Music News Digest, Jan. 19, 2018
The Olympic Symphonium's Shivering Songs fest warms up Fredericton, the ECMAs attract big names, and Rufus Wainwright returns to the world of opera. Also making the news are Kandle, the Indigenous Music Residency, a Guinness record in Stouffville, Hey Ocean!, Music Manitoba, Folk Alliance, and Brenda Navarrete. Videos included for your entertainment.
By Kerry Doole
Given that is held in Fredericton, NB, in mid-winter, the title of the Shivering Songs fest is fitting. Running Jan. 18-21, the 8th annual sports a spiffy lineup. Prominent artists on the card this year include East Coast favourites David Myles, Catherine MacLellan, Reeny Smith, Tim Baker of Hey Rosetta!, The Olympic Symphonium, and Hillsburn. Those coming from Ontario including Timber Timbre, Fiver, Sandro Perri, Camille Delean, Nick Ferrio, and Showman & Coole.
The fest's line-up was put together by local combo The Olympic Symphonium who are hosting. The outfit created Shivering Songs as a small folk music festival to market the release of their 2011 album, The City Won't Have Time to Fight. Myles and MacLellan also performed at the inaugural. Passes sold out in advance this year, but limited individual tickets remain for some shows. Check the sked here
– Sloan, Measha Brueggergosman, Rose Cousins, and The East Pointers are amongst the acts beefing the bill at the 2018 East Coast Music Awards Show, May 3rd at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, NS. More info here
– Rufus Wainwright's love of opera is well-documented, and he is now making another ambitious foray into that world. His new opera, Hadrian, was announced this week as the Canadian Opera Company's first full-length, mainstage world premiere since 1999. Beginning Oct. 13, there will be seven performances of the work, one featuring a libretto by Toronto director and playwright Daniel MacIvor.
Wainwright's first opera, Prima Donna, written in 2009, focused on a day in the life of an ageing opera singer, who is anxiously preparing for her comeback in 1970s Paris. It was presented at the Luminato fest in Toronto in 2010. Via a Pledge Music campaign, a double album recording of the opera was released on Deutsche Grammophon in 2015.
– Montreal based singer/songwriter Kandle has signed to Toronto-based Sleepless Records, and has just released a new original tune, “When My Body Breaks." Self-produced, it features guest vocals from July Talk’s Peter Dreimanis. Daughter of 54-40’s Neil Osbourne, Kandle turned ears with a 2012 debut EP and 2014 full-length In Flames. The Sleepless roster includes July Talk, Allie X, Pet Sun, and Repartee.
– Hosted by Manitoba Music and the Canada Council for the Arts, the ninthIndigenous Music Residency brings 20 Indigenous artists to Falcon Trails Resort in Manitoba. Beginning Jan. 28, the week-long event is designed as a career boost. Past participants have included Don Amero, Cris Derksen, and IsKwé.
– Last April, the Earl of Whitchurch pub in Stouffville, ON, made the news by hosting an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the world’s Longest Concert by Multiple Artists. It broke the record with an astonishing 437 hours, and Guinness reps confirmed the feat this week. The inevitable victory party takes place tomorrow (Jan. 20) with a 2 pm ceremony. This ties in with a new festival created by attempt organisers, Epidemic Music Group. Held Jan 19 and 20, Wintersong features 50+ bands performing along Stouffville’s Main Street. Acts will include Reuben and the Dark (a solo set), Stephen Stanley Band, and Ben Hudson.
It has been a long voyage between albums for indie-rock trio Hey Ocean! Last heard from with 2012’s Juno- nominated IS, the group returns with a self-produced new platter, The Hurt of Happiness, on April 6. Shows are coming at Banff's Wild Bill's (April 5), Grande Prairie's @ Better Than Fred’s (April 6), and Prince George's Artspace (April 7). The title track came out this week.
– Toronto's annual Winterfolk roots fest (Feb. 16-18) offers a preview taste on Jan. 21, with a Hugh's Room Live show featuring Dirty Dishes, Julian Fauth, Mr. Rick, Brian Gladstone with Tony Quarrington, Hotcha!, and Brighid Fry from Moscow Apartment. Call 416-533-5483 for tickets.
– The East Coast Music Association (ECMA), Music/Musique NB, MusicNL, Music NS and Music PEI are presenting the “Canadian Music East Coast Style Spotlight” at the 30th Folk Alliance International conference in Kansas City, Missouri, Feb. 14-17. Showcasing artists include Matthew Byrne, Erin Costelo, Rose Cousins, Fortunate Ones, Lisa LeBlanc, and Dylan Menzie.
– Manitoba Music is offering a performance opportunity to its members, for the free Canada Day festival at The Forks. The deadline is Feb. 1, and you can glean details here
– Brenda Navarrete is a Cuban vocalist/percussionist getting a career boost via a Canadian connection. Alma Records head Peter Cardinali recently signed her to his Toronto-based label and produced her new debut album, Mi Mundo. A well-attended launch show at Toronto's Jazz Bistro earlier this week confirmed she is a luminous talent. Those on hand included Cuban-Canadian piano star Hilario Duran (he guested during her second set), members of Maqueque, Jazz FM's Walter Venafro, and engineer John 'Beetle' Bailey, who worked with Cardinali in recording the album in Havana.
