Vancouver-based Said the Whale has created a brilliant stop motion music video for their single “UnAmerican” that was completely made by hand. No visual effects or green-screens were used in the making of this video. Everything you see was created by hand using 2,250 separate pieces of paper, each printed with a frame of a previously filmed performance video.
Canadian indie folk and roots singer/songwriter John Muirhead knows a thing or two about trying to get some shut-eye while on the road.
Canadian indie folk and roots singer/songwriter John Muirhead knows a thing or two about trying to get some shut-eye while on the road.
The London, Ontario-based artist has been touring nearly non-stop for the better part of the last two years, and his new single and video — available today — is John’s appreciative, candid, and behind-the-scenes perspective on life as an indie musician.
Two years of ambitious cross-Canada touring can produce a great many things: irreplaceable memories, life-altering experiences, unexpected challenges, a bit of self-discovery, and — for John — a new single.
Penned during moments of downtime between northern Ontario folk festivals all the way to speeding VIA Rail trains through the maritimes, the new track “I Can Sleep Anywhere” — available now — is Muirhead’s appreciative, eyes-wide-open ode to roughing it on the road as an indie music man. He recently stopped by CBC’s London Morning, Afternoon Drive, Up North, and London’s CHRW to talk all about it.
“It’s about the call to adventure, and playing your heart out even if the room is empty,” explains the self-described troubadour. “It’s is a reminder that every show — whether it’s on a moving train, a folk festival, a theatre or someone’s living room — could be my last, and that I truly love music, regardless of the ups and downs I face.”
Not that the talented songster should have much to worry about on that front; widely known for his storytelling songs that kindle late-night Canadian campfires, Muirhead’s distinct brand of indie folk has seen him nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award, and an honourable mention in the Canadian Songwriting Competition.
From fingerpicked folk confessionals to upbeat roots-rock jams inspired by the likes of Frank Turner, Neil Young, The Weakerthans, and Julien Baker, Muirhead’s eclectic song collections across two EPs, Yesterday’s Smile and Foundational, reflect the highs and lows of love, ambition, and being a young musician.
The video for “I Can Sleep Anywhere” serves as much of a scrapbook as the lyrics; put together from a collection of Muirhead’s own iPhone videos spanning the last 24 months, it’s meant to reflect the joys and adventure that inspired the lyrics of the song. “I had no intention of putting these into a music video while I was filming but, when I finally had time to look through my old footage, I knew I needed to compile it all together.
“This was the perfect song for that.”
“I Can Sleep Anywhere” was produced by David Worthen and recorded at Vapor in Toronto. “We recorded it in a couple of sessions at the end of the summer, featuring Alex Lam on drums and Sam Fitzpatrick on bass,” Muirhead shares. “It was such a fun experience, we really tried to keep the energy of the track alive and I think we accomplished that.”
“I Can Sleep Anywhere” is available now.
My Next Read: “Let’s Go!: Benjamin Orr and The Cars”
Benjamin Orr was the co-founder, co-lead singer, and bassist for the platinum-selling rock band The Cars. Often considered the band’s heartthrob, Orr possessed an incredible voice, diverse musical talent, and rare stage presence, all balanced by an enigmatic personality and a relentless determination to reach rock stardom.
This first-ever biography about Orr spans 11 years in the making, as writer Joe Milliken draws together interviews with over 120 family members, friends, bandmates, and music associates from Orr’s life, as well as many unpublished and never before seen photos from private collections, to reveal an intimate portrait of one of classic rock’s great talents. Joe has been a music journalist, editor and website publisher for two decades. A die-hard music fan with a degree in visual arts, Joe turned to writing as his creative outlet, first as a local reporter, then a sports/arts & entertainment editor and freelancer. In 2014, he launched Standing Room Only, a website dedicated to promoting music and the arts on a New England local angle and national level.
Selling over 30 million albums worldwide with fifteen Billboard Top 40 hits, The Cars certainly achieved success. Within a decade of the debut album, though, Orr found himself adrift and without a band. Veteran music journalist Joe Milliken draws together interviews with over 120 family members, friends, bandmates, and music associates from Orr’s life, as well as many unpublished and never-before-seen photos from private collections, to reveal an intimate portrait of one of classic rock’s greatest talents. From Orr’s first performances as a house-band musician for the TV show UpBeat through his creation of The Cars with Ric Ocasek to Orr’s eventual rebirth with the supergroup Big People, this definitive account of Orr’s life is a rollercoaster ride that sheds new light on the history of The Cars.
