You can’t really argue with a driving beat, ringing distorted guitars and a catchy chorus.  This one is about the City.

Already pitched it to ‘The City’, they didn’t go for it.

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It was 2007 when Toronto singer/songwriter Donovan Woods released The Hold Up; an album that Exclaim! called “an engaging and articulate window into the heart of an extremely unique writer“. Three years later, Donovan has pushed his ‘gruff but surprisingly tender’ voice up front in the 12 songs of this year’s “The Widowmaker“. This time around, expect touches of piano, banjo, synth tones and female backing vocals to his signature acoustic guitar led songs. A great follow-up showcasing the growth of a talented songwriter.

Good On A Mixtape With: Damien Rice, Elliott Smith, Alexi Murdoch, Sufjan Stevens, Ray Lamontagne

Key Tracks: Phone, Your Daughter John, Let Go Lightly, I’m Still Sweet, Lawren Harris

Lawren Harris

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I’m Still Sweet

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Let Go Lightly

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Alexander Fairchild is Nathan Finochio. A man of many hats (producer, writer, music-maker, youth pastor, baseball-lover), Nathan chose this moniker to represent his most recent songwriting project. The result is a self-titled record which covers quite a few musical directions. Never wanting to sound predictable, this collection touches sombre songs of love (‘Easier Than Breathing‘, ‘Very First Time‘), alt-country (‘Lady Of The Lake‘), honky-tonk gospel (‘Oh, Lord‘), many songs tied together with Finochio’s signature smooth, hushed vocals sung through warm reverb. Through this records rich sounds and lyrics, we think this stuff is what picture is meant to synch to.

Good On A Mixtape With: Patrick Watson, Fleet Foxes, The Middle East, Brett Dennen, Iron and Wine

Key Tracks: Very First Time, Not Gonna Argue, Easier Than Breathing

Very First Time

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Post Box

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Oh Lord

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Alexander Fairchild – Not Gonna Argue from Brooks Reynolds on Vimeo.

Using keyboards, electronic tones, minimal drums and cello sounds to create this ‘slow build’ of an instrumental, ‘Stickers On Keys’ makes me feel like I’m sinking underwater in slow-motion.  Perhaps sounding more like score than song, no one matches Rebelski in his ability to paint a scene with sound.

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