Another Free sampler from Zunior.

In the hope of getting you to buy more music Zunior regularly hands out free samples. Their latest sampler is up with songs from Burn Planetarium, Mike Duguay, Boys Noize, the Wilderness of Manitoba, Magenta Lane, the Hoa Hoa's, the Montains & the Trees, Hot Little Rocket, Kyra and Tully and CFCF.

Grab it at http://www.zunior.com/product_info.php?products_id=2741.

Two New Wilderness of Manitoba videos from SouthernSouls.ca

Two videos featuring the Wilderness of Manitoba created by Mitch Fillion for southernsouls.ca (an amazing site that sadly doesn't seem to have an RSS feed - check it out though).

the Wilderness of Manitoba - Orono Park

THE WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA - Orono Park from Mitch Fillion on Vimeo.

The Wilderness of Manitoba - Bluebirds

THE WILDERNESS OF MANITOBA - "Bluebirds" from Mitch Fillion on Vimeo.

Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, The Wilderness of Manitoba, Slow Down Molasses @ the Garrison -- Oct. 29. 2009

Last night was the first time I'd been to a show in ages. It's one of those things, like going to the gym, you forget how much fun/how good it is for you until you go again. Of course, it helped that all of the bands were excellent.

Band no.1 was Slow Down, Molasses (Saskatoon, SK) who had been touring with the headlining Olenka and the Autumn Lovers (London, On) on their trek through Canada's East Coast which, presumably, took them to the Halifax Pop Explosion. They started slow (hah! pun), maybe it was the time change, maybe was the sound... feedback... ugh, maybe it was that I hadn't had enough to drink yet, or maybe they were just getting warmed up, but by the 30-40 minute mark they seemed to hit their stride and their songs really started coming together.

But the night really belonged to Band no.2, the Wilderness of Manitoba. I mean, this part of T.O. is their hood, I think, so it's fitting and it makes sense, but the minute they set into their first multi-part harmony it felt like the room just stopped... like everyone, collectively, had just been stunned. I've heard their album/EP, Hymns of Love & Spirits (pick of the week #36) and said it was one of my favourites of the year (and it is b-t-w), but somehow, in the age of autotune when things aren't always what they seem, you never really know if artists are actually as good as they sound recorded. They were that good, and then some. In fact, if wouldn't surprise me in the least if they had told me they recorded their entire album in one take. My buddy Don (CD release Dec. 3 @ the Hideout!) said that he thought these guys are on to big things, and I couldn't agree more, the only barrier for them, really, is going to be getting people to see/hear them and if they do, you'll be able to say you heard it here (or somewhere else) first!

Band no.3, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, is a band that I'd been meaning to check out for quite some time, but for whatever reason (mostly my own reluctance to leave my house) I'd never made it out to see them play. I think given the performance that came before them, the fact that the crowd had noticeably thinned, and many people had 'checked out', it would be unfair to judge OatAL on their performance. Not that their performance was bad, in fact, I really enjoyed it, but their songs are not suited for a noisy bar full of patrons who were probably more interested in talking about the WoM's set. I could probably be lumped in with that bunch, though, to my credit, I was attentive -- I didn't talk.

While OatAL set was a marginal disappointment, through no fault of their own (and I really do look forward to seeing them again in a quiter setting) they were responsible for the high light of the night: a rousing rendition of Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark" feat. members of Slow Down, Molasses. The Eastern European tinge to Olenka's songs really give a different feel to one of the Boss' best songs.

Slow Down, Molasses




The Wilderness of Manitoba






Olenka and the Autumn Lovers

NxEW Spotlight: The Wilderness of Manitoba

Toronto band the Wilderness of Manitoba got their start a year ago, but they're already getting recognized for their lush, melodic, nature-inspired folk songs. The band self-released their 8-song EP, Hymns of Love and Spirits, back in August. The release celebration was a two-parter: first, a rousing performance in a backyard garage; and then, a week later, a packed Sunday-night affair at indie hotspot Sneaky Dee's. Both events were thrilling for me, and for presumably most other people in the audiences. That a band can seem entirely appropriate---and sound amazing---in these two very different venues is, to me, a mark of something special.

