“As a child I thought becoming a female country music superstar, long blond curls and all, was my inevitable fate,” Gentle explains via press release. “Somewhere along the way I internalized a lot of messaging about my queerness as being something that would hold me back, something that made me inherently less gifted and valuable as an artist, that I wasn’t enough for the industry and my spirit got broken. Each song on this record is a landmark on the journey toward re-establishing this spirit. I dream like a child again and though I have long since reconciled with my 11-year-old self that becoming a country music superstar is not in the cards for me.”
“… The rich country tone to “Sundays” might put “country music superstar” back in those cards, but whatever the space they create for themselves, Gentle’s debut album is evidently just the beginning.” ~ HG, CBC
Born on the Northeast coast of Scotland, Evangeline’s family lineage tells all. As a descendent of the Codona Circus family, they have live performance in their blood and were given an unequivocal name for the stage too. Queer, and passionate about social justice, Evangeline believes in the good-nature of people and our capabilities of growing together.
At only 23, Evangeline has already garnered acclaim:
Best Emerging Artist at the 2015 Peterborough Folk Fest
Best Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2015 Wire Awards
She’s supported notable artists such as Donovan Woods, Basia Bulat, Matt Andersen, Terra Lightfoot, and more. Her debut self-titled album is set to be released by COAX records on September 13th, 2019.
Hamilton’s Gillian Nicola took an unusual route to becoming a Folk/Americana singer-songwriter: trained in classical voice, Nicola spent her teens gigging in a classic rock cover band, singing Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin before launching herself into alt-country when she began writing songs.
Dried Flowers, Nicola’s wise and stunning debut full-length album, follows 2016’s critically acclaimed EP No Place To Call. The songs for Dried Flowers began to take shape as Nicola recorded demos with Robyn Dell’Unto, with whom Nicola co-wrote the album’s first track, “Ashes.” “‘Ashes’ is about a friendship that’s falling apart and being able to stand my ground and stand up for myself,’” Nicola says.
At Dell’Unto’s recommendation, Nicola connected with producer John Dinsmore (NQ Arbuckle), and the two clicked instantly. “When I went to see the studio we ended up chatting for a really long time. He plays with a lot of people I love, so he always knows where I’m coming from” Nicola says.
Most of Dried Flowers was recorded with Dinsmore at Toronto’s Lincoln County Social Club. Centred around Nicola’s chameleonic vocals – at one moment with a hint of tobacco in her voice, the next outright rocking – strummed and finger picked guitar, and versatile, melodic songwriting, Dried Flowers features Nicola’s core band, bassist Bruce Scavuzzo and drummer Justin Han, along with Dinsmore (banjo), Drew Jurecka (string arrangements), Aaron Goldstein (pedal steel), Gord Tough (electric guitar), Rosalyn Dennett (fiddle), Emily Rockarts (keys), and Alyson McNamara (backing vocals).
In early 2018, Nicola headed to the Banff Centre to participate in its Singer-Songwriter Residency. During those three weeks Nicola wrote roughly half the songs on her new album, with guidance from mentors Kim Richey, Lynn Miles, Kevin Welch, and more. Through these mentors, Nicola found a new level of honesty and vulnerability that she hadn’t yet approached in her songwriting.
Nicola also took advantage of the residency’s recording facilities to collaborate with other songwriters in the program, such as Mike O’Brien (Sin & Swoon), Fats Kaplin (John Prine, Jack White), and Chris Luedecke (Old Man Luedecke), on “New Light” and Rockarts, McNamara, Miranda Currie, Rebecca Emms, Sarah MacDougall, Kim Beggs, and others on “She Stays Silent,” a powerful #MeToo anthem. “’She Stays Silent’ just exploded out of me,” Nicola says. “It was one of the fastest songs I’ve ever written, though I don’t know that’s a good thing; it was inspired by my own experiences and the stories we hear all too often.” “New Light” and “She Stays Silent” were produced by the legendary Howard Bilerman (Arcade Fire).
