Frontperson, Shaina Hayes, and The Hypochondriacs
Frontperson
Parade // Oscar Street Records
The Parade has commenced, the band of two courageously marches into the streets, announcing they have returned. Not even a grey storm cloud laden with moisture could continue to cast gloom upon the crowd as “Parade” plays, echoing happiness off glass windows. Kathryn Calder and Mark Andrew Hamilton have returned with their sophomore album Parade, and it is a piece of pure happiness. Kathryn and Mark’s voices together are magical and work together like two trapeze artists, full of trust and knowing one anothers whereabouts through instinct.
“Calgary ‘88” for me, and anyone else who was fortunate enough to have experienced the Olympics, instantly relates to this song title without having listened to it. Whenever I think of the Calgary Olympics, I immediately think of Eddie the Eagle! Mark shared “so this song which was originally quite strummy instead became palm-muted in the best throwback way circa-’88.” I appreciate so much hearing of the songwriting process and the inspirational choices that are made along the way.
Parade, in my opinion, is equal to a painting which, changes, evolves and expands everytime you look, or as in this instance, listen to it. The album has so many well placed musical pieces, building and blossoming when fitting, yet always staying true to what the song is calling for. The songs and the album as a whole, fit into so many aspects of your day-to-day life, be it walking, exercising or just lying and listening. The album explores shoegaze; however, the layers have clarity and allowance for every note to cut through and say what needs to be heard.
On a final note, if you are having a moment where you just need a pick me up or a smile, please take a moment and watch Frontperson’s video for “Parade”. It was my first introduction to Frontperson and it made me SMILE! It has Sky Dancers in the video!! Sky Dancers!!!
“Headphones. That’s the only way to listen to music. It’s all kinds of different emotions because you get real quiet and comfortable and just listen to it.” ~ Gregg Allman
- Branton Langley
Shaina Hayes
to coax a waltz // Self Released
I’ve been searching. Soul searching for a better way of living. I want organic, home grown, natural pure goodness. You’ve been searching for all this too hey? Well look no further than the natural beauty and sounds of Shaina Hayes. It’s all that goodness and more. All carefully wrapped up in a debut album full of love. Titled to coax a waltz. It’s pure.
Shaina Hayes was born in a farming and fishing village in Shigawake, Quebec. Hayes brings a refreshing real sound and feel that are as genuine as her upbringing and heritage. Rugged and hard working. Soft and soothing. to coax a waltz emulates all this and more. Released on April 29th, 2022 with Take Aim. Shaina Hayes, Francis Ledoux and David Marchand produced this beautifully. Many hands stitched this together like a patchwork quilt. Love in every stitch like the love in every note played by every musician who helped to piece it all together and carefully crafted these compositions in Shigawake itself. On Hayes' home turf. It just doesn’t get more organic than that.
‘Honey Friend’ in all its simplistic beauty felt like home to me. A flowery fabric backdrop. Antique tea cups, leafy greens, ladybugs, flowers and berries. Water rippling. Fields of wild flowers and grasses. An old time feel. I was captivated by the visual representation of it. Oh but the sound. Hayes is a songbird blending her soulful voice with her acoustic guitar. The drum beat is an elegant and simple soothing shuffle. The pedal steel guitar with its watery sound adds a wavy feel that harmonizes with her vocals in perfection. It’s heartbreaking and hopeful at the same time. The ending she sings “I’m a rose of a lover when I’m ready or not. I will keep it steady blooming give it all that I got” to me it says…I will not give up though I’m full of thorns. There is something good here worth caring for here. The layers of soft harmonies, and that pedal steel guitar fades out slowly. To say it tugged on my heartstrings is an understatement…moved me to tears.
There is more than one visual representation on this album that gives a sense of who Shaina Hayes is and that of her roots and upbringing. ‘Mud’ is beautiful, full of grit and hard work. Hayes is working the yard. Preparing the dirt. Pulling back the covers from the fruit bushes over winter. Pruning old branches to promote new growth. Homesteading is a huge movement. This is where I see the world going. Back to the roots of our grandparents and ancestors. In the video Hayes does her work on the farm in the cold wind and weather. You can feel the chill in your bones. When done she gets herself ready to go. Hayes hops in her ride takes a drive to the city to get on stage with her guitar and sing. It’s truly beautiful, grounded, and real. We need more ‘real’.
‘Now and Then’ is a fine continuation of the depth of Hayes' roots. ‘Even pasture gets turned over to make way for the grain’. Singing of the ruggedness of how she was raised. Some things ending makes way for new growth and that’s okay. Some friendships are better severed and that's okay too. Time to re-evaluate what’s important. What’s in your heart. Time to honour that and your past, present, and future no matter what it holds. We change like the seasons.
Shaina Hayes and her debut to coax a waltz will leave you swooning for more of her crooning. Please check out the Shigawake Live Sessions on Youtube along with the excellent videos she’s released for this debut. This album is truly a gift. Thank you for this Hayes. You may want to catch the launch of to coax a waltz live on May 25th at URSA in Montreal if you're in the area don’t miss out on this!
Be good to each other
Love Always,
Green Noreen
The Hypochondriacs
Waitin' // Just Right Music
Everyone STOP what you're doing. Listen up. Get up and do a happy dance. Here I am, sitting on my couch. Taking a break. Geez I wonder, what new albums are being released in the network looking for an album in need of a loving review. Bammmm.... it was like love at first listen. The feeling of being run over by a freight train, not that I've actually had that happen but curiosity hasn't killed this cat yet. There I was, I could not leave this one alone. I am just in awe. The Hypochondriacs and their Outlaw Country, Rockabilly, American sound is absolutely up my alley. Stephanie Harrold music fans look out, I can feel a musical influence coming on.
Oh boy "Cheated" "for the first time, last time tonight". Who hasn't been cheated, I am sure everyone will experience it at some point in life. Doesn't that sound like fun? Let's go with no. An upbeat reformed country rhythm with somber lyrics. Please let me up for air. I just can't get enough. How can a cheating song be so fun? Listen to this new classic line "you said when you were with him you only thought of me" I had to have a little chuckle. Cheating isn't cool, but this song moves you into that fun happy place. Every member of the band pulling off all the chops and guitar licks, punchy keys, horns to create a tasteful old time, new flow country masterpiece.
The Hypochondriacs spirited old time upbeat walk back in the past nailed it with "Caught Up". "I don't want to be untied", exceptionally yummy. I don't want to be untied from your music.
"Wrong" a rollercoaster ride. Blasting ending of craziness. Someone go get the old timers on the boom box. Come on out and meet your match. The Hypochondriacs got your back.
"Chunky Dunk" shout out to Conner Fox. I am fascinated with your wicked skills. Gracing every song with brightness. Tearing into it and holding nothing back. I would love to see The Hypochondriacs perform live someday. I can feel the life and excitement you would portray on stage in your music.
"Highway #2" loneliness and heart break and just when you think you have heard it all. What more tricks can they have in their album? Surprise surprise, Josh Bravener brings on some yodelling. Wild wild west, visions of outlaws on the run, horses, guns, dust and booze, streaming through my mind.
The grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. "Would you love me if I came home", "I wish I didn't go". That is "Gospel" right there. "The outside world is getting old". I can wear those shoes and our kids are going to be preaching this song to us someday.
Fabulous fabulous album. 39 minutes of pure love and excitement. I'll be "Waitin" on the next album.
- Stephanie Harrold
