From Feist to Dan Mangan to Broken Social Scene, Toronto-based imprint Arts & Crafts has a handle on homegrown talent, and now the label is ready to promote another Canadian artist, Etobicoke, ON's Cold Specks.
A press release explains that while the self-described "doom soul" singer has made waves across the pond, recently performing on UK program Later with Jools Holland and getting rave reviews in the British press, Cold Specks (aka 23-year-old Al Spx) is just getting ready to release her debut seven-inch, "Holland" / "Old Stepstone," in Canada on December 13. The record had been launched in the UK last October via Paradyse Records.
Touted by Arts & Crafts as a blend of Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (though Spx says she's also into Bill Callahan and James Carr), Cold Specks' sound is said to hone in on sparse arrangements and chain gang rhythms. To hear that for yourself, you can stream both "Holland" (which we wrote about this summer) and "Old Stepstone" down below.
Cold Specks - Holland by Arts & Crafts
A press release explains that while the self-described "doom soul" singer has made waves across the pond, recently performing on UK program Later with Jools Holland and getting rave reviews in the British press, Cold Specks (aka 23-year-old Al Spx) is just getting ready to release her debut seven-inch, "Holland" / "Old Stepstone," in Canada on December 13. The record had been launched in the UK last October via Paradyse Records.
Touted by Arts & Crafts as a blend of Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (though Spx says she's also into Bill Callahan and James Carr), Cold Specks' sound is said to hone in on sparse arrangements and chain gang rhythms. To hear that for yourself, you can stream both "Holland" (which we wrote about this summer) and "Old Stepstone" down below.
Cold Specks - Holland by Arts & Crafts
