In Tune 2013
Saskatchewan: Easy to draw, hard to define. We are the Canadian province filled with humble, hard-working prairie folk who have simply gone about producing some of most talented songwriters and musicians in the world, those who have written the soundtracks to our lives and performed in opera halls and stadiums alike before peoples of all nations.
Are we the winter's night ballad written in a remote cabin? Are we the cutting-edge urban artists that populate our growing cities? Are we the hook-laden prairie-pop ballads that appeal to the masses? Yes, yes, yes, and so much more. This compilation is a snapshot of the talent we currently offer up as proudly "Saskatchewan". We invite you to take a listen and fall in love with our province's music, as we have. We are SaskMusic.
SaskMusic is a non-profit association that represents, promotes and develops the commercial music industry of Saskatchewan. We offer programming including artist listings, career consults, workshops, marketing and export assistance, networking opportunities and much more. Our artists and music professionals hail from across the province, and work in an extensive array of genres. We are a source of information and resources for both the public, and the music industry.
Side One
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1. ALL MIGHTY VOICE - Movin' On
Folk / Roots All Mighty Voice has become the new band to hear in Saskatchewan. While at the same time playing homage to folk and traditional roots, the group combines music from diverse genres, spanning from reggae to rock, from country to contemporary. These fine songsmiths bring together the sound of upright bass, guitars, harmonicas, pianos and organs, with glorious four-part harmonies. Look forward to the highly anticipated release of their debut album.
allmightyvoicemusic@gmail.com
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2. ROSIE & THE RIVETERS - Poor Man Folk / Gospel Since the second World War, Rosie the Riveter has been immortalized as a symbol of the strength and power that lurks inside every woman. This is the force that drives and inspires these four fiercely talented women. Their compelling performance hosts seductive vocal arrangements,percussion, acoustic instrumentation, scintillating choreography, inviting humour and a whole lot of charm! Their show consists of traditional African American spirituals, toe-tapping wartime numbers, contemporary folk songs, and original material. Audiences are left awe-struck as these ladies will have you dancing in the aisles and laughing in your seats. |
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3. KACY AND CLAYTON - Careless Love Roots Kacy and Clayton carry on a deep tradition with their music. Their songs and sounds are greatly influenced by the raw simplicity of roots music. After going through a hard-cover Alan Lomax encycopedia, and a stack of records, Kacy & Clayton recorded their self-titled debut in just two days, in March of 2011. The album was released on the newly formed, Dahl Street Records on June 1st 2011. The honest, and unrefined sound of the release is somewhat reflective of the Wood Mountain Hills of Southern Saskatchewan, from which they hail. Other artists you may compare to Kacy & Clayton are The Deep Dark Woods, Shirley Collins and Davy Graham, and Mississippi John Hurt. |
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4. ZACHARY LUCKY - Saskatchewan
Folk / Roots Zachary Lucky is a patriot. Born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – he was never one to wander far off the beaten track – until he showed up on the Canadian music circuit in August of 2010 with his debut full length recording Come and Gone. After spending nearly two years in the shadows, Zachary Lucky is back with the much anticipated release Saskatchewan. The album is a patchwork of words, melodies, and stories entrenched in all that Saskatchewan is. Saskatchewan is sure to be an album that stands out in 2012. |
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5. JEANS BOOTS - Moonbase
Indie / Rock Jeans Boots is a singer-songwriter that bathes in distorted noise. Her work has been recognized nationally by the CBC with her On a Cold Road appearance and recently she had been asked to play Sled Island. She also plays keys in the supergroup Slow Down, Molasses. |
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6. JASON PLUMB AND THE WILLING - Alone With You
Folk / Rock The former Waltons frontman Jason Plumb has 25 years under his belt. Winning a Juno, gold-selling records, and doing major tours with the Barenaked Ladies and Blue Rodeo have all contributed to his longevity. His latest album All Is More Than Both is about coming full circle, recognizing the power of getting back to basics, and letting the repetitive nature of life just do its thing. |
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7. BLAKE BERGLUND - Hangin' By A Thread
