SASKATCHEWAN ALBUMS & EPS
RELEASED
JUSTIN LABRASH: Roots Lumsden teen Justin LaBrash picked up the guitar a short six years ago and has taught himself to play, sing and song- write, leading into the release of his debut EP. The title makes a connection to the pride he has for his country roots, home, and family, and desire to create an album capitalizing on the strength of local players. He selected songs that he felt an emotional connection to, including two co-written with his father Wes, and a cover of Alex Runions’ “Hooked on You.” This emerging country/rock artist has been working hard to cultivate a dynamic and high energy live show with originals, clas- sic country, and rock hits. Recorded at: Blue Door Studio, Regina. Produced by: Patrick Andrews. More:
www.labrash.net
WENCHES & ROGUES: self-titled Wenches & Rogues is a Saskatoon-based Celtic rock/punk band. Its roots are centered in traditional Irish and Scottish mu- sic with a twist of heavy metal, rock, and punk. Their self-titled first full-length album, with both originals and amped- up traditional tunes, brings a new sound to traditional classics, with originals paying homage to their Irish, Scottish, and Newfoundland roots. Consisting of guitarist Trevor Merrigan, the band’s piper and whistle player Pierre Bazin, Kristen Rat- zlaff on oboe and vocals, and Carmela Brockman on keys & accordion. Recorded at: home studio and The Sweat Shoppe, Saskatoon. Produced by: Wenches & Rogues. More:
www.wenchesandrogues.com
SOUL MATES: Snake Oil Fast tempered and disharmonious, Soul Mates’ sound draws inspiration from the feral midnight curdles of slasher flicks, endless skate rash jams and bro-and-blue matching tattoos. The group’s debut album cruses on the edge of interwoven guitar and the surgical precision of a rabid rhythm section, a chaotic blend of a dizzying chorus of blood-in-cheek screams, frenetic hardcore explosions and propelling rhythms. Soul Mates is Tyler Baptist (vocals), Jeshaiah David (lead guitar/back- ground vocals), Judd Fiechter (bass), Adam Lealos (guitar), and Colin McGuirk-McNeil (drums/percussion/backing vocals). Recorded at: The Sweat Shoppe, Saskatoon. Produced by: Soul Mates. More info:
www.soulmatesnoise.com
NONO RYAN: Flow Tank Former member of DGS Samurai Champs, long-time member of Regina’s Trifecta Artist Collective, MC and spoken-word artist Nono Ryan’s poetic and introspective approach to hip-hop originates from his personal journeys through the jungles of Thailand, once as a Muay Thai fighter and once again as an ordained Buddhist monk. Drawing influence from hip-hop contemporaries such as J. Cole, Joey Badass, and Isaiah Rashad, he employs vivid imagery and intricate wordplay to narrate his personal encounters with spiritualism, on his debut solo album. Recorded at: Trifecta Studio/Stoop Kids Studio, Regina. Produced by: Marvin Chan. More:
www.facebook.com/nonobamryan
HIGHWIND: Cellar Door Following up their first EP “We’re All Alone,” this is the debut full-length from Moose Jaw rock/punk band Highwind. Cellar Door tells the story of a broken family through different perspectives, dealing with loss, grief, regret, and uncertainty. From the introduction of the album through to “The End pt.2,” the songs encapsulate harsh vocals, catchy melodies, crunchy guitar tones, along with pounding drums. The instruments of the album were recorded live off the floor with the members playing together to convey the raw essence of the material. Recorded: Blue Door Studio, Regina and Nebulus Entertain- ment, Moose Jaw. Produced by: Jared Robinson and Highwind. More:
www.facebook.com/highwindmusic
SHIRLEY & THE PYRAMIDS: self-titled Saskatoon dream-wave psych-surfers Wizards may have taken a hiatus, but its alter ego is here to fill the void. Shirley & The Pyramids’ debut is mellower and dreamier than much of what we heard from Wizards, but the flowy laid-back psychedelic rock feel is wonderfully familiar. The six-song album opens with “Nothing is Real.” which has a low-fi sound and vocals that echo above a distorted wall of sound that marries sly synths, loose drums and… a flute? It’s a perfectly unexpected intro- duction to this new version of the band. Recorded at: SASC HQ, Saskatoon. Produced by: Aron Zacharias. More: www.
facebook.com/surelyicomequickly/
YOUNG BENJAMINS: Losing Our Shadows Losing Our Shadows maintains YB’s dynamic cinematic songwriting, catchy hooks, and the intertwined beauty of Mofaz- zali’s charming lyrical delivery with Poulin’s soaring vocal style. The band have taken their time here, learning more from each other, becoming more comfortable as musicians and it’s telling. “This is our first album as an established collective with lasting members. It embodies a lot of darkness and emotional feelings about leaving town and leaving the ones you adore. Yet we still try to keep the songs as energetic as possible, so that it can be uplifting at the same time.” Recorded at: Ghetto Box Studios, Saskatoon. Produced by: Young Benjamins and Barrett Ross. More:
www.youngbenjamins.com
WWW.SASKMUSIC.ORG SASKMUSIC THE SESSION - FEBRUARY 2017, VOL 30.1 47
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