Multi-award-winning
Canadian roots-blues duo Blue Moon Marquee are ready to “Scream, Holler
& Howl” with the release of their soul-shoutin’ new single —
available now!
Bursting
with a loose, let-it-all-hang-out kind of groove, the song is the
opening and title track of their forthcoming album set for release this
September 9th via their own label, Blue Moon Marquee Music.
“”Music
is a release, and we encourage expression of the spirit with this
tune,” co-front A.W. Cardinal says. “It’s a song to honour what music
provides for so many — an escape.”
“We
have written many esoteric, dark songs,” co-front Jasmine Colette adds.
“This was a surrender to a fun, goes-down-easy, hard-hitting groove
tune about the ultimate: to love, and be loved.”
Recorded
live to tape, Scream, Holler & Howl captures their most
sophisticated collection of songs yet — all while blazing forward with a
full band featuring some of Canada’s finest veteran players. Recorded
at Vancouver, BC’s Afterlife Studios, and produced by the band with
multi-Blues Music Award-winner Duke Robillard and Erik Nielsen, both the
song and its namesake album shine a bright spotlight on the prodigious
talents of Cardinal’s vocals and guitar, and Colette’s upright bass and
vocals alongside guests Darcy Phillips, Jerry Cook, Matt Pease, Paul
Pigat, Bonnie Northgraves, and Señor Erik; Robillard adds his stellar
legendary guitar work on several tracks, too.
The
album’s ‘Baker’s Dozen’ 13 tracks include 11 original songs plus two
distinctive takes on songs written by the legendary Lonnie Johnson:
“Another Night to Cry” and “Long Black Train.”
Born
of the wild rose country in Alberta, Canada, both Cardinal and Colette
played in punk, metal, and rock and roll bands. Leaving home at a young
age, they both spent years traveling on their own, working a variety of
jobs and touring with different acts. At one point Colette was
hitchhiking throughout North America performing vaudeville with her act
of hula hooping, skateboarding, and playing trombone simultaneously,
while Cardinal was living in New York City working as a bike mechanic
and performing at open mics every night.
It
was in 2012 that they came together in Vancouver to record Cardinal's
original material for his album, Stainless Steel Heart; a mutual old
friend was engineering the project and they connected deeply on their
taste and obsession over music.
With
their distinct energy and style, this acclaimed duo writes and perform
original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps, or
grooves. Carving a path through blues, jazz, jump jive, folk, country,
swing, and Indigenous soul with an authentic spirit, their sound does
not idle easily in one certain category. Also known as ‘Badlands Jass,’
Colette not only commands the upright bass but also brings the rhythm
with her feet on a custom foot drum kit — all while singing in her
signature honey-dipped tones — while Cardinal’s distinctive and soulful
vocals barrel out like a raging bull and his guitar crackles with the
swinging energy of jazz-tinged blues.
Their
gift is bringing all these elements together without anything sounding
out of step. They collect the roots and smoothly braid them with lyrics
that often touch on the underbelly of society, woven with elements of
Indigenous storytelling and poetic cadence.
"Blue
Moon Marquee have their own completely original style,” American Roots
UK writes. “Modern Blues doesn't really get any better than this. This
is a tremendous sound by a hugely talented duo.”
“To
say A.W. and Jasmine are old souls is an understatement, to say the
least,” Robillard pens in the album’s liner notes. “They are poised for
worldwide recognition in an amazing genre-bending ride through American
blues and folk, gypsy jazz, Native American themes, jump blues, swing,
and more. These century-old traditions have been redefined and delivered
in a new light here. They are astounding in their depth, groove, and
soul on this recording. Written, played, and recorded here in a
heartfelt and natural old-school way for the world to hear, feel, dance,
drink or be alone with.
“For
me, working with them in the studio was inspiring and a re-confirmation
of my own belief in the power of roots music,” he continues. “Special
thanks go out to Afterlife Studios, with their long history of great
recordings and real echo chambers, vintage gear, and great engineer Erik
Nielsen, who converged magically with all these musicians to make some
damn memorable music.”
While
they have primarily performed as a duo since 2013, Blue Moon Marquee
have recently also performed as a trio or quartet with Darcy Phillips
(Jann Arden) on piano and Jerry Cook (Colin James) on tenor and baritone
saxophone.
With
2019’s release of Bare Knuckles and Brawn, they were nominated as Blues
Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards and Indigenous
Songwriter of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. With a
“totally unique approach…such a powerful original mix of swing styles
with jazz and blues, west coast swing and New Orleans feel” (Sound
Guardian) the record topped both the Earshot National Folk/Roots/Blues
Charts simultaneously with the National Jazz charts — a rare feat.
Appreciated
for their lyrical candor, outstanding musicianship, and vivacious live
performances, Blue Moon Marquee was the most-requested band in the
country for the Canadian International Jazz Festival Circuit following
their 2017 release, Gypsy Blues. That full-length album of original
material also garnered the Indigenous Artist of the Year nomination from
Western Canadian Music Awards as well as Best New Artist nomination at
the Maple Blues Awards.
“As
a long-time fan of Blue Moon Marquee, I've had the pleasure of
following and appreciating their development over the years,” says
Holger Petersen, Founder of Stony Plain Records and longtime radio
broadcaster. “The combination of A.W. and Jazz with Duke Robillard takes
their music to another inspired level. 'Scream, Holler & Howl' is a
wonderful hybrid of their combined swing, blues, and gypsy jazz
influences and unique songwriting often inspired from A.W.'s Metis Cree
heritage. It's a joy to hear and to see their on-stage chemistry and
natural showmanship. I encourage everyone to get to know them by
checking out their website, videos, and original artwork.”
“Their
presentation is spellbinding and their original songs are
unforgettable,” legendary award-winning American blues pianist David
Vest vouches. “To me, they represent the real core of the folk-blues
tradition. They would not seem out of place if they were on stage beside
Lonnie Johnson or the young Memphis Minnie.”
“They
embrace the retro vein celebrated for decades between ragtime blues,
shady mambo, and vintage swing,” Paris Blues Magazine writes from
France. “With a smoldering live performance and outrageous vocals…
Welcome to the baroque cabaret, where the Charleston disjoins itself!”
"The sound of Blue Moon Marquee is delicious and sacrosanct cross-border blues,” Keys and Chords’ Philip Verhaege adds.
“Scream,
Holler & Howl” is available now. Scream, Holler & Howl, the
album, is available September 9th, 2022 via Blue Moon Marquee Music.
https://bluemoonmarquee.com/
