Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Trebleclef's Busy Weekend (Buskerfest, Oakland Stroke, Blues With a Feeling, Teenage Head)

The weekend of June 2-4 was very busy for our little monkey mascot, Trebleclef!

On Friday, he popped in to check out the Dundas International Buskerfest.



Links: Alakazam, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous, More videos from the event: Peter Rabbit (street drummer),  Bar Code Russian Bar (Acrobatic Act



Click here for more pictures from the event.

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After that, he headed on over to the Bay City Music Hall to check out Oakland Stroke, an incredible Tower of Power tribute band.


Click here for more pictures from the event.

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On Saturday, he went to the new Tim Hortons Field to bang his head to Rules and the legendary Teenage Head.  He had to leave early so he missed Danko Jones and Billy Talent.



Links: Teenage Head, More Teenage Head Stories, Video above courtesy of tdotphoto



Click here for more pictures from the event.

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From there, he returned to the Bay City Music Hall for the 2017 Blues With a Feeling show.  he caught Joshua Arden Miller and then the legendary Crowbar! Unfortunately, he missed opener Danny Marks.

Treble with Crowbar founder Roly Greenway
Click here for more pictures from the event.

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On Sunday, Treble was part of the Blues Cruise on the Hamilton Harbour Queen featuring Trickbag with a number of very special guests.



Links: Dave Rave, More Dave Rave Stories, Trickbag, More Trickbag Stories,  Les Smith, More Les Smith Stories, Sonny Del Rio, More Sonny Del Rio Stories, More Rick Andrew Strories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton B. Lous



Click here for more pictures from the event.

Previous (New Sarah Beatty Album) - - - Next (News Roundup: Cory Cruise, St. Catharines Arts Awards, Evermile, More)

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Bandit Queen from Hamilton's Sarah Beatty is Unbelievably Diverse!


Hamilton songstress Sarah Beatty has really outdone herself with her latest unbelievable album, Bandit Queen.  She's done an amazing job evolving into an unpredictable, genre-fusing singer/songwriter.

There's no pinning her down on this recording: going from soulful chanteuse to ragtime gal to heartfelt balladeer and beyond. Bandit Queen showcases an incredible versatility and range. Every song has it's own feel and you never know what she's gonna hit you with next!

Aiding her on her music journey is a top-notch main band featuring Matty Simpson (electric guitar, banjo),  Justine Fischer (bass) and Dave Clark (Drums).  Also lending a hand are Greg Brisco (keys), Deeps (keys), Troy Dowding (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Collette (trumpet, flugelhorn), Bob Doidge (Euphonium), Sal Rosselli (sax), Ross Woodbridge (Clarinet), Chris Skrzek of Skirt Check (trombone), Michel Dequevedo (hand percussion) and Mary Simon (harmony vocals).

If you're looking for something truly multi-faceted, you can pick up her CD at Dr. Disc and Cheapies in Hamilton plus Forch's (Cambridge) and Busted Flat (Kitchener).  It can also be purchased through her online shop or iTunes.



Monday, June 5, 2017

GOOD LUCK! Guelph's Dan McKinnon a Finalist in 2017 Toronto Blues Society Talent Search


On Saturday, June 24, 2017, rockin' Guelph singer/songwriter Dan McKinnon will be hitting the stage at this year's Toronto Blues Society Talent Search. Part of the Toronto Jazz Festival, the contest happens at the OLG Stage on Cumberland St. from 12-4pm.  The winner will earn spots at various Blues festivals, mentoring, marketing help, cash and more!



Links: Dan McKinnon, More Dan McKinnon Stories, Video above courtesy of Dan McKinnon

GOOD LUCK DAN!

Friday, June 2, 2017

News Roundup (Quarter in the Bag, Gary Cain Band, Gregg Allman, Top Jazz Clubs)


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Across Canada
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017

CONGRATS! Local+Canadian Winners in 2017 International Songwriting Competition!



Canadian musicians made a great showing at the 2017 International Songwriting Competition (including the Grand Prize)! Many of them were from our area.

The only local 1st place winner was Hamilton's Lava Dolls who took the top spot of the Unsigned Only category.  As a result, they'll be getting musical gear, CD duplication, free music distribution and more. They also received honourable mentions in Folk/Singer-Songwriter and Unpublished categories.



Links: Lava Dolls, Video above courtesy of Lava Dolls

Fort Erie Bluesman Spencer Mackenzie won 3rd place in the Blues genre. This prize includes free music distribution, musical gear and more.


Links: Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories, Video above courtesy of Spencer Mackenzie

Other local artists who earned honourable mentions include Suzie Vinnick (Niagara) + Steve Strongman (Hamilton) for Blues, Brantford's Benjamin Dakota Rogers (Folk Singer/Singer-Songwriter) and Wes Mason from Rockwood (Teen).



