Category: Music

  • RELEASED: Live From Local FM #1

    Local FM is excited to announce the release of the debut Live From Local FM compilation! The album features nine artists from Guelph, Mississauga, Fredericton and right here in Saint John.

    Local FM’s Live From Local FM project is designed to provide independent and emerging artists with the opportunity to perform live, and develop recordings at no cost. Funds gained through the EP will be reinvested in expanding on those opportunities for locally based artists! Support artists in your community today!

     

  • Local FM on Strange Grooves

    Local FM was happy to invite the Strange Grooves Crew to the station for Vol. 43. Take a listen to the crew talk about the resurgence of physical formats, nifty recycling ideas, and the importance of sharing music with our community.

    Visit Strange Grooves for more great content, and support your local podcasters!

     

  • Local FM’s top 50 of 2018 (so far)

    We’re over halfway through 2018 and our S.M. is deep in the throes of an existential crisis over the inexorable passage of time. To distract him, we put together a list of our top 50 of the year so far!

    These entries have been drawn from our weekly Top 30 submission to the Earshot! National charts!  Entries scored points based off the amount of times they charted, and their placement on the chart. Essentially, if you charted high and often, you scored more points! Check it out! 

     

  • Best of Saint John Music Awards – 2018 Nominees!

    We’ve spent the last month polling, and Saint John has decided on it’s nominees for the 2018 Best Of Saint John Music Awards! Congratulations to all the nominees! All nominees are asked to get in touch with Local FM (info@cmfh.ca) right away for comped cover charges!

    FEMCORE Award for Musicianship
    Kylie Fox
    Erin Muir
    Hilary Ladd

    Adam Kierstead Award for Musicianship
    Adam Kierstead
    Gavin Downes
    Luc Poirier

    Best New Artist
    Butcher
    The Wiseaux
    Subtle

    Best Group
    Butcher
    Shrimp Ring
    Subtle

    Best Album or EP
    Burgundy Drive (Burgundy Drive)
    In Under Fourteen Highly Concentrated Minutes (Little You Little Me)
    Long Lights (Penny Blacks)

    Best Song
    Long Lights (Penny Blacks)
    Mountain (Little You Little Me)
    She Wanders (Lads & Lasses)

    Best Album Artwork
    Golden Grove (Papal Visit)
    Procrastinator (Subtle)
    So I Can Go Away (Butcher

    Best Music or Concert Video
    Human Brain Freezer (Shrimp Ring)
    Seed (Jamie Comeau & The Crooked Teeth)
    Won’t Let This Go (Butcher)

    Best Venue
    BMO Studio Theatre
    Sanctuary Theatre
    Taco Pica

    Best Musical Event or Concert
    Curtains For Santos
    Quality Block Party
    Youth For Youth 2018

     

  • Album Review: The Nap Eyes – I’m Bad Now

    Album Review: The Nap Eyes – I’m Bad Now

    I’m Bad Now, the third album by the indie rock quartet, Nap Eyes takes the genre to an entirely new level.

    The group (comprised of Nigel Chapman, Seamus Dalton, Josh Salter, and Brad “Bronson” Loughead) are based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia and have been performing together since 2011. Their third album manages to create a unique sound that is both laid-back and thought provoking.

    Released on March 9th, I’m Bad Now presents listeners with poetic imagery, of the sort that is not overly common in this age of music. The band are ahead of their time lyrics-wise. Most of the songs in the album are fascinatingly lyric-driven, creating an intricate narrative that is both welcoming and inviting for listeners. Images of quiet and calm places are recurring throughout this album, such as in the song, “Follow Me Down” Where the singer depicts two people walking next to a body of water. This makes the album an excellent, and relaxing, assortment of songs to sink into.

    Each song of this album has characteristics of its own, but the what links them together is the rhythm section of Salter and Dalton. Their powerful basslines and drumming drives the album forward. 

    A very warm feeling is incorporated in the sound and lyrics in most of the songs of this album. The earnest theme of the album, “I’m Bad Now” can be best summarized in the lyrics of the chorus of the song “Every Time the Feeling:”

    Oh I can’t tell what’s worse

    The meaninglessness

    Or the negative meaning

    I figured out a way to get on with my life

    And to keep on dreaming

    These lyrics are inspirational and encouraging, whilst the driving rhythm of the song enhances the album and makes it an enjoyable listen, whether for leisure or reflection.

    I’m Bad Now is greatly expanding on the indie-rock genre and is developing the perception of Maritime music in an undeniably positive way.

     

     By Heather Ellick

  • Album Review: Beauty In The Blue finds beauty in the journey

    Album Review: Beauty In The Blue finds beauty in the journey

    Sarah Hiltz takes listeners on her latest Canadiana inspired trip.
    By Heather Ellick

    Sarah Hiltz is a Toronto-based songwriter magnifying the splendour of new-age, alternative Canadian folk music with the November release of her fifth album: Beauty In The Blue.

    Co-produced by Sarah and Kevin Howley, Beauty in the Blue is  made up of “songs and stories culled from [Hiltz’s] multiple journeys across Canada as a travelling musician on cross-country Via Rail passenger train, ‘The Canadian’.” In a sense, listening to this is like hearing the soundtrack of a long journey.

