It you were to take a look at the Top 40 these days, you might come to the conclusion that storytelling has fallen out of fashion. Songs of profound meaning have been replaced with profound hooks. It’s more efficient to bring in a dozen producers and songwriters to work out which two words to chant for a song-long chorus, than it is to burn out your soul on life. The Jens Lekmans, Joni Mitchells and Leonard Cohens of the world are few and far between. Fortunately Newfoundland has Jenina MacGillivray. Marion, MacGillivray’s debut album, mastered and arranged by Jose Contraras of By Divine Right, is storytelling at its finest, handily wrapped in melodies that were made for falling in love with.
Continue reading New Music: Cry, Bouzouki, Dance – Jenina MacGillivray Debuts with ‘Marion’
All posts by Alex Cook
Music PEI Sees Prolific Year – Announce 2019 Award Nominees
Music PEI is seeing a surge in productivity this year, with twice as many submissions being made for their annual awards. The music organization will be coming together in late January, 2019, for their Credit Union Music PEI Week, including the Awards Party on January 27th, to celebrate their best and brightest.
Continue reading Music PEI Sees Prolific Year – Announce 2019 Award Nominees
Silver Wave Film Festival Sees Women at the Forefront of New Brunswick Filmmaking
Fredericton’s 18th annual Silver Wave Film Festival and Awards Show were held in the province’s capital city this week, and festival organizers say they’ve noted a shifting trend that’s been long overdue: they’re seeing more and more women in key creative positions, and taking home awards.
Continue reading Silver Wave Film Festival Sees Women at the Forefront of New Brunswick Filmmaking
Single: Lennie Gallant Collaborates with Zimbabwe’s Black Umfolosi for Holiday Magic on ‘Christmas Day on Planet Earth’
Somewhere between Paul Simon and an unnamed Bethlehemian innkeeper stands award-winning Prince Edward Island songwriter Lennie Gallant. For the sake of Christmas, he welcomed Zimbabwean acapella and dance group Black Umfolosi into his home, gave them shelter, and lo, unto them a song was born. Never mind that all of this happened in mid-July, or at the request of mutual friend and booking agent Bob Jensen. That’s practically Christmas Eve for musicians. Continue reading Single: Lennie Gallant Collaborates with Zimbabwe’s Black Umfolosi for Holiday Magic on ‘Christmas Day on Planet Earth’
Single: Christina Martin and the Challenges of Writing ‘This Christmas’
The holidays aren’t always the easiest time for everyone. While most are being joyous and mirthful and festive, for those who have trouble getting into the spirit of the season it can be a constant reminder that they’re not living up to expectations. For those who have had painful experiences associated with Christmas, it can be downright wretched. Christina Martin’s own experiences made it difficult for her to enjoy the holiday, let alone write a song about it. When she was asked to perform at the Halifax Tree Lighting Ceremony she stepped up, penning “This Christmas,” but writing the song had its challenges. Continue reading Single: Christina Martin and the Challenges of Writing ‘This Christmas’