Canada Day! June 27, 2004

Our annual musical birthday party for our music-loving neighbors to the North. Blue Rodeo, one of Canada?s most popular acts, has reached icon-status in its native country and has established a cult-like following stateside. Formed in 1985 by Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, Blue Rodeo has released 11 organic folk-rock albums, with their latest Palace Of Gold, released to high critical praise. Canadian singer/songwriter Sam Roberts may call Montreal home, but his music occupies a less definable space: the place between studious intellect and gut reaction; between psychedelic transcendence and the cold, hard truth; between fist-pumping, hockey-lovin? hellraising and melancholic vulnerability. Or, in Sam?s universe, it?s the place where Rue St-Laurent intersects with Abbey Road. Joel Plackett strips down his material to its most sparse and naked, and adds introspection and intimacy to his expressive yet simple songs. His music has a rough, rustic feel, laced with humor, yearning, regret, apathy, sarcasm, wit, and love. Born in the U.S. but raised in Vancouver, Oh Susanna (aka Suzie Ungerleider) stood out from the crowd the moment she released her seven-song EP in 1997. Now in 2004, Oh Susanna continues on her journey, making her mark as one of Canada?s most distinguished singer/songwriters. The Calgary Sun writes, ?? Suzie kicks up her heels and lets her hair down, choogling through horn-spiked country rockers (?Right by Your Side?), southern gothic Band workouts (?Carrie Lee?), lazy country waltzes (?Mam?) and funky grooves (the 9/11-themed ?Cain is Rising?).?