i (heart) music review! AND a nomination I knew nothing about!

Hey there folks!  This is my day: I was asked to be interviewed for a possible BlogTO article.  The questions where sent to me by email, so in between questions,  I watched the 1971 film "A King in Marvin Gardens", worked out,  and surfed the ol' internet.  One great thing I found on my search, was this review written today on i(heart)music.net!

Read the Review here!

That was a really nice surprise, but even nicer was seeing this line "On the one hand, when he was nominated for last year's Hottest Bands in Canada last year, the accompanying ballot...."  and I got to thinking, I was nominated for hottest Band in Canada?  Sure enough, with a little sleuthing (clicking the link above), I found it.  So thanks to whoever nominated me in November!  It's a wonderful honor, and I wish I had noticed it earlier!

Anyways, I'll keep you updated on that BlogTO article, and I'll also update you on  a few upcoming gigs!  So long!

Reviews!! at NoDepression and BadTemperedZombie!

Ok, it's the same review!  But, it's so well written, I can't help but share it twice!

Check it out here No Depression:

Or at her blog

Bad Tempered Zombie

It's really humbling to read something like this.  Thanks so much to Barbara Bruederlin!

2 wins in this years Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards!

Toronto Exclusive Magazine has picked the winners for their 4th annual awards, and my name came up twice!  First I received the honors of Best Folk Album for "Like Birds Too Tired to Fly", then I received further honors of Best Folk Song for "To Think I Once Was Lost".

Thank you so much TEM!  Check it out, and other winners here.

Featured in Blog TO's Neighbourhood Mixtape!!

I don't know if you follow Blog TO, but if you're a fan of are city, it's something I suggest.  It's the best place to go for info on food, shopping, movies and music within the city.  Aldrin Taroy has been putting together the Neighbourhood Mixtape for the last little while, where every Sunday, he picks a few songs to be a soundtrack for the week.  His theme this week is inspired by travel and called "Close Quarters".  The really exciting thing is that he picked my song "I'll Miss You When You're Gone" to be a part of it!

You can download it, or stream it here at The Neighbourhood Mixtape.  It features myself, Owen Pallett, Heartbreak Hotel, Pursuits, and Young Empires.

Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards!

Hey there folks.  Just a quick update.  Later today at Toronto Exclusive magazine, they'll be announcing their winners for the 4th annual Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards 2010, of which I'm nominated for 2!  Best Folk Song: To Think I Once Was Lost, and Best Folk Album.

Anyways, they update it later in the week!  So I'll let you know how it turns out!  Check it out here.

Happy Holidays!

Hey there! Well, it's been a pretty interesting year for me.  After much laboring, I released my first full length album "Like Birds Too Tired to Fly", and, happily, it received rave reviews!  I also got to tour with Olenka and the Autumn Lovers this fall, a wonderful experience that I chronicled over at my blog.

I'm not sure what next year holds.  Ideally, it'll be some touring of my own, and maybe some new recordings... and Arts and Crafts will sign me.. or True North, I'm not picky.

Anyways, happy holidays!  As a special gift, I have a couple holiday downloads for you!  

This is a version of "Silver and Gold", from the one of my favorite Christmas classics, Rudolph the Red Nosed Raindeer.  It features the wonderful violin work of Alex Cheung, and was recorded by Myke Mazzei





And how about one more? My good friend Alexis Marsh and I put together a little holiday EP a couple years ago. Here is one of my favorite tracks, a Moriconne-esque version of "What Child is This?"





Thank you all for taking the time to listen, download, come out to shows, and spread the good word of Shawn Clarke! I really appreciate it, and I hope we can do more in the new year!

Saturday night in London Ontario!

Last night's show at the Tranzac in Toronto went exceptionally well!  Considering we didn't have anytime to rehearse, the band was fantastic.  And now, I make the the trek to London Ontario for a solo show.  I'll be opening for the Berkel Sisters, and the show will also feature A Priori.  Hopefully you can make it out!

Check out this great video from Jenny Berkel



Also, I just wanted to remind you that you can get a free holiday download by signing up on my mailing list!  Can't go wrong with free downloads!

Toronto tonight!

Hey there, tonight's the night!  My final gig in Toronto for the year 2010!  

Featuring one of my favorite acts, Polyester Heart.  If you've never seen them before you're in for a treat.  It features front man Dave Marcotte and drummer Marshal Bureau.  Dave plays guitar (usually in an open tuning) and sings with a Hayden-esque growl.  He also plays a set of foot pedals, covering the bass and mood.

If you haven't picked up a copy of "Like Birds Too Tired to Fly", I'll have them for sale, including pre-wrapped ones ready for the holidays!  Pick one up for the music lover in your family!  I also have a couple t-shirts left, all artwork designed by the lovely Jessica Rae Gordon. 

That's about it!  See you tonight (Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Ave, Toronto), come say hi!  Oh, if you're in London Ontario, I'll be playing Saturday night at the Black Shire Pub!

Great write-up on North by East West!

I was just checking my email before bed (yeah, bed at 11:15, I know... I know...) and I came across this wonderful write up at one of my favorite blogs; North by East West.  Writer Daniel Dell, really digs the album!

"With almost a timeless sound Shawn Clarke’s new record almost pours out the speakers and fills the room so casually that you can’t quite figure out how it got there in the first place, and more over, how you ever lived without it before. This album could have come out at any time in the last 40 years and still feel as fresh and natural, a folk masterpiece." 

Can't beat that!

Read the whole article here:

Welcome!

Hey there folks!  Welcome to the official Shawn Clarke website!  I've been sitting on this domain name for a couple years.  After much deliberation I finally decided to do something in blog form.  One main reason for that is that it's easy.  I don't need to pay for a host (poor musician) and I don't have to rely on someone to do my updates.  Therefore, i may need your help, if you have any suggestions on how I can improve this site, let me know.

Feel free to peruse!  Everything seems to be up and running.  Notice I have 3 shows coming up, Toronto (Tranzac) this Thursday; London (The Black Shire) this Saturday; and Toronto again (Press Club) on January 6th.  It's almost Christmas, so if you're looking for a copy of "Like Birds too Tired to Fly"  you can either click the "iTunes" tab for a digital copy, or the "Purchase" tab for a physical copy.

I think that about covers it... oh wait, I also have a Mailing List on the left (and below this paragraph).  I can keep you updated on all the musical goings-on, give-aways, etc.  I promise not to bug you too much, and I won't sell your email to spammers.  Also, if you join now, you can receive a special free Christmas download from yours truly.

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That's all for now, Keep in touch!