CBC Music Searchlight shines on Windsor again

In 2009, our favourite venue in Windsor was voted Best Live Music Club in Canada by listeners of CBC Radio 3: the 60-person capacity Phog Lounge.

In 2011, N2DS2W was pretty proud to make the top 60 Searchlight list for Canada's Best Music Website.

In 2014, Searchlight has found Windsor again. Windsor's own singer-songwriter Crissi Cochrane has made the regional finals for Canada's Best New Artist, beating out hundreds of other artists. It's been great to watch her talent take flight from birds to blossom to the full bloom of her recent full-length release, Little Sway. Listen: "And Still We Move" from Little Sway.

Prior to 2012 winners were happy to get a trophy. Now, the winner gets to take home $20,000 worth of music equipment from Yamaha Canada Music. Voting continues at CBC Music. Good luck Crissi!


Photo: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: Crissi Cochrane - Little Sway Release Show

Sat., Feb. 15
Phog Lounge ~ Windsor

Congratulations on your SOLD OUT album release show at Phog!

http://music.cbc.ca/artists/Crissi-Cochrane

http://www.crissicochrane.com/

Event alert: 10 reasons you should attend the Grant Lawrence book signing at Phog Lounge

Mon., Nov. 25 ~ 7 p.m. start ~ FREE
Phog Lounge ~ Windsor
Wsg Crissi Cochrane  
Open Mic Surgery with James O-L after (10:30)
 

1. Because "Grant Lawrence has long been a leading voice in Canadian arts and entertainment. For years, the gregarious and encyclopedic Lawrence has hosted the top-rated CBC Radio 3 Podcast with Grant Lawrence, a monthly showcase of Canadian independent music. Grant also hosts Grant Lawrence Live, a live and interactive daily program on CBC Radio 3′s popular web radio station, also airing on Sirius XM 162. Grant can be heard throughout the week on various CBC Radio One programs such as DNTO, All Points West, RadioWest, On The Coast, and various afternoon programs across the country... Prior to his work at CBC, Grant was the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed Vancouver band The Smugglers."

2. Joe Wiebe, special to the Vancouver Sun, says: "Following in his footsteps, let me say right now that The Lonely End of the Rink is the best book to come out since, well, his first book, Adventures in Solitude. That book was a national bestseller, deservedly so, and Lawrence’s new book surely will be a hit, too. Its rock ‘em sock ‘em examination of our country’s hockey culture reminds me of a Tiger Williams brawl combined with a Wayne Gretzky goal. And in terms of literary prowess, Grant knocks the pads off another famous goalie who wrote some hockey books. What’s his name again? Oh yeah: Ken Dryden." Read more


3. Authors need support as much as musicians.

4. You can helpfully point out Hockeytown across the river.

5. Vancouver broadcaster Cory Ashworth for The Huffington Post: "This book reads like a fast-paced adventure and you don't have to have an ounce of interest in hockey to love every sentence and period. In fact beyond the pads and pucks you'll find one of the most relatable and lovable Canadian tales of growing up a bullied nerd and West Coast Canuck." Read more

6. You'll get to hear the lovely Crissi Cochrane.

7. You need a Christmas gift for that hockey-crazy friend/brother/dad/nemesis.

8. It's Monday. What else do you have planned?

9. We're all goalies in life. Think about it.

10. Grant Lawrence is King of the Forest.

Event Alert: Grant Lawrence Windsor Book Launch Party

Mon., Nov. 25
Phog Lounge, Windsor
FREE

CBC Radio Host and Author Grant Lawrence will be at the Phog Lounge beginning at 7 p.m. for this free event that includes Grant reading stories from his new book, The Lonely End of the Rink: Confessions of a Reluctant Goalie, as well as a slide presentation, Q+A, shootout contest, a book signing and special musical guest Crissi Cochrane.

https://www.facebook.com/events/391744487618746/

See more book launch tour dates at http://grantlawrence.ca/

Stay tuned for an exclusive N2DS2W interview with the author.

Photo credit: Christine McAvoy

NXNE 2013: Day 3, part one

 Hard to believe summer is drawing to a close... not so hard to believe that with all the shows in between-- Mac DeMarco, Mother Mother, Five Alarm Funk, Home County Music & Art Festival, Aidan Knight, Elephant Stone, Said The Whale-- it's taken us this long to wrap up NXNE 2013.

Every year the Unofficial Radio 3 Listener Picnic gets bigger and better. In 2013, we think we set the bar to a new height, thanks to a listener-turned-blogger NoLongerLurking, who brought the bar, and CBC Radio 3 Host Grant Lawrence, who brought the music. We were way overdue for a female performer to join the musical alumni that's included Wayne Petti and the Matinee. The honour went to Windsor's own Crissi Cochrane. Don't believe this song; she will try to break your heart with her lovely voice and thoughtful composing. Watch for her new album, Little Sway, out this fall.

And watch for the popularity of Toronto's Inlet Sound to spread like ripples on a pond. Led by Michael Wexler's vocals and a heavy dose of mandolin by Steven Gore, the quintet creates music just like their name: folk-rock as bright and sparkling as sunlight on water.

