BEN ROGERS ANNOUNCES SPRING TOUR DATES WITH BAHAMAS

BEN ROGERS CANADIAN TOUR DATES WITH BAHAMAS BEGIN MARCH 18

LISTEN / BUY “A CHANGED MAN” HERE

ROGERS RECENTLY SIGNED TO DALLAS GREEN’S NEWLY MINTED STILL RECORDS FOR UPCOMING LP

PHOTO CREDIT : Vanessa Heins // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

2019 aims to be a busy one for Ben Rogers. The BC songwriter has already revealed that his new LP IS due out next year on Dallas Green’s Still Records, and now he’ll also be joining Bahamas on the road for a run of Canadian tour dates throughout Ontario in March. Full tour dates can be found below with tickets on sale today, December 20 at 10 am EST. Ticket links can be found HERE.

Recently, Rogers released album single “A Changed Man” which Exclaim! called a “melancholic Americana-tinged ballad that was inspired by the dark experiences of others.” Rogers comments he “loosely based it on a true story. But, the more I wrote, the more I realized that it is based on many true stories. Far too many. Domestic violence is endemic and I dedicate it to the victims and survivors of abuse.”

“A Changed Man” is the first song Rogers wrote for his upcoming album, which was produced by Green. “It opened up a different aspect of my voice that I hadn’t previously been in touch with,” says Rogers. “In a way it felt like the first time I’d ever actually sang in my life. It was the beginning of my rebirth as a songwriter and performer.”

LISTEN / BUY “A CHANGED MAN” HERE

"A Changed Man" by Ben Rogers Follow Ben Rogers online: Website: https://www.benrogersmusic.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/benrogersband/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/justbenrogers Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benrogersmusic/

With a pair of acclaimed solo albums to his name – 2015’s The Bloodred Yonder and 2013’s Lost Stories: Volume One – Ben Rogers has been turning heads with compelling songs and captivating performances for a while now. On his previous records, listeners were gravitating towards his fresh take on country-tinged folk and Americana, Rogers found himself drifting away from it. Earlier, Rogers gave us a taste of the new direction he’s headed with, “Steady Going Nowhere”, a song about "the streets and alleys of East Vancouver and it's dedicated to the people who call those streets and alleys home,” says Rogers.

The sound – still rooted in folk and Americana, though now with an earnest new attitude permeates throughout – is a raw, hazy, rock-inspired swagger that channels the likes of possessed masterminds from Nick Cave to Otis Redding to Marc Bolan of T.Rex. Put simply, it is enveloping and the authenticity is palpable.

LISTEN / BUY “STEADY GOING NOWHERE” HERE

Keep your ear to the ground for more details on Roger’s upcoming LP and future tour dates.

2019 TOUR DATES W/ BAHAMAS
Mar 18 - St. Catharines, ON - FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
Mar 20 - Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Sault Community Theatre Centre
Mar 21 - Sudbury, ON - Fraser Auditorium
Mar 22 - Barrie, ON - Mavrick’s Music Hall
Mar 23 - Hamilton, ON - New Vision United Church
Mar 25 - Peterborough, ON - Showplace Performance Theatre
Mar 26 - London, ON - London Music Hall
Mar 27 - North Bay, ON - Capitol Centre

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ABOUT STILL RECORDS
Still Records is a record label established in September 2018 by multi-Platinum acclaimed singer, songwriter and performer Dallas Green. An imprint of award-winning independent label Dine Alone Records, which was started to put out City and Colour’s debut album Sometimes. Still Records is a place where Green will curate a collection of projects that he thinks deserve to be heard and enjoyed.

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INQUIRIES : cristina@listenharder.com

BERNICE ANNOUNCE WINTER TOUR DATES, SHARE NEW VIDEO & HOLIDAY SONG

WATCH AND SHARE “HE’S THE MOON” HERE

LISTEN AND SHARE “LEONARDO (AND WHAT HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS)” HERE

NORTH AMERICAN WINTER TOUR DATES BEGIN JAN 18

PUFF LP: IN THE AIR WITHOUT A SHAPE OUT NOW VIA ARTS & CRAFTS

STREAM/BUY PUFF: IN THE AIR WITHOUT A SHAPE

"analytical, self-dissecting... a monument to ephemerality" - New York Times

“one of Toronto’s great off-kilter pop hopes” - The FADER

“[Bernice] create a mesmerizing sound... so much so that it is easy to hit repeat on the track and you only realize a handful of hours later that's all you've been listening to.” - Noisey

“among the most interesting and underrated bands making music right now...beautiful, and not to be overlooked” - Exclaim!

