EP Preview: Meet the Green Hearts

Hey there, we're getting closer and closer to the release of my new EP "Stray Birds".  This time,  you'll notice a change in the band name.  We're now called Shawn Clarke & the Green Hearts!  The reason for this is that on 2010's "Like Birds Too Tired to Fly", I didn't really have a band.  I just called in favours from some of my friends.  This time, I cut back on the guest appearances and tried to focus on working was a small group, and I'd like to introduce them to you.

Mark Hart
Mark and I go way back.  When I moved to Toronto and started at Humber College, we were roommates.  He's an extremely talented guitarist, who also contributes Octave Mandolin to the project.  You can also hear his work with the band "Carly and Mark"  Check out the video below.




Sara Ciantar
Sara, I met recently at a songwriting circle.  Her accordion playing and gorgeous vocals are an essential part of the new EP.  She also has a couple albums out, check out her song "Wreck Beach" from the album "Lines for Keeping"



Marty Smyth
Marty is why my albums sound so good.  He recorded the new EP as well as the last LP at his church studio in the northern part of Toronto.  He also plays a mean bass guitar (and even drops some piano on the new EP).  Marty plays with a bunch of acts, but this video is from one of my favorites, here he plays piano with Drag Queen Juanita Pancettas



Sean Lancaric
When we needed a drummer for this recording, there is only one man I wanted, and that was Sean Lancaric.  He graciously took time out of his busy touring schedule with Wilderness of Manitoba to record a couple songs on the EP.  Check him out here with his Wilderness crew.  Recorded for Southern Souls. 



Well that's the crew!  Keep checking in, I'll have new EP news coming up very soon!

Hear a new song from my upcoming EP "Stray Birds"

Zine culture is alive and well here in Toronto.  Static Zine puts out it's 2nd edition, you should be able to find it in many of your favorite Toronto hangouts.  Anyways, they put together a playlist of Toronto bands for each edition.  This year, they asked me to submit a song.  I decided to give them something new!  SO, if you click on the picture below, you can download the whole playlist featuring Ohbijou, The Weeknd, Wilderness of Manitoba, Parks and Rec, and many more...(and me)!  The song is called "Corners of Your Mouth", it closes off the Playlist and will close of the EP.

P.S. EP release news coming up soon!

EP Preview: Continuing an artistic tradition with Jessica Rae Gordon

Hey folks.  Just wanted to update you a little more on the new EP!  In particular, the artwork.  As with 2010's "Like Birds Too Tired to Fly", and my 2006 EP "The Green Room", the art work for "Stray Birds" will be handled the by the very talented Jessica Rae Gordon.  She's really one of my favorites.  I will be debuting the artwork shortly, but if you're curious about Jessica's work, please check out her website by clicking the picture below.

If you're unfamiliar with our previous work together, check out the following pics.  Hope all is well!  I will be updating more frequently as we get closer to the release date!

Green Room Ep 2006

Like Birds Too Tired to Fly cover 2010

Like Birds... inside CD 2010

Like Birds... Illustration 2010

Like Birds... CD release poster 2010

Recording done, Mixing up next!

Hey there, just a quick update.  We've done recording 5 tracks for the new EP, which is now called "Stray Birds".  4 of the 5 are songs that weren't quite the right fit for 2010's "Like Birds Too Tired to Fly", and the 5th song was written with the last couple weeks!  So expect something a little different.  I go in to mix with Marty Smyth at his Church studio tomorrow, and hopefully will have a little taste for you shortly.

We've also booked the night for the EP release!  Friday Dec 2nd at Rancho Relaxo!  More details will follow.

I hope all is well with everyone, and that those in Ontario got out and voted today!

Shows next week! Ottawa and Toronto!

Hey kittens, Shawn here, whatcha up to next week?  If you live in the Ottawa area, how about heading over to Umi Cafe (610 Somerset St W) Wednesday and see me and the Green Hearts play?  It's an early show, starting at 6pm with Sara Ciantar, and you'll be done in time to see Cousins from the east coast rock out at Raw Sugar!  Check out this wonderful review from one of Ottawa's best blogs Photogmusic!

Next up, on Thurs Sept 15th, we'll be playing at Tranzac in Toronto, with two of our favorite bands Modern Field Recordings, and Handsome Dan and his Gallimaufry!  Both bands have new albums out, and that's one of the best lineups of the year.  Truth.

Hope all is well!

EP recording!

