Tricks from a Ninja: “I Need A Man” Remix and Video, New EP with Ron Sexsmith co-write/duet and So Much More!
As any good ninja knows, sometimes you need to go off the radar before you make your next move. So we’ve been waiting quietly, patiently, to tell you what the past 6 months have brought us, but we’ll be damned if we can keep our mouths shut anymore. Get ready guys, you’re about to get a full-on Amandattack! A Mabro-haha! A…okay, we’re working on the name.
Where to start…okay, let’s pick up where we left off in our last episode: One of our favouritesongs from “Die to the Past” (please don’t mention the other songs, they’re very sensitive), “I Need a Man,” has been remixed and now features the sexy, ballsy stylings of Holly Dish,
whom critics hail as the female voice Canadian hip-hop has been waiting for (BreakingTomorrow.com). We’re going to get your eyes as much as your ears with this one: we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be working with international director and animator, Virpi Kettu (Radiohead, Wallace and Gromit) on a video for the remix!
Now, on to recording…what, we’re recording again? Yes. Are we crazy? Indisputably. Do you love it? Heck yeah. Inspired by the months following the release of “Die to the Past,” and a burgeoning musical friendship with Ron Sexsmith (who really needs no introduction)
we are getting set to bring you “The Lost EP,” a collection of songs about the myriad of ways a person can get, feel, and be lost. Currently in pre-production, this album will feature some other Canadian powerhouses: Tim Abraham, Rob Szabo, Adam Warner, Mark Mcintyre, Kirk Starskey, Sebastian Freeman, NLX, Colleen Hixenbaugh, Nancy Dutra and many others. We’ll be recording at the incredible Hive studio in Toronto starting this week! Get ready for this new gem: a collection of hooks that’ll stay in your head for days (all part of the secret, elaborate plan to take over your mind…oh, was I not supposed to mention that? Oops).
The new EP will be out in the coming months, but we’d love to see you at our intimate live show on August 2nd at The Piston in Toronto (937 Bloor Street West) with friend from Montreal Andrew Johnston!
Before we adjurn, some of you know that Amanda has been a vocal coach for over 5 years now, something else that’s been under the radar.
Maybe you’ve also been hiding…maybe you’ve got a punk rock star or a doowop singer inside of you that’s been aching to get out, but you’re unnerved by the idea of one-on-one lessons? We totally get that; everyone wants a team in their corner, cheering them on. Amanda’s new venture, Kin-E-Vox, offers just that with her vocal workshops geared at people of all ages and skill level that create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. Check out their site for the latest news and upcoming workshops, includes article in the MONTREAL GAZETTE this week: http://kinevox.wordpress.com/
True story: Amanda and Kin-E-Vox’s co-founder, vocal coach Mirjana Milovanonic are so fond of each other, and of each other’s work, that Amanda wrote her a letter as part of CBC’s Letter to My Teacher feature, which included Sarah Slean, Hawksley Workman and the legendary Oliver Jones. Read it here:
http://music.cbc.ca/#/blogs/
Okay, guys, you’re all up to speed now…how have you been?
To Everyone: Thanks for Not Being Subtle
2011. A time it was, and what a time it was—a time of change, and coming full circle.
We usually rely on lyrics and melodies to make our point (and we sometimes hide behind humour when our emotions make us uncomfortable), but New Year’s seems like a time for honesty, so here goes: We honestly can’t thank you all enough for your continued enthusiasm. Cheers to everyone, from the audience members who sing harmonies to the array of people behind the scenes. Your love has meant more to us than you know.
The year’s end has also reminded us that sometimes, when you put your heart on display, people see themselves in your veins. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that “Don’t Be Subtle,” from “Die to the Past,” is in The Gazette’s Top 5 Songs of 2011!
So, whatever you’ve chosen as your resolution for 2012*, do it with fervor, laughter, patience, and grace.
And whatever it is you do, don’t be subtle.
Happy New Year!
*Some of the best resolutions are the ones you can easily keep. Example: “I will stop playing Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ when I am already sad,” or “I will stop judging people who don’t floss.” Feel free to share your quirky resolution!
Homecoming CD release show announced! Die to the Past: The Superwoman in the Making Disrobes
Die to the Past: The Superwoman in the Making Disrobes
The superwoman in the making is finally disrobing, relinquishing not only her cape, but everything else. On her new full-length album, “Die to the Past,” Amanda Mabro is naked…and not just in the way you’re thinking.
