Sloan at the Phoenix Concert Theatre

--taken from: Live In Limbo

by Andrew Horan

Gazing out over the capacity crowd gathered at the Phoenix, a line from an old Murderrecords catalog came to mind, “Sloan are the most beloved of any band I know.”

And the audience singing along word for word with many of the songs proved that that were indeed beloved by the fans gathered at the venue on a rainy Saturday night.

Taking to the stage to Toronto artist Maylee Todd’s take on the ‘Pinball Countdown’ song from Sesame street, the band immediately launched into their two hour set that saw them play new songs and old favorites, though perhaps most disappointingly, they didn’t play anything from their debut album Smeared.

A big part of any Sloan show is frequent switching instruments and vocals. The gig saw members Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy, Andrew Scott and Jay Ferguson moving around on stage and taking up vocal duties. This doubtlessly kept the Phoenix employee operating the spotlight busy throughout the evening.

After taking the opportunity to plug their new album, the fittingly titled 12, the band had the audience singing along to ‘Who Taught You to Live Like That’.

Ferguson then took over vocals duties that saw a song that saw the band shifting in style and tone. Musically, the songs it was the sonic mélange of sounds that fans of the veteran Toronto rockers have come expect that ranged from punk to classic rock to Beatles-influenced pop.

They even went back to a 7″ single they released in the early 90’s for one song. It featured a drum solo from Scott just before he took over vocal duties for a couple songs including ‘People of the Sky’.

The band wrapped up the first set with ‘Right to Roam’ and ‘Follow the Leader’ before leaving the stage for a short break. From there, it was an all-killer, no filler set that saw the band rip through songs from virtually all their albums.

A rousing run-through of ‘If It Feels Good, Do It’ was one of the highlights. ‘The Other Man’ was another standout. They even showed a roots-rock sound on a new song as well.

If there was any disappointment to be had with the otherwise fun night, the murky sound made it difficult to hear the band’s between song banter, which was mostly provided by Murphy, who led the audience in frequent call and response vocals.

Keeping their East Coast roots in mind, the band made a joke comedian Mary Walsh being in the audience. They then delivered a punked up version of ‘I Hate My Generation’ from their classic album Twice Removed and provided the evening with yet another rousing highlight when they led the audience in call and response vocals on ‘If It Feels Good Do It’.

After a brief pause, the band returned to the stage for a three song encore that kicked off with ‘The Lines You Amend’ and the audience sang along word for word on ‘The Rest of My Days’, drowning out the band when they sang, ‘One thing about the rest of my days/I know I’ll be living them in Canada!”

They wrapped up the night with ‘The Good in Everyone’ before sending everyone into the rainy night feeling a little warmer and happier.

--taken from: Live In Limbo

This week in Toronto: Hulk Hogan as Santa, Eric McCormack as a time traveller

--taken from: Toronto Star

by Carly Maga

To All a Good Night 4

Originally created as the alt-Yuletide carol musical event, Art of Time Ensemble’s To All a Good Night is now a yearly tradition of its own. Uniting musicians and singers of all genres with a variety of classic and unique wintertime songs, the fourth edition of the show features favourite singers like Jackie Richardson and Tom Wilson, with the new addition of Sloan’s Chris Murphy, and songs that range from Irving Berlin’s White Christmas to The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York to Joni Mitchell’s River. Artistic director Andrew Burashko once again plays the piano in the orchestra comprised of classical, jazz and pop musicians.

--taken from: Toronto Star

A merging of influences: Joel Plaskett and dad Bill bring gifts to Calgary audience

--taken from: CBC News (see more here)

by David Bell

Q: Joel, when did you start taking it really seriously?

Joel: We were lucky to be part of the Halifax scene in the early 1990s, and by the time we were 16 we had our band called Thrush Hermit. We went from Nabisco Fonzie to the Hoods to the Hermit. And we met the Sloan guys, I saw their second show and they saw one of our early shows.

