My Top Albums of 2015

One of my favourite things is BACK! At the end of each year, I love to recap the music in which I've spent countless of hours getting lost in. Whether it be travelling, surfing the web, mowing the lawn, or on the road in the vehicle.

Volunteering at the Winnipeg Folk Festival as well as heading down to Wisconsin for the inaugural Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival were hands down my musical highlights of the year. Those two weeks yielded unforgettable memories with friends and opened up new discoveries toward influential artists.

I usually include honourable mentions in these posts... however, I believe this is my 6th year doing this, so I might as well go all out and do a TOP 20! You'd think a top 15 would suffice, being 2015 and all, but it's been an outstanding year of music (as always in our day and age). With 2015 being a breakthrough year of mass streaming, I can only wish to listen to the endless amount of music that is available to us. That being said, I'm addicted to Spotify and the many musical trails it holds. Thankfully, with its help I managed to provide you a favourite track per artist/group! So let's get to it!

HERE WE GO:

20. Aero Flynn // Aero Flynn

Read the short essay on the aeroflynn.org homepage, which jump starts with: "It is 2002 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin upstairs in a rented student house and Justin Vernon is in my arms weeping, saying, 'I just want my band back.'"

19. Jamie xx // In Colour

The musical and rhythmic engine of The xx, Jamie churns out hauntingly atmospheric and chilling electronics in his solo debut release.

18. CHVRCHES // Every Open Eye

This Glasgow trio will impress you by gently smacking you in the face with a mike, beat pad, and synth. Their sophomore album will leave you robotically emotional in the best way possible.

17. Josh Garrels // Home

An orchestral, soulful, singer/songwriting sensation. Home finds a warm place in our hearts. Just listen to the harp in this track and try telling me that it doesn't.

16. Joel Plaskett // The Park Avenue Sobriety Test

Want to really know what the Canadiana genre means? In The Park Avenue Sobriety Test, Joel Plaskett personally takes you down to his hometown bar and feeds you maritime musical shots until you fall off your barstool.

15. Lord Huron // Strange Trails

Plug in your ear buds for an adventurous day of exploring. A vast forest of trees whips by in a blur as you bike through newly discovered trails... Hopefully they don't become too strange for you.

14. Gungor // One Wild Life: Soul

Ones to opt for a 'season pass' of musical gifts and wonder for their fans and followers, Michael and Lisa Gungor—a husband-and-wife duo—take us on a spiritual journey with the One Wild Life series. Soul is the first voyage of three, with Spirit and Body slated for the new year. Can't wait.

13. Patrick Watson // Love Songs For Robots

Grooving bass-lines, soaring riffs, and floating falsettos... Should I say more? Please, just listen to "Bollywood."

12. Half Moon Run // Sun Leads Me On

Imitating Half Moon Run's vocal dips, trails, and lifts proves very difficult, yet is extremely rewarding when sung on point. They know a thing or two about a powerful build, might I add.

11. Tame Impala // Currents

Psychedelic, infused pop/rock that makes you strut down the street in bell-bottoms and a shirtless vest. Flick up those shades when you say hi to that pretty lady walking by.

10. Oh Wonder // Oh Wonder

Anthony & Josephine make up the subdued, electro-soul duo Oh Wonder. Together, their mission was to write, record, and release a single each month for a year. I'd say they've succeeded and surpassed their wildest expectations. By singing powerfully in unison throughout the entire collection, they've mesmerized their listeners over the course of 2015 as if by hypnosis; becoming globally viral before their finished product (an aggregate album of singles) even dropped. One more thing to boot: Oh Wonder managed to sell out upcoming tour dates in New York City, Paris, London, Amsterdam, and Los Angeles before ever performing live.

