 What
happens when a group of friends - musicians, artists and songwriters all
get together to create wonderful hit songs? Songs that make you want to
dance and sing along, that enrich the soul? Songs that just have to be
shared with the world...? Well, you get BROWN BAG LUNCH, a collection
of the songs, artists, musicians and songwriters in The Sonic Deli display
case.We've gathered a wonderfully talented group of people and are thrilled with and proud of everyone's contributions. BROWN BAG LUNCH includes Juno, CMT and NSAI winners, the 2004 Canadian Emergenza winner and SOCAN award winners, performers who have toured extensively, and artists charting on radio and video around the world, all of whom are garnering great press. All the tracks (with the exception of "Love is On Your Side," a Juno-nominated song by Lazo, and "Duckin' Demons" by Crazy Babies) have been produced by Peter James (Jim) Armstrong of The Sonic Deli. Many of the songs were also written by Jim and his long-time co-writer, Andrea Poulis, often in collaboration with the other artists featured here. BROWN BAG LUNCH has been made possible by our dear friend, mentor, fellow songwriter, musician and executive producer Jon Long. And it could never have happened without the love, faith, support and creative help of our families, friends and fans. We thank you. Also a special thank you to all the guest musicians, our good friends Peter Ledwon and Marilyn Mets for the wonderful art work, Emily Mets for our logo and web design, Rob Maurin for his editorial skills, Jennifer Claveau for publicity, Doug Romanow for mastering, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments, Paul Murton at DBS Duplications and dear Mary, of the Star Cafe at 1556 Bloor Street West, Toronto, for keeping us well fed, highly caffeinated and allowing us to photograph the cafe as our "Sonic Deli." Bon appetit! |
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Jim Armstrong | Clips: |
| The core of The Sonic Deli is Peter James (Jim) Armstrong, a multi-talented singer-songwriter whose extensive catalogue of songs is resonatingly honest and from the heart. Jim's compelling, infectious melodies and strong lyrical imagery are supported by solid grooves and reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen, John Hiatt and Tom Petty. Since his start as a child prodigy drummer (touring from the age of 10), Jim has demonstrated his abilities as both an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and a talented producer. Jim's longtime collaborations with songwriter and business partner Andrea Poulis and bassist Wes Miller culminates in 2005 with a solo CD on the Sonic Deli label. | Audio: Angel
In Our Corner 1.9 MB  |
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Jennifer Bettencourt | Clips: |
| An awesome little package of vocal talent, Jennifer Bettencourt blasts many music styles including her signature, an unlikely pairing of jazz and heavy rock (think Norah Jones meets Amy Lee of Evanesence). She has received radio play for a cover of "Cancao Do Mar" (with Helder Sousa), and is at work on a full-length CD debut. | Audio: Taxi
Cab Heart
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Crazy Babies | Clips: |
| A decade of constant live and consistent performances has brought Toronto-based Crazy Babies a large following, The band lives to play, and draw its fans using straight-ahead rock n' roll, catchy riffs, hooks and honest storytelling, delivered with a sweet melodic tone. The Crazy Babies' philosophy is that songs are a journey for the listeners to enjoy by using their imagination. | Audio: Duckin'
Demons |
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Amer Diab | Clips: |
| Drawing comparisons to Elvis Costello, Wilco, and Ron Sexsmith, Amer Diab's music is a blend of hypnotic rhythms and simple twang. Meditative and full of catchy hooks, intimate and vulnerable, it's country music and city music, but it's definitely not in-between. Amer's first solo release, 2003's The Year of the Apology (featuring members of Broken Social Scene) enjoyed serious critical acclaim. Another eagerly awaited solo record is currently in the works. | Audio: Backwards
Beating Heart Champ
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Bruce Dies | Clips: |
Bruce Dies has played guitar since the age of 12. His vast experience includes countless local gigs as well as international performing and recording experience. Bruce has played with artists ranging from domestic stars Lee Aaron and Lisa Dalbelo to superstar Ozzy Osbourne. Bruce teaches guitar locally and has many students at all levels. (Bruce plays lead/rhythym guitar on tracks 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, 15,18 on the Brown Bag Lunch CD) |
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Josh Hutchinson | Clips: |
| Twenty-four year old Josh Hutchinson is from Cookstown, Ontario, where he lives in a rundown shack with three other musicians. Together they make up the hard-rock band The Entropy. Josh's solo turn on BROWN BAG LUNCH showcases his intense, impassioned voice and compelling lyrics. Rarely employed and frequently broke, like most hardworking musicians, Josh's main goal is to play music and nothing else. | Audio: Take
You
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Shelley Jacobson | Clips: |
| Shelley Jacobson is a CMT/NSAI award-winning singer-songwriter who resides in Thunder Bay, Canada, but regularly performs, co-writes and records in Nashville; she has recently been signed to a major Nashville publishing company. Shelley has co-written with top writers including Roger Cook ("Long Cool Woman In A Black Dress"), Benita Hill ("It's Your Song" and "Two Pina Coladas"), Joie Scott ("Not That Different") and Dwight Liles (over 300 country and CCM cuts). She has received frequent airplay in Canada and Europe. With her four-piece band, The Bonnaroo Band, or solo, Shelley is a warm and energetic performer. | Audio: Wanna
Be The One |
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Lazo | Clips: |
| Juno Award winner (2000) and three-time nominee Lazo was born on the island of Dominica. His long and successful career includes a succession of bands, CDs, EPs and videos. He was the first Canadian artist to be signed to Washington's RAS Records, has won Top Reggae Performer of the Year from the Canadian Reggae Music Awards, has charted in many countries and received video rotation on CSN and BET. Lazo has toured in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean sharing the stage with such artists as Maxi Priest, Burning Spear, Third World and The Wailers. | Audio: Love
Is On Your Side
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Debbie Shessel | Clips: |
| Debbie Shessel has been a good friend and regular contributor to The Sonic Deli, lending her powerful voice to various projects over the years. Deb's vocal style is a heady, exhilarating mix of rock & roll, blue-eyed soul and old-style R&B spiced with a little blues and funk. A comfortable stage performer, Deb builds rapport with the audience through her keen sense of humour and quick wit. Having performed with a number of Toronto bands, most recently as the lead singer of Le Funk, Deb has proven that she can draw a crowd. | Audio: Bye
Baby
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Violet Ray | Clips: |
| Singer/songwriter Violet Ray's debut CD Good Things was released on her own label, Climb-it Records, receiving airplay in Canada and Australia. Violet has showcased her original songs at Nashville's famous Blue Bird Cafe, as well as Bluebird North (with the Songwriters Association of Canada) and the Glenn Gould Studio Stage in Toronto. She was nominated for the Rising Star award by the Ontario Country Performer and Fan Association. Expect her next full-length recording project later this year.. | Audio: Wanderlust |
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Wes Miller | Clips: |
| Bass
player Wes Miller has been an integral part of The Sonic
Deli sound for over 10 years. As part of the label's "thumb and drum"
duo (along with drummer Jim Armstrong), he is largely responsible for
the solid groove that defines the music on this disk and throughout the
Sonic Deli catalogue. Wes has played and toured extensively across North
America with numerous artists, and has logged countless studio hours as
a session player. (Wes Plays Bass on tracks 1,2,3,5,6,8,9,12,13,16,18 on the Brown Bag Lunch CD.) |
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