Happy Birthday Alison O'Donnell of Mellow Candle!

Raising a glass to Mellow Candle's Alison O'Donnell with a performance, some informative interviews and a family mystery. 

LINKS
The Self Portrait Gospel Alison O'Donnell of Mellow Candle

One For The Weekend: Martha Wainwright

Martha Wainwright is making the songs from her five-song Bloody Mother F@#king A**hole EP available digitally. 

Martha Wainwright – Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole EP

The 5 song EP Bloody Mother F***ing A**hole is now available digitally worldwide. Originally released in 2005 only in the USA, Europe and UK, it features two songs that have never been available anywhere else, ‘It’s Over’ and a Carroll Lucas & Jack Owens cover of ‘How Soon’. Listen to a few tracks below. Watch a performance of the title song on FB right here.

Whaddya mean you don't know Bull Run

The raging self-produced 1971 debut album from Youngstown, Ohio's power trio Bull Run is out now on Peppermint Records. 

Here's the scoop...

Bull Run was the vision of my dad, Jimmy Connor. He had been leading bands in the Youngstown music scene since the 1960s, with the likes of Jimmy and The Continentals, Robins Hoods (which not only featured Glass Harp/Human Beinz member Steve Markulin but also full-on Renaissance costumes) and The Pill. By 1970, Jimmy was ready to move into more original and heavier material rather than remain ‘pop and cover-oriented’. Bringing on 21- year-old guitar virtuoso Craig Davis, and 17-year-old bass player Frank Zoccole who had been around the Youngstown music scene, Bull Run embarked on showcasing original lyrics and arrangements, totally immersing themselves into the new sound. Thanks to my dad’s meticulous archiving of everything associated with the band, we know that this did not serve them commercially. There’s a rejection letter from Columbia Records suggesting that they “get into a top 40 bag (keep it heavy if you like) and write some commercial tunes.” There’s also a note that must have been passed to him by an upset club owner during a gig that says, “Nobody’s dancing! Did you notice? Play some of the top 40 (if you know how)”. 

Undeterred, the band found themselves sharing the bill with many of the top Youngstown bands like Glass Harp, Morley Grey, and Biggie Rat (who would become Poobah) at the hippest venues such as The Zodiac Club, The Greene, and Mickey’s. They snagged gigs in Pennsylvania, Indianapolis and Chicago. One show flier has them getting the same billing as Bo Diddley at a club in New Jersey. They clearly worked their asses off with the blue-collar ethics of home, signing contracts with regional bookers and labels, though nothing much ever came of it. When it came to making an album though, Youngstown was always their muse. 

They recorded some demos (their “Oldie Moldies” as was marked on the tape box) on Halloween of 1970 at GS Productions, which was a small voice-over studio that came about after United Audio became Peppermint. However the bulk of this album was meticulously recorded mixed and edited in the basement at home. “Leper’s Castle” is the clearest example of how deep Jim and the guys were willing to go to create their sound and true sonic journey; from the phone call intro, to the slamming of the “castle gates” (the garage door), to dragging chains across the floor. They found a way to make it themselves they way they envisioned. They also found their way to Peppermint Studios, trading studio time for in-studio construction work (my dad built the drum booth). Fortunately for the band, Peppermint’s founder and engineer Gary Rhamy was attuned to the changing musical vibe of the area, working with those talented, raw power trios like LAW, Glass Harp, and Morley Grey who were becoming prominent and popular at the time. 

This album features the songs that Bull Run so diligently and creatively worked on August - September 1971. Though many versions, demos and arrangements of all the songs exist, what’s compiled here is what I believe to be the album my dad intended but never got to release . These songs showcase the creativity, songwriting, musicianship, artistry in chords and arrangements that were the hallmark of Bull Run. – Kim Connor 

Get a copy of the Bull Run album right here. Check out the album's rippin' lead track "Race For Death" 

Happy Birthday Cut Chemist!

Celebrating the birthday of DJ deluxe Cut Chemist with his Soul All-Nighter 45 mix.    Photo: Chali 2na

Check out Cut Chemist's party-rockin' Soul All-Nighter 45 mix via Mixcloud right here.

