Ok folks here's the last episode in our Christmas Party series, the Xmas eve edition, where we post some of the hill's favorite holiday songs - Canadian and otherwise. Christmas In Hollis, Boney M, Hall & Oates, a live Jenn Grant and Daniel Ledwell duet, and a new old favorite from our home province's favorite cowboy: Hank Snow. Hope you enjoy them.

And we also hope you all have a fantastic Christmas or whatever holiday you'll be celebrating over the next few days. Things might be slow around the hill as we get into holiday/family mode, but rest assured we'll be back in full effect before long.

Happy Christmas!

MP3:: Run DMC - Christmas In Hollis

MP3:: Boney M - Marys Boychild & Oh My Lord

MP3:: Hall and Oates - Jingle Bell Rock

MP3:: Jenn Grant and Daniel Ledwell - Baby It's Cold Outside

MP3:: Hank Snow - The Reindeer Boogie

Labels: Boney M, Christmas in Hollis, Christmas Party, Dan Ledwell, Hank Snow, Jenn Grant, Run DMC

Last night found a collection of low flying stars gathering in Halifax @ The Seahorse Tavern. We had Guthries, Kinley Dowling and her stlying boots, Share, In-Flight Safety, Heavy Blinkers and many many more. Out of nowhere, Matt Mays keyboard man Adam Baldwin delivered a country fused, Tom Petty-inspired collection of rocker to warm things up, and then Matt Charlton flooded the stage with at least 8 friends including Christina Martin, Jason MacIsaac, Andrew Sisk, Dan Ledwell and Jon Mullane. The band ran out of outputs, so Charlton was forced to bust out interpretive dance moves and drink instead of strum.

Essentially, this is all just preamble to me posting a video of a fleshed out take of Spread, but a night of TPU, Christina Martin and the pleasant surprise of Adam's set had us all warm despite the frigid temperature that continues to mangle Halifax.

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/theprospectorsunion

Labels: Andrew Sisk, Christina Martin, Dan Ledwell, Halifax, Inflight Safety, Matt Charlton, Share

If this latest promo video post for Share's excellent new album Slumping in Your Murals was a Scrabble move, it would be a double word score. Not only does the new video feature Daniel Ledwell (like the fellas from Share, we're also fans of Daniel), but we're also giving away 5 tickets to Share's Halifax album release show next week. But first things first, the video:

Daniel Ledwell can play a lot of instruments. He is from PEI. I only mention that because there seems to be a disproportionate amount of musically talented people from that island. I could easily name a dozen artists and bands from there who are above average in the talent department. Daniel accompanies many other artists while doing his own solo project (www.myspace.com/danielledwell) as well as being a member of In Flight Safety (www.myspace.com/inflightsafety), and The Prospector's Union (www.myspace.com/theprospectorsunion). He produced our new album and played Cello, Trumpet, Mellotron, Organs, Piano and whatever we needed. He is a gem to work with.

Andrew

VIDEO:: Share - Awake at Dawn with Daniel Ledwell


Thanks to the kind folks at Forward music, We have 5 single tickets (or rather, guest list access) for Share's release show next week in Halifax to give away - all you have to do is email us your name & mailing address (herohill AT gmail DOT COM). To support the release of their new album, Share is doing a number of release shows before heading to Quebec and Ontario, but the Halifax show is going to be a beaut:

September 24th - Halifax, NS @ North St Church
w/ Mike O'Neill, Laura Peek, Jon McKiel, David Myles, Jason MacIsaac, Matt Charlton, Matt MacDonald, AA Wallace, Gianna Lauren and Tim Crabtree.
8pm, 5657 North St, tickets - $10 in advance, $12 at the door

MP3:: Share - Maybe Always f. Jenn Grant
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/andrewsisk

Labels: Basements, Dan Ledwell, Share, Video hits

Pretty well says it all doesn't it? Your good friends at herohill want to give you the chance to see two terrific artists in one terrific spot. Jon is putting the finishing touches on his new record (and his last effort was nothing to scoff at)and if you are a fan of herohill, you've no doubt read about how much we loved Dan's stripped down folk release, Two Over Seven (review).

On September 16th, Jon and Dan are playing @ The Carleton and the chance to see both artists in a hushed quiet venue with great sound, food and wine for free is one you might want to jump on fast. Chances are Jon will be working out the kinks from his new songs, getting ready for the release date so it should be a pretty terrific night and Dan's charming persona will be a nice warm up for the headline act.

We will also throw in a CD from both artist and all you have to do is email us (herohill AT gmail DOT COM) or leave a comment with your info.

