After two independent albums, Puer Dolor and Up Go The Arms, Montreal singer-songwriter Jason Bajada has joined MapleMusic Recordings for the release of his third album Loveshit. Though the first two albums earned him accolades as one of Montreal’s best songwriters, listeners will be privy to Bajada’s best work yet with Loveshit. “This really does feel like a first record because the other ones were never quite what I was looking for. With this one we nailed it,” says Bajada. “I’m happy with what comes out of the speakers now.”

A heartfelt portrait of a rollercoaster relationship and its demise, the album showcases Bajada’s knack for dealing in dark subject matter, while delivering catchy pop melodies. Indeed, music blog More Nights notes that his live show is “full of sad songs, but somehow always manages to put a smile on my face.” These mesmerizing performances have landed him sold-out shows, headlining slots in Berlin and the opening spot on a tour with Quebec superstars Dumas and Charlebois, including two nights at famed Paris venues La Cigale and Le Bataclan.

“Ten Days in Miami,” the first single, and first song written for the album, came into being during a particularly desperate time – “I was sitting at my coffee table writing and crying,” Bajada says – but has a breezy feel that contrasts with lyrics like “I don’t blink when I look at you / ‘Cause I can’t let you go.”

Bajada calls his writing process “the chase for the perfect pop song,” and it’s a hunt that sees him touching on a plethora of genres and moods – elements that are tied together through the common thematic thread of one relationship’s heartbreak, and Bajada’s skilled songcraft. There’s the upbeat bounce and hand claps of “Hard Not To Quit,” and the stripped-down melancholy of “Sad Song About You #2.” Bittersweet boy-girl harmonies on “Home’s Still Your Bones” set the scene for what Bajada calls “a straightforward twee pop song.” “Tired Of Talking” was written after some ribbing from a friend who told him to create something that would inspire people to sing along. “Challenge is on!” Bajada said – and the result was the final track penned for the album.

Loveshit was recorded with production duo Les Troublemakers, one half of which happened to be a childhood friend of Bajada’s. With shared musical references, and the gear needed to get the sound Bajada was looking for, Les Troublemakers were a perfect fit. They brought Bajada into the studio when “things were still very emotional,” and channeled that energy into creating a searingly honest album.

Despite the fact that the songs were conceived in various cities across the continent, including Halifax and Los Angeles, the album is very much intertwined with Montreal. It was recorded at Troublemakers Studio in Montreal and includes a cover of “You Are A Runner (And I Am My Father’s Son)” by fellow Montrealers Wolf Parade. Bajada will also be heading out on tour as the opener for Montreal songstress Martha Wainwright in December. He credits the city’s other inhabitants with inspiring his songwriting (the strength of which earned him a place as a finalist in the International Songwriting Competition, judged by artists like Tom Waits, Robert Smith, Brian Wilson and Isaac Brock) as well. “When you have those kinds of quality musicians in your backyard, there’s a challenge there. It’s keeps you on your toes.” Bajada has risen to the challenge and then some with Loveshit, a collection of ten infectious songs that spin heartbreak into musical bliss.

“This album, a collection of lovesick rejection songs, should move him into the realm of fine Canadian craftsmen like Rufus Wainwright and Ron Sexsmith.” – Metro (4/5)

“…each of the 10 tracks on Loveshit are teeming with quiet wistfulness and longing.” – Chartattack (4/5)

“Expertly produced, and with a variety of tones and textures, this is quality emoting from end to end.” – Montreal Gazette (4/5)

“The stark themes of Loveshit and Bajada’s folk and country influences make this an easy one to compare to Lee Hazlewood’s Requiem For An Almost Lady.” – Exclaim

“…it’s funny how the saddest songs are often the most beautiful; Bajada writes sublime pop songs.” – National Post

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More information on Jason Bajada:
http://www.myspace.com/jasonbajada

In 2001, Saukrates produced the track “Uh-Huh” for Redman’s Malpractice album, and appeared on a track called “Enjoy Da Ride”. He also did a track called “Fine Line” for the soundtrack to Method Man and Redman’s How High movie. In 2002, Saukrates teamed up with fellow Canadian producer Agile from BrassMunk to produce the track “Heaven”, for Nas‘ album God’s Son, and it featured Jully Black. On November 19, 2006, he performed “Promiscuous” with Nelly Furtado at halftime show of the 94th Grey Cup (the CFL championship game). Two days later, Saukrates beat-boxed during her performance of “Say It Right” at the 2006 American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Off the road, Saukrates produced on Canadian songstress, Divine Brown’s self-titled album. On February 23, 2007, he appeared on the daytime drama One Life to Live with Furtado, performing “Promiscuous”. Saukrates also toured with Nelly Furtado on her Get Loose Tour.

Saukrates will release his much delayed second studio album, “Season One” in late 2009. Singles include “Fades Away”, “Ms. Yesterday” and “On The Run” with K-os and Nelly Furtado, which is also featured on the new K-os album, Yes!, as the alternatively titled “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman”. Also working with another Toronto based artist, Andreena Mill, who won 2009 DJ Stylus Award Winner for Canadian R&B Single of the Year – U, Me, And Tomorrow ft Saukrates. He collaborated with Method Man and Redman in their top 2009 single “A Yo”.

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More information on Saukrates:
http://www.myspace.com/saukrates

A prolific songwriter and hard-charging traditionalist, Clark spent years playing dive bars and entering talent competitions before she first hit the charts in 1995 with “Better Things to Do” and never looked back.

