Prairie Songstress Raine Hamilton Releases New Single + Premieres Video!

Watch 'Lift Me Up' Video Premiere on Live In Limbo
 

(Winnipeg, MB) - Winnipeg singer-songwriter Raine Hamilton is excited to announce the release of 'Lift Me Up', the first single from her upcoming album Night Sky, to be released March 23, 2018. The video for 'Lift Me Up' is premiering today at Live In Limbo ahead of shows in Toronto at Folk Music Ontario this weekend and at Burdock on Tuesday, October 24th. See below for more information. 

Not only is Raine an incredible musician but she's also a charming and funny storyteller, pairing her vulnerable tunes with engaging story intros. Raine believes that music is for everyone, and that we all have something to share. Her upcoming sophomore release Night Sky was recorded earlier this year with acclaimed Winnipeg producer Lloyd Peterson, and the music tips between the earthly and the otherworldly and is anchored in relatable lived experience. The first single 'Lift Me Up' reflects this theme. 
 
"In this song, I am singing to my younger self," says Raine. "I'm saying 'You don't know this yet, but it's going to be OK. You are strong. You are beautiful. You are good.' In this song, I surrender my imagined control over life and things, I listen, and I trust." 

The video for ‘Lift Me Up’ has an interesting concept and features 3 visual artists: Quintin Bart, Sarah Thiessen, and Callen Froese. Each artist created a companion piece to the song, connecting with its themes or content in some way. The video is made and directed by Winnipeg film maker Julie Epp. Quintin Bart is also the bass player on the Night Sky album, and Raine's long time trio mate (along with cellist Natanielle Felicitas). He was really involved in the arranging of the album and so his visual artistic contribution is a unique one. 

"It was an interesting experiment to try find a visual expression of this music, and I knew right away I wanted to focus on light and cosmic themes," says Quintin. "The idea of looking back to our past selves with kindness, compassion, and wisdom made me think of impermanence, destiny, and mysticism, thus the reference vintage tarot card artwork. While filming the time-lapse video with Julie, the light from the setting sun was blasting onto my page, constantly shifting the hue, contrast, and intensity of the image. Impermanence, light, and enlightenment are the main themes here.”

Be sure to catch the Raine Hamilton String Trio in Toronto at the Folk Music Ontario Conference this weekend and at The Burdock on Tuesday, October 24th. Her new album Night Sky will be released on March 23, 2018 and additional tour dates supporting the release of the album will be announced soon. For more information and the most up-to-date tour listings, please visit: rainehamilton.com

RAINE HAMILTON STRING TRIO >> UPCOMING SHOWS:
Friday, October 20th - Toronto, ON - Folk Music Ontario Conference
Saturday, October 21 - Toronto, ON - Folk Music Ontario Conference
Tuesday, October 24 - Toronto, ON - Burdock w/ Abigail Lapell + Dana Sipos (Buy tickets here)
 

FOR MORE INFO: www.rainehamilton.com
Twitter: @rainesongs
Instagram: @rainehamilton
FB: Facebook.com/RaineHamiltonMusic

MEDIA TOOLS
WATCH/POST Raine Hamilton - 'Lift Me Up' here (via YouTube)
STREAM/POST Raine Hamilton - 'Lift Me Up' here (via SoundCloud)
CLICK HERE for high-res press photos (Photo Credit: Megan Steen)

Ché Aimee Dorval's New Full-Length Album Out On December 8th

Listen To Exclusive Premiere of 'Buried'

Vancouver, BC - Vancouver singer/songwriter Ché Aimee Dorval is excited to announce the release of her 2nd full-length album and 3rd release, Between The Walls & The Window, on Friday, December 8th. The first single from the album 'Buried' is premiering today at Canadian Beats, click here to listen. Ché has a handful of shows coming up over the next couple of months, including an Album Release Show at The Fox on December 14th. See below for complete tour information. 

Ché recorded Between The Walls & The Window in her hometown of Vancouver. For producer, Ché tapped studio veteran Shawn F. Cole (Bend Sinister, Yukon Blonde, You Say Party! We Say Die!), known for his biting pop/rock textures and moody atmospherics.The album includes A-list session players like longtime Neko Case guitarist Paul Rigby, bassist Darren Parris and drummer Daniel Ruiz, to augment Ché’s sensitive, insinuating guitar touch. The result is a shifting, multi-layered sound that brings out the full scope and impact of her compositions.