MP3:: Dan Ledwell - One Day (Superfriendz cover)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/jonmckiel
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/danielledwellmusic

Labels: Contest, Dan Ledwell, Halifax, Jon Mckiel

When it comes to promoting East Coast acts, there aren’t many people working harder than Matt Charlton (well, except us of course). I remember when herohill first started getting emails from his PR firm – efficient, easy to download snippets without any of the glowing hyberbole that plagues not only music PR people, but bloggers as well – and I assumed Matt was just a guy that loved music and wanted to find a way to make a living from it.

Now, a year or so later his roster has grown and he's helping acts get outside the Maritimes and get heard by a bigger audience, but it's his song writing that really grabs my attention. I had no idea he even played until last year's Halifax Pop Explosion when he opened for The Retribution Gospel Choir. That night, he stood on stage – well, on the slightly raised floor of St. Matthew’s Church - with some of Nova Scotia’s most talented artists (Daniel Ledwell, Christina Martin, John Mullane, Andrew Sisk to name a few) and let his voice and melodies boom out the open front door and onto the street. Since that night, I’ve been harassing him about getting off his ass and releasing the debut Prospectors Union record.

Well, that day is getting very, very close.

Matt finally finished recording Syracuse and is ready to release it to the world. Although Charlton may listen to a collection of stripped down, no nonsense artists (Townes, Mark Kozalek) this “home” recording is remarkably lush and defined. With support from the likes of Martin, Ledwell, Mullane, Sisk, Jason MacIsaac, Kinley Dowling, and David Casey, Syracuse plays more like a studio odyssey than a local, independent release.

more importantly, even with all the expert production and contributors, Charlton puts himself front and centre. With only a few picked notes, echoing subtle drums and Christina Martin's harmonies, Flaming Death is dark, but engaging. Over time, Ledwell’s steel work and MacIssac’s atmospheric keys are added and echo in the emptiness of the song, taking some of the weight off the harrowing tale, but it's Charlton's voice that grabs your ear. Even with the talent that surrounds him and the layers that move in and out of the song, he never fades to the background.

The same can be said about the confident strums of Storm Seas. Charlton shows he’s a natural story teller. The song could have easily stood on his strong foundation, but slowly the band adds group harmonies that hover in the distance. It might not seem like much, but the vocal support makes this more than a coffee/shop open mic song and even though it's only a hiccup longer than 1:30, Storm Seas says as much about the recording as any of the tracks. It's well thought out, shows how comfortable the musicians are around each other, and that Charlton isn’t a fan of wasted notes.

Dowling’s ear grabbing strings, Martin’s backing vocals are thickened up by nice drums and keys, but again, it’s Charlton taking the lead on the EP’s catchiest track, Montreal. Matt may prefers the tale of the brokenhearted wanderer, but unlike so many young songwriters, he doesn’t let his melancholy dictate the tempo of an affair. Montreal shifts and moves, and the spike in pace lets you relax as the band downshifts into slower tracks.

One thing I really like about this EP was how much restraint the all-star backing band displays. On the closer, The Valley Neighbours, the song is beefed up with slide, harmonies, keys, keep time drums and a choral outro all make an appearance, but none of the layers ever crowd the mix or distract from the melody. The song would work just as well – and does in a live setting – with an acoustic and a second mic. It’s obvious that Charlton can’t pack most of these people in a van every time he wants to play a show, so it's crucial that the structure of the songs lets him grab a guitar and play alone OR treat the audience to a hybrid of the supergroup he assembled for the EP.

The EP release show is July 18th/09 @ The Seahorse. I’d wager it will be packed with friends of Matt’s coming out to say congrats and there will be more than a few guest appearances. I’d highly suggest you make it out too.

MP3:: Prospector's Union - Salt City Blues

MP3:: Prospector's Union - Flaming Death

MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/theprospectorsunion

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But as a special treat for herohill, Charlton grabbed a few friends and recorded a live EP and is letting us give it away to you readers. The four songs show a rougher side of the band’s persona; one more concerned with smiles, wine and a night of music than intricate production. They still toss around strings, horns and terrific harmonies, but they feel more spontaneous and alive.

Without question, Old Wonders is a different beast; from the poppy feel of Edmunston, to the roots rocking, earthy vibe of More Tales Involving a Man of Questionable Morals or the back porch feel of Raven’s Claw, the songs stand up without any of the glossy efforts of a classic studio recording. Ledwell lets less be more and Charlton shows he’s got a lot of bullets left in his gun – plus, Jason’s keys and Dan’s trumpet just make you melt – and Prospectors Union is a name we will all hear a lot more off in the near future.

Recording info:

Download Old Wonders
1.) Prospector's Union - Edmunston
2.) Prospector's Union Raven's Claw
3.) Prospector's Union - More Tales Involving a Man of Questionable Morals
4.) Prospector' Union - Old Wonders

Labels: Andrew Sisk, Christina Martin, Dan Ledwell, Halifax, Inflight Safety, John Mullane, MNS artist of the month, Music, Prospectors Union, Reviews