Basia Bulat @ The Great Hall

Basia Bulat @ The Great Hall

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Opening groups: Kat Burns & New Country Rehab

___Arriving on stage wearing a cute red dress, Ms. Kat Burns began the night jammin with her acoustic guitar. Playing to a silent hall of Basia fans, her sweet voice took our ears on a relaxing journey. Although after the first few slow songs, I did find myself kind of yawning. The talent was there, but you can't play a full set list of slow songs to fans looking for a good time... there's no logic there. By the end of it, I was happy to cheer her off stage.

___Next up was New Country Rehab. I liked them because of the amount of energy they brought to the stage... but after falling asleep to Kat Burns, I don't think I responded well to this new found energy. I liked John's (lead singer's) work with the fiddle, but as for their music, I don't think it was really my cup of tea. I felt like it was country music for old people, no offense. Also, I thought it was kinda funny how the double bass didn't seem to be plugged in at first, especially because of how serious Ben was playing the thing... Definitely an entertaining set to say the least.

___Now it was finally time for Basia to hit the stage for the first time in Toronto since her nomination for Juno's New Artist of the Year. I was personally super excited for this because I've been in love with her music for the past 3 years. I'm that girl in front who knows all the songs and leaves with a t-shirt that she will probably wear for the next few days... Hay Hay! Well needless to say, it was just as fabulous as I thought it would be! She played her cover of Sam Cooke's "Hem of his Garment" which was incredibly charming. My favourites were "Snakes & Ladders", "I was a Daughter", and "Gold Rush". She is so talented and her music will forever mark my teenage years. This is somebody I will for sure see every single time she plays a show in Toronto. If you aren't familiar with her music, GET ON IT! :D Check out her Myspace, click here!

Check this video out of Basia Bulat singing "If only you".

Ellie Goulding

Ellie Goulding
Twitter/Website/ Myspace

-Hereford, England
-Making music since she was 14
-Describes her music as electro-folk but kinda pop-ie
-Bjork is her biggest influence
-Toured with John Mayer, & Little Boots
-She is playing SXSW & Coachella this year!
- Winner of Brit's Critics Choice Award in 2010 / Up against The XX and Mumford & Sons
-Friends with Marina & the Diamonds, Kristen Stewart and Lissie
-Fan of The Heathers (Check out their Myspace, here)
-Signed to Cherrytree Records w/ Fiest + Keane + La Roux
-Featured in Rolling Stone's Hot List last week! (Feb 8, 2011) Look here!

Songs to listen to: Guns and Horses, Starry Eyed, I'll Hold my Breath, Making Pies (Patty Griffon Cover) feat. Lissie



Free MP3 of Ellie Goulding and Lissie's Cover of Making Pies, click here.

NOTE T.O. : Ellie Goulding is playing a show Sunday, March 27, 2011. Tickets are $17.50 @ The Great Hall. She is playing with a band called The Knocks from NY. BUY TICKETS HERE!

Conclusion: Ellie is probably the first artist I've listened to, to positively resemble Bjork's beautiful voice. Last person to win the Brit's Critic award was Florence & the Machine and we know how much good that did for her... I expect relatively the same amount of footway... Bjork dipped in UK greatness, what more can you ask for? See her live while her tickets are affordable! :)