Courage My Love

[COURAGE MY LOVE Geki Rock Japan

???????Mercedes (Vo&Gt)?Phoenix (Dr&Vo)???COURAGE MY LOVE?????????????Becoming??????You Don't Know How.??????·????????? ???????????????????????????....
- Geki Rock Magazine (Japan)

Last year, Canadian pop-rock trio Courage My Love were named one of our 100 Bands You Need To Know. As they gear up to remind everyone why, we're premiering the trio's lyric video for their new single, “You Don’t Know How.” It's from their sophomore EP Becoming, which is out on June 11.... - altpress.com

Courage My Love has this internet/social media medium down pat. Nineteen year old twins Mercedes (lead guitar/vocals) and Phoenix Arn-Horn (drummer) along with new bassist Brandon Lockwood have already chalked up more than 3.5 million hits on their YouTube channel. To celebrate the release of their second EP, “Becoming”, the Kitchener, Ontario trio have released an online episodic video series, titled `The (un)real lives of Courage My Love and they also run a podcast series titled `Homeskool Detention – a play on words from their Homeskool Prom records label and the fact the twins were homeschooled......cont'd... - TheMusicExpress.ca

Courage My Love has this internet/social media medium down pat. Nineteen year old twins Mercedes (lead guitar/vocals) and Phoenix Arn-Horn (drummer) along with new bassist Brandon Lockwood have already chalked up more than 3.5 million hits on their YouTube channel. To celebrate the release of their second EP, “Becoming”, the Kitchener, Ontario trio have released an online episodic video series, titled `The (un)real lives of Courage My Love and they also run a podcast series titled `Homeskool Detention – a play on words from their Homeskool Prom records label and the fact the twins were homeschooled......cont'd... - TheMusicExpress.ca

Pop-punk rock trio Courage My Love has crafted a fake reality show about sibling band members Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn to draw attention to the release of the band’s upcoming new album.

The Kitchener, Ont., trio hopes the online video will help them stand out in a crowded indie music scene.... - CBC

They've got all the elements, and when it explodes-and it will-it's going to be huge... - Canadian Musician Magazine (Norris Whitney)

Twin sisters Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn have seen a lot in the last three years. Their band, Courage My Love, continues to convert fans all over the world; their record label, the mighty Warner Music, keeps directing a national spotlight onto the 19 year olds; and their miles logged on the road keep growing. Sitting with the two sisters and new bassist Brandon Lockwood over lunch in uptown Waterloo, I was struck by their excitement, their luck, and their level-headedness in the face of great success.... - The Kitchener Record

Twin sisters Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn have seen a lot in the last three years. Their band, Courage My Love, continues to convert fans all over the world; their record label, the mighty Warner Music, keeps directing a national spotlight onto the 19 year olds; and their miles logged on the road keep growing. Sitting with the two sisters and new bassist Brandon Lockwood over lunch in uptown Waterloo, I was struck by their excitement, their luck, and their level-headedness in the face of great success.... - The Kitchener Record

Kevin Smith runs a podcast station called SModcast Internet Radio, or S.I.R. for short. One of the many podcasts under the S.I.R. banner is a comic-obsessed show called Tell Em Steve Dave!. The host, Walt Flannigan is also manager extraordinaire of Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash who challenged bands to send in music for lyrics he'd penned to his song "I Sell Comics". Specifically calling out Courage My Love for the task. The Canadian group came through and not only wrote and recorded a song, but ever the DIY'ers- they filmed their own damn music video. ..... - RainCityAmbience.com

I am a HUGE fan of the podcast Tell 'Em Steve Dave!. So when Walt Flanagan wrote lyrics for a song and asked people to record a song, people obliged. I heard a few, and they were really good. Then I heard Courage My Love.

Featured yesterday on Jay and Silent Bob Get Jobs, these guys are between the ages of 15 & 16. With the sound of Paramore, and the talent that I'm insanely jealous of, these guys recorded a song I could just imagine hearing on the radio and being glad that it's there.

So check it out, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. These guys rock in a big bad way, and I wouldn't be surprised if they play on the many alternate music channels I listen too. - http://www.awesome-robo.com

I am a HUGE fan of the podcast Tell 'Em Steve Dave!. So when Walt Flanagan wrote lyrics for a song and asked people to record a song, people obliged. I heard a few, and they were really good. Then I heard Courage My Love.

Featured yesterday on Jay and Silent Bob Get Jobs, these guys are between the ages of 15 & 16. With the sound of Paramore, and the talent that I'm insanely jealous of, these guys recorded a song I could just imagine hearing on the radio and being glad that it's there.

So check it out, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. These guys rock in a big bad way, and I wouldn't be surprised if they play on the many alternate music channels I listen too. - http://www.awesome-robo.com

The URL for their site is completely accurate: I love Courage My Love.