9. JR JR // JR JR

The duo formerly known as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. recently eclipsed the Dale Earnhardt prefix (to avoid any angry mix-ups between them and the famous NASCAR driver's fans). Consequently, they've blossomed into their own distinctive (more attractive) moniker. Fizzy, galvanizing, electro-soul goodness is only the beginning. Turn up that dial to electrify your Sunday drive with "Break My Fall." Or if you'd rather relax in the backseat with your headphones on while your driver and front-passenger chat loudly, mellow-out to "James Dean" or "Listening to Outkast, June 23, 2014."

8. Ben Folds // So There

Ben Folds' satirical and humorous lyrics meet grandiose, orchestral magnificence... a match made in... well, Ben Folds' brilliant mind. So There manages to encapsulate bitter love-songs within symphonic instrumentation (courtesy of New York City's classical sextet yMusic) resulting in a creative whirlwind of indie pop/rock and chamber music. Not to mention it concludes with a three-movement piano concerto featuring the Nashville Symphony. Sheer musical GENIUS!

7. Dawes // All Your Favorite Bands

My inner Dawes fanboy was freaking out this Summer when I witnessed the Dawes boys shuffle to their bus backstage at the Winnipeg Folk Fest. Roots rock combined with reflective heart-wrenching lyrics... Raise a glass and empty your lungs! Ahhhh... flip the record and repeat. If you love guitar solos, there're plenty to tickle your fancy in All Your Favorite Bands.

6. Jon Foreman // The Wonderlands: Sunlight, Shadows, Darkness, & Dawn

Jon Foreman, perhaps more known for being Switchfoot's frontman, wields his acoustic guitar and unique, impactful vocals ever so impressively with life's meaning and love as his message. The Wonderlands consists of four EPs which were released over the course of 2015; 24 tracks (one for each hour of the day), all individually co-produced by various artists and friends of Jon. This collection definitely deserves a continual listen, he's got the musical midas touch!

5. EL VY // Return to the Moon

Matt Berninger of The National has lent his inquisitive baritone vocals to the talented, does-it-all Brent Knopf (of Menomena and Ramona Falls) on this project, which was a decade in the making. Matt's wit meshes superbly well with Brent's imaginative arrangements. From angst ("I'm the Man to Be") to retrospective ("No Time to Crank the Sun") in a gradual heartbeat, Return to the Moon provides a complete emotional spectrum for you to gauge your present feelings.

4. Fyfe // Control

Under the moniker Fyfe, Paul Dixon has stuck it to the man after being dropped by his previous record label. The UK native, as his album art suggests, paints a complex and intricate canvass of himself in this album. Electronic, choral, and orchestral elements with hip-hop beats make Control an instant favourite. Releasing an acoustic EP of a select few was also a pleasant touch: LISTEN HERE.

3. Sufjan Stevens // Carrie & Lowell

Sufjan has tugged at my heartstrings once again. Returning to his folk roots, this extremely honest, open, and personal record was inspired by the death of his mother. Every time it's played it has me figuratively bawling in a glass case of emotion. Charming strumming and grainy swells underlie Sufjan's eccentric lyrics, calming melodies, and oohs and ahhs. Anyone up for some star-gazing?

2. The Staves // If I Was

"The best singers in the world," exclaims Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, who produced and features in The Staves' captivating If I Was LP. Let Watford's proud trio of silky smooth, serenading sisters take over your evenings by the fireplace on these frigid winter nights. Enjoy their intensifying builds with a hot cocoa in hand and a cozy blanket nestled up to your chin.

AND MY #1 ALBUM OF 2015 IS...
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1. Bear's Den // Islands

Ladies and gentlemen, YET ANOTHER GEM out of the United Kingdom. London's indie folk trio Bear's Den will swarm your community and invade the hearts of many by way of humble gladness. The results are exhilarating: Brass and banjo please the ears beyond compare! Just listen to "Elysium," "Think of England," and "Above the Clouds of Pompeii." Such complementary instruments to a vocal cornerstone. Keep your ears and eyes wide open for these loveable, bearded men at a venue near you.

