It's bound to happen. Anytime I have an article that deals with Canada, I'm going to mention the importance of the great Rick Moranis. The star of so many 1980s classics gave up acting years ago, but it's always a good opportunity to praise his work any time I speak of our lovely neighbors to the north. My own love for Planet Moranis aside, there's so much more Canada offers... like... segue alert!... indie rockers In-Flight Safety. The band, which consists of vocalist/guitarist John Mullane and drummer Glen Nicholson, formed in 2003 and have been killing it ever since. The Juno nominees and Halifax residents are back with Conversationalist, and, in essence, it's ten tracks of guitar heavy, infectious indie rock. The band recently filmed an A-Sides session, performing "Animals," "Blue Flares," and talking up the former. Watch it. Listen to it. Love it. Love me...somewhat. And, of course, long live Rick Moranis.
Sometimes you interview someone, and it just feels like you're shooting the shitzu. That was the vibe when I sat down with pop star Eric Dash last month from Primary Wave Music's A-Sides Studio/Listening Room in New York City. The conversation flowed like cheap beer in a red cup. Dubbed as "The Male Taylor Swift", Dash chatted up "One Plus One," a song he performed for me prior to the interview, and discussed his forthcoming EP. Dash seems like an artist clearly on the rise off the basis of first single, "One More Love Song", which broke him into the Nielsen Top 40 Radio Chart. Watch the intentionally long, funny, odd, good-natured interview below. Oh, and keep up with Dash, and his upcoming My Own Island EP this spring.
A-Sides 3rd Anniversary Show
On Jan. 23, A-Sides will celebrate its third anniversary (about six months too late), at Garcia's within The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY. The show will feature a mix of music and comedy including buzz band Dreamers and buzz comic Nore Davis. Learn more here.)
A-Sides "Delve Into Twelve" Countdown
Each week A-Sides unleashes its Top 12 tracks of the week AKA the "Delve Into Twelve" based on the following contributing factors: songs I'm playing out that particular week NO MATTER WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED (think overlooked songs, unreleased tracks, and old favorites), songs various publicists are trying to get me to listen to that I did and dug a bunch, posts and trends I've noticed on my friends' Facebook walls, and -- most importantly:
12. "Inside Job" (retro cut) - Pearl Ham
11. "Call My Name" (LW-11) - HAERTS
10. "Black Mambo" (reentry) - Glass Animals
9. "Cigarette Daydream" (reentry) - Cage The Elephant
8. "Mess is Mine" (LW-6) - Vance Joy (Watch his exclusive performance of the song for A-Sides here!)
7. "Break the Rules" (LW-8) - Charli XCX
6. "Wolves" (debut) - Dreamers
5. "Karaoke" (LW-7) - Smallpools
4. "O" (LW-2) - Coldplay
3. "Somebody New" (LW-3) - Joywave
2. "Push Pull" (LW-4) - Purity Ring
1. "Lampshades on Fire" (LW-1) - Modest Mouse
About A-Sides with Jon Chattman:
Jon Chattman's music series features celebrities and artists (established or not) from all genres of music performing a track, and discussing what it means to them. This informal series focuses on the artist making art in a low-threatening, extremely informal (sometime humorous) way. No bells, no whistles -- just the music performed in a random, low-key setting followed by an unrehearsed chat. In an industry where everything often gets overblown and over manufactured, Jon strives for a refreshing change. Artists have included fun., Charli XCX, Imagine Dragons, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry, Gary Clark Jr., American Authors, Echosmith,and many, many more!
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