by Jane Lambert

VIDEO VOYAGEUR: 3QS WITH GAVIN MCLEOD

At just 24 years old, Gavin McLeod has already established himself as a seasoned singer-songwriter and virtuosic guitarist in the sphere of indie rock music.

From his early days rocking out on video game drums to gracing the stages of festivals and television shows, Gavin’s musical path is nothing short of remarkable.

Driven by a deep passion for collaboration with other musicians, Gavin leads his band of brothers, blending the intimate storytelling of 1970s singer-songwriters with the electrifying energy of modern UK indie rock.

With his debut album, “The Constant Astonishment,” produced by industry veterans, Gavin is poised to captivate audiences with his anthemic melodies and captivating lyrics.

His new single “Things We Used To Do” is accompanied by a brand new music video, which was shot at a live show at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto on December 14th 2023.

It features a mix of raw and up close footage from the live show, at what is now a legendary Toronto music venue known for hosting countless influential musicians and bands over the years.

We caught up with Gavin to get the lowdown on the inspiration behind the music video:

1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?

I have been playing live with my band since I was 11 years old. For the first single off of our debut album, it felt natural to shoot the music video at a show, raw and in the moment. There were a million stories this video could’ve told, but ultimately I wanted it to represent the band and the song in a very real way. Recording this song was an incredibly collaborative experience and most of the track was recorded live off the floor with the four of us in a room together.

Recording the music video at a venue was the closest I felt we could get to that original recording session. It was a special night at the Horseshoe Tavern downtown Toronto, and the whole thing was captured and put together beautifully by Connor Scheffler.

2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?

I have always taken heavy inspiration from all of the old bands and artists of the 70’s. Neil and Bruce and Petty, those guys always had some great live music videos that always stuck with me. This music video is our attempt at that classic style, with all of the musicians on stage playing the song in real time. It is a raw and messy and chaotic in certain places, but that is how a live show can often be. We stepped out on stage that night with one chance to nail this video shoot, and we are all really happy with the result. We had a great crew filming us that night, and the energy from the crowd in the room was excellent.

3. What was the process of making this video?

For anyone from Toronto, the Horseshoe Tavern is an iconic and storied venue. Many great bands have graced the stage, and it’s always an honour to play in that room. I had booked this show months in advance, and when we began music video discussions, it made a lot of sense to line it up with this night. After some preplanning with Connor Scheffler and his team, we met up before soundcheck and started shooting some footage.

The video contains shots from soundcheck, the greenroom, and the live performance of the song. To keep everything in time, our Drummer Tyler played the song to a click track, and we tried our best to play as close to the studio recording as possible (which proved to be much easier said than done).

Afterwards, Connor put a few cuts together for us to watch and absolutely nailed the visuals and the flow of the end product. We are all very happy with how it came out.

The synergy between Gavin McLeod and his band shines brightly in this single and Gavin’s vision of capturing the raw essence of their live performances seamlessly translates into the recording process, resulting in a sound that feels both intimate and exhilarating:

“I had the romantic idea of recording the album old school style – live off the floor – just like a show. It was a dream come true”, Gavin says.

“Things We Used To Do” is produced by Ross Hayes Citrullo.

On Lead Vocals are Gavin McLeod, McLeod and Patrick Mills on electric guitar, Gavin McLeod on percussion, Tyler Dewar on drums, and Joey DePaiva on bass guitar.

Keep up to date with Gavin McLeod on his website at www.gavinmcleodmusic.com

Follow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Music can be streamed on Spotify,Apple Music, and YouTube.

03.21.24

by Jane Lambert

Maryen Cairn’s Releases Sentimental New Single “Flew Away”

Maryen Cairns’ latest single, “Flew Away” pays homage to Joan Taubman, a trailblazing female pilot from Australia.

Released on International Women’s Day, the song reflects Cairns’ deep admiration for Taubman’s courage and resilience, despite her initially knowing much about her extraordinary life.

