Feature Friday: Occasional Angels

Feature Friday: Occasional Angels

The Occasional Angels strap on their wings this Sunday at the Record Centre from 5:30-7 pm for the vinyl release of their debut album ‘Renascimento’. This hard working and talented group have only been playing together for short time, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from their music.

Less than a year ago, singer-songwriter and guitarist David Hart engaged producer and multi-instrumentalist Scott Paterson to produce his solo EP. While they were looking for potential singers for the album, they came a across Cris Ruggiero, a powerhouse vocalist and relatively unknown karaoke singer. She completely impressed Hart and Paterson with her talent and interpretive skill. The three decided that they could work better together than individually, thus the Occasional Angels were born! It’s amazing that chance encounters could bring together such a well-meshed and talented group of musicians. Each member brings their distinctive sound and personality to the band, as a result, the album has a wide-ranging influences and wonderful eclecticism that really shines through.

‘Renascimento’ was first released in November 2016 on CD and in digital. The album is a motley mix of contemporary, country, blues, and rock; all tunes written by David Hart. It features finely blended vocals, capable guitar playing, tasteful guest musicians, and adept song-crafting. The vocal work on this album is so well-arranged and well-captured. There’s a certain embodied grain to the lead vocals, from the resounding force of Ruggiero’s work on “Heaven in Denim” to Hart’s growly, yet affectionate singing on “Lullaby”. The voice consistently shines through on this album. The album as a whole is well-rounded with lots of variation in style, themes, and structure that really makes for an exciting record. ‘Renascimento’ has been entered into the 2017 Juno’s for both the Adult Contemporary and Producer categories.

This Sunday, the Occasional Angels release the album on vinyl and take the stage at the Record Centre to play the entire record PLUS one brand new track that is destined for their follow up LP ‘Esperanca’. Show starts at 5:30 pm and is FREE. Pick up an autographed copy of the record!

Check out the Occasional Angels on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theoccasionalangels/

Bandcamp:  https://theoccasionalangels.bandcamp.com/

More to see this weekend:

Friday

Beautiful Nothing // Bitter North // Rishii von Rex 
 Cafe Dekcuf
 8 pm
 $5

Kelly Sloan // Keturah Johnson 
 Bar Robo
 8 pm
 $10

Michelle Willis // Ariana Gillis
 The Blacksheep Inn
 8:30 pm
 $15

Hundred Pacer // Saint Clare // Chris Landry & The Sick Mommas
 Irene’s Pub
 10 pm
 $10

Hundred Pacer // Saint Clare // Chris Landry & The Sick Mommas
 Irene’s Pub
 10 pm
 $10

Saturday

Gary Elliot Quartet
 Gigspace
 7:30 pm
 $20

Sleepy and the Noise // Cory Levesque // Bucky Harris
 Flapjack’s Canadian Diner (Preston St.)
 8 pm
 PWYC

Rick Fines // Lynn Miles // Megan Jerome // Tom Lips
 Westboro Masonic Hall
 8 pm
 $25

Souljazz Orchestra
 Blacksheep Inn
 8:30 pm
 $20

Blackalicious // Eddie Quotez 
 Zaphod’s
 8:30 pm
 $21.50