So when I came across this Tweet last night from Ian Drew (Senior Music Editor for Us Weekly)...
@Ian_UsMusic: Plan B about to go on to heat up this snowstorm
I was A. slightly seething with jealousy and B. totally craving some of that music from across the pond (I love my Brit music) and C. totally thrilled that Plan B was finally finding their way to North America.
So I figured I'd do my own makeshift 'Plan B' concert by queuing up a whole bunch of their videos on YouTube and pretending I was there along side Ian taking in the brilliant musical bliss that is Plan B (a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do).
Plan B's music is just that good. Check it out for yourself with these three videos...
She Said
Prayin'
Love Goes Down
With the Juno Awards coming up in Ottawa on April 1st, I decided to spotlight some of the next up and coming Canadian artists—who knows one day they may be gracing the Juno stage...
Up first, is an artist who has already made his way to my iPod. Drum roll please. His name? James Struthers.
Think old skool John Mayer meets Jack Johnson mixed in with Jason Mraz and Gavin DeGraw...and with that you have James Struthers.
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Occupation: Musician, Student, Entrepreneur
Interests: Music Movies
Movies: Pulp Fiction Snatch Charlie Chaplin Motion Pictures Pay It Foward
Musical Inspiration: Norah Jones, Feist, G Love & Special Sauce, John Mayer (The music not the man) Jason Mraz, Jay Malinoski, Frank Sinatra, Leonard Cohen and Perry Cuomo
About James:
With his deep blue eyes, disarming smile and cool, calm demeanor, James Struthers may be a 20-something heartthrob; but his allure goes far beyond the sight lines. He's also an incredibly gifted songwriter and guitarist with a soulful voice and relentless, DIY work ethic. True 'DIY' and 'Pop Music' aren’t typically phrases you hear used together – nonetheless Struthers’ promotional skills succeeded in doing what no other Winnipeg artist has done – selling out the historic Pyramid Cabaret for his first-ever headlining gig, the CD release party for his debut EP, Nadia.
He accomplished the feat by personally spreading signed invitations around malls, bus shacks, libraries – pretty much on any free surface with the promise: present the invite at the show and get free entrance and a free copy of the Nadia CD.
As such, it's no surprise that James caught the attention of a management/production team responsible for developing the careers of some of some of most talked about break-out Canadian artists in recent years, including Inward Eye (RCA), Ash Koley (Nettwerk) & Remy Shand (Universal/Motown).
Some say Jamie resembles a young Prince Williams, but in my most humble of opinions he reminds me more of a Hardy Jenns meets Steff. (If you have to ask who they are...A. you are not a child of the 80s and B. have never ever seen a John Hughes film)
What Are We Waiting For
Baby Blues
Head over to his website and sign up for two free songs...cause free music is always a good thing.
So someone tweeted about Lykke Li last night on Twitter and I've had this song on the brain ever since....
Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson (born 18 March 1986), better known by her stage name Lykke Li, is a Swedish indie singer. Her music is eclectic fusing together pop, electronic, and alternative rock plus makes full use of violins, tambourines, trumpets, saxophones, and cellos.
Here is her latest video for the track 'Get Some'
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