More and more Canadian EPs. We are stoked that so many of the bands we love offered up their time for this project, whether it was recording a track in a room full of friends or delivering an absolutely crushing cover of one of the best Canadian songs of the year... well, you get the idea that this list is full of goodness.

Band:: Wilderness of Manitoba
Album:: Hymns of Love & Spirits
Web:: http://www.myspace.com/thewildernessofmanitoba
Review:: http://www.herohill.com/2009/09/reviews-wilderness-of-manitoba-hymns-of.htm

Q1) Musically, what was the most important moment for you in '09?
Sc: We've played some amazing shows, but for me it was having a live version of 'Evening' chosen as track of the day on cbc radio3 that made us all realize that we were really onto something special, and it helped drive us to finish the record, and gave us the confidence to play some really amazing shows with some amazing bands.
M: Opening for the RAA CD release at the Horseshoe back in July was pretty great. That's something that seemed to open a lot of ears to our music and it pretty much coincided with our EP release so it was really the first time people could get our music and take it home with them.
Q2) Given the circumstances and inspiration that led to the recording of this EP, how hard was it for you to put something so personal into the public eye for critique?
W - I think that when songs are written from personal experiences, they are in some ways easier to perform because you're never far away from the subject matter. This can result in a more honest performance
Sc: We really believed in what we were doing, and that confidence took us a long way. We're flattered to be mentioned along-side the rest of this list, but we also never expected the EP to go as far as it has. I think the personal nature of the record made it easier in some ways to put out there, I mean, we're just being honest with ourselves, and if you like it, or you don't, it doesn't change the place where it came from.
Q3) How hard is it to separate the success and emotion of this project from your other musical projects?
Sc: Every band has a different energy, and its really nice to be able to focus on different projects from time to time. I've found that sometimes if you love something too much and put all of your energy into it all of the time you end up killing it with smothered kisses. It's nice to walk away from something and towards something else from time to time. Music is all about learning and the process for me.
M: For me, not that hard, but I haven't really written that much for the band yet so I'm not sure how much doing that will affect more personal writing. It doesn't feel like I'm shifting focus from my other project entirely, it's just that I love what we're doing and believe in it so much that I naturally focus on this.
St: It was pretty easy at the start. I've been used to playing in bands and sitting in with people and this was just another one of those opportunities. It sort of took me by surprise when we started getting attention - it means that there's more responsibility on the business side of things, but creatively it doesn't really change things. I still write stuff for myself, some of it just ends up in this project and some of it elsewhere.
Q4) If you had to pick one band to take your spot on our Best-of List, who would get the nod?
Sc: I would say Timber Timbre, although I'm sure that would actually make his position on this list worse than it already is. That album got a lot of play in my dark bedroom.
M: Ahhh... that's so hard. There are so many deserving bands but my heart tells me to go with Olenka and the Autumn Lovers. I love their energy, their arrangements and, well, I just love them.
Q5) People often view Toronto as a hipster melting point for musicians. What's the biggest misconception about the TO scene in your opinion, and what's your favorite thing about playing music in TO?
M: There is something about being in a city with a huge music scene that can be daunting but I find that it has been really supportive, more so than we expected with our sound. The best thing about playing here? Feeling that support at our shows from our friends and fellow musicians.
St: Like anywhere else, people tend to latch onto what's "hot" or getting attention in the weeklies. The main difference though is that so many of the people going to see shows are musicians themselves - and they're really supportive people whether they're your friends in other local bands, or in bands that have toured the world.
Q5) Looking forward to 2010, what can fans of the band expect from The Wilderness of Manitoba?
Sc: A new record - it will be our first full length. No name for it yet, but the songs are written and are being recorded right now in much the same fashion as the EP was. Touring! A trip to the UK to play the End of the Road Festival and more touring! 2010 will be a fun year.
M: What Scott said and maybe some other special releases!

Now, if you have read herohill all year, you know I love Timber Timbre and politic-ed hard for Taylor to make the short-list, so the simple fact that W o M took the time to record a herohill-only cover of Demon Host is one of the best surprises we could have asked for this year. Apparently, this is the only place they are going to make it available - well, except for any other blog that just d/l-eds it and posts it themselves. Throw in the fact it's terrific, and well, now we all win.

MP3:: Wilderness of Manitoba - Demon Host (Timber Timbre)

Band:: Basket of Figs
Album:: Oh Eye, Oh Night
Web:: http://www.myspace.com/basketoffigs
Review:: http://www.herohill.com/2009/04/reviews-basket-of-figs-oh-eye-oh-night.htm

Talk about an embarrassment of riches here. Not many lists would have a Tom Waits cover thrown to them as an after thought, but this little gem - Shiver Me Timbers - was recorded around the same time as the EP and has yet to see the light of day. Enjoy!

