Monday 09 May 2011
This modern love
I love it when music just stops me in my tracks, puts the brakes on whatever it is I’m doing, and just makes me listen. Troubadour JF Robitaille made me do just that when I took a listen to “Modern Love Song Pt.1″ from his forthcoming debut, Calendar (July 5, Blue Cardinal Records). Typically, something loud, brash and moderately obnoxious would get my attention in such a way, but Robitaille’s melodic melancholy and easy-on-the-ears voice will make you take notice.
Born and raised in Montreal, Robitaille is no stranger to his hometown’s music scene. His band, The Social Register, played at the inaugural edition of the Pop Montreal festival in 2002. While living in the UK, his first EP The Blood in My Body, garnered him a lot of attention and comparisons to Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, and Morrissey. His first full length album disappeared when his former label, Rhythmbank, folded. So it was back to Montreal, where he recruited drummer Chris Wise (Elephant Stone, Sunfields), bassist Tavo Diez De Bonilla (Jenn Grant, Two Minute Miracles) and guitarist Andrew Johnston as his back-up band. Producer and onetime Tricky Woo guitarist Adrian Popovich came on board to record Calendar. Dears singer Murray Lightburn lent his keyboard talents for the track “Enemies”, as well as the use of his basement studio. That’s about as great a homecoming as any musician can ask for.
Robitaille will be out on the road in June previewing the songs from his debut, so do yourself a favour: put the brakes on your busy life and take a night to enjoy this homegrown songwriting talent:
June 14 –Toronto, ON @ The Horseshoe Tavern
June 15-19 – Toronto, ON @ NXNE (TBA)
June 21 – Montreal, QC @ Divan Orange
June 25 – Ottawa, ON @ Raw Sugar
June 30 – Toronto, ON @ Tranzac
Modern Love Song pt.1 by JF Robitaille
Facebook: JF Robitaille
Twitter: JF Robitaille
Tweet
This entry was posted on Monday, May 9th, 2011 at 8:35 am and is filed under MP3. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Young Galaxy