If you want a complete playlist of ALL these albums, jump over to SPOTIFY and check out My Top Albums of 2015 playlist! Give me a follow as well if so inclined: MANNGOOSSE.

I also curated a smaller Favourites of 2015 playlist for the handful of songs I really adored from these spectacular albums. It consists of two songs from each of these 20 albums for a condensed listen (with the exception of The Wonderlands, one from each EP)!

Thanks for reading! As always let me know what you think and suggest away on the albums I missed.

I'm looking forward to an incredible year of music in 2016!

MOST IMPORTANTLY, HAVE A SAFE AND FUN NEW YEAR'S EVE!

CHEERS.

-MG

O Come O Come Emmanuel

I guess I took a Summer AND Fall vacation from blogging... SURPRISE… I’m BACK this Christmas season bearing musical gifts. By the way, I will get to my annual top albums of the year soon, but first I'd like to share my latest cover that has been stored away for sometime. Last Christmas I performed one of my favourite hymns for this beloved season with two friends at our church's Christmas Eve service: "O Come O Come Emmanuel." I recorded it last Christmas on my own and came back to it only now to apply the finishing touches for your beautiful ears.

I've been working digitally on my own projects because it is all I have available to me for what I want to do at the moment. However, there's always something magical about a live music tone and feeling. That's why I tracked everything live for this Christmas classic (to the best of my abilities). The only pseudo-exception was the piano, since my upright is sadly insoluble tuning-wise—she literally defies any professional tuning attempts, to my dismay. Consequently, I miked my amp on the keyboard recording resulting in a crackling sibilance that felt rough and imperfect for a desired outcome.

Anyway, listen for yourselves and I hope you enjoy!

(Thanks to my sis Jess for the festive cover art!)

May you all have a very Merry Christmas this year!
Peace & Love,

-MG

*p.s. Download it for FREE if you feel so inclined to add it to your holiday playlist!

I wouldn't mind that ;)

The Searchlight Experience

Well, that was that. I was knocked out in the Regional Finals but I am extremely happy with the response I received and the result I finished with. TOP TEN IN MANITOBA!! Everyone who voted were patient/dedicated and the support was truly heartfelt and unbelievable. So thanks first and foremost to YOU, the voting people, the best I could've asked for. Secondly, thanks to CBC for the opportunity and the platform to jump-start my presence as an artist. Thirdly, thanks to the amazing artists and friendly people I met along the way who voted for me; ranging from Vancouver to St. John's to Cambridge Bay up in Nunavut!

I'll throw it back to a Life Lesson for what I learned in this experience:

Be honest and do not be afraid to be vulnerable in doing what you love,

for people will respect that and support you for it.

"Step Into the Light" is essentially a prayer, one of seeking purpose and belonging. 

Hopefully a part of my purpose is to keep making music. Stay tuned as I stow away and stir up a few musical ventures in the works.

CHEERS.

MUCH LOVE.

SEARCHLIGHT REGIONAL FINALS!

We are IN... TOP TEN in Winnipeg's region, that is. Next stop: NUMBER ONE IN MANITOBA! We can do it. Keep UP your DAILY VOTE and let's get more and more people on board. Voting for this last regional round ends again on Monday, April 27th @ 2pm CENTRAL TIME.

VOTE HERE: http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/Manny-Goossen

Something I've noticed is that a lot of entries are from bands or artists who have already had a crack at this competition, or have been established as a group for a few years already. The motto of CBC's contest is "The Hunt for Canada's Best NEW Artist"... So let's prove that motto in this year's results!

Also, I keep getting asked what the actual prize is for winning CBC's 2015 Searchlight Contest...

1) $20,000 of YAMAHA MUSIC EQUIPMENT... THINK OF THE POSSIBILTIES!
2) A spot in CBC's upcoming MUSIC FESTIVAL... WOAH.
3) LIVE/VIDEO RECORDING of my song! Chea.

