This Week’s Artists & Songs on Songwriters From Here And Away
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Logan Staats — “Medicine Wheel”
Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario
Logan Staats is an Indigenous singer-songwriter whose music draws on roots, rock and Americana. “Medicine Wheel” is a powerful, socially conscious song reflecting on Indigenous land, culture, environmental damage and the ongoing impact of colonization.
Recording lineup: Logan Staats — vocals/guitar; Kyler Tapscott — guitar; Johnny Dymond — bass; Gary Craig — drums; Aaron Goldstein — pedal steel; Layla Staats — background vocals; Miles Evans-Branagh — piano.
Little White Lies — “String Me Along”
Canada — A new release from Little White Lies. “String Me Along”
Carleton Stone — “Fences”
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton-born singer-songwriter Carleton Stone returns with his album Midnight Rose, blending Americana, country-rock and lush pop. “Fences,” the album opener, is a sweeping, symphonic-pop song about a monumental romance stretching across years and multiple cities.
Recording musicians: Carleton Stone — vocals/guitar; Neil Quin — guitar/vocals; Todd Lumley — piano/synth; Carlin Nicholson — bass/vocals; Darren McGill — drums/percussion; Kevin Fox — cello; Melanie Stone — vocals; Kayleigh O’Connor — additional songwriting.
Sam Wilson — “Rosedale”
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Award-winning guitarist, composer and educator Sam Wilson creates instrumental music inspired by landscape and place. “Rosedale” comes from her upcoming album Sowing Spring and was inspired by the Magaguadavic River in New Brunswick during a week-long residency.
Album lineup: Sam Wilson — guitar; Hayley Ryerson — fiddle; Nicola Miller — alto saxophone/bass clarinet; Kyle Tully — bass; Caito Macdonald — drums.
Clever Hopes — “If It’s On”
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Clever Hopes is the songwriting project of Dartmouth’s Andrew Shaver, whose music combines cinematic folk with heartfelt storytelling. “If It’s On” is his latest single
Pillow Fite — “Lucky”
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Pillow Fite is the alt-folk/indie-rock duo of Art Ross and Aaron Green. Their music mixes sweet melodies with sharper, emotionally direct songwriting, exploring themes including queer love, relationships and mental health. “Lucky” .
Members: Art Ross — vocals; Aaron Green — guitar/production.
The live recording of “Lucky” also features Pat Murphy — drums; Maya Márquez — bass/backing vocals; Seth Voliere — electric guitar; Alanna Matty — acoustic guitar/synth/backing vocals.
Evan Cooper — “Out of Love”
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Evan Cooper is a young singer-songwriter whose acoustic-driven pop songs turn the highs and lows of teenage life into catchy, relatable stories. “Out Of Love” was his second single and became a Music NB Song of the Week and a radio success across Canada.
Solo artist.
Shane Pendergast — “Jack Pine”
Tracadie Cross, Prince Edward Island
Shane Pendergast is a PEI folksinger with four generations of connection to Maritime music and Island folklore. “Jack Pine” uses the hardy, resilient tree as a metaphor for life, uncertainty and hanging on through the storms.
Recording lineup: Shane Pendergast — vocals/guitar; Ray Knorr — fiddle; Mark “Lefty” Geddes — bass; Catherine MacLellan — backing vocals; Logan Richard — guitar; Connor Nabuurs — drums.
Dayblooms — “Swim”
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Dayblooms are a Charlottetown dream-pop band making their debut with “Swim,” a dreamy, summery introduction to their sound.
Members: Shayla Steinhoff — vocals; Evan Ceretti — guitar; Aaron Turner — drums. The group expands to a full band for live performances.
Cabot Power — “Reason to Smile”
St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador
Cabot Power is an 11-piece funk and soul powerhouse performing classic funk and neo-funk grooves. “Reason to Smile” is an upbeat, infectious original from the band’s debut album Funk the System.
Members: Jody Lear — lead vocals; Matt Aylward — keys; Chuck Bucket — drums; Matthew Roome — baritone & alto sax; Christian Berglander — trumpet; Ryan Sheaves — guitar/vocals; Rory Graham — lead vocals/guitar; Josh Chancey — saxophone; Hunter Madden — bass; Serhii Tsymbal — trombone; Kenneth Pasher — guitar.
Evan AuCoin — “Build It Strong”
St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland-born singer-songwriter Evan AuCoin is known for storytelling that crosses folk-rock, country, blues and traditional Newfoundland music. A member of the St. John’s music scene for more than a decade, he performs solo as well as with Rugged Shores and Midnight Watch.
Solo artist / songwriter.
Big Little Lions — “No One Is Mad At You”
Royston, British Columbia / Cincinnati, Ohio
Big Little Lions are the songwriting duo of Helen Austin and Paul Otten. Their music combines new-school folk, catchy melodies and upbeat rhythms. “No One Is Mad At You” is a warm, reassuring song built around the simple idea that sometimes we’re harder on ourselves than anyone else is.
Members: Helen Austin and Paul Otten.
ORRA — “Panic Garden”
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver duo ORRA combine airy vocals, hypnotic synths and electronic/indie-pop textures. “Panic Garden” explores anxiety, self-protection, fear and the struggle to find a way through it.
Members: Sarah Orr — vocals/keys; Cameron McGregor — guitar/percussion.
Shirley Jackson & Her Good Rockin’ Daddys — “Imagine A New World”
Nova Scotia
Shirley Jackson is a veteran Nova Scotia blues and roots artist, songwriter, arranger and producer with more than 35 years in the music scene. Her six-piece Good Rockin’ Daddys bring a horn-powered blend of blues, swing and roots music. “Imagine A New World” is their newest release.
Members: Shirley Jackson — vocals/tenor sax; Dave “Hot Lips” Harrison — trumpet/flugelhorn; Dawn Hatfield — baritone sax; JF Lafleche — guitar; Jef Wirchenko — bass; Tom Bona — drums.
Jason Andrew Griffith featuring Melyssa Lee — “Stay Another Day”
Calgary, Alberta
Jason Andrew Griffith is a Calgary singer-songwriter working in prairie Americana and alt-country. “Stay Another Day” is a duet with Calgary singer-songwriter Melyssa Lee — a warm country-folk song about two road-weary people meeting and falling in love.
Artists: Jason Andrew Griffith and Melyssa Lee. Produced/co-written with Paul Zacharias.
Jed & The Valentine — “Mercury Below”
Alberta
Jed & the Valentine are the indie-folk duo of Maria Khaner and Jonah Morris. Their sound features soaring harmonies, banjo, guitar and richly melodic songwriting, with songs that move between tenderness, humour and emotional vulnerability.
Members: Maria Khaner and Jonah Morris.
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