Other bands who have played out in Halifax
| On Project Opus since: | April 23, 2007 |
| Last seen: | 2 weeks 1 day ago |
| Biography: | Vincent Van Gogh “loved life so bad, his paintings had twice the color other paintings had”. So sings Jonathan Richman (on Rockin’ and Romance). And that tells you something about musician Allison Crowe. A modern lover of music, blogger Muruch frames it like this: "There's really no way to convey through mere words how much the music... moves me, or how I want other people to listen to and adore it as much as I do. Allison sings with such an intensity of emotion, it's easy to see why she's often quoted as saying 'Why music? Why breathing?'... that kind of artistic passion seems extremely rare these days." "I love singing for people," says Allison Crowe. "It's a way to connect and share with others. Communication is crucial. Just being able to do what I do, to write and sing and perform, makes me feel not only alive, but incredibly lucky. Knowing at any moment everything could change, I don't take one second for granted." Born 26 years ago, on an island, in the harbour city of Nanaimo, B.C., today Crowe's reach is global. The audience for her music videos and song downloads numbers in the millions. "Allison Crowe has a voice to fall in love with," says UK music industry journal Record of the Day. "She is from Vancouver Island in Canada, descended from Scottish, Irish and Manx stock. She's exactly the sort of artist who can make serious headway on her own label and that's just what she's doing." When this phenomenon 'from the islands' reached the mainland she steered a path clear of what Joni Mitchell knowingly calls the record industry’s “style inventions”. With Ani DiFranco and Loreena McKennitt as models Crowe created her own label. Since 2003, Rubenesque Records Ltd has released five critically and commercially successful albums: Lisa's Song+ 6 Songs; Secrets; Tidings; Live at Wood Hall; and This Little Bird. "The first thing you notice about Allison Crowe is her voice. Rich and dark, it seems to come from a place most singers can only dream of accessing. Then there are the songs. Filled with raw passion and accompanied by Crowe's eloquent piano playing," writes Clodagh O'Connell (The Courier). Hers is a joyous sound: "Elton John meets Edith Piaf." A sensation at the UK’s John Lennon Northern Lights Festival, “Canadian angel Alison Crowe gave one of the weekend's most magical moments," says The Scotsman. Festival Director Mike Merritt describes Crowe as "awesome" and "spine-tingling", noting her performance “put hairs on the back of your neck! She brought the house down." A true grassroots success, Crowe’s praised not only as a singularly talented songwriter - on themes personal as well as worldly - and as a visceral performer, but, also, as a supreme interpreter of song. Her vital takes on such 21st century standards as Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Joni Mitchell's "River" are applauded as "truly transcendent". Her Tidings CD, a mix of traditional carols plus songs of joy, peace, and redemption from the secular songbook, is an emerging classic: "music for the season and all time". "Her voice celebrates the music with a bluesy rock-gospel intensity; her controlled vibrato, silken rasp, and powerful projection rivet your attention. This is no casual background music. be prepared to be amazed," says Hamline University Professor Of Law - and CD reviewer - Carol Swanson. "Every song radiates sincerity, creative flair, and emotional intensity." ”It takes a lot of self-confidence to tackle Aretha (Franklin)'s version of 'I Never Loved a Man...' but Allison does and nails it just as good as the Queen of Soul herself. Her piano playing is equally exquisite," says Bob Muller, curator of song covers at JoniMitchell.com in his review of Crowe’s newest album, This Little Bird. He sums up: "Treat yourself to one of the mightiest talents on the singer-songwriter scene today." David Powell, Welsh-based tech writes: "I'm listening to 'Effortless' on (Allison Crowe's) This Little Bird album with my Pro-Ject headphone amplifier turned up about a quarter more than on most modern records. It sounds fantastic because unlike most modern records it hasn't had the **** compressed out of it to raise the loudness." Vocalist, pianist, guitarist, songwriter, engineer, producer