Ché’s latest songs are by turns harrowing, poignant, teasing and contemplative. She addresses themes of repression ('Buried'), regret ('I Should’ve Worried') and surrender ('Art of Dying') with a bruise-tender touch. Elements of folk, country, soul and industrial rock give the tracks luster and richness. Most of all, Ché’s vocals – caressing one moment, pain-wracked the next – bring the words and music to vivid life. The tracks are filled with her struggles and experiences as a woman, and how it feels to still be fighting for gender equality in 2017. 

"The first single Buried was born out of frustration at having to fight the same battles I thought we’d grown past," says Ché. "The same battles I've witnessed my mother going up against my whole life. Even with all the progress we’ve made there’s still a lot of work to be done." 

Growing up in Vancouver, BC, Ché honed her skills by playing local club dates and busking around Europe before winning David Foster’s British Columbia Star Search competition in 2007. This led to an appearance at Foster’s yearly charity gala and the chance to write and record in L.A. with hitmakers Greg Wells (Rufus Wainright, Katy Perry) and Kara DioGuardi (Pink, Kelly Clarkson). Rather than go the mainstream pop route, Ché returned to Canada and released her first solo effort, Underachiever in 2008. 

In 2009, Ché recorded with Devin Townsend (Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend Project) for his album Ki, laying the groundwork for their teaming up as the dark alt-country duo Casualties of Cool in 2012. As part of Casualties of Cool, Ché has earned a growing international following, touring extensively overseas. Working with Devin inspired Ché to relaunch her solo career. She supported the 2015 release of her EP Volume One with a 12-date UK tour opening for folk artist Kim Churchill. 

Ché Aimee Dorval's new album Between The Walls & The Window will be available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services on Friday, December 8th. For more information and the most up to date tour schedule, please visit:  www.cheaimeedorval.com


Ché Aimee Dorval >> Upcoming Tour Dates
October 21 - Gibsons, BC - Gibsons Legion Hall (Pat Dorval's Radioactive Fundraiser)
November 19 - Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt ('Afraid' Single Release Show)
December 14 - Vancouver, BC - The Fox (Album Release Show)

Ché Aimee Dorval - Between The Walls & The Window Track Listing
Release Date: December 8th, 2017
1.  Afraid
2.  Buried
3.  Erupt The Quietus
4.  Holding In
5.  I Should Have Worried
6.  Art Of Dying
7.  Low
8.  I Know I Know (a Broken Heart)

FOR MORE INFO: www.cheaimeedorval.com
Twitter: @CheAimee
Instagram: @CheAimeeDorval
FB: Facebook.com/CheAimeeDorval

MEDIA TOOLS
STREAM/POST Ché Aimee Dorval - 'Buried' here
CLICK HERE for album art + high-res press photos (Photo Credit: Nicole Gurney Photography)

Rococode Hit The Road For Young Ones North American Tour Starting September 24th!

Canadian Dates Starting in Vancouver on October 5th!

“Vancouver’s Rococode genuinely captivate with their singular musical aesthetic, an infectious marriage of classical synth-pop, quasi-hip-hop beats, layered with male-female ideological dichotomy.” - BlackBook

“Young Ones is a perfect example of the addictive hooks and seamless production that we have come to expect from Vancouver’s own Laura Smith and Andrew Braun.”  - Discorder

“Vibrant, catchy, and totally cool.” - BabySue
 

Vancouver, BC - Vancouver electro-pop duo Rococode (Andrew Braun and Laura Smith) are hitting the road for a fall North American Tour in support of their latest EP ‘Young Ones’. The tour starts this Sunday, September 24th at Soda Bar in San Diego with the Canadian tour dates starting in Vancouver on October 5th at The Biltmore. See below for full tour details. 

Rococode’s ‘Young One’s EP was released earlier this year on June 16th via Marquis. Co-produced by Caleb Shreve (Phantogram, Bear Hands, Tegan and Sara) and Jon Siebels (Eve 6, Switchfoot, Dreamers), the six song set highlights a musical chemistry by fusing Braun’s exploratory tendencies with Smith’s razor-sharp pop sensibilities. The EP has received plenty of critical praise and the first single 'Is It Real' was added to many Spotify playlists and hit the Top 40 at Canadian alternative radio. Young Ones had additional success at College Radio where Rococode cracked the Top 10 on Earshot and the NACC electronic chart. 

This is Rococode’s second run of tour dates in support of Young Ones. The duo did a U.S.Tour around the release date but this is their first Canadian Tour since the release of the EP. Upon completion of the tour, Rococode are planning to hit the studio to begin work on their next album. 

