Vancouver Artist Ruby Singh's Sufi Hip-Hop Project Jhalaak Set To Release Debut Album On May 7th

1st Single 'Main Naraye Mastana' Out Today
Watch/Share Video HERE

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“The first cut from the forthcoming album Ruby Singh presents Jhalaak, 'Main Naraye Mastana' embodies their striking pan-cultural sound: A Sufi hip-hop hybrid that reaches back to the mystic poetry and devotional music of the 13th century — and pulls them into the present with global bass sounds, EDM production and rap verses featuring reinterpreted ancient lyrics.” - Tinnitist.com

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Vancouver artist Ruby Singh is pleased to announce the release of a new track from his pan-cultural Sufi Hip-Hop project Jhalaak. ‘Main Naraye Mastana’  is the first single from Ruby Singh presents Jhalaak  (spark) which is slated to come out on May 7th. Also out today is Jhalaak's stunning video for ‘Main Naraye Mastana’  which was shot in the group's ancestral home of Rajasthan, India. The video was directed by Singh + features Raki Khalbelia, one of the most celebrated dancers in Kalbelia folk dance. 

Spanning two continents, Jhalaak brings together the powerful sounds of Qawaali (devotional Sufi music from Pakistan and India), Hip-Hop, and EDM. Jhalaak met under the constellations of the Vancouver summer sky in 2014 when the Indian musicians found a kindred spirit in Canadian born Desi Hip-Hop artist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Ruby Singh.

“We met 6 years ago at the Indian Summer Festival in Vancouver,” explains Singh. “The group of Indian musicians are all brothers from the same family, Salim Khan, Khete Khan, Chugge Khan, 19th generation musicians from a caste called Manganiyars. They are from the same city where my ancestors migrated from 300 years ago so there is a good chance that our ancestors were hanging out which is pretty incredible.”

Made up of an ensemble of artists who have toured the world over, Jhalaak is a potent combination of musicians sparking dance floors worldwide. Chugge Khan, with recent project Junun, toured extensively with Radiohead and was mentored as a young vocalist by the inimitable Ustaad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Ruby Singh’s spoken word, rap and beatboxing have taken him across the globe throughout North America, Europe, and the South Asian continent, which prepared him for creating rap interpretations of Qawwali songs that date back as far as 700 years. 

To expand the spectrum of Jhalaak, Juno and Emmy nominated producer and DJ Adham Shaikh, contributes to their hypnotic and explosive chemistry.

Jhalaak's new single 'Main Naraye Mastana' is available NOW on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services. For more information, please visit: Jhalaak

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JHALAAK IS: 
Ruby Singh: Vocals, Production 
Salim Khan: Vocals, Algozay, Harmonium 
Chugge Khan: Vocals, Kartaal, Bapang, Morchung
Khete Khan: Vocals, Percussion
Adham Shaikh: Production

FOLLOW JHALAAK:
Website | iTunes | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram 


 

MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/SHARE Jhalaak's 'Main Naraye Mastana' video HERE
STREAM/SHARE Jhalaak's 'Main Naraye Mastana' single HERE
CLICK HERE for biography, album art + high-res press photos 
 

Alberta Folk Rock Group Elk Run + Riot Announce Release of New Album on January 31st

1st Single + Title Track OUT TODAY
Stream/Share 'Morning Light' HERE

"'Morning Light' is a slice of Americana brilliance, somehow managing to sound fresh and nostalgic in the same breath." - Ground Sounds

The pride of Canmore, Alberta, folk rock group Elk Run + Riot, are thrilled to announce the independent release of their fourth full-length album Morning Light on January 31st, 2020. The album's first single and title track 'Morning Light' is out today on all digital music platforms, after premiering yesterday on Ground Sounds.

Formed in 2013, with each release Elk Run + Riot have consistently built on their strength—three and four-part harmonies and a no-nonsense group mentality reminiscent of The Band. Since releasing their 3rd album, Animalia, in early 2018, Elk Run + Riot have been tearing up western Canada, and in the process winning over scores of new fans with their high-energy brand of alternative folk.

Morning Light was written by Ryan Schepens (vocals/guitar), Andrew Cotter (vocals/bass/guitar) and Brian Bailey (mandolin/bass) in one night in a cabin in Golden, BC. The guys went on a songwriting retreat for a night to come up with new material and ended up with enough songs for an entire album! Morning Light was recorded at Studio D in Calgary, Alberta by Steve Dierkens, who co-produced the album with Elk Run + Riot. 

