Blog

  • RHR ARTIST SONG OF THE WEEK – June 26

    So, I missed a couple of weeks due to traveling and meeting some new contacts in LA, but we’re back with the RHR Thursday Track!

    This week I’m going back a few years to a band that I fell for (hard) when the EP, Grand Prix was released. These guys are from PEI, born and raised on the same soil as Boxer the Horse, Paper Lions, Two Hours Traffic, Meaghan Blanchard etc. etc. etc. There is something in that water. Or in the red dirt. Or in the air… who knows what it is, but the province sure does turn out some of the best pop bands in Canada!

    Without further ado, here is North Lakes’ “Grab Me By The Lapel”. Turn it up and drive fast down a country road. Go.


     

  • EXCLUSIVE GIVEAWAY: New Repartee Track Available to July 1st!

    a1462212375_10

    Repartee’s brand new song, “Nice Girls”, which debuted on MTV’s Awkward a few weeks ago, is now available on the band’s bandcamp until July 1st. Free. Unreleased. Repartee!

    http://repartee.bandcamp.com

     

  • RHR ARTIST SONG OF THE WEEK – MAY 29

    Repartee-2013-promo-photo-1-shirtsangled

    In honour of Repartee‘s unreleased track “Nice Girls” being the opening track on the Tuesday, June 3rd episode (408) of Awkward, this week’s Thursday Track will be the title track from the EP, Hello Hello Hello.

    I have gushed somewhere before (newsletter? socials?) on how this band live is just SO GREAT. Meg Warren uses every inch of stage, every ounce of energy and every bit of glitter in her make-up case to put on a highly entertaining show. Then she runs to the merch table to thank all of her guests for coming. She is sweet and entertaining as all get out. The boys that back her up are lovely lads, also from Newfoundland, AND they sing the ‘ohohohohohohohnono”s if / when they cover Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love”, which made me fall in love with them even more.

    Catch the new unreleased “Nice Girls” on MTV’s Awkward next Tuesday, and until then, have a listen!

  • RHR ARTIST SONG OF THE WEEK – MAY 22

    transams

     

    (mmm. trans ams.)

    This week’s Thursday Track is one that I pitched recently for an ad, and it got stuck in my brain for the week that followed. I’m not one to usually get electro dance songs stuck in one’s head but… what can you do. It’s a fun tune!

    Scientists of Sound have toured all over, despite one half of the group being a new dad and holding down about 80 jobs and 50 other bands. There will be new stuff to show you soon, but in the meantime, I give you:  Scientists of Sound – PONTIAC.

    Now, dance. You got it good…

  • RHR ARTIST SONG OF THE WEEK – MAY 15 + Other Placement News!

    We received some exciting news today! The Little Ditties, our resident children’s artist (and Children’s Recording of the Year Winner at East Coast Music Week), was asked to perform for Camilla Parker-Bowles (still her last name?), Dutchess of Cornwall, at a family event for Victoria Day in Dartmouth, NS! Congrats to Jeremy, Shane, Dave and the Kevin the Kitten puppet, who will surely make her and the attending kids smile real big :).

    In celebration of this, we’re going to make “The Cow Goes Moo” the Thursday Track this week. BEWARE – this one can get stuck in your head, big time whether you have kids or not. I’ve found myself, more than once, roaming around the streets singing “the cow goes moo, the cow goes moo, the cow goes moo and the horse does too…”. You know what? It’s ok. A good tune is a good tune, right?

    The Little Ditties – The Cow Goes Moo

    IN OTHER NEWS:

    New Repartee!! Repartee’s new unreleased track “Nice Girls” will be placed in an upcoming episode of MTV’s Awkward (E408), which airs Tuesday, June 3rd. The episode will be streaming, following the air date on mtv.com, mtv.ca and other regional mtv sites!

    If you missed SEED on City TV last week, you also missed Black Moor‘s “Hellraiser” in the background of the ‘tattoo parlour” scene! You can stream the episode (209 – Et Tattoo Brute) for the next little while at: http://www.citytv.com/toronto/shows/seed/ 

     

  • The Grand Seduction Hits Theatres

    The Grand Seduction, directed by Don McKellar, with great actors including our buddy Mark Critch, and featuring a song by our very own The Dardanelles, has made its way out in to the world! Check your local theatre listings and watch the trailer below.

