BTW- Reuben and the Dark, Emily King, Sultans Of String/Ifrah Mansour, Broken Social Scene, Alex Cuba, Laila Biali, Wolf Den, Mark Fewer/Daniel Janke, Little Coyote, Linda Carone, Paul James

Fri Oct 11 2019
Reuben & The Dark Photo Credit Sheva Kafai

It’s said Reuben Bullock has a genre all his own, alt altfolk. He’s announced a new full-length album full of it entitled un | love, out October 25 on Arts & Crafts. With that, the band released the first single “faultline” and the video, directed by Brock Mitchell, debuted last week. Reuben and the Dark shares the new track “rising” – the melancholic but uplifting overture to un | love, with Reuben’s lonesome voice buoyed by exultant melodies.

Reuben explains how “rising” sets the course for the new album:

Danny Blueberry Releases New Song and Live Video for ‘Contact High’

Fri Oct 11 2019
Danny Blueberry

Cashbox has been following the remarkable career of Danny Blueberry and we were impressed with the new release of a live recording of the song, “Contact High”.

“This song is about while watching a good friend struggle with addiction and not being able to help,” Blueberry says. “The audio was recorded at Cafe Shaika in Montreal in 2018 and was part of the first Bugs United performance - I am singing with Raquel Hoekman, with Allison Von der Land on mandolin and Elias Morkos on percussion.”

The poignant lyrics will hit home for anyone who has ever struggled with addiction or has had to watch a loved one fight the battle:

Canadian Alt Rockers Reay Hold “Halo” High

Fri Oct 11 2019
Reay

Toronto-area alt. rockers Reay have released their newest single and video, “Halo” — the latest off their noteworthy and one-to-watch debut LP, Butterfly Tongue Revisited.

"This has been a project of perseverance," frontman Sean Murray understates. "It's been in the works for close to 15 years.”

The veteran singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer has devoted a vast portion of his life to the all-consuming pursuit of a distant, seemingly unreachable goal: The completion of his magnum opus, a long-gestating labour of love whose arrival also heralds the birth of his new alternative indie-rock project Reay (pronounced Ray, after his grandmother's maiden name).

“Right from the beginning, I knew these songs were special,” he continues. “And since then, I have put so much time and effort and sweat into finishing them. It's been weighing on my shoulders for so long. There have been so many times I wanted to give up, but my soul would never have rested. I could never have gone to my grave without putting out these songs. It would have been the biggest regret of my life.

Ventresca Releases 'Craving'

Fri Oct 11, 2019

At only 17 years old and with a future as bright as the California sun, Canadian pop singer Ventresca is poised and ready to take make her mark. The Toronto, Ontario born songstress has been involved in the arts for most of her young life. She started off as a dancer at the age of 5, performing and dancing at the prestigious school of Canadian Dance Unit, earning herself experience and an array of awards. There was always music around the house and listening to her brother and watching the talented Miley Cyrus on TV during her Hannah Montana run, was a big influence on young Ventresca.

“I guess that’s when I got the music bug. I watched that and thought I would love to do be a singer and performer.” This led to the enrollment in the world famous Royal Conservatory of Music in her hometown of Toronto for vocal lessons. Next came songwriting which is an integral part of the Ventresca package.

“I wanted to write my own songs because I believe I have something to say and share that is uniquely me and will speak to the audience I’m trying to reach. It’s very important to me.”

BTW- Gordon Lightfoot, Toronto Tabla Ensemble, Yoke Lore, Martin Simpson, Jessica Rhaye, Wide Mouth Mason, Begonia, Leela Gilday

Fri Oct 04 2019
Gordon Lightfoot

There’s something about ‘The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald’ that makes it an essential Fall song as well as a crucial Halloween one.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKJNBxDCMIs

Multi-Award Winning & JUNO Award Nominated Toronto Tabla Ensemble just dropped a new single “Dream Symposium.” It’s a large deal for the group as it features next gen players of the TTE carrying on the tradition of the table drum forming the core of a musically compelling drum-centric ensemble.

