Toronto Experimental Artists

TEA Volume 14 artist James Ashberry has been singing since the 2nd grade and playing guitar since the age of 10. He has involved himself in dramatic theatre, and it’s safe to say that between choir performances and school plays, the stage became comfortable for him at an early age. After experimenting in several high school bands, come graduation he had made up his mind to get serious. Already writing songs of his own, James had also begun to amass a plethora of cover material and he decided that he had the ammo to hit the circuit. There’s nothing like the trenches of the club scene to help you hone your skills and within a year or two, The Ashberry Jam was becoming quite a hot item. The years between 1990 & 2000 found James touring the GTA and southern Ontario circuit steadily. He has opened shows for the likes of Kim Mitchell and April Wine, performed in legendary clubs such as The Opera House, The Elmocombo, Lees Palace and The Horseshoe Tavern to name just a few. In 1994 James won the Best New Band title at the Rock n Roll Canada pageant. The band took the free studio time they won from this competition and recorded their first EP. With well over 4000 gigs under his belt and 3 independent CD’s to his credit, James has an incredible cover repertoire and prides himself on being able to cater to any room.

James’ own songs have been described as an intimate and thought provoking, eclectic mix of melodies and harmonies, spanning topics ranging from the state of environment, the pursuit of enlightenment and the complexities of love. A naturally gifted multi-instrumentalist with a unique intensity, James Ashberry gives 110% of himself to every note, of every song he plays. You can purchase James' music at Indiepool and keep up to date with his live shows on his myspace page.

Listen to James Ashberry

Popularity: 1%

TEA Volume 14 artist Sean Peori has made a musical journey that spans the country.  Born in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia to a family of Italian immigrant coal miners, Sean and his family moved to Deep River, Ontario when he was eight.  It was while growing up in Deep River that he discovered a passion for songwriting that he could not ignore. Sean moved to Salt Spring Island BC and started performing in Vancouver and throughout the islands. It wasn’t long before his unique and powerful voice and songs caught the attention of Canadian pop icons Tom Hooper of the Grapes of Wrath and Matt Johnson of 54-40.  Sean recorded in Tom’s studio, meeting engineer Andy Bowmer, (Randy Bachman, Harry Manx, The Guess Who) along the way.  The songs that resulted from these sessions caught the attention of Deep River native Malcolm Burn, a Grammy Award winning producer (Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Blue Rodeo, Daniel Lanois).

In 2006 Malcolm opened his New York home studio to Sean for a weeklong recording session. Sean’s beautiful songs took on new depth and colour as Australian pop sensation Sandrine and Malcolm himself added background vocals and instrumentation.

Later that year, Sean came full circle as he made his way back to Nova Scotia where he chanced upon a vibrant musical community in the Annapolis Valley. Coincidently, Sean discovered that Andy Bowmer had moved there too, and was eager to get started on a project he could put his heart into. Sean has recently been featured on TEA Volume 14, Indie Love Radio, FM 102X song of the day, and CBC radio 3 breaking new sound. Sean’s new CD, Find Our Place, is now available.

Listen to Sean Peori

Popularity: 1%

TEA Volume 13 & 14 compilation artist T Riley keeps herself and band mates busy with many new projects and a killer live show. What has T been doing..."T Riley has been juggling live shows and studio time while working on her latest Video for "Shed Some Light" off her latest CD release. "Shed Some Light" was produced by Howard Redekopp (Mother Mother, Tegan and Sarah, New Pornogrophers) and the video is typical T Riley - do it yourself style - showing T being chased around the globe...literally. Stay tuned for that! Meanwhile, she is busy in the studio with her guitar player Rick Rodney trying their hand at producing together. The demo version of "Let Your Hair Down" is already posted on her myspace page. Look for more demos as they navigate through  the creative abyss. T has also invited Scott Boudrou to guest produce on some of the new songs. This should prove for an exciting album. There is also an acoustic album in the making that will be posted on the web and some tracks will be free for fans to download, just for being you!  While she's not in the studio, look for T gigs coming soon in Vancouver, Whistler, and Saltspring Island"

