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 Amelia Curran
Listen now to Amelia Curran - Scattered & Small
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Performing:
February 15, 2:00pm - Atlantic Canada House
Amelia Curran is a seeker. Nearly a decade ago she left St. John’s for Halifax, but still pines for Newfoundland every single day. With a number of East Coast Music Award nominations and an extensive discography, including: War Brides (2006), Lullaby for Barflies (2002), Trip Down Little Road (2001), and Barricade (2000), Curran knew it was finally time to make a record at home.
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Over the past two years she recorded with Don Ellis in various caverns in St. John’s, the city of legends, from the abandoned CBC building on Duckworth Street to an old farm house on the fringes of town. For Curran St. John’s captures the essence of her inner huntress.
A songwriter by trade, but a writer at heart, Curran believes language is everything. She describes the craft of song-writing as an act of “expressing the inexpressible, a means of describing the indescribable.”
“Bye, Bye Montreal” could pay homage to Leonard Cohen and the thriving arts scene of yesteryear, but that’s the beauty of Curran. She never explicitly says what her songs about. She just opens the door and allows room for various interpretations and relationships.
“All Hands On A Grain of Sand,” speaks to Curran’s ability to elevate the lyrical into the poetical. Her desire to reconcile the past and move into the future is a constant struggle. “Ah Me,” manifests biblical myths into self-reflexive epiphanies, while “The Mistress,” is part confession, part obsession. A narrative-driven internal contention of what it means to be the other woman.
“Mad World, Outlive Me,” mines for the truth and untouchable gems held deep within the soul. With splashes of folk and cabaret aesthetics, “The Company Store,” wades through a lost way of life.
“Julia,” turns the page on a bleeding heart, while “Tiny Glass Houses,” shatters expectations and rebuilds the broken places within us all. “The Dozens,” is a toe-tapping rendition of harnessing one’s inner lover.
Retribution arrives in both “Love’s Lost Regard,” and “Wrecking Ball,” but it’s the album’s closer, “Last Call,” that leaves listeners thirsty for another round.
 Ashley MacIsaac
Listen now to Ashley MacIsaac - Sleepy Maggie
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Performing:
February 13, 10:30pm - Atlantic Canada House
Ashley MacIsaac was just days into recording his first album in five years when tragedy struck: his prized fiddle, a German Student make — the same instrument he picked up at age eight, the same one he played throughout his teens, had used on all his recordings, the same one he thrilled audiences with across the globe, the fiddle he knew inside and out – broke apart, right in his hands.
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“I literally wore it out,” Ashley wistfully recalls. “The wood had gotten so thin, it just couldn’t be saved. It was gone.” He pauses, then says firmly, “But then I remembered, ‘It’s not the truck, it’s the driver,’ and I was ready to press onward.”
A suitable replacement was found – oddly enough, an exact replica of his German Student make – and an emboldened Ashley charged through the rest of the recording process like a man reborn. The result is Ashley MacIsaac, the Cape Breton wonder’s debut on Decca, a panoramic musical journey that features Ashley’s strongest playing to date, and also sees the famed instrumentalist singing on six(!) cuts.
When Ashley MacIsaac burst on the worldwide scene with 1995’s Hi, How Are You Today? (A&M) he scored the kind of coup instrumental artists often dream of. Going triple-platinum in Canada and breaking down radio barriers with the Gaelic single “Sleepy Maggie,” Ashley became an immediate pop icon, rebellious and exuberant, resplendent in kilts, army boots and combat pants. Copping from rockers’ sensibilities, Ashley made an aesthetic of it onstage, effortlessly blending his Celtic heritage with contemporary elements such as punk, electronica, hip-hop and grunge. Audiences who may have felt alienated by Ashley’s disregard of convention were instantly won over by his dazzling displays of grit, passion and authority. Recalls Ashley at the time, “My father once told me, ‘If you want to play the fiddle, get mad at it or don’t play it at all.’”
 Blou
Listen now to Blou - Song
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Performing:
February 27, 7:30pm - Atlantic Canada House
From Marc Escarbot Theatre in Church Point, Nova Scotia to the International Festival of Shanghai, BLOU does not cease sowing its unique style of music. We had to invent a word to describe it - ACADICO. As a hurricane, BLOU was born in Nova Scotia in 1994. The Acadian people fell in love with the sound right away. The origin of the name BLOU comes from an aboriginal man who lived at the end of the street where Patrice Boulianne resides, "L'ALLÉE DES BLOU".
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BLOU's history started in 1994 with LE GALA DE LA CHANSON DE LA NOUVELLE-ÉCOSSE where Patrice Boulianne won three prizes; Chanson primée pour LA FOLIE (Best Song), singer-songwriter award and the peoples choice award. The first challenge for BLOU was a show designed for the acadian young people. The show was called 'VOYAGE THRU ACADIE' and was applauded by more than 12 000 students of the Atlantic provinces.
The show for young public continued and gradually were added cultural centres, festivals, special events, cabarets, bars and other cultural places in Acadie.
In 1998 BLOU self-produced its first opus and selected the title - ACADICO. The disc was published under independent label and is still a great success in the Atlantic provinces to this day.