Morning Light touches on things like addiction, love/friends lost, growing up, the many times they’ve been crammed in the back of a Dodge Caravan for weeks and months at a time just trying to make a name for themselves, and much more.  The album sees the group growing more as musicians and becoming better songwriters and storytellers, and the first single 'Morning Light' is proof of that. 

"'Morning Light' is a fun light hearted song about living in a small town and the friends we make for life," says Ryan Schepens. "It’s about never regretting a single moment of the time we have, never taking anything for granted, and having fun along the way! Oh and it’s also partially on true events.” 

Elk Run & Riot’s new single 'Morning Light' is available NOW on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services. For more information and the most up-to-date tour listings, please visit: elkrunriot.com

ELK RUN + RIOT - MORNING LIGHT
RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 31st, 2020
(Independent)
01. Brothers
02. Morning Light
03. Castle Wolf
04. Lost Bets
05. Make It Count
06. Time Flies
07. Down On My Luck
08. Victoria
Download High-Res Album Art

ELK RUN + RIOT IS:
Ryan Schepens - Vocals/Guitar
Andrew Cotter - Vocals/Guitar/Bass
Brian Bailey - Mandolin/Bass
 

FOLLOW ELK RUN + RIOT:
Website | iTunes | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

MEDIA TOOLS:
STREAM/POST Elk Run + Riot's new single 'Morning Light' HERE
CLICK HERE for biography, album art + high-res press photos

Vancouver Indie Funk Rockers Raincity Release GIVE THIS UP Video Ahead Of Dec 26th Commodore Show

VIDEO PREMIERING NOW
@ BEATROUTE MAGAZINE
WATCH/SHARE HERE

When it rains it pours! Following their first place win at Live Acts Canada's "Best in Vancouver" contest over the weekend, Vancouver funk rock group Raincity are excited to announce the release of their 'Give This Up' video via exclusive premiere on Beatroute today. The video serves as a teaser of what's to come when Raincity make their Commodore Ballroom debut opening up for funk legends Five Alarm Funk on December 26th. See below for full details.

‘Give This Up’ is a track from Raincity's self-titled EP which was released in June 2019. The EP was recorded at Warehouse Studios with the support of Creative BC.

The ‘Give This Up’ video was recorded in one day with directors Wayne Chung and Bailey Wood and a crew of about 45 people. The video was filmed in an elevator that was made and torn down in two days, and most of the extras are close friends of the band which gives the video a fun party-like vibe.

“'Give This Up' has been with us for a long time, back to the jazz trio days of 2016," says Raincity vocalist Clare Twiddy. "It has changed so much, in reflection of the ways that we too have changed. Over time, the song came to describe the freedom that we found in letting go, in embracing ourselves, finding confidence in our voice, and striving to be the ideal self. The fun and energetic video for 'Give This Up' embodies that freedom and embrace during a time where many people may need a reminder to love themselves and to look for the joy in life, family, and friends."

Raincity (known then as Raincity Blue) recorded their debut album Stuck on Replay in 2017 and released the album at Wise Hall in January 2018 to a sold-out audience. Early in 2018, the band progressed to the Top 100 of CBC Searchlight and won contests including, the Hard Rock Casino's Rock the Mic, Music Heals Covers for the Cause, and The Roxy Launch Project. Throughout 2018, Raincity performed at a number of festivals including Victoria’s Rifflandia, the TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, and Canadian Music Week in Toronto.

Raincity's self-titled EP is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services. For more information, please visit: thatbandraincity.com


UPCOMING RAINCITY SHOWS
Dec 26th - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom w/ Five Alarm Funk GET TIX
Dec 31st - Vancouver, BC - The eatART Foundation
Jan 18th - Vancouver, BC - Guilt & Company

RAINCITY IS:
Vocals - Clare Twiddy
Saxophone - Kaylar Chan
Guitar - Ryley Kirkpatrick
Drums - Sheldon D’Eith
Bass - Ginger Chen

FOLLOW RAINCITY:
Website | iTunes | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

MEDIA TOOLS
WATCH/POST Raincity's 'Give This Up' video HERE
CLICK HERE for biography + high-res press photos

Vancouver Musician Alex Maher Announces Release of Dream Final EP on February 21st

First Single + Title Track Out Today!
STREAM/SHARE 'Dream Final' HERE

Vancouver singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Alex Maher is pleased to announce the release of his new single 'Dream Final', the first single and title track from his new Dream Final EP which is set for release on February 21st, 2020.

