There’s set to be a strong Canadian wave of music coming through Sydney over this next week, with some exciting new artists popping up to perform as part of this year’s Australian Music Week, as well as part of the great ‘Canada Down Under’ event in Newtown next Thursday night.
Ahead of all this goodness from the land of the maple leaf, we find out some more about the artists touching down on Australian shores.
PAPER LIONS
Who are you and what band do you play in?
I am Colin and I play in the Canadian pop/rock band Paper Lions.
What can you tell us about your project’s latest release?
We released Full Colour in Fall 2016. It’s our biggest and brightest album to date. We wanted to push ourselves out of the confines of the traditional ‘rock band’ songwriting process. We created a challenge to write entirely in the studio and gave ourselves more time to workshop ideas, rather than just bang them out in a practice space.
What can we expect from your live show in Australia?
Our live show is very upbeat. I think we have one slow jam in the entire set these days. We like to bring the party and engage the audience to let loose and have fun. To not just listen to the music but also be a part of it.
Do you have a favourite show you’ve performed so far this year?
We played a show this summer in our home town of Montague, Prince Edward Island, Canada. It’s a really small community that we all went to high school in. It’s where we played our first shows ever as a high school band but we hadn’t been back in probably 10 years. We had a lot of old friends, family and even old teachers come out to the show. My childhood best friend who is a chef now, did a cooking demo to open the show. [Laughs] It was super fun!
What are you looking forward to most about your visit to Australia? Have you been here before?
Yea! We did a tour winter (our winter, your summer) 2015/2016. Played the Woodford Folk Festival, which was amazing. We have been super excited to come back since.
Do you have a favourite Australian artist/band?
Well there are the classics: AC/DC, Midnight Oil, Crowded House. But also love modern Australian groups like Tame Impala and Dune Rats.
If we want to learn more about your band/project, and hear some of your music, where do we go?
www.paperlions.com or look us up on YouTube.
LOUISE BURNS
What can you tell us about your project’s latest release?
I released my third album Young Mopes this year. It’s western pop noir with a side order of new romantic, shimmering in self awareness and pop melodies. I co-produced it with Colin Stewart (Black Mountain) and Damian Taylor (Bjork, Trust, Austra).
What can we expect from your live show in Australia?
A glam rock extravaganza, filled with sequins, harmonies and the pure joy of getting to play a show in AUSTRALIA!
Do you have a favourite show you’ve performed so far this year?
We had a great tour in Canada with The Zolas. Every show was amazing. I also loved playing Dawson City Music Festival in the Yukon. It is one of the most beautiful places in Canada, filled with amazing people and true music lovers. I also got to open for The Sadies this year in Vancouver. They’re guitar gods, it was a truly humbling experience.
What are you looking forward to most about your visit to Australia? Have you been here before?
Absolutely everything about it. I’ve wanted to come here since I was a child, and I am so thrilled to be finally here doing what I love most. We’re looking forward to checking out Melbourne, Sydney Harbour, the wildlife all around Australia and the nature. I also really must fine Rowland S Howard’s Teenage Snuff Film on vinyl…
Do you have a favourite Australian artist/band?
Too many. Nick Cave, Rowland S. Howard, Kylie Minogue, INXS, the list goes on…
If we want to learn more about your band/project, and hear some of your music, where do we go?
I’m a terrible millennial: my website is a joke. Please visit my Facebook page or Spotify.
DYLAN MENZIE
Who are you? What band do you play in?
My name is Dylan Menzie. I am a solo artist from Prince Edward Island, Canada. I say solo artist but I also have a trio that I love playing with and I also sometimes play as a duo.
What can you tell us about your project’s latest release?
My last release was in 2016, an album called Adolescent Nature. The record focused on finding yourself, both at home and abroad, mostly through the eyes of adolescence.
What can we expect from your live show in Australia?
There’s quite a lot of distance between Canada and Australia, which makes travelling with a rock show almost impossible. So, this trip, we’re going with a softer acoustic duo.
Do you have a favourite show you’ve performed so far this year?
Earlier on in the year I had the chance to play at Edmonton Folk Festival in Alberta, Canada. It is the biggest folk festival in Canada. Playing for and connecting to thousands of people is an experience I’ll never get over. The energy at those kind of events is intoxicating.
What are you looking forward to most about your visit to Australia?
Summer is long gone by now in Canada, so I’m looking forward to feeling 30 plus temperatures at the beach again!
Have you been here before?
I haven’t, I have family in Australia, so it’s always been on my radar but this will be my first time.
Do you have a favourite Australian artist/band?
Easily Tame Impala, not just a favourite Australian band but a favourite in general.
If we want to learn more about your band/project, and hear some of your music, where do we go?
The best place to go would be dylanmenzie.com but I’m also on Spotify, Apple Music, Google Play, Bandcamp, all the big ones.
TWIN PEAKS
Who are you? What band do you play in?
Twin Peaks.
What can you tell us about your project’s latest release?
We just released a new single called “Beating Heart”, leading up to this two month Australian tour!
What can we expect from your live show in Australia?
Laughs and harmonies! We’re known for our off the cuff stage banter and our sister like harmonies.
Do you have a favourite show you’ve performed so far this year?
We’ve been touring Australia for a month and every single show over here has been incredible! The highlight has probably been the Dorrigo Bluegrass Festival.
What are you looking forward to most about your visit to Australia? Have you been here before?
This is our first time in Australia and so far it’s incredible, we’ve had a very warm welcome, the music scene here is so supportive. We’ve met countless fantastic friends!
Do you have a favourite Australian artist/band?
Our top two have got to be Liz Stringer and This Way North, #ladypower
If we want to learn more about your band/project, and hear some of your music, where do we go?
AMY NELSON
Who are you?
Hey! I’m Amy! I am SO excited to be back in Cronulla for 2017 Australian Music Week. I had a blast showcasing here last year. Plus, it started snowing back home the day before I left to come here, so the timing couldn’t be better!
What can you tell us about your project’s latest release?
I am about to release my third EP, but this will be the first EP I have released in Australia! The debut single from this EP, called “ish”, went Top 10 on Australia’s KIX Country Radio Network (over 60 stations aross the country) and the video was played on CMC. The next single, “Hey Love” is schedule for release on November 13th.
What can we expect from your live show in Australia?
Lots of energy, sarcastic remarks and solid vocals. My music is uptempo and catchy. It is best described as modern country with a pop/rock influence.
Do you have a favourite show you’ve performed so far this year?
I lived and worked on the Gold Coast many years ago as a backpacker. Having the opportunity to come back to this area and perform during the Broadbeach Country Music Festival this past July was a very cool opportunity. The festival was a ton of fun and I got to take in a bunch of shows that other artists were performing at as well.
What are you looking forward to most about your visit to Australia?
This is my fifth trip to Australia. To say I am falling in love with this country is an understatement. I am excited to be a performing at the first ever “Country Music Showcase” during Australian Music Week
Do you have a favourite Australian artist/band?
Jetty Road – when I was first starting out back in Canada, they were touring across the country and I ended up as the supporting act at one of their shows. I fell in love with their music and have followed their career ever since. This past summer I re-connected with them at the Broadbeach Music Festival. They are not only talented, they are amazing people – just as I remember them from so many years ago.
If we want to learn more about your band/project, and hear some of
your music, where do we go?
The best place would be my website – www.amynelson.ca, but if you prefer socials, you can find me on any of those too – @amynelsonmusic. While you are there…send me a message! I’d love to meet you!
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Australian Music Week runs in Cronulla until November 3rd. For more information, visit www.australianmusicweek.com. Check out the free Canadian showcase lined up for Sydney next week, here.
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