Indie

Get in the Holiday Spirit | Top 10 Songs

Amanda S. — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 18:27:15 +0000

Get in the Holiday Spirit | Top 10 Songs Amanda S. Sun, 11/01/2020

Holiday music for every magical moment

The holidays are hectic. There’s online shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, baking, decorating, and celebrating. We’ve rounded up the top 10 holiday songs to get you through this frenzy-inducing time of year.

10. “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson

This big-band style song will put a joyous pep in your step. You won’t be able to help grinning ear to ear with this bop that’s positively bursting with good cheer. With its emphasis on love and gratitude during the holiday season, this relatively new holiday song is already a modern-day standard. Get on board with one of the happiest Christmas songs in recent years.

9. “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” by Michael Bublé

Michael Bublé gifts us this delightful rendition of a favourite Christmas standard. The beat is uptempo, the crowd is singing along; the holiday spirit is strong with this song. Get in the mood for sing-alongs, get-togethers and late nights with family and friends. Stay inside, get cozy, and let it snow to the tune of Bublé’s crooning vocals.

8. “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee

The late 1950s must have been feeling really Christmassy because here’s another gem from that era. Did you know that Brenda Lee was only 13 years old when she recorded this single? Her mature voice lends itself perfectly to this holiday tune. And for those who grew up in the ‘90s, you’ll recall that it’s in the soundtrack to the film Home Alone. It’s one of the most downloaded Christmas songs of all times.

7. “Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms

The holidays wouldn’t be complete without this popular Christmas song, released in the late 1950s. The tune has stood the test of time and is a must for any holiday get-together. The rockabilly sound, backup singers, and jingle bells makes it an irresistible festive hit. Only two minutes long, our only Christmas wish is that it was a little longer.

6. “Silver Bells” by Tony Bennett

This old-time Christmas classic is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. Tony’s smooth voice and classy piano will bring a touch of vintage cool to your festivities. Cuddle up to someone you love and enjoy this laid-back, jazzy take on a Christmas song that never goes out of style. Your grandma loved it, and so will you.

5. “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” by John Lennon

This beloved song was originally written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono as a protest song against the war in Vietnam. Over the years, it’s become a holiday favorite frequently covered by other artists. The Harlem Community Choir add that touch of magic that makes you want to sing along with your near and dear ones. Spread peace, love, and goodwill to all with this enchanting tune.

4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen reinvents this holiday classic with the help of the E Street Band. This rock version of the song feels as dynamic as it is surprising. Who knew that The Boss had such a soft spot for Christmas standards? It’s a holiday treat that’s as fun for kids as grown-ups alike.

3. “Do They Know it's Christmas?” by Band Aid

2004 brought us a refresh of the original 1984 song written by Band Aid organisers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Upon its release, this version climbed to number one like the previous two. Whether you love or hate this song (and this version), it's a great reminder to give to the less fortunate during what can be a difficult time of year for many people.

2. “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney

The jingle bells throughout this song add a playfulness that bring out the kid in all of us. Enjoy the lightheartedness of this seasonal favorite. Did you know that Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics and played every instrument on this track? His magic shines through and makes us want to gather family and friends for a cup of Christmas tea.

1. “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey

Happy 25th anniversary to this Christmas gem that keeps on giving every single year. Mariah’s crystal-clear voice brings the warmth, love, and fun that everybody craves during the holidays. Re-recorded in 2010, this song also got a makeover this year as a duet with Justin Bieber. This holiday standard isn’t going anywhere soon, and we couldn’t be merrier.

Stingray Music has you covered this Christmas season! Listen to the Best Christmas Songs of All Time!

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BELLFLOWER | Interview

Sasha — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:50:35 +0000

BELLFLOWER | Interview Sasha Fri, 11/08/2019

BELLFLOWER, the nine-piece indie-folk, jazz act from Montreal recently released their second full-length album, Upside Down. I was in attendance for their album launch a few weeks back and I was blown away by their presence and the mastery of their craft. They pulled it off with their usual eight-member lineup augmented by an additional seven especially for that occasion. That’s 14 musicians onstage total! It was bliss!

Credits: Dupaul

I recently spoke with their singer Émilie Pompa in anticipation of their upcoming showcase at the Mundial Festival.

It’s been three years since the release of your last record. I found your newest one Upside Down to be more lush and dreamlike. Tell me about where this concept emerged for you guys and what brought on this new sound?