Dream Final is Alex Maher's third solo EP and he tackles some weighty subject matter on it, like global issues from climate change and social alienation in the digital age. On his first single ‘Dream Final', Alex focuses on the many problems that modern society is currently facing.

"‘Dream Final' is about the struggle getting really real," says Alex. "In this era of climate crisis, increased nationalism, and social alienation, it’s about reimagining your best case scenario to find hope. Faced with all of these signs pointing towards the end times, it can feel like all the hustle, all the career dreams are just a product of the greed that’s simultaneously destroying our planet and the ways we relate to each other. This song is about taking a step back from the drive for more, to take clear stock of what we have. It’s about shifting focus and letting go of what you thought your end goal was, and being open to a different, but similarly rewarding path."

Alex Maher got his start in jazz. After playing in a couple of different West Coast bands (Flannel Jimmy, DNA6), Alex began experimenting with the Line 6 loop pedal in his solo work. He loops his live performances on percussion, SPDS drum pad, electric guitar, alto sax and vocals to create songs one element at a time. With his foundation in jazz, Alex's music draws on funk, soul, hip hop, urban and pop inspirations in an unforgettable one-man band performance.

His critically acclaimed 2017 EP, Aether, marked the end of a struggle with addiction stemming from mental illness after the loss of a dear friend. On his new Dream Final EP, Alex expands from Aether's introspection with contagious up-tempo beats, and funky pop grooves, giving the listener something to think and dance about. Featuring crisp production by Juno award winning producer Ryan Stewart, Dream Final is an up-tempo meditation on the state of the world.

Alex Maher's new single ’Dream Final' is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services. For more information, please visit: alexmahermusic.com

FOLLOW ALEX MAHER:
Website | iTunes | Spotify | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

MEDIA TOOLS
STREAM/POST Alex Maher - 'Dream Final' HERE
CLICK HERE for high-res press photos + album art

Sarah Jickling Releases Sophomore Album The Family Curse + Premieres Video For Villian

WATCH 'VILLIAN' VIDEO HERE

After getting its premiere on Canadian Musician earlier this week, Vancouver musician, performer, and mental health advocate Sarah Jickling's much anticipated sophomore album The Family Curse was officially released today. Sarah is celebrating her big day with the premiere of the video for the album's 2nd single 'Villian' and her Album Release Show in Vancouver tonight at the Red Gate Revue Stage.

On The Family Curse, Sarah explores mental illness within families and intergenerational trauma, and documents her childhood experiences and revelations about her family’s history of bipolar disorder. Her latest single 'Villian' taps into a particularly destructive time in her life.

"There was a period in my life where I felt like I was watching myself from far away, totally out of control," says Sarah. "Depression and anger had turned me into someone I didn't recognize, and I remember thinking over and over, 'this time I'm the villain.’ I had a habit of smashing all of the dishes in my house, so for this song we used samples of actual plates smashing as percussion. I worked on this song with Laura Smith (Rococode), Carol Lynne Quinn (High Love) and Greg McLeod, and they all pushed me to go places that were scary and uncomfortable at first, but ultimately powerful." 

Sarah digs even deeper into the uncomfortable chaos of her mental illness on her new 'Villian' video. 

"Lyrically and musically, 'Villain' reveals a side of me that I don't normally want to show people," says Sarah. "Clinically they are my borderline personality disorder symptoms, but most people just see a 'crazy b*tch.' I have just started to learn Russian exotic dance, and I felt like this style was perfect for exploring my inner villain. We filmed the whole thing in my house, and yes, I am 6'6" in those heels."

Sarah Jickling's new album The Family Curse is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes and other digital retailers and streaming services. For more information and the most up to date tour listings, please visit: sarahsgoodbadluck.com

 

FOLLOW SARAH JICKLING:
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube 

MEDIA TOOLS:
WATCH/SHARE Sarah Jickling's 'Villian' video HERE 
WATCH/SHARE Sarah Jickling's 'Saint' video HERE 
DOWNLOAD high-res press photos + album art HERE (Photo Credit: Jordan Taylor Robbins)