Watch "Dream Symposium" via YouTube Here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzmX5_6beOk

BTW-Brittany Howard, Roman Lewis, Danny Brown, Skydiggers, Great Lake Swimmers, Fergus Hambleton, Hotcha, Sisters, Jaymz B’s One Stop Jazz Safari

Fri Sep 27 2019
Brittany Howard Alabama Shakes

In Jaime, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard has a contender for album of the year. Howard’s most recent offering, 13th Century Metal, “as "a roller-coaster of a spoken-word rant that's part self-help exhortation, part sermon. View Howard performing the song live with her touring band in this Danny Clinch-directed video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7YtOa7jD_c

Howard, who performed on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" on September 26, has extended her North American headline tour into November. Every online ticket purchased for the U.S. fall headline dates will include a CD of the new album, Jaime.

Award-Winning Singer/Songwriter Christina Martin Releases New Single The Winner Takes It All

Fri Sep 27 2019
Christina Martin and Dale Murray Photo Credit Matt Epp

Award-winning singer/songwriter Christina Martin has released her seventh and newest album, Wonderful Lie — including new single, “The Winner Takes It All.” 

“I haven’t split with anyone in a while, but when I sing this song it reminds me of how hard breakups can be,” Martin shares.

“It’s definitely a favourite of mine from my high school days, singing along and dancing to ABBA., before I knew anything about breaking up with someone or getting dumped.”

The release of Wonderful Lie comes amidst Martin’s extensive 49 date cross-country tour, from Newfoundland to British Columbia, with longtime lead guitarist and producer Dale Murray. Audiences will be treated to the newest music live throughout a combination of cozy house concerts via Home Routes (Chemin Chez Nous), as well as clubs, cafes and theatres.

Long known and lauded for her signature indie pop-to-rock style, Wonderful Lie sees Martin wading effortlessly into the roots rock and Americana sound pool. Among the album’s 10 songs, four stand stellar as original compositions.

Jez Bonham and Shares His Song ‘Mental Health”

Fri Sep 27 2019
Jez Bonham and Shares His Song ‘Mental Health”

Canadian alt-folk singer/songwriter Jez Bonham has opened up, sharing through song relatable revelations on depression and anxiety in his intimate, inviting new video, “Mental Health” — available now.

The single may be track #5 on the British Columbia-based artist’s 2019 debut EP, Thoughts into Sound, but its intimate insights offered have been something more like a personal soundtrack.

“I have battled with this all of my life,” Bonham shares of his struggle. “This song is an example of what my daily process would be… Beat myself down, over and over again… And then try to pick myself up just enough to do something as simple as leave the house. It can feel crippling.”

As far as debut releases go, Thoughts into Sound doesn’t arrive shy; the album serves as a raw, unfiltered autobiography, with lyrics and sound that march listeners from summertime bliss, to painful relationships, to the ear-splitting silence that is a torture-ridden mind.

Bobby Curtola, Andy Kim, Chilliwack and Cowboy Junkies to be inducted to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Fri Sep 27, 2019

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) today announced four legendary Canadian artists will join The Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Inductees include Bobby Curtola,(posthumously), Andy Kim, Chilliwack and Cowboy Junkies.

The newest inductees will be celebrated at an industry event on Sunday, October 27 at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre in Calgary, AB.

Established in 1978, The Canadian Music Hall of Fame recognizes Canadian artists who have made outstanding contributions to spotlighting Canadian music here at home and/or on the international stage. Andy Kim, Bobby Curtola, Chilliwack and Cowboy Junkies will join the ranks of Canadian music icons including Anne Murray, Joni Mitchell, k.d. lang, Leonard Cohen, Neil Young, Oscar Peterson, RUSH, The Guess Who, The Tragically Hip, Shania Twain, and more.

Toronto Tabla Ensemble “Dream Symposium”

Tue Sep 24 2019
Toronto Tabla Ensemble

The Toronto Tabla Ensemble World Music Organization (TTE) is a non-profit charitable organization founded by Artistic Director and tabla master, Ritesh Das. The TTE’s mission is to share the depth and excitement of Indian classical music, culture and history and make it accessible to all people.

When the Toronto Tabla Ensemble was founded in 1991, the tabla was rarely seen on the Canadian stage. Since then, Ritesh Das’ exciting and groundbreaking performances have brought tabla and his Ensemble to the mainstream public through numerous concert series at the Harbourfront Centre as well as collaborations with Japanese Taiko, Celtic music, Spanish Flamenco, rock and roll and more.

Since 1996 the TTE has produced three music videos and six albums, including the Juno-nominated Firedance. The Ensemble’s original music has been used in numerous films and commercials, and in 2003 the Ensemble was commissioned to create the current theme music for CBC Radio’s daily morning show, Metro Morning.

