Sleeping At Last "Emphasis" video

I'm a long time fan of the indie rock created by Sleeping At Last.  Ryan O'Neal has a unique vocal talent that is always sure to grab and hold the listeners attention.  During the past year this prolific songwriter released his "Yearbook" series of EP's.  One per month, over a year span.  He's posted anew video for the track "Emphasis" which is included on the Sleeping At Last's November EP.  To get a taste of what Sleeping At Last is all about chick out the video.

Leeland, Aaron Gillespie, Parachute Band, Nine O Five concert

It felt like early summer weather. Sunday March 18, with an early evening temperature of 17 C (63 F), makes standing in line for the concert event at C4 church in Ajax almost enjoyable. Nine O Five (house worship band), Parachute Band, Aaron Gillespie, and Leeland are all on hand to over up their own versions of modern worship.

It was also the night of the redheads with both Gillespie and Leeland being on stage.

This was the final night of a three week North American tour with the above bands. Fortunately for myself it was an easy drive to reach the church for the early evening event. C4 church had pulled out all the stops by offering the concert as both a free event and as an HD simulcast.

Nine O Five led off the evening.  This band has had some longevity in the worship realm, releasing a full length back in 2005.  They just delivered their 3rd EP on Feb 21st of this year.  Josh McCabe offered up a variety of original songs by the band plus a number of popular worship tunes. McCabe has multiple roles with Nine O Five being the lyricist, guitarist and lead vocalist with the band.

Redhead number 1, Gillespie, has dialed up his typical worship performance, reintroducing his talents on drums as well as his typical role on acoustic guitar. It seems he has retired his old and well used original guitar for a newer model.  A much more energetic performance was given to the large audience in attendance. The crowd took it all in and offered up their own voices in accompaniment to Gillespie on many of the songs.

Aaron Gillespie was accomodating by spending a few mintues with me earlier in the afteroon for an interview.  We were able to spend some time discussing his new solo career, his alternative rock band The Almost, and the years he had spent wit the the metalcore band, Underoath.  You will be able to hear that interview in an upcoming broadcast of The Antidote.

Parachute Band from Auckland, New Zealand never fails to pull out the stops. This is the second generation Parachute Band. The original band members all left back in 2006 and since 2007 they have had a younger, but equally talented crew. Lead vocalist Omega Levine lead the crowd in a number of songs and included some news songs from their current MATINS:VESPERS album.

I was a bit disappointed that Levine didn't offer up his powerful testimony. A really an incredible story. Omega Levine was born without a nose and grew up with no self-esteem. Depression reached the point where he was ready to take his own life at the age of 15. Calling out to God had him overcome his suicidal inclinations.

The grand finale for the night, redhead number 2, Leeland Mooring and band came out on stage. This was my first opportunity to see Leeland play.  I've been enjoying their music since the release of the Opposite Way album back in '07. This is a band worth checking out if you prefer progressive worship. Three Grammy and eight Dove Award nominations show what kind of calbre of music Leeland produces.

One of the more interesting moments of he evening was the video of the Leeland band on mission trip as they played  with soccer with youngsters. During the video the band played "Follow You" from their Love Is On The Move album. Other great Leeland songs included; "The Sound of Melodies", "Count Me In", and "The Great Awakening".

While modern worship is not my favourite style of music, I did enjoy the evening at C4 church.  It was a break from metalcore concerts I normally see.

The Antidote - Show 25 - Behold! The City

Liam Flagg took the co-pilot set on The Antidote this week.  Liam calls Fort Erie home and while attending Ridgeway Crystal Beach high school  he gained a wealth of  radio experience  while being a DJ at the school radio station, "The Beach".  He was a great help during the show.  Listen up to the talk he and I had at the half-way point of the show.

OK, back to the music, let's talk about this weeks show.  New songs and new artists was the theme for show number 25 of The Antidote.  We covered the gamut from indie folk to the progressive metalcore of Behold! The City.  A new band who hail from the great city of the north, Barrie, Ontario.  Listen to the two part interview I had with the band .


Listen to or download show 25 of The Antidote with myself and Liam Flagg.


Ska returns to The Antidote next week, as does my part-time co-host Josiah..  Ska Lives part 2 includes an interview with Matt "Mojo" Morginsky lead vocalist of the O C Supertones.

The Antidote - Show 24 - Junkyard Poets

I finally chose what I was going to do for this weeks show.  I had a great time interviewing Derek Gust, bassist and background vocals for the legendary band, Junkyard Poets. Never heard of them?  Unfortunately that seems to be the case for too many people. 


