Arizona-Based Native Hip-Hop Trio, Shining Soul, Drop New Video for "The H.E.A.L.I.N.G"

Through their vintage beat production and empowering rhyme delivery, Shining Soul has made and name for themselves and has carve out their own unique lane in the AZ Hip Hop community and beyond with their distinctive blend of socially conscious, yet soulful brand of hip-hop.

Emcee Liaizon, Bronze Candidate and DJ Reflekshin have proven time and time again that their music is universally accessible and has the power to start the healing process regarding the social ills we all face through the medium of hip-hop. Whether opening for major acts such as Phife Dawg, Ana Tijoux and Pharoahe Monch or “spreading their medicine” throughout the U.S., Canada and Germany with their rigorous tour schedule, Shining Soul reaffirms hip-hop can be a conduit for positive change, internally and externally.

So after years on the road, Shining Soul is back at it with their new music video titled “The H.E.A.L.I.N.G”. Shot in Washington D.C by El-Shamesh Photography, “The H.E.A.L.I.N.G” is just a glimpse of their long awaited third full-length album Politics Aside.

“The H.E.A.L.I.N.G” promises to be a disclaimer for what's to come and a wake up call for all those sleeping on Arizona's favorite rap trio.

Watch: Shining Soul - "The H.E.A.L.I.N.G."

For more Shining Soul, visit: shiningsoul-music.blogspot.com and shiningsoulmusic.bandcamp.com

Saskatoon MC T-Rhyme Talks Indigenous Arts and New EP "Diary of a Mad Red Woman"

Earlier this month, Saskatoon’s Tara T-Rhyme Campbell released her new EP, Diary of a Mad Red Woman, just ahead her first performance at the Indigenous Arts Festival in Toronto. We caught up with Tara to talk about her "5 track compilation of short stories in poetry form, backed up by dope beats."

How did it feel to break out new material at an event like the Indigenous Arts Festival?

It's so refreshing and gives me a great sense of pride to be a part of these big events that headline so many other amazing Indigenous artists. It's inspiring to see my people being given these types of platforms to perform and showcase what they love!

Is it your first album release?

Technically yes, this is my first album with all original pieces of work. I had previously released a mixtape in 2013 entitled From Scratch, but that was more of a showcase project. Diary of a Mad Red Woman is definitely more organically Hip Hop.

Who did you work with on this album?

I was fortunate enough to have worked with an array of talented beat-makers and producers from all over! Shelby Sappier aka Beaatz, being 1/4 of the City Natives crew from New Brunswick, blessed me with the production for "Start Over"; PC Beats from the UK produced "Dreams"; Justin Knight aka Mils from here in Saskatchewan produced "First Entry"; Doc Blaze from Florida produced "Kill H.E.R." and "Golden" which also features vocals by the amazingly talented Sierra Jamerson from Edmonton. All the mixing and mastering was done by my talented producer Jon Cennon at the Quality Control Project Studio here in Saskatoon. I am really excited about how everything fell into place, and hope it reaches people well.

What inspired your work in this project?

I was definitely inspired by my good friend and mentor Lindsay Knight aka Eekwol. She has been a constant positive reminder to stay true to myself when it comes to my art. I had confided a lot of my ideas to her and she really pushed and motivated me to follow through with the project. I am very blessed to be surrounded by empowering people, especially women, in the hip hop scene. What kind of audience are you looking to reach out to? Each and everyone! I never want to limit the audience my music reaches, because I feel hip hop shouldn't be limited to a certain group of listeners. If you enjoy good music and storytelling, then I would hope you could enjoy my work!

Any plans to tour over the summer?

Sadly, I don't have any plans to tour. Not that I don't wish to, but I am a mother first and foremost, so I don't think I could be away from my kids long enough to actually tour. But thankfully I have been blessed with opportunities to sporadically travel with my music so far, and it is definitely something I hope to continue to do. Diary of a Mad Red Woman is available for purchase on iTunes and Bandcamp.

STREAM: T-Rhyme - Diary of a Mad Red Woman

Find T-Rhyme on Instagram: @beadsrhymeslife and on YouTube.

PREMIERE: Stream Don Amero’s New Album “Refined”

The fifth studio album from Don Amero showcases the Manitoba songwriter at his best yet - truly, Refined.

When Don Amero dropped the first single and video, "Love Like That," last month, we dug that there was a taste of what we and audiences have grown to know and love (and occasionally swoon over) Amero for - i.e. sweet, smooth, acoustic-pop love songs.

But once we got a hold of the complete 10 track album, "Refined," we discovered a lot more.

From five seconds in with the piano-struck downbeat of the first and title track, Amero establishes he's standing on confident footing as a songwriter and performer. Over the course of the album his warm tenor voice maintains his familiar gentle warmth, but also showcases a newly developed strength, range, and flexibility, often supported masterfully by lush but not overwhelming harmonies. Musically Amero still nails his signature mix of acoustic, roots, and pop music, the stuff that earned him the description of "John Mayer meets Keith Urban", while also satisfyingly dipping into a bit of soul and rock.

