With a new album, ‘Creature’, barely a week old, Carmel Mikol hits town and looks to duplicate the success that led to three 2011 ECMA nominations. Touring with Ben Caplan, a Halifax based musician that has previous co-written songs with Mikol, the pair make up two thirds of what will be a superb lineup (rounded out by Heartwood Slacks) at The Upstairs Club on Saturday. Carmel and Ben will also be performing live on Caper Radio on Thursday evening, check out www.caperradio.com for the details on how to listen in.
Over at Governor’s Pub, Windsor, Ontario’s Years of Ernest take the stage with a blend of folk and rock. The four piece band have a familiar sound, creating something that lies between modern radio rock and Gord Downey, and also tipping their hat to classic roots rock like Tom Petty and Neil Young. If their recordings are any indication, I am betting these guys will turn the energy up and rock the little room.
Friday night hosts two of the more renowned performers to hit Sydney recently, while both exploring completely different sides of that success. At Governor’s, bluesman Morgan Davis will be showing of the chops that have lead him to a Juno for best Blues performance and successful career of nearly forty years.
Over at The Upstairs Club, Toronto based songwriter Douglas September hits town for the first time since last fall. With his rack of electronic sampling and mixing equipment in tow, D9 (as he is known) creates musical soundscapes that utilize layers of delayed instrumentation, samples, loops, and varying microphone mixes as well as traditional guitar and vocal songwriting to create something that is equal parts moving and atmospheric. A stellar performer, he has also a renowned producer that has done work with ex-Sunfish frontman Tom Fidgen and CB legend Rita MacNeil.
Thursday night has become a songwriters’ haven over at Governor’s Pub. This week is no different as Danny MacNeil hosts a songwriters circle alongside some up and coming performers. The format allows the audience to open their ears to some new material from the performers while still knowing they are in for a treat with MacNeil at the forefront.
Track of the Week: ‘Dirtbags” by The Roots and Rhythm Remain. Rob Harris’ side stage performance at the recent ‘Live at Caper Radio’ CD release show turned into the first Roots show in quite sometime. Luckily, for any that missed it, Caper Radio has uploaded a video of this tune to YouTube. The song is brilliance personified, representative of the greatness this band exemplifies as a whole.