Chris Murphy said "Hey, you guys are great, you should play with us," and we did a show together and then they got signed to Geffen and all these record companies started coming to Halifax.

We had a publishing deal with BMG in New York before we graduated high school, 17 or 18, and then we hit the road and started touring, so I was really fortunate to be in the right place at the right time with great people to help mentor us and take us on the road and all sorts of stuff.

So we were just really lucky. I guess I took it pretty seriously, quickly. You know we graduated high school and hit the road.

--taken from: CBC News (see more here)

11 New Songs Out Today

--taken from: Brooklyn Vegan

So many artists, so little time. Each week we review five new albums (of all genres), round up even more new music that we’d call “indie,” and talk about what metal is coming out. We post music news, show recaps, track premieres, and more all day. That includes a lot of tour announcements, a list of tonight’s NYC shows, and NY shows that just went on sale. We publish a monthly playlist of some of our favorite tracks. Here’s a daily roundup with a bunch of interesting, newly released songs in one place…

SLOAN – “ACT YOUR AGES”

Sloan have shared a new song, “Act Your Ages,” which the recorded during the sessions for this year’s excellent album, 12, but was previously only released in Japan. This Chris Murphy-penned, ’70s-ish-sounding song is now available for worldwide consumption.

--taken from: Brooklyn Vegan

Sloan back on home turf for Marquee show in December

--taken from: The Chronicle Herald

Figureheads of Canada’s alternative rock scene Sloan return to the East Coast for shows that include a Marquee Ballroom date on Friday, Dec. 7.

Touring with its critically acclaimed latest release 12 — which also happens to be its 12th album with the original Halifax-bred lineup still intact — the band has one of its strongest sets of songs to date with members Jay Ferguson, Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy and Andrew Scott all contributing to the writing in equal measure. Catchy tracks like Spinning Our Wheels and The Day Will Be Mine show how Sloan has lost none of its power when it comes to songs that punch through the radio haze and leave their hooks in you long after they’re done.

Earlier this year, the band played a Marquee Ballroom set during the East Coast Music Awards Festival and Conference, and were presented with a Directors’ Special Achievement Award at the awards gala at Scotiabank Centre.

--taken from: The Chronicle Herald

Canadian Band Sloan Likes To Play the Deep Cuts in the States

--taken from: Dallas Observer

by Eric Grubbs

Hailing from Halifax, Nova Scotia, power pop maestros Sloan have never made a huge dent in America, but it seems the people who know Sloan adore them.

Formed in 1991 with musical comparisons to Cheap Trick, Sonic Youth and Kiss, Chris Murphy,
Patrick Pentland, Jay Ferguson and Andrew Scott have produced a dozen albums, a live album and a singles compilation.

They are much more popular in their native Canada, but that hasn’t stopped them from venturing over the border and playing America every once in a while. Yet when they play the States, it’s usually a big town like New York or Boston, but Dallas (and Texas in general) usually doesn’t make the list of dates.

Speaking from his home, Ferguson says he can’t remember when or where the last time his band played Dallas. (Setlist.fm says it was Trees in 2004.) He even admits he doesn’t remember playing Dallas that much in the 1990s, when the band was frequently touring and recording.

“It wasn’t part of our regular routine, only because it was so far, and there wasn’t a lot in between,” he says. “To be honest, we really didn’t feel like we had much of a foothold there to return on a regular basis.”

The irony of many bands in the power pop grouping is that no band has truly made a huge impact on the album charts worldwide. Despite its user-friendly sound, these bands tend to be critically acclaimed with a devoted audience, whether it’s Teenage Fanclub or the Posies.

“We’re happy to have any audience anywhere,” Ferguson says. “We’re also fortunate enough to have a larger audience in Canada that can support going to states where we don’t make a lot of money.”

Sloan hears all the time about how they should have had big hits in the United States, but they’re not bitter.

“I think our band is high enough quality to have songs on the radio in the United States ... but we never really had that half-a-million dollar radio campaign behind us,” Ferguson says. “Nor did we tour the United States like madmen for six months out of the year.”