The song draws from folk influences, with Cairns’ exquisite vocals and intricate guitar work.

Performing the song solo, Cairns shares her personal connection to the track including her unique approach to the whistling solo originally composed by her friend Paul Stockton:

“When my children were little, I used to take them to the swimming at the pool in my parents building in Sydney. They were, like most children, very noisy! An old lady who lived in the building used to waylay us on the way to the pool, and demand to know who gave us the right to use the pool. Years later my mum told me that she had been one of Australia’s first female pilots and that she used to reminisce about flying under the harbour bridge with her friends! Joan Taubman’s flying suit and helmet are in Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, and I wrote Flew Away to celebrate how we never know what another person has gone through, what they have achieved, just by looking at them.

Now when I see an elderly person I wonder what adventures they’ve had, what made them laugh or cry, if they were able to follow their dreams, what they regretted, if they had a great love… I’m aware that we cannot see what a person has been through by looking at them, and this was a big lesson to me, that resulted in me writing Flew Away. I wrote this just after I had made the Femina Australis album, and of course it would have fitted beautifully on that album, being about an amazing Australian woman! The original recording of this song is on my album Come To Me from 2019. It features a beautiful whistling solo from my London friend Paul Stockton. Having been a leading choirboy at St Paul Cathedral school many many moons ago, this was only his 2nd time in a recording studio, and he came up with an incredible melody to whistle as a solo. Now, I can’t whistle, not at all (!) but I love Paul’s melody so much that I feature his solo by singing it!

Recorded at Echotown Studios in Dorchester, England, and produced by Chris Kimsey, “Flew Away” forms a pivotal part of Cairns’ upcoming debut vinyl release, marking a significant milestone in her music career.

With an extensive catalogue comprising of seven solo albums and collaborations with esteemed artists like Fish and Chris Kimsey, Cairns has solidified her position as a notable figure in the indie music scene.

Born in Scotland, and then emigrating to Australia, she began writing songs at the age of thirteen. She pioneered a home recording studio with tools like the Tascam 4-track, and Cubase. In the 2010s, she broke barriers with albums like “Stories from the Red Tent” which challenged taboos with its groundbreaking birthing imagery, and “Femina Australia” celebrating the lives of Australian women.

Beyond her solo work, Maryen founded The Mfest, a celebration of motherhood and women’s creativity, and hosted Sydney’s first originals-only open mic night. Collaborations included backing vocals for ex-Marillion vocalist Fish. She even played a grand piano in an extinct volcano for a promotional video.

Inspired by her recent solo tour across the UK in August 2023, Maryen continues to engage with her audience through platforms like The Cairns Club, where she shares her personal stories, as well as a popular livestream series.

Stay current with Maryen Cairns on her Website, Facebook and Instagram.

Enjoy her music Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.

02.29.24

by Jane Lambert

Deirdre Murphy’s “Matriotism”: Blending Genres in A Dynamic New Album!

Deirdre Murphy, a versatile artist and musician hailing from Dublin, Ireland, is making waves with her latest album “Matriotism.”Blending genres and pushing artistic boundaries, Murphy’s music encompasses gig theatre, contemporary movement improvisation, and sci-fi spoken word, captivating audiences worldwide.

“Matriotism” shows Murphy’s true commitment to human rights and challenging societal norms. Tracks like “Hands Down,” “Sweet and Strong,” and “Haunting You” explore themes of love, authenticity, and community connections, reflecting Murphy’s diverse influences and deep-rooted passion for nature.

Drawing from her upbringing in rural Alaska and extensive travels throughout the United States, Murphy’s artistic vision is as rich and diverse as her experiences. Past works like “Capitalism: The Musical” have earned her acclaim for their wit and profound commentary, resonating with audiences across Ireland and Italy.

Beyond music, Murphy’s talents span across theatre, dance, circus, and performance art. As a composer, acrobatics instructor, and designer for theatre productions, she brings a unique interdisciplinary approach to her craft.