A true album, the songs on Dried Flowers are about relationships, friendships and family history (a visit to Nicola’s grandmother’s birthplace, Brentwood, Essex, inspired album highlight “Woodman Road”) as well as the life of a touring musician (“Coming and Going”) who is content to spend a night at home alone, FOMO be damned (“Night Comes to Call”). “They are all about self-discovery in different ways,” Nicola says, “about coming into my own.”
Nicola’s songs are often built around open and alternate guitar tunings that allow her to throw music theory out the window. With nominations for the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award, Toronto Independent Music Awards and Hamilton Music Awards, Nicola has toured Canada’s east and west coasts, and has shared the stage with some of Canada’s best songwriters, such as Amelia Curran, Tom Wilson, Terra Lightfoot, and Lori Yates.
Engaging in her community is just as important to Nicola as performing. Nicola teaches voice and guitar, volunteers for Girls Rock Camp Toronto, sits on the City of Hamilton’s Music Advisory Sub-Committee, hosts an open mic night, and runs a monthly songwriters round at Toronto’s The Painted Lady.
Dried Flowers was released on May 3, 2019 (Independent).
Kick off your weekend with our #GetFunkdFridays featuring a rotating cast of fabulous Burlesque Performers on our Bartop to tease and tantalize! Remember lovers, tipping is sexy.
Our very own SOUL SONIC sensation DJ NV, or Juno nominated DJ Adverb, are on the 1’s and 2’s all night keeping you grooving on the dance floor and screaming for more!
“Alex is a songwriter well beyond his years. His album has a warmth and clarity not heard often enough. Give it a listen, you’ll be happy you did.” – Noah Mintz (Lacquer Channel)
Campground is an exciting new band headed by Alex Legget. Check out Campground’s debut release tonight live here at The Painted Lady.
Make your weekend sensational with our Sexy Saturday Night Parties!
We feature a rotating cast of beautiful Burlesque Performers who put the ‘ASS’ in ‘Sass‘ up on our bartop! Plus . . . Amazing DJ’s to keep your feet on fire All Night!
Cleave Anderson is a Canadian rock, rockabilly, and punk drummer… We here at The Painted Lady believe the word ‘legend’ applies, though Cleave, always humble, eschews such titles.
n 1976, after visiting Max’s Kansas City and CBGB and seeing the Ramones, Anderson became interested in the new punk movement. Returning to Toronto, Anderson eventually joined Battered Wives, one of a few new bands on the scene. The band recorded their debut album and opened for Elvis Costello on his first tour in North America.On leaving Battered Wives, he played and recorded with local Punk Rock groups such as Tyranna, Forgotten Rebels and bubblegum punk pioneers the Way Outs.
In 1980 as the first wave of Punk Rock faded, Anderson joined new wave R&B band The Sharks.He would later play with The Shark’s bassist Basil Donovan in Blue Rodeo. Around the same time, Anderson also played with blues artists David Wilcox and Colin Linden.Anderson returned to roots music doing gigs with Handsome Ned, who had started playing country and rockabilly in Toronto’s Queen St. West artist community.
In 1984 Anderson started rehearsals with Blue Rodeo. Anderson joined the group and is heard on their first two albums, Outskirts and Diamond Mine.
After leaving Blue Rodeo to raise a family, Anderson continued to play with local songwriters and then reconnecting with original punksters Screamin’ Sam. In 1997 he joined the John Borra band (with John Borra from A Neon Rome and Change of Heart) that continues to the present.[10] In 2004 Anderson formed old school punk rock revivalists the Screwed, who have recorded two albums. In 2011 Sid’s Kids were formed to back up many of the Canadian punk originators and the project is ongoing.
Come down to The Painted Lady for an ELECTRIFYING night of BLUES.
With each visit, you get a very different cool Blues experience to tell your future grandchildren 🙂
We gonna bring you ‘Down Dirty Blues’ the way you like it!