MP3:: Basket of Figs - Shiver Me Timbers (Tom Waits)

Band:: The Gertrudes
Album:: Hard Water
Web:: http://www.myspace.com/theothergertrudes
Review:: http://www.herohill.com/2009/07/reviews-gertrudes-hard-water.htm

1) What was your best musical moment of '09?
An illicit midnight recording session in a condemned church (technically that was '08, but within a few days of the end of the year). Two live tracks from that session are on our 'Hard Water' EP, and one more has found its way to your esteemed website. A video by Lenny Epstein is out there too, of the song 'Hard Water' as we recorded it. Yeah, feeling like naughty high-school students sneaking into a church to record a 10 piece band to record live off the floor, nailing the version of New Sound that ended up on Hard Water, and getting out without getting in trouble! I'd say ripping into Cliff Jumping at Sappy Fest with fueled by the adrenaline resulting from the fact that 10 minutes earlier we were almost resolved to having to miss our set as half the band got lost and then swooped in at the last possible second! If i could count the entirety of our east coast tour as a single moment, that would be it. Playing all night long at the OCFF in a tiny room with the entire band crammed in a corner, rocking our socks off and sweating like fiends, oh yeah, and Bob Wiseman joining our ranks for some sweet accordion madness at 3:30am. Streaking the Wolfe Island Music Fest to jump into Lake Ontario before our second set. I think that was our loudest applause ever. Not to mention a couple of us joining RPC (along with members of Feuermusik) for RPC's SappyFest set... that was really fun.
2) In an era where it is hard enough to tour as a compact unit, how hard is it to plan even a one off show when every member of the band is so important to the end result?
I think we all feel The Gertrudes is a bit of a special thing so we're taking care to make time for it. There are enough of us that we can cover for each other, so even if someone can't make a show or a tour, we can manage quite well although it always changes the dynamic in interesting ways. Ideally we'll bring families along and make a party of it. There were 22 of us on our east coast tour this summer, including the kids. It takes a lot of advance planning on everyone's part... especially Greg's. Also the extended Gertrudes family has been extremely supportive. The memory of sprinting from our van with trailing patch chords and cables, doors left wide open, just in time to get on stage for our SappyFest performance, suggests we still have some work to do with Gertrude time management. But what other 11 piece band travels with their complete families? We topped The Burning Hell on that one, they thought they had us beat for sheer numbers on the road to SappyFest... but we recruited a few extra singers/percussionists/bass player/baby to bump our numbers up. But seriously, it's a lot of work. And a lot of love of this Gertrudey thing that gets us from place to place... and the permission of our amazing families to do what we love.
3) I'm really intrigued by the writing process of the band. Do the songs start as old timey numbers or simple picked riffs that gradually get transformed when every band member adds their part or is the end goal more clear throughout the entire process?
Either/both, depending on the song. We work hard on arrangements. A lot of our rehearsal time is just talking through the possibilities. Songs start pretty well-formed by one individual but get worked over a lot. "Advancement of the Human Age" is one example, where the second half of the song was a bit of a surprise to us all. Sometimes the songwriter has a clear vision, other times they just bring a sketch and we colour it in together. We record all our practices and listen back to them... That has been an invaluable tool in getting all the sounds to find their place in the blend. Sometimes Jason adds musical theatre components... which we'd like to expand upon. We have awesome conversations about our musical visions... something which is almost impossible to articulate. And then someone will try and play that thing on their instrument, which doesn't sound anything like what the person was trying to describe, but then is somehow more awesome in it's inaccuracy. And then someone else will try to describe what they were hearing in their head and we continue from there adding layer upon layer of beautiful misunderstanding.
4) If you had to pick one band to take your spot on our best-of list, who would get the nod?
I am enamoured of Eric Chenaux, Ryan Driver, Doug Tielli and others on the Rat-drifting label out of Toronto. Tom Savage Trio: The County Line (and yes, also Bruce Peninsula!). I would pick Hollerado cause they know how to party, but a lot of great music happened this year! We all have a big love for Bruce Peinsula - playing their year end show in TO at The Music Gallery was a huge treat for us! Wait, did you say one band? One each right? No? Nuts.
5) What's next for the Gertrudes? Can we expect a new EP or new LP in 2010? - Note, I hope the answer is yes.
A full-length release is on the way! But before that, we will have a 7" vinyl release in collaboration with PS I Love You, Bruce Peninsula, and Muskox. We'd like to make a video out on frozen Lake Ontario, featuring the sky. Looking forward to many more collaborations and teaming ups... Gertrudes brand jam.
6) When most people think of Kingston, they think Queen's and prisons, not music. So for all of the people that don't get to see the city, what's the best thing about playing music in Kingston, and if someone only had 24 hours to spend in K-town, how should they spend their day?
Kingston for the past few years has been experiencing a bit of a musical explosion, thanks to organizers like Apple Crisp, Skeleton Park Music Festival and Modern Fuel Artist-Run Center. Come in the summer, have a swim with us in Lake Ontario off of the Water Treatment Center dock, then check out what music may be on at the Mansion, the Grad Club, the Artel, or... I really love all the different music venues that all have their own charm - everything from tiny bars to living rooms to old old cavernous churches... we've had the great fortune of getting to play in all of the above. Take some university students on a trip to the prison...or vice versa... Breakfast at The Sleepless Goat, free ferry ride to Wolfe Island, walkaround or go to Big Sandy Bay, snack at the Wolfe Island Bakery, swim/skate back, lunch at The Right Spot (breakfast part 2), sneak into a church and play the piano for an hour or so, dinner at Annie's house, find some live music or make your own, stay up all night roof hopping...? Wait, that's starting to sound like high school all over again.