T Riley's track on TEA Volume 13 called "Hanging On"is just down and dirty with the greatest live sound we have heard at TEA for some time. The guitar work, vox and production is steller! Below is a quote from T as she talks a little about the origins of the track "Hanging On"...was inspired by general family dysfunction and the injustices of society!  It keeps trying to knock me down in defeat, but I keep hanging on! This song was recorded in Mushroom studios all in one take (even the vocals!  yay!), so it is quite pure and sounds the same live. It is our favorite song to play live by far. It has fondly developed two nicknames, one being the "Surf Tune", for obvious reasons, and the the other, the "Orgasm" song. The squeals of frustration have often been misinterpreted as squeals of, well, you know.  When a back up singer took my cd home to learn, she said she had to turn this song down so her mother couldn't hear it, because it was making her blush and she was scared her mother wouldn't let her sing in my band!  Just goes to show how things can be misunderstood. All in all, this is a "won't back down", "knock me down and I'll get back up again" , "never give up", type of song that I hope people can listen to when they feel like they are about to throw in the towel, get inspired, and think to themselves "f--k you!" and keep fighting the good fight.

Listen to T Riley

Popularity: 43%

TEA Volume 11 & 14 compilation artists Columbia have set some very aspirational goals. Columbia founding members have spent the last three years creating the new Universal Rock! The Big Rock...the way it should be, with catchy lics and meaningful lyrics. Columbia combines talent and emotion. Guitarist Richard Jacquard and vocalist Kevin Schallie have crafted a band that will be heard and is sonically like no other. When Kevin and Richard first began writing music together, they promised each other that they would be a strong force...and do anything it takes to create music that transcends boundaries. Columbia's music past is rich, with Kevin and Richard starting the band Straitpipe in 1998...going on to win multiple competitions. Columbia has performed all over the mainland of British Columbia, playing such venues as The Roxy, The City Limits, Richard's on Richards, and the media club to name a few. With this experience Columbia has come together at the right time. Like their  favorite bands of the past, Columbia want to be the best...and are ready to prove it. There latest release "Join our Ride"  is now out and receiving a fantastic response from fans and reviewers. You can purchase their latest release here. Columbia welcome Brian Welsch their new drummer just in time to hit the road.

It has really been a fantastic couple of months for Columbia! They were #1 in the Supernova.com charts in 3 different categories! They have the number one song voted by fans with the song "My conscience Me", and also have the #1 song out of all the seeds contestants with their song "10 Out Of 10". Columbia are the #1 band on the whole Supernova site for the week of July 2009. Columbia are currently touring on the west coast of Canada and the US and will soon be coming east. We can't wait to see them here in Toronto and we look forward to an excellent live show. TEA is thrilled that Columbia will be on the TEA Volume 14 compilation CD which will be released on January 14, 2010. Columbia has just signed with Thorny Bleeder Records on Oct 14, 2009. Congrats guys!

Listen to Columbia

Popularity: 8%

TEA Volume 14 artist Katelyn Dawn makes the top 16 on Canadian Idol.  Read Katelyn's interview on TEA on 148.ca with Phillip Hong. You can check out videos of Katelyn on Canadian Idol and CTV below...

Katelyn Dawn - She Talks to Angels (CTV)

Katelyn Dawn - CTV Spotlight (CTV)

What has Katelyn been doing since Canadian Idol? - Katelyn recently released her 2nd album, 'The Window'. The new album, produced by Chris Burke-Gaffney (Chantal Kreviazuk) & Dale Penner (Nickelback) combines an organic sunny roots-pop sound, with hummable melodies and jangly hooks. We are very proud of Katelyn here at TEA and we will continue to bring awareness to her many talents. She performed a passionate acoustic driven set at the TEA Summer Showcase on Saturday July 18, 2009 at the Rivoli. Katelyn has recently signed to USA Records LLC, a Beverly Hills, California based production company. We would like to congratulate Katelyn and her management on Katelyn's latest signing and tour. We are thrilled to have Katelyn back on the TEA Volume 14 Compilation CD which is being released on January 14, 2010. Her track "When the Coffee's Cold" will be featured on TEA Volume 14 along with many other talented TEA Artists.

