Chuck Teed profiles music in our own backyards

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Wake up, it's Sleepyhead

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Sleepyhead

New Brunswick music fans are in for a treat this weekend when Tokyo-based quartet Sleepyhead (aka Hang Out Sleep Head On Sleepy) hits town for a series of shows. The space rock super group landed in Saint John earlier this week to visit friend and fellow musician Alex Keleher, and will spend much of their time in the region recording and performing. This week's itinerary includes an appearance at Moncton's The Paramount Lounge (September 18), an afternoon spot at Saint John's Harvesting The Arts (September 20) followed by a late night showcase at A Khord (also September 20).

Drummer Taisuke Kaneko hopes to play as often as possible during the month-long trip. "If you go to an indie show in Japan, the people just sit back and watch but they don't look like they're enjoying it," he says through interpreter Tomo Hatakeyama. "Here I find that more people are moving around, even if they're not playing. I think it's great, and we're excited to perform."

Sleepyhead first met up with Keleher when the local songwriter was teaching English in Japan. The 28-year-old ran into the band when they were performing an open mic at The Ruby Room (a popular destination spot for foreigners), and were soon playing shows together.

"The first few times I saw them I was blown away. I couldn't believe there was a band like that in Japan," says Keleher. "My first impression was so great that I wanted them play in Canada as soon as I saw them. I hope that people from New Brunswick will want to visit Japan after seeing them perform."

The respect is mutual.

"Alex has a lot of different styles when he plays. When he sings he's very soft and relaxing, but when he plays drums he's rocking," says Taisuke. "I enjoy seeing his different sides. His music is like literature." Thus far, the trip has already yielded some musical results. Sleepyhead has recorded two songs since landing at Keleher's uptown apartment, and hopes to keep up the hectic pace during their visit. They're still actively looking for live performance opportunities (check www.myspace.com/sleepyheadjapan for details) and plan on travelling far and wide for shows. Keleher thinks they'll turn a few heads.

"Now that they're here in Saint John I hope lots of people will come out and see them," he says. "It's not very often you get a chance to see a band from Japan in the Maritimes."

Pop Explodes in New Brunswick

If you want to see some of the big players at the Halifax Pop Explosion but are low on fuel, don't fret "" a few key acts will be hitting New Brunswick. Montreal rockers Hot Springs have a series of dates in the East Coast, including stops at A Khord (October 10), The Capital (October 11), Doc Dylan's (October 23), and The Dan Bohan Centre (October 25). Folk rock hero Josh Ritter also announced a date at The Blue Olive October 19, where he'll perform alongside local favourite Clinton Charlton. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

And while you won't see Ron Sexsmith perform with Symphony Nova Scotia in Saint John "" he'll hits the Blue Olive October 26 - you'll have a chance to catch wonderful opening act Meaghan Smith, who is about to launch her first full length album The Cricket's Orchestra on Sire Records later this month. The sultry singer/songwriter has turned many a head with her new material (you can preview her new disc at www.myspace.com/meaghansmithmusic), and all signs point to even bigger and better things down the road. Catch this rising star while you still can.