and arranger, Allison Crowe now lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia and Corner Brook, Newfoundland. From these home-bases, (spanning the full 7000 km breadth of Canada), she tours steadily, earning a reputation for exciting live shows that stir together her original songs with much-loved interpretations in an organic blend of rock, jazz, folk, Broadway, gospel and soul. "Ever wonder what it would have been like to listen to a gifted singer/songwriter from Saskatchewan in a small, intimate hall before she became Joni Mitchell? Don't fret the missed opportunity. There's no need to turn back the clock. Check out Allison Crowe," says Robert Reid in The Record. "Allison has a special gift that is so very rare in musicians today. She is true to her mind, heart and spirit," says Ross Hocker, long-time public broadcaster with NPR affiliate WGTE. Hocker, whose musical taste embraces Thelonious Monk, Bela Bartok and Charles Gounod, calls Allison Crowe's live performance "the most honest, heartfelt, and directly intimate concert in my entire life." "In an entertainment world that increasingly genuflects at the altar of instant fame, Crowe seems an anomaly, building her career slowly and carefully," notes Adrian Chamberlain, of Canada's Times Colonist newspaper. "Soulful. Alive. Joyous. Grievous. Real, true, music is what I want to make," says Allison Crowe. You can lend an ear... |
| Albums: | Little Light,Tidings,Lisa's Song + 6 Songs,Secrets,Live at Wood Hall,This Little Bird |
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| On Project Opus since: | May 7, 2006 |
| Last seen: | never |
| Biography: | Ottawa, Canada-born singer/songwriter John Allaire became first know to Canadian audiences with his alt-rock band in the '80s and '90s, The Town Cryers. After spending two decades touring North America and performing alongside other international acts with The Town Cryers and other bands, John put out his first solo recording in 2003, Crime and Punishment. In 2005, John teamed up with his backing band, the Campistas, and released Thank You Waitress!, an album that went to the top of many college and university radio stations across North America and garnered a particularly large audience in Europe. PERFORMED WITH… John’s vocals have been compared to Adam Duritz (Counting Crows), Bill Janovitz (Buffalo Tom), Joe Strummer (The Clash), Bob Mould (Husker Du), Paul Westerberg (Replacements) and many others of this ilk. His songwriting echoes that of Neil Young, Paul Westerberg, Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) and Elvis Costello. For the most part, John’s songs are traditional folk-influenced stories and the solo show incorporates quick wit, banter and a direct connection with the audience. His straightforward guitar and harmonica styles are reminiscent of early coffeehouse troubadours like Dylan and Donovan. Each show is different from the last, with changing arrangements (acoustic and electric accompaniment), material choices and the stories he relates. John has shared the stage with: Alanis Morrisette, Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Donovan, Lynn Miles, Hoodoo Gurus, BoDeans, Dr. and the Medics, The Church, VSpyVspy, Nada Surf, Econoline Crush, Weddings Parties Anything, Tom Cochrane, Grapes of Wrath, Nils, and many more... AWARDS That was then... Allaire toured the country with the Cryers all the while releasing their 1989 CD, "Surprise Surprise", which included a supporting video for Allaire's song "Never Bin Hurt B-4". The video won honours as top independent video in Canada in 1989. The CD also had the dubious pleasure of being the first release in Canada by an independent band on the emerging CD format. The Town Cryers parted ways in 1992, but not before recording a whopping 18-track CD called "Stanley's Cup". In 1995, John founded the alt/punk band The Mercy Miners, playing with such signed recording artists as Econoline Crush and Nada Surf. The Mercy Miners released a 10-song CD called Knuckle Sandwich in 1997. In 2003, John released his first solo effort called Crime and Punishment. The album was a 12-song collection and, while not doing much in the way of charting on radio stations, the CD sold more than 1,000 copies (admirable for an independent release), including copies numbering in the hundreds on the east coast of Canada and the USA. John's latest release "Thank You Waitress" is out now and is garnering rave reviews as his best career work. Who are the Campistas? John's band of studio and live musicians include: Jeff Tanguay, Bass, Breeze Smith - drums, Glenn Torresan - guitars, slide guitar, Tony Dunn - keyboards, sax, Valerie Daley - flute, Juan Gratton-Dominguez - horns, Tom Simpson - percussion, Zeke Smythe - drums and programming, Thomas Marsdon - cello |