    Hiltz describes the album as containing the unique tone of “both pain and beauty, suffering and art,” and sure to catch the hearts and ears of many. Upon first listening to this album, it displays a very peaceful, yet lonely feeling. These features are enhanced by mostly relaxed background vocals and instruments. With Hitlz’s distinct, but delicate voice there is no need for compensation of any intricate song patterns; which is wonderful.

    One song that boldly stands out is “How to Pour Whiskey for Strangers”. The chorus show a special form of poetic – and genuine – loneliness:

    I’m staring into faces that I don’t know / C’mon look me in the eyes; I need to feel somebody’s soul / I can see you keep your secrets hidden underneath that hat / Won’t you tell me everything about that?

    Hiltz presents many different emotions consistent with the genre and themes of the album. Some songs are quite relaxed, and others are almost eerie and very thought-provoking. The  song “No Proof” see’s Hiltz tackle the issue of not being able to ensure one’s own happiness but expressing that no person should dwell over things they cannot change. It recreates interactions between her and the people she has met but never got to know.

    Sarah Hiltz is an enticing artist well-worth listening to. Her music is a combination of new and old folk capable of leaving a listener in an entirely different state of mind. Beauty in the Blue comes highly recommended.

  • Local FM Nominated for “Music Business of the Year” at Prix MNB Awards

    Local FM Nominated for “Music Business of the Year” at Prix MNB Awards

    Local FM has been nominated in the “Music Business of the Year” category at the 2017 Prix MNB Awards. We’d like to offer our congratulations to our fellow nominees & provide a special shoutout to the breadth of Saint John talent being celebrated all across the board!

    You can offer your support to your favourite New Brunswick artists, industry professionals, venues, and festivals by casting your votes online now.

    23 awards will be presented to artists and industry professionals who have made their mark on the NB music scene this past year during the Prix MNB Awards evening on Thursday, October 12th at Moncton’s Tide & Boar Ballroom.

  • Best of Saint John Music Awards 2017 – Winners!

    Best of Saint John Music Awards 2017 – Winners!

    The 9th Annual Best of Saint John Music Awards took place on Saturday, May 27, with the 13 trophies going to a wide range of different local artists. The event took place at the beautiful Sanctuary Theatre in front of a lively, full audience and included performances by Kylie Fox, Brent Mason, and Burgundy Drive. The evening was capped off with an afterparty at Taco Pica and preceded the night before by an artist round table at Five & Dime.

    Please see below for a full list of winners.

    Special thanks to Picaroons Traditional Ales, the SOCAN FOUNDATION, and Chuck Teed.

    (more…)

  • Top 107.3 Most Played Albums Of The Year 2016

    Top 107.3 Most Played Albums Of The Year 2016

    Since 2007, staff at Local 107.3FM have compiled and released the 107.3 most played albums of the past year. Better late than never, here is the most played albums of 2016! This list is influenced directly by the plays of our many volunteer DJs and are also directly impacted by your requests. Thanks for continuing to support local, Maritime, and Canadian music.

    We added 305 albums to our library and charted 289 albums in 2016 on !earshot, the national campus and community radio report.

    The 107.3 most played albums of 2016 on Local 107.3fm were:

    – 100% Canadian artists
    – 43% Maritime artists
    – 30% New Brunswick artists
    – 22% Saint John artists

