You Just Need To Own Your Fanbase

Fri Feb 24 2023
Peter Åstedt

It’s going to be harder to be an artist. It will be easier to be an artist and be an artist as a hobby. We can just look at the journalist and photographers and you will see what will happen with the music industry.

Starting a newspaper today is extremely easy. Since we don’t really print any copies, to be honest, the only thing you need is a homepage and a URL. With that, you can start an online magazine and start writing about whatever you want. That is the easy part, the hard part is to gather readers. Since it’s so easy anyone can do it, well there will be a lot of people doing it, at least for a while. The reader will then have so many of these free publications that they will lose value. Same with photography. A good camera is kind of cheap and suddenly everyone is a “photographer”. On top of that now you can create pictures with AI so illustrations are not really needed.

Jesse Ryan’s Kaiso Street Collective Celebrates Black History Month Premiering Music Of The Mighty Bomber

Sat Feb 18 2023
Kaiso Street Collective

Kaiso Street Collective, led by Jesse Ryan In the spirit of honouring calypso’s The Mighty Bomber, will debut new arrangements to celebrate the connections between jazz and Afro-Caribbean traditions on February 17 at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto. Tickets are available in advance here and also at the door.

The Collective’s line up for this concert will feature the rhythm-section of guitarist Andrew Marzotto, pianist Ewen Farncombe, vibraphonist Michael Davidson, Juno award-winning bassist Roberto Ochipinti and Cuban Canadian drummer Anthony Daniel. Fronting the ensemble is Cuban-Canadian trumpeter Alexander Brown, trombonist Kelsey Grant, tenor saxophonist Jeff La Rochelle. Jesse Ryan will function as music director and play alto & soprano saxophones.

As An Artist, You Need To Get Paid! Or Invest?

Sat Feb 18 2023
Peter Åstedt

We would love to do this, but we need to get paid. You bump into this all the time. It’s true, but as an artist, you have to think when you use this.

First, is your value really that much? Sure, you might draw 200 people in your hometown. And there is a value to that. People might buy tickets and they will buy alcohol from the bar. If you then seek out a gig in the next city just an hour away there is nothing that says anyone will show up. You might have no audience here. Sure 20 people from that 200 audiences will come over just because they like you. But the value of these 20 is not as high as the 200.

Suddenly the promoter has to go much more miles than the organizer in your hometown to reach people that might be interested in your music. This is a risk for the organizer, so they want a door deal for the show. Here you have two choices. First, don’t go outside your comfort zone and just play in your hometown until you get a hit and are safe to go to the next city. The problem with that is that your shows will be so many that the audience has seen you so many times that they stop going. The second choice is to take a risk and go for that door deal.

Globally Renowned Master Songwriter Marc Jordan Announces Waiting For The Sun To Rise

Sat Feb 18 2023
Marc Jordan

Marc Jordan, from whose pen emerged the classic global top-5 pop hit for Rod Stewart 1991’s “Rhythm of My Heart”, today announces his new solo album will be released worldwide on April 21, 2023. An advance single “Tell Me Where It Hurts” has just been released and is an example of the kind of romantic ballad Marc is renowned for writing.

Check it out on YouTube here:

Marc Jordan’s song craft is lauded by the likes of Diana Ross, Cher and Joe Cocker, all of whom have covered his songs, but Marc is an artist in his own right since his first album was released on Warner Records in 1978 generating the hit “Marina Del Rey.”

Marc’s new album Waiting for the Sun to Rise (Linus Entertainment) comes hot on the heels of the Juno-nominated Both Sides, and represents another deep dive into the jazz-tinged, wholly original soundscape Jordan revisits with each new release.

