Coldwater Road and the Peak Performance Project.

Consider this a quick post of me exercising my rights to brag as a proud older sister...

What am I about to boast about? My brother Patrick's band, Coldwater Road (I've mentioned them before here) has just been named one of the top twenty B.C. Bands chosen for The Peak Performance Project.

While Pat downplays how awesome this feat is, it really does show that hard work and perseverance (not to mention obvious talent) can pay off.

While the project grants amazing opportunities to budding artists, I think the greatest overall benefit is the momentum the bands will experience (okay, as well as the air time on The Peak 102.7FM). The project has a carefully planned progression, throughout which, the top twenty will work their tails off on stage, in boot camps, fine tuning their craft, creating proposals, and learning how to market themselves all with the aim of making it to the Top 5 in November. Although I'll miss out on the initial July concert, I'm so happy I'll be home when things really begin to heat up.

Congratulations to Pat and the Band!

Follow their journey, and keep your fingers crossed! You can also check out their website and listen to their music here. 

The Deep Dark Woods.

Image from here

August has been fun, as I've recently been catching up with a friend I hadn't been in contact with for ten years. As we were comparing notes, and updating each other on our lives, we realized that our siblings shared a common love of music. I was telling him about Pat's band, Coldwater Road (and their upcoming tour), when he chimed in that his brother was on tour also. It turns out his brother's band is one of my brother's favourites (yes, Patrick was very thrilled). The band is called The Deep Dark Woods. You've probably heard of them already, as I'm usually the last to get the memo (apparently I need to get out more), but I thought I'd share this little discovery in case you hadn't. 

As I would never consider myself a music aficianado, classifying a band into a genre is always difficult for me. Like Patrick's band, there's a country / folk-rock sound, but don't quote me on this! Did I mention they're awesome? They are awesome. I've purchased a few of the songs on itunes already, and just noticed tonight that there are a few live concerts available for download on their website.

**Note: I'm too tired to figure out why there is a box around the first two paragraphs and not the one below, so please ignore. Back to the band...

They contributed an original song "Charlie's (Is Coming Down)", to CBC Radio 2's Great Canadian Song Quest (2009), and were nominated for Roots and Traditional Group Album of the Year at the 2012 Junos. In September, they will be in Nashville, as they were recently nominated for Emerging Artist of the Year at this year's Americana Music Awards.

This is my favourite song so far...


 

Here they are looking sharp at this year's Juno Awards:

source

If you like their sound, visit their website to download some music and check out their tour dates (I wish I'd had a heads up when they were in Vancouver on August 11th).

Wow, look at me, another music post. I warned you that I had no idea what direction this blog might take! 

Thanks again for visiting.

Ben Howard.

I would like to introduce you to Ben Howard (if you haven't already been aquainted). For Vancouverites, I've noticed they've started playing him on the Peak (100.5 FM), so I'm not really charting out new territory here (and he's already made a name for himself in the U.K.). Ben Howard is a British singer-songwriter who grew up influenced by his musical parents, and in particular, their love of Joni Mitchell and Bob Dylan. I first downloaded his song, 'Only Love' a few months ago after hearing it on (don't judge me), cough, cough, 'Made in Chelsea', cough. I found it to be one of those songs you like immediately. His voice is raspy, and soothing, and the lyrics meaningful (well somewhat).

Have a listen...




...now because I like you, I'll give you another little treat. After I introduced my friend Nicola to Ben Howard, she found the little gem below. Given that Carly Rae Jepsen is from Mission, British Columbia, this is especially cool. For those who don't know, many musicians (and famous faces) have been covering her song, 'Call Me Maybe', and / or creating their own lip synced version (some of these submissions are from the likes of Harvard baseball, The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, The American Swim team - you get the picture).  For Carly Rae's original version (so that you realize what the fuss is all about), click here. It's a silly, but catchy pop song, that should come with a warning label, as it will be stuck in your head forever. Don't be embarrassed if you find yourself watching some of the hundreds of other covers and lip syncs that can be found, it's really quite amusing.

Now here's Ben Howard's take:



Do you like him? Girls, I know you're already sold (it's the sexy raspy thing).

 Gentlemen?

P-Seudo Happy Birthday Graceland!

From here.

I can't let this week pass without honouring the fact that twenty-five years ago Sunday (August 12th, 1986), Paul Simon released one of the greatest albums of all time. That's right, Graceland. Graceland went on to win Album of the year, and is on Rolling Stone's and Time's Greatest albums list.

Paul Simon recorded most of this album in South Africa, working with many South African Musicians. It was Graceland that first introduced the vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo to the spotlight. If you've seen the latest documentary on the making of the album (titled Under African Skies), you'll know that many accused Paul Simon of breaking the cultural boycott imposed by the world against the apartheid regime in South Africa when he was creating this album. The United Nations did not agree with this claim as Simon was in no way supporting the South African government, simply promoting their talented musicians.

Paul Simon with Ladysmith Black Mambazo singing 'Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes':

This album makes me think of my dad in the kitchen on Saturday mornings making his famous sourdough pancakes and listening to Paul (he maintains he was listening to Stevie Wonder, but he's wrong, he's forgetful in his old age!). The recipe was from James Barber's cookbook, 'Ginger Tea Makes Friends'. It is called P-seudo P-sourdough P-sancakes. Mark my words, you'll never make another pancake recipe again, and you'll never order pancakes in a restaurant again as they are NEVER as good. Blame James Barber for ruining that experience for you!

Image from here.

In case you have difficulty following Barber's illustrations:

Beat 3 eggs

Add:
1 Cup Flour
6 oz Yoghurt
1 Cup Milk
...and beat until smooth

...still beating, add:
2 tbsp Sugar
1 tsp Salt
2 tsp Baking Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
4 tbsp Oil or melted Butter

...let the mixture stand 10 mins before cooking.

I know what I'll be doing Saturday.

I WILL wait.

You can imagine my excitement when I received the first single from Mumford & Sons new album, Babel. The song is titled 'I will wait' (to be released Sept. 24th).
I feel as though it should be the official soundtrack to this ridiculous UK visa process I'm going through. Let me know what you think.



Did you like the song?

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