So, while sitting here listening to Leah West, i decided it’s time to add an Indie music category to the various things i write about…
Ian & I had the privilege and honour to host MANY independent musicians from across Canada, during our tenure as props of Wild Bistro. Damn. The vast ocean of talent that we have up here in the Great White North is truly staggering.
What never ceased to impress us was the dedication and tirelessness of these men & women – of ALL ages – who are driven by a deep-seated REQUIREMENT to bring their music to whomever will listen.
For almost all of them, it wasn’t a matter of choice. Music is what they’re supposed to be doing. Getting a job to support their music was sometimes a necessity, but many were in their bliss to be able to scrape by as long as they were making music and SOMEONE was listening.
Something that regularly confuzzled us, on the other hand, was how bands like Nickelback could be megastars… because the ACTUAL talent that crossed our stage was so superior from a heart, soul & purity perspective.
So, to open, let me introduce you to some folks who are near & dear to us – and, dear readers, there are many more, so come back and enjoy them all.
Skye Wallace – www.SkyeWallace.com – Skye went to school with my son, worked for us at the bistro, and all the while was becoming a powerhouse of a songwriter. She’s just about to start recording her full-length album, but you can buy her EP at CDBaby – I highly, highly recommend it.
Blaine Dunaway - www.BlaineDunaway.com – Blaine is a jazz violin virtuoso who became a great friend and regular player at the bistro. He can improv like nobody’s business – it’s like he knows every song there ever was written and is yet to be written… you have to experience it to truly understand his genius. On top of the jazz violin, he also kicks ass on flugelhorn & trumpet. He’s played all over the world, has credentials up the yingyang, has collaborated with everyone… and is the dearest, sweetest, most modest man you’ll ever meet. Buy his CD Mayan Calendar today. You won’t regret it.
Deanna Cartea – www.DeannaCartea.com – Deanna has been writing songs for a long time, but we were the chosen ones who got to host her first performance. That was just a short 18 months ago, and she just got herself a record contact before xmas! We are so proud of her, and her amazing supportive co-writer/husband, Kris… Deanna has a voice you won’t ever forget, and her songs are deeply personal, mesmerizing storybooks. Her first CD should be ready soon… watch for it, and get it.
Janet Panic – www.JanetPanic.com – I fell in love with Janet the first time I heard her song “Lousy Wife”. Her bent sense of humour that points a wry finger at life, love, joy, fear & growing forward makes for fantastic songs that you can’t help but sing for days after hearing them. Janet played regularly at the bistro and is that rare performer who can make a room her own and connect to every human in it. Her first album, “The Girl Who Passed for Normal” is about to followed up – any day now…
Here are some videos to check out:
Deanna Cartea:
Skye Wallace:
Janet Panic:
Skye Wallace & Blaine Dunaway:
