My Heart's on the Rail

It is now almost the end of another year. It has been a year in which my musical horizons were further expanded with the addition of new artists and new earworms. It seemed to me that every month a new artist or an old favourite would be introduced to me either through seeing them perform at summer music festivals (Mariposa in Orillia, Sound of Music in Burlington, Harvest Jazz and Blues in Fredericton, etc), or hearing them brutally overplayed on the CBC that I began to wonder if that as all that they had. Thankfully many did have songs that I loved. Here is my top 10 list of the artists of 2010 as chose by the month in which they were introduced!

January 2010: Meaghan Smith. This singer-songwriter, based in Halifax, combines folk and jazz into her music which creates a rich tapestry of sound that is brought to life through her angelic and sublime voice. In 2011, it is my goal to see her live, after missing my opportunity to do so at Harvest in September 2010.

If You Asked Me—Meaghan Smith

http://www.youtube.com/user/MeaghanSmithMusic#p/a/u/0/oge4nAv9u5Q

February 2010: Lady Antebellum. I am in no way a country music fan, but this band captured my attention when I found out that they filmed their first hit single “Need You Now” in Toronto (Thanks Much Music…), and saw them perform on Ellen. I am really tempted to purchase their album…though I fear they will a short lived experience.

I Run to You—Lady Antebellum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs38lKxmtI4

March 2010: Owl City. This is another performance I happened to catch on Family channel’s music video section one late night before bed. Both of his songs lull me to another place.

Vanilla Twilight—Owl City

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIz2K3ArrWk

April 2010: Marina and the Diamonds. One artist that I knew I had to had in my life from the moment I first heard her while getting ready for a dinner party for a friend. When her CDs were not avialable to buy in Canada, I asked my parents permission to buy her CD from England and I was so happy to see the package arrive. What I found appealing about Marina is her sense of style, her quirky music videos, her amazing vocal range, and the fact that states that “I’m Marina. You are the diamonds.” All of it makes me smile and her album is one that I will probably need in the rest of my life.

I am Not a Robot—Marina and the Diamonds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_oMD6-6q5Y

May 2010: Joel Plaskett’s “On the Rail.” Little did I know in May 2010 that this song from CBC’s song quest would become my official Summer 2010 musical anthem. From the opening chords to the end, it just sounds so big and expansive and free. All things I yearned for during a summer in which I felt once again choked with bitter disappointment. Plus, it makes me really want to see Cape Breton Island one of these days.

On the Rail—Joel Plaskett

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGmVDpzwFEQ

June 2010: “Symphony No. 1 in D-major” by Gustav Mahler. Throughout my high school experience in the BT Music Department, this symphony followed me around because it was the personal favourite symphony of my music teacher. I remember one time that she played the final movement (which begins with a cymbal crash) at a loud level on the stereo that caused me to jump. Movement two features a minor keyed version of that ageless French round “Frere Jacques”. When I went to see the Toronto Symphony Orchestra perform this great Mahler symphony, my companion jumped into the air at the same section. It makes me so happy that Mahler wrote these great symphonies because his nine are greatest since Beethoven! Look up the symphony on Youtube…and sit back and enjoy. It’s breathtaking.

July 2010: Sultans of String. This band is one of many that I discovered at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia, ON, but really captured my attention because of their combination of folk and world music. I have so much admiration for this band. They are amazing, and I guarantee that if you listen to them, you will transported to another time and place.

Travesia—Sultans of String

http://www.youtube.com/user/sultansofstring#p/u/2/HXvknMWD0Hk

August 2010: Arcade Fire. Why I never listened or ignored this band from Montreal before the release of their third album, “The Suburbs” is beyond me. They are unique in the Indie-Rock scene and they are freaking awesome in what they create. The Suburbs speak to my soul because I was born and raised in a community that loves sprawl, and has inspired me to further investigate the suburbs. And if Arcade Fire comes near me in 2011, I am seeing you perform! That is a promise!

Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)—Arcade Fire

http://www.youtube.com/user/ArcadeFireVEVO#p/u/7/0L6ZFhZVOx0

September 2010: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. I saw this talented woman and band at the 2010 Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Fredericton and found her stage presence was unbelievable and mind-blowing. The drummer in the band really looked like he was having the time of his life (hehe). Highly recommended to just dance those blues away.

Tiny Light—Grace Potter and the Nocturnals

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ma9lzcUe2Zg

October 2010: Dan Mangan. This British Columbian singer-songwriter was introduced to me at Mariposa in July, but he is my sister’s favourite artist and this was during a time when I really missed her. When he performed at Mariposa, he was probably one of the most down to earth performers that I met during that weekend.

Road Regrets—Dan Mangan

http://www.youtube.com/user/danmanganmusic#p/u/6/hviiGCkVMiY

November 2010: Royal Wood. I briefly saw this Ontarian singer-songwriter perform at the Sound of Music Festival in Burlington, ON in June, but due to a horrible storm he was allowed to perform one song. This one song—Lady in White—captured my attention and in November 2010 I found myself at the HMV buying his latest album. I really enjoy it, but I need to find his older albums because I did not realize that he has been around for a while.

Juliet—Royal Wood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnAmDZ4wBZc

December 2010: Florence + the Machine. Florence Welch and her band captured my attention first through a SNL performance and then when Glee covered her hit “Dogs Days are Over” (to which I think they butchered a little bit). Someone recommended her last year to me, but I am glad that I finally listened to her. She was my companion on those allnighters when I was alone, and she just makes me feel really good about myself. Two things I wish from her in 2011: to visit a concert venue near me, and to release a new album!! :-D

Drumming Song—Florence and the Machine

http://www.youtube.com/user/FlorenceMachineVEVO#p/u/23/boo2Zm69fhY

And that is the list of songs and artists that captured my attention in 2010. I am looking forward, with great anticipation, to see what 2011 has in store for me! 

I hope you enjoyed! What were your earworms of 2010?

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