The PEAK Performance Project is Crossing The Rockies!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 25, 2014

 April 1, 2014, Application Launch for The PEAK Performance Project in BC and Alberta!

(Vancouver, B.C) – After 5 years, 100 Artists, and over $3.7 million spent to date in artist development funding in British Columbia, 102.7 The PEAK’s award-winning program The PEAK Performance Project is Crossing the Rockies and planting a second set of roots in Alberta. Set to launch applications April 1, 2014, The Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, 102.7 The PEAK (Vancouver), 95.3 The PEAK (Calgary), Music BC Industry Association and Music Alberta Industry Association are proud to announce the expansion of the project.

Thanks to the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group, the Alberta PEAK Performance Project will inject $4.9 million into the Alberta music industry in addition to the $5.2 million commitment already made to British Columbia. With the launch of Alberta’s PEAK Performance Program, the total of grand prize awards between the two provinces is doubling to close to $500,000 per year.

In August 2014, the Alberta Top 12 Artists will join the BC Top 12 Artists at the highly anticipated PEAK Performance Project Bootcamp in Rockridge Canyon, Princeton BC. The Artists will have the opportunity to co-write, record, perform and share in a wealth of knowledge with an “A” list music business faculty.

“The broadcast group is extremely excited about The PEAK Performance Project launch in Alberta. We have seen the impact that this amazing program has had on the BC music scene and we know that the Alberta music community is in for a big boost,” says Gerry Siemens, General Manager of 102.7 The PEAK.

Bob D’Eith, Executive Director of Music BC Industry Association states, “I am particularly enthusiastic about the cross-provincial benefits of the shared Bootcamp experience. We hope that bringing artists together from BC and Alberta will build bridges between the creative communities that will last for a life-time.”

“We have been chomping at the bit to get this program launched in Alberta. We expect a huge in-take of applications this upcoming year. Seeing what The PEAK Performance Project has done in BC has our music community buzzing with energy,” says Chris Wynters, Executive Director of Alberta Music Industry Association.

Online applications for both provinces are available April 1, 2014 at:
www.peakperformanceproject.com.

The BC PEAK Performance Project, sponsored by Cariboo Brewing, is in year six of a seven-year, $5.29 million program designed to kick-start the international music careers of 3 emerging B.C. artists annually. The project is administered by the Music BC Industry Association and funded by 102.7 The PEAK through CRTC approved Canadian Content Development Funding.  Winners have included We Are the City, Kyprios, Current Swell, Dear Rouge and Rykka. The Alberta PEAK Performance Project is in year one of a seven-year $4.8 million program administered by the Alberta Music Industry Association with the same goals and aspirations as the BC project.

BC Peak Performance Project
Grand Prizes:
First $102.7 thousand
Second $75,000
Third $50,000
(all Top 12 Artists will each initially receive $5000 in development funding)

 Alberta Peak Performance Project
Grand Prizes:
First $100.953 thousand
Second $75,000
Third $50,000
(all Top 12 Artists will each initially receive $5000 in development funding)

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For more information on The PEAK Performance Project, visit:  www.peakperformanceproject.com

 For more information on 102.7 The PEAK (Vancouver) and 95.3 The PEAK (Calgary), visit:  www.thepeak.fm

 For more information on Music BC, visit:  www.musicbc.org

 For more information on Music Alberta, visit: www.albertamusic.org

For interviews and other media enquiries, please contact:
Jen Fritz - Fritz Media
Phone: 604-626-7045
Email: jen at fritzmedia dot ca

Trevor Alguire To Release His 5th Album 'Miles Away' on April 22nd

For Immediate Release:
March 11, 2014

Ottawa, ON - Singer/songwriter Trevor Alguire's 5th studio album release, 'Miles Away',  is about as organic as they come. Produced by Jason Jakunas at Metropolitan Studios in Ottawa, the album was recorded live off the floor with minimal additional instrumentation in order to try to capture the initimacy of Alguire's live performance. 'Miles Away' will be released independently on April 22nd and to celebrate, Alguire will kick-off a string of Canadian Tour dates with an Album Release Show at The Avalon Studio in Ottawa on April 26th. 

Hailing from small town Ontario in the Ottawa Valley, Trevor Alguire first drew attention in 2006 with the release of the album 'As of Yesterday'. The album was critically acclaimed with frequent comparisons to artists such as Steve Earle, Tom Petty and Blue Rodeo. Alguire's reputation grew with the release of 3 more albums and an international tour schedule that keeps him on the road much of the time. His already strong national & European presence continues to grow and he is beginning to find strong support in the U.S. His previous release ‘Now Before Us’, found itself comfortably at home among the Top 40 on the Americana Charts throughout the U.S. and top 10 on the Euro-Americana charts. He also held a top 10 spot on several campus radio stations across Canada and was Top 10 on the Canadian Roots Radio Airplay Chart.