The band understands that Sloan fans in America, though not a large number, are well-versed in the band’s back catalog. Thus, the band feels free to play deep album cuts rather than songs that have been on the radio. Whether it’s songs from their latest album, 12, or older nuggets from Action Pact or One Chord to Another, fans are ready. And Sloan is happy to deliver.

Since 2012, the band has played two sets rather than play with an opening act. Starting in that year, they played their second album, Twice Removed, from front to back, then came out to play a whole other set. They’ve decided to keep going with that model, but with playing two different sets each night. Longer shows in towns they haven’t been to in a blue moon make for happier fans.

“It’s also easier, on the behind-the-scenes front, on our crew,” Ferguson says. “They can just set up all the gear and they don’t have to move it.”

Though they are still promoting 12, Ferguson says they are already preparing an deluxe reissue of their 1998 album, Navy Blues, next year. Like the reissues of Twice Removed and One Chord to Another, it will be a box set with plenty of rare and unreleased material as a bonus.

As to what keeps Sloan together, it helps they all sing lead and sometimes switch instruments onstage and in the studio.

“It’s a creative outlet for everyone in the band,” Ferguson says. “Everybody gets the chance to contribute and perform. I think that’s what our band is about and we continue to do that. The money is split four ways, so everyone’s in the same boat. All the songwriting royalties and the money that comes in is shared four ways ... It’s kind of our bread and butter. It’s our job, as well ... It’s a job that affords us an income and a lot of time off.”

There isn’t an expiration date on this band or their sound.

“It’s a great creative endeavor and outlet, and I love it,” Ferguson says. “I would keep going for as long as we could.”

--taken from: Dallas Observer

Sloan tell us what they’re listening to on the bus (tour starts this week)

--taken from: Brooklyn Vegan

by Bill Pearis

Canadian rock greats Sloan, who released their 12th album back in the spring, start their late summer North American tour this Friday (9/7) at Jersey City’s White Eagle Hall (tickets) and head south, hitting Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Texas and Indiana before heading home. On this tour, they’ll be playing “Evening With Sloan” shows with two full sets. All dates are listed, along with a stream of their new album, below.

With a lot of time on the road, we asked Sloan what they’re currently listening to and all four members — Chris Murphy, Patrick Pentland, Andrew Scott and Jay Ferguson who all write and sing — all contributed three songs to the list. Listen to their picks, and read what they have to say about them, below.

—

Chris Murphy’s picks:

Crass – “Punk Is Dead”

I never knew Crass except their terrifying record covers were always at Track Records in Halifax in the mid-’80s when I went in there not knowing what I liked. I heard this on a punk TV Instagram account and loved it. I’ve listened to it over 100 times. I know all the words.

Sweet – “Love Is Like Oxygen”

I love Sweet but I only ever knew “Desolation Boulevard” as a kid. My buddy, Jay Coyle gave me mp3’s of a lot of Sweet songs a few years back and they became my favourites.

Bad Brains – “Pay To Cum”

“Pay To Cum” I heard on the Let Them Eat Jellybeans compilation in the ’80s. The tiny amount of space between “Pay To Cum” and “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” on that compilation is the most exciting thing I can think of.

—

Patrick Pentland’s picks:

The Vines – “Metal Zone”

I never gave the Vines much thought; they were an Australian band obviously influenced by Nirvana, that wrote catchy pop/punk tunes, and trashed everything at any given moment. But recently I’ve delved into their/his (Craig Nicholls) songwriting, and gained a new appreciation for his ability to write what I like to write.

Father John Misty – “Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings”

My wife got me into Father John Misty, basically by playing him all the time. Or maybe it was him and a bunch of other old-timey suit wearing, bearded guys in different bands. Either way, I like it.

