Music

VANCOUVER JAZZ MUSICIAN ANITA ECCLESTON VISITED BY GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST ON NEW HOLIDAY SINGLE “LONG NIGHTS”

Vancouver musician Anita Eccleston is excited to announce the release of her new holiday single ‘Long Nights’ out today on all digital streaming platforms. A cozy holiday song with a laid-back jazzy vibe, ‘Long Nights’ is brimming with nostalgia for family Christmases. Like many musicians last year, Anita took solace in music and writing songs to escape the pandemic, fighting through the noise and turmoil and trying to stay sane. Weeks and months passed and then suddenly, yet slowly it was Christmastime.

“I turned my thoughts inward, to my family and the many Christmases at the home where I grew up,” says Anita. “I saw in my mind’s eye the view of the Christmas lights out above my bedroom window as a child. I remembered gazing into the night sky at the stars, wondering if the bright one was the Christmas Star, the longest nights of the year, especially Christmas Eve, waiting for morning, excited and filled with wonder.”

Nostalgia inspired an idyllic remembrance, and the song poured out of her in a couple of days. And although she was unable to be home in Kamloops for Christmas after such a hard year, she was able to share the song with her family via a Christmas Day Zoom call. Anita then banded together with cellist Doug Gorkoff (Black Dog String Quartet, The Living, Plastic Acid Orchestra) to produce the recording at her home studio.

“When this thing started, everyone had to figure out how to record at home,” says Anita. “We made this recording in my basement, in a cozy room packed with books and musical instruments.”

Kris Ruston (Death Mountain Sound) mixed the track and Chris Gestrin (Public Alley 421) mastered it. And Anita partnered up with Patrick Collins (Alwaysfurther Films, This End Up, Peaches) to produce the music video to accompany the song. This year Anita is glad to give her song to the world, a present she hopes will warm hearts and stir up the enduring nostalgia the season brings, like a winter oasis, every year. And she is also finally planning a trip home.

‘Long Nights’ is available now on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, and other digital retailers and streaming services worldwide. For more info, please visit anitaeccleston.com

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Album Review

R3b3l I explores self-discovery through sound on “A Different Frequency” album

In a music scene often ruled by lyrics, R3b3l I proves that you can tell a powerful story without a single lyric. “A Different Frequency” is a twelve-track instrumental hip-hop and rap-inspired album inviting you into a deeply personal journey of growth, self-discovery, and purpose, speaking its message purely through mood, rhythm, and expression.

“Dance Before the Throne” opens the album, immediately establishing the tone of reflection and reverence. From here, “Elevate” and “The Wave” continue, adding momentum and a sense of movement and change. Each piece is a chapter in a larger story, allowing you to interpret the music with your own experience.

Songs like “I AM Power,” “Level Up,” and “Awaken” seem to be a big part of the progression of the album. The energy is one of empowerment and inner evolution. “The Jazzy Hop” is a nice change of pace in style, with a smooth, groove-flavored taste that shows R3b3l I’s versatility. Meanwhile, “Carousel,” “Raindrops,” and “Heartbeat” are moments of introspection that balance uplifting themes with emotional depth and openness.

The project wraps up on an emotional high with “Ancestors,” a heartfelt tribute to the forebears and the invisible forces that still influence us on our journeys. It’s a fitting way to close out an album about connection, growth, and purpose. “A Different Frequency” is more than a collection of tracks with carefully constructed instrumentals and thoughtful sequencing, and it’s a rewarding journey for those who want immersive instrumental hip-hop with heart, imagination, and substance.

Connect with R3b3l I on | Spotify | TikTok |

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Artist Spotlight

“Signalling Signatures” finds Mr Pigeons exploring dreams, truth, and hidden meanings

While the first look at an upcoming project usually sets the expectations, Mr Pigeons does something more ambitious with “Signalling Signatures.” With this release, the hip-hop artist opens up a portal into “Shining Arras,” inviting you into a world where dreams, symbols, and hidden meanings collide.

“Signalling Signatures” is an exploration of the thin veil between reality and imagination, based on themes of altered consciousness and shifting perspectives. The song is a mix of mythology, film, and spiritual symbolism and encourages you to look beyond the ordinary and find the messages in everyday life. Mr Pigeons delivers with purpose and swagger, blending introspection with crisp storytelling. He also renders the abstract ideas of the song accessible.

The thing about “Signalling Signatures” that is so compelling is its sheer audacity to challenge you. There are no easy answers in this song, only a quest for truth, perception, and uncertainty. A good opening chapter to “Shining Arras,” and it manages to build up suspense as well as showing Mr Pigeons’ artistic vision. “Signalling Signatures” is a good introduction to what could be an interesting new creative phase for the artist.

Connect with Mr Pigeons on | Website | Spotify | X | FB | TikTok | IG |