Produced and recorded by Oli Ryan, “Matriotism” features an ensemble of talented musicians, including Denis McCauliffe, Thunderclap Murphy, and Claire Fitch. The album is mastered by Eoghan Tyrell.

Stay connect with Deirdre Murphy on her Website.

Stream music on Spotify and Soundcloud.

02.19.24

by Jane Lambert

Shane Heilman’s Latest Release “Psalm 51 (Forgive Me)” Takes the Worship World by Storm – Listen Now!

With over 45,000 YouTube subscribers, and more than 32,000 monthly Spotify streams, singer-songwriter Shane Hellman has a wide reaching and fast growing International audience.

His latest release, “Psalm 51 (Forgive me)” forms part of The Psalms Project; an ambitious project to set all 150 Psalms to music.

Each album release from The Psalms Project shows Heilman’s adeptness at bringing together contemporary melodies with ageless Psalms, captivating audiences worldwide.

Collaborations with renowned musicians and producers coupled with a firm commitment to keeping the essence of the ancient texts within a modern composition, have really solidified this project’s standing in worship music.

“Psalm 51 (Forgive Me)” draws inspiration from King David’s plea of forgiveness. Through introspective lyrics and emotive melodies, this song offers a poignant respite and exploration of human frailty and redemption. And it tackles a difficult and deep topic.

Shane shares:

“As you probably know, it was written by David after committing adultery with Bathsheba and trying to cover it up by having her husband killed in battle.

I was hesitant to even try to write a song that captured all of Psalm 51 with music.

Charles Spurgeon, the famous preacher, even put off writing a commentary on Psalm 51 for weeks because he felt no words could to it justice!

He said, “Such a psalm may be wept over, absorbed into the soul…but commented on – ah! where is he who having attempted it can do other than blush at his defeat?”

Yet, I’m happy to report, I did write, compose, and record a song (with some friends of mine) for all of Psalm 51!

I think it’s one of the best songs we’ve ever done.”

This soothing and beautiful rendition of Psalms 51 set to music is not only inspiring, but really demonstrates the transformative potential of music and faith. The very talented singer, Trot Lifto, provides exquisite vocals, with haunting piano chords and soaring strings.

This song captures a sensitive treatment of what is a complex Psalm and subject matter, with simple melodies and accompaniment to create a very beautiful Psalm rendition.

As the Psalms Projects drums up increasing popularity, Shane’s continues to have a steadfast commitment to translating all 150 Psalms to music, bringing universal themes of hope, forgiveness, and Divine love to the fore.

The Psalms Project is led by singer/songwriter/producer Shane Heilman, and includes the collaboration of more than 70 accomplished musicians, including Grammy nominees Phil Keaggy and Jeff Duo to name just a few.

Psalm 51 features singer Trot Lifto.

Follow The Psalms Project Now Online:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube

02.15.24

by Jane Lambert

Jason Vitelli Transcends Genres with his Mesmerizing “1. Ambient Corridors” Album Release.

Brooklyn-based composer, artist, and instrumentalist Jason Vitelli released his new album “1. Ambient Corridors” earlier this year.

The album serves as an inaugural instrumental collection, a series of projects planned by Vitelli, and highlights a return to his compositional roots. His dedication to exploring nuances of instrumental music comes to the fore here where Vitelli vividly experiments with various music styles and elements.

All 12 tracks on this album show genuine musical skill as well as fine talent in sound design and orchestration, creating an overall impressionistic sound.

Earlier single releases from the album, such as “Exit Love Story” and “Night Falls”, exemplify Vitelli’s ability to craft emotive melodies while experimenting with various musical styles and elements, songs which he coins “vignettes” in that they are short and highly illustrative.

While the ambient genre usually conjures up the idea of a quiet and chilled-out musical backdrop, Vitelli takes the genre and molds it with his unique instrumentation and chamber orchestra, creating a more avant-garde sound that could be likened to 20th-century composer Olivier Messiaen delicately mixed with the experimental rock of Bowie and Kate Bush.