Stars celebrate 20 years of Set Yourself On Fire @ The Concert Hall, Friday

Join Torquil, Amy and the whole Stars crew in a 20th anniversary reprise of Set Yourself On Fire tonight. Get tickets right here.

Project Nowhere w/Badge Époque Ensemble @ St. Anne's Parish, Saturday

Max Turnbull's Badge Époque Ensemble light up St. Anne's Parish with Sam Jr. & The Royal Family on Saturday night. 

Project Nowhere & Wavelength: Night 2 

Saturday (October 5) @ St. Anne’s Parish Hall (651 Dufferin St)

10:30 – Badge Époque Ensemble

9:30 – Sam Jr.

8:30 – The Royal Family

Doors 8pm 

Tickets: $26.49 advance (including taxes and fees) available from DICE.FM right here. 

Dean & Britta preview holiday album collaboration with Sonic Boom

Dean Wareham & Britta Phillips recorded a holiday album 'A Peace Of Us' with Sonic Boom. Listen to "Pretty Paper" below.

Here's the scoop...

In a season where we all seek comfort, tradition, and a return to a home of sorts, a trio composed of indie music’s foundational members are gifting us A Peace of Us (out November 22)—an album of diverse holiday tunes filtered through their musical imaginations. Dean & Britta, well-known from their work defining a genre with Galaxie 500 and Luna, join Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom, another bastion of indie’s collective adolescence, to bring to life a collection that draws from early ‘60s pop, garage, country, James Bond soundtracks, Christmas carols, and electronica. Dean Wareham recalls a sentiment from his DJ friend Chris: “You can experience all the emotions of Christmas through music: love and hate, joy and heartache, nostalgia, regret, anticipation, and frustration.” 

Their venture into a holiday album was organic, spurred by a few cover tunes over the years, a Christmas special during the pandemic, and finally collaborative sessions between Dean & Britta in L.A. and Sonic Boom in Portugal. The trio all contributed vocals, with guitars by Wareham, bass and keyboards by Phillips, effects, and mixes by Sonic. The result is an album of exploration as well as comfort, “like Bing Crosby...on acid,” Britta adds, the tracklist a reminder that the holidays are complex and tragicomic. 

As is often the case with holiday merriment, the album has a soft undertone of the bittersweet. Wareham sings one of David Berman’s final songs, “Snow is Falling in Manhattan,” one Dean believes is “destined to be a holiday classic.” Its lyrics foreshadow Berman’s tragic death: “Songs build little rooms in time / and housed within the song's design / is the ghost the host has left behind.” 

The Christmas blues surface again with Willie Nelson’s “Pretty Paper,” rendered here as a duet between Britta and Sonic Boom, their pulsing synth-heavy production updating the song for a darkened nightclub rather than a bright honky tonk. This collection steers clear of the usual Christmas chestnuts, but fans of classic indie haze may find a new favorite in “Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy” (created for Bing Crosby and David Bowie’s 1977 TV duet). Wareham notes that “Our favorite version is the German one by Marlene Dietrich, so that was our jumping-off point.” All three sing this one together: Wareham’s tenor, then Sonic Boom’s thrumming baritone, and finally Phillips’ soothing contralto making the plea for peace. 

If collaboration is the fuel, peace and mutual understanding is surely the fire, and A Peace of Us has us gathered around it. “Christmas is mostly for children anyway,” says Dean. Sonic adds, “Or the inner child in all of us. Goodwill to all men. Hopes and fears for the year to come. And light in the darkness. Where this festival began.” 

You can pre-order a copy of Dean & Britta & Sonic Boom's A Peace Of Us album via your platform of choice right here. Check out the video for "Pretty Paper" following the tracklisting below. 

A Peace Of Us - Dean & Britta with Sonic Boom

1. Snow Is Falling in Manhattan

2. Pretty Paper 

3. Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown?

4. Old Toy Trains

5. Snow

6. Silver Snowflakes

7. Stille Nacht

8. You're All I Want For Christmas

9. Christmas Can't Be Far Away

10. He's Coming Home

11. Little Altar Boy

12. If We Make It Through December

13. Peace on Earth / Little Drummer Boy

14. Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

Happy Birthday Talib Kweli!

