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Eclectic Revival’s Celtic Fusion Delivers a Soul-Stirring Anthem In ‘Cry Havoc!’

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Eclectic Revival, the quartet Celtic fusion band, is pleased to announce the release of their highly anticipated new single, ‘Cry Havoc!’ from their upcoming album ‘Weight of the World.’ This bluesy, soulful lament serves as a poignant reflection on the burdens of existence while evolving into a powerful call to action, encouraging listeners to lend a helping hand and truly listen to one another.

Since its birth in 2005, Eclectic Revival has captivated audiences with its unique blend of east coast traditional, original rock and blues with a twist of Celtic tradition. The band’s diverse backgrounds in acting, stand-up comedy, and music infuse their performances with an engaging and participatory atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on all who attend.

Eclectic Revival’s four-piece lineup from Brampton and Hamilton, Ontario, consists of Nick Brodie on vocals, Chris Kerba laying down Guitar, Matt Morgan on the low-end bass, and Derek Kelley dropping the beats on drums. A party of exceptionally talented musicians who draw inspiration from a wide range of musical influences, including Great Big Sea, Barenaked Ladies, Moxy Fruvous, and Mumford & Sons, among others. Their dynamic stage presence and undeniable chemistry have led them to perform at various venues, including local pubs, Renaissance Festivals, music festivals, and private events right across Canada.

The new single ‘Cry Havoc!’ represents a departure from Eclectic Revival’s usual lighthearted fare, showcasing their growth both on and off the stage. The upcoming album, ‘Weight of the World,’ encapsulates their maturation as a band that has navigated the trials and tribulations of life together. It serves as a raw and gritty exploration of a world that did not align with their youthful aspirations.

With ‘Cry Havoc!’ as the lead single, Eclectic Revival invites listeners into a sonic journey that merges the likes of Oasis and Smashing Pumpkins, Tears for Fears with an acoustic guitar, and a hypothetical collaboration between Eagles and Roger Waters at a cozy coffee bar.

Drawing inspiration from the weight of existence, “Cry Havoc!” lyrically navigates through the depths of the human psyche, capturing the toll it takes on individuals. The song progressively builds into a passionate rallying cry, urging everyone to rise above their struggles and extend a helping hand to those in need.

Eclectic Revival’s unique blend of musical styles and heartfelt lyrics creates an unforgettable listening experience that transcends genres. With a simple chorus, lead singer Nick Brodie repeats the trials and tribulations of life.

“When your hair’s less red And your eyes less blue
And your hands don’t work like they used to do
And your constant narci-cynicism’s
Got you feeling blue?”

“Listen to me.”

“Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!
Because hard scars leave no feeling anymore.”

The band also called upon a pair of special guests to play on ‘Cry Havoc!’. Emily Yarascavich contributes the fiddle, while Steve Sinnicks delivers additional percussion and a low-end performance on baritone guitar. This additional talent adds an extra layer.

Eclectic Revival began their single journey at Studio A Audio Recording & Production, where production maestro Chris Colvin recorded their entire album.

As anticipation builds for the release of Eclectic Revival’s new album, ‘Weight of the World,’ ‘Cry Havoc!” is a testament to the band’s artistic evolution and commitment to authentic storytelling. This single will resonate with old and new fans with its profound message and captivating sound.

Gideon Foster’s Haunting Single ‘Prophecy’ Takes Listeners On A Journey Through a Cliffside Lighthouse Dream

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As if waiting atop a lighthouse towering along cliffside shores, Halifax, UK-based singer/songwriter Gideon Foster transports us to his black-and-white fever dream with the melancholy new single, “Prophecy.”

Foster’s new song is the title track from his genre-defying album “Prophecy,” a musical journey sparred from an epiphany that fell upon Foster. “I’ve always had a love of music and played guitar a bit, but until I had a spiritual awakening nine years ago, none of it made sense,” says Foster. “As my life changed as a result of this event, I started to look for meaning in my life, and songwriting became that meaning.”

Spellbinding vocal harmonies tell a tale that Foster has been waiting most of his life to tell, with a harrowing origin. “53 years in the making to create the title track “Prophecy.” “It’s a dream I have had all my life about being on a cliff looking down at the sea with an open-air theatre and a black and white floor below,” says Foster. “As I was growing up, I used to think where is this place? what’s the meaning?”

