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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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 ;)
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!
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.
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.
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
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!
Summer is HERE and Saint Kris has another summer hit he wants you to cherish! Turn it up when you're at the lake, on the boat, around the campfire, manning the BBQ, tanning on the dock, you name it. Wherever you find yourself doing summery things, you can bet this song will fit right in. I was pumped to be able to join in on the music video with the
crew. We hit up the lake and had a blast chilling on a beautiful weekend, shooting the video in one gorgeous day. The song and setting went hand in hand. BBQ, Boating, Beer, Spitz, Morning Dips, Pretty Faces... Word.
I could hype this song all day, however I'll leave it up to you to judge just how catchy it is! Enjoy the vid, Nice! Productions always delivers quality!
(I'll also let you know now that it wasn't my best game of Flip Cup in the video... just watch me struggle at the 1:30 minute mark!!)
University is fresh off the term and we're finally amongst this long awaited Spring/Summer break. A break filled with friends, music, trips, beaches, cabins, the Stanley Cup playoffs, UEFA's EURO 2012 Cup, the Olympics... and... board game nights. Yes, board game nights. Here's a funny, short documentary that portrays (pretty accurately) most of the Settlers of Catan games I'm involved in (except for the screaming bit at the end). ENJOY! And may YOU be Lord of Catan this summer!
Let's get right to it! Last year I said that I don't like to limit my selection to 10... so I didn't. I felt the need to add a bunch of honourable mentions, and I'll do the same here. I'm hesitant in regards to my ordering, so if you disagree, by all means DISAGREE! These are my favourites, and in my opinion, great listening choices for any music lover (except for maybe you hardcore "country" folk)! Enjoy!
10. Foster the People - Torches
9. Florence + The Machine - Ceremonials
8. Manchester Orchestra - Simple Math
7. Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto
6. M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming.
5. Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues
4. The Civil Wars - Barton Hollow
3. The Head & The Heart - The Head and the Heart
2. Bon Iver - Bon Iver
...
AND my number one album of 2011 IS...
1. Sam Roberts Band - Collider
A class act. Sam's lyrics are mind boggling and the groove is never ending. I cannot choose a favourite track because all 13 are candidates! I saw them live in November and was in awe of how tight they were with their sound. They keep coming out with completely solid albums. Can't complain one bit.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
Death Cab for Cutie - Codes and Keys
The Black Keys - El Camino
Thrice - Major/Minor
Switchfoot - Vice Verses
Winnipeg's Best:
Saint Kris - BYOB
Imaginary Cities - Temporary Resident
The Liptonians - Let's All March Back Into The Sea
Albums I haven't listened to that may have made my list:
(and they're definitely on my wish list)
The Roots - Undun
Feist - Metals
Lights - Siberia
The Antlers - Burst Apart
TV On the Radio - Nine Types of Light
Consider all of these selections as fine options for your listening list,
