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.

BTW- XTC, The Trews, Bjork, Devon Eggers, Basement Revolver, Madame Psychosis, Walrus, Kensington Market Jazz Festival, Danny Marks, Alleycatz, Lula Lounge VMI Showcase, Iggy Pop

Fri Sep 13 2019
XTC

In One Dimensional Man, Herbert Marcuse argues that capitalism, modern technology, historical materialism and entertainment culture, represent new forms of social control. Published in 1964, it’s still scary timely after all these years. This jaunty and mordant XTC number has resonance here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiIlcew-GVM

It's been a year since the pride of picturesque Antigonish (I’m told) The Trews, released their critically acclaimed and JUNO nominated album CivilinairesThey’re celebrating with a special treat, brand new slick and catchy single, "Touch". Listen/ watch the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOtF9h8aDqY

Ben Shapiro aka Glutenhead Releases “How It Feels”

Mon Sep 09 2019
Glutenhead

Chaotic and catchy by deliberately delightful design, Canadian psychedelic art-pop /experimental rock vanguard Glutenhead has released his debut full-length LP, Glugen Frau — available now!

The album — and its premiere single “how it feels” — pull the curtain back on Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Benjamin Shapiro, and his distinctly multi-layered sonic style.

“The music is mostly aimed at representing the impressionistic and surreal quality of dreams and memories,” Shapiro shares. “I was studying neuroscience when I learned just how fluidly our brains construct our reality. The brain’s weakness and strength is the inability to discern what is real. There is a top-down influence on our perception, our minds simultaneously making connections between bits of information and building what we perceive.

Canada’s TETRIX Release Album #17

Mon Sep 09 2019
TETRIX

Psych-country.

That’s it, that’s the pitch when it comes to Canada’s indie alt. outfit TETRIX and their new single, “Every House Has A Light On" — available now.

After 16 albums for the Calgary-based duo, Connor Gottfried and Neil Pockett have managed to further experiment with experimental, delivering a fresh, original sound that fuses the essence of old-time country with modern psychedelic music.

“Think ‘Hank Williams on acid’ or ‘melted accordion Kraftwerk,’” Gottfried details of their release by the same name, Every House Has A Light On. “For this album, we wanted to connect vintage country chord progressions and accordion with analog drum machines and avant-garde editing.

“Each song was recorded as an extended 20 to 30-minute improv session which was then chopped and edited using Ableton Live into the final arrangement heard on the album.”

BTW-Pentangle, Cat Fury, The Treble, Girl Wilde, Alone I Walk, Leeroy Stagger, John Findlay, Alfie Zappacosta, Sue Foley.

Fri Sep 06 2019
Cat Fury & The Thunderbirds

Chilly in body and soul today. Good day for this classic from Pentangle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RhGhbGOuS0

Once upon that time when the Eighties rolled over into the Nineties, the Riot Grrlllz thing was having its moment, young women with plenty to say and an in yer face way of going about it were grabbing guitars on the way to the barricades and kicking out tunes about it.  None rocked harder or were more articulate than Catherine Simpson; whether fronting Dez Monaz or Cat Fury, dominating Lee’s Palace or The Rondun, Simpson looked bound for higher ground but eventually ended up in her ancestral Ireland, got married and mutated into a garage rocking rockabilly loving radio DJing leader of Cat Fury & The Thunderbirds. Whose current album Visions Of Eden, brings the Riot Grrrlz spirit tempered with Irish mysticism, blazing guitars and a tackle box full of sneaky hooks. Don’t miss the burning cover of bonus track AC/DC’s ‘Jailbreak’ right at the very end.

Yes They Will Go on Pictures!

Fri Aug 30 2019

No, don't take a friend that makes great Instagram pictures to take your band photos! No, don't be so damn artistic that you don’t know what the pictures are supposed to portray! And for f**k sake, if you don't know how to work with colours and lighting and make then in black and white, we just know that it's not good. Black and white can be cool, but you need to have the option to also have it in colour.

I got a phone call from a booker that will take out some bands at our festival. Of course, he has no chance to listen to all 150 bands that are on the site. Instead, he went into the bands that he knew and after that those that had great pictures and said something. Usually, if the band has a professional picture, they usually have a full show.

I could see so many good bands just be overlooked because they haven't taken the time to work with the picture. Yes, it needs to be a good photographer that knows about lighting that should take pictures not your best friend with a system camera. This is what gets people to look at your band in a roster or a post.