If I’m honest, when I first heard the new Said The Whale record, Little Mountain I was totally blown away. And, I’m not saying that in some grand, suck-up gesture, praising the band I work for. I already know they’re fantastic. That’s why they’re on my roster and why I count myself extremely lucky to work with them (now, that was a blatant suck up).

But, I was completely taken in by the absolutely huge sound, the undeniably killer harmonies, the intricate songs blending seamlessly into each other – all 15 tracks (and by the way, who makes 15 song albums anymore? This band had even more songs recorded, that they released a 4 track EP in the fall before the record release date was set!) If you listened, solely to the opening track, “We Are 1980″ you could tell something special was about to happen to your ears and musical experience. There is a vocal style and delivery that Tyler has in particular that punctuates the songs he sings, and to this point, is very notable in this track. You could tell very early on, it was an extremely carefully crafted, catchy, no holds barred, intentionally amazing record. It knocked my socks clean off.

Little Mountain was the #17 record in Canada for the week of it’s release. Said The Whale is an unquestionably hard working, driven band of some of the darn-most lovely people working in rock today. They are on tour right now in Canada, having just wrapped up a run in the US. They’ll tour the UK and Europe this year and hit the festival circuit hard indeed this summer. They are already booked for Sasquatch in May and Edgefest in July.

Check out their website http://www.saidthewhale.com/blog for dates and details, and to buy this awesome record. A physical copy is somewhat of a must, the cover is dye cut (not inexpensive to do, folks) and just like the music contained in the packaging a lot of detail and thought was paid to the album art, making owning a physical copy oh so much more satisfying than a convenient click to a download. Believe me.

And, on their site, you can see some of the already released 15 videos they are making for the record with the uber-talented, Vancouver Production company Amazing Factory. There is a video for each track, which we’ve premiered with a new media partner each week leading up to and beyond release on March 6. This is one of my faves (again, with the sucking up)… Jesse, AR

It’s just nice to have a reminder.

I’m extremely excited that Rococode is in the FP PR family. I’ve known Andrew Braun, guitarist/vocalist and co-producer of Rococode’s debut record “Guns, Sex and Glory” for a number of years and I’ve always had so much respect for him as a person and a musician. Notable album co-producer is, Mother Mother’s very humourous (read: sarcastic) musical genius Ryan Guldemond. *I will diverge slightly to say the first time I saw Mother Mother, I just stood awestruck in the club, with my mouth open, marvelling at how uncompromisingly brilliant they were; sound so tight, so together, so seamless I just didn’t know how to process what I was seeing and hearing. They are quite fantastic.

That’s to say that Rococode are too, very awe-inspiring and fantastic in a way that isn’t dissimilar from what hooked me about Mother Mother and making their partnership on this record rather apt. Rococode know who they are and you can hear it in their work. Their past, collective musical resumé is extensive and so impressive, but I’ve always been a proponent of looking at a band for what they’re doing at the time. This record really connects you to that. A tough but subtle, sweet but also shifty, unpredictable indie-pop-rock journey anchored by the sublime boy-girl vocal interplay of Andrew and Laura that, when done right, like Rococode do, is, sublime.

They are on tour across Canada right now, and about to play CMW. Here’s that schedule:

Tuesday March 20 @ 9:30 pm – The Horseshoe
Saturday March 24 @ 11:00 pm – Hard Luck Bar
Saturday March 24 @ 3:00 pm – “Acoustic Show” – ‘Live Near Bellwoods: CMW Living Room Sessions’

Spinner also just this week premiered the ever so lovely video for “Empire” the very stylistically shot, dark vs light visual interpretation directed by Sean Cox (and below). “Empire” was also the iTunes Single of the Week for album launch. I know there are a million more exciting things coming for this band. Stay tuned.

I realize I’ve been horribly neglectful of the old FP blog, and it’s not the way I wanted to start 2012, or how i intend to maintain it. My first (and only) resolution will be to keep posting here as frequently as I post my largely inane ramblings in 140 characters on Twitter (@julieboothster if you’re interested). I have more space here anyway. And, there are so many exciting things happening this year and fantastic releases coming, it would be a shame to miss documenting things in real time. The eventual archivist in me feels so, anyway.
One of the biggest announcements of the year (for me) is coming in June. I’m not one to really mix my personal business into my work business, but then again, the intent of my work in music, especially with Freshly Pressed, is to build a family of like-minded artists who are doing cool things and making great music that should be heard and acknowledged. And all of my extended music family know. So, to that end, I’ll briefly note only once in this time and place. To kick off a renewed dedication to documenting 2012:

Library Voices from Green Couch on Vimeo.

Lovely new video for Dead Hearts by Stars is out now.

I’ve been extremely honoured to work with the excellent committee, lead by Founder and Executive Director of Drawn To Youth, Jo Cutajar on this year’s Drawn To Develop art auction. It’s happening in the Distillery District’s Fermenting Cellar on Thursday October 13. So, tomorrow night.

(Drawn To Develop 2011 Photo by Alex Albojer)

I wanted the first PR project I took on, outside music to be something I was deeply connected to. Animals, kids and women’s issues are huge points of interest and activism for me. Drawn To Develop hooked me a step further because it involved the incredibly talented work of Canadian photographers. Essentially a youth, living in poverty draws a picture to express their circumstances, their lives and their dreams. That drawing is interpreted by a photographer in an original photograph/art piece, that is auctioned off at the upcoming event. Proceeds go to fund Street Kids International programs in the regions where the youth live. They get training and resources to help better their lives.

It’s a pretty sweet idea and it’s been an enlightening experience to see how a not-for-profit like this works, and navigates in a market and world that is, essentially for profit. I have huge admiration for the team, including the photographers who donate their time and talent.

I have enormous respect and awe for the bravery and eloquence of the youth to tell their stories, and to try to do the toughest thing one can do, strive to make your life better against all odds. It’s interesting to me that in their stories, it tends to be the simplest things, least materialistic and the smallest measures that drive them. In a day where half the world is inconvenienced and the developed world takes to Twitter to moan about their lack of email and BBM because Blackberry has lost service to half of its customers, it sure puts into perspective for me, the needs vs wants of a planet.

(Drawn To Develop 2011 Photo by Walter Chin)

www.drawntodevelop.com

It’s been an exciting album launch for “Summer Of Lust” from Library Voices. Wanted to share a couple of the media outlets that joined the campaign with offering up some sweet cover space (both photos were shot by the very talented Chris Graham from Regina). I just love his work. And, I just love this band.

And, this is just one example. If we were smarter as a species, we’d see the magic and beauty of allowing each other and other species an equal importance and ability to live a full and happy life as we try to claim only for our selfish selves.
Read it here

I think this is so very cool. Very inspiring.