Present Flavours & Vibes Featuring Renée Neufville of Zhané, Kelvyn Boy, King Cruff, Keshia Chanté and MC Bondé

Sat Feb 18 2023
Present Flavours & Vibes Featuring Renée Neufville of Zhané, Kelvyn Boy, King Cruff, Keshia Chanté and MC Bondé

The all-star lineup, presented by TD, includes Renée Neufville of the iconic R&B Duo Zhané Ghana’s most nominated Afrobeats artist Kelvyn Boy and King Cruff, grandson of music legend Bob Marley

Hosted by singer, TV host, and actress Keshia Chanté and popular radio and TV personality MC Bondé

The Rose Brampton
February 23, 2023
6:00 PM – Mix & Mingle
8:00 PM - Showtime

Jones & Jones Productions, a full-service marketing, creative, and production company, with 30 years in the marketplace curating first-class Afro-Caribbean and multicultural experiences, is excited to partner with Performing Arts Brampton, one of Ontario’s premier divisions for showcasing artistic excellence, and lead sponsor TD to deliver an unrivaled musical event in honour of Black History Month.

Laranah Phipps Ray & La Funkalicious Awakens A Higher Consciousness With "Game Changer"

Fri Feb 10 2023
Laranah Phipps Ray

Music has the power to bring people together. This is especially true during troubled times of unrest and uncertainty.

New Jersey-based vocalist, songwriter, and producer Laranah Phipps Ray aims to unite people through her Afro-Future jazz-infused funk band La Funkalicious and their new album Game Changer.

Produced by Kym Miller of the band "Instant Funk", "Game Changer" evokes the cosmic jazz flares of Sun Ra, the groovy riffs of Nile Rogers, and vocals reckoning singers of the golden soul-jazz era.

One standout track from the album is "Stand Together." Written by Laranah, the song features a stunning horn intro arranged by Arnetta Johnson, Funkalicious bass licks by Tom Littwin, and Laranah’s silky vocals which lead into the song's call to action.

"If we stand together
We'll all be so much better

Stand together
We can build a better world"

"Stand Together" is described as a "rhythmic, melodic, and inter-dimensional anthem." Interdimensional is a worthy descriptor of this song's out-of-this-world sound that exemplifies La Funkalicious' AfroFuture Jazz-Funk. Check it out on YouTube here:

Scandinavian Singer-songwriter Malin Andersson kicks off 2023 with the release of Avalon

Fri Feb 10, 2023

Photo Credits: Rebeka Slatter

Following the critical success of previous single Reef, which enjoyed support from Fresh On The NetEssentially PopBBC ScotlandUlster&Radio X, Scandinavian Singer-songwriter Malin Andersson kicks off 2023 with the release of Avalon – a song about misplaced empathy & a further taste of what’s to come on her upcoming album Space To Feel.

Canada’s All-Star Maple Blues Band Releases “Hey Nola“ From ‘Let’s Go’ Album

Fri Feb 03 2023
The Maple Blues Band

For nearly a quarter century, The Maple Blues Band has been the cornerstone of the Toronto Blues Society’s annual Maple Blues Awards (MBA), honoring the creme de la creme in Canadian blues music. With its upcoming full-length record, “Hey Nola,” the Maple Blues Band will step into the spotlight, showcasing the lively instrumental compositions the all-star ensemble has created over the course of its decades together, out January 23 from Cordova Bay Records. 

Listen to “Hey Nola” on YouTube here:

Edmonton’s Cultural Diversity Award-winning Shumaila Hemani, Ph.D., Releases Debut Album

Fri Feb 03 2023
Shumaila Hemani

Crossing gender boundaries while singing Pakistani songs of Muslim heritage which are typically performed by men, Shumaila Hemani’s debut album, Mannat (a prayer, a wish), is an awakening about climate emergency and the need for action. “It’s an appeal to the world to come together to support 33 million climate refugees as a result of heavy flooding in Pakistan that drowned a third of the country in August 2022,” she says. 

Based on Sufi poetry from South Asia and sound recordings of heavy rainfall, floods, and other environmental sounds recorded in Pakistan, “Mannat is an immersive experience of deep listening to soundscapes of climate change, the havoc it is bringing on cultures and tradition, and prayers rooted in Hindustani art music and singing from the Sufi shrines of Pakistan,” she says.

It features, “Perils of Heavy Rainfall,” an acousmatic composition which won the Second Prize, Listening During COVID contest (2020) and was recently published in the Goose, the Journal of Environment, Arts, Culture in Canada. Watch and listen on YouTube here:

Is Artificial Intelligence (Ai) A Threat To The Future Music Industry?

Fri Feb 03 2023
Peter Åstedt

AI is already being used in music production in various ways, such as for composing, arranging, and mixing music. However, it is unlikely that AI will completely take over the music production process. While AI can assist in certain tasks and make the process more efficient, human creativity and emotion are still essential in music production. Additionally, AI is not yet advanced enough to completely replace the creative input of human musicians and producers. It is more likely that AI will be used as a tool to assist and augment the work of human musicians and producers rather than replace them.

The problem might be that anyone can be an artist. Especially if the quality of songs might not have to be of that quality. But what is better quality. It is a matter of personal opinion whether music was better before. Some people may prefer the music of a certain era or genre, while others may prefer different types of music. Additionally, music is constantly evolving and changing, so what is considered "good" music can also change over time.

Music in Motion Canada – Announces A Community for Canada’s Music Industry

Fri Feb 03 2023
Music in Motion Canada

Music in Motion provides music industry participants across Canada–including performers, recording studios, talent agents, record labels, music publishers and others–access to a diverse array of resources and opportunities to help their musical aspirations take flight.

Our music services directory provides the resources you need to move forward on your musical journey, boosting your profile while helping you form those all-important music industry connections.

Our mission is to lift those who create music–from aspiring novices to accomplished musicians–providing an opportunity for them to build their dream in this vast music community. 

Music in Motion Canada will give you exposure and access to a diverse range of resources you can use to propel your artistic endeavors in whatever direction you desire.

Get started with our promo code 50% off - FOREVER
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Promo code: MusicCB

directory.musicinmotioncanada.ca/add-your-expertise

What the World Needs Now is Love

Fri Feb 03, 2023

What a truly strange and stressful few years we have all experienced! COVID, wars, tragedies, hurricanes, tornados, short of locusts we have experienced it all. (Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned locusts and invited that one in!)

But throughout it all we have had music. There is a song for every moment, every memory we have had in our lives. Artists carried on providing us with new songs to keep us going. Legendary artists are touring reminding us about the soundtrack of our lives.

So with music always there – what else do we need? Love. It always ends up as important as breathing and our hearts beating.

What better way to celebrate February the month of love with Cashbox Canada and Cashbox Radio than to create a Pick Hit list of what we love as our favourite songs.

We kick it off with an amazing rendition of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David-penned song, What the World Needs Now is Love. Released in 2018 this cover features

Burt Bacharach, Steve Tyrell, Martina McBride, Rod Stewart, James Taylor & Dionne Warwick and truly is remarkable.

Check it out on YouTube here:

Ex-Doughboys Drummer Brock Pytel Releases Introspective Power Pop Single

Fri Feb 03 2023
Brock Pytel

Photo Credits: Chad Cornies

Brock Pytel Anemic HeartBack from the brink Brock Pytel delivers his new single coupled with his video clip Anemic Heart. Facing his own mortality after near fatal health issues in 2020 that he overcame during this worldwide crisis. Like many of us faced with this dilemma that are creative in this business we venture to take a deeper spiritual look at our work that we share with our fans after such a trauma. Understanding that the truth matters in any relationship personal or whatever is essential to ascension and the candid vocal delivery on this song is reminiscent of a higher being or artist in the likes of a Leonard Cohen or Tom Waits a la Adult Alternative Pop which is not perfect but pure, compassionate and elevated on a level of humanity and acceptance that love is not a given.

Ottawa Pianist Huguette Lavigne Releases “Jazzed Up Dreams”

Fri Feb 03 2023
Huguette Lavigne

Close your eyes and let the soothing, yet powerful jazzy piano notes take you away into a dreamlike state. That’s where Canadian music composer, Huguette Lavigne works her magic on her fourth album and new single called “Jazzed Up Dreams.”

