Four years ago Patrick (Krief) launched his solo career with a collection of darker leaning, sombre songs in Take It Or Leave. Breaking away from his reputation as the explosive lead guitarist from Montreal’s The Dears, Krief showed his side as a prolific songwriter. In the years that followed, Krief formed the band Black Diamond Bay and released Calm Awaits, a 60s/70s influenced rock record, channeling Patrick’s penchant for songs with classic guitar solos and pounding drums. Krief also took on a larger role with The Dears, co-writing 6 of the songs on their new album Degeneration Street. Today, he’s back under the moniker Krief with new songs, a mosiac that hit those two musical spectrums and show Krief‘s incredible ability to grow as an artist.

Hundred Thousand Pieces is the result of 8 months of writing (while on tour with Black Diamond Bay, writing lyrics in Morocco, or at home in Montreal), influenced not just by classic albums (Beach Boys / Pet Sounds) but classical music and film score. The focus was on writing for himself and not for a band. No limitations on scope or arrangements and most importantly, no holding back. Making music for the art of making music.

Krief wrote and produced all 11 songs, while performing nearly every musical part. Songs sound like “13″ era Blur (“The Eyes Of Isabelle”), the Dears remixing Lennon’s “Instant Karma” (“Perfect Bodies”) or the Antlers-eque ethereal (“Possibly Impossible”).

Good On A Mixtape With: Late Blur, Antlers, The National, Doves, The Dears

Key Tracks: Perfect Bodies, Tell Yourself, Simple Lives, Forever Goodnight

Perfect Bodies

Simple Lives

Tell Yourself

“Life Is Good” by Funkservice International in tonight’s episode of the ABC drama Revenge.

Tune into the Grey Cup Saturday coverage this weekend (1-6pm EST) to see Donovan Woods talk about and perform his song “My Cousin Has A Grey Cup Ring”.   The track is a wistful ballad about winning a Grey Cup Ring about his father and his father’s cousin, CFL Hall Of Fame defensive lineman Glen Weir.

“In The City” by Beats For Beginners in the film Sisters & Brothers.

“Dangerous” by Peter Katz in episode 304 and “Let Go Lightly” by Donovan Woods in episode 313 of Less Than Kind Season 3, stay tuned for air dates in the new year. Season 3 starts Jan. 15th, 2012.

I’m so happy to be pitching this song from Vancouver-based artist Jordan Klassen (currently working with Bearsuits’ sister company Endearing Publishing).   “Go To Me” isn’t just a song you can have just one listen to.  A simple uke led number that hits in stride as a march and explodes in a finish with whistles, gang vocals and trumpets.  Think Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros near the end and The Shins‘ James Mercer singing the parts leading up to it.

Today’s song, “I’m Still Sweet” by Donovan Woods.  Beautiful.

“For What It’s Worth” by Maggie Eckford in episode 1112 of Degrassi.

“Honey Woman Lady Cutie” by Alexander Fairchild in episode 1109 of Degrassi.

One of the best new songs I represent.  From the Danish label Crunchy Frog, here’s a video for “Oh, The Irony” by The Malpractice.  Looking to make some waves with this band and others in Canada*, supes, request a sampler if you haven’t received one already.

*Bearsuit represents this title in Canada only.

I’m such a fan of this song.  A great combination of a simple four on the floor kick, single-string based acoustic guitar, a couple casio effects and of course a beautiful voice.

“The Two Of Us” by Lily Frost and “Snowdrops” by Brent Randall in episodes of Single White Spenny.

Some serious talent here.  The other night, Nathan Finochio (aka Alexander Fairchild) took a challenge from friend/photographer/director Brooks Reynolds who to told him to write a song and perform/record it all in one night at the studio (with the help of his friend and co-producer David Kuwabara).

Here’s the result, a song called “Place Is You”.

Alexander Fairchild – Place Is You

Check out some more of his albums.  Vol. 1, Vol. 3

“Let’s Make It Legitimate” by Doctor Ew.

Asleep from Brooks Reynolds on Vimeo.

“Let It Go” by The Dunes in Limitless

“Same Old Road” by The 1,2,3,4s in episode 2018 of Make It Or Break It.

From her early days writing music at 14 in a small town in Mississippi, to her recent time spent in Australia starting her music career,�Maggie Eckford has had an uncanny ability to create beauty in music. Her voice is equal parts sweet southern twang and haunting softness, singing melodies you’ll have a hard time forgetting. Her style refuses to sit in one genre alone. These eight songs on her debut “For What Its Worth” explore the areas between the softer moments of “Over and Over” and “Unexpected“, and the cute, quirky and catchy hooks of “Asleep” and the title track “For What Its Worth“. Start 2011 right, put�Maggie Eckford on your radar.

Genre:�Alternative Pop, Folk, Indie Rock

Good On A Mixtape With:�Lykke Li, Tegan and Sara, Bat for Lashes, Sharon van Etten, Cat Power

Key Tracks:�For What It’s Worth, Asleep, Unexpected, Over and Over

For What It’s Worth

Asleep

Unexpected

Bearsuit can one-stop this album for Canada only

Nathan Finochio is a music making machine. It was only near the end of last year that we were just getting the word out about his debut album, now we’re bringing you his third record under the moniker Alexander Fairchild. A man of many hats (producer, writer, multi-instrumentalist, youth pastor), “Vol. 3” is 11 songs that show exponential growth of this prolific writer. Check out the Black Keys-ish “Honey Woman Lady Cutie“, the warm ballad of “Hallelujah“, or the undeniable hook of “Complicated Simple Man“.

Good On A Mixtape With: Jason Collett, Badly Drawn Boy, Patrick Watson

Key Tracks: Complicated Simple Man, The Middle Of Us, Over

Complicated Simple Man

The Middle Of Us

Over

Doctor Ew is the new musical persona of Drew Smith, formerly of the infectiously catchy Toronto-based pop band, The Bicycles. The band went on an indefinte hiatus in March of 2009, but principal songwriter Drew Smith kept writing, thus his solo project was born. Having both the ability to warm your ears with songs like “To Be Your Man”, to cut-loose rock in “The House Of Many Mansions” and the Monkees-esque “No More Space”, his songs (like those of The Bicycles) are guaranteed to stick in your head.

Good On A Mixtape With: The Bicycles, The Monkees, Ben Folds, Elliott Smith

Key Tracks: Dance All Over My Grave, The House Of Many Mansions, Bitter Fruit

Dance All Over My Grave

The House Of Many Mansions

Human History

“With most songs running between the 1:50-2:20 marks, it’s hard to give you a real sample of this eclectic album. But “the House of Many Mansions” really grabbed me with its spooky, crazy riff.” –You Ain’t No Picasso (music blog)

“Gazooks is so full of the same kind of stuff that made The Bicycles so special, it could practically be that band’s never-released third album.” – I Heart Music (music blog)