Category: JB recommends

After spending a long weekend in Dublin last weekend, I thought it’d be fitting to feature one of our traditional artists for this week’s Thursday Track.

Sitting with my partner in Reilly’s Bar, I heard many an Irish tune, and frankly, with the weather, the mood and the tunes, it felt very much like home. The Atlantic Canadian provinces has a large Celtic tradition, and while we’ve fought hard over the years to be known for more rock, pop, hip hop, etc. it’s tough to deny that we still have a huge traditional and folk scene that is bred in to many people from a young age.

The Dardanelles are a Newfoundland trad band, managed by Bob Hallett (of Great Big Sea). We’ve placed “The Dards” twice in a year – once on an episode of Murdoch Mysteries and in a really lovely feature spot in the excellent Newfoundland -based film The Grand Seduction, which came out earlier in 2014.

Check out the two tracks below. And DO check out The Grand Seduction movie!

P.S> DID YOU KNOW – Tom Power from CBC Radio, and a recent host of Q (after the Ghomeshi fall out).. this is his band. Show him some love on Twitter – @tompowercbc 😉

Inspired by a great cover by our newest signing Anne Janelle, we’re making today’s Thursday Track post one with some of our artists’ cover songs (available for licensing, of course ;)).

First – Anne Janelle’s most excellent cover of the traditional folk song, “Black is the Colour (of my true love’s hair)”

Here’s Gabrielle Papillon’s take on “In the Pines”

Then we have Express and Company’s Melissa Payne‘s solo version of Matt Mays’ “Downtown”

And finally for this week’s post, Ryan Cook featuring Jennah Barry with Hank Snow’s “It Don’t Hurt Anymore”. Side note: Hank Snow was from right here in Nova Scotia, don’t cha know!

 

We are very excited to announce that RHR is signing Christina Martin exclusively for her upcoming Feb 2015 release, “It’ll Be Alright”. It is a true game changer of an album for her. The songs are strong pop / rock tunes with killer licks, tasteful grooves and a bit of an 80s Pretenders / early U2 / Stevie Nicks vibe at times.

I will be sending the album out to supes on my list next week. If you are not on my music supervisor delivery list, please send me a note asap (see contact section).

There is absolutely no doubt that this record and the tour will be her biggest and most widely received effort yet. We’re proud of you, Christina, and we’re so happy to have you be part of the family!

This could fit many a scene, but right now, it’s helping me get through cleaning the apartment. Great energy and the vocals, provided by the excellent Elle Ray just make me feel like a powerhouse with a broom. Take that dust bunnies. You are MINE.

Seriously though – our Australian producer Stufly has mentioned he’s really proud of this ‘electronic edgy pop’ track. We at RHR are proud of him for turning out the killer new tracks on the “Colours” release.. but yeah.. especially this one. Put this in your movie / tv show / speakers. And if you need to, put it on repeat and dance around the house with your broom. Take it from me… it’s hella fun.

I’ve written many times (here and on the socials) about my adoration of our young Adam Baldwin. Now I’ve got Blue Rodeo to back me up! After opening the band’s show last Sunday, Baldwin was invited to play acoustic and sing backup on “Lost Together”. Just before verse 2, Keelor walks toward him, adjusts the mic, and walks away smiling. Adam is a performer, touring on his own and with Matt Mays for  years now, so he was up to the challenge and nailed it… even sneaking in a ‘HOLY SHIT!’ between the end of the verse and jumping back in to the chorus with the rest of the band. That’s our boy. Way to go, bud!

Watch the whole thing here, or ffwd to approx 1:35:

SO happy to be able to share this now! Express and Company (Dylan Ireland and Melissa Payne) appeared on CTV / NBC’s Saving Hope last night, covering a traditional song called “Now I’m 64” in a particularly emotional scene.

I would advocate watching the whole episode to get the full effect, but if you simply want to check out the band performing, HERE is the scene!

You can also hear the full version of the song below.

Thank you to everyone on set, who were so welcoming, and David Hayman for his dedication, cheerleading and work as music supervisor.

I will keep this very simple.

Dave Marsh and the True Love Rules‘ album The Cause of Many Troubles is one of my favourite records, and the track “This is How We Say Goodnight” is simply brilliant. Tell me the last artist, aside from Bowie, that delivered you a song like this.  It’s new, it’s old, it’s familiar but it’s original, it’s dark but comforting. It’s A DAMN GOOD SONG. SO good for placements. PUT IT IN YOUR MOVIE NOW!

I was in a Halifax diner yesterday with my dad and Ria Mae‘s FABULOUS new single came on. It sounds great on the radio. Even in a diner, even while sitting with my dad, I couldn’t help but to bop about to “Clothes Off’. It’s groovy, sexy, cool.. but don’t just take my word for it – PRESS THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW.

This single was released on Sept 16th and will appear on Ria’s new album (which is equally as great). Produced by Classified, who’s ‘Inner Ninja’ won him all sorts of things in last year’s award season, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the industry will be voting for “Clothes Off” in 2015!

Hear here:

As we continue to build the Hip Hop / DJ / EDM section of the roster here at Rocking Horse Road, we listen to many submissions and go hunting for new music. We are VERY pleased to announce two brand new signings in the category – Sydney, Australia’s Stufly and Toronto’s Rainer + Grimm.

Both of these artists produce high quality, placeable songs and have some great collaborations. SUPES – You would have received both new EPs in your newsletter this afternoon. If you are a music supervisor, producer, director or marketing / advertising director and you’d like to be included on our new music emails, please let me know – janesta (at) rockinghorseroad (dot) ca.

Listen to this week’s THURSDAY TRACK, “Arbean” by Stufly

AND watch the making of the MODERN WILD EP by Rainer + Grimm (on a tiny island in a lake).

HUFF – The Halifax Urban Folk Festival, is now in its 5th year (I believe?), and it starts THIS weekend (Sunday, August 24th!) and runs straight through to September 1st. Artists will be performing in several venues throughout the city, showcasing singer songwriters of international acclaim as well as some homegrown talent.

You know Dave Pirner from Soul Asylum?.. he’s there for a bunch of nights. Or Steve Poltz? …of course he’ll be there (it’s his second home). Garland Jeffries, Brian Potvin from Northern Pikes… there is a lot to cover. However, I would like to outline the 4 RHR artists that will be playing the festival, and one of them just happens to be the feature artist for RHR’s Thursday Track this week. Funny, that… 🙂

(click on the artist name to view their HUFF profile and show time / venue)
ADAM WASHBURN
KIM HARRIS
QUIET PARADE
DAVE MARSH AND THE TRUE LOVE RULES

Now, the Thursday Track this week comes from Adam Washburn. His EP Beautiful Things, was recorded by Dale Murray (The Guthries, Cuff The Duke, many more), and features background vocals from he and his partner, Christina Martin. The song “Dead of Winter” is track one from the EP. Take a listen and go out to see Adam at HUFF!!