Check it out on YouTube here:

 “Jazzed Up Dreams” takes us on a musical journey through a beautiful composition, as we hear her piano keys speaking to us, expanding our minds to infinite possibilities. This free-flowing ensemble is created with an open mind, which allows us to feel that energy in the same light.

Huguette does not fully write down her music, rather, she relies on her shorthand to summons her memory recall for future performances. The final piece is then impressively stored entirely in her head and fingers. Once her composition is recorded, she then moves onto the next score.

Toronto’s Annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Marks 21st Year Featuring Sultans of String, Gary Kendall Band, Anne Lindsay & MORE

Fri Jan 27 2023
Winterfolk

Friday February 24th will stream 8:00 - 10:30 PM ONLINE
Sunday February 25th – LIVE 1 PM – 10 PM
Sunday February 26th – LIVE 1 PM – 10 PM

After two years of an online-only hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, Toronto’s annual Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival is back IRL, baby, for its 21st Anniversary! The festival, which features a change of neighborhood this year to Kensington Market, will showcase some of the most talented blues and roots acts performing over the course of two nights of live performances, and one night of strictly online streaming.

We Have Heard This One Before!

Fri Jan 27 2023
Peter Åstedt

I was in a conversation with a person in the music industry, let's say the old music industry before COVID. They were complaining how everything now is just focused on social media and that was the only way to get out music to the masses. On top of that it was just “joke songs” as he portrayed the new songs that came out from TikTok for example.

Nothing really new, we always had “joke songs” but of course, with this new media, it will be easier to access them, at the same time the expectancy is not that long-lived. Who doesn’t remember “Gangnam Style” imagine if Tiktok had been around then? Or we can go back even more with the bird dance that was big in Europe in the 80’s. And my guess is each country has its fair share of really bad songs with a silly dance going with it. The difference here is that it’s easier to reach more people faster now.

Karma Isn’t Just A Young Person’s Game: Mark Wihlidal Releases “You And Me”

Fri Jan 27, 2023

Fed up with lies from his partner, Oshawa, ON singer/songwriter Mark Wihlidal puts his faith in Karma on his new single “You and Me,” following his joyous debut single, “Life Can Be A Mystery” released in July 2022. Both songs were written and recorded collaboratively with his band, Mark Wihlidal and The Doctors of Music.

Check it out on YouTube here:

The band takes us on a “Bo Diddley bluesy” trip of a relationship that has gone wrong with the hope that Karma will balance everything out.

“You can run but, you can’t hide
Karma will get you every time

You can’t hide those little lies
It will catch you from behind”

Sultans of String and Northern Cree Release “Nîmihito (Dance)” And Announce 2023 Tour Dates

Fri Jan 20 2023
Sultans of String and Northern Cree

“Nîmihito (Dance)”is a collaboration between 3x JUNO nominated, 4x CFMA winning Sultans of String and Northern Cree, a nine-time Grammy nominated pow wow and round dance group from Treaty 6 territory in Canada, who have released more than 50 albums over their 40-year history.

Check out “Nîmihito (Dance)” on YouTube here:

 It is the first single off the upcoming Sultans of String album entitledWalking Through the Fire(Sept 22, 2023 release), the most ambitious and important project of their career, a CD and concert of collaborations with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit artists across Turtle Island. 

You Still Need The Old Media To Break The Bubbles

Fri Jan 20 2023
Peter Åstedt

How do we get more streams on Spotify? The question is always the first question the artist asks me when we talk PR. In my world, Spotify died around 2017. Spotify has never broken an artist neither did any record shop in the 80’s either. It’s just a platform where you can get what you want to listen to, but you have to know what you want to hear.

That clerk that did know you personally in the record shop probably could hint to you of a new record that you would like back in the day. But that was just you, not the whole world. The biggest source has always been word of mouth. Friends that have found a song and then play it over and over at that party you were at. Or just force you to listen to it in the car over and over again. Back in the day, it was hard to get all these people to listen to your record. Same today, of course, easier to reach people digitally, the problem today is that they are bombarded by songs so at the same time you will be drowned in the sound.