Catfish John is probably most well known by Dead Heads, courtesy of Jerry covering the song, but I was always partial to the Alison Krauss version. Now, I have a new favorite - this high quality live version from The Gertrudes! (email me if you are a super audio nerd and need the FLAC version).

MP3:: The Gertrudes - Catfish John

Band:: The Mountains & The Trees
Album:: Hop, Skip & A Jump
Web:: http://www.myspace.com/themountainsandthetrees
Review:: http://www.herohill.com/2009/09/tuesday-mailbag-mountain-trees-vivek.htm

Wow, you’re not pulling any punches with this questionnaire are you? I mean, this has to be the hardest question to answer first. So many things… the release of “Hop, Skip, & A Jump,” playing NXNE and TIFF, a live CBC concert and #3 on the CBC Radio 3 Top 30, etc, etc… Well, alright, if I had to pick, I would have to say opening-up for Billy Bragg in St. John’s and Halifax. It wasn’t even necessarily playing the show, but hanging out with Billy afterwards – now THAT was amazing.
Well, if it was a day like today, I would bring them to the airport and put them on a plane to the Bahamas (or to see Bahamas, whichever they’d find warmer), haha. Seriously though, walking up and down Water St and Duckworth St would be a significant part of it. There are so many great shops for coffee, music, clothing, etc. If you’re in a touristy mood, Signal Hill is a nice place to visit. If you’ve got some wheels, you can head-out to Cape Spear, the most Eastern part of North America. There’s always live music going on somewhere in the city. Really though, my favorite place to bring people is Middle Cove beach. It’s just a little ways outside of town (so a car is required), but it’s just such a beautiful place, for me anyways. I grew-up only 5 minutes away from a beach and I often go out to Middle Cove beach just to relax, think, write, and take photos. I’ve been there at every conceivable hour of the day and night and it would be my number one recommendation of somewhere to visit when in st. John’s. One funny note about this question – I’m not from St. John’s myself, so maybe my viewpoint is a bit off. Just sayin’.There are SOOOO many musicians/bands in St. John’s – that’s what makes it great. There are a ton of places to play and almost every night of the week, music is happening somewhere. On the larger scale of Newfoundland, there are some great festivals happening around the province. We played a festival in Gros Morne last year called Trails, Tales, & Tunes and it remains one of my favorite shows thanks to the audience. There’s also Writers at Woody Point, which has featured artists like Amelia Curran, Duane Andrews, and Kathleen Edwards. That also takes place on the West coast.
They both have bonuses. I like band shows because I like playing with other musicians. My “band” is called the Valleys & Seas Orchestra and features members playing guitar, organ, drums, bass, cello, violin, euphonium, flugelhorn, tuba, flute, accordion, etc. I draw upon the resources of the local music school a lot, haha! We were even invited to participate in a private concert due to the “orchestral sound” of the full group. On the other side of the coin, solo shows are great because they really make me focus. I’m really shy on stage and when it’s just me up there (like at the Rebecca Cohn), I’d better be on my game or else. They also allow some freedom with arranging on the fly. I might decide to talk about the song in the middle of it and just repeat a verse underneath. When it’s just me, I can do that without rehearsing.
Q5) What's next for you musically?
Haha, can I say Bird & Bear? Ok, ok, that would be cheap, so if I had to pick somebody else for the best of EP list of ’09, I’d have to say Dan Mangan – Roboteering. Do I really need to explain why I’d be happy for Mr. Mangan to replace me on any list? Likely not. Also, would Timbre Timber count as an EP? That would also be good. I check the date and it’s a little outside, but I really enjoyed Library Voices – Hunting Ghosts. I bought it for the artwork (which I sometimes do) and it just struck me as a really enjoyable EP to pop in, especially for road-trips.
So after that essay, how about some god damn music! Here's a sneak peak at some upcoming material, a version of More & More & More recorded in a room full of people just to make herohill feel like part of the gang.