| Albums: | Thank You Waitress! |
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| On Project Opus since: | May 24, 2006 |
| Last seen: | never |
| Biography: | We have survived |
| Albums: | Yeah Whatever,Suffer,Dusk & Desire,Rotting Geraniums,Head Down |
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| On Project Opus since: | March 29, 2006 |
| Last seen: | never |
| Biography: | If you have been waiting for a sound that is innovative and eclectic (it’s soulful… it's jazzy...it's bluesy...it’s funky…), yet savvy enough to ride the waves of popular radio, look no further. This is a dynamic artist in touch with modern culture and carrying a message that is impacting those who encounter it. The soulful sound of singer/songwriter/musician Greg Sczebel (“suh-bell”) is steadily capturing the attention of a wide range of music enthusiasts. From the moment you first hear the rhythms of his piano you will be intrigued. His talent is obvious...but then the vocals glide onto the scene and you see that there is more to this artist than just a good beat. His lyrics are intelligent, showing a mature depth, and he doesn’t sacrifice the musicality for catchy hooks. Greg is passionately committed to making good music. And it's obvious others are catching on. He has been recognized for his outstanding talent as an artist, having been honored with many remarkable opportunities and awards. He has shared the stage with a variety of the entertainment industries’ top performers, including Grammy Award-Winning Producer, David Foster, jazz crooner, Michael Bublé, 6–time Juno Award Winner, Colin James - as well as Casting Crowns, Jars of Clay, Leigh Nash (of Sixpence None the Richer), Bebo Norman, Carolyn Arends, Out of Eden, Shawn McDonald and more. The end of 2004 brought Sczebel a Canadian Urban Music Award nomination, four CGMA (Covenant Award) nominations, and ultimately two CGMA awards (‘Male Vocalist of the Year’ and ‘Rap/Hip-Hop/Dance Song of the Year’), as well as an Okanagan Musician Award for ‘Gospel Artist of the Year’ for the second year in a row. In 2005 Sczebel continued to gain momentum by picking up a JUNO AWARD (Canada’s Grammy©) for his debut album “Here to Stay” in the category of ‘Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year.’ Shortly after, Sczebel was nominated for a grand total of five Shai (“shay”) Awards (Canada’s Gospel Music People’s Choice Awards) – ultimately taking home 3 of these - ‘Pop/Contemporary Album,’ ‘Urban/Soul Album’ and ‘Song of the Year’ for his single “In the Pocket”. In addition, Sczebel was a grand prize–winner in the international 2004 John Lennon Songwriting Competition, for his title track, “Here to Stay” and more recently was a finalist in the R & B category for the 2005 John Lennon Songwriting Competition for his song “You’ve Got It”. At the close of 2005 Greg was also privileged to sign exclusive endorsement deals with both Audix Microphones and Yamaha USA Pianos & Keyboards. And this is just the beginning of what is quickly becoming a well-established music career. But in spite of the acclaim, Sczebel still finds the most value in the personal connection between music fans and his songs. "To be validated by the awards and opportunities is always encouraging. The most exciting thing though, is hearing that my music is connecting with people. If I can continue creating music that impacts those who listen to it, I'd love to still be doing this 40 years from now." If the present is any indication to the future, Greg Sczebel is well on his way to reaching his goal. Career Highlights: QUOTES: PAUL BRANDT, AWARD WINNING COUNTRY RECORDING ARTIST KEVIN EDELMAN, MUSIC SUPERVISOR - METALMAN MEDIA INC. CAROLYN ARENDS, DOVE AND SHAI AWARD WINNING SINGER/SONGWRITER DIONNE SMITH, PRESIDENT, VIBE GOSPEL MUSIC HEATHER CLARK, HEATHERCLARKBAND JAYLENE JOHNSON, SINGER / SONGWRITER |
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