Backstage Pass

LORI YATES - MATADOR

“Matador," released on January 29, 2024, is an exciting, thoughtful album from a veteran songwriter and performer. In this delightful, easy-going conversation, Lori discusses the album and what it means her and her many years thriving in the music industry.

Lori Yates is a renowned voice, a respected singer/songwriter in roots music, and a pioneer of “alternative country music” in Canada.

The Band's Rick Danko once described Yates as having "that desperate Canadian sound," sealing her legendary status.

Yates returns with her eighth album, "Matador," released on January 29, 2024, a testament to Yates’ enduring influence and artistic evolution.

https://loriyates.ca/

NO HELP COMING. - THE FUGITIVES

'No Help Coming', to us, isn't a negative," says Glynn. "It means humanity's alone in this, but we're alone in this together."

The Fugitives are:

BIO:

The Fugitives are an acoustic folk-roots group headed by songwriters Adrian Glynn and Brendan McLeod. They’re joined by banjo player Chris Suen (Viper Central) and violinist Carly Frey (The Coal Porters).

Over their first five albums, they’ve amassed a JUNO nomination, numerous CFMA and WCMA nominations, and toured extensively through Canada, Europe, and the UK. Performance highlights include most major Canadian folk festivals, a slot at Glastonbury, and a tour opening for Buffy Sainte-Marie. In 2020, the band created “Ridge”, a WW1-centered theatre show, which was named a Globe & Mail “Top Arts Pick of the Year”, and has toured to over 30 theatres across Canada.

The band has earned a reputation for unforgettable live shows, brimming with complex harmonies, infectious storytelling and top-notch musicianship. As the CBC has it: “This show is simply brilliant.”

54•40 is a legendary Canadian rock band that emerged from the vibrant music scene of Vancouver, British Columbia. Formed in 1981, the band's name is derived from the westward expansionist James K. Polk (11th President of the USA) political slogan “54-40 or Fight”!

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, the band achieved even greater success with albums like "Show Me" (1987) and "Dear Dear" (1992), “Smilin’ Buddha Cabaret” (1994). The latter featured the hit single "Ocean Pearl," which became one of their most recognizable and beloved songs.

Otis released a new single on March 8,2024. It’ll be a bluesy, rockin’ cover of a 1969 song by soul sister Betty Harris called There’s a Break in the Road. The band absolutely kills it with their version and makes it their own.

OTIS website: https://theotisband.com

On March 01,2024, The Hello Darlins released the Alders and the Ashes, a double album follow-up to their breakthrough smash 2020 album, Go by Feel.

A lot has happened for the band and its principal songwriters, Candace Lacina and Mike Little, since they garnered world-wide attention with their debut. The lock down, Mike’s recovery from a worrisome health issue, the loss of family and friends, an extensive 2023 tour in support of Go by Feel and the rigorous demand placed on them as preeminent, highly sought after, studio musicians.

The Alders and the Ashes is a masterfully written and produced, sophomore album. For fans, eagerly awaiting more material from the songwriting duo and their esteemed bandmates, it is generously playful, soulful and dare I say, spiritual - a bountiful sonic feast of Americana Roots, Rock and Country.

‘A Way Through Time’ JJ Shiplett.

Americana Roots singer-songwriter JJ Shipplet’s breathtakingly personal new album, A Way Through Time, released on March 15,2024 via Red Buffalo Records under the exclusive license of Jayward Artist Group (distributed by The Orchard). 

This new album showcases the Calgary, AB-based artist's evolution both sonically and lyrically, as he explores a sound he has been searching for a long time. And please, please, please listen to the last track, "You and I Will Never End"... it is devastating and heartbreaking. 

A Way Through Time was written throughout the course of a few years, in and around my house here in Calgary. These were the songs and melodies I would hold tightly to; something inside said they mattered and constantly drew me in further every time I’d sing them. When I’d pick up my guitar, or play the piano, these were the songs that would come out.

As a thread began to weave itself through each song, it became clearer and clearer that each song had a purpose, a story to tell, and something to work towards. It was the recognition that life barrels on, lap after lap, and as we learn to ride the wave, we begin to take advantage of the very moment, allowing us to give it away and to love recklessly.

Armed with the songs and time running out, I went to Fort Records in Fort Langley, BC, with Jay Stewart at the helm. His positive mental attitude, attention to detail, and willingness to dive deep into the songs was so crucial to making this album. Together, with close friend Jeremy Friesen, we set out to capture the truth of each song by connecting the lyrics and melody to the rhythm and emotion. It was extremely important that these songs be recorded with Jeremy, as he was battling stage 4 cancer. With each session, I could see him fading away. We knew we had to make the most of each moment. The very last session we did, finishing vocals for You and I Will Never End, was the last time I saw him.

https://www.jjshiplett.com/

Love Always was produced by and features pianist Ernest Turner, along with bassist John Brown and drummer Donovan Cheatham.

Chris James is their front man. He plays keyboards and guitar and harmonica. Writes songs too. He wound up with the Burrito Brothers in 2009.

The band was formed in 1968 in Los Angeles as The Flying Burrito Brothers. Its classic lineup featured country rock pioneer, the late Gram Parsons, and former founding Byrds members bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke, along with eventual original Eagles member Bernie Leadon on lead guitar and pedal steel guitar genius Sneaky Pete Kleinow.

AUTOGRAMM - MUSIC THAT HUMANS CAN PLAY

Autogramm has a long-standing connection to the art, punk, and skateboarding communities world-wide. They are:

“It’s like as if David Bowie, The Fixx and Cheap Trick partied with Prince and recorded the whole thing. Most of the songs should probably be on the Fast Times At Ridgemont High soundtrack.”

“Autogramm is a weird and wild synth-heavy, power-pop new-wave four-piece with members spread across Seattle, Chicago, and Vancouver. Drawing on influences from some of the best of the best like Devo, The Cars, Gary Numan and The Go-Gos, the band also flirts with elements of retro-punk, modern pop and rock. Autogramm has a long-standing connection to the art, punk, and skateboarding communities of the various cities and scenes they have been a part of (Vancouver, Berlin, New York, Calgary, Seattle, and Chicago). They have channeled their dedication to the DIY approach into a cohesive and self-sustaining concept wherein recording, visual art, and video production are all handled by members of the band themselves. In doing so, their primary focus remains creativity and good times. Speaking of the band members, they boast a stacked line-up of players from some of the most primo international acts around; Jiffy Marx (Hard Drugs, Night Court, Blood Maridian), CC Voltage (Black Halos, Spitfires, Dysnea Boys), Lars Von Seattle (The Catheters, Bread and Butter), The Silo (Black Mountain, Destroyer, Lightning Dust). They’ve toured extensively in Canada, the US, Mexico, the UK and Europe. They’ve charted across North American campus community radio and have been in rotation at Sirius XM’s The Verge, Rodney On The Rock and Steven’s Underground Garage. So, yeah, they’re kind of a big deal :)

Who are The Commotions?

A twelve-piece funk/soul band ready to get you dancing!

“They’re hot, sizzling, fun, and funky.”

Putting the motion in The Commotions are 12 band members including two lead singers and a wild five-piece horn section. Directed by Brian Asselin, these high caliber musicians will rock your heart and soul.

VOLUME III, is a riveting, stellar album which will set your feet and fire and get you singing along. Enjoy this wonderful conversation with Brian Asselin about one of the great albums of 2023 and the plans for the band moving forward.

THIS IS THE COMMOTIONS: