GeL To Release Self-Titled Debut EP on January 22nd // Free Download of New Single!

Listen To GeL - 'I Got Your Back':

Vancouver, BC - Formed out of the ashes of 90's pop rock group the Wild Strawberries, electronic pop group GeL emerges from the studio with their self-titled debut EP on January 22nd. To mark the occasion, GeL is offering up their first single 'I Got Your Back' as a free download via SoundCloud.

The three principal members of GeL - Ken Harrison, Roberta Carter Harrison and Ashwin Sood - are no strangers to the international music scene, having honed their art on the stages and dance floors of North America and Europe. They are collectively responsible for a vast body of critically acclaimed work spanning numerous styles, sounds and genres. Anchored by percussionist Ashwin Sood's rhythmic grooves, Ken Harrison’s infectious pop melodies, and the haunting and instantly recognizable vocals of Roberta Carter Harrison, GeL have everything they need to come shining through. The ear-worm like qualities of this new batch of songs is completely of the moment yet reminiscent of the Wild Strawberries’ immediately identifiable brand of melodic and intelligent pop-rock.

The idea for GeL first came about when Ashwin was touring Canada with the Wild Strawberries back in the ’90’s. While slogging it out on the road, he and Ken started making plans to develop a more electronic, synth-driven pop group someday. Well, that day has finally arrived! And all three members of GeL are excited to get back on the road soon to perform together once again. 

"We had so much fun playing live with Ash when he joined us on a bunch of Wild Strawberries tours," said Ken Harrison. "We can’t wait to test out this new material on stage!"

The years between the first spark of an idea for GeL in the 90's, to the recording of the debut EP last year have been busy and fulfilling for the group. 

Ken and Roberta have been busy raising their four kids in a converted country church in southwestern Ontario. With a recording studio built into the choir loft, writing and recording music has remained a huge part of their lives. Touring turned out to be a bit more difficult though so when an opportunity arose to collaborate with well known German DJ ATB, they decided to give it a whirl. ATB’s remix of the Wild Strawberries' track 'Wrong to Let You Go' was renamed 'Let U Go' and shot to #7 on Germany’s pop charts. More hit collaborations with ATB followed as did songs with other DJ’s from around the globe, keeping them entrenched in the international electronic music scene. 

As for Ashwin, after 20 plus years of non-stop touring with Sarah Mclachlan, he's thrilled to be able to be off the road and co-parenting their two daughters. He’s still a busy studio musician, recording drums, percussion, vocals and also production and songwriting for various album projects and touring in smaller doses.

GeL's debut EP GeL willl be available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and all other digital retailers/streaming services on Friday, January 22nd. Tour dates in support of the release will be announced soon, please visit: gelmusic.com for the most up to date tour listings. 

GeL - GeL TRACKLISTING
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 22, 2016 (INDEPENDENT)
1.  Not A Love Song
2.  I Got Your Back
3.  Day At A Time
4.  Talking In My Sleep
5.  First Impression   

FOR MORE INFO: www.gelmusic.com
Twitter: @ListenToGeL
Instagram: @Listen2GeL
Facebook: Facebook.com/ListenToGel

Winnipeg Folk/Roots Duo Roger Roger To Release Debut Album on January 15th

WESTERN CANADIAN TOUR DATES STARTING ON JANUARY 17th!

LISTEN TO ROGER ROGER - '13 CROWS':

Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg folk/roots duo Roger Roger are kicking off 2016 with the release of their debut album Fairweather on January 15th. Roger Roger will celebrate the new release with an Album Release Show in their hometown at the West End Cultural Centre on January 17th. The show marks the start of a string of Western Canadian tour dates in support of the album starting in Regina on January 26th. See below for full tour listings. 

Roger Roger is truly a family affair. Twin siblings Lucas and Madeleine Roger are both singer-songwriters who have joined forces, each playing guitar and shamelessly harmonizing all over each other's songs. The offspring of producer/engineer/musician Lloyd Peterson (who co-produced Fairweather with Roger Roger), the twins have a knack for songwriting that must have something to do with growing up in a recording studio. They each bring their expansive creativity to the project and wholeheartedly embrace their differences, fusing Madeleine's magnetic sweetness alongside Lucas' unruly charm. Together, they bring a balance of folk, roots, and rock inspired songs in a beautifully produced album that makes for a remarkable first recording. 

The Roger twins haven’t always played music together. Their early years saw Lucas fronting Winnipeg rock & roll outfit Modern Man and rebuilding hot-rods, while Madeleine immersed herself in theatre, kayaking and travel. Although they often sang together at family campfires, they didn't officially collaborate in their creative efforts until one fateful night when Lucas overheard Madeleine quietly playing her first batch of songs in their living room. He dug what he heard, grabbed his guitar and an armload of his own tunes, and Roger Roger was born! 

Roger Roger's debut album Fairweather was made possible through a successfulKickstarter pre-sale campaign andwill be available online at iTunes and all other digital retailers on Friday, January 15th. Look for Roger Roger on the road, touring in support of the album starting with their Album Release Show in Winnipeg at the West End Cultural Centre on January 17th. Please visit rogerrogermusic.com for more information and the most up to date tour listings.

ROGER ROGER // UPCOMING TOUR DATES
January 17 - Winnipeg, MB - West End Cultural Centre (Album Release Show)
January 26 - Regina, SK - O'Hanlons
January 27 - Moose Jaw, SK - Common Cafe
January 28 - Swift Current, SK - Urban Ground Coffee House
January 29 - Twin Butte, AB - The General Store
January 30 - Medicine Hat, AB - Tongue On The Post Music Festival
February 1 - Lethbridge, AB - The Slice
February 2 - Calgary, AB - The Ironwood
February 3 - Red Deer, AB - Fratters Speakeasy
February 4 - Edmonton, AB - Cafe Blackbird
February 9 - Lloydminster, AB - The Root
February 13 - Winnipeg, MB - Festival Du Voyageur

ROGER ROGER - FAIRWEATHER TRACKLISTING
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 15, 2016 (INDEPENDENT)
1.  13 Crows
2.  Mad Trapper  
3.  Think Of Me  
4.  Fairweather
5.  Another Girl's Shoes
6.  Dead Horse Creek  
7.  O Rainy Day  
8.  You Came Around  
9.  Scott Free  

FOR MORE INFO: www.rogerrogermusic.com
Twitter: @MaddyandLuke
Instagram: @RogerRogerMusic
Facebook: Facebook.com/MusicRogerRoger

Vancouver DJs The Funk Hunters Wrap-Up 2015 With 2 Hometown Shows at The Commodore Ballroom on Dec 22 +23

LISTEN TO THE FUNK HUNTERS LATEST REMIX (Fort Knox Five - 'Whatcha Gonna Do'):

For Immediate Release:
December 4, 2015

(Vancouver, BC) - Get ready to Funk The Halls! Vancouver DJs The Funk Hunters are back in town from touring internationally to play 2 hometown shows at The Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville St.) on December 22nd and 23rd. The 22nd is already sold out, but tickets are still available for the 23rd at Ticketmaster.ca, see below for complete show details.

2015 has been a breakout year for The Funk Hunters. They've played 75 shows in 5 countries and brought the Funk to some world class festivals including Electric Forest, Sonic Bloom, What The Festival, Squamish, Shambhala & Envision. The Funk Hunters also opened up for The Roots, collaborated and toured extensively with Chali 2na of Jurassic 5, and produced remixes for Imagine Dragons & Selena Gomez. The hustle will continue in 2016 with tours planned in Europe, Australia and New Zealand with Chali 2na. 

