Indie Week Review by Jon Brazeau
Holy Joe’s, Toronto
Oct. 10, 2008
Ottawa musician Stefani Guzman performed solo sans backing band and was one of the highlights of the night. Alternating between playing the acoustic guitar and the ukulele, Guzman rocked both instruments, strumming with a bit of a punk authority to her singer-songwriter tunes. “Electricity” rocks with a full-band indie rock/punk sound on her album but worked just as well, maybe even better, during Guzman’s stripped-down set, focusing more on her fast playing guitar style and fine singing. There was a sizable crowd for her set too, filling the normally small venue. With her youthful, Tegan and/or Sara-like vocals, Guzman ran through as many songs as she could during her brief, 20 minute set. While a bit on the short side, Guzman made every song and minute worth hearing.
Bio
With five independent releases to her credit, Stefani Guzman's latest venture Eastborough introduces listeners to the sonic versatility of the ukulele, bringing a new force to her indie-rock spirited anthems. The recent recipient of the Ottawa Arts Funding Grant for Popular Music, she is currently putting the finishing touches on her first full length CD due in the fall of 2009 which includes the crowd favourite, "Shuffle & Slide" as well as the haunting "When You Ask".
Eastborough's 2006 self-titled debut EP received exposure from the Ottawa Sun, Live 88.5FM and CKCU 93.1FM. The final product throbs with urgency - four tightly crafted songs hammered out from late night sessions in a smoky farmhouse basement.
An aggressive guitarist and energetic performer, she has happily shared the stage with the Gossip, Spiral Beach, Gentleman Reg, DD/MM/YY, Lesbians on Ecstasy, Martina Sorbara, Pony Up, Ember Swift, We Are Wolves, Vitamins for You, and Tom Wilson. Performance highlights include the Ottawa Folk Festival (Showcase Winner), the Central Canada Exhibition (Showcase Winner), Ladyfest, the acclaimed Women's Voices Festival, CKCU 93.1 FM's Live Music Show and most recently Toronto's North By Northeast (NXNE) and Indie Week music festivals.
On stage, she is often surrounded by veterans of the Ottawa music scene who mix in a crunchy backline and layer splashes of trumpet, melodica, glockenspiel, cello and accordion over non-fiction stories inspired by X’s & O’s and action & consequence. This is music for the broken hearted, music for seekers, music for lovers... music for sinners.
Buy EastBorough's self titled EP locally at these fine stores...
the OTTAWA FOLKLORE CENTRE
1111 Bank St. Ottawa, ON
613-730-2887
Toll Free Mail Orders in North America
1-800-385-3655
you're fresher than Onitsuka Tiger by Asics Fabre Hi™ kicks, doper than a bright red wool trench coat with fun buttons, and hotter than the Obama PROGRESS t-shirt.
That was an excellent set at Holy Joes. A picture of elegance while evoking that singer-songwriter spirit. I seem to randomly pop into your sets. Maybe it's fate. Keep to your musical vision.
whatever happened to beginnings and endings? that one was interesting because it sounded like something off of ANi's "Revelling and Reckoning" which is interesting because your older stuff sounded quite a bit like her older stuff. I hope these comments don't offend you... I think you are a wicked talented songstress with very diverse styles!!
That was a great set at The Hideout for NXNE. A catchy rich indie-folk sound combined with pixie-Feist-like vocals, dotted with eclectic instruments. Playful, lush, and rhythmic, almost like taking a deep breath of musical air.
Thanks for the add! Really like the tunes! Wishing you all the best! Cheers, The WAC gals We.Are.Canadian Every Thursday from 6-8pm EST on CJLO (www. cjlo. com) & Tuesday from 11pm-1am EST on PUNKRADIOCAST (www. punkradiocast. com)
Hi there, thanks for the request, and finding me! we'll have fun at the open mic. arrive early if you want to be sure to play! and you can play my guitar if it makes it easier
by the way, if you want, you can stock up your Ipod with my first album on
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