“one of the most interesting bands out of Toronto right now”- Pigeons & Planes

This January, Bernice will be taking their celebrated new LP on the road for a run tour dates throughout the US and Canada. Out now via Arts & Crafts, Puff LP : in the air without a shape, has already landed on Best Of 2018 lists from Exclaim!, NOW Toronto, and Dominionated, and was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize.

Vocalist/songwriter Robin Dann says of the tour : “We’ll be driving our 2004 sky blue Toyota Sienna named Chezzie. It makes an enormous difference to a show when some friends are in the audience – seriously – so please come out and see us, and if you feel comfortable, let your friends know about our shows. Touring is fun, and not fun, and easy, and hard, and playing music makes it worthwhile – but really we’re in it for the Whole Foods salad bar.” Full tour dates can be found below.

Today, the group is also sharing the new video for “He’s The Moon”, filmed and edited by Toronto-based artist and filmmaker John Price mostly on 35mm kodak film. “John gathered and combined footage of several things, including his son getting a haircut with no front teeth and a squirrel interrupting some snacking birds,” says Dann. “The video doesn’t tell a story, but rather speaks visually the mood that the song sings - a kind of nostalgic peace, and a self awareness that can only come from time and experience, no matter how we might try to rush it along.”

WATCH AND SHARE “HE’S THE MOON” HERE

Directed, Edited and Cinematography by John Price Buy / Stream: "Puff: In The Air Without A Shape" https://bernice.lnk.to/Puff Catch Bernice on Tour: https://arts-crafts.ca/tourdates/bernice.html __________________________________________________________________ LYRICS: Oh, it was wonderful And it was worth it And it lasted a long time And we wondered into something we shouldn't have And we're sorry But it was ours too But how do you know him?

Bernice is also sharing the new holiday tune, “Leonardo (And What He Wants For Christmas)”. For this year’s track, the group worked together with Sing Me A Story, an American organization who ask children in hospital or other care that serves children in need to write stories about anything they want. They then ask songwriters to set those stories to music, and use the songs to raise money for those programs, as well as giving each child their own personal song.

They chose a song by Shaiquan, age 9, in care at the children's hospital of Wisconsin. His story is called “Leonardo (And What He Wants For Christmas)”.

LISTEN AND SHARE “LEONARDO (AND WHAT HE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS)” HERE

Puff LP: In the air without a shape is the minimalist follow-up to 2017’s maximalist, Grammy Award-winner Shawn Everett-produced Puff EP. That five song collection garnered critical attention from from its first single “Glue”, which Stereogum lauded as both “gorgeous” and “surprising” and Pitchfork praised, noting that though Bernice’s enigmatic sound is difficult to categorize with traditional genre labels, “reinvention continues to be one of few constants in Bernice’s music, and they’re all the more interesting for it.” Puff LP cut, “He’s The Moon”, grabbed the attention of the New York Times who proclaimed it to be “a monument to ephemerality.”

STREAM/BUY PUFF: IN THE AIR WITHOUT A SHAPE

 BERNICE TOUR DATES:
Jan 18 - Chicago, IL @ Tomorrow Never Knows Festival (Schuba's)
Jan 20 - Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club
Jan 21 - Minneapolis, MN @ 7th Street Entry
Jan 22 - Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
Jan 23 - Winnipeg, MB @ Big Fun Festival (The Ballroom)
Jan 24 - Saskatoon, SK @ Winterruption! Festival (Black Cat)
Jan 25 - Calgary, AB @ Big Winter Classic (King Eddy)
Jan 26 - Rossland, BC @ Blizzard Fest (Eagles Lodge)
Jan 27 - Vancouver, BC @ Red Gate
Jan 29 - Victoria, BC @ Copper Owl
Jan 30 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
Jan 31 - Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
Feb 2 - Eugene, OR @ Old Nick's
Feb 4 - San Francisco, CA @ Brick & Mortar
Feb 5 - Los Angeles, CA @ Bootleg Theatre

Puff LP: In the air without a shape is Bernice tackling pop minimalism; the stripped-down album touches on jazz as much as the enigmatic mix of pop, electronic, and R&B with their unique air of playfulness. Sitting between Enya, Julia Holter, Chairlift, and Deerhoof where clear vocal melodies fly kites over spare arrangements, Bernice’s new album attempts to mimic the playful intimacy of the band’s live show.

