CMW

MUSIC BC’S CMW SHOWCASE

Presented by 100.5 The Peak, Music BC & The Georgia Straight
Friday March 12th, 2010
The Courthouse – 57 Adelaide St. East Toronto, ONT (19+)

Buy tickets / wristbands at www.cmw.net

Featuring:

9pm -  ADALINE / www.adalinemusic.com
10pm -  WE ARE THE CITY / www.wearethecity.ca
11pm -  DAN MANGAN / www.danmanganmusic.com
12am -  THE LEFT / www.theleft.ca

9pm: ADALINE / www.adalinemusic.com

Click here to listen to songs from Adaline
With a voice that seamlessly captures intimacy and intensity, ADALINE’S compelling piano compositions, vulnerable lyrics, and haunting melodies have been seducing audiences since 2005.
From pulsing rock, to cabaret, to orchestral ballads, ADALINE creates meticulously crafted soundscapes where brass, strings, and vibraphone meet electric guitars and programmed percussion. Classical and pop sensibilities produce soundtracks that are both artistic and accessible. Often compared to the likes of Fiona Apple, Cat Power, and Tori Amos, ADALINE takes her place among these artists as one who is also inspired by the craft of songwriting and the power of performance.

ADALINE’S debut full length album, ‘Famous For Fire’, recorded at the prestigious Factory Studios and at Demitone Productions, was released on April 22nd, 2008. Showcasing the talents of over 20 Canadian musicians the album is a stunning symphonic tapestry with electronic, folk, and rock persuasions. The album has received rave reviews from critics all citing her as one of Canada’s most exciting new artists and she was recently placed in the “Top Echelon of Canada’s Female Indie singer-songwriters” by the Vancouver Sun, the Calgary Herald, the Edmonton Journal, The Ottawa Citizen, The Star Phoenix, and the Montreal Gazette (February 2009).

Since the release, ADALINE continues to sell out Vancouver venues, has toured through Canada and has played showcases at Canadian Music Week, NXNE, The Western Canadian Music Awards, and Junofest. She has shared the stage with Juno Award Winning artist, Divine Brown, Juno Nominees Eccodek and Kinnie Starr, and has shared the bill with some of the best artists in the Vancouver music scene including Bend Sinister and Hey Ocean!  Adaline continues to be a sought after songwriter and vocalist for collaborations with local producers, bands and dj’s and has recently had music licensed to GLOBAL Television’s “The Best Years”, LOGO’s “Exes and Ohs” and CBC’s “Heartland” all airing in 2009 on television stations in Canada and the US.  Her music is played on College Radio across Canada and has been featured on 100.5 The Peak in Vancouver.

After Twittering about meeting Robert Pattinson during the 2009 Juno Awards in Vancouver, ADALINE’s music had a sudden international platform, acquiring new fans from all over the world resulting in 75,000 Myspace plays in 3 weeks, thousands of messages from new supporters, hundreds of digital downloads, and stories in the National Post, Star Magazine, and E News in Los Angeles.  A true DIY artist, she has been asked to speak about the power of social media at Digital Media Conferences, has been interviewed by dozens of publications and has upcoming industry showcases in Toronto and New York.

With music described “electronic Edith Piaf rock café” (Vernon Morning Star) and a performance expressed as “watching someone in the midst of some kind of massive physical and emotional release – intimate and raw and exuberant” (Vancouver Sun), ADALINE is sure to grace your music collection for years to come.
ADALINE – where sound and soul meet.

10pm: WE ARE THE CITY / www.wearethecity.ca

Click here to listen to songs from We Are The City
We Are The City is a three piece progressive indie rock act from the Okanagan lakeside city of Kelowna, British Columbia. Originally forming under the name “Seraph” in the Spring of 2006, they changed their name to “The City” in January of 2007, and finally settling upon We Are The City in May of 2008. We Are The City features three young composers: Cayne McKenzie on vocals and keys, David Menzel on guitar, and Andy Huculiak on the drums. Cayne’s symphonic piano arrangements flow into David’s guttural guitars and the grand heartbeat of Andy’s drums, as the vocals slink from soft melodies into gruff howls. Their songs paint out a sincere and beautiful interpretation of life; exploring evocative sounds and storytelling.

They draw inspiration from Muse, Coldplay, Mew, and Radiohead. They have already shared the stage with Yukon Blonde (formerly Alpha Baby), Secret & Whisper, Kyle Tubbs, National Frost, Sylvie, Anything August, The Painted Birds, Dan Mangan, Italian Edition, My Broken Hero, Bend Sinister, You Say Party! We Say Die!, Winter Gloves, Mother Mother, and Leeroy Stagger. We Are The City was recently invited to close the Best of BC Stage in Victoria, for BC’s 150 Festival, followed on the mainstage by Burton Cummings, Sarah McLachlan, and Feist.

Listening to their instrumentation and orchestral arrangements you will readily discover their potential for greatness is simply palpable. Cayne has been classically trained in piano for eight years and playing for twelve. David and Andy are both self-taught musicians, with Andy playing drums for five years, and David playing guitar for four years.

In person, and during their witty banter in between songs on stage, you will find these three young men endearing, awkwardly funny, and incredibly sweet. They are brothers drawn together to explore their own musical renaissance. Having just finished highschool, their innocence and sincerity will pull fans in to find their own fists clenching at nostalgic summer days with bruised teenaged knuckles. These three young men may be comical, humble, and sweetly adorable, but their music is not to be taken lightly. With their booming stadium-ready sounds and stirring melodies, they are set to continue to steadily gain fans of all ages around the globe.

