Monday, August 27, 2018

Telling Stories Through Music part 2 by Grace Augustine #OurAuthorGang



photo: indiaCSR

     Today, we meet Canadian singer/songwriter, David Leask. Welcome, David! We're so glad to have you with us today. 
     I was first introduced to David's music through Blues and Roots Radio, a global internet radio station and platform for independent musicians, based in Port Credit, Ontario, Canada.  I fell in love with his easy style and beautiful lyrics. 



     David Leask has built an artistic bridge between the influences of his Scottish birthplace and the fresh possibilities of his adopted Canadian home to produce five critically-acclaimed CD's, his previous release, The Clarke Hall Sessions, reaching no. 24 on the FAR Chart. 
    He has received the Mississauga Performing Artist of the Year Award and numerous international songwriting awards. 
    Songwriters Magazine called David, "the most consistent Canadian songwriting competition winner." 
     A born song chaser and a natural storyteller, 
Leask comments, “After 30 years of following the muse, I always keep trying to write the best song I've never written. The struggle is to listen hard enough and let the song tell me what it is. At the end of the day, I try and find some truth in the stuff I make up.”

    You can learn more about (and listen to) David Leask and his music at:


     David's new album, Six in 6/8, is a testament to strength in numbers. It showcases a cast of 19
incredible musicians recorded by 10 different engineers in 11 different studios in 4 diverse and inspiring locales -Toronto, Montreal, Nashville and Muscle Shoals. 
     Amazingly, 3 of the 6 songs on the album are current semifinalists in the International Songwriting Competition. Leask is no stranger to jumping genres on previous records and Six in 6/8 is no exception, with six songs straddling folk, country, roots-rock, Celtic and soul, all wrapped up in his favorite time signature – 6/8. Why?      
    “I suspect my love of the 6/8 “lilt” has something do with the movement of the sea and how it’s captured in so many of the melodies from back home,” Leask supposes. 
    What’s also consistent throughout Six in 6/8 is a depth and potency of emotion, as he tackles subjects like veterans’ PTSD on “Can’t Make It Back Home”, depression and mental health problems on “When You Think No One Loves You” and the stress of our current economic times on “Caught In The Tide”. 
     His poignant storytelling in the Celtic tradition shines through with the whistle and flute on “Red Balloon”, a tribute to a friend who lived with Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS.
     Six in 6/8 was co-produced with JUNO award-winner Justin Abedin (Jacksoul/Justin Hines), mixed by Grammy Award-winning engineer Chad Carlson (Matraca Berg/Jewel) and mastered by Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Peter Moore (Bob Dylan).

Join me in September for Part 3 of Telling Stories Through Music


COMMENTS


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Joe Bonadonna via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today on #OurAuthorGang, Grace Augustine​ brings us part 2 of her article about telling stories through music, and introduces us to the music of Canadian musician David Leask. She also gives us a sample of his excellent music.
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Joe Bonadonna

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
This is fine stuff, Grace. How apropos, too, because this morning I had a conversation with some friends about the kind of music authors listen to while writing. Going to be checking out David's music, too.
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Joanne Jaytanie via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
It's Monday...breath and enjoy a minute of music with Canadian musician, David Leask. #OurAuthorGang
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Joanne Jaytanie

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Welcome, David. I love your music.
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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Grace Augustine​ shares singer/songwriter David Leask and his music on #OurAuthorGang. The video of the award-winning singer showcases his fantastic voice and the magical journey his music takes the listener on as he performs "While I Still Breathe."
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Ruth de Jauregui

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
What a fantastic voice!! The lyrics, music and David's voice combine to make magic. Thank you so much for sharing - a wonderful way to start my day.
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Chris Weigand

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Great musician and music. Thank you Grace and David.
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Chris Weigand via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Grace Augustine introduces us to musician/songwriter David Leask.
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Grace Au

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
I'm so honored you said yes to being featured today here on our blog. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
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Toi Thomas

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
What a nice discovery. "While I Still Breathe" has such a smooth sound sound and bold lyrics.
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Toi Thomas via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, Grace Augustine​ introduces us to the award-winning talents of Canadian singer/songwriter, David Leask. #OurAuthorGang
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Lorraine Carey

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
What a multitalented man David is! I am planning on listening to some of his tunes in the near future.
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Erika M Szabo

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Nice to have you on our blog today David! I truly enjoyed your songs "While I Still Breathe" and "Ancestors' Eyes" and I will listen to other as well. You have a fan!
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Sunday, August 26, 2018

Our guest today is author Chad Elliott #OurAuthorGang



How exciting to have you with us today, Chad! 
     I was first introduced to this guy a few years ago. He opened at a local music/arts venue for Canadian icon, Garnet Rogers. (We'll explore Chad's music career later this year.) He's not only a musican, but an artist and children's book writer. 
     He performs at schools all over the state of Iowa with his children's books, which he wrote, illustrated and produced accompanying music CD's. I was privileged to have Chad as an author participant at the first Wine, Book, Music event at Fireside Winery, Marengo, Iowa.



    Chad Elliott holds a degree in visual arts. While in college, he discovered a love for the art of music in addition to painting and ceramics. Elliott’s music career stretches far beyond this first Wilderman’s book. He has been touring the country for 20 years performing. Chad's artwork can be purchased at events or through his website.
     You can reach Chad at:
Video  

     Wilderman’s Treetop Tales is a collection of whimsical lyrics and paintings created by International award-winning songwriter, Chad Elliott. 
     The book is designed for ages 3-10 and contains both heartwarming and giggle-worthy poetry accompanied by Chad’s own illustrations. Chad brings 10 of the lyrics from the book to life in the companion music album, also titled Wilderman’s Treetop Tales.           Together, the book and album create an interdisciplinary offering of art, music and writing which allows the whole family to embrace wild imagination. Learn more about the project at
www.wildermansbooks.com

COMMENTS

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Joanne Jaytanie via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today's blog is all about the music. #OurAuthorGang
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Joanne Jaytanie

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Nice to have you here, Chad. Wishing you the best of success.
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Lorraine Carey

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Our guest, Chad Elliot is by far a multitalented man! Be sure to check out this works. What a highlight to the blog.
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Ruth de Jauregui via Google+

5 months ago (edited)  -  Shared publicly
 
#OurAuthorGang welcomes musician, artist and children's book author Chad Elliott today. Stop by and say hi to our award-winning guest!
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Tricia Drammeh

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Welcome, Chad! It's great to have you on #OurAuthorGang  blog today!
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Ruth de Jauregui

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Welcome to Our Author Gang, Chad! Thank you for sharing with us today!
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Toi Thomas

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
What a treat to have such a multi-talented person visit us. Thank you so much for sharing your creativity with us.
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Toi Thomas via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Today, we welcome award-winning musician, artists, and writer Chad Elliott. #OurAuthorGang
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Erika M Szabo via Google+

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Guest author Chad Elliot at #OurAuthorGang
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Erika M Szabo

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Nice to have you on our blog Chad :) What an exciting career!
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Grace Au

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Thanks, Chad, for being our guest today. I know the children love when you visit the libraries and classrooms.
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Nikki McDonagh

5 months ago  -  Shared publicly
 
Great to meet you Chad. What a fabulous idea to mix music, visual art and books. It looks like the kids really enjoy what you do.
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