. Voyageur isn’t another Alanis or Adele like collection of songs from a lover scorned, it’s an honest telling of one woman’s life. Kathleen shares her hurt , but also her own faults in the much more realistic situation of two lovers drifting apart over time. She’s not without blame, and when she sings, “you don’t kiss me, not that way that I wish you would, maybe I don’t look at you in a way that makes you feel you should ” on “House Full of Empty Rooms”, somehow you can feel your heart breaking for both parties.
Why this works so well is Edwards balances the sadness with the exhilaration of new love. There are moments of pure happiness hindsight scattered throughout this record, sung without spite, taunts or regret. Ten songs as open and depressing as the hindsight heavy look back at her wedding day would be too much without the chaser – pardon the pun – of sparkling gems like “Sidecar.”
What’s sad is that so much of this change with be credited to the people involved in making this record, overlooking that Edwards hinted at some of this growth and adventure on Asking For Flowers. Why now? Maybe she was just in a better mindset to fully explore these new sounds and openly collaborate with new people. Who knows, and really who cares? The end result speak for itself. Voyageur isn’t perfect, but it doesn’t have to be. These songs again prove that Edwards is one of our nations best songwriters and as she becomes more comfortable fusing new sounds into her rock solid songs, she’s really going to take flight.
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I now pretty much nothing about Work Drugs, other than the assumption that mine would be more enjoyable if I had some. Same goes for Wintercoats – I know not of the musical variety, but am familiar with utilizing one to keep the cold at bay. But I know this: Southern Shores are awesome. And because this is an incontrovertible fact proven by sweaty dance science, I feel compelled to post any new SS material.
As you might have already deciphered from that convoluted opener, Southern Shores have recently done remixes for the two aforementioned acts and so I’m posting them up for you to enjoy below. Put ‘em on, pump ‘em up, and envision yourself on an isolated beach somewhere enjoying a cool beverage – who needs work drugs! Enjoy.
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Well, it took a while to get reved up, but I think it’s safe to say that winter is well and truly upon us. This isn’t a huge deal, as I know our readers are a hearty folk, certainly capable of withstanding some snow, slush & frigid temps with good humour. But that’s not to say that a splash of sunshine isn’t welcome during these months, and so I have one for you in the form of Backburner’s new video for Heatwave.
As you can see below, the fan-financed video is a fun & well-done freeze-frame theme done by 3:AM Design. It does a great job of capturing the summery vibe of the song, and the energetic performances of the MC’s involved in this one (Timbuktu, Chokeules, Wordburglar, Jesse Dangerously, Jay Bizzy, and Thesis Sahib) make it look like everyone involved had a lot of fun making it.
So check out the video below, and the group’s excellent release of the same name if you haven’t already. But if that isn’t enough for you, and you happen to have some production chops, Backburner and Hand’Solo Records are holding a remix contest for this song which will see the winner have their remix featured on a vinyl EP with some other album favorites. Enjoy.
In the last few years, the number of acts presenting slight folk compositions bolstered by orchestral layers has grown to an all-time high. Pleasant and safe; while perfectly acceptable, aren’t really the descriptors you pine for when discovering a new band.
C. Sterling – the solo project from Craig Smith – could easily be saddled with those same descriptions (and on first listen, pleasant was the exact word I chose), but the Vancouver based musician isn’t limited by them. No Matter is technically his cotillion ball, and while the plucks on his acoustic, emotive breathy vocals and systematically added drums, horns, electronics and horns aren’t a unique recipe, the more I’ve listened the more of an impact the songs make.
“All That Hell You Breathe” uses a nice crescendo to pique the listener’s interest, and the title track, (a simple song about a never ending love) benefits from the contrast of Casey Mecija’s lovely voice and some horns, but he does best when the pace is picked up. The EPs most successful song, “Tiger Proud”, leaves any hint of orchestral folk behind and Smith settles into a nice melody strengthened by rim shot percussion warbled effects.
No Matter isn’t without fault; the child like melody Smith uses on “No Matter” makes the concept of true and lasting love seem like a naive fairytale (and admittedly, this could be the point and simply doesn’t resonate with me), but C. Sterling presents themselves well and makes you take notice.
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Winter. You may not like it, but you cannot escape it. Unless you live somewhere where they don’t have winter, then kudos, you have escaped winter! For the rest of us though, it’s best to find some way to enjoy these frigid months. Outdoor activities are fine and dandy, goodness knows our new skating oval here in Halifax has been a huge hit by all accounts, but if you’re looking for something indoors, intimate and musical, then the 2012 edition of the In The Dead of Winter festival is a must.
As has become the norm for IDOW in the last couple years, they’ve set up a couple marquee shows that will likely get most of the attention (Shawn Colvin playing the Cohn with Don Brownrigg opening, and Martha Wainwright at the Spatz Theatre with Luke Doucet & Melissa McClelland opening in their new Whitehorse incarnation), but a look at the schedule will reveal plenty of great shows throughout the Festival’s 3 main evenings. In fact, the festival folks have done a better job than I ever could breaking down this year’s lineup, so give that a read, sample some sounds from a few of this year’s participants below and then make your plans accordingly.
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Starting your Friday with a new Yukon Blonde song? Works for me. YB’s new album, Tiger Talk, comes out on March 20th, but you can OOOOooooOOOoooooOOOOOO along with new single Stairway right now.
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I’d been planning to post this song over the holidays, but it got lost in the shuffle. Anyhoo, better late than never I always seem forced to say, but it’s especially true when it pertains to an enjoyable remix like this one here, done by Teen Daze for Vancouver outfit Young Liars.
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This new Islands jam is exactly that: a jammy jam. Peppy, uptempo piano is often given short shrift, but it’s used to great success here. New Islands album A Sleep & A Forgetting is out Feb. 14th.
Henry Svec’s collection of new folk classics was one of my favorite records last year. This song, a fitting tribute to Winter, shows he isn’t stopping any time soon. Oh, and the way he flaunts his new boots to taunt Charlton is superb.
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Said The Whale have a new album, Little Mountain, coming out March 6th, and will be heading out on a large tour in support of, ahem, said album. They’re playing Halifax on March 28th, but you can check out the first single, Heavy Ceiling, this very instant.
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random cd of the day? Rotten Pear from @vincentad "Going Out Tonight" is still the jam. >>1 hour ago
RT @thestrumbellas: Dave's turn for recording his parts on SO LONG, MARIANNE for @herohill this weekend. Expecting a symphony of tambour ... >>4 hours ago
Just mentioning this again: free ad space on http://t.co/vyaVLy1P for local small businesses - just give us a holler on here or via email >>4 hours ago
I now pretty much nothing about 
Well, it took a while to get reved up, but I think it’s safe to say that winter is well and truly upon us. This isn’t a huge deal, as I know our readers are a hearty folk, certainly capable of withstanding some snow, slush & frigid temps with good humour. But that’s not to say that a splash of sunshine isn’t welcome during these months, and so I have one for you in the form of Backburner’s new video for Heatwave.
Winter. You may not like it, but you cannot escape it. Unless you live somewhere where they don’t have winter, then kudos, you have escaped winter! For the rest of us though, it’s best to find some way to enjoy these frigid months. Outdoor activities are fine and dandy, goodness knows our new skating oval here in Halifax has been a huge hit by all accounts, but if you’re looking for something indoors, intimate and musical, then the 2012 edition of the In The Dead of Winter festival is a must.
