Hey readers!

Ottawa-based rock band, Lemon Cash won the title of Jamsterdam Radio's Track of the Month for October with their single Waiting On- that makes them the title holders twice within the span of 6 months!  I

Lemon Cash

had the opportunity to interview them as they gear up for the holidays and the upcoming EP release! Check out the interview below:

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JGIC: Congrats on winning the Jamsterdam Radio Track of the Month twice this year! How does that feel knowing how responsive listeners have been to your music?

LC: Winning Track of the Month twice in one year- especially on a Toronto radio station- is pretty mind boggling! We're super ecstatic knowing that our music is attracting listeners and that they're enjoying it! We're overjoyed at the fact that we were able to get all these votes from our fans, it means a s*** load to us, and we couldn't be more thankful for this to happen twice in a year!

JGIC: What is your single Waiting On about?

LC: Our single Waiting On is a story of distrust and infidelity in a relationship between two people. It apprehends the unfaithfulness, lies and mistakes that tend to happen in relationships and how everything can pretty much turn sour in the aftermath. Dark, I know, but it’s just a story that I’m sure most people can relate to.
JGIC: I agree that most people can definitely relate to that! I saw somewhere online you guys are having an EP release coming up. When and where is it?

LC: We most definitely are! We've put so much time and effort recording with our great friend and producer James Robertson (Heritage Recording Studio) over the course of the year to get our songs to where we want them to be, and now that we have just about wrapped things up we will be throwing an EP release party in the new year (January 23, 2016) at Greenfield's Pub & Eatery in Barrhaven (Ottawa, Ontario). We are expecting 200+ people that night which means that this will be an extremely fun and important night for us. We are looking very forward to putting on an amazing show and we hope to continue getting better and better as a live band as we continue to push forward with our music.

JGIC: What is the name of the EP?

LC: Considering that this is our first EP, we've decided to self-title it the name of our band, Lemon Cash. I know... it's boring, but we wanted to really stamp our band name on people's foreheads (metaphorically speaking) and not have any confusions or questions as to what our band name is and who we are. Songs, band name, and a picture of the band name should be suffice for a first ever EP.

JGIC: Love it. Keeping it simple is a great way to go, for sure! At your EP release, will you strictly be playing tunes off the EP, or will you also play some new music that hasnt been recorded yet?

LC: We will absolutely be playing everything off of our EP and also some fresh new tracks that we've been whipping up in the workshop that no one has heard before. There is also a few covers that we seem to play fairly well that we might even consider putting in our set but that will be a surprise! We've already been working on some new material and getting things going to hopefully have another EP ready to go for the summer of 2016. We shall see what's in store for Lemon Cash in the New Year! And we are all looking really forward to another year of great opportunities!

JGIC: Coming to the close of 2015, looking back on the year, you guys have accomplished a lot so far, and you are just getting started. How do you feel?

LC: We've been granted so many huge opportunities so far and we just wanted to thank all the local and outside bands that reached out to us and offered us a chance to play with them on various venues. We've

Lemon Cash L-R: Cory Papineau, Zack Robillard, Jeff Armstrong, Stefano Provenzano, Jeff Papineau.

met some really great people, learned a lot of great things and we continue to grow and remain starving for continuous success as we continue on with our journey. Also we couldn't have done it without the help of our local radio station Live 88.5 FM (Ottawa) who continue to play all of our music and are always open to hear new material and play it as well. A big thanks, of course, to Jersey Girl & Jamsterdam Radio for giving us the chance to be heard across the Toronto scene. We appreciate everything you have done for us and we couldn't thank you enough for your support. It truly means so much to us! Also, a big thanks to James Robertson for putting up with our shenanigans but still able to master the soundboard and make our music sound big! Your help, your time and your vision couldn't be any more appreciated!

JGIC: Thank you guys for your time, sharing your great tunes, and letting us be part of your journey!  We look forward to hearing more from you. See you in 2016!

@JerZGrlinCanada

Hey readers!

To kick off my birthday weekend (a.k.a. the last weekend of July), I finally got to interview Ottawa-based band, Lemon Cash at their first Toronto show at The Cage 292 on College Street on Friday July 24!  As some of you already know, their single Sing For Me Now was voted in as Jamsterdam's song of the month for May!  Here is the interview:

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JGIC: This is Jersey Girl in Canada on Jamsterdam Radio. I am here right outside of The Cage 292 in Toronto with the Ottawa-based band, Lemon Cash- introduce yourselves!