Upside Down was one of the first songs that I wrote. I was at my parent's cottage with a friend who was going through a very rough time in his life. We sat down and started to play music and I decided to tell his story in this song. It was a particularly grey and foggy day. I was completely inspired by the surroundings which I think are well portrayed in Upside Down. It gave me a strong guideline to what I wanted the album to represent. It made me write about other people than myself and I started to write stories about what my friends were going through in their lives. I discovered that a lot of them were struggling in different ways and it made me realize that our path in life is not a simple straight line. There are a lot of ups and downs, there is no sweet without sour, no renewal without destruction.

Upside Down represents that critical moment of fear, doubt and anxiety that you have to embrace and accept, because you have the power to choose what the next move is going to be. So it's alright to take risks in life and be afraid. Like the burning phoenix overcoming darkness, rising to the challenge and being reborn from his ashes to become more powerful.

I was one of the lucky ones attending your album launch at Centre Phi a few weeks ago. I loved the augmented band you had on stage that night. All of us in attendance were blown away, how was that experience for you?

It was an incredible experience! To be able to share live with everyone the orchestral arrangements that we worked on for this album was wonderful. It felt so powerful and rich on stage. I felt like a rock that a tidal wave was crashing on! And again it was about taking risks because it did come with certain challenges, but it was completely worth it! I really hope we're going to get the chance to do that show again!

Credits: Nicolas Boulay

Speaking on being such a big group, can you give me more insight into the songwriting process and how you go about starting a song all the way to the finish line? Is it a team effort or do all songs start off with you alone?

They mainly start with me alone, except for two songs on this album where William Côté composed guitar riffs that I found interesting and decided to build songs with them. For the rest of the songs I usually start playing either a guitar, piano/synthesizer or bass line idea. Then I work around that. I try to record as many instrument parts as possible at home on my computer…. I sing the trumpet and saxophone lines to give me a good idea of the horn and wind harmonies. It's a really fun process! When the instrumental part is done, I then record some vocal melodies and try to figure out what the lyrics are going to be.

When I feel I have brought the most that I could to the song, I present it to William and we arrange it together. He has such good ideas and pushes me to think outside the box. I usually let him create his drum parts as well as the percussions.

We then bring the song to the rest of the band members and that's where the magic happens. Even though I have certain precise things written down for them to play, it is important for me to give them liberty to express themselves in their playing. Every idea they have is welcome and tried. I even leave some blank sections, with certain guidelines, and then ask them to interpret it in their own creative way. They are incredibly talented musicians. That's how our songs come to life!

Knowing that you are so many musicians involved in the creative process I’d love to know a bit more about your personal musical influences as a songwriter.

There are so many of them, but one who really inspired me as a songwriter is Andy Shauf. I was so moved by his album The bearer of bad news. The way he tells a story is so captivating.

One of the great poets of all time for me would be Tom Waits. He is such an amazing artist whose songs are so visceral and real.

Bon Iver for me is an artist who has the capacity to renew himself beautifully. He has a strong signature style that is very inspiring.

Alabama Shakes is also at the top of my list. Very powerful and soulful. They really get to me.

Lastly can you please tell me what you feed your drummer to get him to play drums AND acoustic guitar AND sing at the same time? As a musician myself, I felt a bit insecure knowing there are drummers out there doing it all.

Will is such an amazing musician! He's very curious and has a thirst for discovering new music. He is also a great musical arranger and is very interested in many musical branches such as sound engineering. Being very passionate, he is always up for challenges of multitasking. We work very closely and always produce our albums together.

You can catch BELLFLOWER next week in Montreal for a showcase during the Mundial Festival on November 19 at the Cabaret Lion d'Or. Expect more surprises from the band in the coming weeks. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

🎵 You can listen to them on our Quebec Emergent Playlist here.

Stay on the pulse of the most recent news in music. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Credits: Nicolas Boulay

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#SocialStatus | December 2018

Lucille — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 16:29:38 +0000

#SocialStatus | December 2018 Lucille Fri, 12/07/2018

Welcome to the last #SocialStatus edition of 2018! It might be the last, but it is definitely not the least!

Browsing one profile to another, we explored Instagram and discovered music gems. This month, we present 4 bands, 100% Made in Canada, who will please your ears, and asked them a few short questions.

Sit back, try to relax, and enjoy the ride!

The Zolas

Instagram: @thezolas

The Zolas hail from Vancouver. With 3 albums and 1 EP recorded in less than a decade, they’ve grown a strong and dedicated fan base!

1. What genre would best describe your music?

Alt-rock/brit-pop? We try to make every album different. It’s not a rule for us it just seems to be that way. Our last record was definitely poppy with flourishing synths. The new one has much more guitar in it and sounds like something we would have worshipped growing up.

