A decade of making music
DANIEL WESLEY: Singer-songwriter to mark occasion at Commodore with live recording
Daniel Wesley is no stranger to the Commodore. The Daniel Wesley Band returns there May 14 with opener Jeremy Allingham. The twist is that Wesley is celebrating his 10th anniversary of making music with a live recording.
Nanaimo-reared Allison Crowe releases her first album to be billed with her band (Allison Crowe and Band), Introducing / Heirs + Grievances. It’s her 20th release on her own Rubenesque label and is a double.
The new Dralms’ single from Shook is Domino House. Dralms’ captain, Christopher Smith, is on CBC Radio’s Q, April 15.
Although Hard Rubber Orchestra’s Spring Breakage show April 16 at the Fei and Milton Wong Experimental Theatre will emphasize local composers, somehow a touch of Freddie Mercury has crept in.
Jay Arner releases his second Mint album June 17. Logically, but not cleverly, it’s called Jay II. First song from the album is Crystal Ball and can be heard now.
The only West Coast act to make the Prism Prize Top 10 is Grimes, who counts as West Coast only because, as Claire Boucher, she was brought up here. Her Flesh Without Blood is up for the $10,000 grand prize (plus other perks). The Prism Prize highlights the top Canadian videos of the year. The Top 10 videos will be screened May 5 in Toronto.
Camaro 67 describes itself as a funk/R&B band and will release its album, Burn Rubber, Not Your Soul at Studio Records April 9. By day, Studio is a record store but by night it’s a concert venue. It’s also thought to be the first record store in North America with a liquor licence.
Jasmine Jazz No. 2 is a collaboration between the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble and Arnt Arntzen, Jennifer Hodge and Nicholas James. The merger happens April 24 at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden.
The second single from Hedley’s Hello is Lose Control.
Another new single, Bae, comes from Bestie’s Bubble Bath. The single appears through Business Class Records and can be heard April 1.
The next Bluebird North at the Roundhouse is April 6 with Coco Love Alcorn, T. Buckley, Cara Luft with J.D. Edwards and Shari Ulrich.
The prolific Reid Jamieson has another new LP, Dear Leonard, The Cohen Collection. Yes, it’s Leonard Cohen songs plus one original. And yes, among the songs is Hallelujah.
Black Mountain’s IV is due April 1 but it can be streamed now via CBC Music or, in the United States, NPR First Listen.
Did You Die has a video of Pretty Face from Weird Love.
Similarly, the new vid from Dan Mangan + Blacksmith’s Club Meds is Forgetery.
Album of the week
Maybe the louder drums are a sign Woodland Telegraph has transformed itself into a rock band. In the past, the band has been more rural, or folk oriented, and softer. But its Screendeath Summersong, which can be interpreted as parts one (Screendeath) and two (Summersong), is more aggressive, more urban. The third part of a Canadian trilogy, that might be the intention — the first two celebrated the mountains then the Prairies — so the third LP could be about city life. It’s still a folk hybrid but the drumheavy Factory Work suggests a rock edge.
Festivals
The roster from the Merritt Rockin’ River Festival, July 28-31, is being announced. Appearing are Dean Brody, Sam Hunt, John Michael Montgomery, High Valley, Chris Buck Band, Road Hammers, Brent Lee, Small Town Pistols, Bobby Wills, Dakota Pearl and Julian Austin.
Concerts at the Pier returns to the White Rock pier for six shows starting July 9. The roster hasn’t been announced.
The 10th Gypsy Jazz Festival is at St. James Hall, April 21-23. The bill is Van Django and Company B Jazz Band (April 21), Deanna Knight and Michael Dunn and the Hot Club of Mars (April 22), Daphne Roubini and Black Gardenia (April 23)
Gigs
Orchard Pinkish Hillbilly Soul Revue (April 2, Rickshaw Theatre); Rococode (April 8, Fox Cabaret), Spirit of the West (for the last time at the Commodore, April 15 & 16); David Gogo, Shaun Verreault, Brandon Isaak (impressive blues bill, April 16 & 17, Bozzini’s); Spacejunk (a collaboration of local bands including Cobra Ramone and Bend Sinister, performing David Bowie’s Blackstar, April 23, Rickshaw); Johnny De Courcy (April 29, Rickshaw); Food (April 30, Rickshaw); Said the Whale (May 7, Fox Cabaret); Black Mountain (May 21, Commodore); Aidan Knight (May 29, Biltmore); Sarah McLachlan (Queen Elizabeth Theatre, June 27); 54-40 (Oct. 8, Commodore).