“Die to the Past,” to be released October 14th, 2011 at Cabaret du Mile End, features Amanda at her most vulnerable: “This is the most personal thing I’ve ever shared publicly,” she says. Beginning with the song “Moments are Bubbles,” this concept album examines the issues of memory, identity and spots of time: Are we simply an amalgamation of our experiences? Do our memories define us? Or, are we able to throw that stuff away, let go of our baggage, and become whoever we want, whenever we want? The questions posed, stories told and universes created by “Die to the Past” function in the same way as memories do: they are separate and yet interwoven, and Amanda is earnestly trying to make sense of it all.
Matching lyrical content with vocal delivery, the approach to the recording of this album paralleled its theme: it is one that celebrates the times we fall short, fall down, fall back and fall away, and with this in mind, absolutely no autotune was used. “Die to the Past” takes a stand against this tool that has become the industry standard in the last 10 years, and, says Amanda, “embodies a different time in music when people’s humanity was valued over sonic perfection.” Recorded over 900+ hours at the historic Studio Victor, this poprock n’ soul-cabaret cocktail presents Amanda’s vocal prowess in the buff. She just might make you blush.
Come help us kick off this new chapter in the story of the band at their Montreal record launch, Friday, October 14th, at Cabaret du Mile End (5240 Parc) at 9pm. Opening the show will be neo-soul guest Nadia Bashalani and cabaret-folk artist Brie Neilson (of The Unsettlers). Tickets are available on ADMISSION
P.S. Check out Amanda nerding out about all things related to singing and songwriting, as well as performing a solo rendition of “Moments are Bubbles” at Studio Victor!
Press Release - MABRO JOINS ANTI-AUTOTUNE MOVEMENT AND LAUNCHES NEW ALBUM…
Apathy is Boring: Vote – After you do it, you’re never the same!
Apathy is Boring – www.apathyisboring.com – along with Jian Ghomeshi, The Most Serene Republic, The Midway State, Danny Fernandes, JRDN, Amanda Mabro, Lauren Toyota, Nicole Holness, and Johnny Hockin, encourage first-time voters to get out to the polls for the 2011 Canadian federal election.
Join more than 70,000 young Canadians who’ve already pledged to vote on May 2nd - http://on.fb.me/iwillvote2011
A One –Two Punch to the Head and Heart
Montreal, we knew that you knew how to party. We even knew that you knew that we knew you know how to party. But you really outdid yourself for Amanda and the band’s performance at this year’s Montréal En Lumière Festival by coming out in droves despite the dangerous patches of ice, piles of snow and freezing wind (putting Canada Post to shame). The show was a dreamy, thrilling, technicolored one-two punch to the head and heart, and the band couldn’t have done it without you. Way to represent, 514!
Speaking of dreams, somebody pinch us. Ouch. Okay, it’s the real deal: THE NEW ALBUM IS FINISHED!!! That’s right, ladies and gents, “Die to the Past,” Amanda’s much-anticipated, new full-length album, recorded at Studio Victor, is finally ready and will be out in the coming months. We want to, nay, we MUST thank Gaetan Pilon, owner of Studio Victor for all the time, energy and love he put into engineering, mixing and mastering the album for us. It wouldn’t have been possible without you, Gaetan. We’d also like send out some major props (mad props, even) to Julien Plaza and Yves Ivy P Putallaz, two incredibly talented engineers hailing from Geneva, Switzerland, who tirelessly worked on this record and helped keep us sane with their quick-witted banter. Merci beaucoup (ou bien)!
We’re also pretty damn grateful spring seems to be kicking winter out, and with the season will come our spring line-up of shows in Montreal, Toronto and beyond. Keep on coming back for details, and enjoy the fact that some day soon, you’ll be enjoying a drink on a terrasse while wearing flip-flops.
Photo by Andree Anne Handfield
All Hail the Heels in 2011! WAWA, What’s Your Pleasure and Resolutions!
