BTW- Ibrahim Ferrer, Tony Allen/Hugh Masakela, Busty and the Bass, Sour Widows, Small Town Artillery, Madison Violet, Banjofest Guelph 2020

Fri Mar 06 2020
Ibrahim Ferrer

Yeah, I know I’m always on about the live music but there are those albums that must not go unnoticed. World Circuit Records’ special edition reissue of Buena Vista Social Club vocalist Ibrahim Ferrer’s Grammy-winning second solo album Buenos Hermanos is out and available to stream and purchase at http://worldcircuit.lnk.to/BHSpecialEdition.

In celebration of the newly reimagined reissue, WBGO is premiering the never-before-heard track “Me Voy Pa’ Sibanicú;” stream the track at https://www.wbgo.org/post/behold-radiant-ibrahim-ferrer-newly-unearthed… and share it at https://youtu.be/NBjKxYxxyOY.

Self-Sabotage and the Damager

Fri Mar 06 2020
Peter Åstedt

“We had a discussion and feel that posting on social media is not our thing.”

“We like more to be a secret band and then people will post more about us!”

The band I worked with had one of these famous meetings. The ones where they sit in the rehearsal room picking up things from some random dude, like the clerk at the local music store, gave them some tipoff that is totally insane.

Yes, it sounds like a cool idea to be this secret band. In reality, it’s career suicide. Why is it attractive? The main reason is that the band is lazy and really doesn't have the stamina to keep things up and alive. Then this stupid idea sounds really attractive.

As a manager, I can fight this idea. Then, of course, I'm the idiot that doesn't get this new cool thing. Or I can let them try it and slow down their career by a couple of years. And then it’s always a possibility that they quit.

Peter Åstedt How Swede It Is!

Fri Mar 06, 2020
The Last Surviving Peter Astedt Band Pic
The Last Surviving Peter Astedt Band Pic

You may not know the name Peter Åstedt but if you’ve been to a major music festival anywhere on the planet in the last 10 years or so, chances are real good you’ve seen him there, doing his usual networking, connecting and introducing his colleagues to each other.

“I probably attend close to 50 musical festival events a year around the globe as a panellist and ambassador for my birth country,” Åstedt said from his home in Sweden. 

The amiable Åstedt is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom and his unassuming approach to his interactions with his associates and panel mates is a large part of his success.

Huey Lewis and the News – Weather

Fri Feb 28, 2020

The talented artist who showed us that ‘the heart of rock & roll is still beating’ is back with a new 7 song offering, and my personal opinion is this is a ‘Lucky 7’ EP – with seven awesome tracks from the cheeky bad boy of the 80’s Huey Lewis.

In an interview a few years ago with David Letterman Huey  Lewis talked about hitchhiking across the country and how he learned to play the harmonica while waiting for rides. He talked about hanging out at the airport for three days until he stowed away on a plane to Europe. In later interviews, Lewis would reveal other encounters he had traveling around Europe. While visiting Aberdeen Scotland, with no money and nowhere to sleep, he claimed that the locals were very hospitable by offering him somewhere to stay. In Madrid, Spain, he became an accomplished blues player as he hitchhiked and supported himself by busking with his harmonica. He gave his first concerts in Madrid, earning enough money to buy a plane ticket back to the US.

BTW - Ka Fu, Jonathan Emile, Beauty in Chaos, Sass Jordan, Woodhawk, Big Groove, Neil Young

Fri Feb 28 2020
Ka Fu

Born and raised in a closed military city in Russia,  a global nomad currently resident in Milan, Italy, experimental electronic producer Ka Fu has joined forces with Lama’s Dream on ‘Rain Catcher (Ka Fu Remix)’ released on the 14th of February, via Alae Records. Ka Fu’s interpretation of the title track from Lama’s Dream’s new EP Rain Catcher appears alongside remixes by Tuba Twooz and Alae Records founder Ivan Latyshev. In 2019, he burst onto the scene with his album Encoding: Master, an eclectic collection of tracks characterized by Ka Fu’s well-paced production and ability to convey a sense of unyielding forward motion through his sound. The album boasts mixing credits by Klas-HenrikLindblad (Anja Schneider, Rodriguez Jr., The Presets) from Berlin BlackHead Studios and received support from Data Transmission, XS Noize, Child Of House and Progressive Dreamers amongst others.

