I'm simply blown away by some of the teenage talent that graces the music industry in Canada. Elyse Simpson is no exception. With song writing skills to match some twice her age, and some killer vocals at her disposal, Elyse is someone to look out for. Here's what she had to say to theMOVEMENTZ.
How did you first get involved in music? Is it something that you hope to pursue for the long haul?
I got involved with music at a young age, around 6, I was listening mainly to classical music and started to take up the cello. Around 7 years later I took up vocal and shortly after began to teach myself guitar. I then started to listen to more rock and psychedelic music such as Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. Now over the past two years, I have been working to pursue music seriously as a career and I hope to continue.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
People have told me my music sounds like Bob Dylan with a little bit more Billie Holiday vocals. Personally, I would like to think or hope it reflects the feeling that was evident during the folk movement in the 1960s in Greenwich Village but with a bit more of an edge.
Do you have an album in the works? If so, what types of themes/ideas are working their way into the songs. When do you think it will be released?
Technically I am always working on an album since I am always working on new material and writing music. In the past, I have independently released singles and plan to release more very soon, but right now I'm focusing on putting together a solid body of work before I think about releasing an album. But, it is definitely something I will do.
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Friday, August 28, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Amy Campbell
Amy Campbell serves up a type of musical storytelling that feels relevant to the present day, but still has that classic, "old time fave" feel. Lovers of country, roots and certain types of folk will surely appreciate the maturity and emotional connectedness of what Campbell has to offer.
Campbell's latest solo album, 'Oh Heart, Oh Highway' is a special two-disc collection, complete with a book of illustration and prose. The result seems like it would make for a perfect artistic package. Here is what Amy had to say about this project and other aspects of her career:
How did you first enter the world of music? Were you always interested in pursuing it as a career?
I've been playing music in one form or another my whole life. I studied classical piano up until I started university. I picked up the guitar when I was about 13... Somewhere in there I started writing songs. After university I found myself in a band that did pretty well for a few years, and I've been playing music professionally ever since.
You have a very unique and interesting sound. How would you describe it for people that have never heard your music?
I consider myself a lyricist first, and all my songs are built up from the lyric. Live, I play acoustic guitar, and I use open and alternate tunings to create a fuller, richer sound. When I'm in the recording studio I use other instruments - percussion, organs, etc - to accent and colour what I do as a live solo artist.
I understand that your solo debut album, "Oh Heart, Oh Highway" is a double disc album with a book of illustrations and prose included.Why did you decide to incorporate all of this into your debut?
It wasn't so much a decision to do it this way, but rather once I had the idea it would have felt like selling the project short not to follow through with it. I spent a long time trying to wrap my head around this recording project, and it wasn't until I saw the over-arching story depicted in the album begin and end that the physical product began to make sense to me.
Where does your song-writing inspiration usually come from?
I'm moved by those moments of emotion that are universal. I like to create a space where any member of the audience can insert their own experience and relate to me and to each other. I try to identify the emotional core of a situation and let the words wend their way back out into a song...
Who are your favourite artists, and how do you think they have influenced your song-writing (if they have)?
I've definitely been influenced by the artists that have gone before me. Most particularly by talented women like Joni Mitchell, Ani Difranco and Patty Griffin - strong musicians and innovative guitar players as well as excellent lyricists. More recently by people like Sarah Harmer and Leslie Feist - artists who write their own material, follow their own paths creatively, and definitely know what to do with an instrument.
Campbell's latest solo album, 'Oh Heart, Oh Highway' is a special two-disc collection, complete with a book of illustration and prose. The result seems like it would make for a perfect artistic package. Here is what Amy had to say about this project and other aspects of her career:
How did you first enter the world of music? Were you always interested in pursuing it as a career?
I've been playing music in one form or another my whole life. I studied classical piano up until I started university. I picked up the guitar when I was about 13... Somewhere in there I started writing songs. After university I found myself in a band that did pretty well for a few years, and I've been playing music professionally ever since.
You have a very unique and interesting sound. How would you describe it for people that have never heard your music?
I consider myself a lyricist first, and all my songs are built up from the lyric. Live, I play acoustic guitar, and I use open and alternate tunings to create a fuller, richer sound. When I'm in the recording studio I use other instruments - percussion, organs, etc - to accent and colour what I do as a live solo artist.
I understand that your solo debut album, "Oh Heart, Oh Highway" is a double disc album with a book of illustrations and prose included.Why did you decide to incorporate all of this into your debut?
