My bad. I just didn't feel like compiling a list of new music from 2021, so this is the first update since 2020 (1). I've also given up the idea of listing the best "albums". It's just a collection of tracks that caught my attention during 2022. Once again, your mileage may vary. No, your [...]
It was a bleak year. COVID-19 made sure of that. Without a commute, I didn't listen to nearly as much new music as before. But still... ..... here are 3 albums that I liked in 2020. None of the artists are new to me. Gidge is a Swedish electronic duo consisting of Ludvig Stolterman and Jonathan Nilsson [...]
It's true. Spotify has changed things. It is now much, much easier to find new music to listen to, but it seems that fewer tracks make a lasting impression. My annual lists keep getting shorter. Anyway, here are 3 albums that I liked in 2019. They are all kinda electronic ambient - type stuff, so..... [...]
Before and during the Hoboken Arts + Music Festival - Spring 2019 Edition, this weekend. I was there early Sunday morning, again, to help out with the set up. Then later in the day, we went back to see Buster Poindexter.
So here we are again: another year gone, another music list. Every year, I find that I have less and less to say about them. The truth is that I don't really know much. For that, I blame Spotify. I no longer do much reading or research to find new music. Instead, Spotify's "Release [...]
I know, I know: everyone else wrapped up their best of 2017 list a month ago. But here it is. Also, I know that nobody reads these, and therefore I am shortening the list to the top 3 albums, and the best stand-alone track. Having just said that, I 'm going to diverge [...]
Its always great to see a performance by Mariza.
For anyone that knows me, its been a tumultuous year. But somethings don't change. I'm still trying to avoid musical ossification, i.e. listening to the same artists year in and out. More than half of my picks were new discoveries this year. There are links that you can click to listen to (at least [...]
Last night we went to see this sharply dressed older gent at the Beacon Theatre
Its that time of year again: list season. Continuing past traditions, here are my top albums/EPs and, separately, the top tracks from 2015. Please have a look. Everyone's tastes are different, but maybe you'll find something that is "good" for you. There are links that you can click to listen to (at least a [...]
We thought we were going to see a Spanish guitar performance by Paco Peña last night, but it turned out to be a full on flamenco extravaganza. Dancer Angel Muñoz (above right) stole the show with his range, athleticism and emotion. Yolanda Osuna Linares could have cut through steel with her lighting-fast, high precision arm [...]
Name that tune! Here is a crappy Blackberry photo of the really enjoyable Emily Claire Barlow show in Oakville on Thursday evening. Thx to WS, DV, AG, RVZ and (of course) HVW.
As always, thanks to Heidi for indulging my musical interests. We had a great time in Knoxville for the Big Ears Festival, seeing 13 performances in a little more than 48 hours. The Bad Plus Kronos Quarter + Wu Man ( + Terry Riley + Laurie Anderson) Loscil A Winged Victory for the Sullen Kronos [...]
Been to Knoxville once before. Never thought I'd go back. Which just goes to show, that you should never say never.
It's December, and here's what I've got: There wasn't anything this year that grabbed me by the neck and shook. But hey, who am I to criticize? I can't hum in tune. Here are the 10 albums that I listened to most. Each one has its moments, but not sure how well any of [...]
For me, this year was pretty much all about the piano. Poppy Ackroyd – Escapement This is the album of the year, as far as I'm concerned. Poppy Ackroyd won me over with her intimate miniature creations, built entirely from her own piano and violin performances. Listen to Mechanism Also, here's a cool video that [...]
The Oakville Waterfront Festival returned this weekend, after a 3 year hiatus. Since a) it happens at the end of our street and b) it is now free, we dropped in with friends and neighbours for several shows over the weekend. We got drenched at Kathleen Edwards' show on Friday, but enjoyed the performance anyway. [...]
And then we went to Seattle to check out the Substrata festival of ambient/electronic/experimental music. More accurately. . . and then I dragged Heidi to Seattle to check out the Substrata festival of ambient/electronic/experimental music. Gotta say thanks to Heidi for indulging me for three straight nights. The performances were mixed, I'd say. I was [...]
This week I booked tickets for a bunch of us to go see Harry Manx when he comes to Toronto in the fall. Then I noticed that he was scheduled to play at Burlington's Sound of Music Festival, today, for free. It was supposed to rain all day. But it didn't, and Heidi and I [...]
I don't know why I thought that going to Montreal for the MUTEK Festival would be a good idea. I don't care. It was worth the trip. Mutek - Montreal 2013 from Stuart Brannan on Vimeo. Technically its the International Festival of Digital Creativity and Electronic Music. Actually its a lot of fun. Warning: you [...]
b r a n n a n . o r g 