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
Meg Wilcox: Royal Canoe, “RAYZ”
Summer may feel over — but this brand new single from Winnipeg’s Royal Canoe is dripping with sunshine.
Tom Coxworth: Stephen Stills & Manassas, “Change Partners”
The very early roots of alt-country. Stills’ lineage comes from many groups including Buffalo Springfield, CSN&Y, Manassas, Super Sessions and many duets and solo outings including Jimi Hendrix. A real craftsman.
Baba: Tony Joe White, “Boom Boom”
I’d like to dedicate this track to two of my favorite blues radio hosts: Holger and Cam.
Cathy Ennis: Great Lake Swimmers, “Visions of a Different World”
A cappella, when done well, is lovely on the ears. This little gem from Toronto’s Great Lake Swimmers’ brand new album, The Waves, The Wake, also has solid lyrics. Bonus!
Amy van Keeken: Omni, “Wire”
Atlanta trio Omni released Deluxe in 2016. With its jerky rhythms, yet strong melodic presence, it stands right along side such classics as Television’s Marquee Moon or Wire’s Chairs Missing. Post-punk goodness similar to Parquet Courts.
Orest Soltykevych: Scottish Chamber Orchestra / Robin Ticciati, “Robert Schumann: Spring Symphony “
Robert Schumann was a German romantic era composer best-known for his piano music and his vocal works. He also wrote a number of orchestral works, including four symphonies. Schumann completed his first symphony in 1841. It gets its nickname from the fact that it was written a year after he married his beloved Clara, and he wrote the symphony while he was inspired by his spring of love.
Darcy J Whiteside: Pete Seeger, “What Did You Learn in School Today”
A pessimistic view of the U.S. school system. Thought it might be an interesting “back to school” song. Written by Tom Paxton.
Grant Stovel: Jesse and the Dandelions, “Give Up the Gold”
Jesse Northey has a genius for crafting deliciously-appealing, spacy pop-rock that gets its hooks deep into you before you begin to realize, “Wait a minute! I think maybe this is a sad song…”
Well, he’s done it again! Combining a sort of starry-eyed naivete with a bitter undertone of heartbreak on the title track from his brand-new Jesse and the Dandelions album, Give Up the Gold.
Matt Masters: Altameda, “Rolling Back To You”
It feels like Altameda transported themselves onto a tour bus with The Band for their newest release. It’s funky and soulful and singer Trow Snatersy’s voice blends nostalgia with a very contemporary feel.