Danny Michel: Sunset Sea

“Wish Willy / I wish I was Willy / Make sure you say HI to Willy for me”.

Well, Danny Michel has done it again. The 9th album from the Waterloo, Ontario native – Sunset Sea - is perfect. Released this past Canada Day, this is the perfect summer album with its mix of daydreams, vacations and life lessons.

This DIY artist crosses many genres with his folk/pop/rock sound. Listening to the strumming guitars, banjos and claps and stomps that accompany many of his songs makes you feel like you’re sitting around a campfire with your best friends.

It’s his lyrics, however, that will make you fall in love with Danny. I had always pegged Danny as a kind of social and environmental activist (especially after listening to Feather, Fur and Fin). This concern for people and places continues on Sunset Sea in cuts like Maybe You Can Find It In your Heart, Who’s Gonna Miss You? and When I’m You. At the same time, Danny’s sense of humour cannot help but shine through on these tracks. You will hear an even more optimistic and playful Danny in more lighthearted tracks like Wish Willy. Overall, his songs are as personable as his performances.

Listen for Canadian musician Sarah Harmer on Binary Star.

http://www.dannymichel.com/newsite/welcome.html
http://www.myspace.com/dannymichel
http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Danny-Michel

Kyrie Kirstmanson: Origin of the Stars

Canadian musician Kyrie Kirstmanson has released her third album, Origin of the Stars, recorded on the Parisian label NoFormat!. This is truly an amazing find. Her voice is both soulful and quirky: picture a hybrid of Bjork, Feist and Joni Mitchell. Her sound is equally as difficult to categorize: a kind of avant-garde jazz meets folk.

When listening to songs like The Holy, Song For A Blackwind and Birdsong you can picture yourself at an outdoor summer folk festival. While Song X, Eruption and Comet of Desire should be enjoyed in a dimly lit, smoky jazz bar on a rainy night. (Even as a non-smoker, I firmly believe that smoking should be legalized for specific musical performances…for ambiance purposes of course).

With increasing recognition, including an Ontario Arts Council’s Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award for Song X, Kyrie’s unique and beautiful style should reach more and more ears.

To hear Kyrie follow the links below:

http://www.myspace.com/kyriekristmanson
http://radio3.cbc.ca/#/bands/Kyrie-Kristmanson

Inaugural Review: Justin Rutledge

If you do not listen to Justin Rutledge already, now is a very good time to start. His fourth album, The Early Widows, made this year's Polaris Long List.

While he is often categorized as country, fans of indie and alternative rock will also appreciate Rutledge's unique and organic sound. The album’s first cut, Be a Man, co-written by Michael Ondaatje, captivated me in immediately. With its earthy sound combined with almost heartbreakingly intimate lyrics, this song made my world stand still for its entirety. The bittersweet band and poignant poetry carries on through the ten tracks (all of which are perfectly arranged by Hawksley Workman).

After listening one does begin to wonder, what exactly made Justin so sad? However, at the same time, really appreciate his articulate melancholy. This album is perfect to listen to calm a frustrating commute or to illuminate a dark place.

You can listen to and find more information on Rutledge at the following:

http://www.justinrutledge.com/
http://www.myspace.com/justinrutledge
http://www.sixshooterrecords.com/six_site/six_www.html
http://radio3.cbc.ca/