Based in Vancouver, BC, The Funk Hunters (Nick Middleton and Duncan Smith) elevate their signature bass heavy sound with their own stunning custom-curated visuals and animated stage presence. Borrowing inspiration from classic funk and hip hop, The Funk Hunters are putting the soul back into electronic dance music. Having honed their craft at over 450 performances in 16 countries, the DJ duo's show is a brilliant technical display of creative collaboration between 4 turntables. But words can't do justice to two friends whose passion is dance floor mastery – breathless audiences at global festivals including Wakarusa, Burning Man, Rhythm & Vines, Shambhala, Ottawa Bluesfest, and Envision are the ultimate testament. Spend an evening with this charismatic duo and you'll see that their lifestyle is as relaxed as the west coast, but their sound is global and booming.

Don't miss out on your chance to get your funk on! Check out The Funk Hunters live at The Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver on December 22nd and 23rd. For more information, please visit: www.thefunkhunters.com.

The Funk Hunters // Funk The Halls // Vancouver Shows
When: Tuesday, December 22nd + Wednesday, December 23rd
Where: The Commodore Ballroom (868 Granville Street)
Openers: Moontricks, Exmag
Doors: 8:00 PM
Tickets: $28.50 + S/C at Ticketmaster.ca

FOR MORE INFO: www.thefunkhunters.com
Twitter: @thefunkhunters
Instagram: @thefunkhunters
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefunkhunters

MEDIA TOOLS
STREAM/POST Fort Knox Five - 'Whatcha Gonna Do' (The Funk Hunters Remix) 
CLICK HERE for High-Res Photos (Photo Credit: Mark Brennan)

Tasman Jude Release Brand New Single + Announce Australian Tour Dates!

Listen To Tasman Jude – ‘Gold’:

(Vancouver, BC) – It looks like Tasman Jude has added some ‘Gold’ to their collection! The Alberta reggae group is pleased to announce the release of their brand new single ‘Gold’ today! The track is available now for streaming or download via Reggaeville and will be included on their upcoming album ‘Gold’ set for release in 2016. The release of their brand new track comes just ahead the band’s 3-month tour of Australia starting on December 31st. Click here for a full listing of Tasman Jude‘s Australian Tour Dates. 

The town of Grande Prairie, Alberta, may seem like the last place you’d find a killer reggae band but that’s exactly where Tasman Jude was formed. The band’s latest album ‘Green’ debuted at #1 on iTunes Reggae Charts upon it’s release in October 2014 and is the first in a series of 3 concept albums. The 2nd album ‘Gold’, due out in 2016, will have a bit more of an island pop vibe than the rootsy, earthy sounds of ‘Green’. The 3rd album ‘Red’ will take on the more ska/aggresive side of reggae music. These 3 combined albums will provide Tasman Jude‘s full take on reggae – going back to roots of reggae music which teaches of God, peace, love, joy, truth, freedom, justice, unity and serenity. Their new single ‘Gold’ reflects this as well.

“The song ‘Gold’ is meant to inspire persons of every generation to step into their true Royal identity,” explains lead vocalist Caleb Hart. “I believe that as we begin to see the Gold in ourselves that we will encourage others to also step into their true identity.”

Tasman Jude has spent most of 2015 earning their reputation as one of the hardest working bands in Canada. The band started the year with dates in the Caribbean, then headed to Australia and when they came back, they spent the remainder of the year touring across Canada. Amongst all the touring Tasman Jude has also released two singles (Every Breath, Palm Trees), three charity singles (New Revolution, Mario and HOPE), and their full length album ‘Green’. As they prepare for the release of ‘Gold’, Tasman Jude continues to tour and support many charities including The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, Tree Canada, Street Child World Cup, Big Brothers & Sisters, YMCA and more.

Tasman Jude‘s new single ‘Gold’ is available to stream and/or download now atiTunes, Spotify and Reggaeville. Look for Tasman Jude on their Australian Tour in early 2016, please visit tasmanjude.com for the most up-to-date tour listings. 