LC: I'm Jeff Papineau, I'm the drummer.

I'm Jeff, I'm the guitarist.

I'm Stefano, I'm the guitarist as well.

I'm Zack, I'm the bassist.

I'm Cory Papineau, the lead singer


JGIC: Ok- I gotta ask- how did you guys come up with the name Lemon Cash?


LC (Cory): Me and my brother, when we were young, we had a lemonade stand..


JGIC, LC: <insert laughter here>

Lemon Cash live at The Cage 292, Toronto

LC (Cory, continued): ..we sold $0.50 lemonade.. business wasn't great, but I remember this one time we made about $20 in quarters, and we ran in to show our mom.  The pile of change, we called it our "lemon cash". So when we first started our band, were sitting around discussing band names, and we started talking about the lemonade stand and we were like, "What did we call the change when we were young? Oh- lemon cash!" That's a cool name for a band!" So that's where the name came from!


JGIC: That's so cute! <laughs> So you guys just recently came up with this lineup (of band members)- how did that go about?  


LC: Well, there used to be the four of us: Me, Jeff the drummer, Jeff the guitarist, and we had a bassist named Greg (respectfully).  It didn't work out with him, so he left, so we got another bassist named Matt,- also didn't work out so we put an ad out on Kijiji.  At the same time, we brought in Stefano who is a great guitarist- he was a drummer of another band, but he was also a guitarist, obviously, so we brought him in. Zack here, the (current) bassist,  replied to our ad..

JGIC: Woo!

LC:..and we brought him over and he jammed with us, we liked his.. well first of all, we liked his look!  He had the shaggy hair and the beard..

JGIC: .and the man bun!

LC: <laughs> and the man bun! Exactly! So he looked like Dierks Bentley, and man buns are real hot right now, so.. I pictured Dierks Bentley so.. automatically he was in- whether or not he sucked, and he did suck, so, we still gave him a chance <laughs> (obviously joking).

JGIC: I'm all about the man bun!

LC: It's good- now we're a full band so it's good- he's the dude!

JGIC: So I was taking photos during your set, and I just stopped when you guys were playing your single Sing For Me Now.  How did you guys write that song? Like what was the inspiration?

LC (Jeff, guitarist): We came up with the structure of the song, and we wanted to have a strong meaning behind it.  We felt like we had that three-chord, sort of a ballad-type of song- so I guess we wanted a strong message.  Our guitarist, Stefano, his mom actually passed away from cancer a few months ago, so.. we wanted the song to have a strong message so we felt that if he had to write the lyrics, it would have that stronger message.  We want to write songs with strong messages, so we felt that if wrote the song about his mom, and kind of the struggle that he went through that the song would come out even better in terms of the message.  So that's where it came from.

Lemon Cash at Heritage Recording Studios, April 2015

JGIC: It's a beautiful, beautiful song, I have to say.  It gives me goosebumps when I hear it!

LC (all in agreeance): It is.

JGIC: How did you guys feel about your first show in Toronto?

LC (Zack): I felt a little nervous, I guess..

JGIC: <Laughs>

LC (Zack): But it's awesome- it's nice to play outside of Ottawa and hope we continue to do so. Bigger, better shows! So we're just gonna continue to work for that, and hopefully it works out!

JGIC: So how long have you been together for? Like, when did you start the actual band?

LC (Jeff Papineau): The foundation is Cory the lead singer, Jeff the guitarist, me- the drummer.  We've probably been together for about 3 years.. almost 3 years, something like that. Time flies- it's hard to keep track, but anyway, we've been the foundation, but we had our old bassist leave, and then trying to regroup and trying to form a band so we could actually do something and get out there.  So I'd say with the new 5-piece band with Stefano and Zack, we've probably been together for about 5 or 6 months. This was probably our 10th show together as a band, with all the new members.. this is Lemon Cash. Right now, this is what we're gonna be doing. This is like, our 10th show, so yeah, we're fairly new, but we're fucking--sorry, was I supposed to swear on the air like that?

JGIC: That's cool. We can fucking swear on Jamsterdam! Fuck, shit, balls! See?

LC (Jeff Papineau): <laughs> I'm a very passionate guy, so saying 'fuck' means we're really going to get out there and give it all.  In the words of Rise Against: "We'll give it all"!

