News, reviews and more
Welcome to the latest edition of the RGM Inbox, an occasional feature where we shine a light on a quartet of artists worthy of your time. Some names you might know, some you might not, but either way, it’ll all be good.
Read MoreAt the risk of repeating myself, I must say that there is an astonishing wealth of Canadian talent out there right now. I use the word ‘wealth’ there, in the Besos and Musk sense. Seriously though, Canada, it is a bit embarrassing. Unlike the uber-rich, here at RGM we believe that there’s more than enough gold to go round, so we make a point of sharing with you a regular selection of tunes that may not otherwise have reached your ears. I use the word ‘regular’ there, loosely of course (our Canadian office is woefully understaffed at present) but we do our best to see that these musicians do not go untrumpeted. We’re certain you’ll find something to dig here and, when you do, we hope you’ll tell your pals.
Read MoreAre you looking for new and interesting music? Well, if so, you’ve come to the right place. The latest Inbox feature from RGM has music from both sides of the Atlantic and a detour to visit our friends in Australia. The journey was most worthwhile as we unearthed some great new music and a demonstration of a cover tune done right. Check it out and we’ll be back very soon with more musical gems.
Read MoreWelcome back to The Maple Leaf, RGM’s roundup of the freshest and finest tunage from Canada. By way of atoning for a longer absence than usual, we’re offering you a special double-helping of new music across the genres. Everyone is welcome here at RGM and we like to think we can spot a keeper, however it’s dressed. We hope you enjoy what you hear and that you’re inspired to take a deeper dive into some of this edition’s featured artists.
Read MoreSpring is springing and the birds are singing. As, indeed, are the singers and songwriters of Canada. In this, the latest edition of the Maple Leaf, we take you on a short walk across this blossoming landscape, and invite you to enjoy some of the bright new shoots that have been emerging along the way.
Read MoreDo you like country music? It’s a simple question but very hard to answer as, probably more than any other genre, country music absorbs whatever is happening musically on the pop charts. With this in mind, pop-country has ruled the roost in recent times with mixed results. Thankfully those annoying finger snaps and hip-hop influenced beats are slowly disappearing and a grittier more traditional approach to storytelling can always be found. My taste is more geared towards songs delivered via Southern/Country Rock/Americana acts, while I’ll always have a soft spot for the records my parents played when I was growing up by Johnny Cash, Don Williams, Crystal Gayle etc. I guess I’m lucky as my tastes are quite wide. What about you? It’s possible as RGM covers a host of musical genres that you don’t listen to country and stumbled upon this post accidentally in which case here are four recent/upcoming releases that might be of interest to get you started.
Read MoreJoni Mitchell, Daniel Lanois, Alanis Morissette… Justin Bieber. Canada’s rich and varied musical heritage clearly has a trickle-down effect, as music of a consistently high calibre pours in abundance from its shores. Here at RGM, we shine a light on the best new Canadian music we can find, not just in the hope we’ll unearth the next Sarah McLachlan but also because we believe there’s something in the water over there that makes the music extra special. We hope you find something here, in the latest Maple Leaf roundup, to love as much as we do.
Read MoreThere are very few positives that can be gleaned from the Covid-19 pandemic but one small ray of light has been how artists have embraced technology and worked together to spread a little positivity. A case in point is The Wild West and their ‘Better Way’ single which is out now via the Blackbird Record Label The Wild West features a host of Los Angeles based singer-songwriters who will be familiar to many via their solo work namely Manda Mosher, Tawny Ellis, Heather Anne Lomax, Amilia K. Spicer, Pi Jacobs and Deb Morrison. A pretty impressive collective I’m sure you’ll agree and needless to say the harmonies are suitably glorious. Please read on to check out the video for ‘Better Way’ and learn much more about how The Wild West came to be:
Read MoreWelcome again to the RGM Inbox, an occasional feature where we shine a light on an eclectic selection of music that turned up in the RGM office by way of that interweb thingy. We’re open to a little bit of everything here at RGM so you’ll never be absolutely sure what might turn up but this time around the cool sounds include a folky singer-songwriter duo branching out on their own, dream-pop from California and a reminder that to be able to travel is amazing.
Read MoreFans of the late Elliott Smith will find much to enjoy via a new compilation released today 15th February 2021. It's called Everybody Cares: An Elliott Smith Compilation which has been put together by Francis Lung (ex-WU LYF), La Blogotheque and My Favorite Elliott Smith Song (a fan podcast). The compilation of Smith covers is available via Bandcamp with 100% of the proceeds going towards LGBTQ+ right charities (AKT, The Audre Lorde Project and GIRES). More info about the compilation follows:
Read MoreWith February 14th upon us, it seemed like the ideal time for RGM to shine a light on Valentine’s Day. The modern Valentine’s Day originated in 1797 but didn’t really catch on as gifts and cards were generally handmade and very expensive to post. Valentine’s Day gained a huge boost in popularity in the UK in 1840 with the advent of the Penny Black stamp allowing cheaper postage and Valentine’s Day as we know it today was truly born. This RGM feature shines a melancholy light on a day that isn’t always all hearts and flowers.
