Here's your three artists to examine this weekend:Dog Is BlueFor those who like: Bon Iver, Iron & WineToronto's Paul Watson makes folk music that isn't boring. A rare thing nowadays.Dog Is Blue's MyspaceAmaya LauciricaFor those who like: Regina Spektor, Fiona AppleThis Aussie is poised to break in North America after two successful albums at home.Amaya Laucirica's MyspaceElizabeth and the
As mentioned in my recent Q&A with Paul Watson of Dog Is Blue, he is preparing a covers EP (which could very well be free). We're pleased to be able to make the first song from that EP available for free download.The song is a cover of "Blankets and Bones" by Guelph musician Jenny Omnichord. Grab it here:"Blankets and Bones"- MP3Dog Is Blue's websiteDog Is Blue's Myspace
Zunior.com is celebrating its 5th anniversary this weekend. In honour of that milestone, Canada's little digital music store is throwing a big hootennany at The Tranzac on Saturday night that promises to be an amazing evening of excellent music. Set aside the fact that I work for Zunior. Hell, even overlook that I'm playing this show myself (come early...!). I don't need any ulterior motives to peddle this show, as the sheer strength of the lineup alone leaves me salivating. Check it out for yourself: [...]
Toronto's Dog Is Blue (aka Paul Watson) has released one of my favorite debut albums of 2009 so far. ...Makes Ghost Noises (review here) is definitely worth picking up if you haven't already.I had the chance to ask Watson a few questions about his music. Here's how it all went down:T.O. Snob: You've just released your debut album, which I think is fantastic.. In your own words what can
Ben Wilson a.k.a. That's the Spirit - contributor to my Best ____ of '08 project - was recently featured on NPR's "All Songs Considered" , and, well, if its good enough for them... actually, it just made me re-listen to his myspace tracks, which led to me giving his latest album Staying Places a few serious spins. I like what I'm hearing, and its decidedly more substantial than I was expecting (i.e. its much more than just the terrific single "Orienteering"). [mp3] That's the Spirit - Orienteering [...]
Dog Is Blue is the stage name of Toronto musician Paul Watson. His latest release is the ghost-folk album ...Makes Ghost Noises.Nowadays when an artist makes sparsely arranged acoustic music with a subtle synth embellishments they almost inevitably get compared to acts like Bon Iver. That holds true for Dog Is Blue. Unlike Bon Iver however, Dog Is Blue's songs, like "Seacaptain", are warm and
So, round 4 with Dog is Blue, or, Paul Watson, if you prefer. Paul has recently released an album called ... Makes Ghost Noises , which is a really neat folk album. It's an album that I haven't reviewed fully, and may not for a little while, but its like Matt Damon in Rounders , 'hanging around'. And while its not an album that is going to blow you away (I'm not sure "ghost-folk" albums are capable of doing that), but its an album that is kind of like comfort food. It makes [...]
As many of you know I have the attention span of a 6 year old and this blog is a fun outlet for me to try out new stuff. Some stuff lasts (see: my pick of the week ), some doesn't (see: virtually everything else ), and its hard to tell what's going to happen with this, but I had a lot of fun creating these posters this (Sunday) afternoon. If you're in a band and saying to yourself, "GAWD, I wish I could get the R.O.B. to make me a poster" just ask, I can't imagine [...]
posted by Matt: Dog is Blue - Seacaptain Van Morrison - Moondance I stole Moondance from my dad when I was in high school and that was all she wrote. It has been hands down my favourite album ever since the first time I even thought about having a favourite. The whole thing is just a pefectly uplifting romp with excellent melodies and a voice that can't be beat. [...]
Fraser - House on a Hill myspace || buy CD This Ontario singer probably hates the reading snippets written about his work. I mean, most are complimentary – and deservedly so – but the ease at which his songs force you to think about other artists must start to grate on the young man. I usually try to avoid the "sounds-like" trap, but on House on the Hill there are terrific subdued moments that help Fraser sound like Teitur (the opening number Dusklight and [...]
I've been listening to a tonne of stuff lately, a lot of it good, but nothing has really, really, stood out like it has when I heard albums like Dead Calm Horizon , Illinois (and Illinoize ), Gulag Orkestar , Hymns for the Happy , etc., etc. I think part of this has been because I've been trying to listen to everything that comes in, and I'm getting a little overwhelmed; and, also, because I've been listening to a lot of stuff on my computer speakers, which are [...]
Wow. It's been over three months since my last post. I swear I only planned on taking a couple weeks off in the new year, but time flies and all that. The good news is that I've been productive in my absence, as I finally got off my butt and recorded an album of my very own! It's under the name Dog Is Blue and is called ... Makes Ghost Noises . I wasn't going to post about it, as it seemed cheesy to write about my own album, but I saw Jen and [...]
"All writers are vain, selfish, and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives there lies a mystery." - George Orwell in his 1947 essay, Why I Write After much deliberation I've decided to take a break from Wolves, Hawks and Kites for a while. It's time to recharge the batteries and re-examine why this site exists in the first place. At its inception, WHK had a pretty simple-and cathartic-reason for being: my day job gives me constant access to all sorts of albums (including advance copies of anticipated [...]
Tuesday night I went to Guelph on a whim. Wax Mannequin and The Kettle Black were playing at The Family Thrift Store there and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to catch some great music and visit friends at the same time ( Jenny Omnichord 's dad owns the store). Borrowing my folks' clunky old minivan Laura and I hit the road...right into late rush hour traffic. Slowed down, but not dissuaded, we got there just in time to surprise Jenny and overhear that Wax Mannequin had canceled. I was slightly dissapointed, [...]
Got some devastating news today. My grandmother passed away this morning. Honestly, I don't think the reality of it has set in yet. I'm taking a few days off from blogging to be with family. I found this song today and can't stop listening to it. Dog in Blue - Grandma
Pardon me a moment as I break kayfabe. While I would normally post a review of an album, I'm feeling a little self-indulgent and, in the spirit of turning the tables and getting away from the overly critical, here's a fun little story from one my own performances the other night: Every week I try to get off my ass and hit up an open-mic or two in Toronto's east end. There are a couple of great spots on the Danforth that are very accommodating to newbies like me and I've been taking advantage, [...]
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