If you live in western Canada and have a taste for good beer and Canadian music, you better pick up some Big Rock.
Fifty thousand copies of the Untapped Vol. 2 compilation will be distributed through specially marked cases of beer from Calgary's Big Rock Brewery next month in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Eight "musical experts" decided on the 15 artists who made it on to Untapped Vol. 2 after more than 500 submitted applications for inclusion. The final selections were made based on composition, lyrics and overall sound, coupled with talent and creativity. The album features a variety of musical genres.
Big Rock was kind enough to send me 24 beers after I reported on the company's initiative last fall, and we made good use of it at a Christmas party I hosted for Julian Koster and his singing saw, Badger.
We've since worked up an awfully big thirst for quality, craft-brewed suds in anticipating the arrival of Untapped Vol. 2.
Big Rock is the official beer sponsor of the 2009 Juno Awards and is offering a VIP package for two to this year's festivities in Vancouver. The prize includes round-trip airfare for two (where applicable), three nights accommodation, two tickets to the televised Juno show, two weekend passes to JunoFest and $500 in spending money. The contest ends on March 6. Full details are available here.
Here are the artists and songs on Untapped Vol. 2:
Dodger — "Stomp"
Dust Poets — "Walk Away"
Elijah Lucian — "That You Move"
LunarTheory — "Beautiful Dark Dreams"
Elizabeth — "Diminishing Returns"
Ben Sures — "Used To Have A Raygun"
John Wort Hannam — "Sweet Sweet Rose"
Souls In Rhythm — "So I Can Live With Myself"
Jo Hikk — "Pimp My Tractor"
Portal — "Jebel Moon"
Ryan McMahon — "Road Signs"
Anthony Blaine And The Bare Bones Orchestra — "Here For Your Money"
The Matt Blais Connection — "Beautiful Thing"
Pear — "This Ain’t A Love Song"
Exit This Side — "Finding My Way"
Noel Johnson — "All For You" (bonus track)