AND

4) EXPOSURE, this contest has jump-started me in promoting and writing my own music (which treads constantly in my mind by the way), and this contest platform has been incredible.

... I mean, the national top 5 are also announced on Q by the amazing SHAD... So please make this dream happen, VOTE DAILY! I am at your mercy :) - http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/Manny-Goossen ‪

#VOTEMANNY

Did you hear that you can also win sweet Yamaha prizes for voting? Hashtag #VoteSearchlight on social media to enter, or fill in the entry form EVERYDAY to increase your chances - http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2015/3/Enter-to-Win-Searchlights-Yamaha-Fan-Giveaway

We NEED more people on our amazing bandwagon if we are to achieve #1 in Manitoba. Please keep up your dedication to "Step Into the Light"! Your overall patience throughout this entire period has been APPRECIATED.

MUCH LOVE and MUCH THANKS,

CHEERS,

- MG

STEP INTO THE LIGHT // MUSIC VIDEO

It's finally OUT! "Step Into the Light" in music video form for CBC's Searchlight competition is spreading. I'll write a little bit about how it all came together below.

ENJOY!

Big thanks to every single person involved with this project: Jyles Klassen (video production | vimeo.com/jyles), Elan Mueller (lead actor), Event Light lighting (eventlight.ca), and the Hamptons (location). And of course thank you to our beautiful extras: Tali Floom, Jona Frohlich, Cameron Friesen, Glen Hampton, Joel Janke, Jon Janke, Jessica Mueller, Kelsey Mueller, and Juan Schujman.

The incredible locations we shot within include the lovely Sandy Bay area on Lake Winnipeg and nearby forest, as well as in Whiteshell Provincial Park.

I am currently in the Regional Semi-Final for Winnipeg!

Voting ENDS for this round tomorrow, April 20th at 2pm CT! 

So please VOTE—http://music.cbc.ca/artists/Manny-Goossen—today and tomorrow to get "Step Into the Light" into the REGIONAL FINAL!

p.s. Follow @mannygoossen on SoundCloud, Twitter & Instagram:
soundcloud.com/mannygoossen
twitter.com/mannygoossen
instagram.com/mannygoossen

Like Manny Goossen Music on Facebook:
facebook.com/mannygoossenmusic

Subscribe to Manny Goossen Music on YouTube:
youtube.com/mannygoossen

#MannyMusicVideo?!

WE'RE IN THE SECOND ROUND PEOPLE! Exciting times. Only 4 more days until the Regional Finals of Searchlight (April 20th). Yes, the time is near, so please keep your daily votes coming! http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/Manny-Goossen APPRECIATED.

BUT NOW... In order to keep our campaign fresh, we've decided to produce a new visual for my song. Here is a sneak peek of our "Step Into the Light" music video we've been working on over the past week and a bit; directed by the talented Jyles Klassen (@jylesjk). We'll have it up ASAP. We're super excited to get this out to you wonderful people. So please share the love and share the video when it is unveiled. CHEERS.

Step Into the Light // Teaser from Jyles Klassen on Vimeo.

A sneak peek at the video for "Step Into the Light" by Manny Goossen.

Manny is currently competing in the CBC Searchlight Competition. Do him a favour and follow the link below to vote for him!
Also, follow Manny on social media or check back here for the full-length video later this week!

CBC Searchlight Vote: http://music.cbc.ca/#!/artists/Manny-Goossen
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mannygoossen

#VOTEMANNY #WEAREALLMANNY #SEARCHLIGHT

Step Into the Light // CBC's SEARCHLIGHT 2015

HELLO! Long time no blog... I've been busy in my living room "home studio", grouping gorgeous, grainy synths together in order to enter a song into this year's CBC Searchlight Competition. "Step Into the Light" came into fruition as an extension of sorts to an original piano tune I wrote. It became a canon styled cycle and I couldn't resist polishing it off as its own track. The song "explores life's meaning in all that is positive, spiritual, and existential."

