There’s no denying the power of a song that uses hand claps and a classic R&B melody from the get-go. Like Matthew Koma’s “I’m F**kin’ Romantic”, I don’t think you’ll hear “S.O.B.” on the radio, but it will be one you’ll be hearing everywhere else because the instant live impact of a song like this is irrefutable. Nathaniel, who hails from Denver, doesn’t look like a rock star but has a compelling and gritty voice. And with his band The Night Sweats, they are off to a good start with sales from their debut self-titled album. Bonus: They are signed to the revived classic Stax record label! Watch the video up top for “S.O.B.” then head over to iTunes to pick it up.
MELISSA MANCHESTER, “Open Spaces and Gas Stations”
Grammy-winning superstar Melissa Manchester carves out some new territory in her illustrious and busy career with “Open Spaces and Gas Stations”. What pop music fan doesn’t own at least one of her records? 🙂 This new single follows the New York-born singer’s recent pop/jazz success with You Gotta Love The Life, which features Al Jarreau and Dionne Warwick among others. The singer has nary skipped a beat over the years with album releases, performing, and teaching, and “Open Spaces” switches pop styles for Melissa, in this collaboration with Toronto-based singer/songwriter James Collins, who co-wrote Melissa’s “My Christmas Song for You” as well as the much-played “Frozen In Time (The New Wedding Song)”. “Open Spaces” treads successfully into Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac territory – think of Stevie’s duet with Don Henley on “Leather and Lace”, or maybe Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain” or “As Long As You Follow”. The former to me is the best reference, which also captures not only the standout country-flavoured backdrop but also the delicate, seasoned production. It’s the kind of gentle song that makes you feel good and will hush an attentive audience in concert. It may not necessarily sound too much like Melissa Manchester in her heyday, but audiences will find much to enjoy with “Open Spaces and Gas Stations”. Give it a listen below.
The timing could be just right for veteran Toronto singer/guitarist David Celia with the release of his recent album Double Mind. Not only does David’s earnest and edgy rock sound recall fellow Canadian Sam Roberts and perhaps even older Neil Young songs, but it’s suddenly very current with the recent arrival of similar performers such as Hozier and James Bay. “The Grind” possesses a theme to which anyone can relate – trying to withstand and beat whatever ‘grind’ is pushing you down. It’s a folk-flavoured 3 minute record chock full of ace musicianship that goes down just easy, making it very radio friendly (which Canada’s CBC has already recognized). After more than a decade of releases (including one for Universal) and supporting other notable musicians, David Celia could get his due with “The Grind”. Watch the video above.
JASON PURCELL, “Modern Man”, with “West Coast” and “If You Could Read My Mind”
Alberta singer/songwriter Jason Purcell has got that unassailable ‘IT’, and I hope that the rest of the world will soon catch on!
From his recent EP I Want To Know comes “Modern Man”, which showcases a voice that falls somewhere between Nick Drake, Joshua Radin, and Jakob Dylan, with classic overtones from 60’s pop/folk and 80’s alternative pop, if ever a Peter Murphy song met up with one by Simon & Garfunkel. Jason’s taut “do not be alarmed” will stick around in your head long after the song is over.
And like a good pop introduction should do (and I found out about Jason through the Fluencesite on which I help curate some submissions), I had to hear more songs by Jason, so I listened to a few of many acoustic cover versions to choose from on You Tube. When I saw that he covered my very favourite Gordon Lightfoot song, “If You Could Read My Mind”, I had to watch, even a tad reluctantly. Slowing down Lightfoot’s jauntier melody, Jason draws you into every second of his rendition with his deliberate phrasing and how he plays to the camera. Like one of my other recent favourite singers, UK’s James Poole, the camera absolutely adores Jason.
This was made even more apparent in the more formally produced cover of Lana Del Rey’s “West Coast”. I’m not in love with the song, but Jason’s interpretation gave me goosebumps. Like with Lana, he has a vulnerable, fragile quality to his voice that totally suits the song. Plus, he can raise an eyebrow, crack a smile, or stare you down, and you are totally sold.
All in all, Jason Purcell is one you need to watch, and I look forward to new music from him soon! Listen to “Modern Man” above, and watch the videos for “West Coast” and “If You Could Read My Mind” below.
As you will tell from the delightful scenic backdrop in the video, singer/songwriter Piper Hayes hails from my city, Toronto! And the video, with its carefree and impromptu style, is out to set you off into a good time in its tribute to the “Love Song”. Of course it all wouldn’t work without being a brief but terrific song – and it’s hard to write briefly and succinctly! – accompanied by a gleeful, fun vocal. Piper’s voice can be added to the cadre of similar singers who’ve put out great records – Jann Arden, Colbie Caillat, Sara Bareilles (HER “Love Song” notwithstanding 😉 ). Look for a full release coming very soon!