Holy shit I just keep replaying their songs. From Canada, Courage My Love has put nearly every other artist in my music library (which is considerably larger than my poor 80 gig ipod can handle) off rotation. I can’t really remember how I even discovered them; I found their Tegan and Sara – Hope a Plane cover around the same time the podcast Tell ‘Em Steve Dave had them as their listener band. Not one really delve into genres I guess I’d consider ‘em to be a rock band. Their Youtube has around 20 videos, including some actual music videos. The latest one was a video and music done to Walt Flannagan’s (From Tell ‘em Steve Dave) lyrics, and is pretty brilliant. I Sell Comic’s is the title and is currently for sale in an attempt to join Tell ‘Em Steve Dave in October to do a live show (detailed here). The song that was featured on the TESD podcast also has a video, Bridges. Only three members big, the bands cute as shit between twin sisters Mercedes (Guitar), and Phoenix (Drums) and the bass player David (who I’m told is cute; I prefer my men to be David Boreanaz or Nathan Fillion, so you’re not my type, sorry bro~). All three do vocals to songs, and you can catch them live if you’re in Canadalands, which I’m not, but hopefully I can make it out there to see them at some point, I’d be super fucking stoked. They did just play Warped Tour which I bet was fucking awesome for them, and for fans. I believe they are currently working on making a record, although I am not completely sure, and hope I can scrape enough money to grab it once they do release one. I’ve literally ripped and edited out some of the dead intro space on the Youtube audio of some of their songs just so I could get ‘em on my ipod in the meantime. I’ve also been obsessively searching Youtube daily to see if any video from Warped Tour with ‘em has gotten uploaded (I swear there was one but I don’t see it anymore). The bands a total fucking joy to listen to, and the best way to express that is to admit I’ve gotten bruises from jumping around and air guitaring while they blast through my speakers while I’m in the shower. The lot have talent and have kind of reinspired me to try to get back into playing my guitar, just so I can learn how to play their songs, although I don’t have the proficiency with any of my instruments that they do.

Anyway be spammed with links to all their shit because holy fuck I love these ladies (and guy! I won’t forget you sir.) - http://sketchfile.wordpress.com

The URL for their site is completely accurate: I love Courage My Love.

Holy shit I just keep replaying their songs. From Canada, Courage My Love has put nearly every other artist in my music library (which is considerably larger than my poor 80 gig ipod can handle) off rotation. I can’t really remember how I even discovered them; I found their Tegan and Sara – Hope a Plane cover around the same time the podcast Tell ‘Em Steve Dave had them as their listener band. Not one really delve into genres I guess I’d consider ‘em to be a rock band. Their Youtube has around 20 videos, including some actual music videos. The latest one was a video and music done to Walt Flannagan’s (From Tell ‘em Steve Dave) lyrics, and is pretty brilliant. I Sell Comic’s is the title and is currently for sale in an attempt to join Tell ‘Em Steve Dave in October to do a live show (detailed here). The song that was featured on the TESD podcast also has a video, Bridges. Only three members big, the bands cute as shit between twin sisters Mercedes (Guitar), and Phoenix (Drums) and the bass player David (who I’m told is cute; I prefer my men to be David Boreanaz or Nathan Fillion, so you’re not my type, sorry bro~). All three do vocals to songs, and you can catch them live if you’re in Canadalands, which I’m not, but hopefully I can make it out there to see them at some point, I’d be super fucking stoked. They did just play Warped Tour which I bet was fucking awesome for them, and for fans. I believe they are currently working on making a record, although I am not completely sure, and hope I can scrape enough money to grab it once they do release one. I’ve literally ripped and edited out some of the dead intro space on the Youtube audio of some of their songs just so I could get ‘em on my ipod in the meantime. I’ve also been obsessively searching Youtube daily to see if any video from Warped Tour with ‘em has gotten uploaded (I swear there was one but I don’t see it anymore). The bands a total fucking joy to listen to, and the best way to express that is to admit I’ve gotten bruises from jumping around and air guitaring while they blast through my speakers while I’m in the shower. The lot have talent and have kind of reinspired me to try to get back into playing my guitar, just so I can learn how to play their songs, although I don’t have the proficiency with any of my instruments that they do.

Anyway be spammed with links to all their shit because holy fuck I love these ladies (and guy! I won’t forget you sir.) - http://sketchfile.wordpress.com

Trouvé sur le Twitter de Kevin Smith (qui est normalement vecteur de bon goût), cette parodie d'Emocore/Paramore geekisée fait penser à une version Liddl d'Eyes set to kill avec des Comics (et des numéros marquants) en plus...

Enfin, si Kevin Smith (que j'imagine vraiment mal avec une mèche blonde et un fer à lisser) dit que c'est bien... - http://www.comicsblog.fr

Trouvé sur le Twitter de Kevin Smith (qui est normalement vecteur de bon goût), cette parodie d'Emocore/Paramore geekisée fait penser à une version Liddl d'Eyes set to kill avec des Comics (et des numéros marquants) en plus...