“Prophecy” is a contemplative song accentuated by haunting melodies that flow in tandem with lyrics that read like a long-lost manuscript, or an ancient parable recently unearthed.

“Dance if you want to be free
Cause all roads end meant to be
Meant to be
Soaks up the morning sun but never knew why happiness comes”

The album “Prophecy” is an introspective journey that was recorded with the help of producer-extraordinaire, Si who was as much of an inspiration to Foster as he was a musical guide. “it’s really a journey from the past to the present,” says Foster.

Gideon Foster is a singer/songwriter that has been blending a philosophical outlook on life with a unique sound of his own. His love of music has led him down many different roads and genres but not to be constrained by them.

Gideon arrived on the music scene a little later than most, not producing a song until his mid 40’s. Releasing many singles, an EP, and most recently his debut album “Prophecy,” there is no sign of slowing down this eclectic artist.

His songs have been featured in numerous online publications, with the track “Up on the Hill” featured in Rolling Stone Brazil. He has received some radio play and regularly performs live at gigs and local festivals around his native Yorkshire/Manchester lineage.

Vintage Pop Soulster JEFF EAGER Releases Song For The Ages – Literally – In “I Don’t Care For What’s Out There”

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For his new album 2070, Jeff Eager strove to create a collapsing of the eras – the sounds he loves, inspired by the classic songwriting of the late 70s and early 80s, but for the future – say, the year 2070. His first single “I Don’t Care For What’s Out There” – available now – perfectly encapsulates this blurring of time as Eager, against an energetic, summer-fun groove, addresses the juxtaposition of the musician lifestyle and fatherhood.

A mix of vintage pop, rock, and soul, “I Don’t Care For What’s Out There” blends synth and acoustic sounds (think Raspberry Beret) and a clever, heartwarming message: all of the successes (and more importantly, the failures!) of a music career don’t matter to a small child:

You don’t care where I’m going when I back my bags
You don’t care where the gig is at
You don’t care about the tours played around the world
You just care that I’m coming back

“This album is for my kids in the future … when they reach middle age and they start thinking about what their old dad did when he wasn’t making lunches and cleaning the house,” Eager explains. “This was the motivation that kept me working through this album at such a high level.”

What spurred this concept was Eager thinking about his own parents once he became a dad, what their lives were like when he was little, outside of his memories.

“You don’t really know what your parents do, outside of feeding and clothing you and generally just being around,” Eager muses. “Their lives outside of their relationship with you doesn’t matter much to you, and it shouldn’t; you’re a kid with your own path and life to build.”

Eager didn’t want to pander to a current 2023 sound, he just wanted to make a record he absolutely loved, and the sound he came up with was inspired by his favorite music from a bygone era. “This album is not done as a gimmick, it’s not an intentional throwback, it’s not trying to capture an era-specific sound,” he said. “I simply wrote the music that I enjoy most, and when I was done, I inadvertently made a record from 1980.”

The album is for two audiences: listeners today who will enjoy the pure fun of 2070, and the tiny, tightknit group of people who will find special significance and intimacy in it decades down the line. “There’s tons of hidden gems, references and easter eggs in this record for my kids to find later,” Eager says. “It’s for an Audience of Three in 2070.”

Smoke Ring Days’ Captivating Anthem ‘Peace In My Soul’ Radiates Indie Rock Americana Bliss

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Sometimes, you need music that will serve as a slice of soul salvation. It doesn’t matter what genre, as long as it lifts your spirits and gets you through another day. This summer, ‘Peace In My Soul,’ from New York-based indie rock Americana band Smoke Ring Days, just could be that song.

The song opens with a distinctive Thin Lizzy-style dual harmony guitar riff from multi-instrumentalist Rick Eppedio, paving a path for vocalist Cindy Keyser-Posner to come in with the first verse, describing isolation and alienation in an everyday, easily relatable way, before offering a mantra to soothe the solitude:

“Some days you doubt whether he cares
And if you need would she be there
Wondering as you keep on
What would it be like to be gone
So desperate to find direction
One that you pray leads the way home

If you cry ’cause life hurts
Close your eyes and just try these words

‘Well, there are few things in life I really need
To make me feel free and whole
Just bring some hope to my heart, joy to the world
And give me peace, peace in my soul’”

The feel-good vibe of the sing-along chorus is instantly accessible, and the entire song is driven by an infectious modern boogie groove and brightly colored tonality. However, the lyrics to ‘Peace In My Soul,’ while perfectly suited to summer radio play, are also introspective, with a hint of social awareness.

