photo: corbin smith

The title kind of says it all folks. Rich Aucoin is setting to turn The Seahorse into a dance heavy, cinematic, synth factory on Friday night and we have a guest list spot (+1) to help you and your tightest of tight slacks wearing compadre get down.

In all honesty, Rich is a super performer and an even better guy, so I'd wager he has something up his sleeve to make sure you all have a great time... like a brand new Daft Punk cover he and Gordon Huntley have been working on. The shimmering, human feel he gives the classic track is quite nice, and he has enough confidence to rework the track into something almost unrecognizable to the casual fan.

He's sharing the stage with the Naedoo-approved rockers The Stance and hometown favs, In-Flight Safety (that should been just about finished polishing up that Hall and Oates cover we asked for a while back). To enter, all you have to do is send us an email (herohill AT gmail DOT COM) or drop us the info in the comments section below. We'll pick a winner tomorrow night so you have enough time to plan your night accordingly.

While you wait on baited breath for us to announce the winner, check out Rich's video for the track:

MP3:: Rich Aucoin - Human After All (Daft Punk Cover)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/richaucoin
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/snowpicnic

Labels: contests, Halifax, Rich Aucoin, The Seahorse

A few weeks ago, we threw up a Rich Aucoin mash-up featuring two little known artists - Jay Z and Alica Keys - to try to get some prerelease buzz going for Rich's new album, Public Publication. The track was called Empire State of It, and if hypem is any indication, people were happy to fall inline with Rich's style.

So naturally, we want to keep the ball rolling. Local musician Ryan Hemsworth took the time to remix one of the tracks, Push. It's a quick hitter, clocking in under two-minutes, but what it lacks in length, it more than makes up for in 80's movie references. Any time you can throw in a Goonies scratch/sample, you can bet I'm on board.

So truffle shuffle your way to the download link below, and get excited.

MP3:: Push - Rich Aucoin (Ryan Hemsworth remix)
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/ryanhemsworth

Labels: Halifax, Music, Nova Scotia, Rich Aucoin, Ryan Hemsworth

Rich Aucoin is one of the most creative folks we've come across since moving back to Halifax, so we're always keeping tabs on what he's up to next, and as such, we were very interested when he posted the video below on Facebook. In his own words: "Hey, so I noticed my song IT is the same chord progression as EMPIRE STATE OF MIND so I, naturally, made a mash-up". And what a mash-up it is, check the youtube description for the genesis of the song, but it's pretty great stuff in my humble. If you like that, keep it locked on the hill for coverage of Rich's new album, the concisely named We're All Dying To Live : Public Publication EP/Over The Top! LP, which will come out next year and features some 500 Canadian musicians.

VIDEO:: Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys mash up w. Michael Jackson Dan Deacon Rich Aucoin

MP3:: Rich Aucoin - Empire State of It
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/richaucoin

Labels: Halifax, Jay-Z, Mash-Up, Rich Aucoin, Saturday AM Fun

Man, if I could count the times people have asked me to recommend a live, indie rock show here in Halifax that would get them dancing, I would end up with, like, a really high number. Well sir, if you were to ask me that question about this Saturday night, I'd have only one answer for you: The Paragon to help Rich Aucoin celebrate the limited single release of Brian Wilson is A.L.i.V.E.



Rich will be joined by Windom Earle, Century Club and Ryan Hemsworth, so it's an evening that's definitely worth your five bucks. It was last year around this time (during last year's HPX) that we first saw Rich perform Brian Wilson is A.L.i.V.E., and it prompted us to predict "Brian Wilson is Alive will be the best party track of the year released by any Haligonian band". Well thinking back to the crowd reaction (the guys from Ruby Coast were losing their minds), I still stand by that prediction, but we may have to wait until next year to see if it comes true.

But there's no need to wait if you're in Halifax, get down to the Paragon Saturday and score yourself one of those limited copies. Unless you've got tickets to Rich's sold out HPX show with Girl Talk, then this is your last chance to see him live in Halifax this fall. As a treat for you fine folks, Rich sent us a rough mix of Brian Wilson is A.L.i.V.E., so check that out below. But apparently the guy who's done mastering for Jusice, Air and Daft Punk is taking a crack at the song right now, so keep your ears open for that next year.

MP3:: Rich Aucoin - Brian Wilson is Alive
MYSPACE:: www.myspace.com/richaucoin

Labels: Halifax, Live, Rich Aucoin, The Paragon

We've said words to this effect before, but if you asked us to point out the one artist we've met that possesses the top combination of talent, creativity, ambition and just all hustle, it would be tough to top the one man band that is Rich Aucoin. That said, we're always happy to report on new Rich-related developments, the latest of which is a new teaser video for his upcoming album, which he's hoping to release early next year. The vid was featured yesterday on Radio 3's blog, but you can check it out below:



The album will be called We're All Dying To Live: Public Publication EP/Over The Top! LP and was recorded in various places across Canada, from coast to coast, with the help of 500 of Rich's closest friends (that is correct, 500, I told you he was ambitious). Like Rich's last album, this one shall have a movie to sync up with it, but I think this time out it will be not one specific film, but one created by Rich from snippits of other films. Sounds pretty damn interesting to me, and we're hoping to get a sneak peek at it in a few months, so stay tuned.

Labels: Future Watch, Halifax, Rich Aucoin, Video