Enfin, si Kevin Smith (que j'imagine vraiment mal avec une mèche blonde et un fer à lisser) dit que c'est bien... - http://www.comicsblog.fr

Toronto pop punk trio Courage My Love has at least four things going for them:
1. They’re named after a Tragically Hip lyric based on Hugh MacLennan’s CanLit classic The Watch That Ends The Night. EDIT: Whoops, there I go presuming things. I’m way off here. Commenter JB correctly points below out that, according Courage My Love’s own website, their name is taken from a line in the 1936 movie Things to Come, based on the H.G. Wells novel and not on a Tragically Hip lyric, which, for the record, is “Courage, my word”. They get to keep the point because H.G. Wells and old movies are cool.
2. They are young enough to pull off their asymmetrical haircuts.
3. They out-Avril anything the former Mrs. Whibley has done lately.
4. They made this really fun video: - PrairieDogMagazine

Courage My Love’s video for ‘I Sell Comics’ the greatest thing ever

Last week we happened to catch a video by a young Kitchener/Toronto band, Courage My Love. The video is for a song called “I Sell Comics” and you can see it here.... - www.TheSnipeNews.Com

Courage My Love’s video for ‘I Sell Comics’ the greatest thing ever

Last week we happened to catch a video by a young Kitchener/Toronto band, Courage My Love. The video is for a song called “I Sell Comics” and you can see it here.... - www.TheSnipeNews.Com

Phoenix was recently interviewed by her sponsors at Los Cabos Drumsticks for their monthly podcast - Los Cabos Drumsticks

Up for the challenge were Kitchener natives Courage My Love. Their melodic metal sound was a stark contrast to Borins’ folky style, as evidenced by the mini moshpit that formed for their performance. Headbanging and thrashing through their powerful set, the band played their hit single “Bridges” and closed with the riff heavy “Smoke and Mirrors.” They may have been the youngest band there but they certainly rocked the hardest.

Continue reading on Examiner.com: Mediazoic Launches with the Zoics at Revival - Toronto Live Music | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/live-music-in-toronto/mediazoic-launches-with-the-zoics-at-revival-review#ixzz1KJY8Z5aP
- http://www.examiner.com

Courage My Love: London, Ontario, pop punk trio led by a couple of cute-as-a-button 16 year-old twin sisters on guitars and drums. Gene Simmons (yes, him) scouted them as possible signings for his record label. http://ilovecouragemylove.com. - MetroNews

Courage My Love:
Last week, thanks to the prodding by one of Cherry Cola’s fine DJs, Metal Mel, I heard a band that literally dropped my jaw. I have never seen anything like them.
Courage My love is not just a superb rock band, they are a Kim Fowley wet dream. The Runaways with talent, the Bangles with balls, Electric Dala, hell, I’d better stop trying to explain. You just have to see these kids. You have to hear their voices, listen to them play, and see them on stage to appreciate just how good they are and how great they’ll be. The thing is, I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg. They are invested in their music. Like Harlan Pepper, they are old souls when it comes to their musical ability, resourceful beyond their years. They absolutely killed Cherry Cola’s music savvy audience.
I can only begin to imagine what will come from them in the future. How refreshing to meet two young women whose demeanor and style is so down to Earth, and focused on their music instead of a choreographer, women whose demeanor and style is so down to Earth, and focused on their music instead of a choreographer,
hairstylist, and costumes. They are currently in the studio recording their first album with producer Chris Perry. May they all make the right decisions and keep this as real as what I heard in Cherry Cola’s last week.

In my opinion, Courage my Love and Harlan Pepper and the others I’ve written about today are the new faces of rock. They are unique to themselves, unencumbered by a dependency on autotune or a phalanx of starmakers. They are the real deal. If they stay that way, we have years of great music to look forward to. There is
a sincerity and dedication in these people that is so reminiscent of the great rock bands of the past, that I cannot help but feel that the idiom will be resurrected and added to as long as artists like the ones we’ve mentioned here are allowed to play and record without being molded into something they aren’t. And having talked to them all, I can pretty much guarantee their heads are screwed on better than most. Rock definitely has a future.

Everything is possible for this band. See them as soon as you can…you’ll
be able to say you saw them when. - http://fyimusic.ca/columns/opinion/segarini-does-rock-have-a-future-part-two

January 31st, 2011 | Author: Amy

Hey everyone! Courage My Love was kind enough (and awesome!) to do a written interview with us! They each answered the questions.

“I’m serious about everything i say in this interview. there are no jokes, no puns, no snappy comebacks. this is strictly BUISNESS!!!!!!!! …… nawt.” - Phoenix Arn Horn

M = Mercedes answers
P = Phoenix’s answers
D = David’s answers

1. How did you get the name ‘Courage My Love’?

M - ”Courage My Love is actually a line in a 1930's movie called “things to come.” The movie was basically the first zombie apocalypse movie, so we were into it obviously! Phoenix and I wanted a positive name (in opposition to all the negative and trivial band names out there already) and thought that the sentiment of this line was perfect.”

P - ”Why is the earth round? It just is.”

D – The twins will probably have a better answer

2. How did each of you get started in music?

M - ”Phoenix and I have been taking lessons for different instruments for years! I believe we started with the suzuki program when we were 4 years old! Our musical tastes developed as we grew older and we came to love rock, grunge, reggae and ofcourse punk, metal and hardcore. I always wanted to play guitar, even before i was big enough to hold it properly! haha”

P - ”Music was always a big thing in my life. My parents raised me on punk rock and reggae, I took piano lessons when I was little, it was just something that was always around.”

D - My dad had an acoustic guitar, and he would always play it. So I guess it has always been in my life.

3. How did Courage My Love start?

M - ”Phoenix and I have been writing and jamming together since before I can recall. At around age 14 we got caught up in the local band scene. We’ve always played together in bands, but we stuck with courage my love because we really enjoyed writing together. We played our first show about 3 years ago at some sketchy local venue. Over the years and as David joined we’ve been gaining fans and playing better venues with bands that i adored as a girl!”

P - ”Mercedes and I were always in and out of bands. After I left my crappy old band when I was 14, ‘Cedes and I started a project together. We went through lots of bass players, but nothing really stuck. Finally, in september of 2009, we started jamming with the awesome David, and our fates were sealed.”

D - The twins had already formed the band when I met them. We used to hang out before i joined and show each other acoustic songs we had written. It was the fall of 2009 when they asked me to join the band.

4. What do you enjoy the most about being in a band?

M - ”I really enjoy writing the music and having a creative outlet, but i think my favorite part is playing on stage with my two best friends and interacting with the fans! They give me so much energy and make my day.”

P - ”All the pranks we pull on each other! And definitely rocking our brains out on stage! Fact: my brain has bounced off my skull so many times from head banging that I now think 1 plus 1 is 11.”

D - Getting the chance to play music with my best friends.

5. Do you ever fight or argue about/within the band?

M - ”Not really… I mean of course there is the occasional argument, especially when we’re writing, but it gets resolved pretty quickly. It’s really intense for about 5 minutes, but then we feel too excited about the song to stay angry.”

P - ”Not that much. Only when we’re writing songs and stuff. But the recurring murder dreams have stopped now.”

D - We do have arguments but they are always small and quickly resolved.

6. Who is your biggest influence?

M - ”Crazy question!!!! I would say some of my major influences are Set Your Goals, Four Years Strong, A Day To Remember and We Are The Ocean. On the lighter side of things, Paramore, Versaemerge, and You Me At Six.”

P - ”My tastes in music change all the time, but right now I’m going through a huge punk phase. You’d definitely find The Flatliners, NOFX, The Sex Pistols, Blink 182, Set Your Goals, Gallows (pretty much anything awesome) on my ipod.”

D - Dustin Davidson from August Burns Red

7. What do you remember most about meeting fans?

M - ”I really love meeting fans! Every one of them is amazing! I remember seeing a video of a six year old girl singing one of our songs. Phoenix and I were crying and laughing at the same time!”

P - ” I remember at one show there was a topless girl in the mosh pit. She bought a shirt from me after.”

D - I love meeting new people. So if someone comes up to me and introduces themselves, I’m more than happy to stay and talk with them.

8. What is one memory of playing on stage?

M - ”I remember we played a show once where the stage risers we big, but the drum riser was really small… too small for the kit. We were halfway through our set when Phoenix falls off the drum riser and into some crack behind the stage! At the time it was pretty - AllstarItemCDA

January 31st, 2011 | Author: Amy

Hey everyone! Courage My Love was kind enough (and awesome!) to do a written interview with us! They each answered the questions.

“I’m serious about everything i say in this interview. there are no jokes, no puns, no snappy comebacks. this is strictly BUISNESS!!!!!!!! …… nawt.” - Phoenix Arn Horn

M = Mercedes answers
P = Phoenix’s answers
D = David’s answers

1. How did you get the name ‘Courage My Love’?

M - ”Courage My Love is actually a line in a 1930's movie called “things to come.” The movie was basically the first zombie apocalypse movie, so we were into it obviously! Phoenix and I wanted a positive name (in opposition to all the negative and trivial band names out there already) and thought that the sentiment of this line was perfect.”

P - ”Why is the earth round? It just is.”

