Santana Reminds Us Just How Smooth He Is In Ottawa
Seldom in my time as a reviewer have I come into such a diverse room for a concert. Varying ages and cultural demographics, all discovering their inner Latin vibes in one setting is kind of a cool experience.
The Riot Police “Movement” Album Release Party at 27 Club
Ottawa based The Riot Police brought their show to The 27 Club in Downtown Ottawa last Friday night. This group is no stranger to the music scene having been around since 2007 performing at many venues in Toronto, Kingston and at Ottawa’s own Bluesfest and Folkfest. Photos: Rob Blanchette Review: Ann Kiss-Blanchette
Confession is Good for the Soul
We last caught up with Floridian indie rockers Dashboard Confessional at MacEwen Hall last month in Calgary where they were in town promoting their long anticipated album Crooked Shadows. Last night they visited the Bronson Centre in the nation’s capital city and were preceded by Montreal songstress Gabrielle Shonk and Keswick ON (north of Toronto – I had to look it up too) natives The Elwins.
OLP Herald Nostalgia in Ottawa
I walked into the TD Place with hesitation.
The weather was peculiar and I wondered if this trip to Ottawa would be worth my time and attention. I’ve seen both main acts on this bill multiple times and neither act was screaming at me as tremendously relevant right now.
Amy Shark makes her Ottawa Debut at Babylon Night Club w/ Milck
Walking into the Babylon to see a shirt that read “One Woman Riot” hanging at the merch table I knew I was in for a night well spent. With it being International Women’s Day, I could think of no better way to spend it then supporting women in music doing their creative thing. All the way from Australia, Amy Shark made her Ottawa debut alongside LA’s Milck Thursday night at Babylon Night Club. This show turned out to be STRONG, on many levels.
Alan Doyle live in NAC’s Southam Hall
Sunday night’s show with Alan Doyle and his Beautiful Beautiful Band left the National Arts Centre’s Southam Hall buzzing (and slightly buzzed) as he played fan favourites, traditional songs and some of his new tunes as well. The night was filled with Newfoundland folk artists who graced the stage for the full house of adoring fans. The night was opened up by St.John natives, Fortunate Ones, who brought their traditional folk sound to fill the hall. Their unforgettable harmonies and accordion laced songs have made their way through Ottawa a number of times, this time bringing with them some new work with a pop twist to it. My first taste of the duo was at Blacksheep Inn when they opened for Nova Scotia’s own Rose Cousins (who is playing the NAC this Friday!) They have also come across the stage at City Folk as well as other stages at the National Arts Centre. The fashionable pair are always a good time, and I recommend you heading out to see them the next time they pass through.
Are you cracked?! Alan Doyle talks his tour, album and shampoo of choice.
What do you get when you spend ten days at Vancouver’ Warehouse Studio with talent like Alan Doyle? Well, when you ask him, he will tell you all about his appropriately named album A Week at the Warehouse. With an old school way of making this record, he had his whole band, (affectionately named “the Beautiful, Beautiful Band”), set up within the studio to do full recordings together. This created a fun environment for the musicians to record in, and an interesting space for the album to grow from.
Valentines Day with Brett Kissel in Ottawa
Brett Kissel is currently touring across Canada in support of his album We Were That Song, last week the tour stopped in Ottawa for an exclusive valentines day event at Algonquin Commons Theatre.
