Bandcamp Friday - A YouTube Playlist
In the interest of lightening the mood and offering up some songs of solace, I'm going to start posting some themed music playlists you can enjoy and share. I've been doing this for ages in my iTunes and on Spotify (my account is swac+ns, but be warned, there is way too much Christmas music on there), but why not have a daily musical boost for when you need to take a break?
It just so happens today is Bandcamp Day. The popular music website for streaming and downloading digital tracks, and buying physical media and other merch items, is waiving its fees to help artists recover from the devastating loss of income caused by the closing of live venues and music retail outlets in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The one-day campaign is designed to encourage listeners to support their favourite performers and discover some new ones in whatever way they can.
Aquakultre on Bandcamp
Keeping things local, here are 10 tracks by East Coast artists who would love to see some extra traffic on their Bandcamp pages today, starting with Halifax hip-hop soul performer Aquakultre, whose New Year's Day release Pay It Forward is the perfect song to kick things off.
Kim Harris on Bandcamp
Originally from Newfoundland, now based in Halifax, Kim Harris has had to postpone release shows for her luminous new album Heirloom, but I was lucky enough to see her play a house concert earlier this month, and even without a full band or even her keyboard, her songs filled the room with warmth and comfort. You should see her in person when you can, but for now enjoy these Dan Ledwell-produced tracks.
Rose Cousins on Bandcamp
We also lost the opportunity to see Rose Cousins perform songs from her new album Bravado this week in Halifax, Fredericton and Charlottetown, although new dates have been scheduled for October. In the meantime, check out Bravado on Bandcamp, and take heart from her new video for The Benefits of Being Alone.
Acadian Embassy on Bandcamp
In a post on Twitter, Nova Scotia label Acadian Embassy announced it was going to donate today's proceeds from Bandcamp to the Parker Street Food Bank, in the spirit of Aquakultre's aforementioned Pay It Forward. This includes artists like Quiet Parade, Sleepless Nights, Rain Over St. Ambrose and Kuato, so you're getting great music and supporting a worthy cause in one of its greatest times of need.
Outtacontroller on Bandcamp
Let's rock things up even further with Halifax's Outtacontroller, whose song Television Zombie seems all too appropriate in these days of self-isolation. And keep an eye out for the Halifax band's latest release Sure Thing.
Coig on Bandcamp
Let's wind things down with something traditional, although there's nothing sedate about the music of Cape Breton Celtic combo Coig, and this spin on Peter Gabriel's Solisbury Hill is as good a balm for the soul as anything I can think of.
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. There's tons more music to discover on compiled lists like this one from the Seahorse Tavern, and the following Twitter thread posted by the folks at Halifax indie music company the Syrup Factory.
Today is the day! There are a million great artists to support with this awesome initiative, but I'm partial to Nova Scotians 😘 Follow this thread of great music/merch to bring a little joy in your life and help some awesome folks. Reply with your bandcamp links, artist friends) https://t.co/N76P1eWe9I
— Laura Simpson (@novascotiamusic) March 20, 2020
Stephen Cooke is an arts reporter for The Chronicle Herald.