What You Need is Stamina

Fri Feb 28 2020
Peter Åstedt

You really don't need to be the best to make it in the music industry. It's not like running 100 meters in the Olympics where it only counts if you are the fastest. Even better,  if you break the record to be the fastest in the world. In the music industry, it's not like that.

It's not to be the smartest either. You surround yourself with inspiration and you steal things in a nice way and you will be fine. You really don't have to invent a new instrument. Here you just take things and elevate them a bit and make them your own.

The big issue is that nothing goes fast in the music industry, nothing. It's always delayed. At the same time, it moves so fast so if you leave it for a year you are totally out. In the whole equation, you need to have stamina. Stick to your guns, and do it well.

BTW--Bif Naked, Aloe Blacc, Orchid Ensemble, Yasi, Natalie MacMaster, Gail Bowen, Adam Ndaro Solomon, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Tanya Tagaq, Fergus Hambleton

Fri Feb 21 2020
Bif Naked

Multi-Gold and Platinum-selling Canadian rock star, author, songwriter, manager, producer, human and animal rights activist Bif Naked is packing the pain in her new single, “JIM” — available now!

“This is a song about loss, really,” she shares. “It’s the quintessential story of discovering a betrayal, and “JIM” is that villain. “It’s totally about pain, and facing it head-on. It’s about that disillusionment we all feel when someone turns into an imposter.”

Accompanying the release is “JIM”s official video which reveals Canada’s ‘Princess of Everything’ in her rightful throne, reigning rock supreme and as strong as ever. The track lands ahead of her forthcoming album, Champion— her eleventh studio release.

I’m still fighting, still swinging as a legacy artist, an O.G. At this stage of the game- I am a Champion” Bif says. “I have never allowed myself to be limited, and the direction of this new album was from experimenting and being fearless. I’m excited by it, and fiercely proud of these tracks.”

All-Girl Teen Pop Supergroup Girl Pow-R Land First JUNO Award Nomination for “This Is Us”

Fri Feb 21 2020
Girl Pow-R

Chart-topping and touring powerhouse Canadian all-girl teen pop band Girl Pow-R are once again inspiring young women across the country as they receive their first JUNO Award nomination for 2020 Children’s Album of the Year! 

The ceiling-shattering nod as one of the youngest acts to ever receive a nomination lands for their debut release, This Is Us — available now. 

Hot on the heels of the album’s critically acclaimed hits “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. — the album’s title track “This Is Us” has received more than 500,000 streams across all available platforms. 

Watch Girl Pow-R: This Is Us (Official Music Video):
https://youtu.be/pWmNaK3tlsM

Finding Dory In an Artist!

Fri Feb 21 2020
Peter Åstedt

I can just assume you have seen the movie “Finding Nemo”? Well in it you have the fish called Dory has a very short memory and can easily be distracted by something shiny. I was in a meeting with some industry people the other day and they compared artists with Dory. Not so nice, but unfortunately very accurate.

We were talking about some artist that was not very active. And the solution was to distract them with something shiny. But it must be something not harmful and shiny, they added. The thing is that the artist is always looking for the next thing. If they’re on a label and it’s not moving in full speed (it seldom does, and when it does they complain that it is going too fast) another label comes around and that label works like shiny things for Dory, gets the artist full attention for a little while. So, the dangerous part is that they would possibly go with the new label, but they need a shiny thing to keep going with the old label.

‘Princess of Everything’ Bif Naked Spares No Punch With New Single & Video “JIM”

Fri Feb 21 2020
‘Princess of Everything’ Bif Naked Spares No Punch With New Single & Video “JIM”

Bif Naked, the multi-Gold and Platinum-selling Canadian rock star, author, songwriter, manager, producer, human and animal rights activist is packing a punch towards pain in her new single, “JIM”.

“This is a song about loss, really,” she shares. “It’s the quintessential story of discovering a betrayal, and “JIM” is that villain. “It’s totally about pain, and facing it head-on. It’s about that disillusionment we all feel when someone turns into an imposter.”

Accompanying the release is “JIM”s official video which reveals Canada’s ‘Princess of Everything’ in her rightful throne, reigning rock supreme and as strong as ever. The track lands ahead of her forthcoming album, CHAMPION — her eleventh studio release.

