serve!stock 2011 » Artists

Lighthouse

Alison Caird — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:47:28 +0000

Lighthouse burst on the scene in 1969 with a unique blend of rock, jazz and classical influences that defied all conventions. Between 1970 and 1973 they were awarded four Junos, four gold albums and Canada’s first platinum album for Lighthouse Live! while hits such as “One Fine Morning”, “Sunny Days”, “Hats Off to the Stranger”, “1849″ and “Pretty Lady” raced to the top of Canadian and International charts. Known for its explosive sound, Lighthouse was the first rock fusion band, combining jazz horns, classical strings and a rock rhythm section. The triple Juno Award winning band was the first Canadian recording artist to reach platinum album sales and has performed to standing ovations in the US, UK, Japan, South America, and Canada. They were the first rock band asked to headline the Newport, Monterey and Boston Globe Jazz Festivals, first to record with Symphony Orchestras and first to collaborate on a Rock Ballet. Lighthouse was the only act other than Jimi Hendrix invited to perform a second night at the Isle of Wight Festival among acts that included The Who, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Chicago and The Doors.

Lighthouse reunited in 1992 and features the original founders, Skip Prokop (drums), Paul Hoffert (keyboards) and Ralph Cole (guitar) leading an all-star lineup that includes original members Russ Little (trombone) and Steve Kennedy (saxophones and flute) with Dan Clancy (lead vocals), Doug Moore (bass), Don Paulton (keyboards), Chris Howells (trumpet), and Simon Wallis (saxophones and flute).

Kathleen Edwards

Alison Caird — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:44:17 +0000

Kathleen Edwards has been hailed as one of the finest and most distinctive singer-songwriters to emerge in recent years. Her blend of country, folk and pop music has received many accolades and The New York Times praised Edwards as a writer whose songs can “pare situations down to a few dozen words while they push country-rock towards its primal impulses of thump and twang.” Her 3rd album, Asking for Flowers has been nominated for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize and received 4 out of 5 stars in Rolling Stone (who named Kathleen an ‘Artist to Watch’) and is critically acclaimed by everyone from Billboard Magazine to The Toronto Star.

The Arkells

Alison Caird — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:35:09 +0000

Sharing a love of the kind of raw, soulful “Springsteenesque” rock that inspires a teen to pick up a guitar and start a band, Arkells formed in Hamilton, ON, in 2006. The ambitious and prolific fivepiece quickly found its groove, and recorded debut EP “Deadlines” in 2007. From the strum of the first track, the six-song EP showcased Arkells’ masterful blending of traditional blues hooks mixed with modern rock-laden riffs, and a touch of classic Motown era rhythms. Their catchy melodies and unbridled energy live garnered critical acclaim with publications like NOW Magazine describing the Arkells as having “an awesome muscular quality that sets it apart from the output of so many of their sad-sack indie rock peers…”

Since the release of “Deadlines” the band has traveled across Canada sharing stages with Tokyo Police Club, Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Danko Jones, Ladyhawk, Alexisonfire, and City and Colour. More recent performances included a stint opening for legendary rockers Black Crowes, MTV Live and V-Fest. With live shows fueling the buzz created by the EP, the band quickly caught the ear of Dine Alone Records (home to Alexisonfire, City and Colour, Bedouin Soundclash, and Moneen).

The Arkells’ first full-length album titled “Jackson Square” (released October, 2008 on Dine Alone) featured undeniably catchy tracks like No Champagne Socialist, Ballad of Hugo Chavez, and Oh, The Boss is Coming! which cracked Top 10 on the BDS Rock Radio charts. “Jackson Square” captured the essence of the band’s hard-hitting live show and their boundless passion for making meaty, rootsy rock that any listener can relate to.

With their growing success and rapidly expanding fan base, the band hit the festival circuit hard in 2009 sharing stages with legends Pearl Jam at V-Fest in Calgary, and The Tragically Hip for a number of shows in Ontario.

Highlights of the year included an invitation to perform at the prestigious NHL Awards in Las Vegas, and winning the 2009 Galaxie Rising Star Award of the CBC, which recognizes and champions up-and-coming Canadian artists.

Lauded as “the band to look out for” after a blistering performances at SXSW — sharing the stage with acts like Sam Roberts, Black Lips and Primal Scream – Arkells prepare to take Canada by storm on their first headlining tour in the Fall of 2009.

For more on Arkells, visit: http://www.arkells.ca