  • RHR ARTIST SONG OF THE WEEK – MAY 9

     

    Oh my.. this Thursday Track is being posted on a Friday. I could say that I’ve been so busy or just so sick.. but honestly, I forgot to post this yesterday, as planned. But I will make it up to you by posting one of our most often placed artists, John Jerome & the Congregation.

    JJ&TC was a very early signing at Rocking Horse Road in 2013. I was hooked on the first listen, and the band has gone on to be placed in MTV’s Teen Mom 2 (a few times now), the indie doc 30 Ghosts and a request just hit my inbox for another placement (cool coincidence, eh?).

    The track I’ve chosen isn’t one that’s been placed, but it was the one that made me take notice that day last year when I hit play on JJ&TC the first time. Ah, the memories!

    John Jerome & The Congregation – Great Claims of Grandeur

  • RHR ARTIST SONG OF THE WEEK – MAY 1

    This week’s Thursday Track is by Steve Maloney and the Wandering Kind – RHR’s latest signing. Maloney appeared to me seemingly out of nowhere. Actually, not ‘nowhere’, per say. His brother Phil plays in Hey Rosetta! whom I know from my days at Sonic Entertainment Group. He tipped me off. Of course, my first thought was that he was being a good brother, promoting his brother’s new band. Then I got the album, put it on my phone, took a walk with it on a cloudy spring day in my Halifax neighbourhood. I fell head over heels in love.

    Steve Maloney can SING. His songwriting is smart, the instrumentation is fresh… it’s like M Ward had a baby with Rufus Wainright and Timber Timbre was their baby nurse for the first month or so. I could honestly go on and on, especially about that voice, but I will let you judge for yourself.

    Steve Maloney and the Wandering Kind – On The Other Hand

    And for good measure, a video of the beautiful “Morning Break” and to further prove his singing chops and songwriting prowess – “Forest Fire” (live). I can’t believe I’m about to type this, but.. *Swoon*.

     

  • RHR ARTIST SONG OF THE WEEK – APRIL 24

    This song is a real gem. Meaghan Blanchard’s “Watchin’ The Dandelions Grow” is a testament to her most excellent songwriting. Bringing home Country Recording of the Year this year at ECMW 2014 should only be the start of her award wins and a very long career. She is super special, and I implore you to keep your eyes out for her and GO SEE A SHOW if she’s near you.

    I caught her live for her CD release show late last year and it was simply stunning. Her stage presence, her stories, her grace and charm (and wit!), how she handles a huge full band standing front and centre, a short (sorry, Meaghan!) red haired cutie with a pretty dress, a big guitar and cowboy boots. Let’s not forget the voice.  A little bit Dolly Parton and a little bit PEI tradition.

    I’ve posted a live / somewhat solo clip below, but do head on over to her website to listen to the recorded version (and maybe the rest of the record while you’re there). Our country sweetheart, that Miss Blanchard.

    Watching the Dandelions Grow from Anne Janelle on Vimeo.

    OK – Me again. I HAD to also post this from 2010. Gives a good sense of her live act. Also – I love this song 🙂

     

  • RHR ARTIST SONG OF THE WEEK – APRIL 17

     

    KIM HARRIS – THE WEIGHT OF IT ALL

    April 17th, 2014 – Also known in some circles around here as “Kim Harris CD Release Show Day”. This may be one of the most anticipated CD release shows around here in some years. Taking place at Spatz Theatre tonight, I am pretty damn sure that Kim will more than rise to the occasion. Her show at East Coast Music Week brought the house (or, rather, the ballroom) down. Her honest delivery, that voice, her charm, her band… she really did have it ALL, including a glowing chandelier hanging above the stage. And that was just a 20 minute set. Tonight is poised to be SUPER special.

    In honour of KHCRSD, and the release of Kim’s new album, Only The Mighty, I am making this week’s Thursday Track a video. Recorded live in the street, with (SPOILER ALERT) a surprise cast of background singers at the end, this shows off Kim’s vulnerability in her songwriting, as well as her strength, having risen above tragedy. Listen to the lyrics, feel the vibe. Then get your ass to a show.