It wasn't so much a decision to do it this way, but rather once I had the idea it would have felt like selling the project short not to follow through with it. I spent a long time trying to wrap my head around this recording project, and it wasn't until I saw the over-arching story depicted in the album begin and end that the physical product began to make sense to me.
Where does your song-writing inspiration usually come from?
I'm moved by those moments of emotion that are universal. I like to create a space where any member of the audience can insert their own experience and relate to me and to each other. I try to identify the emotional core of a situation and let the words wend their way back out into a song...
Who are your favourite artists, and how do you think they have influenced your song-writing (if they have)?
I've definitely been influenced by the artists that have gone before me. Most particularly by talented women like Joni Mitchell, Ani Difranco and Patty Griffin - strong musicians and innovative guitar players as well as excellent lyricists. More recently by people like Sarah Harmer and Leslie Feist - artists who write their own material, follow their own paths creatively, and definitely know what to do with an instrument.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Imaan Faith
With 600,000 YouTube and MySpace hits, backers like Johnny ‘J’ and Colby O’Donis , and nothing but good things to say, Imaan Faith is showing us what the airwaves are missing.
Just a month after his album’s debut, Let the Truth be Known (G.U.T.S./DEP/Universal) was listed fourth in The Toronto Star’s T.O. Top Tens, beating out music legends like Sarah McLachlan, Roots, and Def Leppard. If that isn’t enough, Imaan Faith’s debut video for “Haven’t seen U Smile” received an honourable mention for Outstanding Canadian Music Video at the 8th Annual Toronto ReelWorld Film Festival, and has already received over 300,000 views on YouTube.com.
Mixing North American hip-hop with Middle Eastern style, Imaan Faith’s album is an expression of his experiences and values as a person as well as an artist. Let the Truth be Known was eleven years in the making, and if there’s one thing that’s clear from listening to the final product, it’s that this rapper has faith. It’s his name after all.
When did you decide you wanted to make music?
I was always into music. Since day one, my family was really music oriented and growing up my brothers always played music. When I decided music is what I wanted to do was when I heard 2Pac. I wasn’t much just into rap. I heard everything, but when I heard ‘Pac, that was it for me. He really hit me with his words on how we can change and be positive. I was arrested when I was 14-15 and I had nothing to do but listen to ‘Pac and write. My brother saw my passion and he really gave me my push, then I started getting into producing when I lived in New York.
What truth do you want to share?
The truth I’m trying to share with people is don’t be fooled. All that stuff you see on T.V. and read in newspapers ain’t all real. Most of these rappers ain’t gangsters they’re just selling you an image and I don’t do that. I can’t do that. I’ve been blessed to be around real people that know what’s up!
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Just a month after his album’s debut, Let the Truth be Known (G.U.T.S./DEP/Universal) was listed fourth in The Toronto Star’s T.O. Top Tens, beating out music legends like Sarah McLachlan, Roots, and Def Leppard. If that isn’t enough, Imaan Faith’s debut video for “Haven’t seen U Smile” received an honourable mention for Outstanding Canadian Music Video at the 8th Annual Toronto ReelWorld Film Festival, and has already received over 300,000 views on YouTube.com.
Mixing North American hip-hop with Middle Eastern style, Imaan Faith’s album is an expression of his experiences and values as a person as well as an artist. Let the Truth be Known was eleven years in the making, and if there’s one thing that’s clear from listening to the final product, it’s that this rapper has faith. It’s his name after all.
When did you decide you wanted to make music?
I was always into music. Since day one, my family was really music oriented and growing up my brothers always played music. When I decided music is what I wanted to do was when I heard 2Pac. I wasn’t much just into rap. I heard everything, but when I heard ‘Pac, that was it for me. He really hit me with his words on how we can change and be positive. I was arrested when I was 14-15 and I had nothing to do but listen to ‘Pac and write. My brother saw my passion and he really gave me my push, then I started getting into producing when I lived in New York.
What truth do you want to share?
The truth I’m trying to share with people is don’t be fooled. All that stuff you see on T.V. and read in newspapers ain’t all real. Most of these rappers ain’t gangsters they’re just selling you an image and I don’t do that. I can’t do that. I’ve been blessed to be around real people that know what’s up!