Alterative / Country Native of Kennedy, SK, Blake Berglund's unique sense of storytelling and on-stage sincerity back up his upcoming album Coyote. Religiously performing an average of 200 dates a year and selling over 15,000 CD door to door, his hard work has opened doors to perform with Corb Lund, Jason McCoy, and Emerson Drive. As a co-founder of Oceanman Records, Berglund's independent release will be sure to make waves. |
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8. JESS MOSKALUKE - Catch Me If You Can
Country Having surpassed 7,000,000 YouTube views to date, 2011 was a whirlwind year for country songstress Jess Moskaluke (MDM Recordings Inc.), a Tyler Ward Featured Artist who recently rocked the stage on a 45-city tour with his camp throughout North America. A self-proclaimed night-hawk the road is her oyster; late night gigs and travel schedules do not faze this budding talent. Jess will release her debut EP later this year, a medley of pop-infused country tracks, produced by award-winning musician Mitch Merrett (CCMA 2007 Producer of the Year and Juno nominee). A sign of exciting things to come, she was chosen to represent Canada and perform at this summer's Country Music Association (CMA) Global Artist Party at The Stage to help kick off CMA Fest 2012. |
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9. DONNY PARENTEAU - Fiddleback
Country Donny Parenteau was born and raised in Prince Albert, SK. He refined his skills while touring with Neil McCoy as his fiddle and specialty instrument player for 12 years. He then returned to Saskatchewan to pursue a solo career. Hear to his heart is his motivational work encapsulated in a tour named "It Starts with a Dream." |
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10. CODIE PREVOST - Last Night All Day
Country Hold onto your seats, it's about to "Get Loud". 2011 "CCMA Rising Star nominee"/Four-time Saskatchewan Country Music Association "Fans Choice Entertainer of the Year" will deliver a performance guaranteed to knock your socks off. Building on the momentum from his first three award winning albums "The Road Ahead" (2005) and "Spin 6-PAK Vol. I" (2008), and his third album, "Get Loud" (2010). An exciting change for Prevost on "Get Loud" was having the opportunity to work with one of Canada's top producers, Tom McKillip in Vancouver, who captured his unique style and sound. His live performances consistently captivate his audiences, treating them to upbeat and feel-good singles like "Last Night All Day","Rolling Back To You", "Honky Tonk Groupie", & "Spin", named "Country Song of the Year" at the 9th Annual Independent Music Awards to sincere ballads including "Call Me When You Get There", and the infamous tear jerker "I'm Okay". Codie Prevost is currently working with Tom McKillip on his much anticipated fourth album to be released this fall. |
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11. JJ VOSS - It's A Pride Thing
Roots / Country / Americana Raised on a small farm in rural Saskatchewan during tough economic times, J.J. grew up identifying closely with under-dog outlaw music, with heroes like Johnny Cash, Steve Earle, and John Melancamp to name a few. 2012 finds JJ playing shows in support of his sophomore album produced with Nashville music city icon Harry Stinson (Steve Earle, Martina McBride, Marty Stuart, Corb Lund) producing "Show `em Who's Voss," released on may 24th in Canada with the debut single It's a Pride Thing climbing the charts at radio nationally, and the video reaching over 3500 hits on YouTube so far. |
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12. JOHN ANTONIUK - Chicago
Folk / Rock John Antoniuk is a singer / songwriter from Saskatoon, SK. In 2003, John released the Side A ep which quickly garnered him attention as a songwriter and saw him sharing the stage with Ron Sexsmith and Hayden. 13 was his first full-length release and was mixed by Steven Drake. "Out There," from 13 was selected as a National Finalist in the 2009 Radiostar Songwriting Competition. In 2012, John went into the studio with producer Leeroy Stagger and recorded an album of new material dedicated to John's mother, Marlene, who passed in October 2010. Featuring performances by Leeroy Stagger and his Band, Kevin Kane, and John Ellis, "Always With You" will be released September 4th, 2012. |
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13. JEN LANE - Earthquake
Roots With the release of For the Night, Jen Lane is finally claiming her rightful place among the elite of Canadian roots country singer songwriters. The arrangements are classic, and the production – courtesy of The Odds' Steven Drake – has a vintage feel, thanks, in part, to a near-analogue recording process. It's impossible to pick stand-out tracks from such a consistently strong album, but its more unique cuts include "Election Day," whose simple yet profound musings and a nod to Elizabeth May sum up many Canadians' sentiments about the 2008 election. At last, the rest of the country's music fans can discover the voice Western music awards juries have been onto for several years. |
