Dizzy shoot nostalgia-tinged video for 'Bleachers' in Oshawa

By Will McGuirk

Oshawa band Dizzy have released the video for “Bleachers”, the latest single from their album, ‘Baby Teeth.’ According to a Facebook post by lead vocalist Katie Munshaw, “Bleachers” is about her own fears for her younger sister, Beth and the world she is growing up into. The video was directed by Ryan Faist and features Super 8 footage shot by Faist and Beth Munshaw.

We asked Katie what were the fears she had for her little sisr?

She says the track was initially written just before Beth began high school.

“My main worries were wanting to shelter her from all the bad experiences that come along with a life change like that,” Katie says, “Although, when we were brainstorming about the video we wanted to think about bigger picture concerns as well. Political future, social media and how it affects a person who has grown up with it, and the big one that we tried to convey at the end of the video, climate change.”

Baby Teeth is available on Royal Mountain Records.

Artemis and Dale Russell host 'Spirit of Song' at RMG Thurs. Jan 17, launch 'Sunday Songdays' Jan 27

Third Thursdays! Sunday Songdays! The Robert McLaughlin Gallery is emerging as a fine venue for the local music scene. The RMG Fridays have been a launching pad for new bands and a showcase for touring acts. Third Thursdays, a monthly all-ages showcase for singer-songwriters started up about a year ago by hosts Artemis and Dale Russell. This month’s Third Thursday evening features Matt Riches. On January 25 Artemis and Dale will launch their new venture “Sunday Songdays” with a fam -jam open mic featuring the Carr Family. The Carrs run 2-4 p.m. with a song writing tips class prior at 1 p.m.

The Carr Family

Upcoming workshops in the “Sunday Songday” series include Crown Lands (recently toured with Jack White) on Feb 24, a hip-hop workshop with Devontée Woe and Kamal Dill on March 24, a pop and performance showcase with Nava Liviah on Apr 28. First Nations artist Kim Wheatley will close out the series on May 19. The “Spirit of Song” series runs 7 - 8:30 p.m. and there is a $10 admission cost ($5 for singer-songwriters)

Kim Wheatley

Yves Jarvis releases new Colin Medley directed video for 'That Don't Make It So'

By Will McGuirk

“Society has set that tone but that don’t make it so / Despite how it appears to you, that don’t make it true.” These are the only words in the song from Montreal musician Yves Jarvis (Jean-Sebestian Audet) and the imaging reflects a similar brevity.

“I don't like to overwork my music videos”, says director Colin Medley, “ Sometimes I'll hear a song and I'll just roll with my first instinct. When I heard this track I just immediately thought of 90s hip-hop videos. Fish-eye lens, mall parking lot, puffy jacket. Easy. The shoot was quick and improvised because I wanted to keep it loose and just showcase Yves' personality. Nothing bores me more than a music video where the artist is trying to be a certain way, I feel like I can always see right through it. My goal is to always capture the artist or band as they actually are, and I hope that comes across in the videos I've made.”

That Don’t Make It So” is on the album, ‘The Same But By Different Means’ to be released Mar 1, 2019 on Flemish Eye Records. Yves Jarvis will be on tour with Homeshake, making a stop at the Phoenix in TO Mar 31.

Sunday night, Sex show with Laurie Brown

Laurie Brown’s Pondercast podcast (episode 30 for those counting) is about sex and so is rock ‘n roll and so is slow because slow is also sexy so enjoy the sexy tunes and the sexy tones of LB.

Listen to Pondercast here ->

Peterborough's Mayhemingways at Greenbank Folk Club Jan 26

Dark-folk duo The Mayhemingways are part of a triple bill treat at the Greenbank Folk Club in , uh, Greenbank, Saturday Jan 26 2019. Rich Burnett and Minnie Heart are also on the bill and the third act is Mike Kerr. Burnett has been playing back-up lap steel to Bry Webb, Spencer Burton and David Francey among others. Minnie Heart will join him. Kerr is considered a master guitar player and an engaging performer. Tickets are on sale at Blue Heron Books and are $25. Showtime 8 p.m.

Listen to Barry Mantle of Chase The Glory on Apologue Podcast

One of the coolest biz dudes in the DRock is Barry Mantle. He is the co-owner of “Chase the Glory” Record Label and Tattoo shop in Brooklyn, ON. Simon Head chats with Bazzer on the Apoloque Podcast. Listen in and learn kids.