Watch “JIM” here:
https://youtu.be/t0SKqhAKQy0

Mastering the Music Business Showcase Festival Kicks Off in Romania

Fri Feb 21, 2020

The fifth edition of the leading music conference and showcase festival in Romania, Mastering the Music Business (MMB) is taking place between 17-19 March 2020 in Bucharest. MMB is dedicated to all independent artists and professionals in the music industry. At MMB, key professionals from the local & international music business and related industries come together to discuss various relevant topics.

More than 500 attendants each year- successful artists, business managers, booking agents, record company execs, PR agents, online & digital specialists, advertisers, radio broadcasters, publishers, songwriters etc. – are exchanging know-how and ideas under the same roof.

MMB 2020 in short:

BTW-Wes Carroll & Confabulation, PUP, Lexxicon, Jim Beard & John Herington, Sarah Slean & Hawksley Workman, DJ Ten, Taylor Abrahamse, Maja Bannerman, Die Antwood, Destroyer

Fri Feb 14 2020
Wes Carroll

Must be the season, but this week we’re awash in heartfelt love songs and social evaluations. A BC artist now based in Toronto, Wes Carroll and his band Confabulation have released their second studio album Elephant in the Sea. Much like their critically liked debut Off Empire, this one features five vocal tunes and five instrumentals. Genre-wise it messes with modern jazz, hip hop, soul and balladry.

Guitarist, vocalist, rapper and songwriter Carroll honed his craft at Vancouver Island University’s jazz studies program (2014) and is currently doing a master's in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. He walks a virtual tight-rope delicately balancing detailed arrangements with the power of spontaneity. He creates topical songs about issues including social justice, surveillance, mental health, climate change and the requisite love songs. In five years, while maintaining its jazz base, the band has stretched out to include hip-hop grooves, soul and electronica.

A Festival Needs Curation! Bigger Is Not Better!

Fri Feb 14 2020
Peter Åstedt

I just got an email from a band that has played one of the bigger showcase festivals in Europe. Before playing at that festival it was a mark that this artist was going somewhere. I met the booker from that festival last year at another festival who was talking about an act that really does well all over Europe and should easily make the lineup. The booker had a problem though that only around 20% was curated, the rest was bought up by export offices. So, it was hard to even get a band that should be on there.

And when I got the link of this artist today, I can really see it. This artist has no value right now. It is not interesting in any way for the festivals. And has no real leverage right now. A typical buy-in from an export office.

The Zombies “Still Got That Hunger” with New Release and Canadian Dates Announced

Fri Feb 14, 2020

Iconic British pop pioneers The Zombies announced a North American tour which includes three Southern U.S. dates in Baton Rouge, Birmingham and Biloxi, before heading North for eight shows in Canada.  These dates will follow the group's performances at sea aboard two popular music cruises - The Flower Power's 5th Anniversary Cruise and the On The Blue Cruise - both sailing the Caribbean Sea out of Miami.

The Zombies will perform selections from their 50+ year career, which began with the 1964 smash “She’s Not There”, and show no signs of slowing down.  In fact, the band will be debuting new material on this tour, as founding keyboardist Rod Argent shares: "We’re so excited because we’ve started to record tracks now for our next album, and we’ll definitely be including two or three of those new tracks in our live show!"

Watch The Zombies “She’s Not There”
Live on Hullabaloo 1965
https://youtu.be/_2hXBf1DakE

BTW-John Borra, Honey Harper, Nature Of, Marc Bolan, Tiny Fighter, Union Duke, Two Car Train, Ian Maksin & Zaria Band, Peter Hill and Pat Smith, Jessica Stuart w/ Andrea Kuzmich, Reuben & The Dark

Fri Feb 07 2020
John Borra

Terrible thing to say about a punk icon I know but John Borra really has matured like a fine wine. Toronto singer/songwriter Borra releases Blue Wine, his first solo album since 2002, which finds the long-time pillar of the city's alternative music scene shifting back to recording under his own name after three albums with his band Rattlesnake Choir. The album's 11 tracks show strong form with his writing and performing powers; on one hand, it’s exactly the kind of album you’d expect from one of the most influential figures within Toronto’s roots-rock scene – raw, melodic, and bursting with heart and soul. On the other hand, Blue Wine displays maturity and lyrical sophistication of an experienced artist. 

