Moonshine Orchestra
October 3, 2010 by Sugartune
Longtime friends and studio wizards Claus Frostell and Jack Nicholls joined musical forces in 1999 and decided to combine their complimentary talents to create big, beautiful music. They call it The Moonshine Orchestra.
Warped 45s
October 3, 2010 by Sugartune
The Warped 45s are the perfect soundtrack for these uncertain times; this Toronto, Ontario roots-rock outfit blends melancholy and joy, anger and honesty in songs that have already garnered this five-piece a dedicated following and a reputation as one of the city’s most promising bands. It’s no wonder multiple critics earmarked them “Destined For Greatness in 2009” in Eye Weekly’s end-of-year poll.
Annelise Noronha & Safe Word Project
October 3, 2010 by Sugartune
Most artist’s come out of the gate running. And maybe, Annelise Noronha and Byron Wong of The Safe Word Project will too. But they each bore a giant history of over-achievement between the two of them before they ever set upon making music together. Infectious, dark, “organitronica” together.
The French Semester * Open Letter to the Disappeared
January 8, 2010 by Sugartune
Let me set up the scenario. It’s 9:00 Saturday morning and I’m grumpy and fried because I made 48 crème brûlée last night, and ate five of them. I’m also wired on espresso. I don’t know if this all affects my ears or objectivity, but fuck objectivity anyway.
J'aime. J'aime. Le French Semester.
Sunny sounding indy-pop? Yes, it is. Endearingly homemade sounding? Yup. Catchy? Uh-huh. Plus-the lyrics that I managed to catch sounded pretty cool. I also heard phantom harmonies where, on second listen, there were none. Implied parts that fool you into hearing things within the space of the song that don’t exist are always good. Sort of like how Hemingway says things by not saying them. I suppose that’s the point of minimalism. So far, so good.
The tunes made this cold Canadian morning slightly warmer, tricked my ears, and helped the bad mood a bit.
– Review by Biff of The Woodrunners
Sugartune Review
I dig the 60s influence. Your Master Plan struts like Day Tripper with the bass and guitar duplicating the main riff. The Blue Distance sounds like it belongs on ‘Hollywood Dream’ by Thunderclap Newman. Lots of open space between the instruments with simple interplay throughout driven by naive, stutter step drumming. Engaging, charming pop fare served up lo-fi. Might very well sound like Brian Wilson’s brain, back in the day, as he awoke from the sandbox before the neurons started to compose the vocal harmonies and orchestra parts.
Feeding from the trough of: Big Star, Guided By Voices, Thunderclap Newman
MySpace: www.myspace.com/thefrenchsemester
The Warped 45s Radio Sky Video Now Live
December 20, 2009 by Sugartune
It’s a wrap!
After months of editing and tinkering with the footage, our super-hero, Vince has finished the video. Feast your eyes and tell us what you think…
Check out Vincent Scotti’s Portfolio
Check out other Sugartune Videos
Buy the Warped 45s CD, 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan
Take in the Warped 45s Live
A Diary of the Making of the Radio Sky Video
Part 1: Creative Forces Coming Together
Part 2: Making Videos Is Sexy
Part 3: Vincent Scotti (a.k.a. The Vinman): A Man of Action
Part 4: Radio Sky Video Now Live. It’s a Wrap!
The Warped 45s Radio Sky Video Shoot Pt. 3
December 20, 2009 by Sugartune
Vincent Scotti (a.k.a. The Vinman): A Man of Action
The Vinman - Actual Size!
After finishing a day of shooting the band performance, focus quickly shifted to the story aspect. The story surrounds the objects a child might find in an attic and the wonderment and inspiration they are prone to induce. Ryan McEathron had recently purchased an antiquated mandolin that would act as the prefect centerpiece to compliment the many beautiful mandolin passages throughout Radio Sky. In addition, our own personal attics and basements were raped of goodies to compliment the overall feel. Old hockey cards, a milk jug, a turntable, wind-up toys, stacks of 45s, and a ViewMaster were thrown into the mix.
The largest obstacle was to find an actor who approximated a young Ryan McEathron. And pronto. The days of the warehouse rental were dwindling. Friends were solicited but to no avail, nobody was available in the tight time frame. Undeterred (the guy didn’t even blink!), The Vinman was on the phone with the Montreal School of Performing Arts. He casted his man in under 3 hours. Not only was the kid a dead-ringer for a young Ryan, but his name was Ryan, too. Talk about planets aligning. Young Ryan showed up the next day, parents in tow as production assistants, and preceded, in short order, to deliver the needed performance of a curious kid in the center of a world of wonderment.
In the process of bringing this video together many obstacles were met, but none too large to stop the always focused Vinman.
Action figures available soon.
