Rosie’s Smokehouse Deluxe Rolls Out 'Faded Tattoo' – A Blues Burner With Soul to Spare

 

A good blues song sticks to your ribs, and Rosie’s Smokehouse Deluxe serves it up hot. Their new single *'Faded Tattoo' is out now, and it’s as smoky and soulful as a late-night confession. A slow-burning ode to heartbreak, regret, and uncanny déjà vu, it’s a track built on stories lived, scars worn, and love that lingers — like the ink of a name you never really forget.

Rosie’s Smokehouse Deluxe is fronted by Detroit-born bassist and vocalist David G. Rose (aka Rosie), backed by a powerhouse lineup of road-tested Canadian players: Tony Moretta (lead guitar, backing vocals), Gabor Szepesi (keyboards), and Steven K Henry (drums, backing vocals). These are musicians with four decades of history, groove, and soul between them — and you can hear it in every note.

“The idea came from a buddy with a tattoo of his ex — and a girlfriend who hated it,” Rosie laughs. “He said, ‘She’s just like her.’ Boom — lyrics started writing themselves.” By the end of the night, the song was written and ready. No demo. No second guessing. Just straight to the studio.

'Faded Tattoo' was produced by Mars Mauro Giammarco and co-produced by Rosie himself. The single features lyrics by Rosie, with music written collaboratively by the members of Rosie's Smokehouse. Released on MoMojo Records (a division of Nola Blue Inc.), the track has already started turning heads in the blues world.

From the haunting organ lines to the rhythm section that hits like heartbreak, every inch of *'Faded Tattoo'* is dripping in authenticity. It’s a classic soul-blues groove wrapped in a story that’s painfully familiar — and undeniably powerful.

The lyrics paint it best: *“I've got a faded tattoo, of an old, old flame. Reminding me of all the heartache and pain.” It's personal, it's relatable, and it’s delivered with grit and grace.

Following the critical success of their debut album *Welcome To The Smokehouse*, the band has quickly become a must-see act in the Ontario blues scene. Their live shows are sweat-soaked, groove-heavy celebrations of real music.

Ash Ravens Hits the Gas on a Raw, Riff-Fueled Album ‘Joyride Blues’

 

Ash Ravens doesn’t just play the blues—he lives them, bends them, and invites you to go along for the ride. With the release of his latest album, Joyride Blues, the two-time Capital Music Award nominee proves that sometimes you have to lose the map to find the groove. Drawing from life in Bangladesh, Los Angeles, Melbourne, and now Ottawa, Ash weaves global threads into a record that’s as gritty as it is heartfelt, as classic as it is brand new.

 

Born in Bangladesh and raised on the sounds of bluesmen and jazz legends, Ash Ravens took the long road to Canada—through music cities like Melbourne and L.A.—and brought every influence with him.

 

His sound fuses the soul of blues with rock swagger, country honesty, and jazz complexity. He’s as likely to tear through a Joe Bonamassa-style riff as he is to whisper a nylon-string lament under the stars. “I’ve always believed the blues could hold everything I’ve seen,” Ash says. “And on this album, I gave it all.”

 

A two-time City of Ottawa arts grant recipient and a regular on the Canadian scene, Ash is known for his heartfelt lyrics, technical precision, and fearless blending of genre. “Blues is the root, but everything else is the fruit,” he smiles, name-checking heroes like Robben Ford, Matt Schofield, and John Scofield. “They taught me you don’t have to pick one path. You can carve your own.”

 

Joyride Blues shows off just how many paths he’s carved. There’s the full-throttle joy of the title track, where he sings, “I don’t care baby / I’m only here for the joyride,” over a groove you can feel in your bones.

 

There’s the traditional shuffle-blues of “My Ship Has Sailed,” with Ash confessing, “This old ship was my last chance of salvation / now devils got my name and he’ll lead me to temptation.”

 

And then there’s “Love Fades Away,” a midnight ballad that cuts deep: “Once burned so bright, now it’s just grown old... Through our tears we realise, love fades away.”

 

“Joyride Blues is about chasing something,” Ash shares. “Sometimes it’s love, sometimes it’s meaning, sometimes it’s just a feeling. But even when things fall apart, you can still sing your way through.” Nowhere is that clearer than in “This Soul Ain’t for Sale,” where Ravens growls, “There ain’t no devil who can hold me, no chains ‘round my feet / This soul ain’t for sale, I will always be free.”