Cheers to Talib Kweli! Watch the clip for "We Outside" feat. J Rawls off their new album The Confidence of Knowing out now.

The Blasters' Over There 2LP Live in London 1982 due for Black Friday

An expanded deluxe 2LP edition of The Blasters' live 'Over There' EP cut in London in 1982 is out on November 29. 

Here's the scoop from co-producer Chris Morris...

BIG FAT NEWS! I am freaking proud to be the co-producer (with Antone DeSantis and the Blasters) and annotator of this thrilling RSD Black Friday release, out Nov. 29. Limited to 1,500 copies, Over There: Live at the Venue, London 1982 — The Complete Concert is a smokin’ hot two-LP, 23-track (!) rendering of the original Slash/Warner Bros. EP, recorded at their UK debut as a headliner. This show has never been heard in its entirety, and 13 of the performances have never been issued in any form. 

The 73-minute show is WILD, and the blow-out power and full-tilt velocity of the seven-piece Blasters in their prime are on full display, in definitive form. The package features a jazzy gatefold jacket containing my detailed essay with new interviews from the band, plus never-before-seen photos and memorabilia. The album will also land on Dec. 6 as a single CD in a sweet-looking digipak; a digital version will also be available that day. I’ve been involved with Liberation Hall Records’ reissue campaign devoted to the Pride of Downey’s work for a year, and this set is to date the true revelation of that program. LET’S ROCK! – Chris Morris

THE BLASTERS 

Over There: Live at the Venue, London - The Complete Concert 

Liberation Hall, LP: LIB-5193 / CD & download: LIB-5192

Over There: Live at the Venue, London - The Complete Concert now stands as the definitive document of the Blasters’ debut performance as a UK concert headliner on May 21, 1982. Drawing its title from a flag-waving George M. Cohan song celebrating American doughboys in England, the original Over There was first issued in October 1982 as a six-song Slash/Warner Bros. EP. It comprised the Dave Alvin original “I Don’t Want To” and covers of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “High School Confidential,” Edwin Bruce’s “Rock Boppin’ Baby,” Little Richard’s “Keep A Knockin’,” Roy Orbison’s “Go, Go, Go,” and Big Joe Turner and Pete Johnson’s “Roll ‘Em Pete.” The contemporaneous cassette version of the set included an additional track, a rendition of Frankie Lee Sims’ “What Will Lucy Do?”

When the Blasters’ complete Slash/Warner recordings were compiled on the two-CD set Testament in 2002, three more numbers from the Venue in London — versions of the Rockin’ R’s’ “Crazy Baby,” Slim Harpo’s “Got Love If You Want It,” and Blasters sax man Lee Allen’s 1958 instrumental “Walkin’ with Mr. Lee” — made their bow.

A gale-force definition of the Blasters’ full power on stage, Over There is now available for the first time at its full length, adding 13 unreleased tracks to join the previously available ten. The band’s lineup comprises Phil Alvin (vocals, guitar), Dave Alvin (lead guitar), John Bazz (bass), Bill Bateman (drums), Gene Taylor (piano), Steve Berlin (baritone saxophone) and Lee Allen (tenor saxophone). The original recordings were produced by the Blasters with associate producer Art Fein, and engineered by Pat Burnette. This expanded edition reissue is produced by the Blasters with Chris Morris and Antone DeSantis. Morris also contributes a new essay, which complements the original sleeve notes by Slash Magazine editor Claude Bessy. 

All configurations of Over There: Live at the Venue, London - The Complete Concert will feature the full 23-song show. CD and digital are released December 6; pre-order at Bandcamp right here. Digital single “Marie Marie” is available now right here.

 Last year, Liberation Hall commenced its ongoing reissue campaign of the Blasters’ catalog with the newly curated Mandatory: The Best of the Blasters compilation and a re-pressing of Un “Sung Stories,” the debut solo album from the group’s frontman, Phil Alvin. In September 2024, Alvin’s second solo album, County Fair 2000, was also reissued. 