2. Can you share a random fun fact about The Zolas?

Our drummer Cody is low-key the undisputed best singer in the band.

3. Which #hashtag (just 1!) would you use to describe your work?

#plur

4. Which bands/artists do you follow on social media?

We Are The City. Dilly dally. Yukon blonde. Peach pit.

5. Tell us, in less than 140 characters, about your upcoming projects.

We’re submerged in our nasty jam space writing this generation’s “What’s the Story Morning Glory”.

Listen to The Zolas on Stingray Music ?⏯

Yukon Blonde

Instagram: @yukonblonde

Yukon Blonde is also from the Canadian West Coast. Their catchy melodies bring us back to the ‘80s, and we love it!

On repeat: ‘Saturday Night’, a tune from their 5th album On Blonde.

1. What genre would best describe your music?

Psychedelic lounge? That’s always a hard question.

2. Can you share a random fun fact about Yukon Blonde?

We open our bags of chips in landscape mode as opposed to portrait mode. That way you can get a good look at your chip and, you know, see what you’re working with. You also don’t need do put your hand so deep in the chip well. It’s definitely a more premium chip user experience.

3. Which #hashtag (just 1!) would you use to describe your work?

#garth

4. Which bands/artists do you follow on social media?

Nihilist Arby’s.

5. Tell us, in less than 140 characters, about your upcoming projects.

Going to Japan, then coming home and getting jobs!

Listen to Yukon Blonde on Stingray Music ?⏯

We Are The City

We Are The City | © Kirsten Huculiak

Instagram: @wearethecity

Kudos to another Canadian band! We Are The City is a trio composed of Cayne McKenzie (singer-keyboardist), Andy Huculiak (drummer), and David Menze (guitarist). We really love “Dark Horizon”, it’s just unique and beautiful. Andy Huculiak answered to our questions. ?

1. What genre would best describe your music?

Experimental and explosive pop.

2. Can you share a random fun fact about We Are The City?

We've been a band for 10 years and started playing together when we were still in high school. And yet, we're still learning new things about each other.

3. Which #hashtag (just 1!) would you use to describe your work?

#musicforeverymood

4. Which bands/artists do you follow on social media?

Some great Canadian artists — Shad, Royal Canoe, Highs, Said the Whale, The Zolas, Shane Koyczan, Hannah Epperson, Andy Shauf, Blue J.

Some great American artists — Copeland, Kanye West, mewithoutYou, Deerhoof.

And some great International artists — Razika, Hope, Ryoji Ikeda, Moddi.

This is not an exhaustive list though!

5. Tell us, in less than 140 characters, about your upcoming projects.

Putting together our next album that will be released next year called RIP. Planning a special tour around that. And perhaps our most ambitious/daring music video yet.

Listen to We Are The City on Stingray Music ?⏯

Born Ruffians

Born Ruffians | © Matt Barnes

Instagram: @bornruffiansmusic

The Ontario’s band Born Ruffians was formed in 2004 by school friends Luke Lalonde (guitar/vocals), Mitch Derosier (bass), Andy Lloyd (guitar/keyboard) and Steve Hamelin (drums). This year, the band released their 5th studio album Uncle, Duke & The Chief. Go see them on stage! They’re currently touring North America.

Listen to “Fade To Black” and get your daily dose of good vibes!

1. What genre would best describe your music?

Indie Rock

2. Can you share a random fun fact about Born Ruffians?

We formed our band in our high school music class where we all played trombone. We suck at trombone.

3. Which #hashtag (just 1!) would you use to describe your work?

#ruff

4. Which bands/artists do you follow on social media?

Garth Brooks has the best Instagram.

5. Tell us, in less than 140 characters, about your upcoming projects.

We’ll have a new record out in 2019 and a tour to go along with it.

Listen to Born Ruffians on Stingray Music ?⏯

Want to be featured next month? Tag @stingray_music on Instagram and use the hashtag #SocialStatus to get our attention! Happy ‘gramming!

Stay on the pulse of the most recent news in music. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

We Are The City | ©Kirsten Huculiak

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#SocialStatus | November 2018

Lucille — Wed, 07 Nov 2018 16:15:20 +0000

#SocialStatus | November 2018 Lucille Wed, 11/07/2018

Stingray Music is all about good vibes.

Once in a while, we get lost on Instagram and go on our favorite quest: looking for talented artists everybody should know about. That’s why we’ve come up with this new selection of artists for the #SocialStatus series. From the US to the UK and France, discover artists who will, for sure, brighten up your day!