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14. JEFFERY STRAKER - Birchbark Canoe
Folk / Pop Singer-songwriter-pianist Jeffery Straker performs over 100 shows per year across Canada. He recently had a video reach #6 on Much More Music, recorded twice for CBC's ‘Canada Live', and in October 2011 debuted a sold out performance with the Regina Symphony Orchestra. The Chicago Free Press has written "Rufus Wainwright as well as k.d. lang are among the Canadians making essential and beautiful music. Add the name Jeffery Straker to that list". Jeffery toured nationally in Spring 2012, including recent performances at the National Arts Centre and his first concert tour of Africa (Ghana). He next album will be released fall 2012. |
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15. JAY SEMKO - Sending Love
Roots Jay Semko is known worldwide as singer/songwriter/bassist with multi-platinum Canadain pop icons the Northern Pikes, and as an award-winning music composer for numerous film and television productions, including one of Canada's most successful internationally syndicated series, "Due South." Jay's 2011 solo album "Force of Horses" won the Saskatchewan Country Music Award for Best Roots Album, and his 2012 album "Sending Love," is nominated for Roots Solo Recording of the Year in the Western Canadian Music Awards. Jay's songs, stories, and legendary live concerts continue to garner him recognition as one of Canada's most prolific musical talents. |
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16. SCOTT BENSON BAND - The Crow
Instrumental Rock The curtain has lifted on the debut album from the award-winning Scott Benson Band. It's a concert album created in the minds of violinist/fiddler Scott Benson, and former Juno Nominee Jared Robinson (Sweetsalt) – the score to an unwritten film. With unexpected twists and turns, and an undecided ending. The band's unique brand of instrumental orchestral rock features melancholy piano solos, electric violin led symphonies, operatic vocals, and distorted guitars. When it comes to the Scott Benson Band, expect the unexpected. Even then, you'll be surprised. |
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17. KARRNNEL - Bork's Forks
Folk / Roots / World Over his 26 years playing the fiddle, Karrnnel has established himself as one of the most original and decorated musicians in the country. He is the most successful competition fiddle player in Saskatchewan's history, is multi-nominated at the Western Canadian Music awards and the Canadian Folk Music Awards – including a nomination for Solo Instrumentalist of the Year – and recently was nominated for Instrumental Song of the Year at the 2012 International Independent Music Awards. Whether he is teaching, performing, writing, collaborating, arranging, or recording, Karrnnel consistently amazes audiences with his passion and expertise of his music. |
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18. JASON CULLIMORE - New York Nocturne
Cinematic / Orchestral Jason Cullimore is an award-winning composer of film, television and theatre score and classical concert music. Among his achievements are a Gemini nomination, performances of his work by the Regina and Victoria Symphony Orchestras, and a $12,000 Grand Prize from the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. He has scored many Saskatchewan film and television productions, and has also written music for ballet and theatrical project in the Regina area. He has won a Saskatchewan Motion Picture Industry Association award for his soundtrack to the film "Slatland," and eight top-ten placings in major songwriting contests for his instrumental and electronic music. |
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19. BELLE PLAINE - Notes From A Waitress
Swing Belle Plaine was raised on a farm near the village of Fosston, Saskatchewan. She studied classical voice for 12 years, followed by jazz at Grant MacEwan University. Belle Plaine's first full-length album "Notes from a Waitress" (2012) united jazz, pop and country into Belle's own brand of jazz fusion. |
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20. JEFF MCLEOD - Back Atya
Jazz "You can think of this cross border recording as a reflection of the two things I enjoy most," suggests Jeff McLeod, a Regina, Saskatchewan raised, Rochester, NY-based pianist and, more recently, organist, who tackles both instruments on this ambitious double recording. "I've been a pianist for 24 years," comments McLeod, "and an organist for three. But I really enjoy playing with the groups heard here and am thrilled to have opportunity to document both."