“Our goal was to capture how we really sound,” says Robin Dann of the new album, which also features new takes on EP standouts “David” and “St Lucia”. “Some people in a room, playing music together.”

Recording the album to tape at Breakglass Studios in Montreal (with the exception of “He’s The Moon” and “Passenger Plane”), the band fell in love with the open spaciousness of the studio and how much it allowed them to connect whilst performing. “The vocal booths have sightlines to the band room through windows. We did live takes of each song to tape. We could look at each other, try different things, mostly we got each song in a few takes,” said Dann of the recording process.

STREAM/BUY PUFF: IN THE AIR WITHOUT A SHAPE

MORE PRAISE FOR BERNICE

“deeply textured, largely experimental songs filled with wondrous and mysterious sounds” - NPR's All Songs Considered

“intricate, dream-like music from deeply emotional lyrics and woozy electronic beats.” - Pitchfork

“Experimental jazz-pop that breathes” - The FADER

“gorgeous, surprising” - Stereogum

“occupies your subconscious, leaving vestiges of melodies and lyrics behind that lie dormant for stretches of time, resurfacing intermittently and maddeningly” - Tiny Mix Tapes

MORE ABOUT BERNICE

Bernice, the project of Toronto-based vocalist/songwriter Robin Dann, blends "melodies reminiscent of artists like Sade with the playful sounds of artists like Deerhoof and Dirty Projectors” (Pigeons & Planes). Dann, the daughter of two symphony orchestra performers, is a trained vocalist with a Masters in Music from Goldsmiths, University of London, and her band - Thom Gill (keyboards/samples), Felicity Williams (vocals), Phil Melanson (percussion), and Dan Fortin (bass) - features active members of Bahamas, Owen Pallett, Leif Vollebekk, and DIANA.

Formed in 2010, the band’s first release, What Was That, landed in 2011 and saw critical praise from Exclaim Magazine and Globe & Mail. Bernice performed shows with Colin Stetson and supported Tegan & Sara on tour. In 2016, the band returned from a residency at the Banff Centre, and supported the release of two singles, “St Lucia” and “Don't Wanna Be European”, with a series of performances at the Art Gallery of Ontario.  

Bernice started 2017 by supporting Martha Wainwright on tour across the UK before returning home where Dann wrote a bespoke composition for choreographer Ame Henderson’s production of Toronto Dance Theatre’s NOISY. The band was then invited to Miami to support Angel Olsen for Red Bull Sound Select’s 3 Days In Miami festival.

Puff, a 5-song EP, was released in June ‘17 to resounding critical acclaim from Pitchfork, NPR, Zane Lowe, and The Fader. Stereogum and Exclaim named the release as one of the 'Best EPs of 2017. Puff was produced by Grammy Award-winner Shawn Everett (Alabama Shakes, Lucius) and Matt Smith (Owen Pallett). The release was supported on tours with Charlotte Day Wilson and The Weather Station.

Bernice followed the maximalist EP with minimalist sophomore album Puff: In The Air Without A Shape released in May '18 on Arts & Crafts. Continuing their enigmatic exploration of pop, jazz, and R&B, the new album attempted to mimic the playful intimacy of the band’s live show. The album was called “a monument to ephemerality” by the New York Times and received a long-list nomination for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize.

PHOTO CREDIT : Claire Harvie // DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

BERNICE ONLINE
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GRUNGE PUNKS DEAD SOFT ANNOUNCE SPRING TOUR DATES

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR DATES WITH DANIEL ROMANO AND GOON BEGIN FEBRUARY 25

NEW EMOTION EP, OUT NOW VIA ARTS & CRAFTS

BUY / STREAM NEW EMOTION HERE

“New Emotion is a confession shouted at the top of the lungs. Thoughtful vocal layering works together with fuzzy guitars to communicate lyrics about what it means grow and the pains that come with it.” - BeatRoute

“there isn't a weak link in the chain.” - Exclaim!