D – The twins will probably have a better answer

2. How did each of you get started in music?

M - ”Phoenix and I have been taking lessons for different instruments for years! I believe we started with the suzuki program when we were 4 years old! Our musical tastes developed as we grew older and we came to love rock, grunge, reggae and ofcourse punk, metal and hardcore. I always wanted to play guitar, even before i was big enough to hold it properly! haha”

P - ”Music was always a big thing in my life. My parents raised me on punk rock and reggae, I took piano lessons when I was little, it was just something that was always around.”

D - My dad had an acoustic guitar, and he would always play it. So I guess it has always been in my life.

3. How did Courage My Love start?

M - ”Phoenix and I have been writing and jamming together since before I can recall. At around age 14 we got caught up in the local band scene. We’ve always played together in bands, but we stuck with courage my love because we really enjoyed writing together. We played our first show about 3 years ago at some sketchy local venue. Over the years and as David joined we’ve been gaining fans and playing better venues with bands that i adored as a girl!”

P - ”Mercedes and I were always in and out of bands. After I left my crappy old band when I was 14, ‘Cedes and I started a project together. We went through lots of bass players, but nothing really stuck. Finally, in september of 2009, we started jamming with the awesome David, and our fates were sealed.”

D - The twins had already formed the band when I met them. We used to hang out before i joined and show each other acoustic songs we had written. It was the fall of 2009 when they asked me to join the band.

4. What do you enjoy the most about being in a band?

M - ”I really enjoy writing the music and having a creative outlet, but i think my favorite part is playing on stage with my two best friends and interacting with the fans! They give me so much energy and make my day.”

P - ”All the pranks we pull on each other! And definitely rocking our brains out on stage! Fact: my brain has bounced off my skull so many times from head banging that I now think 1 plus 1 is 11.”

D - Getting the chance to play music with my best friends.

5. Do you ever fight or argue about/within the band?

M - ”Not really… I mean of course there is the occasional argument, especially when we’re writing, but it gets resolved pretty quickly. It’s really intense for about 5 minutes, but then we feel too excited about the song to stay angry.”

P - ”Not that much. Only when we’re writing songs and stuff. But the recurring murder dreams have stopped now.”

D - We do have arguments but they are always small and quickly resolved.

6. Who is your biggest influence?

M - ”Crazy question!!!! I would say some of my major influences are Set Your Goals, Four Years Strong, A Day To Remember and We Are The Ocean. On the lighter side of things, Paramore, Versaemerge, and You Me At Six.”

P - ”My tastes in music change all the time, but right now I’m going through a huge punk phase. You’d definitely find The Flatliners, NOFX, The Sex Pistols, Blink 182, Set Your Goals, Gallows (pretty much anything awesome) on my ipod.”

D - Dustin Davidson from August Burns Red

7. What do you remember most about meeting fans?

M - ”I really love meeting fans! Every one of them is amazing! I remember seeing a video of a six year old girl singing one of our songs. Phoenix and I were crying and laughing at the same time!”

P - ” I remember at one show there was a topless girl in the mosh pit. She bought a shirt from me after.”

D - I love meeting new people. So if someone comes up to me and introduces themselves, I’m more than happy to stay and talk with them.

8. What is one memory of playing on stage?

M - ”I remember we played a show once where the stage risers we big, but the drum riser was really small… too small for the kit. We were halfway through our set when Phoenix falls off the drum riser and into some crack behind the stage! At the time it was pretty - AllstarItemCDA

Courage My Love
Based out of: Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
Genre: rock/pop-punk
Link: http://www.ilovecouragemylove.com/

Thepitmusic schedule had Courage My Love due for an Indie Spotlight in a few weeks, but we’ve had to bump them up, as such is the extraordinary speed that the band is turning heads (and, rightfully so).

And so, the time has come to share CML with the rest of the world!

Right out of Kitchener, the trio has been all over the tri-cities scene showcasing killer tunes and an insane work ethic.

These guys are one well-oiled machine, with tight musicianship and songwriting skills to school their decades older contemporaries with.

You can expect song after song of anthemic, upbeat pop-punk with crunchy hooks that’ll stick in your brain until you bump them out with a new CML riff.

These guys write their songs on a strong punk-rock foundation to place the poppier elements on and it works like magic. And while there’s no dispute that CML rocks, their hard work in getting their name out is something up and comers should be taking notes on.