And while you read, listen to the Social Status channel.

Insecure Men

Insecure Men - Insecure Men Album Cover

Instagram: @saul_adamczewski & @benromans_hopcraft

Insecure Men is a duo composed of Saul Adamczewski (Fat White Family) and Ben Romans-Hopcraft (Childhood). The British band recorded their debut album in Sean Lennon’s studio in upstate New York and released it in February 2018. The result is a melting pot of indie pop, glam-rock, and sad stories... and we love it!

On-repeat: Cliff Has Left The Building

Listen to Insecure Men on Stingray Music: Social Status

Lewis OfMan

Lewis ofMan - Yo Bene Cover

Instagram: @lewisofman

Say hello to your new electro-pop crush! Lewis OfMan is a French phenomenon (yes, he is one!) He is only in his early twenties but has already released 3 EPs and collaborated with Rejjie Snow, Vendredi Sur Mer, and Ichon, Fakear… to name few.

His inspirations include Frank Ocean, John Lennon, Serge Gainsbourg, and even Ennio Morricone. Lewis OfMan’s electro-pop is truly his own, creating “a shivering atmosphere where melancholia meets elevation and joy” (according to the artist). If you don’t understand the French lyrics, just know that it’s all about love and feelings.

On-repeat: Yo Bene

Listen to Lewis OfMan on Stingray Music: Social Status

Mild High Club

Mild High Club - Timeline Album Cover

Instagram: @mildhighclub

If you were looking for a unique and relaxing indie sound, you’ve found it! Mild High Club is Alex Brettin, a jazz-schooled musician and Alex Brettin is Mild High Club. Brettin released 2 albums under Mild High Club’s name: Timeline and Skiptracing, both embraced the style of nostalgic and sunshine pop. This is the kind of music you’ll want to tune in to while enjoying the morning light, contemplating the world from the warmth of your home.

On repeat: Timeline

Listen to Mild High Club on Stingray Music: Social Status

Pépite

Pépite - Les Bateaux Album Cover

Instagram: @pepite

In French, the word “pépite” means nugget, as in “gold nugget”. It’s no surprise that Pépite IS a pépite! The band is composed of Edouard and Thomas, and with them it’s all about love and wrecks. The duo’s 2 albums, Renaissance and Les Bateaux, take you on an epic pop odyssey. Get onboard this sweet dreamy boat that floats on nostalgic guitar sounds, electric synthesizers melodies, and bright voices.

On repeat: Reste avec moi

Listen to Pépite on Stingray Music: Social Status

STRFKR

STRFKR at Coachella in 2014 - ©Thomas Hawk

Instagram: @strfkr_music

STRFKR (also called Starfucker) is an indie rock band from Portland that was created by Josh Hodges in 2007. At the time, the band offered a new type, surfing the same wave as the Vampire Weekend, MGMT or even Ratatat. 11 years and 5 albums later, they still master their style, with catchy pop lullabies and rock passages here and there. We particularly like the music from their most recent release Vault Vol. 1, Vault Vol. 2 and Vault Vol. 3, a 64-track set of demos rescued from Hodges' dying laptop.

On repeat: Late Again

Listen to STRFKR on Stingray Music: Social Status

Want to be featured next month? Tag @stingray_music on Instagram and use the hashtag #SocialStatus to get our attention! Happy ‘gramming!

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©Mild High Club

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Attica Riots | BreakOut West 2018 | Stingray Rising Stars

Ariane — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 18:28:32 +0000

Attica Riots | BreakOut West 2018 | Stingray Rising Stars Ariane Mon, 10/15/2018

This year’s BreakOut West Festival took place from October 10 to 14, 2018 in beautiful Kelowna, BC. BreakOut West is an annual gathering to celebrate, develop and support the best of western Canadian music. Western Canadian artists are developing sustainable careers of national and international scope, and BreakOut West is an integral component of this development. Through the annual conference and festival, industry from around the world and western Canadian artists are given the opportunity to discover, educate, network and grow. The event consists of the BreakOut West Festival; showcasing the talent contained in the "left half" of Canada and delivering Western Canadian Music Awards to honoured nominees, and the Conference itself with educational panels, networking events, and so much more.