TRACKLIST: 1. This It It * | 2. Crazy Baby | 3. No Other Girl * | 4. What Will Lucy Do? | 5. Border Radio *| 6. I Don’t Want To | 7. Rock Boppin’ Baby | 8. Tag Along * | 9. I Love You So * | 10. Got Love If You Want It | 11. Walkin’ With Mr. Lee | 12. I’m Shakin’ * | 13. Hollywood Bed * | 14. Go, Go, Go | 15. Stop the Clock * | 16. Marie Marie * | 17. American Music * | 18. So Long Baby Goodbye * | 19. Roll ‘Em Pete | 20. High School Confidential | 21. These Arms of Mine * | 22. Keep a Knockin’ | 23. Barn Burning *

* Previously unreleased.

All tracks recorded May 21, 1982, at The Venue in London. 

Check out a lo-fi transfer of the original release of The Blasters' Over There below.

Project Nowhere feat. Lee Ranaldo & Leah Singer @ St. Anne's Parish, Friday

Sonic Youth guitar slinger Lee Ranaldo is joined by Leah Singer headlining this year's Project Nowhere on Friday night.

Project Nowhere (October 3-5)

Wavelength is excited to be a part of the second year of Project Nowhere, a community-led event featuring underground legends, modern vanguards and exciting up-and-coming talent from Toronto and beyond. Different venues in Toronto’s west end will be taking part in this multi-dimensional music experience, hosting artist showcases over the 3-day festival. 

This year, Wavelength will be co-presenting two nights of exciting programming at St. Anne’s Parish and Lower Hall. Night 1 will feature an immersive sound and visual performance by Leah Singer + Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) presenting Contre Jour, Hamilton shoegazers Zoon, and experimental trio Yoo Doo Right. Night 2 will feature Slim Twig mastermind Max Turnbull’s side project Badge Époque Ensemble, along with fuzzed-out guitar rocker Sam Jr. and baroque psychedelic outfit The Royal Family. Visuals both nights by The Oscillitarium. Read an interview with Lee Ranaldo & Leah Singer right here and check out a Contre Jour performance in Spain from 2022 along with Lee's guided tour of  his gear below. 

Project Nowhere & Wavelength: Night 1 

Friday (October 4) @ St. Anne’s Parish Hall (651 Dufferin St)

10:30 – Leah Singer + Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) presenting Contre Jour

9:30 – Zoon

8:30 – Yoo Doo Right

Doors 8pm 

Tickets: $38.13 advance (including taxes and fees) available from DICE.FM right here.  

Project Nowhere & Wavelength: Night 2 

Saturday (October 5) @ St. Anne’s Parish Hall (651 Dufferin St)

10:30 – Badge Époque Ensemble

9:30 – Sam Jr.

8:30 – The Royal Family

Doors 8pm 

Tickets: $26.49 advance (including taxes and fees) available from DICE.FM right here.  

Remembering session guitar ace Howard Roberts on his birthday

Raising a glass to prolific session guitarist Howard Roberts with a documentary series about his life, work and his instruments.  

Watch Dinosaur Jr. on "Rockin' In The UK" back in 1988

Dinosaur Jr.'s J Mascis, Murph and Lou Barlow clearly weren't enthused about the whole "Rockin' In The UK" experience. 

R.I.P. American Pickers co-star Frank Fritz, 1965-2024

Sadly, antiques dealer/collector Frank Fritz – longtime co-star of American Pickers – has passed away at 60. He'll be missed. 

Brazilian legend Marcos Valle, DJ Jason Palma @ Opera House, Wednesday

Singer/songwriter Marcos Valle makes a rare Toronto appearance at the Opera House with Jason Palma spinning rare Brazilian gems. 

LINKS 

Tone Glow Marcos Valle interview

Happy Birthday Wendell Harrison!

Celebrating the birthday of saxophonist and Tribe co-founder Wendell Harrison with a few stellar recordings and an interview.

Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour feat. Lori Yates @ Cameron House, Thursday

Paige Warner, Lori Yates & Kylie Fox have joined forces for the Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour which hits Toronto Thursday. 

Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour

Join Lori Yates, Kylie Fox, and Paige Warner on a captivating musical journey that celebrates the heart and soul of songwriting in intimate settings across Ontario. The Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour rolls into Toronto on Thursday (October 3) for a show at the Cameron House from 9pm to 11pm. Tickets are $22.63 and available via Eventbrite right here. Watch the preview clip along with "Matador" by Lori Yates, "Bitter" by Paige Warner and "Brandi Baby" by Kylie Fox. 