Here is a recent update from Katelyn herself...How’s it going everyone? I know it’s been sooooo long since I’ve written you guys but I thought I would give everyone an update! Things are going so well for me in Toronto!! I've only been here like 12 months and I already have a bunch of new developments! There is a producer from the states who has moved to Toronto, he has actually lived in Paris, London, New York, LA, Miami, so he has a good grasp on the different markets, and he has worked with K-os, toured with JLO, Beyonce & JayZ, check him out! Stevano UGO. He wants to work with me on developing a cool new sound, and produce a remix for When the Coffee’s Cold! Listen to Katelyn Dawn

Popularity: 100%

TEA Volume 12 compilation artists Versus the Nothing dive down deep and surface with driving melodic magic. There’s something about Nothing….. The unabashed, melodic, hard rock band, Versus the Nothing is a quintet that focuses on writing solid songs with tight, energetic performances. Their music combines heavy guitars, with powerful, melodic vocals that are propelled by driving rhythms and anthemic choruses. Clean, quiet moments swell into raging guitars, punctuated by short blasts of screamo gang vocals as they rise into crashing sing-along choruses. Accented by hopeful lyrics, with a sense of desperation that melds into cries from a damaged, disaffected, suburbanite youth. Their namesake draws upon that same energy, inspired by The Neverending Story, where an evil force called The Nothing tries to take over everything in existence. It’s a journey from pain to joy; a story that encourages us to believe that happiness is achievable even in the most dire of circumstances.” The guys couldn’t find a better name to represent their music if they tried. Versus the Nothing independently released their debut album “Let it all Come Down” in 2008, with the track “Bleed the Ocean” quickly being snapped up by Mazda for an online campaign. They soon caught the attention of the Canadian Music Industry, leading them to a coveted Top 5 winner in the esteemed Vancouver CFOX 2008 Seeds contest (responsible for helping break some of the biggest bands on the rock scene such as Nickelback, Default, Theory of a Deadman, and Art of Dying). The album’s title track “Let it all Come Down” has been getting steady spins at Canadian radio ever since, in addition to spins on American stations WLIX 104.5fm, Indie 104fm, KERX 95.3fm, WAMX 106.3fm, WEGW 107.5fm, and WHBR 103.1fm. Non-stop gigging and a tireless work ethic have transformed Vancouver’s Versus the Nothing into one of the new rock acts to emerge out of Western Canada. Their goal is a modest one, one that reflects the true essence and sincerity of their music; to get on the road, tour non-stop, and be heard by as many new people as possible. They’re creating a unique future for themselves, carving a path that’s full of opportunities for such a young group. The book is wide open for Versus the Nothing, and their neverending story has only just begun. Versus the Nothing are: Ross Archibald – Vocals Jason Scannell – Bass Chris Shaw – Guitar, Vocal Jacob Wyman – Drums, Vocals Ande Otte – Guitar, Vocals.

VANCOUVER, Tuesday, January 12, 2010 – Vancouver’s hard rock quintet VERSUS THE NOTHING’s single “Let It All Come Down” is featured on SEGA® Europe Ltd. ‘ soundtrack for Vancouver 2010™ - the Official Video Game of the Olympic Winter Games.

Listen to Versus the Nothing

Popularity: 81%

TEA Volume 9 Compilaiton artists Au4 began their journey as brothers and ended up on a life long musical journey. For brothers Ben, Aaron and Nathan Wylie and their friend Jason Nickel, music has always been a constant in their lives. Vancouver-based electronic ensemble Au4 (pronounced: oh-four), have created a debut album that explores and celebrates the other endless forces that shape and bind us. On Audio, the groups new full-length release, is an uplifting, ethereal trip through the rhythms of nature and the nature of dreams, mixing blissed-out ambiance with melodic, fairytale songs. Ben Wylie (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Aaron Wylie (keyboards, vocals), Nathan Wylie (drums, percussion) and Jason Nickel (bass, vocals, keyboards) grew up on music, each starting Royal Conservatory training at a young age. In high school, the boys formed the requisite alternative rock bands, while continuing their musical study and touring in jazz, choir and theatrical productions. Jason and Nathan attended Capilano Colleges Jazz Studies program, while Ben and Aaron began experimenting with the electronic loops and beats which would later morph into Au4.

Inspired in part by the electronica explosion, and landmark albums by Underworld, Massive Attack, Bjork, and Nine Inch Nails, Ben and Aaron (who was also DJing in Vancouver clubs) started writing with new tools, layering and shaping sounds late into the night. In 2003, Jason Nickel heard their demos and brought them to producer/engineer Richard Dolmat. The group Au4 was officially formed along with Nathan Wylie their brother.

