“Sister of Mine” marks the third release for multiple Music Newfoundland and Labrador winner Sherry Ryan. Known for her autobiographical and earnest songwriting Sherry continues her strength for the craft on “Sister of Mine”. Sherry is skilled at penning love songs proving that a mix of love gained, love kept and love lost makes for a heartfelt exploration of the human heart and condition. On this record Sherry enlists the help of producer/musician Phil Sedore (Amelia Curran’s War Brides and Juno winning album Hunter, Hunter). He plays the majority of the instruments on the album and it has his signature folk, country flavour. The album has a lilting, meandering gait that paints a portrait of a warm, thoughtful night at the far end of summer. Sister of Mine is a lovely and poignant follow-up to her aptly titled second release, “Wonderful Cures”.

A 5CD overview of the 20+ year career of Newfounland’s premier improv group. Staring former and current members of seminal punk sleazoid legends Da Slyme and Slop-Blues rockers Dog Meat BBQ.

When thinking about the career of the Masterless Men and how it now spans 20 years it isn’t hard to believe that they’ve remained together this long. When you watch them perform live you get the sense that if they never performed for a crowd again they would get together around the kitchen table for the enjoyment of the music and each other’s company. There is a real sense of camaraderie in this band. This kinship is a necessary ingredient to the success of a group. The other is musical ability, something the Masterless Men have a great deal of. They have become known for both their up tempo, rousing blend of traditional folk and bluegrass and their stirring, and beautifully moving ballads. John Curran, the band’s tenor singer has one of the most instantly recognizable voices of any Newfoundland performer and it is elevated by the fantastic musicianship of his band mates. 20 Years is a great snapshot of where the Masterless Men have come from and where they are presently, a crown jewel in an already impressive discography. Happy anniversary!

Shanneyganock have cemented their place as one of Newfoundland’s most respected, hardworking and beloved musical groups in decades. They have also proven to be one of our most energetic and memorable live bands. Their live show was captured in 2000 on the “Live at O’Reilly’s” album, which has gone on to be one of our biggest selling and most popular recordings. They decided, a decade later, to recapture their famous live show on this new album, “Live on George Street”. There is a palpable excitement and liveliness on this recording and the quality of sound is exceptional. Recorded at the Rock House, the record offers up some fantastic musicianship. Mark Hiscock is one of our finest accordion players and he is firing on all cylinders on this album. The music is rounded out by bassist Bob Pike, drummer Billy Sutton and boisterous ringleader/vocalist Chris Andrews. You really get a sense of the sweaty and satisfied audience as the band rips through old favourites and some newer tunes as well. This is a true crowd pleaser of an album and we’re confident that it will join the “Live at O’Reilly’s” record as one of our best sellers.

This is a collection of instrumental favourites spanning the entire recording history of Shanneyganock (Including Mark’s solo album- “The Music Takes Me Back”). Tunes that you’ve come to love are now on one album. Mark Hiscock is arguably one of Newfoundland’s most accomplished accordion players and his fingers are on fire on these tunes. This, coupled with a guest appearance by Billy Sutton (the Fables) and Chris’s token rowdiness give the album a great lift and flow. A blend of live and studio recordings make this an exciting, energy-soaked must have for anyone who appreciates the skill and vitality of these instrumental classics.

This lovely tribute holds all of the things that you’ve come to love about Shanneyganock: the energy, gusto, musicianship and love for the traditional form. Chris Andrews and Mark Hiscock are in fine voice on this record as well. They truly pay attention to the details that made the McNulty family an institution here in Newfoundland. Even before arriving on the island, the McNulty’s were revered and loved as the first family of Irish music. Shanneyganock adhere to this fact and offer up a wonderful tribute. This is perhaps their most authentically traditional album to date and arguably their best. Chris’s unmistakable voice, Mark’s lightening fast button accordion and some special guests make this a gem of a record. This is how Sunday morning should sound; goes well with a mug ‘a tea and toutons.

John has the ear of many of serious songwriters here in St. John’s. He recently turned 60 and to celebrate he released a fantastic record. Unashamedly autobiographical, John’s stories translate into an album that pours over with loss, self-deprecating reflection and a longing for time at the far end of youth. Don’t let this fool you, though. Hope hangs in the wings of each song,

“Hey hey, wait up for me! Wait up, wait up for me!”,

John sings. He sings as though his life depends on the transmission of these songs and in a way, it really does. This album is a quiet masterpiece; honest, aching and beautiful. Will it be remembered as one of the great Newfoundland albums? Maybe not. Should it?

Absolutely.

Perhaps one of the more adventurous rock bands on the island, Long Distance Runners really stretch their legs both instrumentally and vocally on their debut EP. Nominated for five Music Newfoundland and Labrador awards at the 2011 conference, the album is ripe with catchy and unforgettable guitar work and beautifully lush and at times eerie vocal arrangements.

Favourable comparisons could be made to some of the later records made by The Beatles or early Rolling Stones. There is a timeless rock and roll feel to the record that makes the waiting for the full length album hard to bear. Get in the car and tune it up loud: speeding tickets are sure to follow.

Evry 7th are a relatively new band in the St. John’s music scene. They offer a unique international flavour with their fusion of flamenco and acoustic folk rock. Driving beats and flourishes of hard-hitting nylon-string guitar are at the core of the bands sound. Eren “Turk” Bayazitoglu, a native of Turkey, has a confident and strong vocal presence and his guitar playing is definitely noteworthy. He and his mates Jeremy Walsh (bass) and Craig Luscombe (drums/percussion) bridge the musical gap between the west and Eren’s home country making it accessible to anyone in need of a sweaty, upbeat, culture-sharing party.

From the first note of Mark Bragg’s newest “sacrifice” you get the feeling that you’re in for a wild ride. Mark has noted in interviews that he

“feels like a fiction writer, akin to Stephen King or any horror movie-making types”.

This gives him creative license to put his characters in situations that would put the regular Joe in jail and their kids in protective services. His songs are often nightmarish and dark but maintain a humour and oddly jovial quality that have become his trademark. There is truly a theatrical, circus-like feel to the record, as though Bragg were the devil’s own ringleader. These twisted stories are amplified by some of St. John’s finest musicians who offer up a heavy helping of gritty, dirt-filled rock and roll. You hear Springsteen, Nick Cave and Tom Waits but the sound is one all it’s own.