David Bowie – “Aladdin Sane”

I have recently tried to convince myself, or refute my own claim, that the iconic piano solo by Mike Garson is in fact several tracks blended together. I’ve listened to this song for 35 years, and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

—

Andrew Scott’s picks:

Fairport Convention – “Throwaway Street Puzzle”

During my investigations of this insanely prolific group knowing that they’re mostly lumped in the “folk/rock” category I uncovered some of the dirty blues of the really early stuff and as a big Pretty Things fan, I can hear the crossover between the two and now call myself a big FPC fan.

Genesis – “In Limbo”

Again, very early work from another ridiculously busy band. Creepy, then not creepy, then creepy again. Always a good style cycle in my books.

Stephen Stills (Manassas) – “Bound To Fall”

I still can’t figure out the time signature to the main verses and have not given up trying yet. Stills was such a force to be reckoned with and I think Neil knew that pretty early on…

—

Jay Ferguson’s picks:

Barry Gibb – “Grease (demo)”

Where has this been hiding since 1978? It came to light while we were on tour earlier this year. I think I played it anytime I had my hands on the bus stereo. Evidently it’s not a party starter. I’ve always been a big fan of the very-non-1950’s sounding original from the film soundtrack, but as evidenced by this piano and vocal demo by Barry, the song was already pure gold before Frankie Valli stepped up to the microphone.

Denise LaSalle – “Trapped By A Thing Called Love”

On tour this year, I bought this record for $1 in Cleveland…it looked cool, I thought I’d give it a try. It turned out to be super. A week later, we Sloans met Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell (son of the legendary Hi Records/Al Green producer, Willie Mitchell). While talking shop, he mentioned this very record as his dad had arranged the music and the horn charts. I told him about my purchase. By this point I just KNOW he must think I’m the coolest guy on the bus. Then, our lighting director “Lamps” Hilliard walks in wearing a bright neon kimono and green sun visor and I had to relinquish my crown.

The Guess Who – “Star Baby”

We Sloans had the good fortune to share the stage at a festival with Burton Cummings this past June. Wonderful show, great band and still in fantastic voice. I’d completely forgotten about this song and now it’s been with me all summer. He played mostly hits and still left some on the table. My favourite part of the show was him walking over to the monitor guy and yelling “Turn up the damn piano! Let’s live a little!”. He’s 70. (PS. I forgot to ask him about going to the Casablanca Records opening party in ’74 hanging with “Mary Tyler Moore’s” Ted Knight, KISS and Iggy Pop.)

—

Heres a playlist with all of Sloan’s picks (minus Barry Gibb) plus a Sloan song from each of the four members…





--taken from: Brooklyn Vegan

SLOAN - 12

--taken from: Soundblab

by Ljubinko Zivkovic

Yes, 12 in the title of the new album from one of Canada’s favourite bands does stand for the fact that this is the twelfth album Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson, and Andrew Scott made together. It is certainly a rare occasion that a rock band anywhere these days has not only stayed together but, remained in the same lineup from its inception. And it shows.

Eighteen years on, as far as Sloan are concerned, the only things that seem to have changed is the fact that if you look at the album covers, the hair of some members heads has gone seriously grey. And the fact that their brand of seriously infectious, sophisticated power pop hasn’t lost any of its potent qualities. Oh, and they still haven’t made any serious breakthroughs outside of Canada as far as any wider acceptance is concerned. Critics excluded.

At the time Sloan started out, their then US record company didn’t see many reasons to push them - but then it was Grunge season, and maybe they were seen as some kind of competition to their American counterparts. Then again, Sloan was no grunge band. Sure, they knew how to turn the volume up on their guitars, but with them, it is a more thought-out process, where melody and vocal harmonies had an equal part to play, and rhythmic and melodic changes never lagged behind.

So what has changed on 12? Luckily, nothing, really. The songs, singing, playing are, again and again, stellar. The songwriting on the album, as on Commonwealth their previous outing, is again equally split among the four band members, but this time around, it is not a double, but a ‘standard’ single unit. Maybe the idea was that in such a manner it would be easier to take on.

