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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

#CMW Artist Showcase - The Fontaines


We had a quick chat with this duo as they are getting ready to perform at Canadian Music Week. Don't miss their performance in Toronto!
Hammer Records: Tell us what you think of when you think Canadian Music?
The Fontaines: Leonard Cohen & "The Safety Dance".... what an awful band name that would make.

Hammer Records: How did you get involved in Canadian Music Week?
The Fontaines: We got involved after a lot of different people said we should play CMW this year. We performed at CMJ in New York, and that has a similar vibe so we figured it would be a cool excuse to see a new country.

Hammer Records: What do you have planned for Canadian Music Week?
The Fontaines: Festivals are this unique combination of chaos and tight scheduling, so, I'd say that besides our showcase we'll be making appearances around town. I also wanna try your maple syrup and maybe hear a few accents.

Hammer Records: What message do you want to send to Canadians listening to your music?
The Fontaines: Well, we're really excited that this is our introduction into the Canadian music scene. We hope people dig the tunes and wanna come hang with us in California.

Hammer Records: Whats coming up for you?

The Fontaines: We are about to release our second EP, "The Fontaines ii"! It's available for pre-downloading on our bandcamp. We'll be going on tour this summer, as well as writing and recording. We're really doing it all right now! Happy days! 
You can find us on 
Bandcamp: 
Soundcloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/thefontaines), Spotify, iTunes, Twitter, Tumblr:(http://thatfontainesound.tumblr.com), Instagram. You name it, we've got it. We love chatting with the people who like our music through social media! 
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#CMW Artist Showcase - The Nolas


Indie Alternative rock band The Nolas are hitting Toronto for Canadian Music Week. We had a nice chat with the lads about their upcoming show!
Hammer Records: Tell us what you think of when you think Canadian Music?
The Nolas: True Artistry. We believe Canadian artists and musicians always strive to be true to themselves and their art. Canadians as a people are proud, and carry a great amount of integrity in every aspect of our lives, which is reflected in our music. There is a feeling of honesty when listening to Canadian music. 

Hammer Records: How did you get involved in Canadian Music Week?
The Nolas: We’ve been interested in playing at CMW for a few years now. We attended the event a few years back and we were impressed by the amount of great music and artists Canada had to offer. The event was very well organized and we had a lot of fun. There were so many bands in so many venues. It was truly a great experience and we wanted to be a part of it. We made it a goal for The Nolas to enter the CMW showcase once our album was released. We applied before the deadline and within a few weeks got the confirmation. We can’t wait!

Hammer Records: What do you have planned for Canadian Music Week?
The Nolas: Right now our main focus is to put on a great performance and showcase. We will be performing songs off our debut EP as well as new material we are working on for the next album. We plan to arrive in Toronto a few days before the showcase so we can attend other showcases and meet some people. While we are there we will also be taking the opportunity to promote our showcase on Saturday May 7th at Cadillac Lounge (Show Starts: 1:00am, Tickets $10)

Hammer Records: What message do you want to send to Canadians listening to your music?
The Nolas: We want Canadian listeners to continue to enjoy and support our music. The Nolas music mission has always been to make people smile, dance and have a good time. We would like to encourage them to share our music with their friends and continue to come out to our live shows. We encourage everyone to attend as many indie shows as possible. Indie music is alive and well! The DIY artist/musician can achieve their goals as long as they stay focused, work hard and stay true to their art. However, it is the fan support that truly counts. So to Canadians music lovers, listen and support the indie artists you come across. You never know how their music will inspire you or make you feel. You are what keep us going and inspire us to make music.

Hammer Records: Whats coming up for you?

The Nolas: Our CMW Showcase is our main focus this month and we are excited for that one. We will be making our TV debut on the TV-ARTS talk show “La Voix Du Succes” (ICI TV, MATV, Tele-Floride) in April. Summer show tours are currently being confirmed. Stay tuned!

You can find The Nolas music on:


Social Media Links:
https://twitter.com/TheNolas                                          
https://www.reverbnation.com/thenolas                                      
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#CMW Artist Showcase - Julian Taylor Band


Hometown Funk Rock band the Julian Taylor Band is preparing to perform at Canadian Music Week. We had a nice chat with him about his upcoming show!
Hammer Records: Tell us what you think of when you think Canadian Music?
Julian Taylor: I am a huge fan of Canadian music and it’s great to see it dominate the international charts these days.  Some of my favourite groups are Canadian.  Who doesn’t love The Band.