While Amero does deliver solid feel-good and bittersweet love songs like the first single, and the duet with the one and only Crystal Shawanda "Broken Hearts," on this album he's exploring the outcome of life's bigger challenges and lyrically he weaves messages of struggle, survival, and adversity. At times it's heartbreaking, like in "Falling Shouldn't Feel That Way," but in the soulful organ and horn filled "On Down the Road," the driving "Let Them See You Smile," and the simple to triumphant arc of "Won't Give Up," Amero's message is fuelled with encouragement, positivity, and an eye on resilience, if not healing.

The album title and title track are a fine thesis statement - that living through hardship and change can result in a stronger self. Hitting new levels of writing, delivery, and production, Amero is clearly living what he sings about - chipping away, pushing through, and coming out the other side Refined.

Stream the exclusive first listen now, and check out Don Amero's Canadian CD release tour dates below.

Stream Don Amero’s New Album “Refined”

DON AMERO TOUR DATES - SPRING & SUMMER 2015

Tuesday April 28th - Halifax, NS at The Carleton Thursday April 30th - Wolfville, NS at The Al Whittle Theatre Saturday May 2nd - Halifax, NS - House Concert Tuesday May 5th - PEI - House Concert Tuesday May 19th - Peterborough, ON - The Garnet on Hunter Friday May 22nd - London, ON - The London Music Club Saturday May 24th - Guelph, ON - Lakeside Church Wednesday June 3rd - Rosebud, AB - The Gallery Thursday June 4th - Calgary, AB - The Ironwood Saturday June 6th - Calgary, AB - House Concert Friday June 12th - Winnipeg, MB - The West End Cultural Centre Saturday June 20th - Winnipeg, MB - Aboriginal Day Live Thursday June 25th - Atlin, BC - The Globe Theatre Friday June 26th - Whitehorse, YK - The Old Fire Hall Saturday June 27th - Prince George, BC - House Concert Wednesday July 1st - Vancouver, BC - Canada Day Event

STREAM: Tanya Tagaq - "Uja"

The first track from Tanya Tagaq's upcoming release has been unveiled! Her unearthly voice will get into your bones though the beats of Uja. 

Tanya Tagaq's newest album, Animism, is set for release on May 27th on the ever fantastic Six Shooter Records. This new track is the first to be shared with the world and we're stoked to hear the new work.

A few select launch dates have also been announced - mark your calendars if you're in the lucky cities below and otherwise hit play, again and again.

STREAM: Tanya Tagaq - "Uja"

DOWNLOAD: Christa Couture - "You Were Here in Michigan"

We have a download of You Were Here in Michigan from RPM's own Christa Couture from her newly released album The Living Record.

RPM's own Christa Couture has endured her share of hard work and hardships to complete her latest project The Living Record. A survivor of cancer and the passing of her infant son, Christa has turned these dark moments into her own musical medicine. This week we have a download of her song You Were Here In Michigan which captures the moment this medicine inspired her on the road at an artists' retreat. We're very happy to have Christa on our team and even happier to be sharing this first single off her album with you.

Christa is also heading out on a cross country tour so be sure to check out her show dates here: http://www.facebook.com/events/291501224290697/ 

DOWNLOAD: Christa Couture - "You Were Here in Michigan"

To listen to and support the rest of The Living Record, head to christacouture.com

New Indigenous Music Releases - Jan/Feb 2012

So far in 2012 the new releases in Indian Country span the genres of folk, americana, flamenco, traditional and pop/rock... something for everyone! Here are the new Indigenous music releases of January and February, 2012.

Right out of the gate, Samantha Crain released her new 7" single A Simple Jungle on January 10. Produced by John Vanderslice the two new tracks on the single are exactly what you love about Samantha already - her from-another-time vocals and indie-spun american vibe. Get A Simple Jungle here: samanthacrain.com/store.

On January 20, Gabriel Ayala of the Yaqui tribe released his ninth album, Shades of Blue. Ayala's virtuosic guitar playing is at its flamenco-flavoured best on this album and you can find it on CDBaby here: cdbaby.com/cd/gabrielayala3.

On the same day, newcomer Nick Sherman, from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, released his debut album Drag Your Words Through. Rooted in folk/rock, the songs are earnest yet thoughtful and Sherman's rich, textured vocals will rip your heart out. In a good way. Listen to his track Winterdark here and get the whole album on iTunes at itunes.apple.com.

Comprised of composer and multi-instrumentalist Colin Farish and Native American flutist John-Carlos Perea, Coyote Jump "sculpts a musical tribute to Native America with the sound of the cedar flute at its core." We've known for awhile that this debut album, Waking From the Rocks, was on the horizon and are glad to announce it's now available from Canyon Records. Find it at store.canyonrecords.com.

Last but not least, this month Vince Fontaine's supergroup Indian City released their first album, Supernation - contemporary pop and rock with a hint of traditional layers. Envisioned by Fontaine, the collaborative Indian City includes Don Amero, Pamela Davis, William Prince,  Ray "Coco" Stevenson and others. Killer! Get Supernation on CDBaby here: cdbaby.com/cd/vincefontainesindiancity.

Listen to the first single from Indian City, Stand: