Get To Know @Verite with the Original and @PenguinPrison Remix of “Weekend”

VÉRITÉ, “Weekend”

Vérité is a new singer from NYC who is turning heads with her EP Echo.  On “Weekend”, a comfortable marriage of pop and dance music, Vérité uses her lower register to dazzle like when we first heard Lorde, but after the minute mark her voice soars into her upper register which will draw in fans of Ariana Grande too.  The video up above had me at hello, but the ending is superficial and I’ve seen other (mainly European) videos play this card to their disadvantage.  But nonetheless, “Weekend” should be hitbound, it’s just beautiful all around.  And it’s enhanced by Penguin Prison’s effortless remix (below) which throws it into a different soundscape without taking anything away from the song.  Watch for Vérité and “Weekend”, the song is a creeper and a keeper!  I would love to see Vérité play on a double bill with fellow local singer S V Ē!

Gallant Return: @SpandauBallet with “This Is The Love”

SPANDAU BALLET, “This Is The Love”

Spandau Ballet have never really went away for very long, but the original quintet led by the still-stunning pipes of Tony Hadley returns with “This Is The Love”, one of a couple of new songs you can find on their new compilation “The Story”.  It’s easy to say that this one’s aimed at the fans of their biggest hits, a simple, tight and effortless return.  Their documentary “Soul Boys Of The Western World” received raves at the same time as the group was performing some select gigs to get back out there to the public.  As is demand, they have now launched a tour of the same name, coming to a major city near you soon!  It’s great to have this band back.  Spandau Ballet was one of the more intriguing groups out of the post new-wave movement who continued to embrace dance music.  Fans know them for their ballads so I’m hoping in these genre-specific days that Spandau Ballet can bridge both pop and EDM easily.  Watch the spot-on performance from “The Jimmy Kimmel Show” last week, above.

Out to Conquer: @ElevenPastOne Release the EP “The World Is Ours”

ELEVEN PAST ONE, The World Is Ours (EP)

I predict it’s going to be hard to stop hearing Eleven Past One on Canadian radio with the release of new songs on their EP The World Is Ours.  Of course it contains the noteworthy hits such as the title song and “Tonight’s The Night”, which gave the Ontario quintet a large following over the past few years, landing them on many multi-artist tours, particularly those sponsored by Canada’s Family Channel (our equivalent to a hybrid of Disney and Nickelodeon).  The songs would be nothing if they weren’t so well-written, tightly played, and fronted by the slick vocal talent of Daniel Richter.  And no doubt there will be some naysayers that say this is just so much formulaic pop rock aimed for radio and teens.  But I am never one to deny the appeal when it’s done as well as this.  

The genuine and moving new single “I’m Ready” (above) is accompanied by an important message about bullying which will resonate with all ages.  But the EP is more than just the singles.  “Night Of My Life” and “I Won’t Give Up” are classy winners.  What I also like about the production is the minimal use of studio trickery, which gives it an old school feel in some ways.  BUT….. the EP does have a secret weapon!  I don’t know what’s up with me and ballads this Fall, but “There’s Nothing Wrong” is a simply stellar and unexpected wow moment, and could be the band’s fourth and biggest hit.  Watch for Eleven Plus One on tour to support the EP, and don’t be too surprised if their songs push outside of Canadian borders.  

A Roaring Good Anthem: “Lionheart” by @JakeMiller

JAKE MILLER, “Lionheart”

Miami singer/rapper Jake Miller is so loyal to his fans that he’s seen his Twitter followers grow to a half-million.  Not too shabby for this young man who signed to Warner Brothers earlier this year.  His first release for the label is the EP Lionheart, and I’ve zeroed in on the title song, though Jake has already seen national Top 40 airplay for the poignant “First Flight Home”.  “Lionheart” is almost a successor to his previous single “Collide” (which reached #5 on my personal chart) with a similarly crowd-pleasing vibe as he sings and raps about his strong-willed lady love.  Jake’s appeal is highly contagious and it’s easy to get caught up in a performance like this that wears his enthusiasm on its sleeve.  You can get the Lionheart EP on iTunes and listen to the title song above.

The 9 Frame Way: Toronto Trio @InMyComa Gives @DepecheMode’s “I Feel You” a Workout

IN MY COMA, “I Feel You”

I’ve been fortunate enough to follow along with the rise and rise of Toronto trio In My Coma as one of Canada’s new premiere alternative rock talents.  So I was just delighted to watch their new 9 frame video take on Depeche Mode’s “I Feel You”.  For one thing, it’s an excellent cover choice, one that’s not heard much, and one that the band completely makes their own, it’s several steps away from the original.  Depeche Mode’s rendition is relentless and blisteringly noisy, and while I’ve seen In My Coma blow the doors off when it’s played loud in concert, they tone it down for the video, which also shows the band’s diverse talents.  “I Feel You” is a great teaser for what may come on the band’s sophomore album, which I expect we’ll hear sometime next year.  

In My Coma opens for Moist along with Smashing Satellites on Saturday, November 22 at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto – not to be missed!