The Reason You Don’t Get Answers to Your Emails

Fri Feb 07 2020
Peter Åstedt

We received an email at our festival office the other day. First, with the totally wrong name of the festival. Sure, that can happen in a ‘cut and paste’. Then the letter continues by asking questions that are obviously on our homepage, things like what are the festival dates, what kind of genre do we prefer, how much do we pay for each band. Why should I go through the process of answering questions like this for a band that we probably are not interested in booking based on them not doing their research? So, I just write back providing a link to where all the info around our application process is. And also informed them what our real name is this.

To be honest, I think we are pretty good at answering these emails. We actually get thousands of just emails from bands/bookers/pr people just sending out from different mailing lists not knowing where and to whom they are sending. It’s all part of the game, and that is why I guess 99% are just deleting the emails and don’t answer them. We try at least to give you the right info even though we know it’s just another mass mail out and time-consuming on our part.

Eden James His Time Has Come

Fri Feb 07 2020
Black Book Eden James

There are many variables and components that go into making a hit artist. There is an element of luck of curse and timing that contribute to success after of course the main ingredient - talent. These include perseverance, patience, tenacity and surrounding yourself with the right people who share the vision.

Eden James is poised and ready to breakout after working tirelessly at his craft. The journey has seen James travel from Australia to London, England to his current location, New York City, USA.

“Growing up in Australia, I was drawn to the sound of the British bands and knew I had to go there to get the full effect of the music. So that was it, I packed up everything and moved to London, where I immediately felt at home and got immersed in the music and the scene. I was like a sponge and started really developing as a songwriter. Then it was off to New York City where I’ve been for over 9 years now. I’m  growing every day in my craft and my confidence here in The Big Apple.”

Legendary James Taylor To Release New Album American Standard

Fri Feb 07, 2020

Legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor releases his new album, American Standard on February 28th, 2020 via Fantasy Records. The album's lead track, the Gene De Paul / Sammy Cahn classic, "Teach Me Tonight”.

Watch the Official Video here: https://youtu.be/vbeQqteag_k

The new collection marks Taylor's 19th studio album and his first release since 2015's Before This World, his first #1 career album. On American Standard, Taylor infuses new sounds and fresh meaning into these timeless works of art, reimagining some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century and making them completely his own.

BTW Bif Naked, The Deadnotes, Matt Zaddy, Pia Fraus, Amanda Rheaume, Tony Allen/Hugh Masekela, Geneviève Gigi Marentette, Lisa Fischer, Wild T, Mark Bragg, Matt Minglewood

Fri Jan 31 2020
Bif Naked

Starting off this week with music for causes.

Gold and Platinum-selling

Canadian rock star, author, songwriter, manager, producer, and human and animal rights activist, yeah it’s Bif Naked and she’s got a brand new bag. It’s the launch of her new organic CBD boutique, MonaLisaHealing.com.

Touted as the ‘Renaissance of CBD’, the online e-com shop celebrated its North American debut throughout both Canada and the U.S. in the Fall of 2019.

“I finally followed my own advice,” Bif says of the passion-driven project developed with her longtime team at Her Royal Majesty’s Entertainment. She will discuss the premiere endeavour at Vancouver’s 2020 The Wellness Show this Saturday, February 1st and Sunday, February 2nd — each at 2:00 p.m. — for the panel “An Enlightening Discussion” (Saturday) and talk “Personally Taking Control & Managing Our Health Outcome” (Sunday).

You Can Always Trust Data

Fri Jan 31 2020
Peter Åstedt

Last week Swedish radio took off their Digilist, the top list over most streamed songs. This came to be after a couple of weeks with rumours around cheating. Then an artist did an experiment and showed in a big newspaper how easy it was to buy 100 000 streams in a two week period.

To be honest, I don’t know why this has up right now. Already in 2013, I knew about some serious cheating done on both iTunes and Spotify. My guess is that this is because the cheating has escalated so much that even the majors are beaten in the game.

“You can trust data”, was Jay Frank's comment.  And was said during Billboard’s new prize, The Jay Frank Award, to honour a digital music pioneer. And I would have loved to have a discussion with Jay around this situation, I still miss those talks. We had them before, so I somehow know the answer. When the Bulgarian guy was cheating a couple of years ago, we had that discussion. Jay just laughed and said, “it’s like pointing a finger against a lonely guy with a handgun while you have twenty-five super big cannons shooting in the background.”