Having members who grew up pretty much from coast-to-coast in Canada, Toronto-based The O'Darling have trace their roots back to countless musical traditions. Check out the stunning "Embroideries" from their self-titled full length album which made our year-end Best Canadian Albums of 2009 list. I had a chance to ask the band a few questions in preparation for their CMW show. Here's the call
BTA receives several emails daily with quality music submissions, unfortunately it's truly impossible to get to them all. This week's edition of Friday Five includes some artist submissions that have tickled my ear. Touring the East coast, J.J. Ipsen dropped off a sample of his album that is in the works. Working with a full band, these tracks come together beautifully. Ipsen's songs have such an interesting structure, making them tough to label and a pleasure to experience on record and especially live. J.J. Ipsen - Helium Balloons Appleton, Wisconsin's [...]
The O'Darling , a band out of Toronto are an impressive group with 3 different female vocalists and impressed me with their A Nice EP which was released last year and had reviewed recently. The six piece made a mix of folk, orchestra, jazz and pop to make an extremely entertaining EP and they continue it on their self-titled release. The fact that they have Jennah Barry, Ida Maidstone and Chantel Emond sharing lead vocals between tracks is a luxury many bands don't have. The only comparison I could think of is Faunts of Edmonton but alas the [...]
I've heard about the The O'darling for sometime and wanted to review their 2008 release – A Nice EP before they released their debut album. While it looks like I'm a little late on that front (putting in a request and for sure you'll see an album review by the time you've read this EP review). Out of Toronto and a 6 member ensemble, the group plays down tempo orchestral baroque pop. It features 3 different vocalists in Jennah Berry, Ida Maidstone, and Chantel Edmond which interchange songwriting and lead vocals on tracks. This gives The [...]
I'm going to see the Rural Alberta Advantage on Thursday at the Horseshoe---with more than 50 of my friends, apparently. This will be their CD release for Hometowns, an album they put out independently in early 2008, but have no re-released properly on Saddle Creek. Supporting acts that night are Hooded Fang and a newer band called The Wilderness of Manitoba, all from right here in Toronto. Promises to be a great night, and will likely be a sold out, so get your ticket soon! Advance tickets are on sale for $12 at Soundscapes, Rotate This, the Horseshoe front bar, [...]
The Toronto-based alternative-pop orchestra band, The O'Darling (that were featured here in March) have a tentative July 17th release date for their first full length album. The 9-track album seems almost perfect for summer nights, complete with one track, "Prairie", all in French. If you enjoyed their 2008 release, A Nice E.P. , you're going to love this. I have high hopes for these guys and gals. Enjoy the first single below. Tracklist: Venture Song Prairie Altostratus City Part 1 Embroideries The [...]
Originally hailing from pretty much every corner of this expansive country, six-piece band The O'Darling have come together and settled in Toronto as they stand poised to release their self-titled debut full length album.I have to be candid and say that my reaction to the band's 2008 EP A Nice EP was lukewarm. It pleases me to be able to offer no such reservations on the new album. From front
Remember when I gushed over those wonderful Canadians, The O'Darling, way back when and mentioned that they were in the process of recording a full-length album for spring/summer time? Well that time is finally coming to an end, as The O'Darling have mastered the tracks and are just about ready to drop the new album. I've given it my earnest ear and can say in confidence that they have somehow managed to out-perform their much-praised EP, A Nice EP , with a set of absolutely crushing tunes. In case you forgot what I wrote about [...]
Chew on these act while you're bumming around this weekend:Luke Sneyd & the DeedFor those who like: Broken Social Scene, Most Serene RepublicThis Toronto trio have recently released an EP of rockin' indie tunes (review here).Luke Sneyd's MyspaceThe O'DarlingFor those who like: Dr. Dog, Port O'BrienA Canadian collective making very Canadian indie folk (review here). The O'Darling play the El
In a lot of ways The O'Darling are a band that represents the Canadian spirit. Gathering members from Manitoba, Nova Scotia, and BC, the six piece now use Toronto as a home base.Much like their home and native land, The O'Darling patch together a quilt of musical influences much like our multicultural mosaic. Jazz, big band, twee, and '60s vocal pop all have a significant place in what the band
It is true, I am delving into the fray (not the band, cuz that's weird) and putting out a Sunday Mixlist. It is almost a blogger tradition to put out playlists/mixtapes/themed musical collections. I tend to try and theme some (see ladies night/men's night), but sometimes I find it a bit of a chore to "theme" a list - then you get music that you might not have ever put on a list together, but because the title matches some theme - it all of a sudden is good enough to post? But maybe that is the idea behind it, [...]