Smoke Ring Days says the song was inspired by simply living in the world around them. “On any given day, there’s a lot to wrap your head around!” They go on to add they’re influenced by “the environment…one of social consciousness and fomenting change, finding your own ‘place on this planet’ from which to be of service – and simply be.”

An all-too-rare long-standing partnership in the music industry, Rick and Cindy began writing together as Barbarian Lovers, independently producing demos on a four-track in Rick’s childhood basement. Their very first co-write, the catchy electro-folk ’Round and Round,’ caught the ear of Blondie/Go-Gos producer Richard Gottehrer and resulted in an indie label offer.

Opting to take their act abroad, the band soon released their music in Europe on vinyl and, after an enthusiastic reception on the radio, formed their own independent record label in New York, Blue City Productions.

Putting out their first full length album, ‘Fatal Embrace,’ on the Blue City imprint that same year, the duo were lauded by Billboard’s Music & Media and scored substantial radio play and press throughout western Europe and Asia. The indie album was soon after released more widely in Europe by London-based Aura Records, where labelmates included Alex Chilton, Steve Marriott, Allan Clarke, and Nico.

Following two subsequent CDs, ‘Faith in a Desperate Place’ and ‘Dancing in Dreams,’ and a successful promo tour of Scandinavia, the band – compared by critics to acts ranging from Tears for Fears to Eurythmics – went on extended hiatus, eventually resurfacing as the harder-edged Smoke Ring Days.

Today, the duo continues to embrace an ethos which seeks to elevate awareness and create community through music they love, to share with others they hope will, too. And, as always, amidst the grit and grief shine layers of hope and optimism, the ‘perfect in our imperfection,’ as exemplified by their latest single/video, ‘Peace In My Soul.’

Long Island’s Xondra Unleashes Genre-Defying Magic with New Single ‘Like You Used To’

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Xondra, a.k.a. Alexondra O’Connell, the Long Island-based singer, releases her genre-fusing single, “Like You Used To.”

An electric guitar walk of a smooth rhythm eases the listener into their silky lyrics.

“Well, well, well, well. You’ve been hiding from yourself, and everybody here can tell, so you might as well give up your spot. Well, Well, Well, l Well, I’ve been honest from the start, now I watch us fall apart. Your hand grasped my heart, and I want you to have it.”

The longing beat showcases a failing relationship, perhaps an unrequited love affair or one dwindling in quality. Xondra longs for the day the song’s subject treats her how they used to, despite their newfound strange behavior.

“You don’t touch me like you used to,” she admits in front of an accented drumbeat.

The refrain meanders where the past lover retreated to. A sensation of being physically present but mentally absent, causing Xondra to overthink what they’re doing wrong in the relationship. The bridge accelerates the beat with a more steady snare drum, leaning into Xondra’s talent for explaining real situations with melodies.

“I’m starting to think that I’m doing this wrong. I let my trauma tell me to withdraw cause I can tell just by the way that you’re breathing. I can see you’re having trouble sleeping. You’re dreaming about leaving me.”

Background vocals leap into the jazzy, solemn lullaby, following the mini bridge, further accentuating Xondra’s mixed palette of musical genres. This song shows their ability to pull the best elements from each genre and create a single medley of Pop/Rock/R&B/Indie. They add a universal question to the song, relating to a wide audience. “Where does it go when it’s over and done?”

As a child, Xondra discovered her musical affinity by sitting near the radio and sketching their favorite lyrics. Those fan projects inspired their own tracks, which she performed at local venues in New York. They’ve been performing in New York and the Tri-State area since 2014. Xondra began a professional music career while studying at SUNY Purchase Music Conservatory, where she learned how to fuse feminist themes with indie lyrics. A huge focus of their music revolves around the honest delivery of existing as a woman in a man’s world. Like other indie musicians, she favors dropping hidden connections and references to her other music throughout her discography.