"What the H is this contest?!" you might ask. It is "The Hunt for Canada's Best New Artist". The CBC puts it on every year and receives thousands of original song submissions from aspiring artists across our great nation. It is a round by round contest, so I must rely on votes from YOU (family, friends, and the public) if I am to survive these knockout rounds!

"So how do I vote?!" You will find "Step Into the Light" by Manny Goossen in the Winnipeg region on CBCMUSIC.CA/SEARCHLIGHT!

OR THIS LINK

will lead you straight to my song, where you can listen and vote!

Also, a mobile friendly/quick vote link is:

 http://music.cbc.ca/cbcsearchlight/?id=292147

"WHY SO MANY LINKS, CBC?!"

And the first round has STARTED. You can vote for up to 10 artists per region PER DAY, starting today March 30th till April 13th. That means a vote a day for a total of 15 votes per person, and maybe you can vote on more than one device... Try IT! I think I've made myself clear :)

So I'd lovingly appreciate your support if you'd be so kind! THANK YOU!

If you haven't heard the song yet, beneath holds the light.
Or turn on your sound and it just might be playing already ;)

Cheers and ciao for now!

Hard link: https://soundcloud.com/mannygoossen/step-into-the-light

In Our Bedroom After the War

It's that time of year again. Love is in the (face buckling) air, adoration is shared, people's hearts are exposed, and an appreciation for relationship is shown. So I want to share my love with you all! And I'll do so through a special cover. Ever since 2008, I've played "In Our Bedroom After the War" by the Canadian indie pop group Stars in my family's living room, on our out of tune, upright piano. It is a tune that grasps my love for piano driven, soothing anthemic songs; packed plentifully with crescendos and legato from strings and brass (a narrow category, I know). It took me seven years to get around to covering it, but I feel the wait was well worth it. Stars quickly began to influence and shape my musical tastes after I first discovered them (around the time when In Our Bedroom After the War came out) so I hope that this cover would make them proud.

Here it is, "In Our Bedroom After the War"...

Let me know what you think! Cheers.

LINK: https://soundcloud.com/mannygoossen/inourbedroomafterthewar

p.s. they'll be in Winnipeg this coming Saturday (Feb. 21st) with Hey Rosetta! at the Burt.
Two amazing bands worth checking out.

ciao for now

My Top Albums of 2014

This year was a fantastic year for music. I had many travels and a lot of time in those travels to enjoy a handful of solid albums. I had a blast at Lollapalooza in Chicago (seeing many of the groups/artists below) and also loved listening to the albums below on my long train rides in Europe this past fall—where music was essential for reflection, relaxation and time consumption.
However, let's get right to my TOP ALBUMS OF THE YEAR...

OH BABY, it's a TOP 15 this year! So HERE WE GO:

15. Future of Forestry // The Piano & Strings Sessions

Just like the title says, a refreshing and soothing take on some of our favourites.

14. Switchfoot // Fading West

They've been together for a long time and they keep making great music... and they're amazing people, you can't go wrong.

13. Phantogram // Voices

You feel like an invincible, electro-energized badass listening to this album.

12. alt-J // This Is All Yours

You don't know what they're singing half the time, but their instrumentation and intonation trumps the lyrics anyway.




11. Ben Howard // I Forget Where We Were

I'll never forget where I was when I listened to this album over and over:
Tuscany, Italy, working in a family's vineyard looking over rolling hills... sorry I brought that up.




10. Ásgeir // In the Silence

Icelanders are music writing GURUS. Enough said.
An original and acoustic version of one of the best songs on the album.




9. Kye Kye // Fantasize

A family band consisting of 3 Estonian-born siblings based in Portland,
and the frontwoman's name is Olga!
Indietronica at its finest. What else do you want?




8. Hey Rosetta! // Second Sight

A thoroughly engaging, endearing, and musically jam-packed album. One where you headbang very noticeably while singing along loudly in the car... solo.