In 1999 BLOU's career took another turn. BLOU collects a horde of prizes for its first recording: winning an ECMA Award for "FRANCOPHONE ALBUM OF THE YEAR" and the Éloizes prize for "ARTIST OF THE YEAR".
It was also during this same year that BLOU decided to forces with the young but ambtious managment team "à linfini communications" from Trois-Rivière Québec. With the coming of the new millenium, BLOU's first album is distibuted by the European distribution company 'L'AUTRE DISTRIBUTION' who worked hard on the making the CD available across FRANCE, BELGIUM, SWITZERLAND and SPAIN. This allowed BLOU to become the first Acadian artist from Nova Scotia to have a European distribution.
In 2000, BLOU evolved. More energetic than ever, the second disc, RYTHM' N BLOU, explored various topics from love to a Saturday night dance. Collecting several prizes such as Éloizes for "ARTIST MOST RECOGNIZED OUTSIDE ACADIE" and recieving several nominations from the ÉTOILE AWARDS for "ALBUM OF THE YEAR", "GROUP/ARTIST OF THE YEAR" and for "FOLK ARTIST OF THE YEAR". BLOU also received nominations at the Music Industry of Nova Scotia for "GROUP/ARTIST OF THE YEAR" and was among the finalists for BEST ACADIAN SONG OF THE YEAR on the French network of CBC Atlantic Radio-Canada.
 Bruce Guthro
listen now to Bruce Guthro - Come To Life
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Performing:
February 16, 7:30pm - Atlantic Canada House
Bruce Guthro is an artist who has captivated audiences around the world with his honest, straight-to-the-heart songwriting and live performances that are as engaging and personal as the man himself. Troubadour and storyteller, Bruce's music gets to the heart of the matter, and his success can be attributed to his ability to connect with his audience.
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His songs cross the boundaries of pop, folk, and jazz and showcase the vast abilities of the songwriter to put into words, many diverse experiences as though he has lived them all. Bruce's new record, titled "Beautiful Life", was released in Denmark (October, 2005), Canada (October 2006) and Germany (October 2007).
"Beautiful Life" is the 3rd solo recording by Bruce and marks another evolution in the talents of this songwriter from Sydney Mines, Cape Breton. Clearly his most personal work to date, Bruce was involved in every level of production on this recording, and stayed true to his convictions and artistic vision.
Along with his solo career, Bruce has also been, for the past ten years, lead singer for the Scottish super group Runrig, which has a strong following in Europe and continues to grow internationally.
 Christina Martin
Listen now to Christina Martin - Temporary Hell
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Performing:
February 16, 8:00pm - New Songs New Voices - 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
February 17, 8:00pm - New Songs New Voices - 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
February 19, 7:30pm - Atlantic Canada House
With a steady rhythm and swelling strings, 'Two Hearts' opens Martin's sophomore album that won her the 2009 ECMA Pop Recording of the Year and two 2008 Nova Scotia Music Awards: Female Artist Recording of the Year & Pop/Rock Artist Recording of The Year. Produced by Dale Murray the album offers nine songs that merge alt.country flourishes with a cinematic pop/folk backdrop. Martin's song writing plots vulnerability against her strong vocals in a manner reminiscent of artists such as Lucinda Williams and Sheryl Crow.
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At the beginning of her musical journey, Martin left her home in Halifax, NS with a rough course charted for Austin, TX. Within months she was a regular fixture of the Austin bar scene, performing her own material alongside acts such as Wilco and singing backup as part of the retro-rock outfit Young Heart Attack.
Martin’s debut album 'Pretty Things', recorded by Darwin Smith, contains 12 original songs and features some of Austin’s finest musicians, including Kim Deschamps (Cowboy Junkies/Blue Rodeo), Charlie Larkey (Carole King) and Bukka Allen (David Baerwald). After the stateside release of the album, Martin returned to Halifax where she continued to perform and showcase her music to the film and television industry.
Since the release of 'Two Hearts' in May 2008 Martin has relentlessly toured Canada and parts of the US. Plans for a new record are underway and continued touring both nationally and internationally.
 Classified
Listen now to Classified - Oh Canada
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Performing:
February 22, 7:30pm - Atlantic Canada House
Born in Halifax/Enfield N.S. Classified has defied the odds and found success where others could only hope. Whether signed or unsigned, Classified never abandoned his ethos of working hard and paying ones dues. He has steadily built his career from the independent circuit on up to national prominence, developing into a highly respected MC and desired producer.
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From his first LP Union Dues in 2001 to the Juno Nominated BOY COTT-IN THE INDUSTRY (2006) and HITCH HIKIN’ MUSIC (2007), Classified has sold well over 40,000 records in Canada alone, and has continuously toured the country coast to coast.
Along the way, Classifieds’ humble and creative approach to his music has garnered the attention of some of Hip Hop’s top dogs. HITCH HIKIN’ MUSIC produced by Classified features guest MC collaborations with Tash from Tha Liks and Maestro Fresh Wes. Performances along side Global artist like Nas and The Wu Tang Clan in 2008 set Classified up for his most important adventure yet; his major-label debut: Self-Explanatory.