Photo by Andree Anne Handfield
Since Amanda and the band have been spending every waking moment at Studio Victor working on their new, full-length album (which is currently in the mixing stage), they thought it proper to take a cup of kindness there this New Year’s Eve and hosted a smashing, giddy party. The band rung in 2011 with joy and style, playing an intimate set to a crowd of fans. A room full of strangers quickly felt like a room full of family as audience members teased each other while publicly announcing their new year’s resolutions, sung their hearts out with Amanda on “Don’t Be Subtle” (a new song from the forthcoming album) and cut up the rug during the dance party that followed the stroke of midnight (and went on til the wee hours of morning). For those who missed it, don’t fret. The show was recorded live at the studio and will be available online in the coming weeks (though we’d advise you make the experience even more realistic by wearing 4 inch silver heels, as Amanda did).
And for all aficionados of heels, fashion, music, art and women (we think that covers just about everyone in some way or other), Amanda is thrilled to present the 6th edition of the WAWA show which will be part of the MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE festival. An acronym for “We Are Women Artists,” Amanda’s main inspiration for the event has always been to foster community among female artists. Along with the sonic explosion Mabrockers have come to know and love, you will experience the soaring gypsy voice of Cirque du Soleil singer Mirjana Milovanovic, the achingly beautiful harmonies of 2010 Juno winners The Good Lovelies, the colorful and classy couture of Katrin Leblond, the amazing concert photography of Andree Anne Handfield, and the incredibly entertaining hosts & circus artists Krin Haglund and Andreane Leclerc. This event takes place February 26th, 8pm at the Gesù (1202 Bleury). Tickets are 25$ and available here
Guaranteed to eradicate all of your February meh’s and it’ll cost you less than a trip down south.
If you can’t wait until February to get your batteries recharged, we recommend you make your way down to Le Balcon in Old Montreal (304 Notre-Dame East) this Thursday, January 13th at 7pm for the second instalment of Amanda’s pop cabaret noir show, “What’s Your Pleasure?” This neo-vaudevillian evening features special guests and plays with elements of dark and light. A little creepy if you resist it, so, don’t. Let it draw you in and watch the spring in your step liven. Information available here
November Gets Served
Hi November,
We gotta talk. No, this is serious. We don’t like to play favourites with months, but your reputation precedes you, with your exasperating vitamin D deficiencies, your irritating pre-winter colds and your erratic weather. Not cool, November. We’re not going to stand idly by as you depress everyone again, so prepare yourself: we’re here to take you down, one song at a time.
First thing needed: A beautiful venue. Check. The stunning and historic Rialto Theater in Montreal—over 85 years old and modeled after the Paris Opera House (5723 Parc Avenue). Have you ever played at the Rialto, November? Didn’t think so.
Next up: something eye-popping, gut-wrenching, heart-stopping or any combination thereof. Done. We’ll be playing a supporting set for The Unsettlers double album launch – they are a theatrical neo-vaudevillian, rock-carnivalesque hybrid, complete with circus performers and other treats. Expect an amazing night!
Finally: it’s gotta happen soon! On it. Saturday, November 13th at 8pm. Advance tickets are running out fast though. Mabrockers should get their hands on theirs as fast as they can through:
http://www.evenko.ca/
http://www.admission.com/
Grumpys Bar – 1242 Bishop
Phonopolis – 5403A Ave. Du Parc
Cheap Thrills – 2044 Metcalfe
Soundcentral – 4486 Coloniale
November, you just got served.
Sincerely,
those who believe rock n’ roll will save your soul
Dark, Light, and The Gramophone: “What’s Your Pleasure?” and Studio Victor
Take a deep breath. It’s autumn—the season that plays with all our senses, supersaturating our palettes with colours, sounds and smells we vividly remember from childhood, yet seem to have forgotten along the way (also brings out the poet in some).
photo by Andree Anne Handfield
Photo by Andree Anne Handfield
You can also catch ‘em live in Toronto on Wednesday, October 13th at The Rivoli for their “Eros, Thanatos & the Avant-Garde” residency. 24 hours later (i.e. October 14th), they’ll be in Montreal, performing at Il Motore in support of “Apathy is Boring.”
In other news, if Amanda and the usual suspects seem (extra) excited these days, it’s because next week they begin recording their new, full-length album at the historic Studio Victor, designed by Emile Berliner, inventor of the gramophone (whaaat?). Gaetan Pilon, owner of Studio Victor, will be engineering, mixing and mastering this collection of 12 songs. “It’s such an honour to be back. When we recorded ‘Wine Flows’ here in 2008, I couldn’t get over how surreal it was. There just a magic…I don’t even know how to describe it. I can’t wait to start!” says Amanda.