Personally, it doesn’t make a difference, but it still sounds as a unified whole, and although the songwriting was split among the members, you can feel that if you woke up these guys in the middle of the night during the studio sessions, they would know exactly what each of them needs to add to every song. Musical quality was never Sloan’s problem. Take a listen to “Gone for Good” or “The Day Will Be Mine”, or any other track on the album for that matter, and you get the sense that these guys can come up with some exquisite melodies, vocals, and musicianship. Simply, Sloan could be one of the most accomplished power pop bands around.

So, what’s the problem? I’ve no idea. It could be that power pop is not in the vogue, but if you take into consideration some of their younger counterparts like Lemon Twigs, maybe not. Maybe they just missed their moment back in the Nineties. On the evidence of 12, it is quite a shame, because Sloan is still a joy to listen to. If not 12, maybe thirteen will be their lucky number. They deserve it.

--taken from: Soundblab

Sloan returns to Sault Ste. Marie

--taken from: SooToday

The band will play The Grand Theatre this June

About Sloan '12'

Sloan 12 is indeed the 12th album from Canadian power-pop perennials Sloan, which means its as good as Led Zeppelin IV, Black Sabbath's 4, and Chicago 4 all put together. But seriously: not only are Sloan the rare band to make it to their 12th record, and not only are Sloan the rare band to make it to their 12th record with all four original members, and not only are Sloan the rare band to make it to their 12th album with four original members who are equally prolific songwriters, they're arguably the only band to make it to their 12th album with four original members who are both equally prolific songwriters and all still working at the top of their respective games, sounding utterly ageless in the process.

On 12, each of the four principals contribute three stellar songs that play to their core strengths: Patrick Pentland with the soaring rock anthems, Chris Murphy with the playful, participatory sing-alongs, Jay Ferguson with the jaunty prog-pop gems, and Andrew Scott with the whimsical interspace explorations. Says Murphy, "I guess with the album title, we are showing off the fact that we have 12 records."

--taken from: SooToday

Sloan's 12 tour stops in Sault

--taken from: Sault Star

Canadian rock band Sloan's North American tour promoting a new album nears its end with a summer date in Sault Ste. Marie.

The winners of a 1997 Juno Award for best alternative album play The Grand Theatre on June 26 at 8:30 p.m.

Sloan's new album, 12, will be released in April.

The band kicks off more than 30 dates with an April 3 show at Sudbury's Townehouse.

Sloan's Sault appearance comes a day before the band plays Stars and Thunder Festival in Timmins. That show is the final date of a tour that includes stops in Detroit, St. Louis, Buffalo, Calgary, Regina and Winnipeg.

Sloan played The Grand Theatre in November 2016 and Canadian Motor Hotel in October 2003.

The band's hits include Underwhelmed, Coax Me, People of the Sky and Unkind.

Sloan formed in 1991. The lineup, Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson and Andrew Scott, remains the same 27 years later.

--taken from: Sault Star

Canadian legends Sloan coming to Bo’s Bar and Grill

--taken from: Red Deer Express

Band to feature new album featuring single The Day Will be Mine

by Todd Vaughan

Sloan, one of Canada’s iconic 90s bands, is coming to Red Deer on April 8th with a new album in their repertoire.

The band, who’s hits include Money City Maniacs, The Rest of My Life and If It Feels Good Do It, will be bringing their 12th album to Bo’s Bar and Grill and Jay Ferguson, guitarist, said it is first new album in a while for the band.

“Our last album was a double-record called Commonwealth, which came out in 2014,” he said. “In between, we did a reissue of our third album called One Chord to Another. We made a box set and did a tour for that, which was fun.

“We haven’t had new music out in awhile. It is always fun when you put new music out. Fingers crossed that people are looking forward to it.”

What is currently titled as Sloan 12 features the new single The Day Will be Mine, which has influences dating back to the band’s first album in 1992.

