New Michael Vallely CD: Circus Songs

If you prefer variety in your music, then Circus Songs, the incredible latest disc from local singer/songwriter Michael Vallely is for you.  Recently nominated for a Hamilton Music Award, the album deftly explores a lot of musical territory.


Though always grounded in the folk/roots tradition, the songs range from pop, Celtic, Country, a touch of Reggae and even a little bit of Rap.  Michael handles it all with distinctive vocals, outstanding songwriting and a wonderfully twisted sense of humour.

Joining him on this unique musical venture are a few amazing local talents such as Tomi Swick, Andrea Unger, Randall Hill, Danny Lockwood, Amy King, Bob Doidge, Colin Lapsley, and Sahra Featherstone

You can pick up the CD at any of his live show or download it through iTunes.

Video below courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers.



Links: More Michael Vallely Stories, More CD Releases

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Steve Strongman and Friends@CNE Bluesfest (August 28, 2011)

Click here if you can't see the videos.





Links: Steve Strongman, More Steve Strongman stories

Bonus Video: Digging Roots live at the same event.



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Hamilton Music Award Winners

The 2010 Hamilton Music Awards were given out on Sunday November 21 at the McIntyre Theatre in Mohawk College.

Below is a complete list of winners. Congratulations

• Female Artist of the Year: Sarah Harmer
• Male Artist of the Year: Harrison Kennedy
• Local Group of the Year by the People’s Choice: Dry Country
• New Artist/Group of the Year: Harlan Pepper
• Folk/Roots Recording of the Year: Harlan Pepper - Young And Old
• Folk/Traditional Recording of the Year: Scantily Plaid - This One's For You
• ArcelorMittal Dofasco Industry Lifetime Achievement Award – Bob Payne
• Rock Recording of the Year: The Reason - Fools
• Blues Recording of the Year: Harrison Kennedy - One Dog Barking
• Alt/Country Recording of the Year: Ginger St. James and the Grinders - Spank, Sparkle & Growl
• Jazz Recording of the Year: Diana Panton - Pink
• ArcelorMittal Dofasco Music Lifetime Achievement Award (Posthumous) – Gene Lees
• Country Recording of the Year: Tia McGraff - Diversity
• Female Adult Alternative Recording of the Year: Sarah Harmer - Oh Little Fire
• Male Adult Alternative Recording of the Year: Luke Doucet – Steel City Trawler
• Religious Recording of the Year:Peter Tigchelaar - Gracious Window
• ArcelorMittal Dofasco Artist Lifetime Achievement Award – Skip Prokop
• Instrumental Recording of the Year: Carter Lancaster - Case Closed
• Songwriter of the Year: Luke Doucet
• Female Vocalist of the Year: Diana Panton
• Male Vocalist of the Year: Harrison Kennedy
• Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year: Adrean Farrugia
• Special Instrumentalist of the Year: Carter Lancaster
• Guitarist of the Year: Aaron Goldstein
• Drummer of the Year: Ray Farrugia
• Bassist of the Year: Colin Lapsley
• Canadian Recording of the Year by People’s Choice: The Reason: Fools
• Record of the Year: Luke Doucet - Steel City Trawler
• Alternative/Indie Recording of the Year: Cowlick - Wires
• Loud/Metal Recording of the Year: The Video Dead - Damn Disco
• Punk Recording of the Year: Pull Start Rockets - Pull Start Rockets
• Rap/Hip Hop Recording of the Year: Nilla - From The Ground Up
• Electronic Recording of the Year: Caribou - Swim
• Star Search Competition: Dawn and Marra

Industry Awards

• Music Teacher of the Year (independent school) by People’s Choice: Kate Quigley
• Music Teacher of the Year (elementary school) by People’s Choice: Tanya Sanders, W.H Ballard Public School
• Music Teacher of the Year (secondary school) by People’s Choice: James Moore, Sir John A. Macdonald
• Music Teacher of the Year (post-secondary school) by People’s Choice: Mike Malone, Mohawk College
• Artist Manager of the Year: Parkside Mike Renaud
• Instrument Retailer of the Year: Long & McQuade
• Studio Engineer of the Year: Trevor Titian
• Producer of the Year: Dan Achen
• Recording Studio of the Year: Grant Avenue Studio
• Website/Online Publication of the Year: www.hellbound.ca
• Artist Website of the Year: www.sarahharmer.com
• Video of the Year: LeE HARVeY OsMOND, Cuckoo's Nest – Ryan Furlong
• Best Album Artwork: Luke Doucet, Steel City Trawler – David Collier
• Record Label of the Year: Sonic Unyon Recording Company
• Music Retailer of the Year: Cheapies
• Music Director (Radio) of the Year: Sonja Maurin – Indi 101
• Publicist of the Year: Sean Palmerston
• Radio Show of the Year: Lou's Control – Indi 101
• Media Person of the Year: Lou Molinaro – Indi 101
• Radio Station of the Year: CFMU 93.3
• Print Publication of the Year: H Magazine
• Poster Artist of the Year: Kristie Ryder
• Major Concert Venue of the Year: Hamilton Place
• Live Club of the Year: This Ain’t Hollywood
• Live Sound Engineer of the Year: Steven Foster
• Musical Event of the Year by People’s Choice: Harlan Pepper CD release party
• Theatre of the Year: Studio at Hamilton Place
• Talent Buyer of the Year: Lou Molinaro — This Ain’t Hollywood
• Booking Agent of the Year: Paquin Entertainment
• Road Manager of the Year: Ace Piva
• Sound and Lighting Company of the Year: Lou’s Music
• Event Photographer of the Year: Stephanie Bell
• Musical Event of the Year: Supercrawl

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New Kim Koren CD + Release Party

Dundas singer/songwriter Kim Koren's new album, Raven Heart, is an amazing evolution of her previous work.