 

Recorded across several cities but always anchored in the blues, the album’s final track, “Somewhere South,” has its own story. Ash explains: “I was stuck. I grabbed a nylon-string guitar, went outside on this quiet southern porch, hit record, and played into the warm night. What you hear is the first take—cicadas and all.” It’s a soft landing for a high-octane record, like the last cigarette after a long road trip.

 

And not all inspiration came from the South. One instrumental, “Skating on the Rideau,” was sparked by a literal glide down Ottawa’s frozen canal. “It was one of those nights where everything feels alive and dangerous,” Ash laughs. “When I got home, the riff just poured out. It’s blues, but it’s got that winter magic baked in.”

 

Ash is currently booking shows for fall and winter 2025 and plans to bring the album across Canada and beyond. “These songs were meant to be played loud, with real people in the room,” he says. “Joyride Blues is the kind of album that finds you wherever you are—and then takes you somewhere else.”

 

Blending back porch warmth, downtown grit, and a global spirit, Ash Ravens has made an album that’s both a personal journey and a universal groove. So, grab your boots, your headphones, or your skates—and buckle up for the ride.

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“I May Be Down… But I’m Not Defeated”: JUNO Winner Angelique Francis Roars Back With A Soul-Stirring, Genre-Bending Album of Grit, Groove, and Glory

You know you’re in the presence of a force when someone plays upright bass, harmonica, keys, and cigar box guitar and that’s *before* they open their mouth. Angelique Francis isn’t just the future of blues, roots, and soul; she’s the freight train pulling the whole genre into a new dimension. With her third studio album, Not Defeated, out now, the Ottawa-born powerhouse is delivering a rallying cry for resilience, packing soul anthems, gospel grooves, and barn-burning guitar solos into one of the most exciting Canadian releases of the year.

 

Born in Ottawa and raised in a household where music was both language and lifeline, Angelique first hit the stage at age seven and was playing festivals by thirteen. By 14, she was already playing with music icons like Beth Hart and Shamekia Copeland. She has since shared the stage with music legends: Buddy Guy, Keb’ Mo’, Gary Clark Jr, and many more. Her musical DNA includes Aretha Franklin on keys, Willie Dixon on bass, Big Mama Thornton on harp, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe on guitar; and somehow, she plays them all. This multi-instrumentalist charts her own path: rocking stages across the globe, serenading audiences with her upright bass, harmonica, and powerful voice; all at the same time.

 

After winning the 2023 JUNO for Blues Album of the Year with Long River, Francis was declared Performer of the Year by Folk Canada in 2024, swept multiple Canadian Blues Music Awards, and landed a 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award nod for Song of the Year. But more than the accolades, it's her ability to unify joy and struggle that sets her apart. “Music has always been about healing for me,” Angelique shares. “It’s how I process the world and how I imagine a better one. One of my main goals as a musician is to spread joy amongst my listeners. To give people hope in times of struggle.”

 

On Not Defeated, she goes all in. “I may be down / but I’m not defeated,” she howls on the album’s title track. This high-powered soul-blues infused number highlights the analogy connecting the album’s tracks. “My album is a collection of songs and stories about the hardships and challenges of our past, present, and future, and the strength that lies within us all to overcome them”. The overarching theme is linked across every song, spinning a variety of tales that range from sensual, introspective, to comical.

 

From the sultry celebration of “Sugarcane Jukejoint” to the explosive funk-blues grooves of “Do That Work,” every track is steeped in soul and purpose. This album of completely original tunes was crafted in the signature Francis style; a fusion of Blues and Blues influenced genres (roots, folk, soul, rock, gospel, Americana, funk, jazz, classic R&B, and many more). She takes her listeners on a journey through a diverse mix of styles; from upbeat and exciting, to intimate and profound.

 

A featured track, “Escape” (ft. Grammy winner Christone “Kingfish” Ingram), is an electrifying spiritual gut-punch. “I just can't escape… my fears… / but I can stand / I will face it and give it all I can,” Francis belts with raw intensity, her voice swirling with Kingfish’s molten guitar. This timeless uplifting anthem encourages listeners to create their own light in the face of darkness.

 

Then there’s “Watch Me Grow,” a compelling tune that marries blues riffs with swagger, slick spoken word poetry, and New Orleans horns. It’s a song that declares: “Our path may be challenging, but onwards we fight / Watch me grow, watch us grow.”