Beck Norman and James Keith Norman Build Neo-Classical Soundscapes On “Us, Wandering Wide Asleep”

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On their new EP Us, Upon Sleep, Toronto-based married couple and musical partners James Keith Norman and Beck Norman create lush, sweeping soundscapes that exist somewhere between wakefulness and dreaming, conjuring imagination, intimacy, and sense of poignant romance. Their first single, “Us, Wandering Wide Asleep” – available now – evokes a shimmering, windy snow-covered prairie that somehow isn’t cold.

And then suddenly you’re running – joyfully, with no destination in mind as the sky changes colors and sleep envelopes you fully, and you realize that you don’t want to leave.

The five neo-classical music cuts on Us, Upon Sleep feature brief movements to simulate, and stimulate, dream-like imagery, and the spoken-word interludes on two of the tracks also suggest a sleep state. On “I Swear I Saw You Today,” Beck Norman uses her gentle voice to evoke the ache of a memory, or maybe just something imagined:

I swear I saw you today.
Leaving a car.
Running up great steps and into a house.
But that couldn’t be right, could it?
I never actually told you how I first saw you.
But it doesn’t matter, does it?
We’re here now and as long as I don’t wake up, we’re together.

“To us, the most important part of the EP is that it invites listeners to create their own visions of what’s going on,” explains Beck. “So, each time they listen, there’s the potential for it to be a different experience.”

Like their previous album Love In Times Of War, Us, Upon Sleep was mixed and mastered in London, UK by Grammy-winner Matt Lawrence. The album’s cover art was created by playing around with brand-new technology. “Beck saw AI as another way to create artwork, and after hours and hours of learning and experimenting, she created a fantastic image that we’re using not only for the EP’s cover art, but have adapted for videos,” says James.

Beck and James have been creative partners almost as long as we’ve been married, and that’s decades. This new EP is their latest collaboration and part of a history that includes a published novel, running an award-winning audio-marketing agency, and 10+ years’ worth of music.

Canadian Blues Guitarist André Bisson Releases ‘Dusty Albums’: A Soulful Voyage Through Memories

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Over 20 years in and acclaimed Canadian blues singer-songwriter, André Bisson, is still taking us on meaningful journeys with his songs, and his latest “Dusty Albums” is a walk-through of all the memories we’ve accumulated so far in life.

This reminiscence, however, is tainted with the sadness of missed opportunities and the thought of a life that could have been. Memories are one of the things we have of the life we lived, and in “Dusty Albums,” Bisson sings of “A past impossible to please yet now full of honesty.” Every line of the song somehow feels like listening to a thousand stories at once – “Spent my youth in a naive waste, little time to contemplate.”

The mid-tempo song derives strong influences from folk and country, as it talks about the way our perspective may come to change later in life, so much so that we may even start to regret certain decisions we once gloried in.

“Dusty Albums” is the follow-up to “Shake,” – a saxophone-driven song that reminds us to give care to those who need it and to accept it from others when we need it. Both singles are from Bisson’s upcoming 10th studio album *Latchford, which saw him write, arrange and produce eleven tracks for the project . If you ask him what Latchford’s main theme is, he’d tell you that it is “perspective.” He’ll also quote an introspective verse from Shakespeare that says, “I cried when I had no shoes, but I stopped crying when I saw a man without legs.”

When he’s not picking up awards for his amazing songs, like winning Song of Year Award at the International Song Competition from Blues & Roots Radio in 2022, he’s confidently performing on stage with a band that can range from 6 to 20 people, or writing the next song that will touch our hearts.

For the album, Bisson, in addition to writing and producing, sang all the lead vocals, played all the electric and acoustic guitars, along with some percussion and harmonica. Though it may look like he’s a one-man songwriting and producing machine, he does employ the talents of others to help heighten the emotional range in his music. Joining him are Jesse O’Brien on piano and organ, Mike Rowell on bass guitar, Keagan Early on drums, Pat Carey on tenor and bari saxophone, Shawn Moody on trumpet/flugelhorn, Loretta Hale on trumpet and cello, Rob Somerville on trombone, Paul Barna on violin/viola, Quisha Wint and Selena Evangeline on backing vocals and Dan Rodrigues on additional piano. His eclectic use of different instruments is a constant joy to fans.

