Julie Ann Bertram is a very talented indie folk musician from Toronto, Ontario. But to do her justice, I can’t peg her down to any one location really — this woman is everywhere! She’s really made a life based around artistry, taking in every beautiful outcome along the way. At a young age she left university (where she was taking theatre studies), packed her bags and moved to Vancouver where she began a monumental journey. Armed with a tent and a guitar, she took off hitchhiking along the West Coast crossing into the U.S., Mexico and back again. Though many days were tough and nearly unbearable, alone in strange woods and stranger cities, she really honed an artistry – melding her crafts of writing, music and performance art into busking on street corners Continue reading ‘Julie Ann Bertram in profile: Finding her place in the world’
Monthly Archive for May, 2008
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Just two days after writing Tony D’s name down on a TCR profile to-do list, I ran into him on a local Ottawa OC Transpo bus! Freshly frozen from dental surgery, I couldn’t miss my opportunity to present Tony with a fancy blue TransCanadaRadio business card! So, armed with a card and covering my swollen, drooling mouth with one hand, I stumbled towards him and told him about my plans to profile him on the site. He was super friendly and joked with me about my drool-shielding hand. Card in hand, I made an impression, there’s no doubt about it! So you, my readers, can look forward to an upcoming interview with Mr. Tony D himself in the very near future! For now, here’s a profile on this amazing musician. Do yourself a favour – Continue reading ‘Tony D Band in profile: Dynamic!’
After a highly successful 17 date tour throughout Germany, Denmark, Holland and Switzerland in support of Wishbone Ash in January/February 2008, David has returned to Europe and is currently midway through a string of headline shows that kicked off in March. Not one to rest on his laurels, David has been tearing it up night in and night out, introducing European audiences to his fiery brand of blues/rock that Dutch journalist Barbara van Geffen from Blues Rock Pagina called “absolutely fantastic…one of the best shows we’ve heard this year! Continue reading ‘David Gogo in profile: Absolutely fantastic’
Taylor McFerrin is redefining the one-man show. Combining his skills as a producer and performer, Taylor is making music heads around the world take notice as he seamlessly builds songs from scratch with his ambitious solo project. Fender Rhodes, synthesizers, samples, vocals and beatboxing are meshed together in his Brooklyn bedroom studio as Taylor builds from his roots in ‘60s soul to his vision of future hip-hop.
Thriving on a solid fan base through MySpace and the online hip-hop community, Taylor has gained considerable popularity and captivated audiences at some of the Continue reading ‘Taylor McFerrin in profile: Keeping the buzz on high’
Hot Toddy is a hot act from the east coast. Comprised of Thom Swift, acoustic guitar, dobro, vocals; Joel Leblanc, lead guitar, harmonica, vocals and Tom Easley acoustic bass and vocals, this award winning Fredericton based trio is truly one of a kind. Continue reading ‘Hot Toddy’
DJ Huggs is a champion of not only good DJ’ing but also of playing good music period – from funk 45’s in sweaty dance halls to party classics at swish hotel bars to golden era hip hop for b-boys and upfront club music on main stages all over this great continent of ours. Whether it be the infamous Hollywood Banana Split Party @ LAX with DJ AM, a genre bending two room party in Baltimore with TV On The Radio & Dave Nada, or headlining the long-running Hai Karate night in Calgary; all this while steadily introducing Canada and homebase Montreal to acts like J*Davey and Platinum Army, Eli Escobar and Sharon Jones and rocking alongside everyone from Antibalas to Zero 7 – even The Roots and The Police – when they come to town; not to mention setting the Wunderbar inside the W Hotel in Old Montreal on fire every Saturday night. With 200+ shows on the road a year – Continue reading ‘DJ Huggs’
The organizers of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal are very happy to witness the realization of their grandest dream: a Maison du Festival de Jazz, featuring its own concert venue, will finally see the light of day, right in the heart of the Festival site and the new Quartier des spectacles. This project, a dream organizers have worked on for over a decade, promises benefits at every level: for devoted and curious fans who can see and hear jazz musicians all year long, for artists and their music, and for Montréal as a whole—which will enjoy the positive spin-offs and tourist potential of the new site, and reinforce its image as a cultural metropolis.
Continue reading ‘The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal gets a permanent home’
In the Greater Toronto Area, rappers are a dime a dozen, but artists are one of a kind. James Richfield, is exactly that. One of a kind. Struggle, perseverance, ambition, and inspiration are no stranger to James. Growing up, James was very much into Much Music and Electric Circus often dancing and singing along with his favorite artists such as Billy Idol, Iggy Pop, Billy Joel, Van Halen, Kiss, and much more. Although many children show signs of what they’re meant to be from and an early age, James took his time really settling into music.
I recently got in touch with the man himself and we discussed his music and what it’s like to work towards becoming a musician in Canada. Continue reading ‘James Richfield: Interview – Ambitions of a homegrown talent’
With her sparkling sophomore release, I Love Being Here With You, songstress Dione Taylor has emerged as a fully-formed and exciting young artist. While unmistakably a jazz album, I Love Being Here With You reflects Dione Taylor’s love and background in gospel, rhythm & blues and soul. Her rich and smoky voice has a truly soulful quality, one attractively complemented by her keenly trained musical ear. Continue reading ‘Dione Taylor’
Stepchyle is a seven piece hard-hitting original Funk/Soul band that will get people out of their seats and on to the dance floor. The Stepchyle sound is fresh, featuring funk, soul and jazz fusion. Continue reading ‘Stepchyle’