Red Hot – The F-Holes
Released: April 20
This Saturday, Winnipeg swing/country/bluegrass quintet the F-Holes will be releasing a vinyl edition of Red Hot, a cover compilation of some of the group’s favourite songs. The tracklist ranges from hits like Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” to more obscure numbers like Tom Waits’ “Jockey Full of Bourbon.” The strangest inclusion, though, has to be “Mario 2,” a jazzy, banjo-driven cover of the main theme from Super Mario Bros. 2. If you like the F-Holes, you won’t be disappointed. If you love the F-Holes, just hold on a little longer, there’s likely another original full-length on the way (total speculation).
You can buy or stream the rest of the album here.
Lords Kitchner – Lords Kitchner
Released: April 20
Sometimes it’s hard to pin a band down into a particular genre. Not Lords Kitchner. They’re definitely a rock band. But what type of rock band they are is kind of difficult to say. One moment it sounds like they’re playing 90s alt-rock, the next they’re throwing in Modest Mouse-ish guitar riffs, and then suddenly there’s this hair metal soloing going on. It’s all a bit confusing, but it’s not so bad if you don’t over-think it. It’s difficult to tell if they’re confused about their sound or if they just don’t give a shit about pigeonholing themselves–regardless, this Moose Jaw four-piece can definitely play.
You can stream two more songs from the album here.
Only The Moon – Jenie Thai
Released: April 20
With the number of great voices we end up hearing on talent-search reality shows and viral YouTube videos, it takes someone pretty exceptional to stand out. That said, the voice that comes out of Edmonton’s Jenie Thai will send shivers up your spine. On Saturday, Thai will be releasing Only The Moon, a piano-based mix of blues jams and haunting ballads. Here’s “Lady Flower,” the song from her last EP that got her an honourable mention in the 2012 International Songwriting Competition:
If you decide to check out her website, make sure you give the sample of “Your Sweet Lullaby” from Only The Moon a listen–it’ll definitely leave you wanting more.
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Mark Schram grew up on a ranch in southwestern Manitoba and now writes out of Winnipeg. If you would like to offer him a job or ask him about how to pull a calf, you can contact him at markcschram@gmail.com.