Sebastien Grainger and The Mountains is not really a band, it’s the idea of a band. When Grainger set out to make his first solo record he weighed his options- in one hand he held a guitar and a microphone and, in the other, he held everything else. For the last year, amidst sporadic emergences onstage, he’s been in his studio working and reworking a set of songs that have become the content of his numerous debut releases.

Touring as a four piece band, songs that were originally written alone in the stillness of night, became energized. Made livelier, these songs were brought back to the studio to be given Grainger’s layered, “wall of sound” production. The outcome is a new sound that followers of his previous musical endeavors may be surprised to hear- this is a clear melodic statement. And while his new songs may have an affinity for the the balladry of days gone by, Grainger manages to remain contemporary.

While Grainger will modestly tell you “every song is a problem, or an equation that I have to resolve,” it’s obvious that the outcomes are richer and more soulful than mere resolvability. Feeling like he is finally expressing himself on these new recordings, Grainger is eager to return to the road and entwine himself in the cultural fabric. Although he’s a self-described ‘domestic person’, Grainger’s penchant for singing loud, performing and getting sweaty is real- as real as people’s enthusiasm for him to keep doing so.

And with a 7″, a digital EP and a full length all slated to drop in the next couple of months, the world will undoubtedly be seeing a lot more of Sebastien Grainger. And with regards to the new full length, he comments, “this record is an opening statement but in no way do I think it’s a map of things to come…it’s a ‘jump off’…hopefully a solid step back into the world.” He’s quick to add “I still haven’t written my Thunder Road” and, like all craftsmen enamored with their craft, Sebastien Grainger wouldn’t stop even if he did.

3 Aug 2008 22:00 Oshega Festival Montreal, Quebec
9 Aug 2008 20:00 Rock The Mill Festival Cambridge, Ontario

HotKid’s Shiloh Harrison and Peter McIntosh have thrown themselves on the alter of Canadian indie rock, bridging the gap between traditional country twang and melodic noise. In the spirit of hardworking bands like Eric’s Trip and Change of Heart, Cambridge, Ontario’s rock’n roll life line are doing things the most honest and genuine way they can. Since the independent release of their debut full length Got It To Give in 2006, and its re-release with premiere Quebec label P572 and Local Distribution in 2007, this gutsy two-piece has been making their mark as a unique, gritty rock band on the Canadian scene. This spring 2008 HotKid has teamed up with Guelph, Ontario’s Out Of Sound Records and Zunior.com with the release of their brand new e.p., The Cost. The 3 song e.p. is a blistering shot of HotKid’s blurred mix of roots, distortion and infectious riffage. The Cost is available as a digital download, complete with illustration booklet, at Zunior. HotKid will be going into the studio with producer, and C’mon front man, Ian Blurton this spring/summer. Rick White (Eric’s Trip, Elevator, Rick White Album) is also on board having agreed to mix the duos up-coming project.

HotKid – Southern Rock

Upcoming shows:
06 Jul 2008 20:00 The Boat Toronto, Ontario
17 Jul 2008 20:00 The Arcadia CoffeeHouse Sault Ste Marie, Ontario
18 Jul 2008 20:00 tba North Bay, Ontario
19 Jul 2008 20:00 BBQ w/ B.A Johnston, Cottonfoot Kirkland Lake, Ontario