Today's second guest blogger from the Hand Drawn Dracula roster is the incomparable Julie Fader . She's letting us in on what music soundtracked the last 12 months for her and her new born daughter. (James Mejia) I spent most of 2010 on tour, and the first few months of 2011 as well. In the spring of 2011 I had a baby girl, and we [...]
Filed under: Concerts and Tours , News , Exclusive Warner Music For the last few years, Toronto music scenester Tim McCready has thrown one of the highest-profile, non-official, NXNE BBQs at his house on 159 Manning. This year was both his biggest and his most controversial as he increased the amount of space, raised the number of stages to three, integrated art displays and poetry readings, cooked two whole pigs on a spit and raised [...]
I think there's going to be a very vague theme to this post, but I can't be sure. I'm not going to worry too much about it though! The first thing I want to talk about is a band called The Bishops, who I went and saw live last week at 93 East on Brick Lane. They were very good. Lead singer and lead guitarist Mike Bishop worked the crowd well and sang incredibly well considering how much he was bouncing around for the 45 or so minutes they were playing. The band apparently recently played their 500th [...]
After a week off, the Video Hits return here at the hill with a vengeance! That makes pretty much no sense, but everything sounds better when you do it with a vengeance, does it not? How else would one explain Steve Segal? Well that's another very broad topic for another time, now is time for the videos. We Are The City are an energetic Kelowna, BC indie pop/rock trio that seem to be picking up new admirers by the day. Their second album (or EP? I don't know anymore), [...]
"Maps" by Julie Fader . From the album Outside In ( Hand Drawn Dracula ).
Julie Fader Don't know what to do with yourself tonight? Well how about a triple shot of Toronto indie favorites at the El Mocambo. The line-up sees Brian Borcherdt (Holy Fuck, By Divine Right, but you knew that already) hit the stage at 9:30, the aurally stunning Julie Fader at 10:30, and Montreal's Snailhouse at 11:30. Brian Borcherdt's website Julie Fader's Myspace Snailhouse's website
Filed under: Concerts and Tours , Live It Out , Canada Universal Music If there was an artist who embodies both the musical and philosophical approach of Guelph's Hillside Festival , singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer would fit the bill. Returning to the festival on the heels of the release of her new album, 'Oh Little Fire,' -- her first in five years -- Harmer received a homegrown heroine's welcome from the capacity crowd spilling across the grassy [...]
It was a wild hectic Day 7 (July 13) of Ottawa Bluesfest . Luckily enough the rain was gone when the festival opened its gates at 5pm. It was a big night since people were anticipating Arcade Fire's first big Ottawa outdoor show. The acts that I saw were: Down In Ashes The Aggrolites Moneen Sarah Harmer Hannah [...]
(photo: Jessica Eaton) The timing of yesterday's Polaris Music Prize longlist announcement couldn't have come at a worse time for a conscientious and OCD-afflicted blogger like myself. Mere minutes after having the whole list announced, I literally had to pack my crap up at work and run out the door to make the trek to Toronto for the Rufus Wainwright show at the Elgin Theatre last night (more on that tomorrow). A little pre-list announcement work ensured that I got yesterday's post up, but I saved any (semi-)serious Polaris talk [...]
O, woe is me, eh? I'm in the same boat as 225 music writers in Canada this weekend, cramming in as much musical sampling and chin scratching as we can before the Tuesday night deadline when we have to submit our choices for the best five albums of the year for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize. Here's what I've been able to decide so far: if the task were to compile a list of 10 albums, I could write my list for you in seconds and never look back at it. Narrowing it down to the select five is another [...]
It's not hard to be impressed by the hustle displayed by organizers responsible for the Long Live the Queen festival about to take over Halifax. Honestly, they are doing everything right to help a grass roots, community focused festival get the traction to stick around and grow. Family friendly? Check. Kids under ten are free. Diverse attractions? Check. The festival has local art, yoga, music, literature and clothing on display. Affordable? Check. Most festivals jack up the rates so high that the community can't afford to attend, but for $50 bucks [...]
