New Music Friday - Shimmering Stars

So, it wasn't long before I learned in the studio that almost anything sounds pretty good if you drench it in reverb. This has never been truer than with Shimmering Stars - which is essentially a full album of echoes. They cite a lot of old artists such as The Everly Brothers and Del Shannon as influences, which lends to the lo-fi recording style, but I don't even think the cited Bo Diddley's early recordings sound this poor. Not even live, not even when they're ripped to Youtube.

The reverb can be a bit frustrating when the songwriting is as good as it is here, and when these guys are on, it's spectacular. It's the kind of 1950s throwback that makes me want a letter jacket, a malt, and to go for pinks. Whatever that means.

A few of their tunes are up as free downloads on Bandcamp, and they're worth picking up.

Bandcamp Friday

I've been spending a good bit of time on Bandcamp - it's a great opportunity for an artist to throw up some tunes for free and get noticed nearly immediately. Weekly, I sift through dozens of bands that sound like they've been booked at 1067 Granville to find the best freebies the city has to offer. 


Currently, I've slipped a little for Honey Larochelle. This pop-R&B sensation has just returned from a European tour on the success of Clean Lust and Dirty Laundry; an album produced by Sleep Deez (Beyonce, Black Eyed Peas), Lions Share (Anthony Hamilton, Pharoahe Monch), Caviar (T.I), Danish Reggae producer, Pharfar (Beenie Man), and a bevy of others. 


I recommend picking this whole album up before she needs to buy some bread and butter.

Musician Mike Taylor Assaulted Outside Surrey Bus Station

I met Mike Taylor in 2005, when I started working for a local boat tour company as a caterer. His band, Acoustic Groove, was a delightful escape on Sunset Dinner Cruises. As the years have passed, I've been blessed to know him as a friend, as we exchange stories about the music industry and our lives. He defines the word gentleman, with his softly spoken tones and gentle demeanour.

Mike intervened when a fellow bus patron was being harassed by a few youth late Friday night. Having just completed a gig with Acoustic Groove at the Shangri-La Lounge, he was en route home to his daughter and his very pregnant wife when he stood his ground against five youth, who were tormenting an unknown rider while taking pictures. Mike held his ground against the youth, who in turn, shouted racial epithets at him.

Waiting at Scott Road Station for a transfer, he was attacked by the group of kids, between the ages of 14 and 18. They punched and kicked him unconscious outside the station, where he was later found by police.

Mike has been released from the hospital suffering from abrasions and kicks to the head, and the five youth have since been arrested. His guitar has been recovered and is being held as evidence.

As Mike has been left unable to work and is soon expecting a second child, an account has been set up for him at Vancity. Account 427245, Branch 18, Coquitlam.