"On: Audio" was produced by Au4 and Richard Dolmat at Digital Sound Magic studios in Vancouver and is released on their own label, Torn Open Records. The nine tracks draw from trip-hop, ambient and dreampop styles, featuring the breathy, haunting vocals of Ben Wylie, who also scripted the fantastical stories of love and life.     Listen to Au4

Popularity: 60%

TEA Volume 2 & 3 compilation artist and TEA Showcase performer Andrew Spice sounds like no one else. Perhaps it was the immersion in classical music studies while growing up in the seclusion of Headingley, Manitoba; absorbing the beats and bravery of artists like Radiohead, Tori Amos, Nine Inch Nails, and Massive Attack. The result is a brilliant new songwriter who, with only a piano and his voice, emotes a timeless quality unmatched in some of the most accomplished singer-songwriters.

After catching the ear of indie legend Emm Gryner with a demo recorded in his basement, Andrew immediately headed to the studio to work on his debut album. Produced entirely by Gryner and released on her Dead Daisy Records label, Pretty Demons came out to immediate critical raves. NOW magazine described Andrew as a "prodigy"; Chart Attack said his songs were "so genuine it breaks your heart", and the Toronto Star called the album a "profound statement... a finger on our collective hearts". Pretty Demons was nominated for an OutMusic Award for Best Debut Album, prompting performances in New York alongside fellow nominees Catie Curtis, Junior Senior, and Rufus Wainwright.

Since moving to Toronto just last year, Andrew has quietly but surely made a name for himself. He has shared the stage with both independent artists such as Gentleman Reg, Jason Collett, Dayna Manning, and Nathan Lawr; and with Canadian stars like Gryner, Sarah Slean, Ron Sexsmith, and Jann Arden. His live show was given a four-star review by Toronto's NOW Magazine, which described his music as "profound". He has been featured twice on the Toronto Experimental Artists compilation Volumes 2 and 3. Check out TEA Showcase Review in the Toronto Star.     Listen to Andrew Spice

Popularity: 37%

TEA Volume 11 compilation artists Karmetik Underground can best be summed up as Live ElectroOrganic Tribal Groove Fusion. Sonically combining the east, the west, the above and the below, the Karmetik Underground is religiously infusing packed dance floors with live instrumental fusion. Karmetik cleverly creates an ethnically diverse musical tapestry, often incorporating traditional instruments from India with state of the art synthesizers, samplers, and sequencers. A sound influenced by Talvin Singh, Phish, Ravi Shankar, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Fela Kuti, Thievery Corporation, The Chemical Brothers and Sound Tribe Sector Nine to name a few. As part of the creative process, songs are conceived from within the emotional spectrum and given life through a hybrid medium of electrorganic sounds. Allowing the listener to fully explore their musical mind and body while getting down and dirty doin’ it.

As all the members are coming from different backgrounds, each bring their own influence to create a sound that sets an emotional atmosphere. The rhythm section consists of a dynamic duo that taps into an electro-tribal infused groove. The melody makers are gliding over top of the beat using harmonies produced by guitar and synthesized astro-phonics.

Included within this western approach to making music the KarmetiK Underground has great respect for North Indian Classical Music. All members have studied under masters in India, bringing back their eastern influence to fuse with worldly organic dance music. Instruments such as Sitar, Tabla and Santoor are commonly integrated into the performance bringing a sense of culture to the dance floor. Check out Karmetik's latest video.    

Listen to Karmetik Underground

Popularity: 28%

TEA Volume 2 compilation artists and showcase performers Martha's Trouble stick to the road and their incredible live shows. The married duo have recently released a Christmas release and received rave reviews from many sources including...Billboard critics choice top 10 in 2006 and a feature interview in Lee Magazine (Jen's Song) This is a very inspiring interview and highlights the bands long and successful journey. An excerpt from the interview is below...When Jen returned to Houston after her one-year commitment, she knew music was her calling. In 1995 she was booking bands for a coffee house, when her future walked through the door. Rob had just returned from Richmond, Va., where a band he was in had fizzled. He was back in Houston, where his parents lived at the time, to regroup. And once again, he was looking for a band. A friend introduced the two, knowing of their common musical interests, but for Rob, something unexpected happened. Standing in the coffee house, he told his friend: “I’m going to marry that girl one day.”

Martha's Trouble are currently touring and playing shows in both Canada and the United States. Being dual citizens enables them to enjoy the ease of travel between the two nations.  Their live shows are sonically amazing and captivating as you can witness by viewing the Red Deer live performance link below. A new CD is in the works and all other Martha's Trouble CD's are at an amazing discount of $5.00 per CD. You can check out their large discography right here.

Check out radio live performance - Red Deer

Listen to Marthas Troubles

Popularity: 31%