“Our first album was very influenced by what was happening at the time, which was in the early 90s,” Ferguson said. “It was kind of like melodic, British, underground rock which is bands like My Bloody Valentine and Teenage Fan Club. Even a bit from stuff in the States like Nirvana or Sonic Youth.

“The Day will be Mine could easily fit with the sound of our first record.”

Ferguson said Sloan’s longevity can be traced to the fact that each member writes and sings, leading to a profoundly democratic feel to the band.

“There is a shared responsibility in the band and it is very democratic,” he said.

“That has helped keep our band together. It is an outlet for everyone. There isn’t a disgruntled drummer who doesn’t get to play his songs. Everybody gets to contribute.”

He added the band has always felt a sense of separation from the Canadian music scene.

”We make records based on records we liked growing up and then you end up creating your own distinct sound. By nature of us being four different voices in the band, that is something I feel is unique in Canadian music,” he said.

Ferguson said the band will be playing two long sets at Bo’s featuring both old hits and new songs.

He said the advantage of playing in that type of venue means the audience knows the songs and is open to hearing new tracks.

Touring for Sloan is also something that has become more vital than what it was in the early 90’s.

“Touring is great. Playing shows is a fun part of the job and it is also a way that we make money for ourselves,” he said. “It is kind of the bread and butter. At some point, you would have made more money from selling your music on CD or cassette. That has diminished for sure. It is still a great job and it is part of being a current band.”

Ferguson added Sloan will tour for the better part of this year before moving on to their next project, which will likely be a box-set reissue of their first album.

--taken from: Red Deer Express

Hometown Hockey in play

--taken from: intelligencer.ca

Luke Hendry

Call Ron MacLean a friend of The Friendly City.

The longtime host of Hockey Night In Canada was delighted to learn Belleville would be among the 24 stops being made this season by the Rogers Hometown Hockey Tour, of which he is co-host with Tara Slone.

The Belleville event took place downtown Saturday and Sunday across from city hall.

“I love the city,” said MacLean. “It’s really great to come here.”

MacLean said a main theme for the Tour stopover in Belleville was celebrating the highly-decorated individuals and teams the city has produced. And not just in hockey.

“We started at the Armouries, with the Hastings Prince Edward Regiment — the Hasty Ps — the most decorated unit in the country’s military history,” he said. “Then you have the Crawford family which has won the Stanley Cup, the Memorial Cup, the Robertson Cup, the Calder Cup, the Turner Cup — heck, even the Swiss Cup.

“And Bobby Hull. I love the fact that with all his hockey awards his biggest prize was above his fireplace with all the ribbons he’s won for his prized Bulls.

“It kind of became an inadvertent thread for this event — the decorations.”

A sailing buff, if MacLean could decorate Belleville with one more award, it might be for its nautical attractions.

“I’ve been all through the Bay of Quinte many times,” he said. “And almost always on the water.

“Belleville has one of the nicest marinas on Lake Ontario. We’ve overnighted here a few times and loved it.”

Saturday’s event drew a modest crowd to the Front Street parking lot where fans could get autographs from Belleville native and former National Hockey League goalie Andrew Raycroft and former Belleville Bull and retired NHL centre Kyle Wellwood. Both had played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and other teams. There were both sports and military attractions in the armouries, where troops demonstrated their skills and let the public handle a variety of weapons and gear.

Sunday brought warmer, sunnier weather and more people.

“It’s been great,” said Plainfield’s Danielle Walsh, who brought her children and their friends.

“They’re all hockey players.

“We’ve been downtown both yesterday and today … They’ve had a blast.”

Walsh said she liked the many free attractions. There were skill-testing games, interactive video displays and games, prizes and informal street-hockey games for children and adults.

“They did have great stuff,” said Belleville’s Kim Burr as she kept watch over sons Ethan, 5, and Nathan Istead, 6. She said the boys were more keen to visit the armouries than the hockey area. Burr said even more kid-friendly activities could have improved the day.

Trenton’s Tony Shaw was helping his grandson, Dakota Shaw, 10, get suited up for a game. Tony said the event was “awesome.