The shows never stop with these guys, and if you live in KW or Toronto there’s no excuse to miss out! For fans of Fireworks, Hit the Lights, or The Swellers - The Pit Music

MuchMusic heavy rotation for Bridges - MuchMusic

MuchMusic heavy rotation for Bridges - MuchMusic

Balcony TV interview and acoustic performance with Courage My Love - Balcony TV

Cute 17 year-old London, Ontario, twins weaned on pop metal, jazz and blues standards. They’ve found fans in members of Korn and Underoath. Although they’re currently unsigned, there’s apparently significant label interest from a couple of majors. Check out their MySpace page, too.
-Alan Cross - ExploreMusic.com by Alan Cross

Cute 17 year-old London, Ontario, twins weaned on pop metal, jazz and blues standards. They’ve found fans in members of Korn and Underoath. Although they’re currently unsigned, there’s apparently significant label interest from a couple of majors. Check out their MySpace page, too.
-Alan Cross - ExploreMusic.com by Alan Cross

Those of us who have been following this band from the beginning feel a connection not unlike the one you share with family. When one of the kids gets sick, we feel bad, when Mercedes and Phoenix’s dad slipped and broke his leg in two places we were concerned for him and the twins as well. When anything goes on in their camp, we follow on Twitter, root for them all along the way, and always hope for the best. When they started posting mixes of the songs they’re recording we cheered every time someone left a comment or became a new fan, and now that their first video is online, we smile with pride as people come on board, laud the band, and re-tweet every piece of information they can get their hands on. The video already has over 9000 hits, they are in the top 10 of Canadian Artist’s watched, and their video release party at Cherry Cola’s was a smashing success, not to mention recent dates in Toronto, Hamilton, Waterloo, and Kitchener.

I am happy to announce that they will be joining The Segarini Band, Jumple, Harlan Pepper, Ronnie and the Jets, Tom Wilson, and a legion of terrific singer/songwriters at The Black Swan next Tuesday, January 25th for a special show that starts at 7:00 pm. If you miss that, they will be playing with the Segarini band at Cherry Cola’s the following Saturday night, January 29th, and on top of all that, they are doing a showcase for Gene Simmons at Cherry Cola’s on Thursday, January 27th at 6:00 pm.

Gene better treat our CML with honour and respect, or all us fans will stick his tongue to a frozen pole and leave him there. Best of luck to Mercedes, Phoenix, and David. Pictures of CML courtesy of Richard Freedman. - fyimusic.ca

Video interview for Popsicle Stand Promotions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybVR7-PNb8 - Popsicle Stand Promotions

Video interview for Popsicle Stand Promotions
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybVR7-PNb8 - Popsicle Stand Promotions

Courage My Love: One of the reasons I just vented up top was because of the afternoon I spent with the three members of Courage My Love. I wish they were coming into their career with guys like Mo Ostin and Jac Holzman in the record business and radio that revolved around music and careers, and not tour grosses, record sales, and rehab entrances and exits. I want them to succeed. I want them to be treated fairly and like the good, honest, trusting souls they are. I want them not to suffer the egos and intrusion that dilutes so many artists these days.

I was invited to write their bio and I took the opportunity to also interview them (something I normally hate to do because there are so many much better at it than I) for a podcast which should surface sometime this spring. Along with their support team, (Chris Perry, their producer, and Nicole Hughes, their advisor/manager/social secretary/Lord knows what else), and a very supportive and positively proud and glowing mom, I spent the afternoon at Pocket Studios in the East End of Toronto asking questions and listening to these fresh faced, totally committed, musicians talk about themselves and their music. Not kids, not wannabe’s, not dreamers…musicians.

As the conversation went on, I realized just how insanely wonderful these people are. Not one word about being rock stars, not one word about how sucky music was or how bad radio is, no name checking current popular bands or artists that most people their age would point to as being of significance in their quest for world domination (which I brought up later to much giggling and an admission that, yes, they did sometimes dream of being at the toppermost of the poppermost) and in an hour of conversation, not one profanity (I managed a few and then felt bad about it) not one angry word, not one moment of anything except honesty, open dialogue and their heartfelt eloquently spoken real and palpable desire to play music, get better, and write songs.

As it became more and more evident just how focused and committed these three incredibly talented waifs are on the meat and potatoes reality of the hard work and time it takes to be able to make a living playing music (the most prevalent goal they share at the moment) I became overwhelmed with just how deeply what they were saying (and how they were saying it) was affecting me. This, I thought to myself, is what making music is all about.

There was no pretense, no manipulation. There were no prepared clever quotes or choreographed answers. There was no wrangler in the room with us prompting their responses to my questions or reminding them to bring up their record, or a gig, or how they almost got on whatever TV show. Just three musicians who care about their music, their family and friends, and the cadre of local peers who come out to see their shows and wear their T-shirts to the mall.

This then is what the future of rock and roll should be. They are the real deal, with a love of music that you no longer feel from most of the artists currently on the radio. It makes me ache to know that bands like this are out there working away in local clubs for the sheer joy of performance, honing their skills the old fashioned way, and so insanely down to earth and rife with potential that only a brain dead gerbil would not see what is possible if they are just left alone to grow. This is a band best nurtured and protected by people who care about them so they can keep their wits about them when the starmakers, makeover artists and stylists start lurking in the bushes outside their homes offering bags of money and an opening slot on the next Taylor Swift tour. (Which would be kinda cool…but they would blow Ms. Swift off the stage.)