A Diary of the Making of the Radio Sky Video
Part 1: Creative Forces Coming Together
Part 2: Making Videos Is Sexy
Part 3: Vincent Scotti (a.k.a. The Vinman): A Man of Action
Part 4: Radio Sky Video Now Live. It’s a Wrap!
The Warped 45s Radio Sky Video Shoot Pt. 2
December 20, 2009 by Sugartune
Making Videos Is Sexy
Are we having fun, yet?
The Warped 45s were embarking on a series of firsts. First ever tour, first ever video shoot, and first ever cellphone (ask the band for details!). Their tour of Atlantic Canada had already proven to be a learning experience. They arrived at the shoot sleepless in crooked and contorted shape; victims of sharing a caravan of three or four compact cars with their instruments et al. On future tours, they promised, a van would be a necessity. So how would they fare during a tedious 18-hour shoot in the midst of a dark, dusty warehouse with pumping smoke machines? With flying colours, baby!
The Warped 45s have already proven to be exceptional musicians; winning the 2009 NXNE Rogers Fan’s Choice Award, inking a deal with Pheromone Recordings and receiving much acclaim for their debut full length CD, 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan. But exceptional musicianship is only a part of being a great band. These guys are great for many other reasons. Namely, they are great people. During the course of the shoot they were attentive, available and kept things loose with the kind of amiability you love to see from a brotherhood intent on making their music the focus of their life.
For Those About To Roots Rock (We Salute You)!
A Diary of the Making of the Radio Sky Video
Part 1: Creative Forces Coming Together
Part 2: Making Videos Is Sexy
Part 3: Vincent Scotti (a.k.a. The Vinman): A Man of Action
Part 4: Radio Sky Video Now Live. It’s a Wrap!
The Warped 45s Radio Sky Video Shoot Pt. 1
November 24, 2009 by Sugartune
Creative Forces Coming Together
Warped 45er Ryan McEathron: "I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Scotti!"
Vincent Scotti, a talented director & friend of Sugartune, came to us this summer looking for a band to hook-up with to create a music video. The Warped 45s were prime for the plucking. They were touring the East Coast and would be in Montreal in July for a show. Bids for funding were made and rejected, but so what!? A combination of creativity and focused ambition will always trump cash. A treatment was made. Consensus over diverging creative direction was quickly met.
It was all over but the blood, sweat and tears. Warehouses and fog machines were rented. Talent, props, lights and gels begged, borrowed and stolen. The band was in town July 15 and we had a day to shoot before their show the following day. Time was as tight as the budget, but wild horses ain’t dragging us away.
Join us here over the next few weeks as we chronicle the making of the Warped 45s Radio Sky video; a diary in what people can accomplish with little financial resources and a whole lotta heart.
The Cast of Characters:
Kevin Hewitt – Keyboards
Hamal Finn Roye – Drums
Alex Needleman – Bass
Dave McEathron – Guitar, Lead Vocal
Ryan McEathron – Mandolin
Dan Wilson – Photographer, Supplier of Cigarettes
Graham – Gopher, Grip, Slate, Sugartune Dude
John – Director of Photography
Phil – Lighting, Production Assistant, Alternate Supplier of Cigarettes
Vincent – Director, Visionary
Featuring:
Young Ryan Kay – Young Ryan McEathron
Mr. & Mrs. Kay – Production Assistance. All Hands on Deck. Thanks Folks!
A Diary of the Making of the Radio Sky Video
Part 1: Creative Forces Coming Together
Part 2: Making Videos Is Sexy
Part 3: Vincent Scotti (a.k.a. The Vinman): A Man of Action
Part 4: Radio Sky Video Now Live. It’s a Wrap!
The Warped 45s Live Show List!
November 6, 2009 by Sugartune
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Safe Word Project. King and Queen of ALL Media
August 31, 2009 by Sugartune
Safe Word Project have been caressing your senses with their music through multiple media channels; film, tv, video promos and podcasts. Is it any wonder their beautiful Send Is A Four Letter has captured the attention of so many? Give ‘em a spin.
A sample of where they can be heard:
-
Give It Up will be included in an upcoming episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation
“It’s So Easy” , “I’ll Bleed Out” and the Gleedsville remix of “Give It Up” have been placed in the feature film “A Life Less Gone”.
- “Fake It” appeared on the 2008 Short Film Festival’s cd, along side such artists as Serena Ryder, The Golden Dogs and The Tom Fun Orchestra.
- The whole Safe Word Project cd was recently licensed to Red Bull AudioFiles out of Austria for use in Red Bull sponsored event videos and podcasts.
Keep your eyes peeled to this site. Annelise Noronha (Safe Word Project Queen) has a few shows coming up in the Greater Toronto Area. Details to come.
NITRO ROADWARRIORS – It´s Spring, time to shred! from Nitro Roadwarriors on Vimeo.