JGIC: So.. wait a minute.. you guys have only been together for a few months.. how did you guys find your producer, James Robertson (Heritage Recording Studio) in the Greater Toronto Area, when you guys are in Ottawa? That's major.

L-R: Zack, Stefano, Jeff Papineau, Cory, Jeff Armstrong

LC: Well, we were part of a competition in Ottawa, and part of that was three bands got to come down to Toronto and record with James, so I guess he put his name out for the competition, and recorded a song called "Jealous Man", which plays on the radio in Ottawa, which plays quite a bit on the radio in Ottawa.  We just loved the experience working with James- he worked with Down With Webster before, won a gold record with them, so..

JGIC: I'm totally nodding over the radio again. <laughs> and I smell weed.

LC: <laughs>  He was just a quirky guy who knew his shit, and we had a really good connection with him so we wanted to come back down and record our EP with him and the guy's just an absolute mastermind.

JGIC: Shout out to James Robertson at Heritage Studio (Streetsville, ON)! Woo!

LC (all of them): Thanks buddy!

JGIC: So when you guys back in town?

LC (Jeff Armstrong): We wanna finish up our EP, so we're probably gonna come back down in late August or September and finish recording with James so we can pass out our EP.. probably like, October-ish? October/ November, something like that. The fall for sure.  We'll definitely be back to record new tracks with James.  We're not done with him, so James- we're coming for ya!

heritagerecordingstudio.com

JGIC: Things seem to be happening really fast for you guys!  How does that feel?

LC (Zack): It's been an absolute blast.  It's been a whirlwind of change for me these past few months.  Just being able to play at Hope Beach, just the sheer atmosphere and energy that I'm feeding off of these guys.  It's incredible! A great group of guys.

JGIC: You guys are awesome live and I'm so happy I finally got to see you guys play!  So, what are your
major influences in music?

LC (Jeff Armstrong): Jeff and Cory, the two brothers in the band, I guess they grew up listening to soft rock, 70s, The BeeGees, Supertramp, The Beach Boys, lots of vocal harmonies- and we kind of encompass that when we first started.. just the 3-part harmonies.  Then we kind of got into bands like.. in terms of newer bands like Kings of Leon, Young The Giant, The 1975. So still with those clean guitars, still with the harmonies.. We like to have it where everyone is doing their own thing, but at the same time, coming together to form the band.  We try not to have anyone doing the same thing, so everyone is doing something separate..and that sort of culminates it together and I guess you can call us Lemon Cash! <laughs>

JGIC: <laughs> What are fans to expect from your shows?

LC: Bring your dancing shoes- because we like to play music that gets people moving.

#buckleupforkyle

JGIC: Yup- (to the readers/listeners) bring your gel-ins because my toes are fucking killing me!

LC: Yup! And bring your vocal boxes because I'd like to think we have some pretty catchy songs that people can catch on to- like halfway through the song they're like, "There it is- I can sing along to this right now, the first time hearing it!" So yeah, we like to get people moving, it's just a good time.  Feel good music.  you're having a rough day, come out and see Lemon Cash! We want you to feel good and have a good time, dance, and live. So, live the life of Lemon Cash with us <laughs>.

JGIC: So what kind of message to you guys want to send out through your music?

LC (Jeff Armstrong): I guess we just want to write catchy, hook-y songs but have a good strong message that people can rally behind.  The kind of music where if you're having a bad day, and you need something to cheer you up, that's what we grew up listening to, just songs with strong messages that kind of get your through the tough times.. songs that hit home, but make you move at the same time.  That;s us in a nutshell. <laughs>

#buckleupforkyle

JGIC:  I'm gonna be honest with you about your single, Sing For Me Now, you know, as everybody knows.. my step nephew got into a fatal car accident, and that song gives me goosebumps every single time I listen to it. So thank you guys so much for writing that because it actually got me through (the loss).


LC: That's fantastic.

JGIC: It definitely got me through it... and that's why you gotta #buckleupforkyle guys and gals!

LC: That's right- #buckleupforkyle- wear your seat belt- if you don't I will find your car and make sure you're wearing your seat belt.. I will find you!

JGIC, LC: <laughs>

JGIC: Any shout outs?

