9 Minutes of Prince [must watch]

Ottawa Bluesfest - From Twitter

Here's all the Ottawa Bluesfest information that could be gleaned off of Twitter and the #Bluesfest hashtag.

• This year's theme is branded "Electrofied"
• The Hard Rock stage is being re-branded to the "Electrofied Stage"
• Electrofied Stage will feature lots of video and lighting gear (no specs)
• New security feature this year - RFID Bracelets like Bonnaroo and other major festivals (may be used for not just ticketing but for paying for beer, and other possible purchases)
• No "day off" like previous years
• There will be a theme night - Nostalgia night

The Current Bluesfest Lineup

•  
• 10cc
• Adam K
• Akron
• Alan Doyle
• Alice Cooper
• Amalgamation
• Amanda Bon
• Ariyan
• Arkells
• Arty
• A-Trak
• A Tribe Called Red
• Rich Aucoin
• AWOLNATION
• The Balconies
• Beirut
• Big Wreck
• Billy Bragg
• Blitzen Trapper
• Blue Rodeo
• Andre M. Bluteau
• Amanda Bon
• Autumn's Canon
• The Bright Light Social Hour
• The Bush Pilots
• Building 429
• Charles Bradley and the Extraordinaires
• Chromeo
• City and Colour
• The City Harmonic

Click to read more ...

Musicians Tweetbutes to Levon Helm

RETWEET x100000 !!!! “@benchten: Levon. And Fuck You, cancer”

— TAL (@talwilkenfeld) April 19, 2012

RIP Levon Helm - my brother. Thank you for the love, the music and all our memories.youtu.be/fDnwD550zoM

— Joe Walsh (@JoeWalsh) April 19, 2012

Click to read more ...

Mike Gordon's Touching Tribute to Levon Helm

Levon Helm

Mike Gordon posted the following on his Facebook page:

Of course The Band was a huge influence on Phish and many other bands. But Levon's own musical career is just so inspiring.... from wanting to leave the Bob Dylan scene in the 60s despite all the success around it in order to follow his own musical tastes to the incredible Midnight Rambles of recent years. I was lucky enough to go to four of the Rambles and play at one, and these were life changing experiences. Jon Fishman called home from the parking lot after the first one I went to, saying it was a top musical experience of his life.

I've always thought music can exist so perfectly when churning in the confines of a barn, and this took it to an extreme where American culture was simply bubbling over with authenticity, passion, and a connection to the backwoods and the hills. It's a testament that ten or fifteen incredible (and notable) musicians came through each time to make up and enhance this house band (not to mention the incredible opening bands). In the middle of the barn, with his deep seventy year old smile, Levon's uniquely spare yet fierce drumming propelled a repertoire through these enchanted nights. Folk, bluegrass, and country blended effortlessly with blues, soul, and funk, creating a melting pot of sounds unique to our country. And despite battles with throat cancer, Levon would grab the mic and sing so powerfully that it shook the beams of his old barn-home to the core.

To do a few cool things when someone's young is one thing, but then to grow older and cultivate such a heartfelt and moving musical situation is very inspiring. It's no wonder so many artists are influenced by his sound, his sensibility, and his projects with their own pursuits. This is a huge loss, and I'm sorry for anyone who couldn't experience that magic first hand, and I'm thankful that our country and our musical community was lucky enough to be graced by such a soul - Mike Gordon

Last Interview with Levon Helm

A message posted  on Levonhelm.com has ignited an explosion of love toward Levon Helm on Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other networks

Dear Friends, 
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey. 

Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration... he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage...

We appreciate all the love and support and concern. 
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy

Last Interview with Levon Helm on PBS

The Barr Brothers Old Mythologies - Official Video Released

Remember that time when videos were the defacto standard for promoting bands and getting music played on music video channels like MTV and MuchMusic?  Remember the time even before that when we had Friday Night Videos and the Canadian version called "Good Rockin' Tonight" with Terry David Mulligan hosting?  In the age of YouTube, we now see musicians producing videos for a much smaller production fee, with a much higher quality and value.  The equipment, technology and talent resources available seems to make it much easier and to pull off.  A band IP doesn't need to pay a network to play their video anymore.  They can simply produce a music video and upload it to YouTube for free.

The Barr Brothers just released a video for one of their songs from their eponymous album on YouTube.  Enjoy.