carly@rawkentertainment.com
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Side Two
Force and Matter swings from absolute thunder to quiet whisper at the drop of a hat, while smartly abandoning frivolous embellishment and instead delivering only exactly enough of what is needed. Mining their father's massive record collection taught these four siblings a well-rounded lesson that revealed the importance in balancing the grit and energy of Neil Young, the Smiths and the Ramones with the polish of newer post-punk and new wave groups. Force and Matter has received great reviews from notable blogs and magazines. Now the band looks forward to touring, beginning in February 2012 in Canada, and then a US tour including a showcase at SXSW festival in Austin, TX in March (among others, TBA). The future looks bright in 2012 for Foam Lake.
shannon@aporia-records.com
www.foamlakeband.com
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1. LIBRARY VOICES - Generation Handclap
Pop / Rock Library Voices could very well be the Dark Knight of indie rock. At every turn they've been met with curses of mythical proportions. While it may be true they've had their trailer robbed on tour and the following year, their instruments and studio destroyed in an unimaginable flood, the seven piece pop-outfit from Regina have refused to let anything slow them down. Summer Of Lust marks their third release in just over two years. Every winter, thousands of Saskatchewan residents pack up and head south to escape the soul crushing conditions of the prairie winter. Fueled by criminal amounts of espresso and a hundred bottles of gas station wine, the album was recorded in just ten days with engineer/producer Jace Lasek (Wolf Parade, Besnard Lakes, Suuns) at Breakglass Studios in Montreal. On Summer Of Lust the band carries on their traditional of ever evolving instrumentation, this time around incorporating an Onmichord, a Prophet 08, and samples of NASA space recordings to their guitar/synth driven sound. Library Voices have performed well over 200 shows in that time includes stops at Virgin Fest, Hillside Festival, and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Their relentless tour schedule has allowed them perform everywhere from BC Place to public libraries and has landed them in SPIN, The New Yorker, and on La Blogotheque. |
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2. FOAM LAKE - True Hearts
Indie / Rock Four blood brothers creating infectiously catchy rock n roll laden with synth textures, dynamic rhythms, contemplative lyricism and luscious guitars. That's the genius of Saskatoon's post-pop rockers Foam Lake. Equally at home with swirling keyboard tones as jagged driven guitars, they far exceed the sum of their individual parts. |
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3. RAH RAH - First Kiss
Alternative September 25th marks the release of "The Poet's Dead," the fird and most accomplished album to date by Regina, SK sextet Rah Rah. Building on the strong foundation of their last album, the critically acclaimed and iTunes Canada championed Breaking Hearts, this new ten song effort effectively captures a band at the peak of their abilities doing what they do best. "The Poet's Dead," recorded in late 2011 under the production guidance of indie-rock recording geniuses Gus Van Go and Werner F (The Stills, Hollerado), clearly displays that Rah Rah has truly fine-tuned the essense of the band and refined the maturity of their sound. |
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4. SHOOTING GUNS - Sky High & Blind
