TRANSCANADARADIO is proud to celebrate Canada’s Current Cultural artists and their locations! Traveling across Canada’s vast surface and finding the best of the under and above-ground artists who are rooted in, Soul, Funk, Reggae, Beats, House, Breaks and all that afro-Jazz… and where to check them out in your favorite Canadian city! Pack your bags! We’re going on a road trip!
Title: ElastoCitizens Location: The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto Link out: Click here Date: 2009-01-02
ElastoCitizens are purely about getting you to dance. Their grinding guitars, nasty girl-group dancing , feedback basslines, a heavy horn section and multiple singers make their concerts an electrifyingly original live music experience. Their MySpace is only showing 1 show and so I’m hoping it will be killer. If you’re in Toronto, see them play at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern on January 2nd, 2009. Even if you’re still hung over from New Years, go see the show and use the booze-shakes to make your dancing skills all the better.
Title: Thunderheist Location: Babylon, Ottawa Link out: Click here Date: 2008-11-113
Thunderheist is among the grimiest electro out there. It’s like Peaches had sex with MIA on crank and Crystal Castles was watching. The Montreal-based duo had an insane show at NXNE in 2007 and have been featured in almost every Canadian music publication. Isis, is a Nigerian-born, Canadian-raised, emcee that has shared stages with a wide range of hip hop heavyweights like Bahamadia, M1 (Dead Prez) and even T.I. The DJ behind the band, Grahm Zilla, is an incredibly versatile producer & DJ who has spent over 15 years honing his skills. Check them out tonight in Ottawa at Babylon.
NuJazz festival starts tonight! The festival features such heavyweights as The Herbaliser Band and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. On top of that, you’ll be able to check out some great Canadian bands such as Souljazz Orchestra, King Sunshine, Grand Analog, Planet Earth and The National Parcs. We haven’t forgotten about the DJs either. Canadian and local DJs such as The Footprints DJ crew, John Kong, More or Les, Rollin’ Cash, DJ Numeric and more. Click through for exact dates, listings, prices and online ticket purchasing
Rommel Teixeira Ribeiro is a Brazilian-born artist living in Ottawa. He’s quite multi-talented with his ability to play a number of string and percussion instruments from his native country, including the cavaquinho, craviola, pandeiro and berimbau. He often describes his music as being heavily influenced by his hometown of São Luís (in the northeastern province of Maranhão) which is known for its mix of African, indigenous and European cultures. He puts on a great show and he’ll be jamming at the Mercury Lounge on Friday, November 21st.
Brian Borcherdt (of Holy Fuck) is touring with Martha Wainwright to promote his new solo release ‘Coyotes’, released on October 7th thru Toronto-based label Hand Drawn Dracula.
Brian began playing music in rural Nova Scotia where he founded Canada’s first not-for-profit collaborative label, Dependent. After having left Novia Scotia and worked in film, he decided to go back to music, his true passion. After a few years with Canadian indie pioneers By Divine Right, Brian continued touring, playing with Holy Fuck and working on his solo career. Take the time to relax and be mellow with Brian Borcherdt at any of the below shows:
Nov 28 The Commodore Vancouver w/ Martha Wainwright Nov 30 Grand Theatre Calgary w/ Martha Wainwright Dec 01 Myer Horowitz Theatre Edmonton w/ Martha Wainwright Dec 02 Broadway Theatre Saskatoon w/ Martha Wainwright Dec 03 Pyramid Cabaret Winnipeg w/ Martha Wainwright Dec 05 Gig Theatre Kitchener w/ Martha Wainwright Dec 06 Danforth Music Hall Toronto w/ Martha Wainwright
Title: Alfa Rococo Location: Club Soda, Montreal Link out: Click here Date: 2008-11-29
Alfa Rococo are Justine Laberge and David Bussieres, a Quebecois duo that put out their first album in Spring of 2007. Their music and lyrics reflect their personality: colorful and poetic. They sound like Manu Chao if he had his girlfriend play in his band. They’re sure to put on a good show and if you’re feeling like dancing, I suggest checking them out at Club Soda on Saturday November 29th in Montreal.
Title: JADAH followed by JazzTronic Location: Mercury Lounge, Ottawa Link out: none Date: 2008-11-28
Jadah, a local Ottawa reggae band, is virtually impossible to find on the Internet. Why? It could be that having a MySpace isn’t the way this reggae band rolls, or maybe Jadah is just waiting for the right time. Ainsley is the lead singer and he’s been doing this for 20 years now. Count on Jadah to provide some great beats Friday November 28th at the Mercury Lounge in Ottawa.
Title: Mark Berube and The Patriotic Few Location: Montreal Link out: Click here Date: 2008-11-16
Mark Berube is half Quebecois and half Manitoban. In this regard, he truly exemplifies the Canadian culture that affects his music. On top of that, his cultural influences are diversified by a stint living in Swaziland while he was young. He currently lives in Montreal where he takes inspiration from Bob Dylan, Keith Jarrett, Abdullah Ibrahim, Hugh Masekela and Nina Simone. His music is described as rare and raw folk and he consistently delivers engaging and lively performances. Check out Mark Berube at La Divian Orange in Montreal on Saturday, November 16th.
The band has shared a stage with the likes of Mark Berube and The Patriotic Few, The Unsettlers, The Ladies of the Canyon, Lake of Stew, Charlotte Cornfield, The John Cohen Experimental, The Winks and The Winter Gloves. So if these bands are up your alley, you’ll get a kick out of their Eastern European gypsy soul. Check them out at the Mercury Lounge on Friday, November 29th.
Title: Said the Whale Location: Port Alberni, British Columbia Link out: Click here Date: 2008-11-20
Said the Whale is an indie band without the annoying hipsterdom that comes along with all things indie. Their music is described as witty, artful and soulful with a coating of Vancouver chill out. Be sure to check them out at The Academy in Port Alberni, British Columbia on Thursday, November 20th.