7. Sam Roberts Band // Lo-Fantasy (Deluxe Version)

Again, Sam Roberts Band is as tight as a band can be. Riffs and groove galore.

6. Jars of Clay // 20

A silky smooth 20th anniversary re-recording of fan voted favourites from their two decades as a phenomenal band. Includes two great new songs as well.

5. Sleeping at Last // Atlas: Year One

One of those albums you listen to while admiringly looking down onto the world from your window seat, high in the sky.

4. Vance Joy // Dream Your Life Away

Vance will melt your heart. I witnessed this, standing beside several love-struck/fainting women during his Lollapalooza set this summer.

3. Bahamas // Bahamas Is Afie

This guy can shred a guitar, yet he does so in the most effortless, nonchalant manner. This album will make your head swim with pleasing goodness.

2. James Vincent McMorrow // Post Tropical

Talk about mind-blowing falsettos, which even blow the minds of the preceding songs' falsettos.
This album is epic beyond measure.

...

AND MY FAVOURITE ALBUM OF 2014 IS...

+

1. Manchester Orchestra // COPE & HOPE

The album that became two. COPE is a genuine rock album. Manchester Orchestra felt that they needed to buck the electronic trend so many of their peers were following. A hard-hitting, electric guitar smashing album of piercing vocal melodies and blasting distortion was brought to life as a result. Then came HOPE. HOPE was the kicker for me as it was surprisingly released five months later. It uncovered the complementing, heartfelt side of the same lyrics and skeletal compositions of COPE. Overall, Manchester Orchestra intricately exposed the beautiful acoustic faces of their core songs from COPE. Enjoy "Girl Harbor" and "Top Notch," two songs that clearly illustrate the difference between Manchester Orchestra's yin-yang albums:




~
Local Albums

Saint Kris // 329

It is an honour to have contributed to Saint's album with "Flow". It is also NOW UP ON SoundCloud as a FREE DOWNLOAD. Enjoy!

&
The Bros. Landreth // Let It Lie

Honourable Mentions of 2014

Coldplay // Ghost Stories

Stars // No One Is Lost

Broken Bells // After the Disco

Wild Cat! Wild Cat! // No Moon At All

John Butler Trio // Flesh & Blood

The Ones That Got Away (2013)

Half Moon Run // Dark Eyes

London Grammar // If You Wait (Deluxe Version)

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. // The Speed of Things

THANKS FOR LISTENING WITH ME. 
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
WISHING YOU WELL THROUGHOUT 2015.
CHEERS!

#300

Update! It is hard to believe, but this exact post will be my 300th for this blog overall. I'm very appreciative of those who have taken the time to read, comment, and give feedback on my stories, opinions, videos, music, and personal experiences over the past 5 years. My postings have obviously slowed down, however I still love to occasionally write and express certain thoughts—which are so often unspoken and unshared with those around me in real time. So thank you, whether you check-in once in a while or have been here since the beginning, my peers, friends, and family!

Much love.

p.s. MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'm a little late, but I'm recording a rendition of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" that I performed with a couple friends at our Church for its Christmas Eve services. Hopefully I can share that with you ASAP. 

And stay tuned for my 'Top Albums of the Year' post coming SOOOOON! It's been a fantastic year of music.

Christmas Cheer and a Joyous New Year to you!

329 | Flow

Saint Kris' new album is out: 329.

I had the privilege of collaborating with him on this project, contributing in the form of "Flow". If you venture over to saintkris.com, you will be able to stream the album in its entirety and read Saint's thoughts on his 329 endeavor. We hope you enjoy, sharing our musical efforts with friends and family as a result.

You can purchase the album on iTunes or at Saint's BandCamp.

CHEERS.

Ghost On The Shore

I've been stowed away... trying to learn the ins and outs of personal recording, with only the bare minimums to work with. Through this self-inflicted agony, I am at least learning; and I have finally triumphed. Here is my latest cover inspired by the rest and relaxation of our Lake Life season swooping in. I hope you enjoy:



All vocals and instruments are done by yours truly.