Stingray Music was there to participate as a perennial sponsor of the Western Canadian Industry Awards Brunch which took place on Saturday, October 13 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna, BC. This year we were honoured to present the prestigious Recording of the Year Award as part of our Stingray Rising Stars program. Honourees included Terry Jacks who received the 2018 Heritage Award, and Allan Reid who was presented with the 2018 Kevin Walters Industry Builder Award. The Canadian Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame Induction also took place, honouring Spirit of the West’s iconic song, “Home for a Rest” (written by John Mann and Geoffrey Kelly), and Kelowna-born rock band, The Grapes Of Wrath, were inducted into the Western Canadian Music Hall Of Fame.

This year’s Recording of the Year Award nominees were:

Attica Riots – MB
Bend Sinister – BC
Dear Rouge – BC
Kacy & Clayton – SK
Leeroy Stagger – AB

It was Attica Riots who was selected as winner of the category and awarded with Stingray Music’s Stingray Rising Stars bursary of a value of 2,000$.

About the winners:

The members of Canada's Attica Riots (Bobby Desjarlais, Anders Erickson & Kyle Erickson) have what can only be described as a cosmic musical connection. This trio are known to create fiery and infectious alt rock anthems and deliver sharp lyricism and rock-solid musicianship. 2018 is looking to be the year that Attica Riots – who are signed to Five Seven, which is part of Eleven Seven Label Group – make an indelible mark outside of Canada with their worldwide debut release, produced by Mark Needham (American Authors, Imagine Dragons, The Killers).

Stay on the pulse of the most recent news in music. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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#SocialStatus | September 2018

Lucille — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 19:36:18 +0000

#SocialStatus | September 2018 Lucille Fri, 09/28/2018

October is just beginning and we’re diving into Fall with grace and style.

As you pound the pavement with confidence, take a sip of pumpkin spice latte and plug in your headphones, because we’ve got a fresh #SocialStatus music selection to soundtrack your pre-winter catwalk!

We’ve spotted 5 artists and bands on Instagram that YOU MUST listen to! The #SocialStatus September collection is quite eclectic and you’re guaranteed to find music you’ll fall for!

And while you read, listen to the Social Status channel

Bonny Doon

Bonny Doon – Longwave Album Cover

Instagram: @bonny__doon

Listening to Bonny Doon is like going on a journey into a reassuring universe. Their music will remind you of something familiar and warm. The band’s debut album, Longwave, has a certain je ne sais quoi that will keep you in a good mood.

If you had to listen to just one track, play “A Lotta Things”; a song that helps to expel all the bad vibes! Its melancholic lyrics and catchy guitar riffs will make you want to take a walk in a park.

Listen to Bonny Doon on Stingray Music: Social Status

Spree Wilson

Instagram: @spreewilson

Spree Wilson will brighten your day. His album Cruel Summer reached No. 1 on the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums and the US Top Rap Albums charts, and No. 2 on the US Billboard 200. His success is very well deserved.

We had the chance to ask him 5 quick questions:

1 genre to describe your music

hmmm...I would call it Spreezy Pop (that kind of sounds like a popsicle haha.) It's a blend of all the music I grew up on as a kid. Or you could just call it "Jammin"

1 random fun fact about you

I'm a lefty but I play guitar (as well as most other things) right handed. Guess that would make me ambidextrous lol

1 hashtag to illustrate your work

#SpreeWilson of course haha

Bands and artists that you follow on social media

I follow a lot of dope bands/artist... One of my favorite bands of all time, Spoon, is a favorite follow of mine. Other than that, a few others would be St. Beauty, Haim, Bosco, The Internet, Pharrell, Tame Impala, Anderson Paak to name a few.

280 characters that describe your upcoming projects

I'm super excited to release my new album, Thank You for Coming, Enjoy in the next few months... The first single, "The Jealous Song" will be dropping next month and I'm so hype about it (can you tell lol) I've also been helping produce the St. Beauty album, and its sounding really great. Hoping to go on tour very very soon as well... to a city near you of course ;)

Listen to Spree Wilson on Stingray Music: Social Status

La Luz

La Luz – Floating Features Album Cover

Instagram: @laluzband

I’ve read somewhere that La Luz is known for their "surf noir" style. I just couldn’t find another way to describe their genre. The layered vocal harmonies and electrifying instrumental arrangement bring you into the groove like no other surf rock band.

A special mention goes to the "The Creature", a song that expresses dark ideas over a bright melody.

La Luz just released a third album entitled Floating features, and they are on an international tour. Catch the wave and beware of their fins, surf rockers!

Listen to La Luz on Stingray Music: Social Status

Launder

Launder - Pink Cloud Album Cover

Instagram: @launder

Lose yourself in Launder’s haze. The US shoegaze artist collaborated with French artist Soko and DIIV's Zachary Cole Smith for his first EP, Pink Cloud. And it’s wonderful. The breathy vocals and arrangements will lighten your mind as soon as you press play.