Hammer Records: How did you get involved in Canadian Music Week?
Julian Taylor: I’ve been a part of the music the Canadian Music industry for over 20 years now.  I’ve played CMW a handful of time and have even been a panelist back in my indie record label days.  Last year I attended as a journalist for FYI Music.  I am excited to be playing May 4th at Lee’s Palace with my band.  May the 4th be with you.

Hammer Records: What do you have planned for Canadian Music Week?
Julian Taylor: Eagles of Death Metal for sure and our label mates Dearly Beloved are opening for them too.

Hammer Records: What message do you want to send to Canadians listening to your music?
Julian Taylor: I would have to say that we don’t fit in the box.  It’s an original sound and a universal one.

Hammer Records: Whats coming up for you?

Julian Taylor: Right now the band has been working on our double album Desert Star.  It’s close to being done and I am very proud of it.  It’s a very emotional album for me and it took a lot of hard work to create.

SOCIAL LINKS:  www.juliantaylorband.com
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#CMW Artist Showcase - Colour Film


Colour Film is a pop act from Hamilton that is coming to Toronto to perform at Canadian Music Week. We had a quick chat with him about his upcoming performance. 
Hammer Records: Tell us what you think of when you think Canadian Music?
Colour Film: Friends making good music.

Hammer Records: How did you get involved in Canadian Music Week?
Colour Film: I applied on the internet.  I've played CMW a number of times over the past few years and played one of the CMW Discovery Series concerts in March.

Hammer Records: What do you have planned for Canadian Music Week?
Colour Film: A set of songs from my new album Super 8 performed by a band of great musicians.  Nothing special.

Hammer Records: What message do you want to send to Canadians listening to your music?
Colour Film: Close your eyes and watch what happens.

Hammer Records: Whats coming up for you?

Colour Film: Colour Film's debut EP Super 8 comes out on April 8.  To celebrate, I'm playing shows throughout Ontario and Quebec in April and May, followed by a tour of Eastern Canada in May and a tour of Western Canada in June.
Have a listen at www.colourfilm.ca
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Both Of Them Milenko - Ensh


Ensh released his album "Both Of Them Milenko" a bit of a weird title, but maybe its because the contents of the album are a bit weird as well. Having an album in both English and Serbian is a cool concept and something to be proud of. The album itself sounds well mixed and the beats are both interesting and stimulating. The vocals sound more grinding and out of character than what I'm used to. Neither fitting into a hiphop genre or a Pop/Dance genre. Maybe theirs a niche market that I'm just not used to hearing. At times I feel like I'm being subdued under a trance, while other times I feel like I'm in a boot camp being yelled at by an angry drill sergeant with a love for dance music. The vocals are not off pitch or anything, but sometimes just quite abrasive to the ear. There also is a bit of a loose song structure to the tracks but since most of the time the beat doesn't change substantially, you might just loose track of where you are in the song. Hints of Nine Inch Nails pop into my head as I listen to some of the later tracks. So maybe its why I find some of the tracks more jarring than maybe some other listeners.

The second half of the album seems more relaxation and meditative than the first. Maybe it's because without understanding the language my mind can focus more of the melody and timbre of the track. Also the vocals are softer and more melodic than the first half.

A very interesting listen and I give it all the best to try and break into the western market. I hope that it finds it's niche listeners who will enjoy and share this music.

Check out Ensh on Facebook HERE.
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Boyce Avenue - Road Less Traveled


When I think of Boyce Avenue I always think of their Youtube channel with some of the great covers. I also think of their awesome collaborations with many artists. Their videos were always so beautiful. I could only imagine the music that they were creating themselves. This is the first full album on their own label. These songs sound like they are very near and dear to the bands hearts. If their EP was full of their ideas then this album is full of their imagination.