There is a newness, a freshness as well as an ode to the “modern” music style of the past, as Vitelli breathes new life into these pieces.

The piano counterpoint in “Lost and Found” is inspired by Bach, for example, while “The Veil” contains richer textures, deep cello melodies, and rhythmic percussion. “Snazzy Cats” brings together gentle jazz piano and cinematic elements with curious pop-style lines and an overall lounge aesthetic.

All of these tracks on the album captivate the listener with quirky and sometimes surprising sounds, adding to the experience.

“1. Ambient Corridors” is a rich collection of instrumentals that Vitelli has been cultivating for over two decades. These pieces all originated from a variety of multimedia projects, including short films, modern ballet productions, and documentaries. Recognizing the abundance of material he had amassed, Jason decided to categorize them based on mood and release each as a playlist in a series of albums. This is why there is a numerical prefix in the album’s title to signify the plan to reveal more playlists in the future.

Some instrumental vignettes were composed with a plan to match specific video cues, while others were to be transformed into fully developed pieces. While Jason handles most of the recording and sampling himself, additional depth was added with session musicians on viola and cello.

Finally, the mastering expertise of audiophile Barry Diament brings the finishing touches, ensuring a cohesive sound through leveling and subtle EQ adjustments.

Listen to “1. Ambient Corridors” on Spotify.

Stay up to date with Jason Vitelli on his Website and social media Facebook and Instagram.

Stream music on YouTube and Spotify.

01.19.24

by Jane Lambert

Heidi Vincent’s “Dear ADHD”: A Heartfelt Pop-Country Anthem Breaking Barriers and Connecting Hearts

Singer-songwriter Heidi Vincent is making a poignant return to music, armed with newfound clarity about her identity and direction.

After dedicating several years to raising her remarkable daughter, exploring healthy love, and undergoing a phoenix-like self-evolution following a later in life ADHD diagnosis, Heidi steps back into the music scene with a series of singles. The opening track, “Dear ADHD,” reflects her vulnerability and uplifts as she embraces a newfound power.

Heidi is based in Vancouver, BC, and embodies a unique storytelling talent that delves into the depth of emotions, identity and transformative life moments. Her musical aesthetic seamlessly fuses earthiness with elegance, as she eloquently describes herself as “bare feet in the dirt, but can still hang with the judges.”

Blending elements of indie, pop, rock, folk, and country, Heidi’s songs feature personal, playful, and relatable lyrics that resonate with listeners.

In her pop-country anthem, “Dear ADHD,” Heidi fearlessly challenges and dismantles the stigma surrounding life with ADHD. She underscores the profound ability of art, music, and self-expression to unite hearts, describing the song as a genuine expression from her heart to the listener’s:

“The amazing thing about art, music, expression is that it connects our hearts; this song is from my heart to yours!”

Vincent’s life journey has been profoundly influenced by a complex upbringing, raised by “Greatest Generation” patriarchal grandparents and “Silent Generation” matriarchal grandparents. A strained relationship with her mother, who passed away suddenly at 42, adds layers of complexity to her narrative.

Reflecting on her mother’s challenges in understanding her ADHD, Heidi says, “I know my mother fiercely loved me, but I know she had challenges with parts of who I was because she didn’t understand my ADHD.”

Having previously released two full-length albums, Vincent’s active presence in the Canadian and North American music scene includes features on television, terrestrial and satellite radio, and placements in films and TV programs. Her latest single, “Dear ADHD,” has garnered critical acclaim, secured curated playlist spots, and earned airplay on satellite and international terrestrial radio.

Following “Dear ADHD,” Heidi will release two more singles, including the country ballad “What Love Can Do” and the playful “Criminal.”

Keep up to date with Heidi Vincent on her Website, and social media channels Facebook and Instagram.

Stream music on Spotify and YouTube.