Listen to “Wonder” and you’ll capture the essence of Launder’s music. A little dream of dream pop.

Listen to Launder on Stingray Music: Social Status

Gabriela Geneva

Gabriela Geneva - Jaylyn Photography

Instagram: @gabbygeneva

Gabriela Geneva is taking over the Canadian pop stage! My first introduction to the artist was purely visual since I simply liked the photos she published on Instagram. Then, I listened to her music and discovered a world of positive vibes!

Here is Gabriela Geneva in five Q/As:

1 genre to describe your music

Organic Pop/R&B - that’s how someone described it once and I think it’s a good fit. A mix of my Eastern roots and my Western influences. I love a good bass line and a groovy beat.

1 random fun fact about you

I can recite full Disney movies word for word. My brother and I used to do this before bed; we’d pick a Disney movie, assign characters amongst both of us and then recite the whole thing.

1 hashtag to illustrate your work

#HeresWhatMyInnerBaddassHasToSay

Bands and artists that you follow on social media

Camila Cabello, The 1975, Anne Marie, Due Lipa, and so, so many more.

280 characters that describe your upcoming projects

I am beyond excited to say I’m working on an EP at the moment! My plan is to get it into people’s hands and ear holes in the Spring of next year :) <3 I CANNOT WAIT.

Listen to Gabriela Geneva on Stingray Music: Social Status

Want to be featured next month? Tag @stingray_music on Instagram and use the hashtag #SocialStatus to get our attention! Happy ‘gramming!

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Cats on Trees | Interview

Sasha — Fri, 07 Sep 2018 16:01:13 +0000

Cats on Trees | Interview Sasha Fri, 09/07/2018

**We sat down with indie-pop French duo Cats on Trees to talk about their new album Neon, inspirations, and evolution. Make sure to check them out on tour this fall in the US, Canada, and France.**

1. What was the first and last album (or song) you streamed?

Yohan: Believe it or not, the first album I streamed was ANTI by Rihanna (I was always more a CD kinda guy!) I loved everything about that album: the production, the attitude, the songwriting, the awesome cover of Tame Impala‘s Currents closer “New Person, Same Old Mistakes,” retitled “Same Ol’ Mistakes”.

The last one I streamed must’ve been Travis Scott’s latest release Astroworld which welcomes interesting guests and producers like Frank Ocean, James Blake, Tame Impala... It has many different moods, and that album cover by David LaChapelle is just so cool.

Nina: The last album I streamed was Regeneration (2001) by The Divine Comedy. It’s obviously not Radiohead’s producer Nigel Godrich’s latest one, but it’s amazing. I’m also in love with the singer’s voice. It’s sweet and peaceful. The song arrangements are beautiful too as they’re similar to classical music, which I played for a long time.

2. Name a song you wish you wrote?

Nina: “No surprises” by Radiohead. It reminds me of my childhood when my father was very sick. I’d listen to it in bed, with headphones, and would instantly feel reassured. It’s almost like a lullaby, it has a soothing and universal touch to it.

Yohan: “Cecilia” by Simon & Garfunkel. I’d ask my parents to put it on repeat when I was a kid. The rhythm and melody bring be back to happy place.

3. What was the first song you learned to play?

Nina: When I was 9, my mother bought me a piano and hired a classical music teacher. The first song I learned was from La Méthode Rose by Ernest Van de Velde, a music theory book for piano beginners.

Yohan: At 10, I started a drum/guitar band with a friend. The first song we ever performed was “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” by U2. We also learned music by covering almost all of Nirvana’s songs, which we would then perform at local bars and small festivals, along with our first compositions. The venues were packed with teenagers from our school, those were great times.

4. If you could open for 3 different artists, who would they be?

We are huge fans of Arcade Fire. We saw their last tour at a festival in Europe and later their own show through a live stream. They are so talented and charismatic. Their set design and production is incredible, especially with the ring in the middle of the crowd.

The National is one of our favorite bands too because of their melodic and dramatic vibes. The feelings they communicate through their songs and live shows are pure and authentic. They hit you straight to the heart. It would be an honour to share the stage with them.

Tame Impala, of course, is on our bucket list of bands we’d love to open for!

But also: Rhye, Angel Olsen, Emily Haines / Metric, Tori Amos, Half Moon Run, Bon Iver, Phoenix, Daughter, Bomba Estéreo, John Legend, Siddhartha (artist from Mexico)…

5. Which song(s) do you cover in concert?

“Love You Like A Love Song” by Selena Gomez.