The recording of  'Miles Away' was an ambitious one with Trevor Alguire entering into the recording process much differently than his last 4 albums. "We had the preset intention of capturing the feel and flow of each song more naturally," said Alguire. "I opted to not use a click track and let each live performance take each song in its own natural direction. With several practice sessions as a band we would hammer out 8 of the eleven songs to then hit the studio and record each song live off the floor. I  feel that it really has set this album in it's own space and captured the feel and flow of each song more naturally."

Listen To The Title Track 'Miles Away'

 Trevor Alguire is no stranger to the road and spends much of his time playing tour dates in Canada and beyond, winning over fans one live show at a time. He's shared stages with Jimmy Rankin, Danny Michel, Romi Mayes, Martha Wainwright, Old Man Luedecke, Leeroy Stagger and many other great Canadian acts.  Before kicking off the Canadian Tour dates in Ottawa on April 26th, Alguire will be heading to Europe for dates in Germany and the Netherlands. For a full list of tour dates see below. Trevor Alguire's 5th album 'Miles Away' will be available on iTunes & other fine digital retailers on April 22nd. The album will also be available for purchase on vinyl and CD at all Trevor Alguire live shows and online. For the most up-to-date tour listings, please visit: www.trevoralguire.com

TREVOR ALGUIRE - 'MILES AWAY' 
RELEASE DATE: APRIL 22nd, 2014 (Independent)
1.  Miles Away 
2.  Wounded Soul
3.  How Do You Know
4.  Cold Words
5.  The Long Shot
6.  Long Gone Away
7.  Rusty Old Springs 
8.  In The Palm Of My Hand
9.  So Sad Lately
10.  By My Side
11.  What Will Be Will Be

TREVOR ALGUIRE UPCOMING TOUR DATES
March 28 - Berlin, Germany - Casino am Zwickauer Damm
March 29, Kunsthoff, Germany - Kunstoff
March 30 - Hameln, Germany - Sumpfblume
March 31 - Braunsheig, Germany - Radio Okerwelle
March 31 - Celle, Germany - Care Wichtig
April 4 - Utrecht, NL - Kargadoor
April 5 - Westerwijtwerd, NL - Huiskamercafe
April 8 - Nijmegen, NL - Cafe Trianon
April 26 - Ottawa, ON - The Avalon Studio (Album Release Show w/ full band)
May 1 - Calgary, AB - Wine-Ohs
May 2 - Calgary, AB - The Palamino
May 3 - Edmonton, AB - Black Dog
May 6 - Banff, AB - Elk and Oarsman
May 7 - Coleman, AB - Blackbird Cafe
May 9 - Lethbridge, AB - The Slice
May 10- Calgary, AB - Mikey's Juke Joint
May 24 - Kemptville, ON - The Branch

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.trevoralguire.com

 “Alguire has found just the right voice for his tales of world weary travelers and lonely wanderers. A sure-handed country rock album in the vein of Steve Earle and Tom Petty…” - The Ottawa Sun

 “Alguire has depth and breadth found in few artists on today’s music scene.” – Music News Nashville

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MEDIA TOOLS
CLICK here for high-res - ‘Miles Away' - album art. 
CLICK here and here for high-res press photos. 
WATCH/POST The Making Of 'Miles Away' EPK here
STREAM/POST the Trevor Alguire track 'Miles Away' here  (includes posting/embedding info, just click on 'Share')

Canadian Baritone Jonathan Estabrooks Set To Release Debut Album on April 8th

For Immediate Release:
March 4, 2014

Toronto, ON - After raising $27, 500 USD through Kickstarter, to finance the recording of his debut album and attracting the attention of 5-time GRAMMY award-winning producer Dave Reitzas (Barbra Streisand, Josh Groban), Canadian baritone Jonathan Estabrooks is set to independently release the fan-funded album, 'These Miles', on April 8th, 2014. To mark the release of the album, Jonathan Estabrooks will be performing album release shows in Toronto and his hometown of Ottawa. He'll be performing at The Drake Underground in Toronto on April 4th and in Ottawa at The National Arts Centre on April 10th.

With elements of classical, pop and classic musical theatre, 'These Miles' is a stunning and energetic debut LP, fusing classic, unforgettable melodies with the lushness of the Macedonia Radio Orchestra. The album was recorded with over 50 musicians in London, Macedonia, New York City and Los Angeles. Collaborations on the album include: Simon Cowell discovery and SONY Masterworks artist, Jonathan Antoine and New Age classical pianist/composer Jennifer Thomas. The collabarations with both Antoine and Thomas were orchestrated with the use of social media. An avid user of Twitter (over 20K followers) and Facebook, Estabrooks is a new breed of classical performer, using social media to connect and grow his fanbase. He initially reached out to both artists about working together through Facebook and was successful in conducting cross ocean collaborations through the use of Skype & social media.