From Toronto, Lori Yates, the pioneer of alt-country, weaves narratives that resonate with authenticity and warmth. Kylie Fox, hailing from the East Coast, infuses her set with folk-Canadiana elements and unique jazz-pop/folk-rock fusions. From Owen Sound, Paige Warner offers a soulful sound with evocative ballads, deeply personal lyrics, and catchy hooks.

The "Gold Dust Women Songwriters Tour" showcases three uniquely talented Canadian women:

Long recognized by her peers and respected as one of Canada's top talents, Lori Yates was called "alt-country" long before the phrase existed – the pioneer of a genre in the making. This is an artist who met Johnny Cash, hung out with Tammy Wynette, wrote with Guy Clark, Don Schlitz, and Colin Linden, jammed with Jerry Jeff Walker, drank with Harlan Howard, sang with Greg Allman, Rick Danko, and Jim Cuddy, and ate jelly beans with Roy Acuff. As the saying goes, she's "been to the show." Lori's nominations include the Juno award, Canadian Country Music Award, Polaris Prize award (long list), City of Oshawa Lifetime Achievement Award nomination. She has won: Songwriter of the Year, (Hamilton Music Awards) Alt-Country Recording of the Year (Hamilton Music Awards) SOCAN #1 award. Most recently a City of Hamilton Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement nomination. Her lyrics are immortalized in Hamilton's Gore Park. A dynamic and often hilarious performer, what sets her apart is her golden voice; part honey, part growl. You believe every note that comes out of her mouth, she's that kind of singer, the real deal. Her lyrics are gritty, tender, and poignant. loriyates.com

Kylie Fox is a New Brunswick singer-songwriter that fuses folk storytelling with vintage elements of jazz and alternative rock. With influences like Kate Bush, Sharon Van Etten, and Joni Mitchell, her music is ethereal, lush and real. Her new singles, “Confetti," and album, “Sequoia", are produced by Daniel Ledwell (Jenn Grant, The Good Lovelies, Fortunate Ones). Fox’s debut album led her to tour Canada extensively, sharing stages alongside names like Bahamas, The Strumbellas, Joel Plaskett, and Matt Minglewood. She has showcased at countless music awards and festivals, and was recently named “Innovator of the Year'' at the 2023 PrixNB Awards. kyliefox.ca

Paige Warner creates alt-pop music with soul-inspired vocal licks layered on catchy hooks of heartfelt lyrics. Her career began as a busker in her small hometown market, and led her to perform on stages such as Massey Hall’s TD Music Hall, Yonge-Dundas Square, NXNE, Owen Sound’s Summerfolk, Harbour Nights, and share stages with iconic artists such as Ron Sexsmith and Monowhales. Paige Warner’s debut album, Bitter/Sweet (just released August 2024), has garnered hundreds of thousands of streams and views and has made its mark as an ode to female resilience. “Paige Warner doesn’t just sing about pain; she transforms it into a statement of strength and defiance, offering her listeners a breath of fresh air and inspiration…” paigewarner.ca

R.I.P. Anvil rhythm guitarist Dave Allison, 1956-2024

Sadly, Anvil's original rhythm guitarist Dave Allison – who played on the group's first five albums – has passed away at the age of 68 He'll be greatly missed.

Recordings by Bad Seed pianist Conway Savage appear on Bandcamp

Conway Savage's 2004 album Wrong Man's Hands is now available on Bandcamp along with four other recordings and more soon.

Here's the scoop from fellow Bad Seed Mick Harvey...

It has been a long 6 years but along with Conway’s daughter, Grace, I am very, very pleased to be able to announce that Conway’s studio recordings are now all available at Bandcamp. ‘Live In Ireland’ and ‘ Rare Songs & Performances 1989-2004’ should be there in the next 48 hours with some other unreleased material (hopefully) in the next few months. Streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music should follow in the coming weeks and there are plans for a vinyl anthology to be released sometime next year. Listen to Conway's Wrong Man's Hands below. 

Conway Savage's back catalogue is available at Bandcamp: https://conwaysavage.bandcamp.com