Psychedelic / Metal Shooting Guns are hard at work fortifying the heavy end of the psychedelic spectrum. Hailing from Saskatoon, they haunt the foggy moor between Sabbath-styled doom and heavy pulse-riding kraut-rock. Simple repetitive hooks work to bring psychedelic rock music down to earth. Shooting Guns formed in 2008 as a band of veteran collaborators in Saskatoon's prolific music scene. Their full-length album Born To Deal in Magic: 1952-1976 was nominated for the Polaris Prize. The band has also released two new split 7"s (with Nottingham UK's The Cult of Dom Keller and Edmonton's Krang). They have played alongside Bison B.C., Mares of Thrace, and Quest for Fire, showcased at Sled Island 2011 and are headed to Halifax Pop Xplosion 2012. The band is pleasantly surprised to find that their spectacle is rapidly attracting a gender-balanced cult of barbarian metal-heads and hipster geeks. |
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5. ERIN PASSMORE - Into the Woods
Alternative Erin Passmore has a voice that will drop kick your heart. She is perhaps best known for her work in the Regina indie-rock band Rah Rah, where she's a multi-instrumentalist, contributing drums, keys, guitar, bass, and her crowd-rousing vocals. Erin's voice is not brash, booming, or overdone. It's honest, warm, and real. It's one of those gifts you're born with, and you can't help but take notice when she takes the mic. Erin has contributed her unmistakable vocals to fellow musician friends' projects, most notably, "A Cold Night Close to the End" from 2011 JUNO winnders Said the Whale's "Islands Disappear" album and the 2012 upcoming solo project of Jon Samuel who is part of JUNO winning group Wintersleep. |
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6. SLOW DOWN, MOLASSES - Late Night Radio
Indie / Rock Slow Down, Molasses are a sprawling indie rock collective from Saskatoon, SK. The band brings together a cast of 5 (and sometimes more…) members to create their own unique wall-of-sound. Songs that began as sparse, dust-covered arrangements have developed into full-fledged, lush indie-folk anthems filled with strings, horns and layers of feedback drenched guitars and sweet vocal harmonies. |
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7. FOUNTAINS OF YOUTH - Flood Season
Rock Thick grooves, swirling keys, and huge guitars create an epic backdrop for powerful vocals and transcendent lyrics. Formed in July of 2011, fountains of Youth have already recorded their debut LP, opened for several big-name touring acts, and have a string of packed local shows under their belts. Lyrically introspective, the debut record Flood Season conjures up images of the expansive nature the band calls home, and tells stories of love, loss, and triumph from the viewpoint of today's youth. |
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8. THE REBELLION - Save Me
Alternative / Rock Canada — The Rebellion is Canada's Answer to "Muse." Known for its dynamic live shows, rockin' energy, and poignant, thoughtful lyrics, most recently opened for Legendary artist, PRINCE at his after party in Calgary and have released their second album "II" and its already been nominated for Best Rock Song at the 2011 Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Recently featured on CBC Radio, they were Broadcasted LIVE across Canada on the "On a Cold Road" Concert Series. Their ‘Self Titled' album was also named 1 of the Top 10 Albums of 2010 by Rock and Roll Guru Blog! Also played the Gold Medal Game of The 2012 Brier! The band will support the release with a tour across the Canada and the United States. Having performed over 300 club and corporate concerts since 2007, this new release is highly anticipated for thousands of fans in North America.
