Every year the college radio stations of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada gather their music directors together to concoct a compilation showcasing the local talent. Everybody Dance Now is in its 6th year, with 93.3 CFMU FM & INDI 101 FM proving that the city houses no shortage of tunes and styles.
The Everybody Dance Now compilation is available for free download here (hosted by the Hamilton-based label Hidden Pony).
Hamilton, for those who don’t know, lies between the biggest city in Canada (Toronto), and one of the most popular tourist destinations in North America (Niagara Falls). It is neither part of the Greater Toronto Area (the suburban sprawl of the big city) nor is it connected to anything to do with wine country or casinos or horseshoe shaped falls, leaving Hamilton to carve out a name for itself.
Canada’s ninth biggest city is well known for its industrial background (it’s nicknamed The Steel City for its blue collar roots), but not widely regarded as a cultural centre-point or a hub for wildlife watching. Unbeknownst to me, Hamilton boasts more than 100 waterfalls within its city limits
(as well as over 500,000 inhabitants). I’ve visited Hamilton on many occasions (and even lived there for three months whilst editing the documentary Glocal Scene) and I can honestly say I’ve never seen a single waterfall. The staggering notion that there can exist so many waterfalls tucked away from my prying eyes is something that endears me to the city that sits in the shadows of two world renowned neighbours. The inherent modesty of Hamilton means that if you scratch just beneath its gruff exterior you will find a bounty of beauty – as the compilations compiled by McMaster University and Mohawk College pay tribute to.
The local musicians, like the elusive waterfalls, are hidden gems (ever touring Junior Boys being the product of Hamilton’s environment). The range of styles and sounds that exist on volume 6 of the Hamilton compilation (and indeed the previous 5 releases) is a testament to the thriving work of the radio stations in the area (permitting an outlet to show off local talents).
My favourite tracks on volume 6 include the busy beats of Shing Shing Regime‘s “We Strive” and the catchy Cure-esque crooning of Kori Pop (on “Nowhere Near My Heart”). At 42 songs, the compliation has something for everyone (disc 2 having a more punk/rawk/experimental mix than the ‘safer,’ more conventional disc 1).
Shing Shing Regime – We Strive
Kori Pop – Nowhere Near My Heart
Have a download and a listen to what Hamilton has to offer. Enjoy here!