Along with the Research Turtles and Harlan Pepper, two other music loving and career oriented bands who chose to pick up real instruments instead of Guitar Hero and Rock Band plastic and whose collective ages don’t add up to one David Crosby, Courage My Love have the talent, the smarts, and the drive to be around as long as they want to be, and I hope that is a long, long time. Bridges - fyimusic.ca

If ever anyone was concerned about the future of youth and music today, after watching Courage My Love own the stage at the Hard Luck bar this past Thursday even the biggest cynic’s faith would be restored.

Kitchener trio Courage My Love may be young in age (twins Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn and David Blake-Dickson are just seventeen years old) their talent and spirit belie their youthful appearance. Fresh faced and full of energy, Courage My Love maintain an amazing level of integrity when it comes to their music. All classically trained musicians, who absolutely tear it up on their instruments, the band write all their own songs (with occasional help and guidance from manager and prolific songwriter Nicole Hughes), and are actually playing real music with depth and soul.

“We don’t bite very often, we promise” jests lead singer/guitarist Mercedes, “except when we’re thirsty for blood!” A little girl with a big voice, Mercedes has magnificent stage presence, and holds the crowd in the palm of her capable hand. Sisters Mercedes and Phoenix, from behind the drumkit, share vocal duties (using impossible to duplicate twin harmony), receiving backup and occasional scream-singing from David on the bass. Opening up their set with “Lights, camera, action” the tone is set for a powerful performance, with strong heavy metal and classic rock sound. Moving onto the wonderfully titled “Anchors make good shoes (if you have issues)” and fan favourite “River” (a song as ambient and flowy sounding as its namesake), every song was more amazing than the one before.

The band has cited Paramore and Flyleaf as influences, along with closer to home bands The Flatliners and Creepshow. New song “Bridges” (the Warren Sonoda directed video to be released this Tuesday on their YouTube channel) really exemplifies their variable inspiration. Closing the set with “Smoke and Mirrors”, the band left the stage to raucous applause, leaving fans wanting more.

Toronto music godfather Bob Segarini has dubbed Courage My Love as one of the best bands of 2010, and he’s a man who knows what he’s talking about. In Bob’s words, they play “every show like it’s an arena show”, and he’s right. If Courage My Love is one of the faces of new music, then music is going to be just fine.
- http://www.examiner.com

If ever anyone was concerned about the future of youth and music today, after watching Courage My Love own the stage at the Hard Luck bar this past Thursday even the biggest cynic’s faith would be restored.

Kitchener trio Courage My Love may be young in age (twins Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn and David Blake-Dickson are just seventeen years old) their talent and spirit belie their youthful appearance. Fresh faced and full of energy, Courage My Love maintain an amazing level of integrity when it comes to their music. All classically trained musicians, who absolutely tear it up on their instruments, the band write all their own songs (with occasional help and guidance from manager and prolific songwriter Nicole Hughes), and are actually playing real music with depth and soul.

“We don’t bite very often, we promise” jests lead singer/guitarist Mercedes, “except when we’re thirsty for blood!” A little girl with a big voice, Mercedes has magnificent stage presence, and holds the crowd in the palm of her capable hand. Sisters Mercedes and Phoenix, from behind the drumkit, share vocal duties (using impossible to duplicate twin harmony), receiving backup and occasional scream-singing from David on the bass. Opening up their set with “Lights, camera, action” the tone is set for a powerful performance, with strong heavy metal and classic rock sound. Moving onto the wonderfully titled “Anchors make good shoes (if you have issues)” and fan favourite “River” (a song as ambient and flowy sounding as its namesake), every song was more amazing than the one before.

The band has cited Paramore and Flyleaf as influences, along with closer to home bands The Flatliners and Creepshow. New song “Bridges” (the Warren Sonoda directed video to be released this Tuesday on their YouTube channel) really exemplifies their variable inspiration. Closing the set with “Smoke and Mirrors”, the band left the stage to raucous applause, leaving fans wanting more.

Toronto music godfather Bob Segarini has dubbed Courage My Love as one of the best bands of 2010, and he’s a man who knows what he’s talking about. In Bob’s words, they play “every show like it’s an arena show”, and he’s right. If Courage My Love is one of the faces of new music, then music is going to be just fine.
- http://www.examiner.com

This is how Segarini, of FYI Music News Weekly, Canada's Music Industry Source, described us:
"Last week, thanks to the prodding by one of CC’s fine DJs, Metal Mel, I heard a band that literally dropped my jaw. I have never seen anything like them. Courage My love is not just a superb rock band, they are a Kim Fowley wet dream. The Runaways with talent, the Bangles with balls, Electric Dala, hell, I’d better stop trying to explain. You just have to see these kids. You have to hear their voices, listen to them play, and see them on stage to appreciate just how good they are and how great they’ll be. The thing is, I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg. Everything is possible for this band. See them as soon as you can…you’ll be able to say you saw them when." - FYI Music News Weekly, Canada's Music Industry Source

Courage My Love: I look at this group as the one that could make an entire generation pick rock as a musical choice instead of getting on line for American Idol try outs or being discovered on You Tube in order to get the attention of the latest radio and major label pop stars. These 16 year old twins and their 18 year old bass player are hard core rockers through and through. Imagine the Olsen Twins with talent, looks, and the desire to hit the road and pay their dues, then add McLovin from “Superbad” whose desire to rock out is as powerful as theirs.

