We’re bringing you something a little different today. The original intent was to focus on a specific recent single release from a Canadian artist (“Freedom” by Madison Galloway), and having streamed the tune a few times, things quickly progressed when allowing the streaming platform to do its own thing with the songs recommended for you based on your streaming tastes feature.
Willing to let the algorithms dictate my workday soundtrack for the better part of an hour, the selections were interestingly diverse – with just a pair of known Canadian artists mixed in (Mia Kelly and Ron Hawkins) amongst a broader selection of American artists being discovered for the first time. So, we’re giving Madison Galloway the love she deserves here, but we’re also compelled to name-drop some of the random tunes that received the thumbs-up treatment to get added to our listening library.
Madison Galloway, “Freedom”
The summer season may be ready to call it a day, but with “Freedom,” Fergus, ON blues-rocker Madison Galloway provides us with plenty of incentive to stay outdoors a little longer, and to crank up the music. Spin this one a few times and you’ll see why Madison is earning a solid reputation on the live scene – especially in a demanding genre that requires talent and authenticity. Madison has both – in spades.
Ali Handal, “You Get What You Settle For”
It made perfect sense for the algorithms to introduce the music of New Yorker Ali Handal, and this cut from 2017 very quickly had me looking to learn just who this potent voice belonged to. If the slide guitar doesn’t earn your attention, the powerhouse bluesy vocals certainly will – earning this tune a hit on the thumbs-up icon, and the dropping of plenty more tunes from Ali into my library.
Fox And Bones, “Don’t Do Nothing”
Another delightful discovery, this Portland, OR-based Americana duo of Scott Gilmore and Sarah Vitort put a mile-wide smile on my face with this retro pop-folk ditty that spins tales of escaping your own cycles and moving towards the things that you want in life. Combining their west-coast harmonies with some solid instrumentation, I’m sensing strong Ocie Elliott meets The Big Bottle of Joy vibes.
Abby Bryant & The Echoes, “When I’m Gone”
If you’re going to offer up vintage organ keys and horns wrapped into a soul-laced toe tapper of a tune, you’ve earned my full attention before you’ve uttered your first lines. Asheville, NC artist Abby Bryant captures the spirit of old soul music with a natural ease, adding such vibrant energy and gusto to separate herself from the pack. These are tunes to be played into the wee hours of the night.
Emily Kidd, “Prisoner”
If the streaming platform spits out some sweet pedal steel and old-school country charm, it has clearly tuned into my tastes well. Hailing from Nashville, TN, Emily Kidd has been plying her trade for over a decade in Music City before landing here on my radar in the most random nature of ways. This crooning honky tonk number, peppered with a generous serving of steel and fiddle, is an absolute corker.
The British guy that crossed the ocean and crash landed in central Pennsylvania (to quote Greg Keelor, “And I wonder what am I doing here?”). As the youngest of four siblings, exposure to music from a very early age nurtured my passion and appreciation for many musical genres. Continuing to discover some amazingly diverse and talented musicians based in Canada, I gravitate to live music experiences and remain devoted to spreading the word about such a vibrant music scene.