As always, the melodies are superb plus her voice is powerful and warm. In this collection though, she has increased the musical energy.

Not only can Kim really rock out (If There's a Way, She's Got) but she can also be wonderfully delicate (Where Are You Living Now and the lovely lullabye, Spiders and Snails). There is even a bit from a tape recording of herself at 5 years old singing Let There Be Peace on Earth.

Joining this talented musician are her husband Frank Koren (guitar), Mark McIntyre (bass), Danny Lockwood (drums), and Colin Lapsley (Wurlitzer). As well, the CD has appearances from Lisa Winn, Steve Strongman, and Amy King. Local rock legend Tom Wilson also lends a hand by co-writing the great title track.

The CD is available at her shows and through iTunes.

Links: Kim Koren Site - Frank Koren Site - More Kim Koren Stories - More Frank Koren Stories

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Harrison Kennedy and Friends @ Locke Street Festival (September 11, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Brian Griffith (guitar), Sean O'Grady (drums), Harrison Kennedy (vocals), Colin Lapsley (bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)









Links: Harrison Kennedy - More Harrison Kennedy Stories

More Locke Street Festival Videos

• John Mays
• Matthew Barber

Click here for photos of the event

John Mays and Friends @ Locke Street Festival (September 11, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos.

Left to right: Brian Griffith (guitar - last two videos), Mark LaForme (guitar), Sean O'Grady (drums) John Mays (Fathead)(Vocals), Colin Lapsley (Bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)











More Locke Street Festival Videos

• Matthew Barber
• Harrison Kennedy

Click here for photos of the event

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Steve Strongman and Friends @ Studio at Hamilton Place (April 23, 2010)

Steve Strongman was joined by a number of his friends at the DVD release party for Live at the Barn.

Steve Strongman (vocals, guitar), Dave King (drums), Colin Lapsley (bass), Paul Inston (stand-up bass), Jesse O'Brien (keys)

We included additional footage from this show on our review of the DVD - click here to view.

Click here if you can't see the videos.










Steve Strongman and Friends - How Blue Can You Get

Hamilton Blues Lovers | MySpace Video



Click here for more Steve Strongman stories.

New Steve Strongman Band DVD: Live at the Barn

It's not too often that you see a local musician with a live DVD. It's even rarer to experience an amazing intimate show that rocks as hard as any big arena spectacle. Luckily, the Steve Strongman Band recorded such an incredible performance with Live at the Barn.

The DVD features Strongman at his best. He kicks off the show with some sweet solo acoustic songs (Keep It To Yourself, River, Birthday Song, etc) and then brings in the band to rock the joint!

He is joined by Hamiltonians Dave King (drums) and Colin Lapsley (bass) on some barn-shakin' rockers (Lie to You, Honey, Mean to Me, etc), a few superb slower moments (Take My Arms, Soul Searching) and all points in between.

To top it all off, there are some wonderful bonus features where Strongman talks about the creative process for a short bit and then we're treated to some more great music (That's What She Does, Emily)

The DVD is available at his shows and online as well. Plans are underway for an audio version of the concert.

Below are two videos taken directly from the DVD. Click here if you can't see them.





Below are videos from the DVD release party @ the Studio at Hamilton Place. Click here if you can't see them.









Click here for more from this show.

Click here for more Steve Strongman stories.

Corktown Easter Sunday Bash (April 5, 2010)

Click here if you can't see the videos

The Band: Jesse O'Brien (piano), Brian Griffith (guitar left), Joel Guenther (guitar centre), Tone Valcic (drums), Mike Rajcak (bongos), Colin Lapsley (bass)









Click for More Stories: Jesse O'Brien - Brian Griffith - Joel Guenther - Tone Valcic - Colin Lapsley

Design Hope CD Release Party - Nov. 15, 2009

Fred D Smith,(vocals), Karen Corinth (harmony vocal), Frank Koren (guitar, left), Zander Lamothe (drums), Christopher Clause (bass, right)


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Chris and Christa, Frank Koren (guitar, left), Amy King (keys), Zander Lamothe (drums), Christopher Clause (bass, right)


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Dan Medakovic (vocals), Colin Lapsley (keys), Kim Koren (harmony vocals), Zander Lamothe (drums), Michael Hickey (Trickbag, bass), Anthony Medakovic (guitar, right)


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Kim Koren (vocals), Frank Koren (guitar, left), Colin Lapsley (keys), Zander Lamothe (drums), Marrakech Koren (Bass, right)


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Jude Johnson and Randall Hil



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Click here to purchase/download any of the Design Hope CD or donate money to help the Out of the Cold program.

Kevin MacLean with Craig and Colin Lapsley - Pheasant Plucker (Oct 25, 2009)

Left to Right: Colin Lapsley, Craig Lapsley, Kevin MacLean













More Colin Lapsley stories

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Colin Lapsley, Chris Wheeler and Dave Simpson - Coach and Lantern (June 13)

Links: Colin Lapsley, More Colin Lapsley Stories
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