With musical influences ranging from Joni Mitchell and other 60s folksters to hot American indie bands like Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver, or our own Great Lake Swimmers, the WOM create soundscapes that draw you in, make you feel at home, and leave you wanting more. It may not be the most original music you've ever heard, but the band's 4-part harmonies are beautiful and stick with you. Or, as Bob Battams just put it, "Folk bands are a dime a dozen these days, but this band's hotness factor lies in their ability to make a semi-tired genre sound fresh and beautiful again." (He listed the band fourth on his list of the hottest Canadian bands of 2009.) The voices---three men and one stunning female vocalist---are a key part of the band's sound. Guitar, ukulele, banjo, cello, bass, and a variety of percussion instruments round things out.

Here's my favourite track, "Evening." This song was originally written by lead man Will Whitwham's mother. (Her version, recorded in the 1960s, is included on the EP, too):

Download: The Wilderness of Manitoba, "Evening" (Hymns of Love and Spirits, 2009).

Look for a Wilderness of Manitoba full length in 2010. In the meantime, grab yourself a copy of the EP from CDBaby (or, if you're in Toronto, from Criminal Records, Soundscapes, or Sonic Boom). You won't regret it.

For more on the band, see the UK's Line of Best Fit, blogTO, and Shawn Clarke's two part interview here and here.Photo credit: Chromewaves' Frank Yang captured the band at a recent show at the Garrison in Toronto. From left: Stefan Banjevic, Will Whitwham, Sean Lancaric (behind the drum kit), Melissa Dalton, and Scott Bouwmeester.

Free Download: Oh Canada Vol. 6

Ro Cemm at the Line of Best Fit has posted another great collection of Canadian music for British music fans - but you can have it even if you're not British.

Get it at http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/2009/10/download-oh-canada-6/.

On Vol. 6:

Side A:
1. The WIlderness of Manitoba – Bluebirds
2. Wintermitts -Schoolyard
3. Eamon McGrath – Big River
4. Culture Reject – Inside The Cinema
5. Royal Wood - Thinking About
6. Olenka and the Autumn Lovers - Flash
7. Hooded Fang – Land of Giants
8. No Gold – Hot Bay
9. Woodpigeon featuring Voicescapes - Morningside (live)
10. Howie Beck – Save Me
11. The Mountain and The Trees – Up & Down

Side B:
12. Babe Rainbow - Like I Give A Care
13. Friendo - Callers
14. Little Girls – Youth Notes
15. A Horse and His Boy – Home
16. Tegan and Sara – Hell
17. You Say Party! We Say Die! – Laura Palmer’s Prom
18. Puberty – Common Sense
19. Precious Fathers – 100% Pure Rock Fibres
20. World Club - Sick Machines
21. Basketball – Journey To The End Of The Night

Slow Down, Molasses Launches Bigger Beards, Better Plaid Tour

Saskatoon's not-yet-well-enough-known Slow Down, Molasses is touring eastward in October. While Slow Down, Molasses alone should be enough the are, along the way, playing with some amazing acts including Rah Rah, Olenka and the Autumn Lovers, the Wilderness of Manitoba, Lake of Stew, Will Currie and the Country French, Ohbjou, Jeanette Stewart and others.

Slow Down, Molasses - Feathers



Tour Dates from the band's blog:
October 8th - Tour Kick off - Amigo's - Saskatoon, Sk w/ The Peacoats
October 17th - acoustic trio show - The Apollo - Thunder Bay, On w/ Jeanette Stewart
October 18th - acoustic trio show - Millard's Garage - Sudbury, On w/ Jeanette Stewart
October 20th - L'Hemisphere Gauche - Montreal, Qc w/ Rah Rah & The Darling Demaes
October 21 - Crumb's Cafe - Fredericton, NB w/ Jeanette Stewart
October 23 - Halifax Pop Explosion! -The Paragon Theatre w/ Lake of Stew, The Divorcees and Will Currie & the Country French
October 24 - Ampersand Cafe - Charlottetown, PEI w/ Jeanette Stewart & more
October 26 - L'innocent - Riviere-Du-Loup, Qc w/ Jeanette Stewart
October 27 - Raw Sugar Cafe - Ottawa, On w/ Olenka & the Autumn Lovers
October 28 - The Mansion - Kingston, On w/ Rah Rah and Olenka & the Autumn Lovers
October 29 - The Garrison - Toronto, On w/ The Wilderness of Manitoba and Olenka & the Autumn Lovers
November 14 - Amigo's - Saskatoon w/ Ohbijou

