Sappyfest has confirmed the line-up for its 2008 festival, including acts such as The Acorn, Attack in Black, Chad Van Gaalen, Julie Doiron & Miracle Fortress. Taking place in Sackville, NB, the festival will see over sixty bands perform between Friday, August 1 and Sunday, August 3.

SappyFest is an independent music festival produced by Sappy Records in Partnership with the Ok.Quoi?! Contemporary Arts Festival, Struts Gallery and Faucet Media Arts Centre. Now in it’s third year, the festival has returned with an exciting and artistically diverse line-up of bands that ranges from mod revival to country folk and psychedelic trance.

Acts confirmed for the festival thus far include: acclaimed post-folk act The Acorn; roots punk group Attack In Black; pop mavericks The Bicycles; uke-folk songsmith The Burning Hell; 2007 Polaris Prize nominee Chad Van Gaalen; singer/songwriter Christine Fellows; gloom rock hero’s Dog Day; post-rock upstarts D’ubervilles; 2007 Polaris Prize nominee Julie Doiron; Paperbag Records recording artist Laura Barrett; symphonic pop wizards Miracle Fortress; folk-revival mastermind Old Man Luedecke; reclusive genius Rick White; Constellation recording artist Sandro Perri; lo-fi luminary Shotgun Jimmie; acclaimed singer/songwriter Snailhouse; cute-core duo The Superfantastics; sprawling rock collective The Got To Get Got; punk-raver-destruction band Think About Life.

Other acts confirmed to perform at Sappyfest include: 100 Dollars, Adam & The Amethysts, Baby Eagle, The Baird Brothers, B.A. Johnston, Bette & Wallet, Bruce Peninsula, Calm Down It’s Monday, Castle Music, Cat Pontoon, Colonial Quarrels, Construction & Destruction, Deloro, Elfin Saddle, Erica Wehry, Eric Chenaux, Ghost Bees, Hard Drugs, Jenny Omnichord, Jim Bryson, John Tielli & The Metal Kites, Just Barelys, Katie Stelmanis, Koak, Love Singer, Luyas, Mardeen, Memories Attack, Motion Ensemble, Play Guitar, Quest For Fire, Richard Laviolette, Share, The Silt, The Stance, Thesis, Wax Mannequin, West Ave, Wet Nose Hero and Woolly Leaves.

Early bird weekend passes are now available for $60. Individual tickets will be available on June 1. Passes and tickets are available at all participating Ticketpro Outlets (www.ticketpro.ca).

For more information on Sappyfest, visit: www.sappyrecords.com/festival.htm

Continue reading for a complete list of acts and their websites (more…)

Vinyl IS awesome and so is the idea behind this art show:

ARGYLE FINE ART PRESENTS:
Vinylview
On July 10, 2008, Argyle Fine Art will host a new and exciting exhibition combining both the musical and visual arts. Artists from all backgrounds are encouraged to participate.

Applicants are asked to create artworks using vinyl records, and if desired, record sleeves. This is an open call to all visual art forms; artists are not restricted to using specific mediums. You may for instance paint directly onto the vinyl, or you may use the record as material for sculpture. Recycled records will be provided by the gallery free of charge, and are currently available for pick-up.

Although this is an open call, ALL works will be accepted at the discretion of the gallery. Applicants must send a jpeg of completed works to Argyle Fine Art via e-mail by June 19th. Artists that have been chosen will be notified ASAP, once we have received their proposal.

Accepted artworks will be sold at a retail price chosen by the artist, and the gallery will assume 50% commission from this price. The gallery will then donate 10% of its profits to a TBA charity in support of music education.

This show will run from July 10th until August 4th. Artists will be required to pick up any unsold work after the show has ended.

p.s.-if you are a musician and would like to play at this reception, let us know. we would be interested in hearing from YOU.

Please telephone or email the gallery if you have any questions in regards to show requirements.

Runs from Thursday, July 10, 2008 to Monday, August 4, 2008
Argyle Fine Art
1869 Upper Water Street
Halifax, NS

Phone: 9024259456
Email: gallery@argylefa.com

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As part of the Searchlight survey Radio3 has been holding over the past few weeks they have narrowed it down to the final five:

Back Alley Music – Charlottetown, PEI
Backstreet Records – Saint John, NB
Meow Records – Prince George, BC
Sound Connection – Edmonton, AB
Taz Records – Halifax, NS

Go vote on the Radio3 site

“In this digital era of music, it is a very real possibility that the indie record store may go the way of the dodo,” said CBC Radio 3 host Grant Lawrence in a statement. “We want to shine a light on all the great stores across the country that are making a go of it, in the spirit of independent rock ’n’ roll, and surviving against the odds.”