LISTEN HERE ->

The Strumbos rock 'n bowl their way to 'Salvation'

Take the Strumbos bowling, take them bowling . . . Kawartha kats The Strumbellas set up in a bowling alley for the video for their new track “Salvation.” Everyone has their own way to celebrate a strike and its usually involves a little personal getting jiggy with it. The Strumbos get their own jiggy on and invite some pin playing patrons in on the action.

via GIPHY

Texas King return to Oshawa, Jan 12 at the Music Hall, with Dakota Mill, the Lad Classic and A Victory Marked

Got to see these London, ON kats a few times at the RIP Moustache Club, mostly with Rory Taillon. Happy to see they still have a place to play in this city of ours. The Texas Kings will be in the Oshawa Music Hall Jan 12. There’s an odd coupling of Stone Temple Pilots and Oasis, I think, in their tunes but go see/ hear for yourself and let me know.

River and Sky 2019 - tickets now on sale

If you are any fan of SlowCity.ca then you know I am a fan of the R&S festival and crew. Based in Field near North Bay, R&S celebrated ten years in 2018 with a kicker of a lineup including Operators, Julie Doiron and Chad Van Gaalen. They’re doing it all again (hooray in 2019) and tickets are on sale here ->

For those who can’t wait for the summer the crew also do Shiver and Sky and details on their winter celebration will be announced in the new year.

Evening of Brewgrass tunes at Second Wedge in Uxbridge Dec 14

We are fans of Ben Reines here at SlowCity.ca and are happy to say the Ben Reines is playing at the Second Wedge, and as good as their brews are there, porters my fave, we are recommending you add Hamiltonian bluegrassers Chopped Liver to the offerings. Them choppings include members of the Unseen Strangers, Yasgurs Farm, the Mike Plume Band, All Caps & Patches, and Bellwether4. So good night of craft all round.

Reasons to buy locally - Keep it in mind.

This piece came out in the Blue Heron Books E-letter and I think its worth sharing with the SlowCity crew.

“Be part of the movement to shop local this holiday season and rediscover the joy of gift giving. While we don't have any door-crasher specials, we do have a great deal for you. And it is this: instead of filling your cart with hot deals, you get to fill your mind, and the minds of those you love, with inspired messages and meaningful dialogue contained in books chosen with care (and help if you need it) this holiday season.

Small town shopping offers a personal touch, stress-free parking and friendly staff. And to top it off, remember, for every $100 spent locally, $68 will stay in the community via income, jobs, taxes as well as using local banks, media and services. When you spend the same at a national, big-box chain store, only $43 remains in the local economy. When you spend the same at an internet 'store', $0 remains in the local economy.

In addition:

▪Local sales taxes are used to provide vital services such as police and fire protection, local schools, street repairs and trash collection.

▪By shopping locally, you conserve energy and resources in the form of less fuel for transportation and less packaging.

▪Where we shop, eat and have fun helps make our community home. Local businesses are an integral part of the distinctive character of this place.

▪Non-profit organizations receive an average of 250% more support from smaller business owners than they do from large businesses.

▪Local business owners are passionate about what they do. You’ll get an expert opinion and find someone who takes more time to get to know their customers.

▪We support local schools, local charities and community events as well as offer learning programs and weekly free storytime for children.

Get your FEEL GOOD on this Christmas!

The Strumbellas release new single, the disco'd spiritual 'Salvation'

With a mix of flannel and sparkles The Strumbellas drop their new single, “Salvation” - its a pumped up Kawartha cosmic poptastic track with the Strumbos signature harmonics and a disco ball in a woodsy cabin feel. The band have been globetrotting since the release of their mega-seller, Hope, playing Lollapalooza and Life Is Beautiful, they also beat out Drake and Mendez for the 2017 Single of the Year JUNO for “Spirits”. They are working on the next album, their fourth, but no date yet. In the meantime as they say get yourself some Salvation.

The Marigolds, Annie Sumi play Greenbank Folk Club Dec 8

Singer/songwriters Caitlin Hanford, Gwen Swick, Suzie Vinnick have combined forces and voices to form The Marigolds. The trio will perform Saturday Dec. 8 at the Greenbank Folk Music Society.

With vocal harmonies at the centre Hanford, Swick and Vinnick perform a wide range of songs from blues, to bluegrass, Appalachian ballads to jazz. They have played right across Canada including Mariposa, Folk on the Rocks in Yellowknife, the Vancouver Island Music Festival, and Folk Harbour in Lunenberg, NS. Randall Coryell will join The Marigolds on drums

Slowcity.ca pal Annie Sumi will open. Sumi's grounded spirituals are a joy to hear.

Tickets are $ 25 each and available at Blue Heron Books, 62 Brock St West, in Uxbridge; P O E Design, 146 Queen St, in Port Perry, or call the society 905-985-8351 for reserved tickets and information.