LC: I'd like to send another shout out to James Robertson for giving us such a great opportunity and really

Will Marr w/ Trouble and Daugher via amusicblogyea

helping us put the final touches on our music and making it sound so good that people react to it and you know, he's just fantastic and I hope we continue to work with him for a very long time. His constructive criticism in every way just makes us that much better. Just the way he works with us teaches us a lot of stuff. He's a friend- so thanks James!  Also like to give a shout out to Willy Marr (Trouble and Daughter/ Belle Ayre), because while he's been around us in the studio, he helped gave us a lot of tips, a lot of good advice of being just a live, performing band, along with little insider tips and all that, so I'd like to give a shout out to Will Marr about that. Jersey Girl, of course! Can't forget you! How can we forget Jersey Girl? You've been soo supportive- words can't even explain, it's so awesome having your around,- taking pictures for us, being so supportive  helping us through Jamsterdam Radio, getting us heard, so we appreciate that so much, so thank you so much for doing this, being at our show, and accepting us as your friends, because we accept you as our friend!  So thank you!

JGIC: Aww!! Warm fuzzies! :)  

LC (Zack): Yup- thank you Jersey Girl for the interview, and thank you guys for making me a part of all this!

LC (Stefano): Will- where the hell were you, man? Geeze! <laughs>

JGIC: Yeah, for fuck sakes, Will! <laughs> Thank you guys so much for your time and I look forward to hearing more and seeing what else is in store for you guys!

@JerZGrlinCanada

Hey readers!

As you know, Jamsterdam Radio has started the Track of the Month, an opportunity to highlight the best

L-R: Zack, Stefano, Jeff Papineau, Cory, Jeff Armstrong

new tracks on the station, voted in by the listeners!  During the month of May, Ottawa-based band, Lemon Cash won this title with their fresh new track Sing For Me Now.  Lemon Cash consists of Cory Papineau (lead vocals/guitar/keyboard), Jeff Armstrong (guitar/vocals/keyboard), Stefano Provenzano (guitar/vocals/keyboard), Zack Robillard (bass/vocals), and Jeff Papineau (drums/vocals).

One day, a few months back, I was hanging out with songwriter/musician, Will Marr (Trouble and Daughter/ Belle Ayre/ formerly illScarlett) in Streetsville, and he told me about how his friend and music producer, James Robertson (who notably produced Down With Webster's Time To Win) was in the studio working with this talented young band from Ottawa called Lemon Cash, and that they sound great. Being the new music enthusiast I am, my ears perked up and I wanted to meet them.

Photo by Jersey Girl in Canada

First impression upon meeting Lemon Cash: "So...you mean to tell me this good-looking, super-nice group of guys, are a band, who look like a team of friggin' soccer players/rugby players/ Australian surfer-looking dudes (without any of them even being Australian surfer dudes).. and they play rock music!? Score."

Once I got the chance to preview the tracks they were recording at Heritage Studios (in Streetsville, ON), I automatically pictured these guys playing an outdoor festival in the summer to a crowd of fun-loving peeps who just want to dance, party, and feel good vibes under the sun. I remember thinking singer, Cory Papineau's voice took me back to the days when I obsessively listened to Kings of Leon, as he has quite a bit of that Caleb Followill kinda sound.  Needless to say, I was musically smitten with this band.

When the guys were just hanging out on studio down-time, their creative juices were still continuously going, complete with impromptu bursts into song, just because they love it and were feeling it.  I remember Will (Marr) calling the guys and I into this tiny room, and him and Lemon Cash were bouncing creative ideas

Not to toot my own horn or anything, but photo by yours truly.

around... of all the musicians and other artists I've encountered over the past decade, never in my life have I been in the same room with that kind of passionate, creative energy on fire, shared between musicians from different bands.. it was incredibly inspiring to witness, almost to the point of it being an honor to be around. I wish I had a video camera to document that moment so you could've seen it- my jaw literally dropped as I watched from the sidelines.

I just felt the need to share this story of when I first met them, so you can see just how proud I was when I found out that their single, Sing For Me Now got voted as Jamsterdam Radio's Track of The Month for May!  I was busy with other things at the time, so I haven't had the chance to really check into Jamsterdam for a minute, and I either saw it on Lemon Cash's Instagram, or maybe Jay (Hunt) emailed me... I can't remember. Either way I was like "OMG!! Yay!! :)"

Needless to say, I feel this band has a bright future ahead of them, and I feel that judging from the few new tunes I even heard from them so far, are gonna be hits, and I look forward to hearing more from them!

If you're in Ottawa this Friday, June 26th, head over to Maverick's at 8:00 pm  (20:00) and show them your support!

Cheers,
@JerZGrlinCanada