We’ve adapted it to our style, the delivery is quite emotional when we play it on stage. We love covering songs from artists that are different from what we do, so we can adapt it the “Cats On Trees ” way.

6. Which artist(s) would you love to collaborate with?

It would be a dream to create with Sufjan Stevens.

We also love French Canadian rapper Loud. It could be interesting to do a song in French with him!

Lorde, Pharrell Williams who’s an amazing songwriter, and the producers of The Weeknd which are mind-blowing.

In a wider perspective, we’d love to collaborate with film producers and visual storytellers that we could compose soundtracks for, whether movies, TV documentaries, video games, etc. We find it fascinating to create a musical mood that conveys perfectly the emotions of a specific visual.

7. What were your inspirations for your 2nd album NEON?

Our first album released in 2013 sold over 220 000 copies and brought us on a 200-concert tour. That overnight success changed our entire lives and got us to meet amazing new people and travel to places we would’ve never been to, like Bolivia in South America where we shot “Sirens Call”. It wasn’t that long ago but all those experiences still inspire us. NEON encompasses those moments of travelling, being exposed to new cultures and languages, new styles of music, and it also reflects how we’ve both changed personally and artistically. Those shared experiences also help us create in an emotional and deep way. We are like a family because we know one another’s past and present. The friendship and loyalty we have towards each other is the basis of everything we do.

8. What are your wishes and goals for Cats On Trees? What’s next?

From a creative perspective, we want to write and collaborate with artists from different countries and cultures, whether for featurings, co-writing, remixes, etc. The key words to our creative process are curiosity and open-mindedness. We also wish to write more for other artists as we have tons of material and lots of different ideas.

We are currently on tour to promote NEON. From a live performance perspective, we love the idea of reinventing our shows, so we’ve added a massive organic design that changes shape in response to our hand movement, and added 3 magical musicians that helped us rearrange our songs for the stage.

Globally, we hope to continue touring a lot to discover new countries, people and art forms,that will feed our imagination to write more music. As of September 13th 2018, some of our wishes are becoming reality as we’ll embark on a short tour in Montréal, Lavaltrie (with Salomé Leclerc), Québec (with JORDANN), Toronto and NYC.

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Tôt ou Tard vibe: over 15 years of Independence

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en cas de tempête, ce jardin sera fermé par Coeur de pirate

Charles — Tue, 03 Jul 2018 19:19:31 +0000

en cas de tempête, ce jardin sera fermé par Coeur de pirate Charles Tue, 07/03/2018

Cœur de Pirate, avec son nouvel album En cas de tempête, ce jardin sera fermé, nous propose des chansons majoritairement enracinées dans le champ lexical de l’amour. Un sujet inépuisable, dont Béatrice Martin maîtrise l’art de le semer et de le récolter. C’est dans un élan de sollicitude et avec grand soin qu’elle s’abandonne à l’écriture sur chaque titre, comme si chaque mot était la carte d’un château de cartes. Soustraire un mot en viendrait à le faire s’effondrer. Cependant, la comparaison s’arrête là, puisque ses chansons sont solidifiées par une démarche plus que sincère.

On dirait qu’elle se raconte avec un devoir d’honnêteté envers elle-même et son public. Cette franchise nous séduit, alors que l’auteure-compositrice-interprète nous ouvre les portes de son jardin intérieur.

Sur ce nouveau disque, le thème de l’amour et ses appréhensions s’articule dans un esthétisme vigoureusement précis. Cela dit, cette précision ne sert pas toujours le propos. En effet, l’émotion est quelque peu amenuisée par cette production si adroitement peaufinée. À force d’épurer et d’assainir une interprétation, on finit par en extirper l’émotion de son essence au profit d’une interprétation certainement juste, mais un peu trop lisse.

Sa poésie est féconde sur cet album exclusivement francophone. Les mélodies pop française moderne regorgent de romantisme. Le piano, instrument couramment utilisé, établit sa dominance sur des assises solides de modernité pop.

Être de son temps, c’est savoir cultiver le jardin de son époque et Cœur de Pirate le fait magnifiquement bien avec ses 10 nouvelles chansons.

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Namaste | Top 10 Songs

Ariane Durocher — Thu, 21 Jun 2018 05:57:40 +0000

Namaste | Top 10 Songs Ariane Durocher Thu, 06/21/2018

It's International Yoga Day!