I first met this band at The Covenant Awards in Calgary last fall. I watched them perform at a showcase...but all of this is in this weeks recording.  Listen in and be as amazed as I am at the talents of Junkyard Poets.
  

Listen or download The Antidote with featured artist Junkyard Poets of Sherwood Park, Alberta.

Listen to the show recording to find out about the TV with legs

You can also listen to The Antidote live on Trent Radio 92.7 FM, Wednesdays from 9 - 10 EST. You can also access a live stream here.


Next week I'll be featuring a series of brand new tracks from a multitude of different bands.  Check it out next Wednesday night.

The Antidote - Show 23, Strange Song Titles

Have you ever stayed up late at night wondering why bands record songs with really strange song titles?  I'm sure that you have. Episode number 23 of  The Antidote asked this very same question, but came up with no answers. What did happen was a collection of songs covering a wide range of styles.
  
Listen  to or download this version of The Antidote with Strange Song Titles.


You can also listen to The Antidote live on Trent Radio 92.7 FM, Wednesdays from 9 - 10 EST. You can also access a live stream here.


What's happening on next weeks show?  I'm still not quite sure.  I've recorded three band interviews in the past week.  It may depend on which one gets edited first.  Stayed tuned and I'll post the result soon.

Christian music insights from Micheal Gungor

Micheal Gungor, lead vocalist of the band Gungor, offered some insights to the Christian music industry, artists and consumers.  He had this to say in his blog.

Consumers: I would suggest that you actively support those artists that you love that the industry hasn’t necessarily bought into. The cards are stacked against people that actually want to do honest creative art in this industry, and the people that try really need your direct help and support to have any chance. For us, we’ve had one guy for instance that has been sending us a check every month for years because he appreciates what we are trying to do. Do you know how much that one family has helped us stay encouraged? Even if it’s not a huge amount of money or anything, just having people behind you in this sort of battle is really helpful.

Industry people: Stop being so afraid. I know you want things to be different than they are as well. I know you want creativity to be valued as much as “Becky” analysis, but we need some of you to have some balls and make some decisions based on that value system. Yes money matters. But so does beauty. Art actually makes a difference in the world. Have the courage to actually make decisions on values and not simply on past numbers and trends. And for crying out loud, if it really is good, the numbers will follow eventually anyway.

Artists: Take heart. I think the tides may be turning. The recent attention and success of our band speaks to it I think. People are growing weary of the status quo. The machine and its sheen have seen its strongest days. So I encourage you as well to not be afraid. Your art is worth making even if the industry around you isn’t quite ready for it yet. Make it and let them catch up with you. Your art is sacred. Be honest. Be brave. And don’t let the markets or the industry be the final filter on your art, let your heart do that. Ok that’s all from me tonight.

Click here for the complete post. 

House of Heroes, Manic Drive, Behold! The City concert review

I headed up to Barrie, ON Feb 25th to see a few bands play at Timothy Christian school.  This was Air Raid 20, sponsored by the Christian mega-station, LIFE 100.3.

Jake Wilson - Behold! The City

Behold! The City
Opening band for the night was Behold! The City, a newer hardcore band based out of Barrie. This group has been making some waves on the Ontario music scene.  It was quite evident that they had a large number of loyal fans in the crowd.  Forming in 2010, it was surprising the stage presence this band carries onto stage, considering their lack of longevity. Their show featured songs from their independent ep release, Kings and Cowards. The band is off to the states to record their fist full-length this spring for the Red Cord Record label. Jake Wilson, vocalist for Behold! The City gave it all to the crowd during their set. It will be great to see how Behold! The City will progress musically as they mature.


V. Rose

I decided to pass on seeing V. Rose perform, choosing instead to spend time in the lobby for a bit of R&R. While V. Rose may appeal to the tween and pre-tween set, I'm not a fan of soft toned solo female singers. An 7 or 8 year old girl and her mother were standing near me when I returned. She told me that she was disappointed in the lip-synched performance of Rose.

Too bad so many female Christian artists choose the path of least resistance, mirroring only what has been done musically before.

Shawn Cavallo - Manic Drive

Manic Drive
I've been impressed with this band since their first release, Reason For Motion. back in '05.  Though the band is based out of Mississauga, ON, it was only the second time I've seen them live.

The Manic Drive playlist included some of my favourites; "Music" and "Walls" from their excellent CD Blue. "Save A Life" and "Halo" from the new album Epic. I was disappointed with the Epic release. I found it lacked the stand out tracks found on Blue.  Their current single "Halo" is a lightweight song, but I do enjoy their second single, the relatively mellow "Save A Life".
 