The last time we saw singer-songwriter Adrian Glynn, he was up a tree with Zach Gray of the Zolas. This time his feet were planted on the ground, but there's nothing flat about Glynn. Multi-talented-- he's a writer and actor as well-- he's also a member of The Fugitives. If you're not familiar with Glynn, check out the solo foot-stomper "Mother Mary," and The Fugitives' "Bigger Than Luck."

And then we got married. We couldn't have asked for a better wedding band than Fernie, B.C.'s Shred Kelly. One of our best discoveries of 2011, we've been fans ever since, especially since on of us is a known banjo junkie. The Shreds never fail to deliver a great show, even when competing with a drum band on the other side of the park hill.

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images AND Eric Adams On Special Assignment

Zachary Lucky w/ Crissi Cochrane @ Phog Lounge Friday, Feb 15, 2013

Now you see them, now you don't: Our top shows for 2012

The title of this post became eerily prophetic when, one sentence away from completing it, a fateful ctrl-z erased every word. So here it is, plucked from the recesses of our memory. As we look forward to Hannah Georgas (a top show from 2010) at the Pike Room on Jan. 31, we look back on the best shows (in alphabetical order) we saw in 2012... and a few we didn't.

Now you see them...

Boxer The Horse: We saw a lot of great shows at NXNE; this PEI band's set was a standout, note-perfect and perfectly crafted.

Cadence Weapon: Canadian hip hop doesn't get any better than Cadence Weapon. With songs like "You Can't Stop The Machine," his Polaris short-listed album Hope in Dirt City should be Detroit's theme album. Too bad Detroit was lined up to see Flying Lotus, unfortunately booked the same night at Majestic.


















 catl.: They gave us the blues three times last year, and we loved it every time. We'll miss them while they rest, recreate and regroup.

Delhi 2 Dublin: "Where else are you going to see a kick-ass fiddle player rocking out with a kilt-wearing Korean flanked by two bouncing Bhangra percussionists and a vocalist who looks like he would be at home in a Bollywood music video?" Like Cadence Weapon, they deserved a much bigger audience than they got.

Duchess Says: The best show we almost didn't see. N2D has never seen S2W dance so much. Or drag a lead singer across the floor.

Dusted / The Walkervilles: Two very different bands, one evening of great music. Dusted's "Into the Atmosphere" was so beautiful it gave us goosebumps.

Gentleman Reg: Reg Vermue has been an essential part of CBC Radio 3 for us since we started listening, whether as a solo artist or a member/contributor to bands like The Hidden Cameras and The Constantines. A genuine gentleman, and a genuine talent.

















English Words / Molly Rankin / Crissi Cochrane: English words can't express how much we enjoyed this show. All people we love. The Words' Red Potion definitely has us under its spell.

Parlovr / Hooded Fang: The best less is more show. Everyone had gone up north for the 4th of July weekend, so we practically had the bands to ourselves. Loved the stripped-down Hooded Fang, with Daniel barefooted at the mic. And loved hearing Kook Soul live. One of 2012's most overlooked albums, in our opinion, even if it did make the Polaris long list.

MAZ: Best show by a band we'd never heard of before, at London's Home County Music & Art Festival. Celtic + jazz + banjo (Jayme Stone). Yes, please.

Royal Canoe: If we had to pick a #1 show of 2012, it would be Royal Canoe. Our show review pretty much says it all, but to sum up, they "beautifully straddle (or paddle, as the case may be), the line between adventurous music and music that is eminently satisfying to both the ear and the brain."

Now you don't...

Shows get canceled. Bands play the same night as other bands. Sometimes we just can't make it. These five shows were the ones we were most sorry to miss last year. Here's to second chances.

• METZ
• Hot Panda
• The Tom Fun Orchestra
• Ten Kens
• Al Tuck

Photos: Russ Gordon/N2D Images

Show Alert: Two lovely ladies and some Words

English Words
w/ Molly Rankin and Crissi Cochrane
Thurs., Oct. 24 ~ Phog Lounge, Windsor

PEI comes to Windsor as English Words bring songs from their first full-length album, Red Potion. We've been fans of the band since they were known by the name they'd rather forget, and their four-song EP, Customer Appreciation. They are definitely people we love.



There's definitely been a lot of love in this house for Molly Rankin's (yes, of that Rankin Family) sassy pop. The bouncy "Way Home" has been a favourite of Bob the Budgie since we got him last year, and never fails to get him chirping along. Here's proof (be sure to scroll all the way down).

And Windsor's Crissi Cochrane? We think she's Pretty Alright. She hasn't stopped working since "I Won't Try To Break Your Heart" made it into rotation earlier this year on CBC Radio 3, recently releasing this video, and promising new songs from a forthcoming album during her set.