 Dave Gunning
Listen now to Dave Gunning
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Performing:
February 20, 7:30pm - Atlantic Canada House
“There’s a song in there somewhere,” sings Dave Gunning optimistically on his seventh album We’re All Leaving, but the Pictou County, Nova Scotia performer is being far too modest.
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Since debuting with Lost Tracks in 1997, Dave has proven he can find a song just about anywhere–in childhood memories, local legends and the everyday lives of those around him–and turn it into something profound, honest and deeply moving.
His ability to tell a story in song has resulted in six Music Nova Scotia Awards and three East Coast Music Awards (2008 Folk Recording, Male Artist of the Year for House For Sale, 2005 Folk Recording, Two-Bit World), rousing welcomes from crowds at festivals and venues on both sides of the Atlantic and the admiration of Canada’s finest composers, a number of whom have become collaborators on We’re All Leaving.
Building his career the hard way, through weeks and months spent on the road and tirelessly honing his songwriting and showman skills, Dave earned his first substantial burst of national attention when his Celtic-tinged composition Here She Comes A Running from 2000’s Caught Between Shadows became a favourite clip on CMT Canada. The youthful enthusiasm displayed in the tune soon developed into an ear for human stories rarely heard in song, like Two-Bit World’s Twitter, about a Pictou County-born clown who went on to tour the world, and Prince of Pictou (co-written with guitarist Jamie Robinson), about an illegitimate son of royalty exiled on these shores which was awarded First Place Winner in the Folk category in the 2005 International Acoustic Music Awards and received an honorable mention in the USA Songwriting Competition.
 David Myles
Listen to David Myles
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Performing:
February 23, 10:30pm - Atlantic Canada House
David Myles is a fresh force on the Canadian entertainment landscape and his most recent release “On The Line” showcase his creativity, vocal versatility and musical dexterity. The cd is a powerful and stylish blend of jazz, blues, gospel, pop and folk influences that has already been recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including the 2009 ECMA Folk Recording of the Year Award. The trademark enthusiasm and likeability that make David such an instant favourite with audiences shine through on his latest release.
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David is fearless in his arrangements - from Hammond Organ to double bass to an outstanding horn section - he enjoys an acoustic palate that marries rich and elegant with animated and imaginative. In live shows he serves it up with the energy of a demon, and audiences immediately open up to his honest and passionate delivery. David is a young man but he has old-soul wisdom that connects him with people on the most fundamental level.
David’s last release, “Things Have Changed,” exposed him to new national and international audiences and earned him industry recognition in the form of two Music Nova Scotia Awards, and nominations for both the 2007 Canadian Folk Music Best New Artist Award and the ECMA Galaxie Rising Star Recording of the Year. Compelling and laconically comical, “When It Comes My Turn” won first place in the International Songwriting Competition and was the winning song at the 2008 Chris Austin Merlefest Songwriting Contest in the folk singer/songwriter category - a standout favourite with audiences.
From small house concerts to major festivals and national and international showcase events, demand for David is growing across Canada and the US. Audience and industry reaction to his newest release is enthusiastic and embracing.
 Drum
Listen to Drum
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Performing:
February 15, 8:30pm - Atlantic Canada House
February 16, 6:30pm - BC Place w/ Nova Scotia Acadian Dancers and Rich Terfry
February 17, 11:30am and 5:00pm - Live City Yaletown
February 19, 8:00pm - Richmond Olympic Zone
DRUM! represents the musical heartbeat of Nova Scotia and of all of Canada. It is a spectacular musical production featuring musicians, dancers, drummers, and singers from four principal cultures – Aboriginal, Black, Celtic and Acadian – brought together in a heart-pumping fusion of music, dance, poetry, video, rhythm, and song.
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Since DRUM! first came to the stage in 1999, the production has been received with standing ovations and rave reviews. Originally developed as a 45-minute tourism piece, DRUM! was the main stage show at Halifax Tall Ships 2000, featured at a series of international conferences, and a one-hour television special broadcast on CBC TV.
DRUM! made its debut as a full-length production in 2004 running for ten nights in its own specially designed theatre on the Halifax waterfront. Tourists and locals alike received the show with accolades resulting in a return to the waterfront for five-week runs 2005 - 2007. Critics proclaimed the show a hit, and U.S. tours ensued.
DRUM! first took the story of the rhythms of Nova Scotia to the U.S., starting in Florida at the prestigious Van Wezel Center and finishing to a packed 1700-seat theatre in Park City, Utah (home of the Sun Dance Film Festival). Audiences reacted with standing ovations, sometimes at the end of the first act, and hall operators were effusive with their praise: “Possibly the most moving performance we’ve ever presented in our theatre,” said Darrell Bryan, Hall Manager, Greeneville, Tennessee. Since that time, DRUM! has returned to entertain U.S. audiences in over 17 states, appeared for two consecutive years on Parliament Hill for Ottawa’s Canada Day celebrations, and wowed audiences in London’s Trafalgar Square.
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