As the universal accolades and extensive airplay continue to pour in for the 78-year-old Bruce Cockburn’s 38th album, O Sun O Moon, True North Records has announced the release of a new single, “Us All,” on September 26, along with a string of additional world tour dates. Check it out on YouTube here:

Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity. His remarkable journey has seen him embrace folk, jazz, rock, and worldbeat styles while earning high praise as a prolific, inspired songwriter and accomplished guitarist. He remains deeply respected for his activism and humanist song lyrics that thread throughout his career. On all his albums Cockburn has deftly captured the joy, pain, fear, and faith of human experience in song.

JUNKHOUSE, the iconic alternative rock band that took the 90s by storm, is thrilled to announce the 30thanniversary celebration of their seminal album, "Strays." To mark this significant milestone, Sony Music Canada has released a limited-edition vinyl of "Strays" and JUNKHOUSE embarks on a special tour with four exclusive show dates.

"Strays" was a game-changer in the alternative rock scene when it was first released in 1993, catapulting JUNKHOUSE to the forefront of the music industry. The album quickly became a classic and has continued to influence generations of music lovers and artists. As vinyl had all but disappeared in the music marketplace in 1993, as a result, “Strays” was never released on vinyl until now.

This limited-edition release will feature the original album artwork, with additional mastered bonus tracks filling out Side 4, in this double disc deluxe package .It's a special treat for long-time fans and collectors.

Historic new issue coming on September 30th!

Fundraiser on Oct. 5th at Mildred’s Kitchen to Celebrate 7 Years in Existence with Sarah Polley and Ken Dryden in Conversation.

Tickets here: westendphoenix.com/shop/wep-fall-classic-fundraiser

A thriving community usually goes hand in hand with a healthy local media, and no one is more aware of that than musician, writer, filmmaker and publisher Dave Bidini. Over the past seven years, the Rheostatics guitarist has assembled a talented editorial staff and countless first-rate contributors to, against all odds, put out the non-profit West End Phoenix, whose readership stretches across Toronto and across the country. The newspaper nobly serves its community, and also aims to encourage local journalismthe world over.

Summertime means sunny days, cool, breezy nights, and music festivals. And no festival puts a closing touch to the season better than the Lilla By Festivalen in beautiful Rinkaby, Sweden.

Held annually in the last week of August, it’s a unique event in so many ways. The Lilla By Festivalen translates in English to Little Village Festival, and though technically it’s in its third year, in reality, this year was the second year of ‘in-person’ activities as the first year was held virtually due to Covid restrictions.

What makes this event unique is that it's multi-layered. First is its physical location; Rinkaby is a small village, about a 15-minute drive from the city of Kristianstad, and has a population of about 800 people. It’s situated on private property with lots of green grass and a spectacular view of the sun setting over the lake at day’s end, before the night concerts begin.

What sets it apart from other festivals is it’s got something for everyone. A family friendly environment with rides and activities for the kids and a wide variety of genres of music for all ages, both legendary and new indie artists.

Open House For Everyone Friday, September 8 – Sunday, September 10 During Supercrawl
38 Grant Avenue, Hamilton, ON L8N 2X5

The legendary Hamilton, ON-based Grant Avenue Studio – established in 1976 and home to the likes of Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Cash, U2, Sarah McLachlan and more – has officially changed ownership. It was sold to music and film industry pros Mike Bruce and Marco Mondano. 

August 22, 2023 the long-running Canadian jazz, blues and gospel label Justin Time Records celebrated its 40th Anniversary and releases 40 Years of Justin Time Records, a compilation of 40-songs from quintessential releases past and present.

Founded in Montreal in 1983 by Jim West, Justin Time began its renowned history by releasing the first recording from jazz pianist and 2023 Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee Oliver Jones. Now 40 years later with over 600 recordings released by some of the finest musicians in the world, Canada’s premiere jazz, blues and gospel label celebrates this milestone as an homage to the passion and diversity that are the cornerstones of the label. The Anniversary Collection features selections from the label’s roster past and present, including Oliver Jones, Ranee Lee, the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir, Diana Krall, David Murray, Oscar Peterson, Susie Arioli, Frank Marino, Christine Jensen, David Clayton-Thomas, Hank Jones, Halie Loren, Paul Bley and many more.

This October, legendary alt-country rockers Blue Rodeo will be on tour celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the band’s massively successful fifth studio album

Five Days in July.  Fans can look forward to seeing the band hit the stage at the Avenir Centre in Moncton on Saturday, October 21 and the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on Sunday, October 22, and hearing songs from the six-time platinum classic record, while also enjoying some more favourites from over the years.

