Sunday, May 27, 2012

Mariachi Ghost

Winnipeg's Mariachi Ghost is a band that I don't know a lot about, but in a way that's good, because it seems like a mysterious endeavour, with bandmembers wearing skull make-up and seemingly not a lot of biographical material out there. With a little digging, we could easily find out more...but I like the music and the look, for now that's enough. A unique ensemble for these parts. There's an ep out there called Machete that is available at the following locations for $10: McNally Robinson Booksellers Into The Music The Winnipeg Folk Festival Store Music Trader Find Mariachi Ghost on facebook or on the band's CBC artist page.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

School of Seven Bells do Siouxsie and the Banshees For You

School of Seven Bells are riding their version of 80's ethereal pop and a bit of electronic skronk with a cover of Siouxsie and the Banshees' Kiss Them for Me. You know who School of Seven Bells sometimes remind me of? Juno award-winning Rose Chronicles, that's who.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Creosote - Area Man

Regina's Creosote is really a one-man wrecking crew named Gord Smith, and he recently released a new album called Area Man. A very long time ago, Smith walked up to me and, apropos of nothing, asked: "Son Volt or Wilco?" Upon receiving my answer, he smiled and quickly moved on. That question stuck in my mind, and I always expect to hear some alt-country coming from Smith, but Area Man is straight-out rock. Or maybe that should be ROCK, because Creosote's new album sounds like the kind of unabashedly riff-heavy, harmony-driven hard rock we don't really hear much anymore. Area Man almost sounds like grunge never happened, that filter that unfortunately spawned Pickleback, Theory of a Default, et cetera.



Smith also has the er, guts to cover Rush on the new record. Not only that, but he chooses a 1980's keyboard-laden track from Power Windows to cover - Mystic Rhythms. You can buy Area Man at iTunes. Creosote is also a son Volt tune. Coinkydink? Just don't call Cresote MR. Creosote.

Friday, May 4, 2012

Scott Hinkson - Howlings From High Lake


Scott Hinkson has launched Howlings From High Lake, an 11-track collection of guitar and voice songs recorded live off the floor at Falcon Trails Resort. The album includes a song from each of his albums, two originals, and a number of interesting covers (Sparta, MGMT, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, etc.). Not only that, but it's a name your price album with an interesting charity donation twist. Go to his website.
Track Listing: 1. Ready to Start - (Arcade Fire) 2. Lately 3. All I Need (Radiohead) 4. Surrounded 5. Collapse (Sparta) 6. Simpleton 7. Electric Feel (MGMT) 8. Oh, Horizon! 9. Happiness (Grant Lee Buffalo) 10. Tuesday, the Cabin Says 11. Like a Stone (Audioslave) Track 2 - From TRACKING OUTSIDE IN - 2005 Track 4 - From THE TORRENT SESSIONS - 2008 Track 6 - From ONE BESIDE TWO - 2011 Track 8 & 10 - Copyright 2012 Moniker One Music








Thursday, May 3, 2012

Greg MacPherson - Party at Greg's video

Winnipeg's Greg MacPherson has unveiled a superfine new video for Party at Greg's from the album Disintegration Blues. I love when the animated arm starts pulling out reconstructed animated record covers, such as Greg's or Slint, for example. Has a Winnipeg artist ever released a video as cool as this?

Gomez - Options and Free Live Show MP3s

The catchiest song I've heard this week award goes to Gomez for Options, a bouncy number with breezy harmonies and punchy horns. Dig it. Did you know you can download free high quality shows from Gomez for free? Go here and see. Upcoming Scott Nolan live extravaganzas: July 4 Sask tba July 6&7 nanton auditorium July 12 ironwood Calgary July 14 the slice lethbridge July 18 vancouver tba July 20-22 island folk fest Victoria July 27 gitters pub high river Alberta July 29 medicine hat house show