Buffalo NY native Stacy Clark has a classic pop voice that can move seamlessly through whatever style she chooses. And she puts that to the test with her latest album Symmetry, which works well as an overall package despite starting off with 1/3 EDM pop and then moving to 2/3 singer/songwriter sometimes jazz-influenced folk/pop. Think of Sheryl Crow secretly wanting to perform EDM or Robyn tapping into folk/pop roots, with results as a fine companion to the latest by Regina Spektor and you have the idea. “Figured It Out” is easily the best choice as a lead single from Symmetry, with an interesting video (below) with a twist to its story. “Sign”, “Breathe”, and “Decimals and Music Notes” showcase Stacy’s songwriting skills and a more subdued style. A bonus is having help from Plain White T’s Tom Higgenson on “Make A Move” and Jack’s Mannequin’s Andrew McMahon on “Everything’s Changing”. Overall, Symmetry is a diverse 14 song record that deserves attention. You can get it now on iTunes and listen to the songs throughHarbour Recordings’ Soundcloud page.
There’s always a hopeful side to situations involving loss, and The Autumn Project’s latest single “My Brother” is about just that. The accompanying video, beautifully shot by Ryan Nolan, shows carefree distractions through the eyes of children, and to me the underlying message is why adults can’t deal with loss in a similar way. Unfortunately we’re too bound with responsibility and concern for others, and children deal with it differently, making you want to go back to that time when we didn’t understand so much. The kids in the video do a fabulous job, and it thoroughly compliments the gentle acoustic song and its message from The Autumn Project (aka Toronto-based Freddie Mojallal). “My Brother” is available as a single or as a part of Freddie’s album Tired Love on iTunes.
I tipped you off to the joyous and sincere folk-oriented pop sounds of Knoxsville TN based Lyonn (aka singer/songwriter Tyler Gelrud) about a month ago, when I wrote about his EP Promenade. The video for “Just Say Hello” was about to be shot, and has now arrived! I must say that this absolutely adorable video pulls off probably everything that it wanted, especially for an independent effort. It’s just a great, winning story about a guy trying every which way to catch the attention of a girl sitting and reading under a tree in a park in the centre of town. Even with the help of his wingman and others, of course, it’s to no avail, until the magic answer of the story is revealed. And even though we’ve known all along what that is, sometimes it’s how you get through the story that’s most interesting! I guarantee you will smile and get caught up in “Just Say Hello”. Major score for Tyler and his Lyonn team 🙂 Promenade and “Just Say Hello” can be found for purchase on iTunes.
From two terrific new talents, we have acoustic versions of songs which of course are best known as pop/dance club hits.
EURIELLE, “Hey Brother”
Hot on the heels of her enthralling “Carry Me” short film comes UK singer Eurielle showing off her piano prowess with her take on Avicii’s “Hey Brother”. It’s a great choice to strip the busy production down to nothing and sing a song first sung by a man (Dan Tyminsky of Alison Krauss & Union Station). It also shows what a fine song it is outside of the bluegrass-inspired original melody. Sounding now more like a classical folk song, it allows us to see Eurielle perform, nailing it with her outstanding voice. And we’ll be hearing more of Eurielle when a full album or EP release comes our way later in the year. Watch below.
NICK HAGELIN, “Latch”
“Latch” has already been covered loads of times since its original release mid-2012 as recorded by Disclosure and Sam Smith. I love that original (which got to #1 on my personal chart) and when Nick Hagelin posted about his own acoustic guitar version, I knew it could be a perfect fit for him. Recording another version of that song is made even more difficult by the fact that Sam Smith did his own quintessential stripped away version which first appeared on his Nirvana EP. But Nick’s version is as solid as I would expect, performed live and outdoors, sealing the deal with his beautiful falsetto. And Nick always lends his good humour to his videos, even when outside forces beyond his control are at play (watch below and see what I mean). Writing about “Latch” is also a very good excuse indeed for me to refer you to Nick’s new and free EP City Lights, availablefrom his website, featuring “Trust It” (currently #21 on my chart) and the fun “Finest Clothes In Town” (which got to #5 a while back).
Calan Mai is the stage name for Australian entertainer Jordan Lawrence, and he’s taken the perfectly agreeable folk/pop of “We’ve Got Love” to an entirely different level with its video. It’s a downright goofy, low budget (well except for the bit of animation, maybe) free-for-all that might remind you more of community theatre than a pop music video. But a great time will be had by all, it will not only make you smile, but may cause fits of laughter as well. Calan Mai has an album coming in August called Days Of The Rock Face (which hopefully will get worldwide release), and I have no idea if it will contain more songs with the whimsical good nature of “We’ve Got Love”. But if you need that one thing to make you smile today, you will find it with Calan Mai’s “We’ve Got Love” video below. And keep your eyes on the apple!!!
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.