The album is full of feel good, sunny summer day, sit on the grass tracks. Tunes that are uplifting and make you have a smile on your face. Some great pop anthems with a bit of folk feeling instrumentals. Each track has that feeling of wanting to be heard on the radio. Mixed to adult contemporary perfection, but I found that a lot of tracks lacked dynamics. No huge separation between verse and chorus. Vocal wise, it sounds all in the same pitch and vocal tone throughout most of the album. At times I almost didn't know I was listening to a new track, they just seem to flow into each other. I hear a lot of backing vocals and things that fill out the tracks behind him, but I would love to hear some more definite separation between parts in the songs.

The album is mixed fantastically, all the instruments fit perfectly together, just letting the vocals sit on top taking up the majority of the mix. I think a electronic remix of some of these songs would be very successful in the club scene. The vocals really are the centre point of the album. A lot of the songs remind me of Jason Mraz "I'm Yours" having that bouncy, almost ska like feel.

Be sure to grab the album and see them on tour! For more information go to their website HERE.
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Monday, April 18, 2016

You Were Just Sent A Jerkagram!

Jerkagram. Jerkawhat? Jerkagram. A psychodelic pregressive rock band from Los Angeles. I saw them at Funkys few months back and caught their last song after finishing playing a show myself earlier that evening. Seeing the drummer play his 22'' China on the floor to finish the set made me want to see a full set. When I saw this event posted I immediately marked it in my calendar.

Mess (first show) Johnny matters new band. What else do I have to say. Blasting heavy hardcore punk these guys play a great opening set killing it right off the top. I found myself punching at accents along with well placed group vocals. For hardcore punk these guys have a great pocket and fit well inside it. Their bass riffage was intoxicating and addictive craving more at the end of the set like after eating an entire box of brandy chocolates! cracking jokes between the songs and conversing with the audience made Mess a fun band not only to watch but to 'hangout' with them while they did their thing. Over all, their high energy and entertaining performance and extremely slurred comedic screaming and great stage stage presence and musicianship, I give mess 9/10 messy hammers.


Dried out.
Standing out front of Lana Lous waiting between bands, I could hear the next set beginning to dry out the atmosphere inside from the side walk. After salivating over what could hear and wanting to start a pit on the side walk i decided to move in. As I entered back into the venue I could feel an intensity which had filled the room similar to the energy in the eye of dry dessert storm. Dried out's fun punky moody sound had the crowd bouncing bobing and screaming along. Their rhythm guitarist has a presence of John Dillinger and a Norse berserker flailing about with nothing willing to stop him. This band fits great with Vancouver punk with their solid rhythm section, searing solos, and a well tamed mix of raspy clean and harsh screaming vocals and high energy performance. For making that sweet transition from Vancouver's wet and rainy season into its retarded hot summer get dried out with ... dried out. I give 7/10 dry hammers

Hedks
I don't know how to pronounce this bands name but either way it rolls right off the tongue! Hedks is a great original female punk rock cross over duo featuring Clair aka twitch and taster Fraser forming a female super duo of sorts. These ladies began crushing the audiences skulls straight off the hop. Clairs heavy guitar licks will make your eyes roll into the back of your head with pure heavy goodness. Taser is simple yet very heavy and sturdy drummer laying down the law of the groove. There were points when both women would do gang vocals adding a creepy hypnotic sense to their performance. Taser playfully and jokingly threw a beer can at a friend in the crowd, her friend retrieved the can and threw it back at taser and she caught it ever so gracefully by the bottom of the can then returned the can to the spectator. Probably the flashiest thing taser did. keep an eye out for this foxy duo cause they are as powerful as a locomotive. I give 8/10 wet hammers.

Jerkagram
Anticipating this set for three months, I was excited see what Jerkagram was really about live since i missed out last time. On tour for their new album, I was here to listen with a purpose. To expand my mind. For the majority of their set I found my self simply gazing at the guitarists hands or the drummers kit as I was mystified by their crazy grooves and riffs you could expect to be improvised. The guitarists overlapped loops made the two piece feel like they had the guitar section of iron maiden or the Eagles. The drummer broke a stick at the Beginning of the second song and continued to use it with out interference until a break about two minutes or three minutes into the song. Taking different styles of music I can only compare to Adrian Belu and applying them to modern art rock, they are creating entire new dimensions of music. Overall they're incredible. Super tight nit right there with each other. If you can, see this band. I give Jerkagram 10/10 hammers Thank you for reading another review by Hammer Records and Severvancity productions. See you next time and stay safe. Thrash on.
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