Bisson is a firm believer that we can improve our situation when we change our outlook on it and wants to pass this message on through Latchford – out September 15, 2023.

“Realizing that when we control our thoughts, we have full control of our lives, our outlook on life, and our reality.”

Since getting his first taste of what it feels like to perform live at the tender age of 15, Bisson has made it his priority to put on thrilling shows that will make fans lose themselves in the act.

André Bisson tour dates:
August 26, 2023 – Periscope Playhouse – Port Burwell, ON
November 3, 2023 – Westdale Theatre – Hamilton, ON
November 10, 2023 – Aeolian Hall – London, ON
November 25, 2023 – River Run Centre – Guelph, ON
April 27, 2024 – Market Hall – Peterborough, ON

Singer-Songwriter Glen Foster Captures The Ease And Breeze Of Perfect Summer On ’60s-Tinged “Different Highway”

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Warm days, wind in your hair, not a single care in the world. Nanaimo, BC-based singer-songwriter Glen Foster captures the ease and breeze of the perfect summer road trip with his new single “Different Highway” from his forthcoming album Unnatural Tendencies.

Using a 12-string electric guitar to imbue the song with a little bit o’ twang reminiscent of the Byrds’ Roger McGuinn or George Harrison on “Eight Days a Week,” Foster purposely sought a ’60s Summer of Love vibe on “Different Highway.”

That was me you saw for a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of your eye
You were standing in line with him waiting there When I went shuffling by
You looked so cute when I caught your glance Your ticket in your hand
I knew you were excited to see me again
Here on my one night stand

The song waxes introspective and philosophical on the musician’s life itself. “The concept is that musicians may be on a different highway, but still chasing the same old dream,” Foster explains.

A veteran musician, Foster had worked on the song on and off for 20 years, and it draws inspiration from his own life on the road. “When you’re on the circuit, you end up coming back to the same cities, seeing the same faces. Hence the girl I refer to in Verse 1 who was ‘standing in line waiting there, ticket in her hand, excited to see me again…’”

The video features performance scenes interspersed with beautiful driving scenes on Vancouver Island, with Foster “behind the wheel, moving ahead…” as the song goes.

Glen Foster is a ‘do-it-all-himself” kind of guy. He writes his own songs, sings, plays multiple instruments, books his own gigs, and promotes and produces for his own record label and publishing company. He’s been an instrument repairman, salesman, teacher, and a music student with two silver medals from the Royal Conservatory of Music. Foster has been performing professionally for more than 40 years, and has released nine original albums of his own compositions, hence the title of Unnatural Tendencies – his tenth album.

Emerging Lo-Fi/Folk Toronto Artist BLAKE LITTLE Drops Anticipated Single ‘Spring’

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Introducing Blake Little, the 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Toronto who is making waves already and just released his highly anticipated new single, ‘Spring’, out now.

With his undeniable passion for a musical story and a unique low-fi rock sound, Little delivers an emotionally charged song that explores the complexities of heartbreak, personal growth, and the fleeting nature of life.

Little’s musical journey began at a young age when he discovered his love for singing and playing the guitar. Pulling on inspiration from a formidable range of rock genres, including Zeppelin, Little’s music offers raw authenticism mixed with 90s grunge and early 2000s rock. His distinct vocal palette shines through, commanding listeners to hear his words.

‘Spring’ captures Little’s reflections on the transitional season, evoking a mix of melancholy, forward-thinking, and introspection. While spring has always held significance for Little, being born in April, he reveals his growing resentment towards this time of year as he grows. Gazing out his window at the rain pouring down, Blake paints a vivid picture of the muddy and gloomy early months of spring, contrasting it with the allure of fall.

Unafraid to bare his soul through this new single, Little explains that ‘Spring’ is directed towards a relationship ending due to circumstances beyond their control. This personal touch adds flavour, depth, and vulnerability to the song as Little confronts his emotions and expresses his vulnerability.

