Team GDW are back in PA, following an extended weekend adventure in Ontario – catching up with friends, and of course, taking in some live music experiences. Expect upcoming features on those soon. But, while we take time to recharge our batteries, Martin remembered to crack open the safe and pull out some of the hottest video submissions sent our way recently. Check them out – you’ll see why we had to keep them under lock and key.
Kristina Dervaitis, “If Only”
It has been fun to witness the emergence of this fabulous ON-based gynecologist-turned-musician over the last couple of years, and with “If Only,” taken from her sophomore album, Kristina demonstrates just how passionate her music truly is with this stunning piano ballad. “If only we could change who we are, be a different person just for a moment,” she offers. “But we can’t turn away from who we are at our very core, there’s no switch to flip.”
Slow Leaves, “Nothing Really Changes”
It’s been a while since we’ve shared music from Winnipeg’s Grant Davidson, who just released this latest teaser of new music from his forthcoming album. This breezy country-folk tune recalls John Prine’s mastery of making everyday moments feel magical. “It’s about the isolation that comes with bouts of depression,” Grant shares. “You’re alone in your head, with yourself, with an enemy to whom you’ve not only surrendered but embraced …. You confuse stubbornness for strength.”
Tara MacLean, “That’s Me”
PEI artist Tara MacLean reimagines “That’s Me,” an older tune that appears again now on her latest album “Sparrow,” itself reflecting a previous chapter of her life and musical journey. “I had fallen apart and hit rock bottom,” Tara shares. “This song was my self-portrait. I was self-destructive, self-sabotaging and I was wrestling with all my demons. I wanted to revisit this song as the woman I am now and see if I could break some of those deeply ingrained patterns that I was still catching glimpses of.”
TANDM, “The Man In The Sea”
Before we lock the vault up once more, we MUST share this stunning new tune from Toronto-based duo TANDM – comprised of Maxine Beck-Sinderby and Thomas Franklin. Originally a poem written by Maxine for a high school assignment, the story came from a whimsical family tale about how a giant man in the sea would stir a giant spoon and make the waves: “My inspiration was to convey the sensation of a childhood fantasy, that then shattered from discovering the realities of the world.”
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.
