Spring Brings New Crop of Music Releases

Manitoba's lovely little cold snap won't harm the fresh crop of new music releases popping up this spring...

The Weakerthans launched their new release, Live at the Burton Cummings Theatre, on March 23. The live DVD was recorded in April of 2009 as the band toured in support of their album, Reunion Tour, with an expanded line-up featuring trumpet, violin, and female vocals, playing songs from all four acclaimed releases in front of an adoring and ethusiastic hometown crowd. Live at the Burton Cummings Theatre will also be released on vinyl with a DVD insert.

Singer/songwriter James Struthers releases his six-song debut, Nadia, produced by Arun Chaturvedi. Catch the CD release party at the Pyramid Cabaret on March 25 with opening sets by The Thiefs and Ernie Booms.

Transistor 66 Record Co. adds to its long list of music releases, launching the long-awaited debut from The Lonely Vulcans. The quintet is set to release the 10-track self-produced Night Date on March 26 at the Royal Albert Arms, where the band will be joined by Woodshed Havok and The Smoky Tiger.

On March 27, the West End Cultural Centre will host not one but two CD release parties with not one but two Keenans: Patrick and Tom Keenan. Patrick is ready to launch his long-awaited sophomore effort, Washed Out Roads, which follows up his acclaimed 2004 album, A Constant As The Northern Car. Tom, who is also an actor and recently appeared as the lead in Sean Garrity's latest film Zooey and Adam, is ready with his debut, Romantic Fitness. Download Tom's "I Committed A Crime" from The Loudspeaker, available until April 1.

Smallman Records releases Greg MacPherson's much-anticipated Mr. Invitation on March 30. The Winnipeg release show hits the WECC on April 10 with an opening set by The Playing Cards.

Singer/songwriter Sheena Grobb released her sophomore album, Grow, at the Park Theatre on April 8 before heading out on a short tour of western Canada.

Bluegrass quartet Oh My Darling follows up its Western Canadian Music Award-nominated self-titled debut with In The Lonesome Hours on April 1. The band will take over the WECC stage for a CD release party on April 16 with a little help from The Good Lovelies.

After playing for African school children in Kenya, and performing for thousands of Canadian school children with Free The Children in the past year, Keith and Renee are set to launch Detours – their fourth studio album on April 16. The duo hits the West End Cultural Centre for its hometown CD release party on May 8.

Indie five-piece Departures debuts its EP, Kino-Pravda, on April 23.

Fresh from its showcase at SXSW in Austin, Boats launches its second album, Cannonballs, Cannonballs on May 1 at the WECC.

Click here to check out more new music releases.

Click here to check out more great shows in the Live Music Calendar.

If you're releasing something and we haven't included it, let us know by emailing info@manitobamusic.com.