“The kids can pretty well wander and there’s lots of interesting tidbits for the adults,” he said.

Chief executive officer Jill Raycroft of the Belleville and District Chamber of Commerce said staff encouraged organizers of the Savour the Chill soup contest (see related story in this edition) not to divert from their usual weekend. Having both events running Saturday seemed to work for the public, she said.

“Once they found out about one or the other they got to come downtown and benefit from both,” Raycroft said. “It has been a great event.”

Reviews were mixed in Saturday’s Belleville Farmers’ Market.

“We’re seeing a lot of faces we’ve never seen before,” said market president Jackie Tapp, a baker from Prince Edward County.

“We’re selling a lot of smaller things to just take away and eat,” she said.

Good weather tends to increase market traffic, but Tapp said many regular customers appeared to have stayed away.

“It’ll probably balance out in the end,” Tapp said.

She said the day had been “pretty busy” but not everyone agreed.

“It’s been dead,” said another market vendor, taking issue with event-related parking restrictions in Market Square.

Sunday’s tour finale built to a concert by the Trans-Canada Highwaymen: a band uniting Moe Berg of the Pursuit of Happiness, Craig Northey of Odds, Chris Murphy of Sloan and former Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page.

That was followed by the arrival of MacLean and co-host Tara Slone and the broadcast of the Edmonton Oilers’ game against the Anaheim Ducks.

MacLean said he enjoys meeting and talking with shinny fans in all of the communities the Hometown Hockey Tour visits, from B.C. to Newfoundland. Belleville’s spring-like weekend weather and Sunday’s sunshine must’ve been a particularly nice break after enduring frigid temperatures at the previous stop in Regina.

“It was minus 30 and windy there,” said MacLean. “It was tough.”

But, MacLean said the Tour’s onsite event crew is a hardy bunch.

“They’ve had the hardest winter this season,” he said. “It was bitterly cold all through the west. I sometimes whine about having to sit at Pearson Airport for two or three hours on a Saturday night, but when I see our gang tearing down after an event, it can break your heart.”

The Tour’s travelling crew, who do everything from loading and unloading transport trucks to acting as site ambassadors once each event opens, includes a Bay of Quinte connection. Stirling native Aliesha Wilson and former Quinte AAA goaltender Real Cormier are among the crew members. MacLean speaks highly of both.

“Everybody loves Aliesha,” he said. “And Real is a great guy.”

--taken from: intelligencer.ca

Sloan Announce '12' LP, Share New Single

They've also mapped out a North American tour

by Sarah Murphy

Long-running Canadian rockers Sloan have revealed plans for their next studio album. The band's aptly titled 12th album, 12, will arrive on April 6 via Murderecords/Universal Music Canada.

Still featuring all four founding members, the band continue their democratic music style on the new record, delivering three songs penned by each Patrick Pentland, Chris Murphy, Jay Ferguson and Andrew Scott — bringing together their penchants for "soaring rock anthems," "playful, participatory singalongs," "jaunty prop-pop gems" and "whimsical innerspace explorations," respectively.

The album marks the follow-up to 2014's Commonwealth, and it hears the band working more closely together than the last time around.

"That album was more of everyone retreating to corners to produce and sequence a side of their own material," Ferguson said in a statement, comparing the the two record. "This one would potentially have more collaboration than usual."

As a precursor to the album, Sloan have shared lead single "The Day Will Be Mine." Scroll past the full tracklisting for 12 to give it a listen.

Below, you'll also find the band's upcoming tour dates in support of the new material. 12 is available for pre-order on CD and orange vinyl via MusicVaultz.

12:

1. Spin Our Wheels
2. All Of The Voices
3. Right To Roam
4. Gone For Good
5. The Day Will Be Mine
6. Essential Services
7. Don't Stop (If It Feels Good Do It)
8. Year Zero
9. Have Faith
10. The Lion's Share
11. Wish Upon A Satellite
12. 44 Teenagers