Monthly Archives: March 2016

Ron Hawkins’ Spit Sputter and Sparkle Out Tomorrow

Canadian singer-songwriter, Ron Hawkins, will release his new album, Spit Sputter and Sparkle, tomorrow via Pheromone Recordings. The album features 11 new originals, including the first single/video, Beautiful Girl, which is sitting pretty at #12 on CBC’s R2-20, and check out the whole album today as part of First Play on CBCmusic.ca. Before Ron kicks off his upcoming tour dates on March 29th in Winnipeg, he will spend two nights at Lee’s Palace on March 25th and 26th with Lowest of the Low (full details below). Spit Sputter and Sparkle is Ron’s 15th album of original material and due to lift him onto the musical pedestal he has clearly earned. Album is available on iTunes http://bit.ly/rhsssitunes and physical at http://bit.ly/rhssscd.

What the press have been saying:
“…his latest artistic creation is a sparkling thing of beauty.”
– Winnipeg Free Press

“The Lowest of the Low frontman unveils another tightly woven solo effort.”
– Pop Forecast

“Spry, spunky and splendid.”
– Sun Media

“There’s plenty here for fans of Hawkins and Lowest of the Low and if this is what he can come up with on such a quick turnover, then we’d happily receive an album every year from one of the country’s most prized artists.”
– CBCMusic.ca

As lead singer/multi-instrumentalist of Canada’s legendary Lowest of the Low, Ron has enjoyed many accolades through the years. Chart Magazine honoured the group’s 1991 debut album, Shakespeare My Butt, with spots in the top 10 of the Top 100 Canadian Albums of All Time, Ron has received Toronto station 102.1 The Edge’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2000), and has been voted Songwriter of the Year by NOW Magazine’s reader’s poll in 2000 and once again in 2015. In 2008 Lowest of the Low was inducted into the Canadian Indie Rock Hall of Fame and awarded gold records for Shakespeare My Butt.

Listen to Beautiful Girl:
https://soundcloud.com/pheromonerecordings/rh-beautiful-girl

Jenny Berkel Shares New Track From Upcoming Album, Announces Spring Tour Dates Beginning April 14

Montreal based songwriter Jenny Berkel is getting ready to support her upcoming sophomore album with a string of tour dates beginning on April 14. Set for release the following day, April 15, via Pheromone Recordings, Pale Moon Kid was recorded with gifted producer Daniel Romano. Steeped in sparkling guitars, sparse piano, pulsing bass, and percussion, this glowing new collection reveals writing that has grown even sharper and more lyrical.

Born in the heart of Ontario’s lush forests and fields, Berkel’s music has drawn her across the country, experiencing dramatic changes in landscape. This constant shifting finds its rest in her songs, as is the case with album track “Wealth In The Country”, available to stream and share today.

“This song came from a stormy autumn spent in a cottage on a farm in southern Ontario,” says Berkel. “The farm was on the very outskirts of the city; to get there, you had to drive down this little gravel road with a high bridge to get over the train tracks. From the top of the bridge, you could see the shape of the suburbs, but from the bottom, you could feel completely enclosed by the forest and fields. The images in this song come from my time there. I love how we recorded this – at its heart, it’s very much a folk song, but the production shifts it into a new and exciting direction.”

Recorded with Romano at the peak of summer in Welland, ON, they were joined in studio by Berkel’s sister, Kay Berkel, who was an important part of making Pale Moon Kid. “The three of us spent eight days in the studio, building the songs layer by layer, coming up for breaths of fresh air and slices of Welland’s famed Rex’ pizza,” says Berkel. “I couldn’t be happier with the work we did together.”

Since releasing her debut album, Here on a Wire, Berkel has been intoxicating listeners with her evocative songs and voice. Both on her own and as part of Daniel Romano’s Trilliums band, her consistent touring has garnered fans across the country and ocean.

LISTEN AND SHARE “WEALTH IN THE COUNTRY” HERE
PRE-ORDER PALE MOON KID VIA iTUNES
PRE-ORDER PALE MOON KID VIA MAPLEMUSIC