"We've been keeping busy gathering the materials for our next record at the NMC in Calgary, co-writing in Los Angeles and hiding away in our home studio," says Andrew Braun.  "A new full length should be arriving sometime in the first half of 2018." 

Don’t miss Rococode on their Young Ones Tour starting on September 24th! For more info and the most up-to-date tour info, please visit: rococode.com

ROCOCODE - YOUNG ONES TOUR DATES
September 24 - San Diego, CA - Soda Bar
September 25 - San Francisco, CA - Brick + Mortar
September 26 - Sacramento, CA - Momo Lounge
September 28 - Seattle, WA - Timbre Room
September 29 - Portland, OR - Kelly’s Olympian
October 5  - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore
October 6 - Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar
October 7 - Nanaimo, BC - The Queen’s
October 11 - Edmonton, AB - The Rec Room
October 12 - Calgary, AB - The HiFi Club
October 13 - Saskatoon, SK - Vangelis Tavern
October 14 - Regina, SK - Artful Dodger
October 15 - Winnipeg, MB - The Good Will
November 4 - Columbus, OH - Spacebar
November 6 - NYC, NY - Pianos
November 9 - Charlottetown, PEI - Baba's
November 10 - Halifax, NS - The Carleton
November 11 - Fredericton, NB - The Capital
November 14 - Ottawa, ON - House of Targ
November 16 - Hamilton, ON - The Casbah
November 17 - Windsor, ON - Phog Lounge
November 18 - Toronto, ON - Rivoli
 

http://rococode.com
https://www.facebook.com/Rococode
https://twitter.com/rococode
https://www.instagram.com/rococode

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MEDIA TOOLS:
Download Rococode high-res photos HERE 
Download Rococode high-res album art HERE
Stream Rococode - Young Ones EP HERE
Watch/Share - Rococode - 'Is It Real' video HERE

Vancouver's Cassandra Maze Set To Release New Velocity EP On October 6th

STREAM/SHARE Feature Track ‘Die Wondering’

(Vancouver, BC) - Vancouver musician Cassandra Maze is ready to unleash her special brand of catchy alternative dance pop to the world with the release of her debut EP Velocity on October 6th. Cassandra will be touring in support of the EP, playing  a hometown release show at The Biltmore on October 7th before embarking on a tour stint across British Columbia. See below for full details.

Maze released the EP's first single ‘Wait’ to Canadian radio back in February, and is following that up with the release of a second track -  ‘Die Wondering’. ‘Wait’ was well received by Canadian radio and Maze toured across Canada in support of the single, astounding fans with her powerful voice. She brought her live looping prowess to prominent venues, such as the historic Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, and gave acoustic performances on Global Toronto's Morning Show and on Roundhouse Radio's Live From Railtown in Vancouver. Following the tour, ‘Wait’ created a buzz online, garnering attention from many popular Spotify playlisters and receiving placement on new playlists regularly.

The Velocity EP features tracks produced by WCMA and Juno Award winner, Ryan Worsley, as well as collaborations with the WCMA award-winning dance-R&B trio, DiRTY RADiO. With this release, Maze proves that in music, as in life, opposites attract. She crafts her signature alt-pop sound from diametrical musical elements that work in harmony. The music is congruently emotional and physical - it will ensnare you in a daydream and it will draw you to the dance floor. Her lyrics are soulfelt, but the story doesn't fully come to life until it's combined with visceral dance beats and gritty synth layers.

“The 6 songs on this EP are an indicator of where I've been and what I've experienced in my life,” says Cassandra Maze. “They are a road map of the past, which hints to the future. ‘Wait’ is a cautionary tale I tell myself whenever I start to feel lazy and want to quit. ‘Perfect Storm’ is a celebration of the times I've felt truly loved and in love. ‘Sea’ pays homage to a friendship that dissolved and that I was never able to reconstruct.‘Marry the Moon’ captures the longing we feel for something greater than ourselves. ‘Still Afraid of the Dark’ nods to an irrational childhood fear that I could never fully stamp out. And ‘Die Wondering’ looks forward down this path and asks, “what might I regret?”. The EP as a whole keeps my momentum going.”

Before recording the Velocity EP, Cassandra Maze toured internationally and provided vocal session work and keyboards for a variety of artists, including Victoria Duffield and Devin Townsend. She is a Creative BC funded artist, a 2016 CBC Searchlight Top 10 Regional Finalist, and has received song placements in several film and TV projects, including the TV series Eve of Destruction. Maze's credentials keep growing, as does her audience and her music, as she continues building her career.  