MP3:: The Mountain & The Trees - More & More & More

AND THE BIG REVEAL! Who's NUMBER 1?
Band:: Zeus
Album:: Sounds Like
Web:: http://www.myspace.com/themusicofzeus
Review:: http://www.herohill.com/2009/06/carlin-nicholson-and-mike-obrien-have.htm

Bottom line... this EP knocked me on my ass and their live show proved that Zeus is an unstoppable force. When their new LP drops next year, accolades will follow.

Starting Monday we have our LP countdown, including some extra special gems. So come on back now, ya'hear.

Labels: Basket of Figs, Best-of '09, EP, The Gertrudes, The Mountain and The Trees, Wilderness of Manitoba, Zeus

For years, whenever I thought of Newfoundland I only thought of Jockey Club beer, Iceberg tracking web sites and Ches' Fish & Chips, but lately more and more talented acts have been coming across our desk. Most people know Polaris Short-listers Hey Rosetta!, but the amount of good music coming from the Rock is insane. For me though, Jon Janes - aka The Mountain & The Trees - is the act I'm keeping my eye on. You know what? I'm not the only one.

Jon is coming to Halifax on Nov. 15th to open for the legendary Billy f&cking Bragg! It's hard to believe he's making waves all over North America on the strength of 4-songs, well, that is until you actually listen to his songs. His arrangements rise and fall like a slow beating heart and every time I throw on Hop, Skip & A Jump, I play it three or four times in a row.

Jon was feeling frisky, so he decided to take on the herohill Random Question Generator, discussing topics like tight pants, favorite instruments and his love for BA Johnston.

He also wanted to thank you the reader by offering up a copy of Hop, Skip & A Jump. I can't recommend it enough - ie. it's high on my Best-of '09 EP list - and it's well worth you leaving a comment with your details or dropping us an email (herohill AT gmail DOT COM).

So, enjoy the track and Jon's responses.

Name: Jon Janes

Band: The Mountains & The Trees

Web: http://www.rockandroots.com

1. Super tight pants on dudes: Yes! or Noooooooooooooooo!

Emphatically no.

2. If you could only keep one instrument from your collection, what would it be?

Definately my guitar. I've been attached to it ever since I found it. Because of the year, it'd also be the hardest to replace. I'd have to put my suitcase as the second instrument for all the same reasons.

3. What was the first moment you considered yourself a 'professional musician'?

During my first tour, at a show in Halifax, at Gus' Pub, with Jon McKiel. After the show, a couple approached me outside and asked if I'd be in Newfoundland the next week, which I was. They took my contact info and got in touch with me when I got back. They were from the Netherlands and bought a handfull of CDs to bring back to their friends. They even got me to autograph them. It felt really weird, but it always stood out as one of those moments.

4. Mr. Dressup or The Friendly Giant? (or neither because you're too young and have no idea who they are)

Mr. Dressup. I was at the CBC museum for the first time in Septemeber and saw the tickle trunk - mind-blowing.

5. Name a Canadian band (past or present) that should be bigger outside this country.

BA Johnston. I'd LOVE to see how his show would go over in other countries!

MP3:: The Mountain & The Trees - Up & Down
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/themountainsandthetrees

Labels: Canada, contests, Five Funky Stories, Music, Music Canada Newfoundland, The Mountain and The Trees

I'm not sure I could have found a better fall EP or a better candidate for the old Sunday Morning Coffee section than the debut from Bird & Bear. This Newfoundland folk duo is built on the crystal clear, traditional folk vocals and guitar work of Jillian Freeman and the drum/banjo/drum machine support of Jon Janes (aka - The Mountain and The Trees).

Bird & Bear are about to release their debut EP - Into the Moon - and the overwhelming sensation you get from the collection of folk songs is warmth. Jillian's voice carries over the strums, keep time drums and banjo picks like a smile that lights up the room. We already know about Jon's talent and unique voice, but he's quite happy to act as a supporting player, laying down drums, subtle loops, organ and some killer accordion (and the occasional banjo line) to bolster Jill's classically trained and perfectly delivered vocals.

