CIMA Announces Lineup for SXSW Canadian Blast BBQ & Showcase
Celebrating its 9th year, CIMA’s annual Canadian Blast BBQ will be returning to Brush Square on Wednesday, March 12th to showcase the best and brightest talent escaping the Canadian Polar Vortex for the warm Texas sunshine. Viewed by most as the kick-off to SXSW Music, the Canadian Blast BBQ is the spot to see your first new favorite band in Austin, eat some amazing food and schmooze with the nicest people you’ll ever meet.
Come on time, this showcase reaches capacity early!
The Canadian Blast BBQ and Showcase is the official beginning of four days and nights of performances, networking and business development activities led by the Canadian Independent Music Industry Association (CIMA). We're tremendously excited to announce a stellar lineup for 2014, featuring A Tribe Called Red, Grand Analog, Andy Shauf, Saidah Baba Talibah, The Darcys and the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer.
Profiles of This Year's Canadian Blast Showcase Artists:
A Tribe Called Red (Valeo Productions): Bursting forth from Canada’s capital, Native Producer and DJ crew A Tribe Called Red is making a huge impact on the global electronic scene with a truly unique sound. Within a couple of years they’ve become the face of an urban Native youth renaissance, championing their heritage and speaking out on aboriginal issues, while being on top of popular music, fashion and art. ATCR is made up of three members – two-time Canadian DMC Champion DJ Shub, DJ NDN and Bear Witness.
Grand Analog (Shadow Cabinet): “Grand Analog continues to sweeten its hip-hop cocktail by spiking the punch with everything they can get their hands on: blazing rock guitars, dubby reggae, wah-wah funk, Bo Diddley beats and even a smoking kazoo solo.” They are a raw collective of seasoned record collectors, musicians and self described beat junkies. Band leader Odario Williams describes the Grand Analog sound as a beautiful mess of rap'n'roll, dub ‘n’ soul. Grand Analog's new album, “Modern Thunder”, features guest artists ranging from Saukrates and Shad to Amanda Balsys of the Wilderness of Manitoba and Maylee Todd. They have performed alongside the likes of the Roots, Herbaliser, K-OS, Big Boi and Kardinall Offishall.
Andy Shauf (Kelp Records): Andy Shauf is one of Western Canada's great new songwriters, channeling folk-pop heroes Nick Drake and Elliott Smith, and honing his craft with a weathered piano, warm guitar and clarinet. Recorded in his basement, his last album The Bearer of Bad News explores themes of uncertainty, curiosity and spirituality, and earned Shauf Producer of the Year honors at the recent Western Canadian Music Awards. "Andy Shauf is really cute, but that's not what makes him such a captivating performer. The Regina, SK singer-songwriter is blunt and sharp, and his latest record contains the perfect balance of artistic uncertainty and absolute spirituality. Think of him as Canada's modern answer to Nick Drake." – The AV Club
Saidah Baba Talibah (CLK Creative Works): There’s Rock n’ Roll. And then there’s the Rock n’ Soul of buzzy Toronto-bred vocalist Saidah Baba Talibah, daughter of Tony and Grammy Award-nominated icon Salome Bey, “Canada’s First Lady of Blues”. Strong bloodline notwithstanding, Saidah is a fierce artist that isn’t afraid to combine rock/funk/soul in all of her performances! Saidah is now known as a rare breed of crossover performer whose music, much like songs on your iPod playlist, could simultaneously play to alternative music lovers, across genres. Not a surprise, given that her musical hybridity was formed in Toronto, arguably the most multicultural city on the planet.
The Darcys (Arts & Crafts): The Darcys are an art rock band from Toronto comprised of Jason Couse [vocals, guitar, keys], Wes Marskell [drums], Michael le Riche [guitar, synth, vocals] and Dave Hurlow [bass]. The band's 2013 studio album, "Warring", represents its third release on Arts & Crafts and the final installment in a trilogy of albums that includes T h e D a r c y s [2011] and A J A [2012]. "Warring" was written over three years and recorded in Toronto during the final six months of 2012 with a focus on sonic detail inspired by studio opuses of the 1970s. Of the album and title, the band says: "Warring is moving forward. It's learning in motion. Competition and survival, letting go to persevere. It is anxiety about the future and the triumph of life in the moment. It's victory on will alone, the force that eradicates failure as an option."
The Harpoonist and the Axe Murder (Tonic Records & Management): Armed with a sack of harmonicas, a mess of foot percussion and a road-worn Telecaster, Shawn “The Harpoonist” Hall and Matthew “The Axe Murderer” Rogers kick out raw and primal blues smothered in greasy, gritty soul and punched with funk. Limited to whatever could be played between the duo, Shawn Hall provides soul‐tinged vocals and blues harmonica, while Matthew Rogers rips on the guitar and foot percussion simultaneously; which can be heard on their latest release, Checkered Past. The duo have had the pleasure of performing alongside blues giants such as Taj Mahal and Colin Linden, have graced the stages of some of the largest music festivals and conferences—such as SXSW, Montreal Jazz Fest, Bigsound in Australia, Ottawa Blues Fest and Folk Alliance—and are the recipients of the "Blues Artist of The Year" award at the Sirus XM Indies in 2012.
For additional information on the artists performing or Canadian Blast check out http://www.canadianblast.com
For more information about Canadian Blast at SXSW, please contact:
Cara Wodnicki: BMF Media Group
cara@bmfmedia.com
About CIMA
The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) is the national trade association representing the English-language, Canadian-owned sector of the independent music industry. CIMA works proactively to assist the independent sector to expand business opportunities and partnerships in the international marketplace by providing strategic support for Canadian companies at trade missions, key international trade shows and conferences around the world.
About the Canadian Blast
CIMA brings the compelling story of Canada's best music to festivals and markets around the world with a multi-faceted collective marketing and promotion initiative, the Canadian Blast. The Canadian Blast at SXSW includes a kick-off BBQ, three days and four nights of Canadian showcases and performances at Canada House (208 E 6th St, Austin) and a business development program including the Canada Stand at the SXSW Trade Show.
CIMA gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our Canadian partners and sponsors: Canadian Music Week (CMW), the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings (FACTOR), the Government of Canada (through GOA/DFATD and MEC/Canadian Heritage), Harvard Broadcasting, the Music Managers Forum (Canada), Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), the Radio Starmaker Fund, and the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN). CIMA also acknowledges the support of our Canadian Blast BBQ media partner, AUX, and the support of Molson Canadian to the Canadian Blast at Canada House.