“’Bones’ is anthemic, taking colossal melodies and intertwined guitar leads,

and pushing it all ever upward, aiming their burning chord progressions and harmonies straight toward the sky.” - Post-Trash

"90s era grunge/alt-rock...similar to something you might have heard

on the indie stations back in the late 90s." - Austin Town Hall

Having just put the wraps on a successful tour with The Dirty Nil, Vancouver grunge-punks, Dead Soft will set on the road again this coming spring for a run of tour dates throughout Canada and the US, this time joining Daniel Romano and Goon. Full tour dates can be found below.

Their latest release New Emotion, out now via Arts & Crafts,features five catchy, earnest fuzzed-out punk songs that act as an empowering reminder that you are in control of your life, even when life feels out of control. The EP symbolizes renewal and growth.

BUY / STREAM NEW EMOTION HERE

Dead Soft was founded in 2011 by partners Nathaniel Epp (vocalist/songwriter) and Keeley Rochon (bassist/vocalist) as “a fun living room rock project.” At the time Epp and Rochon were living in Victoria, BC, but had been best friends and playing music since they were teenagers in the small coastal fishing town of Prince Rupert.

Epp grew up obsessed with luminaries of the American underground like Elliott Smith, the Ramones, and the Replacements. Artists who write simple, beautiful pop tunes that highlight dread and saccharine in equal parts. Epp and Rochon also developed a “soft spot” for 90s Canadian indie-pop bands like Limblifter, Inbreds, Eric's Trip, and Sloan.

Like most small town or suburban kids who want to play music, the pair eventually moved to the nearest big city: Vancouver. There, Dead Soft joined the inspiring scene that produced pivotal Canadian acts like Mac Demarco, Japandroids, and White Lung.

In Vancouver, Dead Soft became a three-piece and, after a string of singles, released their self-titled debut in 2014 on Kingfisher Bluez and JEFF the Brotherhood’s Infinity Cat Recordings. The band spent the next four years on the road, including support tours with Bully and The Dirty Nil. A sophomore follow up would have come sooner, but the recording process, and life, became mired in difficulties.

The theme of new beginnings align closely with changes in the band. Specifically, the recent additions of Alex Smith (drums) and Kyle Schick (guitarist) have allowed for a bigger sound, more hooky guitar leads, Beach Boys-like harmonies, and more strength and purpose. The new line-up initiated a wellspring of creativity.

That fresh start extended beyond their creative endeavors, facing down the realities of living as an artist in one of North America’s most expensive cities, Epp and Rochon left Vancouver for the familiar environment of a small coastal town, Gabriola Island, where they now run a landscaping company in between writing music and touring.

DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES

TOUR DATES
Feb 25 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret *
Feb 26 - Victoria, BC - Lucky Bar *
Feb 28 - Calgary, AB - Commonwealth *
Mar 1 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite *
Mar 2 - Saskatoon, SK - The Capital *
Mar 3 - Regina, SK - The Exchange *
Mar 4 - Winnipeg, MB - The Good Will *
Mar 5 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry
Mar 8 - Savannah, GA - Savannah Stopover
Mar 12 - Austin, TX - SXSW
Mar 15 - Fort Worth, TX - Main At South Side
Mar 19 - Nashville, TN - The End ^
Mar 20 - Cincinnati, OH - North Side Yacht Club ^
Mar 22 - Washington, DC - Pie Shop ^
Mar 23 - Philadelphia, PA - Creep Records ^
Mar 26 - Boston, MA - O'Brien's ^
Mar 27 - Montreal, QC - L'Esco ^
Mar 28 - Ottawa, ON - Dominion Tavern ^
Mar 29 - Toronto, ON - Baby G ^
Mar 31 - Detroit, MI - PJ's Lager House ^
Apr 2 - Fort Wayne, IN - The Brass Rail ^
Apr 3 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean ^
Apr 6 - Denver, CO - Streets Of London ^
Apr 7 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister Bar ^
Apr 9 - Phoenix, AZ - Lunchbox ^

* with Daniel Romano
^ with GOON

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