Each show features a Special Guest to up your Blues experience to the next level. Then we’ll release the Cosmic Blues Band on you. If you can’t get enough, and play blues, come join our BLUES JAM at the end of the show where you can participate in the fun.
COSMIC BLUES BAND
“One of the most exciting Blues bands to come around in a long time.”
“Best live Blues band I have ever seen.”
~Rewd Ones, Guitarist~
Sold out shows at Lucille’s (B.B. King’s Club) in New York City, fans keep coming back…
Cosmic Ray from New York City leads the Cosmic Blues Band. The band consists of Cosmic Ray Vox/Guitar, Brother Dave, Kenneth Craig and Eddie Soup Can.
The Cosmic Blues Band plays traditional blues with a modern twist. They rip on over the top ‘Ruckus Blues’ getting folks to tap their feet and dance. When it feels right, Cosmic Ray slows it all down with soul and feeling, and his rich baritone voice.
COVERS: Muddy Waters, Freddie King, BB King and Albert King, Elmore James, The Cream, The Animals, Allman Brothers… All the top Blues hits. You’ll come back for more!!! CR
COSMIC RAY’S BLUES JAM: The last part of the night opens up the stage, so come on down and bring your voices, guitars, basses, drums sticks, keyboard chops, horns and harps to a great BLUES JAM!
Kick off your weekend with our #GetFunkdFridays featuring a rotating cast of fabulous Burlesque Performers on our Bartop to tease and tantalize! Remember lovers, tipping is sexy.
Our very own SOUL SONIC sensation DJ NV, or Juno nominated DJ Adverb, are on the 1’s and 2’s all night keeping you grooving on the dance floor and screaming for more!
ROCKIN’ KITCHEN PARTY with Duncan Ivany & The North Coast Band with the charming HOLLY CLAUSIUS opening the night. BRING YER NEIGHBOUR. BRING YER MA & THEM.
Bringing the best kitchen party in Canada to Toronto on The North Coast Band’s Cross Canada Fall Tour. Holly Clausius will be opening the night with an incredible show, and there will possibly be a brand new tune debuted with Duncan Ivany & The North Coast Band.
Duncan Ivany & THE NORTH COAST BAND:
Duncan Ivany & The North Coast Band formed in November 2018 but they’ve been playing together since high school, and their mission to bring soulful music to Canadians and music lovers all over the world burns hot.
While living and recording in a cabin in the hills of Erin, Ontario these three gents have been making inspired Indie-Folk-Rock music, influenced by the likes of Bahamas, Bruce Springsteen and Jack White.
Holly is from a small place known as ‘Huron County’. She’s got a rebellious, good-natured and infectious-in a-good-way energy about her, and this strongly comes through in her songs, which are “catchy” as well.
Take away frosty cold beer, booze, popular coolers, organic freshly-squeezed juices, and delicious food to go along with it all! Stop by our new Tiki Hut facade and say “Aloha!”......
The Painted Lady’s NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY! Tuesday, December 31st 2019 THIS IS 2020! * SEXY-HOT! MUSIC! * * HOT! SEXY! BARTOP BURLESQUE! * * JUNO WINNING DJ + SPECIAL......
We’ve shot 20 episodes featuring a new, up+coming musical artist each episode. These artists have performed here as special features during our OPEN MIC MONDAYS. Each of these artists showcases......
CMW DISCOVERY SERIES 2018: “Our focus with ‘The Discovery Series’ has always been on songs, first and foremost. And second to that would be the spotlight – that is, whether the artist is ready for it… That’s a lot right......
CMW DISCOVERY SERIES 2018: “Our focus with ‘The Discovery Series’ has always been on songs, first and foremost. And second to that would be the spotlight – that is, whether the artist is ready for it… That’s a lot......
“This is will be one f’n INTENSE night of OFF-THE-HOOK live music. Seriously.” ~ Music + Sound, The Painted Lady ~ The Painted Lady and CMW are officially......
We’ve been doing a full 32 channel multitrack recording for some time now. We have the ability to record every show, every single night to industry standards. As well, we......