Award-winning, high-energy hillbilly swing duo HOTCHA! blends old-time Western, bluegrass, early swing and country gospel delivered with the energy of a runaway train. Soaring vocals, lively accordion, gritty guitar, wailing harmonica and big-beat bodhran are featured. 

1. What are we interrupting (i.e. what music-related activity are we taking you away from to write this)?

Rehearsing our new material for an upcoming album in 2014, writing songs, playing gigs and otherwise indulging in the high-energy hillbilly swing we love to make (Friday, May 24).

2. What, if anything, are you most looking forward to as an audience member between now and September 7?

Dying to check out the CD launch and NXNE showcase June 15 at Crawford Bar on College St., with Grammy-winning “Who Let the Dogs Out” songwriter Anslem Douglas in his new musical direction as a neo-soul/R&B singer. Also The Espresso Manifesto Arts Collective special presentation at the Bata Shoe Museum on June 25.

3. How about as a music maker/player?

We’re definitely looking forward to playing at Marcel Aucoin’s Piano Salon on June 9 and the annual Patsy Cline Tribute at the Lula Lounge on September 5.

4. What are you already preparing for musically beyond the summer? And (how) do your summer plans tie in with these longer term plans?

We’ll be “on the road again” soon doing our second “Home Routes” house concert tour in 2014, and hope to be taking our second Via Rail “Onboard Entertainment” play-for-the-ride trip to get there. We’ll be sharpening up our playing chops throughout the summer and fall to be ready. And most likely that will take place in the closet to acclimatize ourselves to the train cabin environment ;)

WEBSITE

hotcha.ca

myspace.com/HOTCHA7

AUDIO

sonicbids.com/HOTCHA

VIDEO

youtube.com/hotcha7#p/u

Summer has arrived and with it, the regular concert season closes. But this is by no means the end of music for the season: rather, summer festivals are starting in abundance, providing a rich array of musical experiences, from orchestra and choir concerts to chamber and solo recitals. So welcome to the WholeNote’s 11th annual Green Pages, our guide to summer festivals throughout Ontario, across Canada and beyond, presenting music of all sorts – classical, jazz, opera, folk, world music and much more – in a plethora of unique and beautiful settings across the country! Our Green Pages Summer Music Guide comprises three sections. First, you’ll find the profiles of 39 summer festivals from far and wide joining us as Green Pages members this year. Next, you’ll find listings from our Green Pages members hosting events between June 1 and July 7. Look out for further events hosted by these festivals between July 1 and September 7 in our July/August double issue!

Click here for a map of the Summer Music Festivals

THE 2012 GREEN PAGES TEAM

Project Manager Karen Ages

Project Editor Adam Weinmann

Layout and Design Uno Ramat

Website Bryson Winchester

On The Road 2014 Coming Soon

Compiled and edited by Sara Constant

Once again, it’s that time of year where we cast our nets wide and ask Canadian musicians across our community what they’re looking forward to this summer, both as listeners and performers, and what their plans are for the season ahead.

Every year it’s the same four questions – and yet, they call forth an array of responses as varied and unique as the musicians themselves. With new updates and responses coming in every day, be sure to check out this page from time to time to read up on the summer plans of this year’s “On-the-Roaders.” Here follows a taste of what they’re up to during the coming summer months.

MUSICIANS, CONCERT PRESENTERS AND MUSIC LOVERS: DO YOU TWEET?

Follow us @thewholenote and share your summer music festival experience by using the hashtag #WNontheroad.

Back to top