Links: Wes Mason, More Wes Mason Stories, Video above courtesy of Wes Mason

The big winner was also from Canada. Manitoba's Matt Epp ft Faouzia won the Grand Prize. They'll gain $25,000 (US), recording time, CD duplication, musical gear and much more.



Links: Matt Epp, Faouzia, Video above courtesy of MattEppMusic

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Here are a few highlights (including all the Canadian winners). Click here for the complete list.
Canadian Honorable Mentions
Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners


Previous (Band on a Couch Videos: Jane Baker, Vaudevillian, The Lifers) - - - Next (News Roundup: Quarter in the Bag, Gary Cain Band, Gregg Allman, Top Canadian Jazz Clubs)

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Local Artists on "Band on a Couch" Video Podcast (Jane Baker, Vaudevillian, The Lifers)


The Band on a Couch video podcast features incredible artists from across Canada and beyond. Every few episodes, they include a local act into the mix.

Here are a few of those wonderful episodes.



Links: Jane Baker, More Jane Baker Stories, Video above courtesy of Band on a Coach



Links: The Vaudevillian, More Vaudevillian Stories, Video above courtesy of Band on a Coach



Links: Lifers, Video above courtesy of Band on a Coach

Links: Band on a Couch, More Band on a Couch Stories

Previous (King Biscuit Boy Videos) - - - Next (Local + Canadian Winners at 2017 International Songwriting Competition)

Monday, May 29, 2017

Remembering King Biscuit Boy!


The late, great Canadian Blues legend King Biscuit Boy is one of Hamilton's favourite sons and his legacy will be celebrated on June 3, 2017 at the Bay City Music Hall.  The annual Blues With a Feeling fundraiser raises money for music scholarships in his name. This year Biscuit's old band, Crowbar will be taking the stage with Danny Marks and Joshua Arden Miller.  Click here for more about this show,

In honour of this Hammertown original, here are a few video of him in glorious action!







Blast from the Past: King Biscuit Boy Videos

Links: King Biscuit Boy, More KBB Stories, Videos above courtesy of Mike Papas

Previous (Local Winner/Honourees at the 1st Canadian Songwriting Competition) - - - Next (Band on a Couch Videos: Jane Baker, Vaudevillian, The Lifers)

Saturday, May 27, 2017

CONGRATS! Local Winner/Honourees of the 1st Canadian Songwriting Competition!



The inaugural Canadian Songwriting Competition finished up on May 2017 and songs by a number of area musicians were honoured by this fantastic contest. There were multiple categories and a huge grand prize.

The only local artist to win was Cambridge musician Shae Dupuy, who earned the top spot in the Country genre. Like all category winners, she wins $250 cash, recording time for a single, professional consultation and a subscription to Canadian Musician Magazine.



Links: Shae Dupuy, More Shae Dupuy Stories, Video above courtesy of Shae Dupuy

Three area songwriters were given honourable mentions in their categories: Burlington's Abby Hall (Under 18), JoJo Worthington (Gospel) from Waterloo and Guelph performer Mikalyn Hay (Pop).





Links: Abby Hall, Video above courtesy of Abby J Hall



Links: Mikalyn Hay, Video above courtesy of Mikalyn Hay Music

The Grand Prize winner was Ottawa's the Free whose song Freedom Island impressed the judges. His spoils include $5,000 cash, a round trip flight anywhere in Canada, consulting services, recording, mixing and mastering time, professional photography, a radio campaign and much more.

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Below is a complete list of winners and honourable mentions:

Grand Prize Winner -  The Free: Freedom Island 

Country

Winner - Shae Dupuy: Wishing On You (co-written by Mike Little, Drew Gregory)

Honourable Mentions

Gospel/Inspiration

Winner – Kelly Bado: Hallelujah

Pop

Winner – Ivory Hours: Warpaint (written by Luke Melnik aka Luke Roes)

Honourable Mentions

Under 18

Winner – Mathew Magneson: Mrs. Politeness
Folk/Singer/Songwriter

Winner – AHI: Ol’ Sweet Day

Rock

Winner – Ria Jade: Number One

Honourable Mentions

Adult Contemporary

Winner – Sam Cash and the Romantic Dogs: Act Like We’re In Love

Honourable Mentions

Musique Francophone

Winner – Yao: Dans le sang (co-wwritten by Sonny Black)

Honourable Mentions

Aboriginal

Winner – Julian Taylor Band: Just A Little Bit (co-written by Kinnie Starr, Robert Priest)

Honourable Mentions

Celtic/Maritime

Winner – Kyle Burghout: The Kettle Valley Railway / Clouds in the Kootenays

Honourable Mentions

Electronic

Winner – I M U R: Swirl (written by Jenny Lea)

Honourable Mentions

Hip-Hop/RnB

Winner - Damian La Grange: Beautiful Distraction

Honourable Mentions

Live Performance