Read MoreVirginia native Morgan Wade has been making waves recently via a string of excellent sessions on youtube with OurVinyl and SomerSessions that highlight a fantastic voice singing hard-hitting songs of failed relationships, addiction, mental health and just all-around finding your way in the world. Wade has hooked up with Sadler Vaden, long-time guitarist for Jason Isbell as well as an acclaimed solo artist, to produce and Paul Ebersold to engineer ‘Reckless’ her debut album set for release via Thirty Tigers on March 19th. Capturing the essence of an artist like Wade, who works so well in an acoustic setting belting out tunes with emotion and conviction, can be a difficult job but the initial signs are good as evidenced by ‘Wilder Days’ and Don’t Cry’. Please read on to learn a little more about Morgan Wade and hear tracks from the album.
Read MoreOkay Canada, go easy on me. I somehow find myself in February 2021 trying to pick five chunks of hot new music for this feature, having amassed a ruthlessly edited shortlist of around 35. How did this happen, Canada? I can only account for the disappearance of an entire January by weeping before a hand-drawn graph of an alarming home-learning curve. You’ve made me choose, Canada, and it’s been hard. Nevertheless, here I am again, your most loyal of servants, educating the RGM readership on the subject of your latest and loveliest musical works of wonder.
Read MoreDavid Gray has been a very busy man of late. The singer released the ‘Gold In A Brass Age’ album in 2019 and a 20th-anniversary reissue of his seminal ‘White Ladder album followed in 2020. Now on February 19th 2021, he’ll release his latest album ‘Skellig’ recorded at Edwyn Collins' Helmsdale Studios in Scotland. The album will be available digitally initially with physical CD/LP to follow in May. ‘Skellig’ was Inspired by a small group of islands off the coast of Ireland. The islands were a place of pilgrimage and home to a group of monks in 600AD who were seeking to be closer to God through exile from the world. Whatever your religious leanings the theme of isolation should be familiar to many of us in these difficult times. Please read on for more about David Gray and the videos for latest single ‘Heart and Soul’ and the title track which highlights the vocal interplay between David and his band.
Read MoreWelcome to another year at Red Guitar Music. In so many ways 2020 was a year we’d all like to forget while 2021 has, unfortunately, delivered more of the same thus far, but we remain hopeful for better things later this year. Luckily, there’s always good music to take our minds off the day to day drudgery of living with a pandemic and January has already unearthed a few small gems.
Read MoreAs it’s the season for giving, we’ve put together a special bumper edition of The Maple Leaf Roundup, bringing you not five but ten - yes, ten! - new tracks from our copaines Canadiens. Think of it as an early Christmas gift - a mellifluous mixtape of must-hears you might not have otherwise met.
Read MoreAfter our first collection of Christmas tunes were so well received we’re back with more. This time up we’ve got a lovely slice of festive fun from Olivia Lane and Shannon Labrie is back after impressing all at RGM with her ‘Building’ album earlier this year. We also have a contribution from newcomer Wallis who wasn’t even born when Eric Brace and Last Train Home originally sang about the characters featured in their seasonal offering. It’s enough to make you feel really old…
Read MoreWhen the force of nature that is Amigo The Devil toured the UK in early 2020 in support of his fantastic 'Everything Is Fine' album, the world was a far different place. Looking back Amigo The Devil’s dark gothic tales were a perfect match for the upcoming pandemic, but at the time the RGM crew were merely staggered by his ability to mesmerize a crowd. We were witnessing something very, very special and ATD was most certainly the real deal. Nearly a year later and ATD is back with a terrific new single ‘Another Man’s Grave’ from his upcoming Beau Bedford (The Texas Gentlemen / Paul Cauthen) produced album ‘Born Against’ set for April 16th, 2021 release via Liars Club. More about the album including the single follows:
Read MoreCrazies keep on crazying, Covid keeps on cavorting but, through it all, Canada keeps on calling. We get so much Canadian music in the RGM inbox it sometimes feels as if we’re being stalked by an entire nation. We are blessed with more than we can reasonably manage but, in our relentless quest for gems, we make sure we listen to everything and, in this, the eighteenth instalment of The Maple Leaf roundup, we share five of our finest finds.
Read MoreAnd we’re back! Told you we would be. We currently find ourselves inundated with fine Canadian music on a scale that is - wait for it - unprecedented. I assure you, however, we are fully equipped to manage the current surge. Honestly, we are. So, without further facetiousness, here are five more Things You Must Hear from our cousins across the water.
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