Read More
Monday, August 10, 2009
State of Shock
Congratulations to State of Shock on getting signed with Universal Republic! Jesse Wainwright, guitar, and founding member, talks to theMOVEMENTZ about this great news and the band's highly successful first album, Life, Love & Lies.
After months of diligently trying to break into the U.S. market with album's first single single "Money Honey", State of Shock has been signed to Universal Republic (Amy Winehouse, Taylor Swift, Mika). "We were bashing our heads against the U.S. market for months and months. All the labels were saying, ‘it's good but it's a little too commercial, it won't sell'".
"Money Honey" was added to satellite radio in the U.S., where it hit number one within six or seven weeks. "As soon as it hit number one, all of those labels that said no, were calling us saying ‘we'll give you whatever you guys want'. The people spoke and then the label had to listen."
The band's formation was a gradual process that began in 2000, with Jesse, and Johnny Phillipon (drums). Both had been playing in bands together, but ultimately went on to form a band on their own. Jesse recommended Cameron Melnyk as the band's singer, whom he had grown up with. Allison Toews responded to an ad for a bass player, and according to Jesse, "it was like this perfect little family". Simon "Kadooh" Clow, joined a couple of years later as the second guitar player, and State of Shock, as we know it, was complete.
The latest album, Life, Love and Lies has had quite an amazing year, contributing to State of Shock's Juno Nomination for Best New Group, and "Money Honey's" commercial radio success. Jesse tells us that the record is a collection of songs about their experiences on tour after the release of their first record Guilty By Association.
"When it was the four of us, we toured Canada for about two years in a van. We all went through these ups and downs, and personal issues in our lives, and that's basically what spawned the material for Life Love and Lies. That's why it's called Life Love and Lies, because it's 10 songs about the last two years of our lives. Every song on the record is about something that happened to one of us."
Read more
After months of diligently trying to break into the U.S. market with album's first single single "Money Honey", State of Shock has been signed to Universal Republic (Amy Winehouse, Taylor Swift, Mika). "We were bashing our heads against the U.S. market for months and months. All the labels were saying, ‘it's good but it's a little too commercial, it won't sell'".
"Money Honey" was added to satellite radio in the U.S., where it hit number one within six or seven weeks. "As soon as it hit number one, all of those labels that said no, were calling us saying ‘we'll give you whatever you guys want'. The people spoke and then the label had to listen."
The band's formation was a gradual process that began in 2000, with Jesse, and Johnny Phillipon (drums). Both had been playing in bands together, but ultimately went on to form a band on their own. Jesse recommended Cameron Melnyk as the band's singer, whom he had grown up with. Allison Toews responded to an ad for a bass player, and according to Jesse, "it was like this perfect little family". Simon "Kadooh" Clow, joined a couple of years later as the second guitar player, and State of Shock, as we know it, was complete.
The latest album, Life, Love and Lies has had quite an amazing year, contributing to State of Shock's Juno Nomination for Best New Group, and "Money Honey's" commercial radio success. Jesse tells us that the record is a collection of songs about their experiences on tour after the release of their first record Guilty By Association.
"When it was the four of us, we toured Canada for about two years in a van. We all went through these ups and downs, and personal issues in our lives, and that's basically what spawned the material for Life Love and Lies. That's why it's called Life Love and Lies, because it's 10 songs about the last two years of our lives. Every song on the record is about something that happened to one of us."
Read more
Monday, August 3, 2009
Dayna Manning
If Dayna Manning doesn't become a household name within the next few years, I will have a real bone to pick with the Canadian music industry. This lady has everything that it takes, plus talent! :)
At the same time it is nice to feel as though you are witnessing something great before everyone else knows about it, and that's how I felt when I first heard Stratford native Dayna Manning's 2006 release Folkyo. The whimsical and harmonious combination of soothing vocals, raw emotion, and great production value is something worth commenting on because very few artists achieve it on a regular basis. Especially when, like Dayna, they do it all on their own.
Dayna releases records on her own label, runs her own business, and writes her own music. While you can't always tell just from listening to her songs, she has a reputation of being quite the stellar guitar player, a trait that draws some notable guitarists in the biz to her intimate live shows.
Today Dayna is working on a live album that, according to her, is going to be very raw and will include the best songs from her three records to date, Volume 1(1997), Shades (2002), and Folkyo (2006).
When you get to the end of this interview, make sure that you take a listen to Dayna's pop-ballad, "In The Meantime", from Folkyo. If that's not a hit-worthy song in the folk, pop or rock worlds, then I don't know what is!