House of Heroes
The head line band takes the stage.  House Of Heroes had it's beginnings in 1998 as No Tagbacks later switching the name to HoH. Their Feb 25/12 show in Barrie was only the fourth date this band has played in Canada. Unfortunate that so many American bands find it difficult to play in Canada. The direct result of difficult Canadian border crossings requirements.

House of Heroes is made up of Tim Skipper on lead vocals and guitar, Colin Rigsby with drums, AJ Babcock on bass guitar, and Eric Newcomer on guitar. Skipper, Rigsby, and Babcock have all been with the band since it's inception, while Newcomer is, yes, the newcomer to HoH arriving in '09.

House Of Heroes had completed the recording and mastering of their upcoming album, Cold Hard Want, only three days prior to playing the show in Barrie. The band included a few tracks from this album including what may be their new headline song "Out My Way".

AJ Babcock & Tim Skipper - House of Heroes

This alt rock band had always produced an interesting mix of songs. Not content to keep the status quo, they switch styles form acoustic numbers to songs containing a harder rock edge. It's interesting to have a band that doesn't feel the need to restrict themselves to a single style. This trait was noticeable during their concert at Air Raid 20. They began their set with "Elevator" containing driving guitars. "God Save The King" had the band dropping down to a blues riff at the midpoint of the song. Their classic song, "Serial Sleepers", remained in the true alt rock style the band is predominantly known for.

Finishing up with "In the Valley of the Dying Son" from their '08 album The End Is Not The End. The band played a huge 13 songs set that let everyone satisfied. Hopefully Canada will have a chance to see more of House of Heroes in the future.

The Antidote - Show 22, Ska Lives! - Five Iron Frenzy

Ska Lives, that was the topic of the night this past Wednesday.  My son Josiah joined me in the studio as we played both current and old ska tunes. 


We also aired an exclusive interview with Five Iron Frenzy guitarist Micah Ortega.  Micah and I spoke about Five Iron being reformed and what's happening with the band.


Josiah and I had a difficult time paring down our playlist to fit a 60 minute time slot.  Did you guess?  Yes, we're going to do it again in just a couple of weeks.  Plus you will be hearing from The O C Supertones frontman Matt "Mojo" Morginsky about whats happening with the band.


Next weeks show will be "Strange Song Titles".  Have you ever wondering how bands choose some of their song titles?  Well, I won't be offering any insights, but it will be fun nonetheless.

Listen to the ska show with Five Iron Frenzy here

You can also listen to The Antidote live on Trent Radio 92.7 FM, Wednesdays from 9 - 10 EST. You can also access a live stream here.

Lauren Mann & the Fairly Odd Folk, 2012 edition

Don't let Lauren's photo frighten you she's actually quite sweet

Indie-folk band, Lauren Mann & the Fairly Odd Folk made to Peterborough during their Ontario leg of their North American "From Here to There" tour. Wednesday night, Feb 22, they filled The Garnet.  I'm talking about a really small venue, but it was filled nonetheless. Tickets were a bargain at only $5.

Lauren and her husband Zoltan are the core of the band, but they've fleshed out the Fairly Odd Folk quotient of the band by adding a full time drummer (Aaron Fraser), guitarist (Mike Pardy) and bass player (Hammer Clark).

The concert had a late start at 10pm which may have contributed to a smaller turn-out.  The late start was helpful to me however, the band was able to join me for a live interview at Trent Radio prior dashing down the road to get to the venue on time.

Lauren has been performing indie folk music since her teens and has honed her craft by playing a huge number of dates recently.  During 2011 the band played 200 shows in both Canada and Europe. major festivals have also taken notice of her talents as she's performed at the Cornerstone Festival in Illinois and the Calgary Folk Festival in her home town of Calgary.

I've seen Lauren Mann & the Fairly Odd Folk play a several of times in the past and I've never been disappointed.  Last Friday she played a number of songs from her 2010 CD Stories From Home such as Stow Me Away and Lost in the Sound. She also added some new tracks from the upcoming album Over Land and Sea.  They were able to use the talents of producer Aaron Marsh (ex of the band Copeland) to polish the signature Lauren Mann & the Fairly Odd Folk sound. The band has offered a teaser on Noisetrade by offering three free tracks from the new CD.

The finale of the night was a stand out, absolutely killer track, I Lost Myself from the new CD.  You have to hear this song.

Lauren Mann & the Fairly Odd Folk are continuing their musical odyessy as they continue to cover the rest of Eastern Canada before head to the States for the rest of the tour.  Be sure to check out both their tour schedule at http://www.facebook.com/laurenmannmusic