 

Francis says: “Each one of us has the power to create positive change within this world. When people come together, support one another, and love each other, we can accomplish wonders.”

 

The album also features another sonic firestorm in “Train Coming” with Grammy Nominee Eric Gales, a blues-rock juggernaut that flawlessly electrifies listeners with its power and sizzle; a multifaceted metaphor about shedding one’s burdens and charging ahead towards a brighter future.

 

For Francis, music is her life, love, and family (quite literally). Her band includes sisters Kharincia Francis (sax), Kira Francis (trombone), Kayla Francis (vocals), and Father Kiran Francis (drums). “I am so lucky to have my family by my side,” she says. “It feels like a dream come true! They are fantastic musicians, and together our music is a reflection of who we are and the values we were raised on. That Love can conquer all.” Other talented members of The Angelique Francis Band on this album include Ed Lister (trumpet), Dave Williamson (electric guitar), and Andrew Knox (trumpet).

 

Coming off a whirlwind summer with performances at Winthrop Rhythm & Blues Festival (USA), Mont Tremblant International Blues Festival (QC), Niagara Jazz Festival (ON), Fort Langley Jazz Festival (BC), etc., Angelique and the band will board the Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea cruise this September, performing from Seattle to Alaska alongside some of the biggest names in Blues (such as Joe Bonamassa, Marcus King, Little Feat, and many others). “I can’t wait to bring this new music to people,” she beams. “Every show feels like a homecoming, whether we’re in Toronto or Romania.”

 

As for what’s next? Francis is set to tour in the fall (including Massey Hall, the Prismatic Arts Festival in Halifax, and Aeolian Hall in London) and is already working on her tour for 2026.

 

With Not Defeated, Angelique Francis has delivered more than just a record. She’s offered a soundtrack for anyone who's ever fallen and got back up anyway. “Failure, fear, and pain may come; but as long as we have hope, we will not be defeated.”

2x JUNO Winner Steve Marriner Brings Analog Grease to "I Can't Dance" With a Swaggering Blues Reimagining of the Genesis Classic

 

From harmonica to baritone guitar, from frontman to producer, Steve Marriner has spent over two decades shaping the sound of modern blues. With two JUNO Awards for his work with MonkeyJunk, a career spent touring with Colin James, and collaborations with Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Blue Rodeo, Marriner has become one of Canada’s most versatile and respected musicians. Now, he’s taking a Genesis song that’s lived “rent-free” in his head for years and giving it the treatment it deserves. 

"I Can’t Dance," Marriner’s latest single, out now via Cordova Bay Records, kicking off a new chapter in his ever-evolving career. "I love a strong chorus, and this is one of the best—a classic bluesy melody with a catchy pop sensibility," he says. "While I appreciate the early ’90s production of the original, I always felt that the lyric demanded a lot of swagger and wondered what it would sound like with a bit more analog grease on it." 

That analog grease is all over Marriner’s version, swapping out the polished edges of the original for a gritty, deep-pocketed groove that leans into his blues roots. This isn’t just a cover—it’s a reinvention. His soulful, road-worn voice delivers every line with a knowing smirk, while smoky guitar licks and a tight rhythm section transform the track into something that wouldn’t be out of place in a backroom bar filled with whiskey-soaked jukebox favorites. 

Marriner’s approach to blending blues, rock, and roots music has made him a sought-after collaborator and a formidable solo artist. His last album, Hope Dies Last, earned a 2022 JUNO nomination, and his production work on Big Dave McLean’s This Old Life and David Gogo’s YEAH! has both been nominated for 2025 JUNOs. With Hear My Heart, his upcoming full-length album, Marriner continues to push boundaries, proving that the blues isn’t just tradition—it’s alive, electric, and constantly evolving. 

The release of "I Can’t Dance" marks the first step in a packed 2025, leading up to the full album drop in June. 

For a musician who’s spent his life on the road, playing everywhere from Massey Hall to The Ryman Auditorium, this single is yet another mile marker. Whether performing alongside Harry Manx, Serena Ryder, or Randy Bachman, or stepping into the spotlight with his own brand of soul-drenched, hard-driving blues, Marriner remains one of the most exciting voices in roots music today. 

With "I Can’t Dance," he’s taken an earworm and turned it into a slow-burning, blues-soaked anthem—proof that even a song about standing still can still move.