“We have a rare opportunity to revisit Five Days In July in its entirety,” says Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy. “This being the record's 30th birthday, we thought we would do a few special shows and play the record front to back. Should be fun.”

Blue Rodeo Fan Club members can access pre-sale tickets beginning tomorrow,Tuesday, August 22. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week. The general on sale begins Friday, August 25, 10 a.m.

2023 marks the 50^th anniversary of Skylark’s Wildflower, the classic Canadian love ballad that endures genres and generations like sidewalk chamomile with over 100 covers and sample versions to become one of the most beloved and performed songs in the history of Canadian pop music. 

“Let her cry for she’s a lady, let her dream for she’s a child…”

Listen and watch “Skylark” on YouTube here: youtube.com/watch?v=9MJ8flVWL1I

This tender refrain is recognized around the world, and though written and most often sung by men, the song owes its enduring success in large part to three women: BJ Cook was the force that envisioned and formed the band Skylark and midwifed its record deal; CKLW Program Director Rosalie Tremblay picked Wildflower as a hit and ensured its release as a single; and music publisher Valley Hennell has protected the copyright for half a century.

Mark your calendars and get ready to swing into a world of mesmerizing melodies and soulful rhythms at the much anticipated Kensington Market Jazz Festival. Returning to the heart of Toronto's eclectic Kensington Market, this year's festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of jazz in all its vibrant forms.

Whether you're a seasoned jazz aficionado or just looking to groove to some captivating tunes, the Kensington Market Jazz Festival has something for everyone.

Born and raised in Kensington Market, founder, organizer, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist Molly Johnson O.C., has been proud to showcase hundreds of established musicians on the Toronto jazz scene since the festival’s start in 2017, in one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods, in the heart of Toronto's heritage district. Over the last seven events, KMJF has presented hundreds of concerts featuring hundreds of Toronto’s jazz musicians, in local venues and with the help of over 150 volunteers.

Multi Platinum Award-Winning Songwriter/ Recording Artist, David Pomeranz, known for writing his extraordinary songs for scores of artists like Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Freddie Mercury, Richie Sambora, Danny Gokey, Kenny Rogers, The Hollies, Clay Aiken, Dennis De Young (of Styx), Phoebe Snow, Billy Dean, Lea Salonga, The Carpenters, Glen Campbell, John Denver, The Muppets, Donna Summer and Missy Elliott, has just signed an exclusive Worldwide Publishing Administration deal with Warner Chappell and is thrilled about re-establishing his long-time association with the Company. 

David Pomeranz  is an American singer, composer, lyricist, and writer for musical theater. He is also an ambassador for Operation Smile.

The Åhus-based Malin Östh Band has had performance after performance 

sold out during their gigs through Skåne.

Kiviks Hotell, Café Årum, Jazz Club Blue Bird, Vinterlust, Borgen in Osby 

and Kristianstads Teaterförening are some of the venues in the local area 

that have taken part in the band's performances.

The band was formed in autumn 2018 and plays swing and jazz.

In their diversified repertoire they cover Alice Babs, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, 

Stacey Kent, Barbara Streisand, Rigmor Gustafsson, Lisa Nilsson and Sonya 

Hedenbratt to name a few. Malin Östh Band performs these versions with passion and fervor.

Check them out on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/KmglHh6LgD4

Look out Rinkaby, Sweden, the Canadians are coming! They say good things come in threes and this summer three seasoned Canadian recording artists are setting sail for Sweden to prove that axiom true.

Canadian-born Lisa Hartt, Barry Stagg and Don Graham are packing their stories, songs and six strings and heading across the sea to hit the stages at the Lilla By Festival in Rinkaby on the Baltic Sea. This is the 3rd year of this festival, founded and produced by Jonas Tancred and Malin Östh, both performers in the successful Swedish duo Bara Jonson and Free.

Don Graham performed at last year’s 3^rd Annual Lilly By Festivalen and it will be the first time for Hartt and Stagg to experience the magic of the “little festival” by the bay. This is Don’s second year playing at the event and he is thrilled to be joined stages this year with both Lisa and Barry who has known for most of his early musical career days in Canada.

Xondra, a.k.a. Alexondra O'Connell, the Long Island-based singer, releases her genre-fusing single, "Like You Used To." Check it out on YouTube here: 
Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/4aAwwwX4PX0jeLWjnY7j3c?si=004063fc96d44e72&nd=1

An electric guitar walk of a smooth rhythm eases the listener into their silky lyrics.

"Well, well, well, well. You've been hiding from yourself, and everybody here can tell, so you might as well give up your spot. Well, Well, Well, l Well, I've been honest from the start, now I watch us fall apart. Your hand grasped my heart, and I want you to have it."

