Walk Off The Earth R.E.V.O.

Words can't describe how AWESOME this EP is, let alone how absolutely AMAZING Walk Off The Earth is. 

When I first heard of WOTE, I had only seen that one video. You know which one i'm talking about. 

But then, I started listening to all of their other releases, and couldn't get over their pure talent. I was lucky enough to see them at the sound of music festival this year, and again at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. 

This new EP, R.E.V.O., which stands for Realize Every Victory Outright, is such a powerful collection of 4 new songs, just enough to get us pumped for their 3rd full length release expected to drop february 2013.

Each of the songs on the EP are unique, but all have that same sound that makes WOTE who they are. The powerful combination of 4 harmonies and heavy percussion is so refreshing, and is not heard very often nowadays. It's really hard to recommend a song to listen to, because they're all so good! you've gotta listen to all of them. personally, my favourite song from the EP is "Gang of Rhythm". it's got such a good vibe to it and I love the message.

Definitely buy this EP. It's worth your 3 bucks!

Sarah Blackwood and me :)

Ritchie 60

He is a huge pop star in Brazil. And he is English! The songs that made him famous are all in Portuguese, a language he speaks flawlessly.  His name is Ritchie and I want to tell you a bit about him.
As you all know, I too have a love affair with Brazil.  My mom is Brazilian and I can see myself living there at one point of my life. I think it's a DNA thing, something you cannot explain.  But this feeling of belonging, made Ritchie stay and re-invent himself.  This all happened in the 70s.  And in the early 80s, Ritchie achieved stardom, selling hundreds of thousands of albums, his tunes playing everywhere.

"Menina Veneno" is a great song.  One of his first hits too!

Watch him cover "Mercy Street":

Ritchie just celebrated his 60th birthday and also released a new album Ritchie 60.  Unlike his other albums, he actually sings in English and it's a cover cd.  He brilliantly chose great songs, all from the 60s.

When I first listened to this cd, I was amazed by the great choice of songs.  And his interpretation is sometimes better that the original.  So, even if you don't know who Ritchie is, you should follow my advice and check him out here.  I think my favorite cover is Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbell. I hope Ritchie posts a video soon.

Listen to "Don't let the sun catch you crying":

Didn't I tell you he was awesome?

Long live Rock n Roll!

Going to start by saying that this was the best speech I heard in a very long time:

"This is a great honour, because this record was a special record for our band. Rather than go to the best studio in the world down the street in Hollywood and rather than use all of the fanciest computers that money can buy, we made this one in my garage with some microphones and a tape machine...

"To me this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of music is what's important. Singing into a microphone and learning to play an instrument and learning to do your craft, that's the most important thing for people to do.

"It's not about being perfect, it's not about sounding absolutely correct, it's not about what goes on in a computer. It's about what goes on in here [your heart] and what goes on in here [your head]."

Dave Grohl delivered it last night at the Grammy's, after the Foo Fighters deservedly won Best Rock Album. 

I couldn't agree more with his words. The music industry has to start paying more attention to what true art really is. Spend less money designing puppet performers, disrespecting true talent and diminishing the real deal musicians out there.  It's cool to wear freaky clothes and weird make-up if behind it all, there's a brain capable of writing and performing brilliant tunes. And don't get me started on auto-tune...

I want to believe we, as an audience, deserve a bit more respect. And having said so, I hope that I, the musician, do treat you with the respect you have earned.  

It's not cool to be played along...