Inbox Wednesday: The Withering Pines

BTA was very lucky to receive a physical copy of The Withering Pines first release Into Corners for this edition of Inbox Wednesday, I guess that makes it mailbox Wednesday?  Nevertheless, Ottawa's  established and well-respected musician Eric Vieweg and friends have skillfully wrapped-up some soul-filled rock numbers in the first release for The Withering Pines.

What is so refreshing about this album is how the emotion permeates through every inch moment of the album.  The songs are raw, yet calculated; this allows each song to stand alone.  Highlights of the album include "Lines Upon Our Skin" where I reached for the volume to hear the energetic guitar tear into the verse, then hush everything to hear Vieweg's lamenting retrospect.  

My hands down favourite track is "Whisper in the Night", where the patient chorus echoes the overall atmosphere of the album.  Call it rock, folk rock, roots rock...it's a rock album.  Simply.

The Withering Pines didn't rush, this album assembled intricately by some of Ottawa greatest artists and it shows.   The liner notes include J.J. Ipsen, Matt Ouimet, Anders Drerup, and Matt Aston.

The Withering Pines are celebrating the release of Into Corners Saturday February 21st at The Elmdale Tavern.

The Withering Pines - Whisper in the Night

The Withering Pines - Lines Upon Our Skin

The Withering Pines - To Turn Green Again

Here's a pretty entertaining Beatles cover by The Withering Pines at Ottawa's 2008 Bluesfest.

New Music Monday: J.J. Ipsen

I would like to take this Monday's edition of New Music to introduce a very promising artist.  Transplanted from Woodstock, Ontario to Ottawa J.J. Ipsen dabbled with established local musician Eric Vieweg (of The Withering Pines, who will have an album in the new year) among many others.  With Vieweg's performance experience and Ipsen's knack for harmonies the pair played clubs and bars all over Ottawa.  Ipsen has since recently moved to Toronto devoting all his time to his career.

Ipsen's music encompases everything from folk, to jazz, to rock with arrangements that can only please the ear.  What is evident in all the tracks, is Ipsen's comfortable and confident harmonies.  With the help of veteran musicians and a very talented producer Justin Nace (of The Two Minute Miracles) Ipsen successfully completed a wonderful preview to a what I hope will be a fruitful career.  Having personally seen J.J. reduce his audience to a puddle of tears more than once, it's easy to say that he shoots from the heart.

J.J. Ipsen - Tornado

J.J. Ipsen - April May