last week, i featured a song from the o'darling 's ep released last year. right now, they're busy working on their debut full length album, but the darlings they are took time off on sunday morning yesterday to catch up with me over an email interview. so here's the full interview, anchored by lead vocalist jennah barry with the rest of this six-piece toronto-based band in tow as they share with us their thoughts on places, their music, and a little glimpse into that upcoming album. enjoy! Hi everyone! Thanks to Daylight Saving, we're exactly [...]
This week's featured group is The O'Darling . Made up of Eastern and Western Canadians, this group has a great jazz-folk thing going. It's not quite like anything I've heard of late, surely that's what made it intriguing. The group's release A Nice EP is buoyed by the excellent multi-instrumental arrangements and the beautiful female vocals. The tracks are paced, with soft horns and strong strings. From listening to the release, I get the impression The O'Darling must be a treat to see live. If you're in Toronto tonight catch The O'Darling at The Concord [...]
the weather's been predictably unpredictable lately. right now, the sun is out in full force, but from the way the world's been turning on this end of the equator, the rain should be coming in a couple of hours. which brings me to my current rainy season music of choice: the o'darling , the very aptly named orchestral outfit from toronto. as a six-piece, the band exhibits impressive restraint in creating music that thrives on subtlety, never overwhelming but yet always present. i wouldn't call their music sparse, but it does give you plenty of space to breathe, to [...]
We've really been getting lucky in the inbox lately (no, that was not a sexual reference), this time from The O'Darling , a female-fronted six-piece Canadian (specifically, Toronto) troupe. The O'Darling is comprised of Jennah Barry (vocals, piano, accordion and glock), Ida Mainstone (vocals, piano, glock), Chantel Emond (vocals - if you can't tell there's a lot of vocals going on, percussion), Olivier Clements (trumpet, flugel), David Barry (guitar), and Colin Nealis (upright bass). That's a lot of instruments. And somehow, The O'Darling manages to make it all work. I can't really place The O'Darling [...]
The O'Darling is a six person affair; a musical engagement redefining the new Canadian sound. From BC, Manitoba and Nova Scotia; Jennah Barry (Vocals/Piano/Accordian), Ida Maidstone (Vocals/Piano/Glock), Chantel Emond (Vocals/Percussion), Olivier Cléments (Trumpet/Flugel), David Barry (Guitar) and Colin Nealis (Upright Bass) are described as "...an acoustic fairytale with pop sensibility...". Their exceptional musicianship and thoughtful songwriting, paired with contrasting but perfectly blended personalities make this band a visual and sonic feast. After their Toronto formation in 2007 the band went straight to [...]
This winter did not really feel like a winter should: cold, stormy, lots of rain or even a little bit of snow. Instead, this arid land experienced the usual bouts of disappointments, dragging feet (and foes) through the mud and the occasional stray droplets now and again. Am I still talking about the weather? Fortunately, these past few days were wintry enough to properly go with the warm exuberance that is The O'Darling. Coming from all over in blessed Canada (currently based in Toronto), the six diverse members of the band create a fuzzy encompassing atmosphere that is [...]
MP3:: The O'Darling - Mooncat
Snob's Music
bridging the atlantic
AWmusic
Narratives
Eldur og Is
Knox Road
Slowcoustic
i'm waking up to...
Band Weblogs
Laughing Evergreens
Herohill
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
Watch: Trailer for Dave Grohl’s documentary, Sound City
Conchord On Composing Music For Muppets
Webcast: The Kills’ 10th anniversary concert
Hardwell Bootleg Pack 2012