Hey there, quick update, last week the Green Hearts and I got together to record a couple songs!  We had very special guest Sean Lancaric (Wilderness of Manitoba) playing drums!  GH guitarist Mark Hart took a few pictures (I think I took the ones of him), and I thought I'd show them off.  Enjoy!

We plan on heading into the studio again next week to round out the EP.  I should have more news for you soon.

New Videos, Shows and Recording!

Hey there, just wanted to update a few cool things happening.

ONnneeeeeE:  New vids on my youtube channel.  I put up 2 videos from my Hugh's room set, and 2 videos from my NXNE set.   All four filmed by my good friend Cody Walker.  They include 2 unreleased songs, a song from the album, and an Arcade Fire cover!



TwWooooo:  Shows... it's a busy week this week, 3 shows in 2 cities.  Tomorrow night the gang and I will be at Not My Dog (1510 Queen St. W), opening for Abigail Lapell and Goose (from Montreal).  Thursday find the Green Hearts and I traveling to Waterloo to play Maxwells (220 King St. N).  And on Friday I'll be at the Free Times Cafe (320 College St), both those shows will feature opener Sara Ciantar!
Check back for some interesting gigs coming up in August and September!

ThreeEEeE: the biggest news, the gang and I will be going into the studio to record an EP!  It will feature the Green Hearts and special guest drummer Sean Lancaric (Wilderness of Manitoba).  This 4 song EP will consist of a few songs that weren't quite ready for "Like Birds Too Tired to Fly".  Hopefully I'll have more news on that later!

Thanks for reading to the end, here's that Arcade Fire cover I mentioned earlier, hope all is well!

Happy Canada Day!

Here is a quick off the top of my head list of the 20 albums all Canadian's should own (in no particular order)!

1. God Speed You Black Emperor "Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven"
2. Gordon Lightfoot- "Lightfoot"
3. Neil Young- "On the Beach"
4. Broken Social Scene "You Forgot it in People"
5. Blue Rodeo- "Five Days in July"
6. Arcade Fire- "Funeral"
7. Bruce Cockburn- "Bruce Cockburn"
8. Leonard Cohen- "Death of A Ladies Man"
9. Martin Tielli- "We Didn't Even Suspect That He Was the Poppy Salesman"
10. Hayden- "Everything I Long For"
11. The Unicorns- "Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?"
12. Death From Above 1979- "You're a Women, I'm a Machine"
13. Leonard Cohen- "Songs From a Room"
14. Gil Evans "Out of the Cool"
15. Neil Young- "Harvest"
16. Gordon Lightfoot "If You Could Read My Mind/Sit Down 
17. The Band- "Music From the Big Pink"
18. Arcade Fire- "Neon Bible"
19. Valley of the Giants- "Valley of the Giants"
20. Joni Mitchell- "Blue"

OK, so enjoy the sunny day! 

Artists series Podcast on CBC Radio 3

A quick thank you to my good friend Olenka Krakus.  She recently recorded a podcast for CBC Radio 3 documenting the London Ontario music scene.  I was sincerely humbled to be included at the end (honorary Londoner i guess!).

Listen to the whole thing here:

On a side note, thanks to everyone who came out to the Free Times Cafe yesterday for my NXNE showcase!! It was amazing.  I'm running around like a mad man this weekend, seeing as much great music as I can.  I will need a good week or so to relax after this.

North By North East!! (new shows!)

Hey there, well that time of year is quickly approaching.  Soon I'll be sprinting from venue to venue, trying to see some of my favorite acts, and maybe discover something new.  It's NXNE time!  This year I've been lucky enough to secure 3 gigs (with one more possibly coming)!  It all starts for me tomorrow, so I hope to see you out!

The shows are as follows:

Saturday June 11 
Harbour Parkland Ferry Dock 
1:00pm - 2:00pm 


This is a solo set, just me and the sunshine!


Sunday June 12 
Airport
3-4pm & 5-6pm 


That's right, I'll be playing at Pearson airport, terminal 3 arrivals on Sunday!  May end up being the oddest place I play a gig!  This will feature a partial band; Guitars, Clarinet, Accordion, vocals!


Thursday June 16
Free Times Cafe
11pm-12pm


This is the big one!  The showcase.  This will also include the full band, so expect guitars, clarinet, trumpet, accordion, bass, and loads of vocals!  Come see us squeeze 6 people on the Free Times Cafe's tiny stage!


I may also be playing another park gig next Saturday the 18th, but I'll get you the details as soon as I know.  If you end up at any of these places, please come say hello!


Here's a couple videos from our gig at Hugh's Room last week, incase you're wondering what we sound like these days.  Have a good NXNE!