Interview: Dayna Manning
Occupation: Singer/songwriter
Sound: folk-rock, thoughtful pop, country (sans cheese)
What separates you from the crowd?
I'm hard to put in a category. I'm folk and pop and rock and country. People get confused at first, but once they get into a few different songs, they get it. Also, I think I'm unique because I play many instruments and I take part in the production and engineering of my records and have a really good grasp on the guitar.
What was your approach to creating Folkyo?
Low budget, do it yourself. It turned out to be my best record I think.
What can we expect from your future release?
I'm working on a live album. Very raw, the best songs from my three records. It will be done when I get a few more live recordings. I thought I would have it finished more recently. We were recording these two sold out, back-to-back solo shows here in Fort St. John BC last weekend. The night before I put a knife through my left index finger, the one you put on the the neck of the guitar, which doesn't work when you've sliced it to the nail. I was devistaed, but there was no way I was canceling sold out shows, so I spent the day learning how to play a lot of my songs with three fingers, tuning things differently and changing some songs from guitar to piano. I couldn't play some of the really fancy guitar stuff, but I got through most of it. The recording turned out pretty good in spite of the accident, but we're missing a few key songs.
What's your favourite song of yours?
"A Walk On The Moon". It's the first song I wrote, when I was 15, and now at 30 I cannot believe wrote it at 15. I also am very proud of "In The Meantime"; I really like the melody.
Describe the music scene in your hometown, and in Canada?
Stratford ON, where I'm from, is a challenge because most of the economy revolves around professional arts. It's hard to have a healthy local arts scene when you don't even have a theater in town that you have access to because it's unionized and there's no way you could afford to put something on there. I found it oddly competitive there, and necessary to leave to get noticed.
Read more
At the same time it is nice to feel as though you are witnessing something great before everyone else knows about it, and that's how I felt when I first heard Stratford native Dayna Manning's 2006 release Folkyo. The whimsical and harmonious combination of soothing vocals, raw emotion, and great production value is something worth commenting on because very few artists achieve it on a regular basis. Especially when, like Dayna, they do it all on their own.
Dayna releases records on her own label, runs her own business, and writes her own music. While you can't always tell just from listening to her songs, she has a reputation of being quite the stellar guitar player, a trait that draws some notable guitarists in the biz to her intimate live shows.
Today Dayna is working on a live album that, according to her, is going to be very raw and will include the best songs from her three records to date, Volume 1(1997), Shades (2002), and Folkyo (2006).
When you get to the end of this interview, make sure that you take a listen to Dayna's pop-ballad, "In The Meantime", from Folkyo. If that's not a hit-worthy song in the folk, pop or rock worlds, then I don't know what is!
Interview: Dayna Manning
Occupation: Singer/songwriter
Sound: folk-rock, thoughtful pop, country (sans cheese)
What separates you from the crowd?
I'm hard to put in a category. I'm folk and pop and rock and country. People get confused at first, but once they get into a few different songs, they get it. Also, I think I'm unique because I play many instruments and I take part in the production and engineering of my records and have a really good grasp on the guitar.
What was your approach to creating Folkyo?
Low budget, do it yourself. It turned out to be my best record I think.
What can we expect from your future release?
I'm working on a live album. Very raw, the best songs from my three records. It will be done when I get a few more live recordings. I thought I would have it finished more recently. We were recording these two sold out, back-to-back solo shows here in Fort St. John BC last weekend. The night before I put a knife through my left index finger, the one you put on the the neck of the guitar, which doesn't work when you've sliced it to the nail. I was devistaed, but there was no way I was canceling sold out shows, so I spent the day learning how to play a lot of my songs with three fingers, tuning things differently and changing some songs from guitar to piano. I couldn't play some of the really fancy guitar stuff, but I got through most of it. The recording turned out pretty good in spite of the accident, but we're missing a few key songs.
What's your favourite song of yours?
"A Walk On The Moon". It's the first song I wrote, when I was 15, and now at 30 I cannot believe wrote it at 15. I also am very proud of "In The Meantime"; I really like the melody.
Describe the music scene in your hometown, and in Canada?
Stratford ON, where I'm from, is a challenge because most of the economy revolves around professional arts. It's hard to have a healthy local arts scene when you don't even have a theater in town that you have access to because it's unionized and there's no way you could afford to put something on there. I found it oddly competitive there, and necessary to leave to get noticed.
Read more
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