June 21^st, the longest day of the year, is also known worldwide as International Yoga Day. Since 2015, yogis around the world have celebrated this occasion by getting in touch with their spiritual side, alone or together. If you are also observing this day, why not do it with the best possible soundtrack? Here are the Top 10 yoga songs especially chosen for you to have the most peaceful day possible. Namaste!

1. “Heart Beats Slow” by Angus and Julia Stone

Why you should listen to it: This song is smooth, but not slow. Its catchy beat is ideal for the most active part of your yoga session.

2. “Simone” by Arms and Sleepers

Why you should listen to it: This song has a unique sound, yet it definitely qualifies as easy-listening because of its relaxing, chill vibe. It’s perfect for any occasion but especially for yoga.

3. “Keep Your Head Up” by Ben Howard

Why you should listen to it: For its beautiful acoustic melody and its soothing vocals. Most of all, you should listen to it because of its uplifting, inspiring message that will encourage you to give it all you’ve got.

4. “Reminder” by Mumford and Sons

Why you should listen to it: This beautiful song is short and sweet. It might only last 2 minutes, but it’s still totally worth the listen.

5. “Before I Go” by Yanni

Why you should listen to it: This beautiful piano melody is relaxing and uplifting at the same time, making it appropriate for both meditation and yoga.

6. “The Come Down” by Moby

Why you should listen to it: This song is tailor-made for those of you who need to do yoga with instrumental music. This “typical yoga relaxation music” will certainly put you in a meditative state.

7. “To Build a Home” by the Cinematic Orchestra ft. Patrick Watson

Why you should listen to it: This song is simply beautiful. It has a lovely melody combined with more intense and more relax moments, which makes it just right for the core of the session.

8. “All is Full of Love” by Björk

Why you should listen to it: This song’s mellow beat makes it perfect for those of you who want to relax without falling asleep. P.S. For those of you who don’t like lyrics, this song’s instrumental version is also great!

9. “The Great Escape” by Patrick Watson

Why you should listen to it: This lovely melody is great for yoga, because it is just calm enough to relax, but also uplifting enough not to fall asleep. Patrick Watson’s beautiful vocals are really the star of this song, which makes it impossible not to love.

10. “Immune” by Groenland

Why you should listen to it: This song is a little more upbeat, which is great when you need a boost of energy after a mindfulness session.

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Floating on Air

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Scout by Calpurnia

Noémi — Mon, 18 Jun 2018 17:41:42 +0000

Scout by Calpurnia Noémi Mon, 06/18/2018

If you want to know whether the new Calpurnia EP Scout is worth your time, I’d suggest you check out tracks #1, 2, 3, and then the entire album. Seriously, Finn Wolfhard AKA Mike Wheeler from Stranger Things is one talented kid.

Jams, jams, and then some

Their six song titles read like 90s-isms, but sonically, Scout might be the archetypal indie rock slacker with melodic undertones.

Young + fun + honest

“Greyhound” juxtaposes Finn’s youthful voice with the heavy bass, in addition to contrasting it with moody lyrics: “Going to Seattle in a Greyhound/I missed school for this.”

The penultimate track “Blame” is so understated that I missed the beauty of its jazzy vibes in my first few playthroughs. Wolfhard is as playful as ever, singing “My girl's on a train/She's going far away/She's never coming back/She gives me heart attacks.” On the other hand, his words seem autobiographical; how else am I supposed to take a bridge that warns “She left there torn/Pierced like a thorn/It was all my fault/She forgot about the call” that follows a chorus that goes “And I'm the one to blame”?

The experimentation keeps things interesting and is a rare and welcome sight for young musicians — but it’s the songs that aim for a summer afternoon of “Louie” or “City Boy” that are Wolfhard's forte and the album’s best. Finally, there’s “Waves” with its coda of overlapping voices, which might be the album’s most melodic cut.

"Wasting Time" swaggers exaggeratedly, building on a smooth indie guitar lick, to later fall over itself into a hoot of kaleidoscopic brilliance come the chorus while the first single off the record "Louie" gives out a chiming (and charming) burst of elation that could quite comfortably contend for sound of summer 2018.

Spontaneous goodness

Still, the quartet has brought us something that no other band today can come close to equaling – pure indie-rock/new wave. Unlike the many bands that use each new EP release as a way of experimenting and finding their sound but failing miserably, Calpurnia sounds more accomplished than ever.

Scout brings with it a relaxed atmosphere coupled with splashes of color and the cheeky bounce of indie-rock. Listening from start to finish, you can get lost in the static, only to suddenly open your eyes and be surprised as to where you’ve ended up.

This record gives us hope for the future. These kids have made it very clear that they won’t stop exploring.

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