    1. Tomato/Tomato – “I Go Where You Go”
    2. Nap Eyes – “Thought Rock Fish Scale”
    3. Earthbound Trio – “Ditch Flowers”
    4. Right Shitty – “Bachelor of Arts”
    5. Motherhood – “Baby Teeth”
    6. Tooth & the Fang – “Void, Moving Without Having Moved”
    7. Walrus – “Goodbye Something”
    8. PAPAL VISIT – “A Little Further Down The Flame”
    9. Various – “It’s Always Sunny In New Brunswick”
    10. Hard Charger – “Bad Omens”
    11. The Pack AD – “Positive Thinking”
    12. Erin Costelo – “Down Below, The Status Quo”
    13. Supermoon – “Playland”
    14. Wintersleep – “The Great Detachment”
    15. 1995 Zellers – “Family Restaraunt”
    16. SIRR – “Liar Cake”
    17. Cellarghost – “In The Whiteout”
    18. Brave Radar – “Lion Head”
    19. Jessica Rhaye – “Song In Me”
    20. Dylan Menzie – “Adolescent Nature”
    21. Shrimp Ring – “Humanity’s Last Hope”
    22. Hooded Fang – “Venus on Edge”
    23. Laura Sauvage – “Extraordinormal”
    24. Like A Motorcycle – “High Hopes”
    25. Towanda – “Playthings”
    26. Bad People – “You’re This Close”
    27. Little You Little Me – “I’d Watch The Day Til It Died”
    28. Black Mountain – “IV”
    29. Beauts – “Waves/Wash”
    30. AA Wallace – “In Alpha Zones”
    31. Hand-drawn – “loafin’”
    32. Holy Fuck – “Congrats”
    33. PUP – “The Dream Is Over”
    34. Heaven For Real – “Kill Your Memory”
    35. Various – “CiTR Radio 101.9FM Pop Alliance Vol. 4”
    36. LE MATOS – “Chronicle of the Wasteland”
    37. The Tasty Wangs – “The Tasty Wangs Go Goth”
    38. Reversing Falls – “Reversing Falls 2”
    39. Penny Blacks – “Moleskin Weather”
    40. Ghost Vines – “Ghost Vines”
    41. Kat McLevey – “Evergrown”
    42. Sheik – “Go Away From Yourself”
    43. Usse – “In Through Beyond”
    44. Dye Pack – “What A Mess”
    45. Jay Arner – “Jay II”
    46. Basia Bulat – “Good Advice”
    47. REPARTEE – “All Lit Up”
    48. Tanya Tagaq – “Retribution”
    49. Usse – “Cancelled Crop”
    50. Weaves – “Weaves”
    51. Rococode – “Don’t Worry It Will Be Dark Soon”
    52. Wooden Wives – “Workers! Strike Down These Enemies Of Victory”
    53. The Apex – “Underbelly EP”
    54. Paupière – “Jeunes instants”
    55. Shotgun Jimmie – “Field of Trampolines”
    56. Bad People – “Live At The Bourbon Quarter 7/14/15”
    57. Dilly Dally – “Sore”
    58. Operators – “Blue Wave”
    59. ttwwrrss – “ttwwrrss_3”
    60. Crystal Castles – “Amnesty”
    61. Lisa LeBlanc – “Why You Wanna Leave, Runaway Queen?”
    62. Dark for Dark – “All Dressed”
    63. BADBADNOTGOOD – “IV”
    64. Hannah Georgas – “For Evelyn”
    65. Learning – “Dirger”
    66. Rae Spoon – “Armour”
    67. Solids – “Else”
    68. Tim Hecker – “Love Streams”
    69. Weird Lines – “Weird Lines”
    70. Beauts – “Beauts”
    71. betterhalf – “cute doom e.p.”
    72. Sarah Neufeld – “The Ridge”
    73. Bart – “Holomew”
    74. SIRR – “Begat”
    75. The Radiation Flowers – “The Radiation Flowers”
    76. ELEPHANT SKELETONS – “The Traveler Pt 1”
    77. Peaches – “Rub”
    78. Programm – “A Torid Marriage of Logic & Emotion”
    79. Rah Rah – “Vessels”
    80. The Dirty Nil – “Comfort”
    81. Blank Banshee – “MEGA”
    82. Jaguar Knight – “Jaguar Party Edits Vol. 2”
    83. Monomyth – “Happy Pop Family”
    84. Ought – “Sun Coming Down”
    85. Stegosaurus – “PUMMELLED”
    86. SUUNS – “Hold / Still”
    87. The Zorgs – “Chew On It”
    88. Elaquent – “Less is More (Lo Definition)”
    89. Gawker – “Demo 2016”
    90. Jons – “At Work On Several Things”
    91. MINOTAURS – “Weird Waves”
    92. The Submissives – “Do You Really Love Me?”
    93. Various – Fixture Records 4″
    94. ZAUM – “Eidolon”
    95. Andy Shauf – “The Party”
    96. Autumn Still – “When It Was”
    97. Beard Springsteen – “Downer Punks of Fredericton”
    98. Brother Faye – “Brother Faye”
    99. Code Pie – “Pop Cycle”
    100. DIANA – “Familiar Touch”
    101. Fake Tears – “Nightshifting”
    102. Fox Opera – “Nowhere Native”
    103. Plants and Animals – “Waltzed In From the Rumbling”
    104. TV FREAKS – “Bad Luck Charms”
    105. What Seas, What Shores – “Spiritual Nap Machine”
    106. Fossil Cliffs – “Enter The Realm”
    107. LAL – “Find Safety”
    107.3. Michael Feuerstack – “Adult Lullabies”

     

  • Quality Block Party

    Quality Block Party

    Local 107.3FM are proud sponsors of the upcoming Quality Block Party!

    A new celebration of independent New Brunswick culture and talent, the Quality Block Party will bring together some of New Brunswick’s most talented artists for five days of music and mayhem during the 2017 East Coast Music Award Week in Saint John: April 26th-30th.

    Reflecting on the breadth and passion of New Brunswick talent, this block party offers a supplement and added experience to the ECMAs to those living in Saint John and to friends visiting from away.

    Music, art and speaker performances will take place all week in multiple Uptown Saint John businesses found on the Quality Block on Germain and Princess Streets. The amazing line-up already includes:

    Julie Doiron, Motherhood, Little You Little Me, Galpines, The Squirts, Janowskii, Keith Hallett, Bad People, CHIPS, The Waking Night, Reagans Rayguns, Jane Blanchard, The Hypochondriacs, Owen Steel, Young Satan In Love, Beard Springsteen, Nerve Button, Right Shitty, Some Dads, Penny Blacks, Graeme Kennedy, Cellarghost, Math Class, Butcher, ER and the Other, Wrote, 1995 Zellers, plus more artists and events to be announced.

    We can’t wait to bring you more details along the way!