The art of making music is like that of cuisine. If there is only one kind of food, a few will be happy but the palate of the majority will suffer. In contrast, when there is a large variety of dishes, everyone is happy. One of the beauties of Canadian music is that artists are creating a wide variety of different genres and styles of music. This means that everyone in the country will not go hungry; all can find something they enjoy. It is important to continue this trend.
If we take a look at some of the forthcoming Canadian album releases this month, we see such diversity; in fact, together these albums offer Canadians a sumptuous banquet.
We already previewed forthcoming albums from Kristina Maria (Tell the World) and Raghav (The Phoenix). Five additional albums due out this month are the following.
Dirt, Dean Brody
Dean currently has the #1 song on the Canadian Billboard country chart—”Canadian Girls”. He grew up in an obscure unincorporated village in SE British Columbia called Jaffray, current population 800. He began working at a sawmill but, having learned guitar, decided to pursue a career in music. He swung down to the city of Nashville in the United States and was signed. Brody is a fairly new recording artist, releasing his first album in 2009. Dirt is his third album. He now lives in Nova Scotia and is happily married (sorry ladies). Brody received a JUNO nomination last year for his second album, Trail in Life.
Dean Brody Official Website
Many Shades of Grey, Misstress Barbara
Misstress Barbara is an Italian-Canadian talented DJ and dance/electronica singer-songwriter from Montreal. She started out in the music business as a drummer in a number of bands from age twelve. In 2009, she teamed up with Sam Roberts for her single “I’m Running” which finished as the year’s 18th most popular song in Montreal. Her debut album (she released several mix albums as a DJ), featuring the song, received a JUNO nomination for Dance Recording of the Year. Many Shades of Grey, released this month, is her 2nd album.
Misstress Barbara Official Website
Out of the Game, Rufus Wainwright
Also growing up in Montreal was Rufus Wainwright (he was born in the United States and holds dual citizenship). Rufus is one of the most versatile recording artists in Canada, recording albums in several genres of music. He has written a classical opera, set Shakespeare sonnets to music, scored motion picture soundtracks, as well as “adult alternative” rock and roll. Rufus’ debut was in 1998 and this will be his 10th album. After a couple of experimental albums, in Out of the Game, he returns to a more accessible pop sound. Two of Wainwright’s albums have achieved gold certification in Canada and he has been nominated for a JUNO seven times, winning twice.
Rufus Wainwright Official Website
Northern Shore, Skydiggers
It’s been a while since we’ve heard from Toronto’s roots rockers The Skydiggers which some refer to as the indie version of Blue Rodeo. The band debuted in 1990 and won the JUNO for Most Promising Group of the Year in 1993. They have released a dozen albums over the years. They are perhaps best known for creating the record label MapleMusic Recordings. The new album will contain 15 tracks on a single disc; however, they are also releasing a deluxe version for the die-hard fans which will be 3 discs of 45 songs.
Skydiggers Official Website
Adventures in Your Own Backyard, Patrick Watson
Releasing his fifth album since debuting in 2001 is Patrick Watson. Like Rufus Wainwright, Patrick is from Montreal (suburb of Hudson), and was born in the U.S. He dabbles in cabaret pop with classical trimmings. He has scored film soundtracks. Two of Watson’s albums have achieved gold certification and he has received a pair of JUNO nominations. Patrick Watson is also the name of the band he leads.
Patrck Watson Official Website
