Maritimes Music
16 John St. B0T 1W0 Shelburne, NS, Canada

Wood has been central to making guitars. Here is a look at how woods once thought to be inexhaustible are not and how solid body guitars may adjust. https://reverb.com//the-future-for-wood-in-electric-guitars

Here is a video showing this outstanding Martin Custom Shop OM with Adirondack top and sinker mahogany sides, back, neck, and neck block. Here is a link to the Reverb listing. https://reverb.com//40348966-martin-om-custom-shop-sinker-

Here is a look at a wonderful Parlour guitar from master builder Russel Crosby.

The BBC Radiophonic Workshop was home to more musical innovation than you can count. One of them was the creation of the tools that would make electronic music possible. This was also a remarkably open field for women. A new film, "Sisters With Transistors," tells their story. Here is a short introduction to the Workshop and the women who made the music. https://www.soundonsound.com//story-bbc-radiophonic-worksh

Indie artists have never had the management tools to compete. This new company aims to change that. https://www.digitalmusicnews.com//artist-republik-360-de/

The Arts community is pretty please with the new Federal budget proposals. Here you can see why. https://www.fyimusicnews.ca//federal-budget-earns-hoorahs-

Even Paul is demanding change in streaming compensation. https://www.digitalmusicnews.com//paul-mccartney-streami/

This is one that is off the charts cool. https://www.digitalmusicnews.com//what-do-spiderwebs-sou/

Independent radio and TV stations have been hit hard and are asking for government help. https://www.fyimusicnews.ca//cab-calls-government-avoid-lo

This is a sort of "Guitar Porn." It shows music gear and manuscripts that sold for remarkably high prices. https://www.msn.com//music-memorabilia-that-s/ss-BB18sBHB

The physics around an acoustic guitar are important. They determines the tone and playability of the instrument. Cool stuff--

The Beatles played off the shelf European guitars in their Hamburg days. "What were they playing," you ask. We are here to serve... https://reverb.com/news/what-the-beatles-played-in-hamburg

It is another nifty day in music history. https://www.msn.com//today-in-music-history-a/ar-BB17ODJO

We are proud guitar nerds and to prove it, here is an article about "binding rot." It happened to many guitars, but Gretsch's from the sixties are very prone to this. https://acousticguitar.com/ask-the-expert-all-about-cellu/

There is a bunch of bad news available to you. Take a break and read about this day in music history. https://www.msn.com//today-in-music-history-j/ar-BB17e7wb

There is loads of anecdotal evidence about how this dreadful virus has impacted musicians. Here is some data collected by Music Canada. https://musiccanada.com//national-research-musicians-feel/

So, you lost your funk and you want it back. Here it is.

Here are some interesting trends in music sales during the pandemic.

Here is a tale of music making you may have missed. https://reverb.com/news/the-legacy-of-compass-point-studios

In the mass of news that engulfs us all, we didn't want "Saxophone Patent Day" and other music historic milestones to be missed.

The Canadian Musicians' Coalition has a proposal that can make a dent in the loss of income musicians have suffered from the domination of music distribution via streaming combined with the Covid-19 restrictions on playing live. The proposal is reviewed here. It is well worth reading.

If you ever wanted to be the Executive Director of a provincial music organization, your time has come. We had the Music NL announcement last week and here we have the notice for applicants to run Music Nova Scotia.

About a year ago, I asked you all what songs rose to the level of Canadian anthems. You had great ideas, "Four Strong Winds," for example. However in these responses, and in many other lists I have seen, there do not seem to be any songs that were adopted in both French and Anglo Canada. Do you know of any? There were many songs written in Quebec that became popular, but none seem to have nationwide status. So, if you have any that leap to mind, please let me know. Thank you

Now this is way cool. If you are a writer or interested in how some famous pop tunes have used odd meters, this one is for you. It is a well done video from the good folks at Reverb.

FYI: Music NL is searching for an executive director. For more information, click below.

Kelly Devoe is a member of the Nova Scotia band, "Jesus Murphy." He set out to write a song that speaks to the province's rich fishing history. To that end, he wrote this tune that commemorates the catching of a 1496 lb tuna. The record still stands.

This has been a decade where hip-hop has grown around the world and here at home. Here is a review of the genre in Canada over the last decade.

This article is not our usual fare. It is US based and deals with the economics of Warner Music going public. (We can see you are enthralled already.) However, it is an important perspective on how streaming is making the music business both predictable and profitable for the big guys. The question we now must ask is, "are only the big guys going to be able to make money with music leaving the rest of us to be hobbyists." Our answer is no.

Today we are struck by protests and a pandemic. It is also the anniversary of D-Day in World War II the allied invasion of France that would open up a second front in Europe. With all of that said, and with no intent to slight any of these epochal events, June 6 was also a big day in music history. We thought the change of pace could serve as a temporary balm. Here you go:

We would like to thank David Myles, born in New Brunswick and now living in Halifax, for ticking two boxes of the four that make up Atlantic Canada. He has a new record and video to support it. See and hear by using the old clicker.

Live music will need major support to come back from this virus lockdown. Here is one look at what it will take to recover.

This has nothing to do with the music of Atlantic Canada, but has a great deal to say about one of its defining characteristics--the sea. Our friends decided to win a world championship sailing a particular type of dingy. This was no casual idea. They tested themselves in a myriad of ways. It resulted in a great film that is about grit and determination. It is available on demand starting today. Here is the link.

You got to love this. Instead of waiting for a vaccine, let's dress to allow for attending concerts right now. Nothing says fun like your very own hazmat suit.

OK, here we have Maritimes Music artist Manitoba Hal and label owner Jay Pilzer in their alternative identity as The Post Roseway Strutters.

Episode three of the CBC Junos 365 Songwriters' Circle hosted by Halifax's Joel Plaskett with Buffy Saint-Marie, City and Colour, and Sarah Harmer is streaming on May 29.

This does not come as a surprise, but it is real data in an age of speculation. This may or may not hold up in reality, but it does point to a long slog back.

Canadian Musician magazine has compiled an "e-book" for musicians who are all caught up in the monumental challenges presented by the pandemic. It is free and available here:

Dana Beeler, of Nova Scotia band Hello Delaware, has made a series of podcasts relevant to all of us--not just musicians who have lost so much. Check it out here.

Manitoba Hal is on the air. Here is a nifty collaboration video from our own Manitoba Hal. No shut down is gonna shut him down.

So Spotify, to whom artists essentially give their music, started a "tip jar" feature so fans could pay more to artists. So, Spotify still gets music to offer at next to no cost and fans can, if they choose, get some cash to the artists. How's that working out?

Here is a little bit of physics on your way to rock 'n roll. Tuning the guitar--

Little Richard is remembered by Bill King. He is gone, but never forgotten. Rock and Roll is in his debt.

So, let's take a break from tales of crisis and look at a short history of using a violin bow with a guitar. Is it common enough to have a long history?

"Canadian Musician" has just put an inside view of how the country's music industry reacted to the developing Covid-19 crisis. It is a well informed look from behind the scenes.

Canadian luthier Linda Manzer is one of the finest guitar makers working today. Here are some of her guitars in action. Enjoy