On Oct 2. Blackbird Morning released the single “St. Magnus” from their upcoming album, Earthbound. St. Magnus is based on a true tale of survival, treachery, and the decay of governments. Featuring 12 string guitar and 4 part vocal harmonies, St. Magnus shows the band channeling the great rock groups of the past into an epic brew of acoustic and world music influences with a timely message.
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing frontman Collen from the Canadian indie folk band Bent Roads Tavern (BRT). In the interview, we talked about Collen’s background in music, the creation of BRT, his musical influences and so much more!
When did you first have the epiphany that you wanted to have music as a career?
Music has been a part of my life since I was a young child. I grew up in a family with my grandfather a classical pianist, and my uncle a new-wave drummer. I got involved in concert band in elementary school, and guitar and rock/jazz bands in high school. I have always had at least one musical project on the go since I was 10 years old, so it is just part of my life. The career aspect of it is more like a life-long pursuit. Sometimes it makes money, sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes it’s a committed undertaking, and sometimes it’s just for kicks. The other musicians in the group all have analogous backstories 🙂
Tell us about the creation of Bent Roads Tavern? How would you describe your music?
Continue reading “Get to Know: Collen the frontman from the band Bent Roads Tavern”
This year has been an important one for Canadian Indie Folk collective, Bent Roads Tavern.
Through the telling of The Legend of Bent Roads Tavern, a five-volume EP series of digitally restored and re-mastered recordings from the vaults of Bent Roads Tavern’s elusive (until now) history has been released (Volume 5 in pre-order now, with release set for November 6) and available for streaming online on Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud and bandcamp. As its companion, this release entitled Hard Reset (June 1, 2020), features four stripped-down singer-songwriter tracks. Two cult-classics were re-recorded in addition to two new never-been-heard-before tracks: West Coast Wedding and Fallow.
The Hard Reset EP marks a new beginning for this indie-folk collective from western Canada. After many years of darkness, the midnight sun once again rises on the Bent Roads Tavern. You can follow Bent Roads Tavern on the following social media platforms: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
On Wednesday 30 September, Birmingham’s Town Hall was lit red at 8PM as part of the #LightItInRed campaign, to symbolise the current danger that over one million people in the live events industry face.
For more than 180 years, Town Hall has been a hub of civic and cultural life in Birmingham having featured artists such as David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Nina Simone and many more. Alongside venues and buildings across 28 countries, today Birmingham’s historic concert venue joined the #LightItInRed campaign to highlight the critical condition of the live events industry and issue a ‘Red Alert’ to government and the press.
The live events sector employs over a million highly skilled professionals in the UK, most of whom have had no work since March 2020. The sector supports a huge supply chain of companies ranging from event production, audio, lighting, video, logistics, planning, transportation and some of the world’s leading technology manufacturers.
Town Hall and Symphony Hall entered a period of redundancy consultation with staff in July 2020, following an extended period of closure as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic. This period of closure has already resulted in huge losses and it is still unclear as to when it may be possible to re-open. In order to have a chance of survival, the music charity responsible for the two Birmingham concert halls took the painful decision to reduce staff in anticipation of the continuing uncertainty ahead.
I recently discovered wonderful meditation music by Aroshanti (Nick Truch). After listening to and enjoying the track Illumination, I decided to listen to the full album.
When I meditate, I don’t always listen to a guided meditation, and that is where relaxation music comes in. Mostly always instrumental, relaxation music helps to provide a calming atmosphere that can help you meditate, perform yoga, or drift off to sleep peacefully.
Continue reading “Album Review: Zen Relaxation by Aroshanti”
Jem Girl at the Piano 