Atrial Records - Birth of a Nation

So… You’re in a chick band? If I had a dime for every time I’ve heard those six words, in that order, I’d be a very wealthy woman. What is it about being female and in a band that always solicits these types of questions, comments and qualifiers? As if the gender identity of myself and my band mates somehow automatically defines what we do, how we sound and who we are. Don’t get me wrong, I am an outspoken feminist and incredibly proud to play guitar in a band with other women (not JUST other women - my best friends, in fact), but I have to say that I am plain old sick and tired of the inherent sexism that continues to be perpetrated within our local music scene. Of course, this sexist BS is not limited to just our local scene, we see and hear about it all over Canada and abroad as well.  You might be saying to yourself, oh come on, it’s not that bad right? We’ve arrived! We’re here and we are empowered! Woman have come such a long way in being recognized wi...

Tell us ALL about your past. Well your musical past at least....... I took an interest in music when I was very young. There's a home movie my family has of my sister playing the violin for my dad, he didn't know that she had been taking lessons. Naturally I wanted to share something, so I ran upstairs and got my little toy piano and performed Joy to the World for my folks. They didn't realize that I had been teaching myself and playing by ear.  Shortly after that my parents got me an acoustic guitar (like my favourite country singer Alan Jackson) and an upright piano and put me into piano lessons. I very much disliked the royal conservatory way of teaching and learning. I just wanted to play my favourite songs and make stuff up on my own. I managed to fake my way through the first couple years without learning how to read the music, by watching my teachers hands and listening.  My teacher eventually caught on, and stopped playing the pieces for me forcing me to ...

BRETT CASWELL If you're from the Barrie area or have even set foot in a Dunlop street venue over the past few years, then no introduction is necessary.  Brett has been the heart and soul of our music community and we are so pleased to have him join our AR family. Brett is a singer-songwriter who has fronted numerous local bands over the years.  He is a producer, engineer, performer and a multi-instrumental musician.  He does it all while living and breathing his craft.  Check out our candid interview with him below to learn more about Brett, where he came from and where he is going. This is your first solo project and release in a long time. What have you been up to? I started a family almost 6 years ago, and being a father trumped everything for me.  It was actually a strange transition for me.  Music had always been first.  I made sure any girl I dated knew that they were second to my band/music.  Haha….I was a dick.  But yeah...

It's the start of a musical revolution, north of the grime and sprawling urban decay of the GTA. Where the snow belt meets the Northern Shield - a constant reminder that one can reach for anything. The geological cogs of time will grind it all into insignificance soon enough. So my Friends, if that's all there is - lets dance! Lets break out the booze and have a ball, if thats all...there...is.   oh and check out our Atrial Records - Label page over at Bandcamp... Please. Label page here