So after yesterday's Calgary Music Scene post - why not do something else Calgary? Done. So next week (March 18th to be exact) there is a concert going on here in Calgary with a fantastic line up of Canadian talent! What may you ask is this event? Well Postdata and Julie Fader along with the local Clinton St. John (of The Cape May) will be performing and I will definitely be there. You should be too. Ticket Give-Away So here is the deal - [...]
Kinda been a hectic last bit with the various world events, personal events and upcoming events. What is it of which I speak? Well, glad you asked. How about those Olympics? Pretty sweet in my opinion, but I tend to quickly jump on board of sports I would shun in any other forum...I dunno, all of a sudden I am a fiend for biathlon for 2 weeks every 4 years! I, like a true and proud Canadian, enjoyed the Gold Medal Hockey game this past Sunday and I am even glad it went to overtime for the win. [...]
Talk about a solid lineup and a solid venue. Paul Murphy's new personal outlet - Postdata - is locked and loaded on my Polaris ballot, and throwing the engaging Julie Fader and rock steady Brian Borcherdt into the mix makes this one of the best shows that will come out way this year. The three acts are going to spend an intimate evening playing for 60 - that's right, only 60 - people at The Sonic Temple . In such a small space, with a respectful crow you will get to [...]
Filed under: Concerts and Tours , Exclusive , Canada It's been a long while since Canada's indie darling Feist gave us any new music -- her breakout record, 'The Reminder', was released in 2007. But it's hard to fault her when she goes to the trouble of completely overhauling her back catalogue for live shows like her Cultural Olympiad performance at Vancouver's Orpheum Theatre. Even ardent fans were hard-pressed to pick out some of their favourites, which were rendered almost unrecognizable for the [...]
It's a slow day here on the hill. Last night we were treated to two stellar sets; one from Basia Bulat and one from Owen Pallett and as a result, the review I had slated for today will be up tomorrow. Obviously, we will add some more detailed coverage and poor quality MP3s later, but the dichotomy of the two acts fit the venue perfectly. Basia, playing with instruments and songs that could have been as old as the walls of the church, filled the room with her powerful voice. Owen on the other [...]
I've been listening to Spirit Guides on and off on my iPod. It was ranked #22 of best Canadian albums of 2009 . Finally have a chance to do a review on this album. After seeing Evening Hymns performance at the Black Sheep Inn on November 27, 2009 . Its looking to be a good 2010 for Evening Hymns, one being listed on CBC's Top 10 Bands Destined to Break in 2010 . Looking up on some research about the album Spirit Guides. Jonas Bonnetta makes [...]
New Music Canada Track of the Day. Guest Host, Brian Borcherdt from Holy F*ck: "I can request this one because I didn't produce it but a good friend of mine did..."
And now, the Top Ten. A few of these were probably pretty obvious to anyone that reads herohill or likes Canadian music, but hopefully some of the lesser known acts (The Wheat Pool or Julie Fader for example) are new treats for you to digest with your cranberry sauce and dindon. Posting might be a bit sporadic over the next few days, but after some of these gems we gave you, hopefully you'll remember your pals at herohill in the new year. 10 [...]
Just something that I'm listening to. Just something in the form of Julie Fader's "Outside In" album that was released from Hand Drawn Dracula this past September. It is a great album that I find comparisons of Julie's vocals to a echoing Sarah Harmer's "girl next door" vibe with still having a Sarah McLaughlin aura & mystique. So basically you know it will be both beautiful and something you can find yourself listening to anywhere and anytime. In true Canadian music industry style, Julie had a bit of assistance with some appearances (vocally) from from Chad [...]
Quick Before It Melts
Spinner.com
Safety, Fun & Learning
Herohill
Indie Music Filter
Snob's Music
PhotogMusic.com
Slowcoustic
Raised on Indie
The Shins: “September” (b-side of “Simple Song” 7”)
St. Vincent - 'Cheerleader'
Jay-Z & Kanye West - Ni**as In Paris (Explicit)
OK Go - Needing/Getting - Official Video
Ladyhawke - Black White & Blue
Clive Davis Cancels Pre-Grammy Party After Whitney Houston’s Death
Diplo & Don Diablo “Make You Pop”
The Weeknd – D.D. (Chi Duly Remix)
