Kip Moore brought his Me And My Kind Tour to Oshawa last Saturday night and boy was that a party.
#Country4FortMac
Sometimes the stars align and things just seem to be perfect and nothing can knock that feeling away. Well last Thursday night in Toronto all the country stars you could think of showed up and played one of the best venues in the city in support of the relief efforts for Fort McMurray. It was honestly one of the coolest and intimate experiences I have had in a long time. Along with raising just over $17,000 for the cause. #Country4FortMac
The Lovelocks Pour Everything Into CD Release…
I recently had the opportunity to take in The Lovelocks EP release party at the Mod Club in Toronto, and I’m glad I did. I had heard great things about the duo of Ali Raney and Zoe Neumann, but this would be the first time I would catch them live.
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
Getting to the venue a little early I had a casual exchange with a longtime fan who was pretty excited to tell me how she has had them play at her house a couple of times in the past, and went on about how wonderful the girls are as both musicians and people. With the crowd that filled the Mod club it was obvious The Lovelocks have collected loyal fans over time and they’re all just as excited for whats to come as the girls might be themselves.
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
Prior to the show kicking off was a fan meet and greet where I saw how Ali and Zoe interacted with fans, they were so warm and down to earth. A great start to the night for those lucky Facebook contest winners.
SoundCheck Contest Winners with The Lovelocks – Photo: Mike Highfield
SoundCheck Contest Winners with The Lovelocks – Photo: Mike Highfield
The show began with the upbeat title track from their new EP Born To Love. It set the tone for the evening and I knew this was a great night of country music to attend. One thing I love in country songs is a solid harmony and these two really nail it. It just soothes whatever ails you. They played songs off the new EP like Radio, Simple Stuff, I Do not and also threw in some covers of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time, and Dolly’s Jolene. The Lovelocks then got some crowd participation going with their bubbly tune Dance, which they joked that it’s one they have had people dancing to in old folks homes so theres no reason we couldn’t. I would call it a guilt trip but, I think people were already ready and willing to dance.
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
Zoe and Ali seem so comfortable up on stage, they’re just having a lot of fun doing what they do. They were backed by a great band who were flawless. They kept up great energy the whole night, playing the single Home Sweet Home before walking off stage for the inevitable encore. Then taking the tempo way down for Lovely for their first encore song, showcasing beautiful vocals and great lyrics. And, to close it all they ended with their rendition of Cake By The Ocean by DNCE.
The Lovelocks will only continue building on their success with all the talent and personality they carry. Keep an eye out for them over the summer and pick up their new EP at http://www.thelovelocksband.com.
Mike Highfield / @MC_Highfield
MORE PHOTOS…
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
The Lovelocks perform at The Mod Club for CD Release Party – Photo: Mike Highfield
Riki Knox – CD Release Party
The Latcham Centre in Port Perry was shakin’ and a rattlin’ on Nov 14 when Riki Knox hosted her CD release party, showcasing her first CD entitled That’s Country Y’all. The new music is available now on her website at www.rikiknox.com and you can also pre-order on iTunes with the CD scheduled to be released on Nov 22, however, the sold out crowd this past Saturday night got an early preview.
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox has been hard at work to create this full length new release. Teaming up with award winning producer Willie Mack, and writing with the likes of Jason McCoy and Troy Kokol, Knox travelled from Ontario, to Canada’s west coast, and then back and forth from Nashville until she had the music just right. Stints in Texas to film supporting video for her songs also rounded out her travels.
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
She is no stranger to hard work, and it looks like that work ethic is about to pay off. The 2014 CMAO Rising Star nominee is a consummate performer. She has a very strong presence on stage, a powerful voice, and style all her own. Riki lives the country life in small town Ontario farming community. So when she sings about the country life, she knows what it’s all about.
Introduced by Pete Walker of KX96 country radio, the party got started off on the right foot with a performance from Ben Hudson. The tall Uxbridge area singer/songwriter performed a solid set which included his original song Wear and Tear and certainly got the crowd hopping. Watch for more from this guy!
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Knox then took over and delivered her signature energy-driven show. She was supported by a super tight group of musicians that included: Randy Vautour (guitar/vocals), Clayton Mark (guitar), Mike Vautour (drums), Dan McGrath (fiddle), Ron Vautour (bass) and Michelle Vautour (backing vocals).
Working through her set lists, Riki had the Port Perry crowd up dancing and singing and it was very obvious that everyone enjoyed the show. Each person attending received an advance copy of That’s Country Y’all (which is also one of my favourite tracks). One lucky attendee also won a free pair of Lane boots, courtesy of Knox’s sponsor Lane Boots of Texas.
This show marked the third time in 2015 that I was lucky enough to have Riki in front of my camera lens. Absolutely watch out for this lady! Big things are coming. Country radio needs to get fully behind her music and get it out for the masses to enjoy.
Scott Burns
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
Riki Knox performs at her CD Release Party – Photo: Scott Burns Images
