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The Alternate Root - The Roots Americana Music Magazine

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16 tracks. It rocks. It rolls. In the meantime we're playing with Dan Mangan at the Haven. Oct. 30th. Last we heard… it was very close to being sold out! Make haste. Love,


mrg.

We've added "Sinner's Rain" from our upcoming CD "Everything is Temporary" (Fall 2009 release) to our player. If you are having trouble downloading it, the tune is also available at our Reverbnation site… here

or through our Facebook page (yup, we've got one… ) and snoop around.

We're pretty excited about the new CD. 16 tunes recorded through last winter and this past spring. It rocks and it rolls. We've moved some of the furniture around and have totally settled in.

Many of the tunes on the disc are as a result of a direct collaboration between Everett and Dennis. Sinner's Rain, for example. Dennis wrote the lyrics while sitting in an old caboose in the BC interior. Ev added the music and sings the song. The cranked solo at the end was at the persistent encouragement of his bandmates and a bottle of merlot. Crazy Horse has left the building.

We'd appreciate any and all comments.
 
The lyrics for Sinners Rain:

The things you hear if you want to
A riverbed of tumbled lies
Whispered in one ear, a widow’s web
melodramatic telegraphic sighs

We’re all knee-deep in the trenches
Holding our rusty bayonets
While they’re filling crooked muskets
From a powder keg of dulled regrets

Another postcard from the front
Tie a yellow ribbon ‘round a tree
For tarnished silver in tin boxes
Oh, find another way to honour me

Now I’m looking out the window
Far too old to dream of passing trains
The mud still cakes the footman’s boot
It’s been forty days of sinner’s rain
Forty days of sinner’s rain

http://www.nodepression.com

..
Visit No Depression

June 12 Tom's playing with Marie-José Houle at Flavours
June 12-13 Silas drumbs for the James T Kirks in Edmonton/Calgary
June 17 Tom's playing with Paul James Coutts and the Cowls at the Empress
June 19-21 manraygun at the North country Fair
July 1 Everett LaRoi solo at Fort Edmonton Park
July 10-11 Tom and Ev play the Wild Mountain Music Festival (Hinton) with Derrek Anderson and the Guaranteed
July 13-28 Silas on the road with PIG, the Musical
July 25 Tom and Ev are playing with Alice Worthington at Hulbert's
August 14 Tom and Ev playing with Derrek Anderson and the Guaranteed at the Pawn Shop
August 22 Tom's playing with Paul James Coutts and the Cowls at the Likwid Lounge
August 30 Everett LaRoi solo at Fort Edmonton Park

One of the greatest bands to ever come out of Canada. That's all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-V4fVcewWrs

While we're busy writing and prepping for our next project, turns out Misfortune Telling has found it's second wind. Number one this week on CJSR. Thanks to all the jocks who've spun us. Stay tuned. 

from Exclaim! October 2008

Manraygun
Misfortune Telling
By Amanda Ash

What you have to admire about Manraygun’s latest release, Misfortune Telling, is its rustic simplicity. The record is beaten down by wave after wave of emotion, ranging from a lover’s nostalgia to the complete realization of one’s stupidity. But somewhere down within the well-paced guitars and organic undertones exists an unadorned desire to experience all of life’s little hardships. “Mattress Wounds” is a notable track thanks to a catchy melody smothered in fiery vocals. “Tightrope Tapdance” is also worth mentioning — the lyrics can’t help but poke fun at humanity’s often embarrassing circus acts. As Misfortune Telling progresses, it’s clear that the Edmonton-based quintet are smiling quietly at adversity, glad that they’ve got some authentic experiences to compare to an often surreal life. (Independent)

Have a listen to what we're digging. We'll post demos, etc. from time to time. Spread the word. Stay in touch. love, manraygun http://www.ilike.com/artist/ManRayGun

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kln-hm83nKo

We've posted a couple of tracks from our upcoming full-length release "Misfortune Telling".

Navy Blue and Tightrope Tapdance. Enjoy. Drop us a line.

The CD release show is 9 pm, Saturday, June 14th at Teddy's. 11361 Jasper Avenue. E-town.
Doug Hoyer (Illfit Outfit) and his magical ukelele will warm you up. email or call for advance tix.

Album will be available at megatunes, listen, blackbyrd and other fine independent retailers.

Some new photos posted courtesy of Jobi Mihajlovich. It's just a pleasure just to type her name. These were shot at the Empress during a recent afternoon show there. More coming.

Also, check out: http://www.myspace.com/johnnieninetynine

Alright, the recording has been put to bed. Night, night. Masterfully mixed by brother Gibbs and now in the capable hands of JJ Golden in Ventura for mastering (we love the sparkle they put on Calexico's Garden Ruin!) and californication. We have a CD release party scheduled for June 14th where we are taking over the upstairs at Teddy's and doing some renovating. Details to follow.

In the meantime, we're playing a show at the Marquee in Calgary with Deon Blyan (www.deonblyan.com) and Forest Tate Fraser. It's billed as an E-town invasion. May 17th.

Tommy is in Europe scratching phrases on to placards in the alley behind the Savoy and/or drinking in red wine in the south of Portugal. Far-off Fado in Faro. The rest of us are looking out the window awaiting spring's sure thing.

BTW, The Future is Unwritten.

mrg

Holed up in the basement. Cabin fever has set in. Provisions getting low. Yes, we've been busy! The full-length is "in the can" to use the industry parlance. 13 tracks. It's a little bit country, it's a little bit rock and roll. Okay, maybe a lot more rock and roll than many would expect. And not all that country, actually. There are some very introspective tunes however… I'm particularly fond of "Blind Bay" written by brother Steve, and "Way of the Sea" written by brother Silas. All in all, we poured our souls into this one and we are very proud of the results. Okay, that's the end of the tease. Release date TBD. Later in the spring, we suppose. Still loads of mixing and mastering to be done.

Tentative Track Listing:

Jake's Big Top Lament
Mattress Wounds
Navy Blue
Kind words
Go Out
Blind Bay
Here Lies Love
Magpie
Harmony Rocket
Way of the Sea
Saint of the Silver Lining
Somebody's Brother
Tightrope Tapdance

Stay tuned for other exciting projects in the works. And, of course, more updates on this recording. In the meantime please support mrg by picking up a copy of our current release 'TwilightSpeak' at Megatunes, Blackbyrd or Listen Records.

DL

As reviewed in Calgary's Beatroute:

Manraygun
Twilightspeak EP
(Independent)

Rich with pathos-laden guitars and a nostalgic expression of roots music, Twilightspeak is a poignant introduction to Manraygun's storied introspection. This beautiful seven-song collection pulls you to sunset with tales of fleeting romance in blue collar Alberta and meditations on the heavy weight of self-sung truth. (JL)