Witho all the bands dipping into the classic folk sounds, relying on seamless harmonies and heartache, it's refreshing to hear how Bird & Bear channel classic folk sounds (Old Habits could be stripped from any of your favorite folk records from the last two decades), but use the organ (and every other instrument they can find) and energy to keep the effort sounding fresh. The punchy conclusion to I Won't Go swirls and surges, and floats into the ghostly tones of the accordion driven A Settling of Accounts - a track that lets Jillian show off how effortlessly she jumps into falsetto - but it's the closer that really shows the future of the band.

A Practical Imagination is a seven minute affair that mixes Jillians coffee shop, back porch vibe with a surprising drum machine back beat and barely audible electric guitar that moves in and out of the song nicely. More importantly, it ends the EP on a high that makes you want to listen again. All in all, perfect for a Sunday AM, so do yourself a favor and pick up the EP next week when it comes out.

MP3:: Bird & Bear - Old Habits
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/birdandbearband

Labels: Best-of '09, Bird and Bear, EP, Music Canada Newfoundland, The Mountain and The Trees

The number of releases waiting to be covered here on herohill is becoming as overwhelming as one of those inbox/outbox cartoons from back in the day. Throw in the fact I'm trying to refocus my thoughts for Polaris this weekend isn't helping. So in an effort to talk about a few more releases that I've been digging on lately, you get a nice mailbag. Unlike Bill Simmons, I'll try not to reuse jokes, talk about Vegas or mention Rocky or Kimmel.

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Right out of the gate, we have one of Newfoundland's best kept secrets (outside of Ches' Fish & Chips I guess). Jon Janes - aka The Mountain & The Trees - released his folky four-song EP Hop, Skip, & A Jump to get his name out and the results are impressive.

Janes goes for subtlety over sizzle, but don't mistake his delicate picks and strums for uninspired or tired. The arrangements on this EP rise and fall like a slow beating heart and the folk elements are balanced with whimsy (like the little horn that concludes the observation filled Apartment Song) and depth. Whether it's the banjo that kick starts the tender Up & Down or the strings and horn work that swoop over the touching Hospital View, Janes seems to prefer contrasting elements in a way that makes his songs stretch as far as your eye can see, but still remain as personal as the most hushed 4-track confession.

MP3:: The Mountain & The Trees - Up & Down
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/themountainsandthetrees

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It's been a long time since we've heard from Vivek Shraya. Who's that you ask? Oh, well even if you don't know his name I'm guessing you heard him completely own Seven Nation Army or heard him trade vocals with one of Canada's favorite twins, Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara fame.

Well, enough of who he was, let's get to who he is. Vivek start working with his synth instead of letting it collect dust and he sent over the first single from his new record. In/Out is a very Small Sins-y sounding jam that is balanced nicely by the vocals of Meghan Tooney. It's a bit of a shift for Vivek, but sounds all good none the less.

MP3:: Vivek Shraya - In/Out
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/vivekshraya

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If you told me a man disguised under the moniker Musk Ox would write some of the most stark, beautiful compositions based around classical guitar and somehow hit with the impact of a metal track, wow like the organic compositions Sigur Ros has perfected and hush you to silence like a church hymn, well I would have been shocked. I would have also assumed they were written somewhere in Sweden or Iceland.

Instead, they come from our nation's capitol and the glacial paced sound scapes Nathanaël Larochette creates somehow sound like they should be from overseas, but are still distinctly Canadian. The vast emptiness and chill the 5-songs personify somehow feel like winter mornings. Nathanael's visions or more slow moving and cinematic - three of the songs are 9 minutes or longer - but never lag.

I know it's a tough sell to ask listeners to settle in for 30 minutes of instrumental scores without the immediate gratification of a film to correspond to what they are hearing, but the Musk Ok EP can be breathtaking. The gentle rain that sets the tone for entre la terre et le ciel seems pretentious on paper, but is executed so well that you can't imagine the 14-minute opus without that layer. The same can be said with the nature sounds that start the slow picked les plus beaux de nos jours. It's not easy listening, and certainly won't grab you with an easy hook but the 5-songs here display a talent that can't be ignored.

MP3:: Musk Ok - Lullabye for Ghosts
MYSPACE:: http://www.myspace.com/embraceinashes

Labels: Canada, EP, Music, Musk Ok, The Mountain and The Trees, Vivek Shraya