Listen to Jonathan Estabrooks - 'Play Me' 

 Hailed by the New York Times as ‘a robust baritone’, a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City with recent debuts at Carnegie Hall, Jonathan Estabrooks continues to make a unique and rich contribution to the performing arts world. His vocalism and performance style have been called “commanding, rich, fresh and energetic”, his stage presence likened to that of a young Ron Howard. 

 

Jonathan Estabrooks has appeared in recital, concert and opera in Canada, the United States and abroad. His impressive vocal delivery has taken him around the world, in Opera and concert performances and to venues such as Carnegie Hall. He's performed with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Israeli Chamber Orchestra and alongside Broadway stars Ashley Brown and Aaron Lazar. His performances have been broadcast throughout Canada on CBC Television and he's performed for the Governor General, The Prime Minister of Canada, the US Ambassador to Canada, The Italian Ambassador to Canada and President Bill Clinton.

 

Jonathan Estabrooks' debut album 'These Miles' will be available for digital pre-sale through iTunes & other digital retailers on March 11th with the official release date on April 8th, 2014. Be sure to catch him live at his album release shows in Toronto on April 4th and Ottawa on April 10th. More shows will be added soon, please visit jonathanestabrooks.com for the most up-to-date tour information.

 

JONATHAN ESTABROOKS - 'THESE MILES'

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 8th, 2014 (Independent)

1.  Play Me

2.  Kathy's Song

3.  Time After Time

4.  Le Cose Che Tu Sei (The Things You Are to Me) ft. Jennifer Thomas

5.  Calling You

6.  She

7.  Por Una Cabesa ft. Jonathan Antoine

8.  Always On My Mind

9.  Away From The Roll Of The Sea

10. Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home

11. All The Things 

12. Fly Away (Bonus Track)

 

JONATHAN ESTABROOKS - UPCOMING LIVE PERFORMANCES

April 4th - Toronto, ON - The Drake Underground @ The Drake Hotel (8:00 PM) 

April 10th - Ottawa, ON - National Arts Centre - 4th Stage (7:30 PM)  

May 20 & 21 - Toronto, ON - Roy Thompson Hall (Featured soloist with Toronto Symphony Orchestra for Classic Broadway: Lerner & Loewe) 

 

 

 

FOR MORE INFO: www.jonathanestabrooks.com

www.twitter.com/JonEstabrooks

www.facebook.com/estabrooksbaritone

 

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MEDIA TOOLS

CLICK here for high-res - ‘These Miles' - album art. 

CLICK here and here for high-res press photos (Photo Credit: Shannon McCook)

WATCH/POST Jonathan Estabrooks' EPK here

STREAM/POST the Jonathan Estabrooks track 'Play Me' here (includes posting/embedding info, just click on 'Share')

Gunner & Smith Release Video For 'Towns' & Brand New Album!

WATCH VIDEO FOR 'TOWNS'

 Today's a big day for Gunner & Smith! After a successful performance this past weekend at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, MO, the Saskatoon band independently released their first full-length album 'He Once Was a Good Man' and in celebration of that, the band released the video for the album's first single 'Towns'.  The video for 'Towns' reads like a dark & gritty short film, much like the song itself.  It was written by Chris Morin and directed by Saskatoon's Sica Films. It was also announced today that Gunner & Smith will be added to the NXNE 2014 line-up AND on top of that, Gunner & Smith kicked-off a 2-week Western Canadian Tour in Calgary last night!  For a full listing of tour dates, see below. 

 Gunner & Smith's new album 'He Once Was A Good Man' is available now on iTunes. Additional tour dates may be added; check gunnerandsmith.com for the most up-to-date tour schedule.

 GUNNER & SMITH WESTERN CANADIAN TOUR DATES 
February 25 - Edmonton, AB -  Wunderbar 
February 26 - Olds, AB - Tracks      
February 28 - Kelowna, BC - Fernando's 
March 2 - Vancouver, BC - The Railway Club
March 3 - Golden, BC - Rockwater Grill 
March 5 - Banff, AB - Elk and Oarsman
March 6 - Lloydminster, AB -  The Root 
March 7 - Regina, SK -  Artful Dodger
March 8 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigo’s 
March 9 - Moose Jaw, SK - Bobby’s  

“Gunner & Smith put forth honest roots rock with a compelling amount of grit, given a special sparkle” - Saskatoon Star Phoenix

 “Gunner & Smith carry a full, hard-hitting sound that is both expansive and lush” – Ominocity.com

FOR MORE INFO: www.gunnerandsmith.com

Saskatoon's Gunner & Smith Release Their First Full Length Album on February 25th

For Immediate Release:
January 20th, 2014

Saskatoon, SK - Saskatoon band Gunner & Smith are set to independently release their first full-length album 'He Once Was a Good Man' on February 24th. The band will kick-off a tour in support of the album on February 21st with a showcase at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Kansas City, MI and then head to Western Canada for the remainder of the dates. For a full listing of tour dates, see below.

