Beware! The Leopard

Los Manilicious

I was a latecomer to Hawksley Workman.  While I recall hearing "Striptease" while in my halls of residence at Guelph University, I never really got into Hawksley.  Perhaps it was because I was too busy listening to Wes Montgomery and other jazz/blues guitarists that I kind of avoided modern music like the plague for a few years. 

That all changed a couple of years ago when I was re-introduced to Hawksley, particularly his Lover/Fighter album, but also the Delicious Wolves as well.  His sumptuous blend of rock, pop, cabaret, and just cocky showmanship won me over almost instantly.  The fact that he has one of the best voices in Canadian music didn't hurt either.  Due to my lateness in recognizing his genius, I got bit by the bug right when he entered into a period of mellow albums, Treeful of Starling and Between the Beautifuls, both magnificent albums, but catering to his ageing crowd.  So I was a bit surprised when I first popped his latest Euro only release Los Manilicious on the hi-fi.  The dirty guitars, the hard edged vocals, all harkened back to his earlier albums but with a bit more of an electronic influence as well.  Los Manilicious is a great piece of work, and will please fans of Striptease and his other rockier stuff.  If you came into Hawksley during his mellow phase, like I did, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. 

While he can barely be called a "band to watch" as he is such an established songwriter, this album is definitely worth checking out.

Open Mic Success

So for the second time since my arrival in London, I hit up an open mic this past weekend.  On Sunday I trudged over to the Phoenix after work to grab a bite, and wait for the show to start.  The Phoenix is a nice pub on Cavendish Square with a great atmosphere for the intermediate performer.  The audience was very appreciative, and despite a short set, I got quite a few compliments, and I'm looking forward to playing there again. 

Next time I'll be sure to remember where my recorder is to get some audio up, but for now pictures will have to do.

and the all important closeup.

Pictures courtesy of the lovely Neonfoxtongue

Winnipeg - the Great Canadian Musical Wilderness

Canada is one of those places that likes to think big.  We're the second biggest country in the world geographically (wikipedia puts us at 36 if you go by population), we have huge nickels, muskies, and mosquitos, and we have also developed some huge musical talent - the likes of Neil Young, Steppenwolf, Bryan Adams, Arcade Fire, the Guess Who, Bruce Cockburn (we'll subtely exlude C. Dion for now).  So why is it that so many Canadian artists bask in obscurity?

I think it's because Canada is a very insular nation.  Though we like to think of ourselves as playing on the big world stage, most musical acts rarely venture outside the borders, and those that do - if they don't taste immediate success - tend to shy away from doing it again (ahem, Tragically Hip).  Now why is this cropping up as a subject worthy of dicussion?  Because today I've had many compliments on my chosen soundtrack for the store, many queries as to what band it is, etc. and I'm met by blank stares when I say "The Weakerthans".  I would like to think that there are few Canadian music store employees who wouldn't at least have heard of the Weakerthans and their Winnipeg-based, self-depracating, blend of folk and rock.  But over here, not a single soul has shown even one hint of recognition.  So this is my weak call to Canadians out there to promote your home bands, and for Canadian bands to push themselves outside the national borders, there are plenty of audiences waiting to be captured.