» canadian

Nov
14thWilderness of Manitoba, Crystal Antlers, and Cosmo Jarvis

They say good things come in “threes.” Or is it bad things? I don’t remember, but it doesn’t matter. This edition of “A-Sides” features three unique artists who will either mellow you out or rock your socks off. Actually, if you’re mellowing out – aren’t your socks off anyway? That doesn’t matter either. The Wilderness of Manitoba are a Canadian folk quintet whose debut album “When You Left the Fire” is the type of album you should play indoors while reflecting on all you do in the great outdoors. Listen to any of their tracks – most of which feature an eclectic mix of instruments (banjo, mandolin, cello, etc.) – and you’ll get a sense of what I mean. It’s purely turn on the fireplace, and sip-a-pumpkin-spice latte while gazing-out-your-window kind of music. The group, which consists of Stefan Banjevic, Will Whitwham, Melissa Dalton, Scott Bouwmeester, and Sean Lancaric, formed last year and have been touring regularly ever since. They stopped by the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY earlier this month to perform their track “Orono Park” in a rehearsal studio and discuss their origin. As Beastie Boys said, “ch-ch-check it out.” The Wilderness of Manitoba “Orono Park” Live [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xie6ynX1yY&w=460&h=315] The Wilderness of Manitoba Interview: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSNF-YKA7BA&w=460&h=315] The second artist, Cosmo Jarvis, is also proving the banjo isn’t just for “Deliverance” punchlines, Steve Martin, or Kermit the Frog anymore. The 22-year-old singer/songwriter performed his unreleased song “Lacie,” an ode to his computer hard drive, on the beloved string [...]
Oct
13thDiamond Rings Gives It Up

Diamonds are forever, and Canadian musician Diamond Rings is hoping his career lasts, well, for a very long time. Apologies for the crappy introductory sentence, but it makes sense when you chat with the artist who could be pegged as a cross between David Bowie and Lady Gaga. A few hours before his final tour date (a sold-out show Oct. 7 at Webster Hall in New York City), the man born John O’Regan discussed his career game plan and performed an intimate piano-acoustic version of “Give It Up” off his debut album “Special Affections” within a practice studio in the Music Conservatory of Westchester in White Plains, NY. Diamond Rings’ plan is essentially to keep making music and to not stop doing so until he’s — at the very least — in his 40s. In other words, to rest is to die in this industry so don’t expect the lipstick-wearing Canuck to take a long break between his well-received debut and its follow-up. Watch and listen below… preferably in that order. “Give It Up” Live and Not Giving Up [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNcQMnRW1w8&w=460&h=315] About “A-Sides with Jon Chattman” Jon Chattman’s music series features artists (established or not) from all genres performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometime humorous) way. No bells, no whistles — just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often [...]