JadedPhotography's Blog

Thorny Bleeder Series

Part One

by Jade Sperry

On Saturday June 5 at the Shark Club in Vancouver, I had the pleasure of starting a project that will feature great talent that is just beginning to see the light of day. I am doing a feature on Thorny Bleeder; this is a new age music industry company that has many different facets to its system. They are a Record Label, management company, social media development and they already have an impressive roster. In 2009, I met one of Thorny Bleeders' promising young band, Columbia, and I have taken many photos of them as well as done several interviews. I decided that I would like to do a feature on bands that have ties to Thornybleeder. And, with managing partner Brian Thompson onboard, I'm starting with a promising band from Victoria called Black Hat Villain.

This is part one of a three part series. Part two will be live photos and an interview with Special Ops, a heavy band from Montreal, and Part three will feature the young Vancouver band Quartered, who have just completed work on their newest offering and have a new single out.

I interviewed Scotty Tuesday (vocals)...

Tags: black hat villain, brian thompson, jade sperry, jadedphotography, sam edmunson, scotty tuesday, thorny bleeder

CD Review – The Blue Violets - Self-titled

by Jade Sperry

The Blue Violets hail from Vancouver BC and write songs that are melodic in minor keys, and overall, have very good harmonies on every song. This is due in part to the sisterhood of Coral (lead vocals and synths) and Kandel Osbourne (lead guitar and backing vocals) , whose father is none other than Neil Osbourne of 54-40. Joining the duo are Louise Burns (bass and backing vocals), Murray McKenzie (guitar) and Jeff Mitchelmore (drums). On the bands' MySpace page (see below for link) , there is a very detailed introduction to the band and how they came to be. It's a very interesting story of a young band who are dedicated to making their own music, being creative in the approach to songwriting and succeeding in the way they see fit. Their first effort is self-titled and was released in December 2009.

Their self-titled CD is a undiscovered gem in the Vancouver scene. The first song “You Said” is dreamy in a dark way but is a well written song and is played well by all. The vocals that Coral belt out remind this writer of Concrete Blonde...

Tags: cd review, jade sperry, jadedphotography, the blue violets, vancouver bc band

Move The Mountains Tour 2010

Dedication Entertainment and KERFMUSIC are teaming up to present the Move The Mountains Tour 2010 which features Fallan Soldier from Vancouver and Dragon Fli Empire from Calgary. This tour showcases Western Canadian hip hop talent and travels to six cities in June, with special guests Edmonton's The Joe for the Alberta dates, and Vancouver's Justin Brave for the BC dates. Additional local artists are also featured on their home town bills.

“Hip hop is urban music and urban culture” said Fallan Soldier. “There's a lot in common between the BC and Alberta indie hip hop scenes...it's just the mountains seem to get in the way. We thought we'd do something about that by presenting a great night of western Canadian hip hop and take it on the road.”

In 2009, Fallan Soldier released his debut album “Above The Call Of Duty” which played strongly at community and campus radio throughout Canada. He also released a music video for the song “Fights” and has toured throughout BC. This will be his first tour in Alberta. Fallan Soldier is also actor Harris Allan who played Hunter on Queer As Folk for three seasons and has had...

Tags: dedication entertainment, dragon fli empire, fallan soldier, kerf music, move the mountains tour 2010

Evelyn Evelyn – Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley

Monday May 17 2010 @ The Venue, Vancouver

Show Review/CD Review

by Jade Sperry

JadedPhotography

Amanda Palmer does it....AGAIN. This time, instead of performing with The Dresden Dolls or with The Danger Ensemble, she has teamed up with Jason Webley for theatrical fun and games. This is a show you must see if you are fans of movies like “Cabaret” or if you just like theater. Amanda's training in theater is evident when you see her perform her half of Evelyn Evelyn. Jason is brilliant in his role as the other half of Evelyn Evelyn, and both performers are very skilled at improvising and are funny as well as entertaining. They both played the piano, accordion, ukulele and guitar; Amanda performing the right half with Jason picking up the left side. They work very well together and did a great job of being one half of a twin set.

When Evelyn Evelyn left the stage, there was a brief break in the action and then Jason came out to perform. He was riveting. He is a natural storyteller in much the same way that Amanda is but he is also a talented...

Tags: amanda palmer, cd review, evelyn evelyn, jade sperry, jadedphotography, jason webley, show review

Q & A with Vancouver's City Of Glass

by Jade Sperry

JadedPhotography

Jade: What was it like to work with Winston and Shawn Cole? How would you describe the process that resulted in the EP Equations?

City of Glass: Overall, a fantastic experience. The reason we initially contacted Winston to produce the record was for his pop writing and producing, and we figured we could get him to fight with us and help focus some of our more “geek-out” musical moments. We did fight a lot and that was great because we’re very happy with the end product; by halfway through the recording we were all on the same page and having a great time. Shawn is the greatest. I don’t know anyone who’s met him that doesn’t love that guy; a real pleasure to work with and very skilled at engineering and mixing. We consider both of those guys good friends of ours now.