 It’s been an eventful past four years for Gunner & Smith. Starting in 2010 as a solo project by folk artist Geoff Smith, the band evolved into a multi-member indie country rock ensemble that traverses the rocky line between post-prairies balladeering and grit-covered rockers for those given to heavy highway drives and long, expansive thoughts. Initially emerging from Smith’s one-man vision, Gunner & Smith released their first EP, 'Letter of Marque', in 2011. Featuring the lithe, lonely swaying sounds of Saskatchewan folk, country and rock, Smith quickly followed up his sparse debut release with his second EP entitled 'Compromise is a Loaded Gun' in August 2012.

 After releasing their first two EP's, Gunner & Smith began to tour relentlessly throughout Canada, playing extensively throughout Alberta and their home province of Saskatchewan, as well as a sojourn through the eastern half of the country, which saw front man Geoff Smith spreading his wings and returning to his solo roots. Along the way, Gunner & Smith’s reputation as a live band began to grow as the group made appearances at festivals such as OMFEST, MoSo Fest, Lilac Festival and the prestigious Ness Creek Festival.

When it came time to record their first full length album 'He Once Was a Good Man', Gunner & Smith headed to The Avenue Recording Studio, located above Saskatoon's legendary music venue Amigo's Cantina. Joining the band in the studio were recording engineers Jordan Smith and Scott Neufeld along with The Deep Dark Woods’ Ryan Boldt at them helm in the producer’s chair. In addition to producing the album, Boldt (who has previously worked with prairies folk act Kacy and Clayton) also makes several appearances playing on the album.

On 'He Once Was a Good Man', Gunner & Smith find themselves with their most realized sound to date despite taking several different directions. It wasn’t until the band hit the studio that things became apparent and cohesive – a concept that was unintentionally synonymous with the band’s own journey into maturity.

“I like to write songs that are a story. I like to write about a feeling or something that I’ve experienced but I like to displace myself from that,” says Smith. “The title track is about a character who experiences life changes in a way that he can’t control. It’s about compromises and the consequences of those things.”

After a showcase at Folk Alliance International on February 21st, Gunner & Smith will hit the road with a string of Western Canadian tour dates through to March 9th. Don't miss out on your chance to see the band live! Gunner & Smith's first full-length album 'He Once Was A Good Man' will be available on iTunes and other fine digital retailers on February 25th. Additional tour dates may be added; check gunnerandsmith.com for the most up-to-date tour schedule.

GUNNER & SMITH 'HE ONCE WAS A GOOD MAN'  TRACK LISTING
RELEASE DATE: FEBRUARY 25th (Independent)
1.  Ease My Mind
2.  The Burning Days
3.  He Once Was A Good Man 
4.  Drifting 
5.  Towns 
6.  Jesus Help Me 
7.  Open Door 
8.  River Of Stone 
9.  Nothing That's Mine 
10. The Traveler 

GUNNER & SMITH WESTERN CANADIAN TOUR DATES 
February 21 - Kansas City, MI - Folk Alliance International
February 24 - Calgary, AB - The Ironwood
February 25 - Edmonton, AB -  Wunderbar 
February 26 - Olds, AB - Tracks       
February 28 - Kelowna, BC - Fernando's 
March 2 - Vancouver, BC - The Railway Club
March 3 - Golden, BC - Rockwater Grill
March 5 - Banff, AB - Elk and Oarsman
March 6 - Lloydminster, AB -  The Root 
March 7 - Regina, SK -  Artful Dodger
March 8 - Saskatoon, SK - Amigo’s 
March 9 - Moose Jaw, SK - Bobby’s  

 “Gunner & Smith put forth honest roots rock with a compelling amount of grit, given a special sparkle” - Saskatoon Star Phoenix

 “Gunner & Smith carry a full, hard-hitting sound that is both expansive and lush” – Ominocity.com

MEDIA TOOLS
STREAM Gunner & Smith - 'He Once Was A Good Man' here
CLICK here for high-res album art
CLICK here and here for high-res press photos (Photo Credit: Matthew Smith)
WATCH/POST 'He Once Was A Good Man' promo video here
STREAM/POST Gunner & Smith track 'Towns' here (includes posting/embedding info, just click on 'Share')

FOR MORE INFO: www.gunnerandsmith.com