We Are the City will convince you with their good hearts and inspiring sounds to come and be a part of their city.

11pm: DAN MANGAN / www.danmanganmusic.com

Click here to listen to songs from Dan Mangan
On August 11 of 2009, Dan Mangan released his sophomore album, Nice, Nice, Very Nice in Canada. And it was about time. After three and a half years of touring his sleeper-hit debut, Postcards and Daydreaming, Dan was ready and eager to unveil a collection of lyrical ruminations that showcased his growth as a songwriter. 2010 will see releases throughout Europe, America and Australia.

The album immediately shot to #1 on the iTunes Canada Singer/Songwriter Album chart, and #7 at ‘Earshot!’ College/Co-Op radio (#1 roots category). Rave reviews came from heavy hitting national music-mags such as Exclaim!, CHARTattack and Metro as well as countless blogs and print media. Then came the news that Dan had won “Artist Of The Year” from XM Satellite’s Verge Music Awards, beating out acts like Joel Plaskett and Alexisonfire for the top spot – a high profile award with a $25,000 cash-prize. All of this just as Dan hit the road across Canada with his four piece band. Things only got better. Sold out shows became the norm and Mangan graced the covers of three arts/weekly papers; meanwhile, Nice, Nice, Very Nice hit #1 on CBC Radio 3, XM The Verge and 100.5FM The Peak (Vancouver). Dan performed live in studio on CBC’s national programs ‘Q’ and ‘Drive’ and found himself the beneficiary of outstanding rave live concert reviews from print and online media alike.

Titled in reference to a Kurt Vonnegut poem, Nice, Nice, Very Nice was recorded in Toronto in fall 2008 under the creative eye of producer John Critchley (Elliott Brood, 13 Engines, Leather Uppers). Dropping in to add their talents were such hero Canadian artists as Justin Rutledge, Veda Hille, Mark Berube, Hannah Georgas and members of Elliott Brood, Said The Whale, The Hidden Cameras, Major Maker and Small Sins.

Mangan has toured Canada, the UK, USA and Australia numerous times. He’s played coffee shops to six people and festival stages to many more. He has showcased at Canadian Music Week, South-By-South-West, North-By-North-East, The Great Escape (UK), MusExpo (LA), Big Sound (AUS). Whether alone or with his Vancouver-based band, Dan continues to work all the time.

Dan’s debut album has kept him on the move with opportunities. Britain’s NME magazine featured him as one of Canada’s most promising acts. Back home, he has become a darling of the CBC. Gaining respect amid his peers, he has shared stages with Patrick Watson, The Acorn, Elliott Brood, Said The Whale, Great Lake Swimmers, Basia Bulat, Stephen Page, Ohbijou, Arkells, Hey Rosetta!, Geoff Berner, Carolyn Mark, Veda Hille, Mother Mother, and has collaborated with spoken word artists such as Ivan Coyote and the internationally renowned  Shane Koyczan.

Mangan weaves unique lyrical phrases that simply and subtly unfurl complicated ideas. He delivers them with his signature graveled vocals and understated humour. What Mangan has to offer isn’t overly precious or delicate. He simply writes songs that evoke the wonder and the absurdity in what we do.

12am: THE LEFT / www.theleft.ca

Click here to listen to songs from The Left
THE LEFT aren’t just a team – they’re a workforce. The band members meet every weekday for six hours to write new material, record in their home studio, and promote their work. Even the odd jobs that they pick up to support themselves can be applied to the greater good of the band: when they purchased an old RV named Eleanor for a 52-date cross-country tour of Canada, they were able to customize, paint and carpet it for all the comforts of home.

In addition to a shared workspace, the band shares a common musical background. Drummer Eric Davis and guitarist Carl Davis are brothers, and their father was the music teacher at the high school that the four bandmates attended. Being in different grades, they didn’t get to know each other until college – but seven years and more than 300 shows later, they have become a solid team of workmates and friends.

While the band may be the poster child for unity and cohesion, the songs are as diverse as can be. Inspired by the variety and range of the Beatles, THE LEFT pledges never to write the same song twice, repeat ideas, or even reuse tempos. Melody is key: their style may change, but ultimately the melody must be catchy and memorable for every song. Their songs feature stalwart group vocals and four-part harmonies lead by singer Kevin Gau. Their jangly pop sound expands on universal themes of romance lost and found, with ear-pleasing turns of phrase that anyone can relate to.

THE LEFT attribute their musical success to the mentorship of their producers, multi-platinum award-winning GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers) Ben Kaplan (Shakira, Hedley). Over the last 5 years they have rigorously developed the band’s songwriting, touring and recording and introduced the band to their manager, Allen Moy (54-40, Barney Bentall). Former 99.3 The Fox Vancouver Seeds and Summer Sessions winners, THE LEFT were also announced as finalists in the prestigious 100.5 Peak Performance Project. The band’s performing credentials include opening spots for 54-40, Hedley, The Trews, Tal Bachman and, most recently, Blind Melon. CTV licensed almost all the songs from their last album for their primetime drama, Whistler. The first single from the next album, “Drinking About You”, has already gone to air on local radio and received rave reviews.

With all of these accomplishments behind them already, it should be no surprise that THE LEFT’s music has a positive, bright sound – like four guys with a spring in their step. “Lots of people say they come up with music when they’re in the darkest place in your life,” explains Eric Davis. “We’re the opposite. We all feel loved and appreciated. None of us ran away from home or anything. Our slogan is ‘taking fun seriously’.”