Micah Barnes Sings “That’s Life”

Tue Sep 24 2019
Micah Barnes Photo Credit Juan Palacio

Canadian jazz music star and one of the country’s best-loved vocal coaches Micah Barnes has released his first single “THAT'S LIFE” and will be launching the full length “Vegas Breeze" album Spring of 2020.

Micah was recently featured in the new book, Bad Singer, as the vocal coach that made the author’s singing much, much better, and gave advice to the Toronto Star and BT in Vancouver on how to become a powerful singer – great advice for the older audience who just want to sing and the younger YouTube generation who are looking for success through social media.

BTW-Velvet Underground , Rose Cousins, Uffie, Glutenhead, Joseph, Bombay Bicycle Club, Paul James, Jack De Keyzer, Danny Marks, Charlie Parker

Fri Sep 20 2019
Rose Cousins Photo Credit Lindsay Duncan

Least favourite kinda fall is like this one. When the cold wind arrives before the colour and the old demons come too soon to torment. An entry point from Velvet Underground
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62ckXALWn1M

JUNO Award-winning songwriter Rose Cousins shares her version of Prince’s classic, “I Would Die 4 U”, recorded together with Bear’s Den and Christof van der Ven.Why you ask?

Jack De Keyzer Check Mate

Fri Sep 20, 2019

For 46 years or roughly a couple million miles, bluesman, guitarist, singer, songwriter,  Jack de Keyzer has been hitting the road, rail and air to bring his brand of guitar driven blues across Canada and around the globe.  With 11 records, 1 DVD, 2 Junos and 7 Maple Blues Awards under his belt, de Keyzer delivers the goods wherever, whenever he performs.

Playing  over 100 shows a year, de Keyzer’s music is steeped in the Chicago blues,  with a broad range of influences ranging from Detroit’s Motown, Muscle Shoals deep soul ,  Memphis’  rock and roll,  Philadelphia’s funky soul jazz and London, England’s (where de Keyzer hails from) blues rock.  De Keyzer knows first hand as he has played with many first generation pioneers of these sounds and styles. (Bo Diddley, Otis Rush, Etta James, King Biscuit Boy and Ronnie Hawkins to name a few)   His latest recording  (Juno Nominated  -Blues Album of the Year 2019)  Checkmate is a 13 song tribute to the greats of Chess Records- Willie Dixon, Howlin’ Wolf, Albert King, Otis Rush and more.

Girl Pow-R - This Is Us!

Fri Sep 20 2019
Girl Pow-R

Canadian popsters Girl Pow-R are once again set to inspire the masses with another stirring and encouraging release, “This Is Us” — available now! 

Hot on the heels of this year’s early success “Never Let Go” — which debuted on the iTunes Canada Children’s chart at #2 (second only to cultural force “Baby Shark” but ahead of genre mainstays such as Sharon, Lois & Bram, The Wiggles, and Raffi), and #15 in the U.S. — “This Is Us” comes in the midst of back-to-back-(to-back!) Canadian and U.S. summer tour stops.

With lyrics like “passionate for some change,” “take our message, shout it out,” and “we won’t be pushed around, we are strong, we are proud,” the latest song from the all-girl supergroup continues to embody their core mission of banding together and uplifting their peers. 

I Need To Get Paid

Fri Sep 20 2019
Peter Åstedt

Yes, we all do need to get paid for our work. The problem is when you expect that payment or must invest to get out something out of it later.

If you open a business, you must market it. We go back to my restaurant that I always talk about that I should open if I wasn't in the music industry. Of course, no one will know my restaurant if I just open it. I need to advertise. Part of that advertising is probably to invite some food critics to a free meal. Yes, I will lose on that. I won't get paid for these free meals. In the end, though I will get people to come in faster who are paying to eat at my restaurant through these reviews. I must make a choice here, start making money direct and take a long time before I have enough of a customer base to get the money out or a faster way to give something away for free to bring in the money. Both ways have their faults. Give away food and I might re coupe it but aren't sure. The long way it might take so much time that I never get any salary out of it.

Multi-JUNO and CFMA Winners Sultans of String Release Stunning, Evocative New Single, “I Am A Refugee”

Fri Sep 20 2019
Sultans of String

Featuring esteemed poet, multimedia artist, and Somali refugee Ifrah Mansour, the gorgeous and heart-gripping track is part of a larger cross-collaboration release, Refuge. Set for Spring 2020, this their seventh and most historic album features talents that arrived in Canada and the U.S. as immigrants and refugees — many of whom are GRAMMY and JUNO Award winners.