The longing beat showcases a failing relationship, perhaps an unrequited love affair or one dwindling in quality. Xondra longs for the day the song's subject treats her how they used to, despite their newfound strange behavior.

"You don't touch me like you used to," she admits in front of an accented drumbeat.

In honour if Rock of Fame Induction

On September 28th, Rough Trade will be honoured at Canada’s Rock of Fame Induction, as part of a once in a lifetime celebration of the most influential rock legends from the 70’s and 80’s. 13 of Canada’s most coveted bands and artists will be honoured as part of Canada’s Walk of Fame 25^th anniversary celebrations. 

To mark this very special occasion, The Phoenix Concert Theatre welcomes Rough Trade in concert, on Friday, September 29th, presented by boom 97.3. The evening will feature Rough Trade as well as many special guests, including Hawksley Workman and Chilina Kennedy. 

Rough Trade was formed in Toronto in 1974 by multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples and vocalist Carole Pope. Known for their openly sexual songs and burlesque theatricality of their live performances, Rough Trade was one of the first mainstream musical acts to include explicitly gay and lesbian references. They were groundbreaking and trailblazing, empowering generations to express their sexuality and love regardless of their orientation. 

“The Rez” is a collaboration between 2x JUNO Award winning blues and country music artist Crystal Shawanda and 3x JUNO nominated, 6x CFMA winning Sultans of String. Crystal is an Ojibwe Potawatomi Indigenous singer, born in Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, is also decorated with multiple Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards, Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, a CCMA, a Canadian Radio Music Award, and too many JUNO nominations to list.

Watch and listen to this beautiful piece of music here on YouTube here:

David comes from career, he has worked as a director, actor, singer, musical artist, screenwriter and more.

In 2012, he directed Emil's production of The Sound of Music, a collaboration that has continued ever since. The Phantom of the Opera is his ninth musical sitting in the director's chair. David has also been on stage in most of the Entertainment Patrol's productions at KristianstadsTeater, most recently in School of Rock. He is also very current with Kristianstad, Sweden and is a multitasker in culture.

In his diversified his participation in Kabaret Kulan at Vinbäcken this summer.

This year will be his second year of being featured at the Lilla By Festivalen in Sweden. The festival has been gaining notoriety this year for a host of legendary and talented people.

instagram.com/davidlrix/?hl=en

For more visit:
lillabyfestivalen.se

Music festival season is in full swing in Ontario, and the signature event to cap off the summer has just announced its 17-day concert line-up. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) has revealed its 2023 Bandshell headliners including new music from platinum-selling powerhouse Amanda Marshall, nine-time JUNO winning artist Jann Arden, Bollywood music icon Shafqat Amanat Ali, legendary reggae songstress Marcia Griffiths, singer-songwriter William Prince, and fellow country superstar Brett Kissel. Six-time GRAMMY-winner Dionne Warwick will headline on Saturday, August 19, to delight fans on the only Canadian stop along her North American Tour this summer.

On July 13, 2023, the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) unveiled the nominees for the 2023 CCMA Awards presented by TD. Returning to Hamilton for the seventh time, Country Music Week 2023 and the 2023 CCMA Awards presented By TD offer fans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close to their favourite artists in one place, while showcasing and celebrating some of country music’s biggest stars and homegrown talent. Winners will be announced on September 16 as the 2023 CCMA Awards presented by TD are broadcast live from Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre at 8 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app.

The 3rd edition of the AWA Niagara Festival 2023, presented by the African Women Acting (AWA) organization, celebrates African Cultural Heritage and special guest artists. The annual festival presents talented, hard-working, resilient artists, who demonstrate tremendous effort in pursuing their artistic visions and careers. The festival offers a full day, family-friendly program, with an action-packed schedule including professionally curated arts and crafts exhibitions, interactive African Djembe drumming workshops for all ages, dance, music, delicious authentic African and Canadian food, and vendors, all in one stunning site in celebration of the best of African and Canadian Music, artisans, and vendors.

Artists Roster  - August 26th

African Drum Circle -  Mohammed Diary Khadim Mbegue
Afrobeat Music/Dance - DJ Moussa
Alternative/Contemporary Music by J.A.S
Native Artist - Esther Jane Willow
RnB - Kyla Wheeler
RnB/Soul Music - Shake Street (Rob Leclerc)
Afrobeat - Exclusive Connection FT Tolu
African Drumming - Mohammed Diaby & Khadim  

Showcases are popping up like mushrooms in the world. I think I wrote about the subject a year ago and said that each country now has its own showcase festival. I correct that most countries now have three or four showcase festivals. In the end, they are too many, like I said on a panel on one of them recently and people gasp.

There are definitely too many of them and with this many, you can as an artist start to pick the ones that are needed for your career.