Pick of the Week #36: The Wilderness of Manitoba - Hymns of Love and Spirits

Last fall, Nov. 3 to be exact, I reviewed an EP called Iron Ponies by Toronto band Provincial Parks. It was an album that had gorgeous harmonies, catchy choruses, and an aesthetic that said to me, if these guys catch a few breaks they are going to be the next John Mayer (in group form). Of course, that didn't happen...

What did happen, according to the guys at herohill, was the passing of Will Whitwham's mother and the formation of the Wilderness of Manitoba. The Wilderness of Manitoba, which, as far as I know, contains roughly the same group of people as Provincial Parks, was obviously hit hard by the passing of Whitwham's mom and the music of Provincial Parks turned from the upbeat, sunny, we wanna score chicks like John Mayer sort of sound, to something decidedly more somber.

Yes, decidedly more somber, but also absolutely stunning. After listening to this album a staggering number of times since receiving it on Monday I've come to the conclusion that Hymns of Love and Spirits is a combination of the best parts of two of last year's breakout bands, Fleet Foxes and Bon Iver. The foxes-esque 4 part vocal harmonies are apparent from right out of the gate, but its the Bon Iver-esque strain and heartache that lingers under the surface through those harmonies that makes them meaningful... all those emotions that come from the heartbreak of losing a loved one are palpable.

If there's a bright side to all of this, its that the music that has emerged from the pain is something the likes of which I haven't heard this year. I'm thinking we might have a new front runner for Best Album of 2009...

You can check out a couple of mp3s at my blog, (London, On:) Burgeoning Metropolis.


Pick of the Week #1: Ketch Harbour Wolves
Pick of the Week #2: Rah Rah
Pick of the Week #3: Glasvegas/Animal Collective
Pick of the Week #4: Bruce Peninsula
Pick of the Week #5: The Antlers
Pick of the Week #6: The Darcys
Pick of the Week #7: Ohbijou (Swift Feet for Troubling Times)
Pick of the Week #8: Gentlemen Husbands
Pick of the Week #9: Chris Whitley
Pick of the Week #10: Alela Diane
Pick of the Week #11: K'naan
Pick of the Week #12: TOR/Sufjan Stevens
Pick of the Week #13: Timber Timbre
Pick of the Week #14: Justis
Pick of the Week #15: Hibiscus & Rosehips Compilation
Pick of the Week #16: Patrick Watson
Pick of the Week #17: Olenka and the Autumn Lovers
Pick of the Week #18: The Liptonians
Pick of the Week #19: Sunparlour Players
Pick of the Week #20: Black Hat Brigade
Pick of the Week #21: Howie Beck
Pick of the Week #22: Pink Mountaintops
Pick of the Week #23: Still Life Still
Pick of the Week #24: Hayden
Pick of the Week #25: Snailhouse
Pick of the Week #26: Dog Day
Pick of the Week #27: Ohbijou (Beacons)
Pick of the Week #28: Dog is Blue
Pick of the Week #29: Parkas
Pick of the Week #30: The Wooden Sky
Pick of the Week #31: Bowerbirds
Pick of the Week #32: Miss Maya
Pick of the Week #33: Ben Folds Presents ...
Pick of the Week #34: Mantis
Pick of the Week #35: Diamond Rings

Raw Sugar Cafe: September 2, 2009

On August 2nd I went to see three acts at Raw Sugar Cafe
They were:
Tissø Lake from the UK

Brooke Manning from Toronto

The Wilderness of Manitoba from Toronto

It was a nice intimate acoustic show for all three acts playing.
Full review is on here.
Listen to the interviews I did with each musicians.
Full review is on here.
Tissø Lake

Brooke Manning with Erin Lang

The Wilderness of Manitoba
The Wilderness of Manitoba: Interview by blurasis