The third studio release from folk-pop/americana duo Quote the Raven.

The third studio release from St. John’s folk-pop/americana duo Quote the Raven.

In Relation To is Big Space’s sophomore album, following their self-released 2016 debut, Live at The Levee. The album In Relation To was recorded live in studio – with no overdubs – between lockdowns during 2020 and 2021 and was released on October 22.

It’s interesting how just a switch of viewpoints can affect our perception. If you look at the album’s art cover on its initial orientation, you see an asphalt road through a puddle. But reverse the picture, let your senses be charmed, and you see a lovely, snowy day or even an improbable glimpse of the beautiful Milky Way in daylight.

The music is just as good as the art cover at attuning us to the band’s uncommon and fantastic point of view. A studio album becomes a live recording, a prepared session becomes an improvisation, rock becomes progressive, math, or even post-rock, jazz becomes the perfect vector to paint delightful atmospheric soundscapes.

Ian Murphy (b), Ashley Chalmers (d), and Grant King (g), a trio from St John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, are certainly not the kind to see a glass half empty, nor to judge an island as a limiting space. Big Space they are and big spaces they create.

In Relation To, from the blue star-filled half-cloudy sky of St John’s, delicately seduces our ears thanks to the band’s ability to express the whole through the details, while not losing themselves into those same details. And that’s how they focus on taking us further than we ever expected when we first pushed play.

After a year of basement zooms and COVID blues “Long Story Short” has finally arrived alive. The first studio album for Alt-Pop Atlantic Canadian band, With Violet, this brilliant record clearly demonstrates the musicianship and camaraderie by the members. Bursting through your airpods, the band leans into the mood with their smash opener, Give My Heart Away. Finessed fun springs to life while the saxophone (Sarah Newel) leads you into that mystic cave of wonders. “Well I want you to know” Sarah’s voice blissfully rings at the start. Uncommon, but a real treat, this record features two lead vocalists. Complimenting the silvery sounds of Sarah is Pete, sliding between falsetto to chest – smooth as “chardonnay.” Although loud and fun you can steal hear a great deal of thought and experience as the band begins smashing through solos (Matthew Cadigan: Venice Beach) and slapping the floor from your feet (Spencer FitzGerald: July Morning) You name it, you can colour it purple too, cause With Violet can “give you what you’re asking for.”

Bob Muggeridge is a Canadian solo acoustic folk singer/songwriter /performer from St. John’s, Newfoundland 

Traditional fiddle-based original music recorded by Jockey Special: Maria Cherwick with Josh Ward and Darren Browne. 

Folk/Trad Singer/Songwriter Kyle Gryphon follows up on 2020s “Isolation” with a vinyl offering.

New CD from St. John’s folk duo Dandelion Few. Follow-up release from their 2018 “Diggin’ Towards The Sea”.

Latest release from NL folk singer-songwriter Craig Young, featuring covers of Stan Rogers, Merle Haggard, Mark Knopfler and more.

Lastest release from local folk singer-songwriter Rosemary Lawton.