I’m at a spiritual retreat in Maui, Hawaii, in 2016 and singer-songwriter Trevor Hall solemnly plays harmonium. In deep concentration, he sings a prayer in Sanskrit to the fierce Hindu Goddess Kali Ma. He explains why she is portrayed with skin as black as night, fangs, a necklace made out of human skulls and a […]
Canadian singer-songwriter, guitarist and activist Bruce Cockburn has been described a “spiritual poet”, an “iconoclast” as well as the “Bob Dylan of Canada”. With a career spanning almost half a century, Bruce Cockburn is an ever-evolving artist, who has undergone many stylistic shifts. He is a consistently meticulous guitar player and a skilled lyricist. His […]
Jon Bon Jovi was stunned when he first heard Philip Sayce play guitar alongside Melissa Etheridge at the 2007 Grammy Awards. After the performance, Bon Jovi told the audience, “I want to give a special nod to Philip, who I immediately opened the program and said ‘Who the fuck is that guitar player?’ Pretty fabulous […]
The first time I heard Chaim Tannenbaum’s extraordinary singing was on Kate and Anna McGarrigle’s album The McGarrigle Hour, which was recorded at a gathering of friends and family in 1998. In particular, I was struck by the poignancy and luminance of Tannenbaum’s vocals on the traditional song, Dig my Grave. I thought, “Who is this guy?!” […]
It was only a matter of time. After 12 years of working on their individual solo careers, Canadian singer-writer siblings Matthew and Jill Barber have just released their first joint project, The Family Album. “We always thought eventually some day we would collaborate because we’re good friends as well as siblings, and because we really […]
“I can’t remember where we played last night.” says Matt Andersen, who is travelling by bus to the next date on his tour as we speak. He suddenly remembers,” We played Fall River, Massachusetts. We’re on our way into Boston and then off to Quebec City.” Canadian singer-songwriter Matt Andersen was born and raised […]
“I love them all, they’re all sweet. They’re all just sweet guys”, says Canadian singer-songwriter Donovan Woods of the songs on his new album Hard Settle, Ain’t Troubled. The album has already received wide acclaim: The Globe and Mail describes it as “a gentle, honest collection of melancholic observations and hushed tunefulness.” From front to back, Hard […]
The spaced-out scientist 