Over here at OTM, we love Southern Souls.  Their gift for capturing artists in the raw in unique surroundings has given form to amazing live videos, all of them enthralling in their own ways.  At turns playful and poignant, and sometimes haunting, their site is a playground for a music lover.

On a chilly Monday morning, warm up with a few of our favourites among their extensive catalogue.

“Kingdom Perverted” – Illitry

Hamilton band Illitry has a mission:  to craft something organic and affecting from the icy electronic wonderland of Canadian sound junkies.  One of OTM’s Top Tracks of 2013, this tune takes on an even more unnerving vibe live, nestled within cement walls.  A true capturing of the spirit of the original studio recording, the foreboding, percussion-propelled music of Illitry is allowed to exist in the realm between ethereal and earthbound.

“Best Day” – Dala

Acoustic folk-pop duo Dala are no strangers to keeping things minimalistic without losing power and emotion.  Juno nominees and winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine met in their high school music class in 2002 and continue to create music together, touring across North America.  “Best Day” is a sweet, fun little track and the way this one’s shot evokes a sense of a bottle drifting on the waves, carrying its message to shore.

“I’ve Rationed Well/Paper Girl” – July Talk

Two great tunes for the price of one.  Toronto indie band July Talk are fast becoming darlings of the scene, despite the whiskey-soaked and almost ominous grit of Peter Dreimanis’s vocals.  Lost somewhere between Americana and indie rock — think of the living embodiment of Lynch’s Lost Highway turned up to 11 — the stripped down nature of these performances truly allows the honey and scotch harmonies with Leah Fay to shine.

For more Southern Souls, head on over to their website.