“Each one of us in the world has a remarkable story to tell…” says Sultans of String co-founder, Chris McKhool (Jesse Cook, Pavlo). It’s his bold, fiery fiddle — melded seamlessly with founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s (Jesse Cook) rumba rhythm — that lead the group’s distinctly signature sound. 

Added to this rich foundation are bass master Drew Birston (Chantal Kreviazuk), guitar wizard Eddie Paton, and Cuban percussion master Rosendo Chendy Leon (Alex Cuba). Together, their musical synergy strikes inimitable, explaining their three JUNO Awards, and four Canadian Folk Music Awards, plus many more. 

Canadian Pop Songstress Mauve Releases New Single "Close"

Fri Sep 13 2019
Mauve

“Anything this good cannot be close enough” Canadian pop songstress Mauve sings in her newest release, “Close”.

Same goes for volume: a track like this one can’t be played loud enough either.

“I compare the energy of love to a growing fire,” she says of the chill-bop pop track sprinkled with hints of tropical house and RnB. “The energy a person emits attracts you… Then it spreads like a wildfire…

“I imagine a scene of watching embers in a fire start to glow, and that’s like the magic that’s birthed through that special connection with someone. That’s why I said a feeling like that cannot feel close enough because you want it completely come over you.

“My inspiration for this song began when I put together a tropical drum beat on my Cubase software program,” she recalls, painting a bigger picture on how “Close” came to be. “Justin Timberlake was in Toronto for a concert and I guess my mindset was in the romantic, hip hop mood he’s known for.

“I wanted to create a beat that was subtle but still had a lot of intensity charged into it — like that fire building up.”

Here Is The Secret To Success In The Music Industry!

Fri Sep 13 2019
Peter Åstedt

Yes, the secret to success is to understand that it works like any other financial market! No, don’t buy the repeated phrase that we all work in the music industry because we love music. We are in here for the money like any other artists. And that is nothing wrong with that since we all need a salary to make our daily living. But that we work just because we love music well then, we could just have it as an extraordinary hobby.

So, for all you that just want to play for fun at the local bar or at your parent’s party. I’m not writing about that. That is cool that you are doing it. My text here is aimed at the ones that want to make it more than a hobby. They want a career.  And here it works like any other financial markets. I don't get how people think that someone would put in thousands of dollars in a project that clearly only will generate 100 dollars.

Katherine Penfold Releases new video “Better”

Fri Sep 13 2019
Katherine Penfold Credit Lindyn Williams Photography

Co-written with Grammy winning Producer Chin Injeti (Eminem),  "Better" expresses the sweetness and loveliness of how one person can make you feel better, even with the smallest gesture.

Soul resides just beneath the exterior. Upon meeting Katherine Penfold, you might initially notice the prominent tattoos along her shoulder and arms before the conversation veers to her lifelong affinity for motorcycles, skateboarding, or woodworking. Listening to her music elicits a different impression altogether as a sultry, smooth, and sweet delivery belies the rustic badassery she exudes with ease. This gorgeous contrast illuminates the artist’s 2019 full-length debut, Sweetest Thing [Justin Time, Nettwerk].

“Sweetest Thing is a juxtaposition,” she affirms. “I have lots of tattoos and like motorcycles, but all of my music is about love and joy. When you see those extremes side-by-side, it really hones in on how I feel about myself and who I am. I had a cool and quirky upbringing that didn’t really fall into pigeonholes. Everything comes down to heart and soul for me, especially music.”

Julian Taylor Band – Avalanche

Fri Sep 13, 2019

The voice drifting into the lobby from the soundcheck sounds so timeless it might be emerging from some ancient well of souls at the end of the world, but it’s also fresh and vulnerable.

Sometimes he sings in riddles celebrating sexuality, courting, pleading, lonesome and profound.  Other times, lost in the dreads, the voice comes up out of the shadow summoning ancestral tones of Maroon resistance or slipping into a high Mohawk register.

So…not a monotone experience at all. And well beyond stereo. In fact not of any one genre. Not limited that way. You get doors opening on doors. There’s no dissonance. In fact it’s a harmonic whole.

Not a revivalist, but a musical revisionist, Julian Taylor masterfully re-combines and updates the vintage sounds that inspired him, to create bold, innovative songs.