Songs of the Day – February & March 2015

I came across a few new tunes in the last couple of months. Here’s a round-up of some of them.

Saali & the Ravenhearts – Qannilirtuq

I’d been hearing this song on Arviaqpaluk (the local Arviat radio station) for weeks before I finally figured out its title and who performs it.

Saali & the Ravenhearts are a band from Nunavik who perform songs largely in Inuktitut. Check them out on CBC Radio 3.

The Tallest Man On Earth – The Blizzards Never Seen the Desert Sands

I posted this in mid-February when we were in the middle of our 6th major blizzard since Christmas. Who knew there were still almost 10 more blizzards to go?

I could have used some desert sands at that point.

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Songs of the Day Catch-Up, Part 2

Continuing my catch-up of recent “Songs of the Day”:

The Rural Alberta Advantage – Terrified

So apparently these folks are playing a show two shows in St. John’s in March. I do miss live music sometimes…

Hey Rosetta! – Carry Me Home

Another of the Christmas season tunes from Newfoundland’s own Hey Rosetta!

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – What Child is This?

While I’m not a big fan of much “traditional” Christmas music, I am a big fan of TSO’s hard-rock infused reinterpretations of many classic Christmas songs. I also appreciate the many strong vocal performances on many of their tracks, including this one from Broadway performer Rob Evans.

Katzenjammer, Ben Caplan, and the Trondheim Soloists – Fairytale of New York

The second cover of “Fairytale of New York” that I couldn’t resist posting because of the great strings and awesomely contrasting voices of Katzenjammer and Ben Caplan.

Brianna Gosse – My Christmas Song for You

A good, jazzy start to my Christmas Songs of the Day.

Songs of the Day Catch-Up

So I’ve been a little slack keeping up with my “Songs of the Day” posts, but I suppose that’s no surprise for an online project like this.

In any case, here’s a listing of some of my favorite “Songs of the Day” postings from the last couple of months:

Hozier – Take Me to Church

My sister sent me this amazing song a while ago. I’m really enjoying these great videos that are essentially miniature movies.

Carina Round – For Everything a Reason

Another tune I discovered from the TV show ‘Rookie Blue.’ The music director for that show knows what’s up.

Not sure why she’s singing into an antique telephone, but I like it.

Sean Rowe – Jonathan

Sometimes all you need is an acoustic guitar and a cavalry jacket.

Bear’s Den – Agape

Harmonizing both vocals and beards. The album reminds me a little of Bon Iver.

Alan Doyle, Russell Crowe, Samantha Barks et al – “Fairytale of New York”

This round of songs got me into the Christmas season. I managed to mostly refrain from sharing an endless stream of covers of The Pogues/Kirsty MacColl classic “Fairytale of New York.” However, this version featuring the cast of the 2012 film version of “Les Miserables” was too much fun to pass up.

Songs of the Day, September 29 – October 3

So I spent last week in a hotel in Rankin Inlet, attending, organizing, and presenting at the Kivalliq Trade Show, which put me in an even more bandwidth-challenged situation than normal. Fortunately, some friends stepped up and shared some songs while I couldn’t. Here’s a few favourites:

Julian Taylor Band – Never Gonna Give You Up

Double creative points for the video:

Stars – The North

Seems appropriate.

Songs of the Day – September 15 to September 26, 2014

I’ve got a couple of weeks of music to catch up on. So here goes.

Monday, September 15

Bastille – Pompeii

It’s the history geek in me, I guess.

 

Tuesday, September 16

Scary Bear Soundtrack – Fault Lines

Scary Bear Soundtrack are an electric synth-pop due who live in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. “Fault Lines” was written in response to issues of violence against women and abuse, and was entered in CBC’s Rock Your Campus Competition.

Check out Scary Bear Soundtrack on Soundcloud.

Songs of the Day, September 8 – September 12, 2014

This week’s songs of the day included a couple of important dates, and possibly one of the coolest videos ever made.

Monday, September 8

“Conduit,” by Ben Caplan and the Casual Smokers

Love the voice. Love the beard. Love the video.

 

Tuesday, September 9

“People,” by David Bazan

I was introduced to David Bazan’s music by a friend, who took me to see him at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto.

Songs of the Day – September 1 – September 5, 2014

Monday, September 1st

“Demon” by Kandle

Kandle (yes that’s her real name) Osbourne’s first album “In Flames” was released just a couple of months ago. It’s worth checking out!

“Demon” is a great song with a great video to go with it.

Apparently graves and coffins was a minor theme for me this week. I’ll try not to read too much into that.

 

Tuesday, September 2nd

“Animism” by Tanya Tagaq

Tanya Tagaq is an Inuk throat-singer from Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. Her performances are raw, energetic, sensual, and generally amazing. I need to find an opportunity to see her perform live.

A few months ago Tagaq gained some attention after she Tweeted a picture of her baby next to a dead seal in response to Ellen Degeneres’ well-publicized donation to PETA. Unsurprisingly, Tagaq’s “sealfie” attracted the usual internet trolls who quickly turned a potential conversation about traditional culture and sustainable harvesting into an abuse-laden campaign of harrassment. There were supporters too of course, and hopefully at least some meaningful conversation and contemplation came out of it. See media stories on CBC News, CBC’s As It Happens, The Huffington Post Canada, and VICE.

Anyway, here’s the album trailer for Tanya Tagaq’s album “Animism.” Check out some of her performances online!