Cheers!

Learning

Getting there...

It'll be up on soundcloud.com/mannygoossen soon.

Cheers.

ALL KNIGHT

329 is on its way.
#SaintKris

SAINT KRIS | ALL KNIGHT

SAINT KRIS [all knight] from Camren Friesen on Vimeo.

Saint Kris "All Knight"

Available on iTunes
https://itun.es/i6gf4yW

www.saintkris.com

Ásgeir

Be on the lookout for Ásgeir, a young musician from Iceland who is making waves in the folk, alternative scene. In receiving an abundance of praise before the release of his English album version In the Silence last month, he has already won 4 Icelandic Music Awards, as well as a nomination for the Nordic Music Prize. Take a listen as he and his performing comrade serenade the cozy Little House of Music a few kilometres outside of Reykjavik. Enjoy!

Find a free download of a few of his tracks from In the Silence HERE

Who else is tempted to travel to Iceland after seeing that Little Music House?

CHEERS

My Top Albums of 2013

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas season with family and friends! As tradition always insists, I will once again share a top ten list of my favourite albums from this past year. I'll also include a favourite track (though it was hard to choose just one) per album as a nice listening sample. Here we go...

10. Said the Whale - hawaiii

(Guess who's featured at the end of this song? Hint: He also features on this list... )

9. Kodaline - In a Perfect World

8. Lorde - Pure Heroine

7. Gungor - I Am Mountain

6. Phoenix - Bankrupt!

5. Royal Canoe - Today We're Believers

(It was so hard to choose just one from this album... But on SoundCloud you are able to stream the entire thing! Check these local wonders out if you haven't!)

4. Shad - Flying Colours

(You can also stream the entire album on SoundCloud... and yes, Shad features on "Resolutions" for Said the Whale!)

3. Jars of Clay - Inland

2. Arcade Fire - Reflektor

ANNND my #1 album of 2013 goes to...

1. The National - Trouble Will Find Me

(2016 Manny: Where do I start with The National... One of my favourite groups ever. I finally saw them live at the inaugural Eaux Claires music festival in Wisconsin two summers ago. It was incredible. They've really figured out the emotional, synergistic power of music and lyrics together. It just fits perfectly. Their sound is mostly sombre and solemn, but the message is real and reflective in a way that's inspiring to me)

Honourable Mentions:

Vampire Weekend - Modern Vampires of the City

Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

Please, feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions!
Have a safe and fun New Year's celebration!

CHEERS

The Seaboard

Someday I might have a few grand to drop on an instrument like this... Maybe...

Imagine the creativity.

Elessar - LIVE

On October 8th of this year I performed with Elessar Thiessen for his CD Release Party of Head. Heart. Hands. It was such a pleasure to play live music once again (fulfilling the multi-roles of percussionist, back-up vocalist, and keyboardist). The whole concert was live mixed and filmed in awesome quality as well. So if you missed out then, you can have a glimpse of it now. Below are great live videos of "Mom Don't Pout" & "Single Lane". You might just see me in the dimly lit backgroud... ENJOY!

Check out Head. Heart. Hands - EP HERE on iTunes.

elessarthiessen.com

Güngör

Woah... I posted something...

I've recently got into the music of Güngör. Check out this video and get his/their new album I Am Mountain. This makes me want to MAKE MUSIC. Love it.



Anyway, just thought I'd post something... for once... Ciao for now!

Putting the Dog to Sleep

"Putting the Dog to Sleep" by The Antlers has been one of my favourite tracks from last summer; especially since I saw them when they swung by here in June... UNREAL. That being said, one day I was fiddling around on the piano and came up with my own score of the song. I recorded it via Cubase, added some extra touches, recorded some vocals on GarageBand, and BOOM: A succulent cover! So without further ado, here is the product that I came up with. Hope you enjoy!



Cheers.