Orr is no longer able to rock with The Cars, but the music he made with them continues to attract new generations of fans. Coinciding with the band’s 2018 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this first-ever biography of Benjamin Orr immortalizes his legacy as a deeply kind-hearted and exceptionally talented musician who would stop at nothing to live his rock and roll dream.
You can get it here.
Michael Bublé’s Canadian 2019 Tour Announced
Grammy Award-Winning, Michael Bublé is thrilled to announce his return to performing in Canada with an 11-city cross-country tour. The tour will kick off in Bublé’s hometown of Vancouver, BC on Friday, April 12 and will wrap in Quebec City, QC on Saturday, August 3. Complete list of Canadian tour dates below.
Tickets will be available for purchase on November 19th. Every full priced ticket purchased for the tour includes a standard CD or digital copy of Michael’s highly anticipated new album love. love is Michael’s 8th major studio album for Reprise Records and will be available November 16th.
This past August, Bublé returned to the stage after a lengthy absence for shows in Dublin, London and Sydney where he performed for over 150,000 fans. He has already completed five sold out world tours, won four Grammy Awards and sold over 60 million records over the course of his extraordinary career.
Michael Bublé Canadian Tour 2019
April 12, 2019 – Vancouver, BC – Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
April 15, 2019 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place
April 18, 2019 – Saskatoon, SK – Sasktel Centre
April 19, 2019 – Winnipeg, MB – Bell MTS Place
July 26, 2019 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
July 29, 2019 – London, ON – Budweiser Gardens
July 30, 2019 – Ottawa, ON – Richcraft Live at Canadian Tire Centre
August 1, 2019 – Montreal, QC – Bell Centre
August 3, 2019 – Quebec City, QC – Centre Videotron
Tickets go on sale Monday, November 19 at 10am local time
Calling all Canadian artists: JUNOfest 2019 submissions NOW OPEN
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that artist submissions are now open for JUNOfest Presented by CBC Music. On Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16, 2019, JUNOfest will showcase artists of all genres, from across the country. Over 100 artists will take the stage at multiple venues across London, Ontario during the two-night festival, performing for fans, media and the music industry. This year’s JUNOfest will be produced by Brandon Eedy (SummerCamp Productions, London Music Hall/Rum Runners). Canadian artists interested in participating can apply online between November 8 and December 21, 2018 at www.junofestsubmissions.ca.
JUNOfest is an annual music celebration jam-packed with an impressive roster of Canadian artists across all genres. Over 100 musical acts including local London artists, 2019 JUNO Award nominees, and some of Canada’s top touring talent will hit the stage.
JUNOfest is open to Canadian artists, solo acts and/or full bands of all genres. A $20 application fee will apply.
JUNOfest has showcased over 1,000 artists and bands of all backgrounds and genres including: Alexisonfire, Ammoye, Arkells, Bedouin Soundclash, Billy Talent, Cadence Weapon, Clairmont The Second, Classified, DJ Shub, Feist, Fucked Up, Hannah Georgas, Hey Rosetta!, Hollerado, Iskwé, The Jerry Cans, Jim Cuddy, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Karl Wolf, Maestro Fresh-Wes, Marianas Trench, Matt Mays, Metric, MSTRKRFT, Ria Mae, Said the Whale, Sam Roberts, Shad, The Sheepdogs, Silverstein, Sloan, Tanya Tagaq, The Wailin’ Jennys, Weaves, Whitehorse, Wintersleep, Yukon Blonde, and hundreds more.
Canadian mixed media artist Audra Santa’s stunning self-directed video “Afterglow” turning heads as FB censors it for boosting
Toronto-based artist Audra Santa tried this week to boost her new video for ‘Afterglow’ on Facebook, but was rejected due to hints of nudity and sexual themes. Same with the teaser. She can post the video on the free-speech platform on Facebook, but can’t promote it through their boosted post campaigns.
But there’s no warning on YouTube, and you get to see it below.
In addition to the song, Audra wrote, cast, and directed the entire video herself; it’s one of her most raw and empowering works of art yet, ‘going there’ with dominance on the heels of a dissolved marriage left behind in Australia and her return to Canada after about a decade away.
Pianist Plays Live To Tom & Jerry Cartoons
This should be seen by billions. Yannie Tan, an amazingly talented 16-year-old pianist, plays the music in sync with the Tom & Jerry episodes – while dressed as a cat.
“Experience Nothing” – A Clever Ad For Tourism in Finland
We offer something from nothing. Welcome to Finland.