Jade: In 2008 when you decided to put City Of Glass in motion, made the demo, and had it quietly take on college radio in 3 countries/continents, how did that encourage you to find your way in the digital age?...

Tags: city of glass, david phu, jade sperry, jadedphotography, michael champion, vancouver band interview

On April 17, I posted a review for the CD Rip Your Heart Out for the Vancouver BC band, The Electric Demons. 

You can buy the CD at CDBABY and read things online there.  

You can view a video for the song "Queen of Rock and Roll" at the following link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-WTm1asQek

Tags: cd for sale, jade sperry, jadedphotography, tarja ridgewell, the electric demons

EP Review – City Of Glass – Equations

by Jade Sperry

City Of Glass is a band that formed in the summer of 2008 on the west coast in Vancouver. At the forefront are two high school friends Michael Champion (vocals/guitar) and David Phu (guitar) whose passion for pop rock melodies, minimalism and dance music is clear in their writing and performances. Georgia Korba (bass) and Alex Cumming (drums) round out the band. Talent, innovation and determination have propelled City Of Glass and the audiences are catching on.

A demo that was released in November 2008 quietly made its way into indie radio in the UK, US and Canada which was well received with much praise among the local scene and their industry colleagues. With the help of pop artist/producer Winston (Nat Jay, Hey Ocean!, Hannah Georgas) and studio genius Shawn Cole (You Say Party! We Say Die!, Bend Sinister) City Of Glass are enthusiastic that their music will get audiences moving.

This EP was released on July 21, 2009 and shortly after that, the band toured the college circuit in September 2009 and this past March 2010. The band has plans to tour this summer and fall.

The EP...

Tags: alex cumming, city of glass, david phu, ep review, georgia korba, jade sperry, jadedphotography, michael champion, vancouver bc band

CD Review - Green Go – Remixes Volume II

by Jade Sperry

The Green Go Band are current residents in Guelph ON and consist of the following members: Ferenc Stenton, Jessica Tollefsen, Kyle Squance, Mark Andrade, Adam Scott, and Mike Brook.

The Green Go Remix Project Vol II, available as a free download on the interwebs as of April 1st, features the band's dual-organic and electronic re-hashings of their friends' songs - Woodhands, Diamond Rings, Gregory Pepper and His Problems, and Think About Life, as well as their own fuzzed-out remake of their own track “Watch Your Step”, which originally appeared on their debut CD Borders. The band has played shows with the likes of Thunderheist, Think About Life, You Say Party! We Say Die, Fischerspooner, and hosts of others.

Remix Project Vol II is the follow-up to Remix Project Vol I, released in February 09. In retrospect, it was these remixes that proved to be the ticket that put Green Go on the map. Then, without a label to put out their finished debut, the band took to their home studio to tweak another fine set of friends and fellow Canadians - Born Ruffians, the D'Urbervilles, the Rural...

Tags: adam scott, ep review, ferenc stenton, green go, guelph on band, jade sperry, jadedphotography, jessica tollefsen, kyle squance, mark andrade, mike brook, remix pproject 2

CD Review – Floodlight

by Jade Sperry

Release Date: TBA

Floodlight are led by David Truscott (lead vocals/guitar), a native of Victoria BC who at the age of 15 traveled to New York City and began performing and touring. He has played with critically acclaimed groups Breakwater and Honeysuckle. The latter group was one of Canada's hardest working indie bands, and was voted Vancouver's best live act by the readers of The Georgia Straight. After touring across Canada and the US, David decided to step up to front a new band and Floodlight was born. Rounding out the band are Andrew West (guitar), Chris Chuy (bass/vocals), Dasha Postnikova (keys/vocals) and Tobi Duquette (drums). The debut CD for this band has 13 songs that were written by David and Chris and every song is exceptional. They worked with Thomas Thacker and Theo Goutzinakis of Vancouver band GOB mixing and recording this CD.

The first song “Broken Record” sounds like the bands' anthem song – high energy, infectious hard guitars and a fantastic rhythm. It's a great song based on a really good melody, and is an excellent choice to start the CD. The guitars find the groove so easily and that...

Tags: andrew west, cd review, chris chuy, dasha postnikova, david truscott, floodlight, jade sperry, jadedphotography, tobi duquette, vancouver bc band

Happy Thursday! 

I have some really great news - I have just secured a new volunteer position with US Music Blog Emurg!  I will be wearing many hats on this site such as writer/reviewer as well as contributing photography, editing other reviewer's writing and the best thing - scouting new bands to work with!  So, if you're in a band, or know of a band, send me an email through the contact page with the bands' name and where I can find them and hear some of their music.  Or just send me your songs.  Either way its free publicity!  I can do the postings on NXEW as well if you're a Canadian band. 

I am stoked to be working with a cool site such as EMURG.  It's similiar to NXEW only its an American blog!  A big thank you to Brian at Thorny Bleeder who mentioned that EMURG is actively searching for new contributors. 

Cheers! 

Jade Sperry

Tags: brian thompson, emurg.com, jade sperry, jadedphotography, new music site, nxew, thorny bleeder