palmer_band@yahoo.com
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9. THE QUITTERS CLUB - You Won't See This One Coming
Punk / Rock Upon hearing the first initial trickles of recordings by The Quitters Club, You will be brought back to a pre 21-century world of raging teenagist-energy and feeling-- an expression of bitter honesty, of powerful emotion and a technicality sorely... lacking in today's industry dream-chase to the musical 'Top of Pop'. Not that these tracks don't catch you! There lies a complete range, a whole world of finely placed tactics and amiable characteristics-- from Clint Robinson's piercing and limit-pushed vocal display, to the punk-intensified crunch and dissonance of a spectacular range of guitar work and chordage (Adam Lealos, Joel Garand and bassist Dustin Maki). Drummer Corey Dick only intensifies this further: from the opening technical onslaught of "You Won't See This One Coming", you know this is real. You know this is craftsmanship by people that love it-- by people that mean it. It is the sound of song you grew up on, desired for and now a seemingly rare find in new-music: full aggression and emotional overflow of the punk-aesthetic, combined with the fury, technical placement and directness of metal/classical greatness. Never bearing the 'too-tough/too hard'' badge, yet not overindulging in the sentimentalism of feeling. It's music that hits you, hard, then leaves you in the dirt. It comes in swinging everything and then takes your girlfriend away with them. |
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10. SHUYLER JANSEN - Can't See Through Tomorrow
Folk / Rock / Electronic Approaching 20 years in the Music Industry, Shuyler Jansen has upheld an ethos of professionalism, continual lyrical and musical development and innovation. Through the collaboration of genres: roots, country, rock, pop with psychedelic infusion, Jansen is continually delving into new musical territories to surpass his own boundaries. Releasing 8 albums with Old Reliable and as a solo artist, Shuyler has scored features and is persistently attaining dedicated followers in Canada and abroad. He has established his credentials and longevity, adapting and thriving in an ever-changing musical landscape.
hoofbeatbookings@gmail.com
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11. INDIGO JOSEPH - Lilith
Dance / Rock We're an art-rock band from Regina, Saskatchewan that has been performing live to a strong and positive response for a year and a half. We have a sound that transcends genres, blending an array of blues, pop, dance and rock into our music. We seek to provide and perform powerful and meaningful music, and feel that connecting with our audience is of the highest priority. We take our live show very seriously and go to great lengths to make our show both memorable and enjoyable. |
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12. THE FOGGY NOTIONS - One Comes Out Alive
Alternative / Pop The Foggy Notions are a five-piece outfit put together from the pop possibilities of the Flying Nun Records catalog, the sonic aspects of the Creation Records catalog, tied together with fanclub-worthy harmonies and the synth-onic textures of bands like M83 – pop with a teardrop and a tug of the heartstrings. The Foggy Notions released their debut album, Beginning to See, in June of 2011 to positive reviews from fans and critics alike and have just started work on their second album with Woodie Taylor (Morrissey/Comet Gain). |
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13. FUR EEL - Elephant Summer
Pop-Rock / Funk / Soul Like a musical gin and tonic, Fur Eel's self-fashioned "sexy" rock, patent pending, is going to make things even hotter for listeners this summer. Regina's funk rock purveyors Fur Eel are back with sophomore album Perhaps Another Time. Inspired by the antics of last summer, in which the band proved you don't need a label to live the rock and roll lifestyle, the album's second cut "Elephant Summer" is an ode to the season, a guide for mixologists, and maybe a cautionary tale for revelers. "Summer is amazing. It's a coveted thing with the climate here," says lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Justin Sheppard. On the infectious tune, "saxed up" with a Five Alarm Funk appearance, Sheppard flirtatiously croons to "summertime, break a sweat in the dead of night. Road tested in front of live audiences as it was being written, Sheppard is confident Perhaps Another Time will ignite interest and make their fans feel "hot" and sweaty when performed live. So when Fur Eel tours in support of the new album this summer, dance floors are sure to pulse with flushed and sweaty bodies. But it won't have anything to do with the temperature. |
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14. PHILLY 5 - Swagger 2.0
Hip-Hop / Rock Philly 5 continues to break new ground in hip-hop. The Ontario-Native set roots in Saskatchewan to further his education. Not long after migrating, Philly embarked on a professional career that has seen national exposure and critical acclaim. In the midst of Philly 5's success, his heart remains drawn to the unsung heroes of the community. They are the youth of today, the shining lights that fight bravely against the many injustices of society and are looking for someone who will believe in them; someone who will join their fight for freedom. More than anything, Philly writes to motivate them. |
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15. KYLE JORDAN & UNLTD - Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
Hip-Hop / R&B |
