ShowCase

What: Alternative Rock

Where: London, ON

Visit: www.cordcalling.com

On paper, London. ONs Cordcalling have a lot in common with The White Stripes. The male/ female guitar/drum duo plays loud, blues-influenced rock; however, the similarities largely end there.

Cordcalling's somewhat experimental approach allows them to work a lot of sound into tight two-piece compositions. The husband and wife duo of Denise and Brian Conway take their songs in any number of directions. "What I Have" boasts a country-blues feel while "When I Scream" contains a lot more garage and punk.

The pair recently recorded their debut fulllength, Obsessed By The Light, which followed a well-received three-song EP While Cordcalling have a lot of experience playing to London's healthy music scene, they're hoping the strength of their new songs will give them the opportunity to tour outside of lheir hometown, exposing them to new authences. The band's willingness to incorporate a wide-range of influences into their sound is a bit of a risky endeavour. And while the band occasionally misses the mark, there is enough done right to demonstrate that the young band is developing what promises to be an exciting approach to music.

What: Hip-hop

Where: Brampton North, ON

Visit: www.promofm.com/ibkredible

lbukun Akmgbola was born in Nigeria and moved to Toronto's Rexdale neighbourhood in 1995 where he grew up immersed in hip-hop culture. He started writing songs at 10 years old and today, the 19-year-old calls Brampton home and performs under the moniker I.B.Kredible.

His songs play like recipes lor pop music success with high production values and lyrics common amongst rappers such as the chart-topping Drake. With slick production, well-managed samples, and tight, consistent lyrics, Kredible's songs should have no problem lilting into playlists at clubs, gyms, and on music television.

His first single, "My LiIe is a Movie" was recorded with his group StacDeck Music. Kredible says: '"My Life Is A Movie' represents a direct description of what the song is about and what it means. When people hear about the song, I want them to be able to view the lyrics as though I was telling the story of their lives."

It's this balance of pop accessibility and honesty that makes Kredible stand out trom other independent hip-hop acts. "My Life is a Movie" or "Gettin' High" play like they already belong on top-40 radio. And while many might be quick to brush off the pop side of hip-hop, there's no denying that the masses love it: so why not root for one of our own to succeed?

What: Alternative Rock

Where: Toronto

Visit: www.benhur.ca

Benhur's songs might seem like radio-ready alternative rock, but beneath the surface there's some rich and highly-textural things going on. It's a sound that one wouldn't expect trom a band with but a single EP under their collective belt (2009s Tryst).

Benhur began in Toronto when frontman and main songwriter Ben Nissan finished law school and decided that working 80-hour weeks at a Bay St. law firm might not be what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Nissan confesses that he tried practicing law, but at work, making music was always on his mind.

So Nissan put away the suits, rounded up some likemmded musicians (Danilo Baracho on bass, Steve Frize on lead guitar, and Mateus Macedo on drums) and started writing. The EP had play on some commercial radio stations as well as overseas radio and the band complemented the coverage by playing at a number of Toronto's best-known clubs. The band recently re-entered the studio and is writing a handful of songs to release as singles. This summer, they're hoping to play some of the many great music festivals happening across the country. Fans of U2 and Coldplay should be sure not to miss the chance to see them if they make it through their town.

[Sidebar]

If you are an unsigned artist and would like to be a part of Showcase, please submit your EPK at www.sonicbids.com/cmshowcase.

Selected artists will also appear on the Canadian Musician website, www.canadianmusician.com, with one song streaming in MP3 format.

[Author Affiliation]

Ben Conoley is a freelance journalist living in Fredericlon. NB. He has written lor chartattack. Exclaim!, Alternative Press, and more. Ben is also a proud member of the Polaris Music Prize jury.