#ygkPlaylist: February 2018
In the Summertime, we’re all keen to get out there and soak it all up while we can. Nowadays, in the throws of Winter, many of us are inclined to stay close to home, and cozy up next to the fireplace. As we desperately struggle to free ourselves from the icy grip of old man winter, this month’s playlist lights the way to sunny days and the retreat of snow and ice. Featuring three brand new artists not yet included on one of our previous playlists, the likes of New Fang, akaflk and Jim Tidman are far from newcomers to Kingston’s music scene. Hit play, and let this month’s #ygkPlaylist warm your heart and give you the strength to endure the final weeks of yet another unpredictable winter in Kingston.
New Fang: like a pheonix, this band rose from the ashes of retired and defunct Kingston groups to form a new ensemble that’s ripe with impressive grooves and harmonies. Member’s Victor and Steven once formed the tight, powerful rhythm section of former local-area band Gutter Honey. With Victor stepping out from behind the drum kit to take on the lead role, he and Steven are joined by Adam on guitar, and Mark on drums. With solid songwriting, and groove filled jams, New Fang steps out on the scene with the goal to rock the Limestone City. Find New Fang on Facebook and Twitter.
akaflk: Josh Lyon plays accordion and keyboards with notable groups such as Entire Cities, The Gertrudes, and Rueben deGroot & Rocket Surgery. He has also appeared on more than twenty albums with various other artists, so needless to say he’s a busy guy. In his spare time, he sometimes makes other music under the alias: akaflk. These singles are heavy on the instrumentals with a bit of vocals mixed in here and there, which will have you grinning and tapping your toes to. Find akaflk on Facebook.
Jim Tidman: with songwriting that’s reminiscent of his Fine Art’s background, Tidman excels at painting pictures with words against a musical backdrop. His debut album, Stealing Ghosts, was produced by The Hip’s very own Paul Langlois. This effort was a strikingly intimate collection of songs rich in imagery and narratives, delivered with the conviction of personal experience. Tidman’s songs are often tender and fragile in the tradition of the classic country songwriters of the 60’s and 70’s, but there is an unflinching directness in the lyrics and music, that can be both surprising and haunting. Find Jim Tidman on Facebook.
Every month, we comb Soundcloud looking for sounds that are unique to Kingston. We are constantly seeking out active musicians to show off to the local community and beyond. If you’re a musician who wants to be included in a future #ygkPlaylist, the first step is to get your original music up on Soundcloud and then follow us. We promise to follow you back, listen to your work and consider it for the monthly #ygkPlaylist.
Photo credit to Robin Penrose.