Look for Cassandra Maze on her Velocity Loopfinity Tour starting in Vancouver on October 7th. Her new EP Velocity will be available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services on Friday, October 6th. For more information and the most up to date tour schedule, please visit: www.cassandramaze.com

CASSANDRA MAZE >> VELOCITY LOOPFINITY TOUR DATES
October 7th - Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore
October 14th - Kelowna, BC - The Habitat
October 20th - Grindrod, BC - The Riverfront
October 21st - Armstrong, BC - The Branding Iron
October 27th - Prince George, BC - Nancy O’s
October 28th - Kamloops, BC - The Office

CASSANDRA MAZE - VELOCITY EP TRACK LISTING
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 6th, 2017 (Zone Records)
1.  Wait
2.  Perfect Storm
3.  Sea
4.  Marry The Moon
5.  Still Afraid Of The Dark
6.  Die Wondering

FOR MORE INFO: www.cassandramaze.com
Twitter: @CassandraMaze 
Instagram: @CassandraMazeMusic
FB: Facebook.com/CassandraMazeMusic

MEDIA TOOLS
STREAM/POST Cassandra Maze - ‘Die Wondering’ here
WATCH/POST Cassandra Maze - ‘Wait’ video here
CLICK HERE for album art + high-res press photos (Photo Credit: Liz Rosa)

O Frontera Premiere New Video + Announce Release of New Album on October 6th

Watch Premiere of 'Heed To My Song'
@ Northern Transmissions

(Toronto, ON) - Toronto-based experimental post-rock trio O Frontera are independently releasing their first full-length album In The Arms Of Stoics on Friday, October 6th, and the creative and cinematic video for the first single ‘Heed To My Song’ (shot on a Super 8 camera in Iceland!) is premiering today at Northern Transmissions. To celebrate the release of their new album, O Frontera are playing a release show in Toronto on Saturday, October 7th at Art Square Gallery (334 Dundas Street West). See below for full details.

In The Arms Of Stoics is O Frontera’s first full length but it’s not their debut release. The band released their beautifully sparse O Frontera EP in 2014 and since then have evolved to incorporate elements of classical, ambient, pop, and experimental music. Their sound is cinematic and the influence of Radiohead, Sigur Rós, and Philip Glass can be heard immersed in the ambient soundscapes of their music. 

O Frontera is made up 3 members: Sebastian Cushing (vocals/guitar), Emily Wang (viola) and Sarah Riegler (percussion/vocals) and together they explore the relationship between melodic and rhythmic hooks by playing with song structures to create O Frontera's powerfully evocative music.  When making In The Arms Of Stoics the band wanted it ebb and flow like a great story often does; when the album plays from beginning to end, it's narrative flows like a film. And because it feels cinematic and like a continuous piece of art, it’s difficult to single out a favourite track on the album.

“My answer to this has changed multiple times over the last year," says Sebastian Cushing. “Belle Époque is one song I find myself frequently returning to. It's so raw. It's one of those songs that takes me back to the moments when I wrote it. Another one is Letter to Catherine. That song was inspired by Michael Collins, the Irish independence hero. While fighting he would send love letters to his fiancé. I was fascinated by the breadth of the man. He risks his life for his cause but still has an enduring love for this woman. It was like the wounds of war couldn't completely harden him. Channelling those stories is such a powerful experience as a songwriter.”

O Frontera’s new album In The Arms Of Stoics will be available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services on Friday, October 6th. See them live in Toronto on October 7th and look for more tour dates to be announced soon. For more information and the most up to date tour schedule, please visit: Facebook.com/OFrontera

O FRONTERA IN THE ARMS OF STOICS ALBUM RELEASE SHOW
When: Saturday, October 7th
Where: Art Square Gallery (334 Dundas Street West)
Doors at: 8:00PM
Tickets: $10 at the door

O FRONTERA - IN THE ARMS OF STOICS TRACK LISTING
RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 6th, 2017 (Independent)
1.  Rien Ne Se Perd
2.  They Scoff, The Broken Hearted
3.  Salvador
4.  Heed To My Song
5.  Jué
6.  Letter To Catherine
7.  Torch Lake
8.  Girl In Blue
9.  Belle Époque
10. Ruins Where The Love Rung

FOR MORE INFO:
Twitter: @ofronteramusic
Instagram: @ofronteramusic
FB: Facebook.com/OFrontera

MEDIA TOOLS
WATCH/POST 'Heed To My Song' video here
STREAM/POST 'Heed To My Song' here
CLICK HERE for album art + high-res press photos (Photo Credit: Liam Cushing)