She is the first Canadian female to be inducted into the prestigious Grand Ole Opry and has received multiple CMA and ACM Female Vocalist nominations, in addition to a pair of Juno Awards and a remarkable 13 CCMA trophies.

For close to three years, Terri was the only woman in country music to score a #1 single when she soared up the charts with “I Just Wanna Be Mad,” one of a long string of successes including such hits as “You’re Easy on the Eyes,” “When Boy Meets Girl,” “I Wanna Do It All,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” and “Girls Lie Too.”

As songwriter, vocalist, entertainer, and personality, Terri connects with listeners in a very genuine way, at least in part because of her willingness to reach past the obvious for the real-life bottom line in her music, embracing strength and vulnerability, playfulness, sexiness, and a refreshing emotional candor.

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More information on Terri Clark:
http://www.terriclark.com

Sharing a love of the kind of raw, soulful “Springsteenesque” rock that inspires a teen to pick up a guitar and start a band, the Arkells formed in Hamilton, ON, in 2006. The ambitious and prolific five-piece quickly found its groove, and recorded debut EP “Deadlines” in 2007. From the strum of the first track, the six-song EP showcased the Arkells masterful blending of traditional blues hooks mixed with modern rock-laden riffs, and a touch of classic Motown era rhythms. Their catchy melodies and unbridled energy live garnered critical acclaim with NOW Magazine describing the Arkells as having “an awesome muscular quality that sets it apart from the output of so many of their sad-sack indie rock peers…”

Since the release of “Deadlines” the band has traveled across Canada sharing stages with Tokyo Police Club, Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Danko Jones, Ladyhawk, Alexisonfire, and City and Colour. More recent performances include a stint opening for legendary rockers Black Crowes, MTV Live and V-Fest. With live shows fueling the buzz created by the EP, the band quickly caught the ear of Dine Alone Records (home to City and Colour, Bedouin Soundclash, Attack in Black and Black Lungs) who re-released “Deadlines” digitally in March 2008.

The Arkells’ first full-length album titled “Jackson Square” (released October 28, 2008 on Dine Alone) features undeniably catchy tracks like No Champagne Socialist, Ballad of Hugo Chavez, and Oh, The Boss is Coming! which just hit Top 10 on the BDS Rock Radio charts. “Jackson Square” captures the essence of the band’s hard-hitting live show and their boundless passion for making meaty, rootsy rock that any listener can relate to.

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More information on Arkells:
http://www.myspace.com/arkellsmusic

The French-Canadian born Dugas siblings have been immersed in music their whole lives, thanks in part to their musician parents. “We had a family band that toured across Canada when I was 7 and Christian was 9,” remembers Sarah. “My father had a recording studio in the house, so I grew up hearing a variety of musicians playing everything from rap to rock to world beat. I grew up in a fun and creative environment.”

Dugas’ emergence as a songwriter has clearly contributed to the group’s progression — the other members are fiddler Tania Elizabeth, guitarist Jordan McConnell and founder/banjo player Leonard Podolak — from the jaunty pop of “You Don’t See it” to the jazz-waltz of “This Fall,” the Duhks’ enthusiastic fan base has embraced the changes. “The reaction has been really positive,” says Dugas. “We’ve been able to keep the old fans and gotten some new ones as well.”

“There’s a more liberal attitude in the band when it comes to songwriting approaches,” admits Podolak. That attitude has even extended to drummer Christian’s use of a full kit, in contrast to the band’s previous use of just percussion. “My musical tastes have broadened immensely since we first started,” Podolak adds. “I think we’ve evolved musically, while maintaining our roots, but everybody in the band listens to so many different things, it was bound to happen.”

It’s that kind of musical DNA that makes the band’s spot-on fusion of traditional bluegrass, folk rock, Afro-Cuban jazz and soul so accessible and yet so hard to pigeonhole. It’s also earned them a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Country Vocal Performance category as well as a Juno award in their native Canada.

Accolades aside, the band doesn’t see any reason to pull their punches lyrically, as Dugas laments on the funky title track, “We’ve forgotten what’s sacred in this fast-paced world.”  “It’s a song that’s essentially about over-consumption,” remarks Podolak. “We’ve all grown up with an outlook where’s there’s enough for everyone without destroying the earth.”

Environmental issues are a passion for the band, inspiring them to launch The Duhks Sustainability Project (www.greenduhks.com) in October 2007. Spearheaded by Tania Elizabeth, the band’s goal is to “tour on as sustainable a basis as possible; fueling our vehicle with Biodiesel, supporting local organic farmers wherever we go, wearing sustainable eco-conscious clothing, using earth-friendly shampoos, soaps and cosmetics and offsetting remaining CO2 emissions with carbon credits.”

“As a band, it’s something we feel very strongly about,” says Podolak. “We just want to reduce our carbon footprint as much as humanly possible.”

Fast Paced World was produced by the Nashville-based Jay Joyce (Patty Griffin, John Hiatt), who joins an impressive set of producers (Béla Fleck, Tim O’Brien) before him. “Jay’s basement studio was like something out of the Star Trek Enterprise,” laughs Podolak. Despite trying to quit smoking at the time (4 nicotine patches at once!), Joyce was “very open to our ideas and very easy to work with. I also think he learned as much from us as we did from him about combining the acoustic and electric elements of our songs in a studio setting,” continues Podolak.

As the band continues their own musical evolution, Fast-Paced World illustrates just how far the Duhks have come—and just how far they’re willing to go to challenge themselves artistically. Ultimately though, according to Leonard, the Duhks “just want to play music that speaks to everybody.” Mission accomplished.

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More information on The Dhuks:
http://www.myspace.com/theduhks