Eric Taylor’s debut album “Dreams in Colour” was recorded with the help of a Rawlco Project 10K20 grant. It was recorded and produced by Winnipeg-based producer Derek Benjamin. The bulk of the recording for was done at Full Colour Music & Recording in Saskatoon, with S.J. Kardash providing additional engineering. Later, Eric traveled to Winnipeg, working at Bedside Studios with members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra to finish the album. “Dreams in Colour” was mixed in Vancouver by Eric’s former mentor and college professor Shawn Cole. Eric has been honing his craft for years, perfecting his songs and finding his own as an artist. Drawing heavy inspiration from his roots in Saskatchewan, his music is truly relatable. Eric Taylor met Great Canadian Entertainment’s President and Founder Scott Ord while attending college together in Vancouver. After launching GCE, the two decided to work together in developing Eric’s career and debuting his music to the world.
Ava Wild is set to release her new album “Bare” September 9 at Crave in Regina (www.avawildmusic.com).
The Spencer Vaughn Band is releasing a new self-titled CD, with first single “Help Me”
Newera has been working on a new album for the last two years, and with the addition of Dale Maguire to the lineup of Joe Levesque (vocalist), David Cottin (bassist), and Andrew Cottin (guitarist), it’s finally ready to be released on September 1. “Inner Demons” has flavours of metal, rock, funk, and alt compiled in one album with a common “entity” between all songs
Tyler Gilbert released his fourth studio album, “The Montana Kid” on May 2 on indie label Farmageddon Sound Records. The album has been described by Gilbert as a new sound for him, as he leans more toward twangy country rock. He headed out on an extensive Canadian/US summer tour in support of the album, hitting stops in MB, ON, PQ, NY, MN, IL, OH and SK including the Ohio State Fair, Sound of Music Festival, Bow Valley Jamboree, and the World Women’s Curling Tournament (www.tylergilbert.ca).
Jordan Welbourne
released his debut EP, “Reach Out,” on April 29 at Village Guitars, Saskatoon. Welbourne then set out to tour SK, AB and BC throughout May, June and July, in addition to festival performances throughout Saskatchewan and Alberta. Welbourne worked as a session performer and studio musician (including ska as lead guitarist of Misterfire, folk/roots as bassist with Sarah Farthing, and Ukrainian polka as lead singer/guitarist of Zhyto) for more than five years prior to his debut as a solo artist, now performing guitar-driven rock and blues music. His trio, comprised of Welbourne, bassist Jesse Dawson (The Buzzardline, Johnny Don’t) and drummer Nathan Abramyk (The Matt Remenda Ensemble, Ponteix) performs an energetic show designed to ensnare the audience and take them from pumping their firsts in the air to attentive silence and back to singing every word of the chorus
“Long Live the Middle of Nowhere Vol. 1” has been released by a group of musicians and artists from Moose Jaw to showcase the musical landscape of the city. The 20-track sampler showcases ten artists including punk, folk, rap and metal. Distributed in cases of Paddock Wood beer from March 1-July 1, it’s also available through various online stores and streams
Jeffery Straker shared new music video “Gravity,” from most recent album “North Star Falling.” It features Jeffery with some clever animation work by the talented people at Turtlebox Productions, Vancouver. Jeffery has had a busy performance summer including dates at Summer Fun Fest (Minnedosa), the Gateway Festival, Paris ON Skylight Festival, Toronto Summer Music Festival, Bow Valley Jamboree and Bear Creek Folk Festival (Grande Prairie AB), among others (www.jefferystraker.com).
Acoustic soul singer-songwriter Bev Zizzy released her fourth album, “Standing on a Platform of KINDNESS” on June 17. The record sees Bev channeling her extensive experience in world travel and bringing it all home, into her songwriting and life, to write of social connection, compassion, and kindness, inspired by the Dali Lama’s words to “Be kind whenever possible. Kindness is always possible.” Happy to be home from her recent travels abroad, she shared her stories, songs, and new album with audiences at a CD release event June 25 at The Artesian, Regina. Joined by a stellar cast of original musicians from the album including master pianist Jonathon Dyck, Anthony Bzdell (guitar, banjo), Les Schaeffer (kit drum), Chris Notenboom (guitar), Christie-Anne Blondeau (back-up vocals), and Regina Symphony Orchestra’s Carmelle Pretzlaw (violin), Amelia Borton (cello), and Marie-Veronique Bourque (flute), as well as Erik Mehlsen (bass, harmonica) and Nadeem Naz (congas, and box percussion) joining the band for the event (www.bevzizzy.com).
Two musical entities converged on Western Canada in May. From the land of the living skies came the anxious rhythms, sonic waves, and intoxicating vocal timbres of Saskatoon psych-pop trio Ponteix (pronounced Pawn-tex). From Manitoba came the lyric-based electro-acoustic grooves and layers of Winnipeg looping artist Rayannah. Touring SK, AB, BC and MB in support of Ponteix’s debut EP “J’Orage” (released May 12), both acts share a compulsion for sonorous textures and an affinity for atypical bilingual music. Ponteix will be on the road again this fall; for upcoming dates, visit www.ponteixmusic.net.
Saskatoon’s Penny Reign released single and video “Cast Away”, from their first full-length album “Weird” which was released in July. Receiving funding support through Rawlco Radio’s 10k20 Project, the band completed the album at MCC Recording Studio (Calgary AB) under the direction of Saskatchewan-born Johnny “Sixpack” Gasparic
