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While attending the London Sync Summit, I had the pleasure of catching a couple short acoustic performances by this lovely band of Irish lads called The Young Folk. It’s my pleasure to report that, a few emails later, Rocking Horse Road now represents them for syncs on this side of the pond!

“Quite simply, one of the most promising young bands to come out of Ireland in several decades, and this debut album is a fantastic calling card and opening gambit for the five lads” – Maverick Magazine

“Serious challengers for the likes of Fleet Foxes, Mumford and Sons and The Low Anthem.” – Hot Press

They’ve opened for Midlake. They have been compared to Fleet Foxes, Lumieers, and Mumford and Sons. They have really bad luck (read this article. holy crap!).. but all comparisons, name drops, and tragic stories aside, these kids are the real deal. We are very proud to have them as part of the RHR family. Supes – this will land in your inbox very soon!

Thanks to Caren and Julia at Pixie Place Records.

-JB

What a week! While in the UK to attend the London Sync Summit, I had one eye and half my heart back on the East Coast, where East Coast Music Week was happening in one of my favourite places in the world – St. John’s, Newfoundland.

The Sync Summit was a nice time, capped off with a night at Sync Drinks – where London’s licensing professionals go to drink beer on the sidewalk outside a pub in SOHO. Super fun. Between the two events, I had the pleasure of meeting some great UK / European industry pros, including Joel and Emma from SynchTank, Marcel from Sizzer Amsterdam, Carmen of CMC Music Supervision, Peter from Sweden, Clare and Jay… the list goes on. Thanks to our host and leader, Mark Frieser for bringing us licensing folk all together, and I will return to another one of these summits soon!

On the other side of the pond, RHR artists Kim Harris and Joshua Van Tassel won awards for Rising Star of the Year and Electronic Recording of the Year at East Coast Music Week. The depth and breadth and quality of the talent back home is exactly why I do what I do, and why I travel far and wide to meet new people and spread the word about our music.  Congratulations Kim and JVT. You deserve that recognition and much much more.

xo- JB

It was a good 14 years ago that I fell in love with Michael Feuerstack‘s s music, when he went by the name ‘Snailhouse’. I saw him play in a crowded upstairs room at The Khyber in Halifax, Nova Scotia on a rainy afternoon and I’ve been an uberfan ever since. His work in Wooden Stars is also terrific, but his solo stuff, to me at least, is magical. I did have one of his tunes as a ringtone for a while too. I fangirled out and showed him once, all smiles and holding my phone up in front of him like it was made of gold. Geek move, but whatever. Fans are weird, it’s just a fact.

Anyway – The Globe and Mail recently published a story FINALLY singing his praise, with Canadian musicians imparting very kind words, and helping to educate the rest of the country on Mike’s brilliance as a songwriter. READ IT HERE. 

RHR has the pleasure of having Mike on our roster. When we signed him on, I was over the friggin’ moon. His new album The Forgettable Truth is out now. I’m posting my jam “The Devil” below, as well as his in-studio performance on Q (you know, that show that used to be Jian Gomeshi’s on CBC) of “Clackity Clack”. I believe that might be Jeremy Gara from Arcade Fire on Drums.. am I right?

I know I haven’t posted a Thursday Track in a while. So busy around these parts! Sometimes, when one gets busy, things tend to be taken for granted. That is never good. I am reminded of this as I listened to today’s Thursday Track. In the middle of a pitch, I played Ryan Cook’s “Like Old Guitars” and it hit me in the face. Not only are the lyrics so beautiful, but I was reminded of the first time I heard it.

I was after Ryan and Jay Smith to write together. I thought they’d get along. Jay liked to write with others. Ryan was new at it at the time. They got together one night, and this song came out of it. Both of the guys sent it to me and said how much they liked writing it together. I was so pleased. When Ryan recorded it on his “Wrestling With Deamons” record, I was pumped. A song like that should not be kept in email inboxes.

Sadly, Jay has now since passed away. There is a benefit show this Saturday in Halifax (also coming to Vancouver and Toronto with other acts), in Jay’s memory. The Halifax show’s proceeds will be sent to the Unison Benevolent Fund and The Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia.  If you are interested in attending, please get tickets to “Remembering Jay Smith, Feat. Matt Mays, Adam Baldwin, Carmen Townsend and more” HERE: http://www.sonicconcerts.com/remembering-jay-smith/ 

We miss you, Jay. Thanks for the tunes.

Like Old Guitars (Cook / Smith)

Love of my life, oh what’s that you say?
As the day turns night, changing the plans we’ve made
And Your heart is saying in this game you play
It’s time to make your move
Hold the hand of someone new Like old guitars do…

All of my life, I’ve been waiting to see the day
when things will work out right and lady luck will walk my way
but the years keep passing and I keep asking
myself why you look so blue?
With your scars in perfect view Like old guitars do…

Take another look, before you pass me by
cause I’m old but I’m pure as gold when you hold me right

Nothing in this world ever goes as planned
But your song gets sung when it lands in the right hands

One of these nights, we will meet again someway
if the moment’s right, and we have got time out the way
And when you hold my hands you’ll understand
and the feeling will come back to you

Like a song that you once knew
Just like just old guitars do

Mardeen is a ‘max-power pop band’ from around these parts, and their fans are rabid. The new 4-song EP, Silver Fang, is already causing a stir. We will send this out to you supes in the next few days! Check out the title track above, and share with your friends!

Going to jump right in here…. This is a great look in to Christina Martin‘s new album and some very personal insights in to her life and how the songs were born. I have seen many album trailers and I must say, (and not only because I am part of her team), this is extremely well done. Beautifully shot, completely sincere, honest, and a nice taste of the album’s vibe.

I’ve stated before that this is a whole new step for her. See for yourself by watching the short video posted above (part 1 of 2).

RHR is ecstatic to announce that we have included The Golden Dogs‘ new album, 3 1/2 to the roster! The record drops on Tuesday, Feb 17th with tour dates following in southern Ontario and Montreal. This is sure to be a (very) early contender on album of the year lists.

This is a great record, described in the press release as:
“Super-charged and unrelenting, 3 ½ finds the band at their most mature and inventive while still delivering on the kind of high-energy triumphant power pop that has helped the Golden Dogs cement their cult-like status within the ranks of the Canadian music scene. New, yet refreshingly familiar, the album full of sweaty fist pumps, hypnotic kick drums, and gutteral yells showcases a revitalized vigor and enthusiam from the group.”

Music supes – we’ll be sending this along very soon!

Preview the new track “I’ll Do it For You” HERE!