Call it folk and I`m good.

So, the whole music blog went down the drain with the business of being an area head at Brandon`s Folk, Music & Art Festival this summer - which was a blast by the way.

From time to time, I may review albums I find particularily enchanting, but for now, back to the blog world of self-serving entries which I hope you may find useful.

That being said, if you`d like me to review something, I`ll gladly listen. I have very wide tastes in music, though my ability to review country music may be lacking - call it folk and I`m good.


This work by Naomi Leadbeater is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.

Music in the Trees: Nathan

“I like to walk around my dark house” ... so do I. While I am a perpetual night owl myself, I like walking around it much better with some good music. I put on Nathan last night, when I was cooking myself supper at 10pm.

While much more of a country influence than I generally listen to, I am a sucker for good lyrics, and these songwriters definitely have a gift for quirky smooth, free running lines that are easy to sing with, and catchy at the same time.

Winnipeg's music scene has for a very long time been vibrant and creative, so it was no surprise to learn that the band thrives in the flat prairies which, as they say on their own page are “full of hidden caves, impossibly high mountains and murky oceans.”

The band is comprised of singer/writer/guitarist/thereminist Keri Latimer (formerly McTighe, she got hitched), singer/writer/accordionist/banjo-ist Shelley Marshall (formerly Bilewitch, she got hitched first), Bassist Devin Latimer, drummer Damon Mitchell, and a rotating cast of tubas, pedal steels and trumpets. (from http://www.myspace.com/nathanband)

It is the kind of music that everyone will undoubtedly get up and dance to at this year's folk festival. Nathan headlines on Saturday night and I would encourage anyone who can make it out to come dance in the dark with Nathan and experience the magical lyrics and beautifully rhythmic accompaniment which will entice you to join with them. Until then, have a listen at: http://www.myspace.com/nathanband  

Music in the Trees: Christa Couture

I fell in love about two chords in to the song “I don't play piano”. Now, I'm not sure if that's because I do play the piano, and might be slightly biased so I'll be up front on that account.

Couture comes from a musical background, and her blend of folk and what I might call rock scream with personality and charm. Her mother sang in a folk trio in the sixites called “The Cellar Dwellers” and her father performed Native-American ceremonial music his whole life. Her first release was in 2002 after which she moved to England and returned to Canada a year later overflowing with inspiration and began recording again. For more about her albums and music and life, visit http://www.christacouture.com/news.html?pageid=VISCAM

Back to the music – clearly the thing of which I am obsessed. There is something both charmingly innocent and sultry about her voice. Personally, I find the vocal lines both crisp and clear (in terms of tangibility and the ability to discern the lyrics) as well as smooth and lyric. For example, I have never in my life heard someone sing “You're just fucking my ghost.” in quite such a sweet way. Which in the grand scheme of the lyrics of that particular song “The Net” is incredibly brilliant and will make most listeners do a double take upon hearing it the first time.

I also am enormously appreciative of the harmonies between keyboard and string instruments which are not your regular run of the mill I - IV - V progressions, but much more melodic and linear. Something else which impresses me about Coultre is the dynamic range of her recordings which unlike mainstream music – actually HAVE a dynamic range.

What can I say, it was love at first listen, and I'm so looking forward to the live performance at the Brandon Folk, Music and Art Festival in July. If you're in town, or passing through, or hell, it's even worth making the trip just for the awesome amount of musicians. Check out this link for more info on the festival. www.brandonfolkfestival.ca


This work by Naomi Leadbeater is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.

Music in the Trees

Summer brings about or should bring about sunshine, warm breezes the occasional thunderstorm and most of all music. While these reviews will be largely Brandon based for the time being, they will eventually branch out into bands that I have personal contacts with as well as those I meet online, and friends of friends of friends.

Brandon Mb, is an intimate performing venue and hosts many small performances for beginning artists during the year as well as attracting larger acts and more famed performers such as Buffy Sainte Marie and Randy Bachman. Coming up in the near future is the Brandon Folk, Music and Art Festival which now in its 26th year has grown astronomically in the last few years. Buffy Sainte Marie is this year's big name, and as well as perform, she will be hosting workshops with talented artists who are just at the beginning of their artistic paths.

So, what follows is the beginning of my reviews, of some very fantastic artists and musicians who will be part of the Brandon Folk Festival this year. While it's only my opinion, I believe strongly in the folk festival and its commitment both to the artists and our community. I hope these reviews are helpful, give you some new information and encourage you to form your own.


This work by Naomi Leadbeater is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.