This then is Courage My Love. Mercedes plays guitar (and I mean plays guitar), Phoenix plays the cello when not behind the drum kit kicking ass, and David plays the bass, pogos, spins, and sings with the twins. I have seen them live 3 times and have been knocked out not only by their writing and performance, but their confidence, control of the room, and the adoration they instill in their audience…and this Kitchener/Waterloo Ontario trio are just beginning what could be a long and successful career. Again I have to ask…what could this band grow into if nurtured by radio, a caring label, and the 10,000 hours they are already putting in? They have a great support team, parents who believe in them, and the talent to grow into a major act and an inspiration to young people everywhere to put down the iPod and Guitar Hero, and pick up a real guitar, bass. or a pair of drumsticks. Thanks to people like DJ Metal Mel, Indie Week’s Darryl Hurs, producer Chris Perry and Nicole Hughes, and places like Cherry Cola’s, Courage My Love are well on their way to realizing the dream. - fyimusic.ca

Courage My Love: I swear, Cherry Cola’s is some sort of nexus for music that I would not have stumbled across otherwise. It was here that I first heard of the Eagles of Death Metal, hung out with them, and caught their sold out show at the Phoenix. Another band from L.A, Rival Sons, was brought to my attention here, and after seeing them on Cherry Cola’s stage, I have become a fan. Toronto’s Black Heath Hounds played here, and I was blown away by them. You have to hear their version of L.A Woman as well as their stunning original tunes.

Last week, thanks to the prodding by one of CC’s fine DJs, Metal Mel, I heard a band that literally dropped my jaw. I have never seen anything like them.

Consisting of two 16 year old sisters, Mercedes (guitar and vocals) and Phoenix (drums, cello, and vocals) and 18 year old bassist, David Blake-Dickson (who bears a striking resemblance to Superbad’s McLovin), Courage My love is not just a superb rock band, they are a Kim Fowley wet dream. The Runaways with talent, the Bangles with balls, Electric Dala, hell, I’d better stop trying to explain. You just have to see these kids. You have to hear their voices, listen to them play, and see them on stage to appreciate just how good they are and how great they’ll be. The thing is, I know that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

They are invested in their music. Like Harlan Pepper, they are old souls when it comes to their musical ability, resourceful beyond their years. They absolutely killed Cherry Cola’s music savvy audience.

I can only begin to imagine what will come from them in the future. How refreshing to meet two young women whose demeanor and style is so down to Earth, and focused on their music instead of a choreographer, hairstylist, and costumes. They are currently in the studio recording their first album with producer Chris Perry. May they all make the right decisions and keep this as real as what I heard in Cherry Cola’s last week.

Courage My Love: Hop a Plane

Courage My Love: Barricade

In my opinion, Courage my Love and Harlan Pepper and the others I’ve written about today are the new faces of rock. They are unique to themselves, unencumbered by a dependency on autotune or a phalanx of star-makers. They are the real deal. If they stay that way, we have years of great music to look forward to. There is a sincerity and dedication in these people that is so reminiscent of the great rock bands of the past, that I cannot help but feel that the idiom will be resurrected and added to as long as artists like the ones we’ve mentioned here are allowed to play and record without being molded into something they aren’t. And having talked to them all, I can pretty much guarantee their heads are screwed on better than most.

Rock definitely has a future. - http://fyimusic.ca/columns/opinion/segarini-does-rock-have-a-future-part-two#more-22026

Courage My Love
James'Thoughts
Courage My Love was my favorite band of the night. This band is a three piece – guitar/lead vox, bass, and drums. These guys were heavy but extremely melodic with tightly arranged songs and catchy hooks. One amazingly beautiful song by Courage My Love featured a guest performer playing electric cello and singing harmonies – this was a big high point of their performance. All songs by Courage My Love had great vocal delivery from lead singer and great harmony work by the other members. These guys rock…I am a BIG fan! Exactly the type of band I would love to work with (Hint…).
Shawn's Thoughts:
The final band of the competition was Courage My Love. These young artists have a great thing going for them, with a power punk vibe reminiscent of Not By Choice and Green Day. The female drummer and female guitarist add a great dynamic to the feel of the band.
- Great vocal harmonies.
- Studio Manifesto http://studiomanifesto.ca