You put the U in uRockaoke - May 18 at Elmdale Tavern, Ottawa

Jambands.ca and the Elmdale Tavern are coming together once again to put on one of the most memorable musical experiences to have ever taken place in Hintonburg.  This neighbourhood has become a hub for foodies, artists and MUSIC.  On May 18, live music collides with karoake.  Hosted by Montreal's uRockaoke, a night of live music featuring the live backing band with talented members from Land Of Talk, Stars, The Dears, Socalled, Melissa Auf Der Maur, and more.

They bring the instruments, the song backlog, and the musical talent that spans genres like jazz, rock, reggae, bluegrass, country and pop.  You bring the U and put it into uRockaoke!  You are the rock star, and this is your band.  Pick your song and become a member of uRockaoke while they play their guitars, bass, drums, and anything else the arrangement requires while supplying you with full backup harmonies and lyrics.  

Be part of this and you can say that you played at the Elmdale Tavern in Ottawa, live, on-stage!  It's a perfect night to come out and enjoy the talent of your friends or even share your own deepest secret on-stage talents.  You never know, you just might be the next rock star!

I took 1/2 hour flight to Montreal in order to ask Mike Felber, band member and manager of uRockaoke 5 important questions, and promptly flew back after roughly 20 cocktails, some scotch, cigars, smoked meat and poutine.

Who's in the band?

Chris McCarron (Stars, The Dears, Land of Talk)
Michael Felber
Jordey Tucker
Lisa Iwanycki (Creature)

How do you cover horn sections, strings etc?

Guitar player used a Roland synth guitar pedal. He can get all them sounds. 

Are there any interesting guest spots, or gigs in the past? If so...toss us a quick "great moment"

Things can get very spontaneous with live band karaoke. Example; Death metal version of sunglasses at night.
Also, have you ever heard of girls showing their boobies for an admirable karaoke performance? That was cool.

How many sets do you typically play?

We tend to enjoy marathon sets. We have done 5 hours without a break on numerous occasions. The demand from participants is high so we like to get everyone a chance to do their thing.

Have people sung the exact same song in one night?

Depends. Most often, we like to avoid doubling because we want to play to the crowd. The host (sign-up person) plays the evening as if she is a DJ. By doing this, she tries to help participants chose a song that she thinks would work best for that particular moment of the night. Comprendes?

Anything else you think is worth sharing?

We rock at making people look good so don't be shy. Come early to sign up. Check out the song menu online and practice your song, it will help youRock. Costumes recommended. Keep in mind, we are live band and most often, can change the style and/or key of your song. we love you.

Jump into our forums for more info and discussion about this event.

On Any Other Day

This is a great artistic representation of one of them odd tunes that the Police put out in 1979 on Regatta De Blanc.  It really gives the song some extra life.

The Sadies - Ottawa NAC Studio on March 24, 2012

Review: David Barrett
Photos: Mike Bouchard

The Sadies in Ottawa at the NAC Studio - March 24, 2012
More photos on Flickr by Mike Bouchard

Man we are spoiled. Every time I see the Sadies I think that and last night at the NAC Studio drove home the point. Considering how often they've played Ottawa, I'm sure it's easy to lose sight of this fact (Bluesfest, Winterlude, Tulipfest, many bars throughout town come to mind). However there's something about seeing a band in the close confines of the smaller stages at the NAC that reveals a different side to a band; their essence shines through and there's no hiding behind a big sound (by that I mean a sound that's adjusted for a larger audience and a larger room), an elevated stage and a wall of booze-sodden music enthusiasts. On Saturday the Sadies took the stage with confidence and ingenuity and blew those in attendance away.

Being so close to the music underscores the drive behind the Sadies' raging crescendos (that normally lead to packed dance floors, a swath of mass rhythmic swells and high fives) and genuine appreciation for the gentler honkytonk barroom tunes. An eagerly appreciative audience lapped up the music from the start, and the enthusiasm never waned through to the end of the "9 song encore". While I wish that appreciation for their songwriting, incredible chops and talent would (justifiably!) grow, part of me hopes to be able to see them again often in such a close, intimate setting.

Maybe I'm just acting spoiled though.

Rockumentary Featuring Slowcoaster

Check this out.  Independant documentary work featuring some bands doesn't get a better example than this.

In the fall of 2011, canadian bands Slowcoaster, Scientists Of Sound, and The Alun Piggins Band were invited to perform at a variety of festivals during China's national holidays, including the Liuzhou Water Carnival and World Water Sports Championships. Here's their Adventure!

Part 1

Click to read more ...