Crissi Cochrane - DRIVE ALL NIGHT Music Video

DRIVE ALL NIGHT was shot during several beautiful days in August, with director Gavin Michael Booth and producer Marie Jeannette. As this is a song inspired by and recorded with Mike Hargreaves, it seemed natural that he should be a part of the picture. We opened our doors (and our closets) and shot many scenes in our apartment, preserving this little place in time, and all the hours I have spent flying solo. We borrowed a 1977 Westfalia VW Bus to use as Mike's touring van in the video, honouring his many days (months? years?) spent traveling with his music. I'm so very excited to share this story with you at Rino's, where we shot several scenes of the video.

Here is the video.

The 'Keet Tweets for the week of Apr. 9

Wondering what Bob the Budgie has been tweeting to lately? Molly Rankin's "Way Home" remains a favourite, but here are some other songs on CBC Radio 3 he's been enjoying. By the way, Bob now has his own press kit.

"Narcisse"-- Duchess Says

"Hallways"-- Islands

"Replace Me"-- Chad VanGaalen

"Stairway"-- Yukon Blonde

"I Won't Try To Break Your Heart"-- Crissi Cochrane

VIDEO ~ I Won't Try To Break Your Heart • Crissi Cochrane

"I Won't Try To Break Your Heart", the single from folk/pop artist Crissi Cochrane's Pretty Alright EP (Nov 2011). Directed and shot by Sasha Jordan Appler at the Phog Lounge in Windsor, Ontario, featuring a white dress made by Crissi.    




Thanks to Tom and Frank at Phog, and all the locals who took part.


For more info or to buy music, please visit


www.crissicochrane.com

Crissi Cochrane CD Release Party

Songbird Crissi Cochrane is set to release her new EP, Pretty Alright, this Fri., Nov. 18 at FM Lounge in Windsor. Gin and tonics will be on special, Crissi will be giving away her trademark cupcakes and there will be prizes.

Pretty Alright, the six-song follow-up to 2010's Darling, Darling, was produced by Crissi and Michou frontman Mike Hargreaves and mastered by Michou bandmate Stefan Cvetkovic.

From Crissi's CBC Radio 3 artist page:
"Opening with the daringly bold "I Won't Try To Break Your Heart" and flowing into warm and intimate songs, Pretty Alright proves Crissi is a dynamic vocalist - by turns vivaciously energetic and unassumingly sweet. The home-recorded EP emanates a warm, quiet confidence, making it the perfect complement to autumn and winter months."



Mike Hargreaves and Mary Stewart open.

Show Alert: Rebekah Higgs w/Crissi Cochrane @ Phog Lounge Thurs, May 5

Rebekah Higgs To Release Upcoming LP On Hidden Pony, Announces May Tour Dates To Celebrate

With the dust still settling on the success of her Little Voice  EP, Rebekah Higgs is pleased to announce that her sophomore full length album is set to come out on Hidden Pony sometime this summer. Known for their recent success with such artists as Said The Whale, Jeremy Fisher and Imaginary Cities, Hidden Pony is equally ecstatic to be working with Rebekah and welcomes her to the label.

"It's great to be joining Hidden Pony. They are a young label, with a young team, full of energy, exuberance, and a love for music and a passion for what they do. As an artist you couldn't hope for more."

"We're so very excited to be working with Rebekah. Everyone at Hidden Pony loves the record and we think it fits in perfectly with the aesthetic that we've tried to develop. We're thrilled to welcome her to our amazing family."

In the meantime, Rebekah Higgs will be hitting the road for most of May to celebrate, including a performance at the Long Live The Queen Festival in Halifax, an event that she helps curate. The release date, album title and artwork for Rebekah’s upcoming LP will be announced soon.

Long Live The Queen Festival: http://longlivethequeen.ca/ 

Visit Hidden Pony:  http://www.hiddenpony.ca/ 

Crissi Cochrane (Halifax/Windsor) opens.  A CJAM Jammy "Best Local Band/Musician" award winner, her voice is as lovely as the little birds she crafts.

More Friday in Windsor

THE VERGE MUSIC AWARDS Album Of The Year and Artist Of The Year finalists MICHOU
play the CBC Radio 3 Searchlight Best Live Venue in Canada -  Phog Lounge

 Friday Feb 4

Photo by Matt Barnes

Drawn together in 2007 by their love of music and a common vision to forge their own musical path, Mike Hargreaves (vocals), Sasha Appler (keys/trumpet), Ryan Frith (bass) and Stefan Cvetkovic (drums) formed MICHOU. Displaying a refreshingly light-hearted outlook and not taking themselves too seriously, the Windsor-bred quartet adopted the slogan “It’s Nice to Michou,” embracing a fun-loving approach to everything they do. -- The Agency Group

Former Nova Scotian and current Windsor resident Crissi Cochrane 

opens, supporting her newest album "Darling, Darling."   

Photos: Russ Gordon

The Mountains & The Trees and the snow and the ice and the Phog

This Friday marks the return of CBC Radio 3's favourite NL son, The Mountains & The Trees to the Phog Lounge.  A few shows into their "Don't Forget Your Sweater" tour, TM&TT are joined by Toontown's Zachary Lucky and Windsor's (by way of Halifax) Crissi Cochrane.



Don't Forget Your Sweater! from The Mountains & The Trees on Vimeo.