Every week, CKUA’s hosts submit their songs for our weekly House Blend playlist: an exciting new release, a beloved classic or just an old personal favourite. We mix it all together to create a sonic concoction that’ll help kick off your week. Check out what’s on this week’s playlist.
The Playlist
The Picks
Lionel Rault: Tom Waits, “Hold On”
Rough and real, poignant and, if that’s not enough, catchy!
Baba: The Beatles, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (take 9)”
The land mark album in the history of pop music will mark the 50th anniversary of its release on May 26th in the U.K. and June 2nd in the USA. Many editions of the album are coming out just about now: this one has the out takes of the title track. I look forward to more great discoveries!
Kathryn Calder: Waxahatchee, “Silver”
I am a member of The New Pornographers. We just finished a U.S. tour with Waxahatchee as our support band. We loved watching Katie Crutchfield and her band every night. This is a song from Waxhatchee’s new album, Out in the Storm, which will be out July 14th. It is a classic ’90s indie rock jam. Enjoy!
Amy Van Keeken: This is the Kit, “Moonshine Freeze”
A mesmerizing title track, and first single, from the upcoming album by This is the Kit, a Paris-based group led by Kate Stables. The full album is to be released July 7 on Rough Trade Records, featuring Aaron Dessner of The National. He produced her 2015 release, Bashed Out. Also, some killer baritone sax at the end!
Lisa Wilton: Adaline, “Entertainer”
Ottawa alt-pop singer, Adaline, is back with her first album in six years. Recorded at sea, Aquatic has some great tracks, but this single, “Entertainer”, is the one that caught my attention right away. It’s moody, melodic and memorable and reminds me a bit of Bat For Lashes and Austra.
Oskar Zybart: Coeur de Pirate, “Slow Show”
This entire album, Trauma, is astonishingly good. But, there are a few standout tracks that manage to be even better than the rest. Her devastating rendition of “Lucille” and the slow-dance beauty of “Last Kiss” are both honourable mentions. However, this cover of The National’s “Slow Show” utterly eclipses the original. Essential music.
Bob Chelmick: Moe Clark, “I Find Grace”
This Calgary poet and singer-songwriter’s recording achieves the grace and simplicity of which she sings. And the gratitude is mine.
*This song is not available on Spotify. Listen to the song here.
Monica Miller: AM Static, “Oh Delilah”
AM Static is the Calgary duo of Chris Austman and Nils Mikkelson. I’ve been waiting, somewhat patiently, for the follow-up to their JUNO-nominated album, A Life Well Lived, every since Nils dropped a few hints at the grand opening of our Calgary Foundation CKUA Studio last fall. Patience rewarded!
*This song is not available on Spotify.
Allison Brock: Graham Parker (& The Rumour), “White Honey”
Probably in the top-five, lead-off tracks on a debut album. The horn-tinged pub rock sound of “White Honey” comes from Graham Parker’s 1976 debut Howlin’ Wind, which was produced by Nick Lowe. No false advertising here, but a true taste of what was coming up from GP and The Rumour right through to 1980’s The Up Escalator. After that, the music was still great, but Graham took solo billing on the albums.
Tony King: Laura Marling, “Soothing”
I saw Laura Marling in a candid moment hiking with a few band mates to the Calgary Folk Music Festival site. This was a handful of years ago, she was still in her ’20s then, but already a wizened soul. Now, a number of years later, with a few love affairs having gone awry, and after a short stint in L.A., Laura Marling returns. Her version of sun-bathed soul music is never really glossy, but rather deep and affecting. “Soothing” is bittersweet in its insouciance.
Kodi Hutchinson: Keith O’Rourke, “Miss Jones’ish”
This debut album, Sketches from the Road, from Calgary saxophonist Keith O’Rourke features melodic and thoughtful original music inspired by his travels around the world!
Grant Stovel: Los Straitjackets, “Heart of the City”
Gleeful, wrestling, mask-wearing, surf-rockers Los Straitjackets continue to charm my heart. The new record is a tribute to their pal, labelmate, and frequent collaborator: Nick Lowe, the legendary English songwriter. Nick’s mostly known for his brilliant lyrics, but these delightful instrumental adaptations really showcase his under-appreciated gift for melody. This version of “Heart of the City” finds Los Straitjackets bringing some Link Wray-style surf panache to the classic rocker from Nick’s 1978 debut, Jesus of Cool aka Pure Pop For Now People.