Tasman Jude is: Caleb Hart (Lead Vocals/Percussion) // Bethanie Earle (Guitar/Percussion) // Derek Wilder (Bass) 

FOR MORE INFO: www.tasmanjude.com
Twitter: @TasmanJude
Instagram: @TasmanJude
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TasmanJude

 “Tasman Jude is all about defying expectations.” – RideTheTempo.com

“As authentic as the sound is on Green, there’s also a pop/rock element that prevails among the very spiritual and positive foundation of each track.”  –Calgary Herald

MEDIA TOOLS
STREAM/DOWNLOAD Tasman Jude’s new single ‘Gold’ HERE
CLICK HERE for Tasman Jude bio, single artwork, high-res photo

Winnipeggers The Mariachi Ghost + Guy Maddin Collaborate On New Video For Day The Dead

WATCH THE EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE ON EXCLAIM!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 30, 2015

(Winnipeg, MB) – How does Winnipeg group The Mariachi Ghost celebrate the Day of the Dead? By releasing a music video, of course! The Mariachi Ghost and acclaimed Canadian filmmaker (and fellow Winnipegger) Guy Maddin have teamed up to create the band’s very first video – ‘Marigold’. You could say it’s the most Winnipeg thing to ever happen! The ‘Marigold’ video will be released worldwide this evening, as the band celebrates the Day of the Dead with a show at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto but can watch it NOW on Exclaim!

‘Marigold’ (aka Cempazuchitl) is a track off of The Mariachi Ghost’s latest album ‘The Mariachi Ghost’. The ‘Marigold’ music video is a re-cut of Maddin’s short film ‘Sombra Dolorosa’ created over 10 years ago. The film is a Mexican mystic extravaganza that creates a beautiful universe that mixes the old Mexico with modernity and uses many Mexican archetypes, much like the band does. 

“I think what is most exciting about the video is that it truly speaks of the great diversity of Canadian art – where a filmmaker and a band can see eye to eye in such a beautiful way, almost transcending time,” said The Mariachi Ghost’s Jorge Requena. “The video is perfect for our music and it dances along so beautifully. It’s like being at a seance in old Mexico, while listening to The Mariachi Ghost. I am elated to be able to show this to the world.” 

Formed in 2009, The Mariachi Ghost fuses traditional Mexican song, progressive rock, and a flair for the dramatic, to ignite the world of their namesake’s tenuous existence. Their live show has captivated audiences nationwide and is definitely something to behold. Seven musicians interweave diverse genres and rhythms to create a soundscape that is dramatic, haunting, and explosive. They’re joined on stage by dancer and bandmate Alexandra Garrido, who acts as a conduit of the music, expertly assuming its auras of sorrow, reflection, and rage. The result is a rich mixture somewhere between Pink Floyd and a traditional serenata, infused with contemporary dance; a ballet for the dead.

The Mariachi Ghost released their self-titled debut in November 2013. The album has reached radio stations in France, the Netherlands, Australia, and Mexico, while also making its way through the college charts in Canada. Most recently, The Mariachi Ghost won the award for “Best World Music Album” at the 2014 Western Canadian Music Awards. The Mariachi Ghost are currently working on a new album to be released in 2016. For more info: www.themariachighost.com

THE MARIACHI GHOST // UPCOMING 2015 TOUR DATES
October 30 – Toronto, ON – Royal Ontario Museum
October 31 – Hamilton, ON – Mills Hardware
November 20 – Winnipeg, MB – Folk Fest In The City

 FOR MORE INFO: www.themariachighost.com
Twitter: @MariachiGhost
Instagram: @MariachiGhost
Facebook: facebook.com/TheMariachiGhost

MEDIA TOOLS
WATCH/POST The Mariachi Ghost’s ‘Marigold’ video HERE
LISTEN TO The Mariachi Ghost’s – ‘The Mariachi Ghost’ album HERE
CLICK HERE for high-res press photo