Watch Out! You’ve Just Gotta “Believe” in Powerhouse New Talent @JoeKirkMusic

joekirk

JOE KIRK, “Believe”

Fresh after his remarkable performance on “The Voice” a few weeks back in the battle rounds when he was unceremoniously cut after a truly brilliant duet of Rihanna’s “Stay” which left audiences everywhere scratching their heads with eyes dripping, 18 year old North Carolina native Joe Kirk has issued his first single, “Believe”.  It’s a wise choice to follow a performance of “Stay” with a wide-appeal ballad that shows off Joe’s range quite nicely.  Melodically and sometimes vocally, the song is a ringer for Swedish House Mafia’s “Save The World (Tonight)” but as it moves along it changes it up until Joe’s voice is completely let loose after the 3 minute mark.  “Believe” is only the start for Joe Kirk and the powerhouse talent that I sure believe lies within and will dazzle us more over the next few years.  You can preview and buy “Believe” on iTunes right here.

Today’s Lessons from Mr. Jonas: “Teacher” and “Avalanche” (featuring @DDLovato) by @NickJonas

NICK JONAS, “Teacher” and “Avalanche” (featuring Demi Lovato)

Okay, call me convinced.  I did indeed enjoy the preview single and video for Nick Jonas’ “Chains”.  But somehow… and I still haven’t quite figured it out… I’m not digging “Jealous”, Nick’s first solo Top 40 foray… maybe I’m finding it too close to Justin/Robin songs of the past year?  Anyway, the youngest Jonas clearly is on the right track with “Teacher”, which truly does feature a dynamic vocal and rich, ear-zinging production set to a slinky beat.  Of course the lyric video featuring some rather nice body parts in reference to Nick’s own beefed-up physique isn’t hard to watch at all 😛 Also previewing online from his self-titled album to be released on November 10 is the ballad “Avalanche” featuring JoBros fave Demi Lovato.  While the match up in the past was always with brother Joe, Nick and Demi do sound just great together.  The song itself comes off like Nick’s own version of “Chandelier” as transformed into a duet.  It’s powerful stuff that bodes well for the rest of the songs on his album.  Like Joe Jonas’ Fastlife album of a few years ago, of which I am a big fan, Nick Jonas wisely chooses to step away from the Jonas Brothers sound and go for the gusto his own way (with the help of course of some powerful players and producers).  You can buy “Teacher” (above) now on iTunes and get “Avalanche” (below) later in the week when the album is released.

Romance In The Air: “There Goes My Heart” by @LisaJStansfield

LISA STANSFIELD, “There Goes My Heart”

Last year I wrote about Lisa’s first release in almost 10 years called “Can’t Dance”.  Her album Seven was forthcoming at the time… but didn’t actually get released until a few weeks ago in Europe (not yet in North America from what I understand).  In any case the wait is worth it if “There Goes My Heart” and its glorious video are any indication.  This is a classy pop-jazzy-R&B nod to all of the positives about sudden romance, in some ways thematically a sequel to “This Is The Right Time”.  The video has excellent moments, both from Lisa in performance and from the actors as they play out what we all hope will happen in the story.  The song is fresh and vibrant and very deserving of worldwide exposure.  Hopefully Lisa can take to performing and touring, and that Seven can be released in North America.  Europe is also getting a deluxe version called Seven+ – clearly Europeans know much, much better!  Seven is available on Amazon for purchase.

@JarellPerry Takes On A Drake Cover with “Own It”

JARELL PERRY, “Own It”

A new phase for L.A.-based R&B/soul singer Jarell Perry is beginning following the release of his White EP and  album Simple Things with his cover of Drake’s “Own It”.  While Jarell’s version strips away the hip hop flavour and rap lyrics from Drake’s original, he transforms it into a minimalist, street-wise soul recording that keeps the same intent as the original.  It’s accessible alternasoul for anyone interested in something out of the ordinary with a gorgeous vocal.  Bonus:  “Own It” is a free download from Jarell Perry’s Soundcloud page right here.  Watch the understated video above.

 

Rock and Romance: @SteveGrandMusic Is Back with “Time” and “Bennie and the Jets”

STEVE GRAND, “Time” and “Bennie and the Jets”

As a preview to his upcoming album due shortly after the start of 2015, Steve Grand has released two new songs – a new original, “Time”, and a cover of a song from my early years, Elton John’s “Bennie and the Jets” – to whet your taste for more new songs.  From one of today’s most endearing, rising performers,  “Time” is a rock-tinged country song that’s all about the romance and good times, a good companion song in a lot of ways to Eli Lieb’s “Zeppelin”.  Steve’s a great storyteller, and his breezy, rooted performance hardly makes you notice a 4 minute + length.  It’s songs like these that standout because Steve really doesn’t sound quite like anyone else.  And there are more fine originals coming too!  I’m really glad Steve released “Bennie and the Jets”.  I heard it at his Toronto show in the summer and it was sabotaged by bad sound.  I really wanted to like it but couldn’t form an opinion. The enjoyable recorded version is slick enough and captures the raw essence of the Elton classic (and Elton’s a Steve Grand fan), though I think we’d have to dress up Steve in platform shoes and a bright sequined outfit for full 70’s effect 😛  Anyway, these songs are part of a great step forward for a deserving and talented singer/songwriter 🙂 You can buy “Time and “Bennie and the Jets” on iTunes.