Great new videos and tracks on the Open Mic this time out. Cassie Noble’s jigsaw puzzle and an intriguing work by Leaf Rapids. Murmuration is an apt metaphor for social media
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Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Orgone, Dead Root Revival, Kaia Kater, iskwē, Pony Girl, David Vertesi, Sweet Kill, and Dream Eater
Big fan of Orgone, so good - been groovin’ to their records past couple of years, looking forward to this new record.
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Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Dan Mangan, iskwē, Jeremy Dutcher, Allison Russell, Begonia, Kyle McKearney, Land of Talk, and Denzel Curry
“I needed to make a love letter to my teenage self by being more vulnerable and doing all the production myself.” - Lizzie Powell, Land of Talk
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iskwē
alt image: Leanne Hoffman
Slowcity.ca Open Mic: Leanne Hoffman, iskwē, Celeigh Cardinal, The Matinee, Shred Kelly, Skydiggers, Loryn Taggart, and 54-40
"We all connected to that vibe of getting lost somewhere and seeing where you end up.” - The Matinee
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iskwē & Tom Wilson, photo by José Crespo
Slowcity.ca Open Mic Spotlight: iskwē and Tom Wilson share 'Starless Nights'
Artwork by Tom Wilson
By Will McGuirk
“Starless Nights is a beautiful song, written by an incredible songwriter Misha Bower. When I was at Words Fest in London, Ontario, sharing in a conversation/songwriters circle with Misha; she performed this tune acoustically and it was mind-blowing. It was one of these songs that the moment you hear it you get shivers." - iskwē
“The song was a natural fit for us. It's otherworldly.” - Tom Wilson
Aasiva, photo by Lisa Milosavljevic
Slowcity.ca Open Mic with Aasiva, iskwē, Bernice, Hildegard, St. Vincent, Middle Kids, The Human Rights, and Faiyaz and The Wasted Chances
By Will McGuirk
“This was at the very beginning of my independent artist career and I had many shows lined up. I was very excited to be an artist full time, and I just kept wondering, where will my music take me?
Also, I feel like this is a question that we often ask ourselves: ‘Where are we going? What are we going to do next?’ That was my inspiration for this song.” - Aasiva
We have the opportunity now to remake the world, to see the connection we all share, even if its just a virus attacking, even if it is just a common enemy, it is a least a commonality. But do we walk away from each other or stand together. What indeed are we going to do next?
I don’t of course have an answer, just to merely suggest we may need to look elsewhere, outside our normal. And I am buoyed by what is washing up on my shores.
Going on the journey of marriage with Tim has been profound. It is very liberating having someone see you in your entirety and stay. Tim embodies that kind of ‘stacking chairs’ love - he’s not just about the party. He’s around afterward when I’m tired and ugly and loves me in those moments.” - Hannah Joy on bandmate and hubby Tim Fitz
Slowcity.ca Open Mic Spotlight with Haviah Mighty, and iskwē
By Will McGuirk
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“I've navigated life off the strength of my parents’ teachings, and one of those [notable] teachings is to be mindful of the company you keep and of those you call your friends. Being of Caribbean descent, I’ve heard many stories throughout my life of 'Obeah man' and 'Obeah woman' from family and friends, 'Obeah' being an occult power and celebrated secret religion which disturbs the natural flow of events by way of spells, spirituality and hidden practices. “Though difficult to define, it is a religion of resistance, a belief that you can manipulate yours or other peoples’ destinies - often used in the context of those people that are close to you but aspire to cause you harm by thought or action. This song, using this Jamaican reference, speaks directly to the idea that the energy around you can bring you down, and that sometimes it's those that are closest to you that you need to be aware of. This theme is one many can relate to as they grow within their chosen realms.” - Haviah Mighty.
"While I wasn't physically in the room with the FILMharmonic Orchestra while recording, being able to finally have a long-standing vision of performing and recording with an Orchestra come to life was one of my happiest and most soul-satisfying moments. I can't fully put in words the sensation it brought, but I felt a sort of bliss and pride like nothing I've experienced before." - iskwē
An Evening With iskwē
Thursday, March 4th @ 8 PM EST
Join iskwē to celebrate the release of The Stars
In conversation with Tom Wilson & for a special performance from Revolution Recording
Register for your free ticket, or purchase a VIP Package add on
Wednesday, February 17th at 10 am EST @ www.iskwe.com
Slowcity.ca Open Mic - with iskwē, Rose Cousins, Nérija, Alice Ivy, Luke Lalonde, Spinning Coin, CamelPhat, L.A. Foster, Kid Lunch, The Franklin Electric and Scattered Clouds
By Will McGuirk
When no-ones watching, when no-ones listening, when no one cares what you have to say or write or sing, when we are all producing who is consuming? BUT If this new world, and I think it is, if this new world is going to be one constituted by reconstituting broken constitutions then is it not better to remake from the the fragments originally made as art. Each song, each poem, each painting, use them as the building blocks to remake the world which is cracking under the weight of commerce, of pop, of propaganda and lies. Remake the world from the truth, so keep telling your truths. Keep making on making because we need your contributions.
Lydia Ainsworth - photo by Bryan Hyunh
Slowcity.ca Open Mic - Family Day edition: Broken Social Scene, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Saxsyndrum, Adam Baldwin, Parting Gift, Pop Evil, Lydia Ainsworth and iskwē
Nothing says Canadian music family like Broken Social Scene, the thunderous hug of a band of BFFS, awesome in their own right individually and yet together still awesome. The TO crew have a new EP out, ‘Let’s Try The After - Vol 1,’ and they step up to open the Fam Jam open mic. Stay and listen to the rest of the voices, its quite the collection of folks and feelings, just like a family but remember its not a real family reunion until some one cries.
Happy Fam Jam with Tedeschi Trucks Band, Saxsyndrum, Adam Baldwin, Parting Gift, Pop Evil, Lydia Ainsworth and iskwē