- Via Exclaim

And from Taz Records:

As well, Sat, Apr.19th is Record Store Day and we figured it would be best to celebrate this the way a record store should…lots of local artists playing the music you love at a place where you can buy it!

Sat, Apr.19th
Taz Records
1pm / Free

With:
Old Man Luedecke
Tanya Davis
Laura Merrimen
Save September
Rumoured to be Alive
le skiv

Live! Thursday April 17th at Gus’ Pub, it’s

HotKid (Rock ‘n Roll two piece from Cambridge ONT) www.hotkid.ca
Hype: Ian Blurton is producing HotKid’s new album and Rick White will be mixing it.

Joined at the hip by…

Myles Deck and the Fuzz www.mylesdeckandthefuzz.ca

and

The Whiskey Kisses www.myspace.com/thewhiskeykisses

Starts at 10pm or so. Five bucks at the door.

The University of King’s College will present a public lecture by KRS-ONE (www.krs-one.com) on Saturday, March 15 at 4:00 pm in Alumni Hall (New Academic Building, 6350 Coburg Road). He will speak on hip hop, social justice and the role of music in social movements. All are welcome to attend and admission is free.

Head over to Herohill for a complete run down on events happening this evening:
KRS-One Headlines Busy Friday In Halifax

So I missed getting this up yesterday, so here is their recap from last night and an early reminder for next week!

Music Nova Scotia’s inaugural Open Mic Night at The Seahorse in Halifax opened its welcoming arms last night to a couple hundred musicians, industry folks and fans. Several Music Nova Scotia board members came to enjoy the music and meet the members and Music Nova Scotia staff members were on hand to offer information about the industry association. The night produced a palpable electricity of camaraderie and creativity.

“This makes so much sense…”

Three long pages of musicians signed up to play, starting at 7 p.m. The extensive talent ranged from the sweet sounds of Molly Rankin to the strong vocals of newcomer Emily Steeves. The MacGillivray Brothers offered fine harmonies and The Folklore Centre’s David Bradshaw showed he can do much more than sell stringed instruments.

Old school open mic player Dusty Keeler offered fine folk tunes and special guest Ryan MacGrath blew away the audience with his epic waltzes. Even the boys from Faded Blue and Kev Corbett jumped on stage to add backup percussion.

“Now, this is art.”
In the industry room, photographer and designer Chr!s Sm!th displayed his stylish music photos. Look out for up-and-comer photographer Scott Blackburn next Tuesday, March 11.

The whole event was given the media spotlight by Paul Brothers from MuchMusic’s Going Coastal and the boys from East Coast Countdown, who will feature MNS Open Mic Nights on a continuous basis online.

“…and then Shaun Majumder played bongos with MNS board member Bill Appleby.”

The night started early and was expected to end by midnight, but the audience demanded more, leading to Music Nova Scotia board member Bill Appleby of Cape Breton belting out some gravelly songs with surprise guest Shaun Majumder (22 Minutes, 24, Unhitched) offering backup on vocals and bongos.

Music Nova Scotia’s Open Mic Night will be held every Tuesday night at The Seahorse (1665 Argyle Street, Halifax). It’s an opportunity for members and interested musicians to perform short acoustic sets on a Music Nova Scotia stage. But it’s also an opportunity for industry folks to get together for a casual meet and greet. There are plans to expand the invitation to full bands, including jazz nights.

Music Nova Scotia staff will always be on hand to offer news and information about Music Nova Scotia.

The music begins EARLY at 8 p.m. You never know who will show up as a surprise guest! Admission is FREE!

If you’re interested in playing, show up after 7 p.m. on Tuesdays to sign up with Troy Arsenault. Musicians who didn’t get to play last Tuesday will be put at the top of the list for Tuesday, March 11 – so show up early!

For more information, contact Troy Arsenault or Laura Simpson at openmic@musicnovascotia.ca or call the Music Nova Scotia office at (902) 423-6271.

Visit us online at www.musicnovascotia.ca

Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies hosts a one-hour special celebrating the best music from the east coast on BARENAKED EAST COAST MUSIC! The East Coast Music Awards (ECMAs) threw a four-day party and this special captures the celebrations held in Fredericton earlier this month. It telecasts on CBC Television on Saturday, March 2 at 7 p.m.