Sonically, ‘Spring’ marks a fresh sound for Little. As an artist, he has always strived to experiment and push the boundaries of his style, taking inspiration from iconic bands like Led Zeppelin. Little’s versatility allows the song to draw on multiple genres and sounds, including the late 90s and early 2000s music. Grungey distorted electrics, a low-end pumping bass, and simple yet solid, hard-hitting drums accompany his emotionally fitting vocals. This modest combination allows Little’s vocals and lyrics to stay at the top of the song without interference from other overzealous instruments.

In the studio, Little performed every instrument apart from the drums. This hands-on approach allows him to experiment and form control, bringing his unique musical direction to life. Nevertheless, Little expresses his desire to collaborate with other artists, eager to explore the creative possibilities of working together.

“‘Sometimes our lives compromise what we hold dear’ – It’s not the most complex line, but it’s probably my favorite in the song,”

Shares Little, highlighting the emotional depth and introspection that pervades ‘Spring.’

Contrary to belief, ‘Spring’ is not just a melancholic adventure. The second verse carries a powerful message about cherishing the good moments in life before they pass us by. Little’s poignant lyrics draw inspiration from the film “Blow,” paraphrasing a memorable line from Ray Liotta’s character:

“Sometimes you’re flush, and sometimes you’re bust, and when you’re up, it’s never as good as it seems, and when you’re down, you never think you’ll be up again, but life goes on.”

‘Sometimes you’re up
Never good as it seems
Mr. Jung told me years ago
I finally know what he means.
Don’t get me wrong
It wasn’t long between you and me
I think I miss more what we could have been.’

This quote encapsulates the underlying principles behind ‘Spring’ and serves as a poignant reminder of life’s unpredictable nature.

As Little starts down his musical path, ‘Spring’ is a testament to his musical growth. This ear-hugging new single serves as a potent reminder that life’s twists and turns often shape our perspective and inspire profound thoughtfulness.

Danny Michel and Steve Poltz Join Forces for a Captivating Singer-Songwriter Canadian Tour

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Danny Michel and Steve Poltz met at a little Canadian folk festival a dozen years ago and became quick pals, creating one-of-a-kind live musical experiences on the spot.

Danny Michel is one of Canada’s finest songwriters. A musical chameleon, able to slip into many genres with ease. An adventurous and unbounded artist. Danny’s single “Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself” was the 2022 #1 Fan Voted Song Of The Year on CBC Music’s Top 20.

Halifax-born, California-raised Steve Poltz is a storytelling genius, weaving threads through songs to make you laugh and cry. He’s hyper, charismatic, spontaneous, joyous. A little bit Robin Williams, a little bit James Taylor – a live show legend.

On this tour, they’ll hit the stage with their own solo sets and sweeten the evening with impromptu collaborations. Carefree. Fearless. You have to be there to see it LIVE. Expect the unexpected.

With nominations for three Junos, the Polaris Prize, The CBC “Heart Of Gold” and a pile of albums under his belt, Danny Michel is unquestionably one of Canada’s finest songwriters. His thoughtful lyrics & earnest performances have earned him a devoted fan base. A musical chameleon, able to slip into many genres with ease. An adventurous & fearless artist. A master at striking the right balance between unpredictability and meeting expectations, leaving you wanting more as soon as it’s over.

Some people start life with a plan. Not Steve Poltz. He opens himself up to the universe in a way most of us will never be loose enough to achieve, and the universe responds with a wink, a seemingly bottomless well of inspiration, and the talent to truly connect with an audience. While 2021 could have found him adrift, faced with a tour moratorium the likes of which he hadn’t experienced in decades, it opened a door — literally, his friend Oliver Wood of The Wood Brothers’ door — to creating an exuberant, thoughtful batch of songs that celebrate life in all of its stages. The resulting album is called Stardust & Satellites [Red House / Compass Records].

Steve Poltz and Danny Michel Tour Dates:
Nov 17 Light House Arts Centre – Halifax, NS
Nov 18 Convocation Hall – Wolfville, NS
Nov 19 Pictou Legion – Pictou, NS
Nov 21 TD Music Hall – Toronto, ON
Nov 22 Aeolian Hall – London, ON
Nov 23 Meaford Arts and Cultural Centre – Meaford, ON
Nov 24 St. Paul’s Centre – Orillia, ON
Nov 25 St. Lawrence Acoustic Stage – Morrisburg, ON
Nov 26 Royal City Mission – Guelph, ON