Please Get the Gatekeepers Back!

Fri Nov 08 2019
Please Get the Gatekeepers Back!

Not everyone has the right to release music! Even though many crappy musicians seem to think that. I just had a nutcase that really made me think those forbidden words “it was better before”.

This particular idiot wants to change the Spotify link system, so it fits his different releases with different names. No, the world won’t adapt to your stupid artist's uncertainty. We have been back and forth with his name change for three months and have changed it in at least six different versions. For what? Nothing really. It’s just that he doesn’t understand how to separate things from his account through Spotify artists. Will it change his career? Not really his eight listeners probably will never see any difference.

Soul-Popster Dylan Cohen Launches ‘Ode to T.O.’ in New Music Video ”Alleyways”

Fri Nov 08 2019
Soul-Popster Dylan Cohen Launches ‘Ode to T.O.’ in New Music Video ”Alleyways”

Like the thickened blanket of graffiti on Toronto’s back laneways, each artful burst layering on the last so can be said for Canadian alt. soul-popster Dylan Cohen’s newest video, “Alleyways”.

The visual ode to Cohen’s home base features crowd-sourced footage from Toronto residents, and proceeds from the launch party will be in support of The Laneway Project. The video was produced by members of the team behind JUNO Award-winning production house Route 11 (Grimes, Janelle Monáe, Sofi Tukker, Ria Mae) and Cohen’s classmates at the Harris Institute.

“I’ve always had a soft spot and fascination for Toronto’s laneways,” says Cohen. “It’s like the streets could be so busy and overwhelming, and then you and your friends could all hang a turn into an alleyway and have the space to yourselves.”

“The term became a metaphor in the song for ‘things that connect us all’ but are sometimes unseen.”

Cashbox Canada Magazine Hosts Two Showcases at Indie Week 2019

Fri Nov 08 2019
Cashbox Canada Magazine Hosts Two Showcases at Indie Week 2019

The Cashbox Caravan continues its journey, having stopped in France (MIDEM in Cannes, France) and Orebro, Sweden (Live at Heart Sweden) and ending our year back here in Canada at the ever-popular Indie Week 2019.

“The idea behind the travelling Cashbox Canada Caravan was to give indie artists a chance to showcase at major events and have the opportunity to perform for agents, pr people, and labels with first-class sound and on professional stages all on a global level,” says organizer Sandy Graham. “We are proud to be able to offer an alternative way of showcasing at major events where the competition for submission is so high.”

Now the third event this year of the Cashbox Caravan will be back in the country of origin for the magazine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

“Indie Week has given us the opportunity to bring talent from other areas in the world so we will be able to have acts from not just Canada, but Sweden, Spain and the USA,” Graham says.

The first CASHBOX CARAVAN SHOWCASE is at the cocktail hours of:
5 pm – 8 pm
Thursday November 14
B-Side Lounge (669 College St)
Doors: 5:00pm

David Clayton-Thomas Say Somethin’!

Fri Nov 08, 2019

The day when music was a driving force for social change is not over… the outspoken young songwriter who gave us “Brainwashed” and “Spinning wheel” in the sixties has struck again.

Now a master songwriter at the peak of his powers, he trains his eye on life in the 21st century. say somethin’ is a searing look at the times we live in and a fervent prayer for the future. songs that confront the most important issues of the day…  climate change, immigration, gun control, politics, the justice system.

David Clayton-ThomasFearless and confrontational, the clayton-thomas lyrics are sharp and to the point. written with disarming honesty and a wicked sense of humour… a satirical musical portrait of the crazy, upside down, politically charged world of 2020.

BTW-Fergus Hambleton, Sleave, Grace Cummings, Jerry Leger, Ava Lake, Raine Hamilton, David Bauhaus J, Donkey, Tony McManus/Julia Toaspern, Matters Of The Heart, Sleater-Kinney, Jessica Rhaye

Fri Nov 01 2019
Fergus Hambleton

Gonna start by getting personal in the sense that Fergus Hambleton is a personal fave of mine. It seems like he’s been weaving his way into Toronto’s musical tapestry since forever. In the '70s Hambleton hooked up with legendary Jamaican composer/trumpeter Jo Jo Bennett and a lasting friendship was formed leading to the pair becoming the foundation for acclaimed reggae collective the Sattalites.

"I was a sax player and I was living in the neighbourhood where all of the reggae stores and musicians were," says Hambleton. "I got to know people and they would ask me to come and play on this and this and that and that. I got pulled into it gradually and it was all very nice. I enjoyed that music because Jamaican music always has lots of horns in it and as a Sattalites horn player, I always appreciated that."

The World of Empty Streams Sounds Metallic!

Fri Nov 01 2019
Peter Åstedt

I just saw that a friend posted about a local band being signed to a bigger festival organizer. Never heard about the band before so I was a bit curious. I had heard about their former band though. It was one of the metal bands that was doing things very fast and very costly until they crashed after a couple of years.

So, they reformed and changed their name. Also, kind of a stupid mistake but usually the aftermath of an emotional and poor decision.

Anyway, I saw that they were picked up by the only metal label left in Sweden. Usually, people brag around that but this label, even though they are owned by a major, is counted as a small shit label with no power whatsoever. And since I haven’t heard anything around about the project, I was a bit puzzled. Why brag and share this shit? As usual, I just went into Spotify and checked the numbers.

Pretty good numbers, too good numbers to be unknown like that. Most songs were between 500,000 to 300,000 each. But they only had 10,000 monthly listeners. Also, they only had 5,000 followers. Something strange here.

Indie Week Toronto November 13-17, 2019

Fri Nov 01, 2019

Now about to launch the 17th edition of Indie Week in Toronto, the stages and talent are more abundant and vibrant this year more than ever.

Darryl Hurs
Darryl Hurs

Cashbox Canada caught up with Darryl Hurs, founder of Indie Week Toronto, while he was on the road promoting Indie music and more. “ I started Indie Week in Canada 17 years ago because I didn’t think Indie bands were getting a decent platform to perform and there was a lot of good music it was getting ignored. The response and growth has been more than expected, and we look forward to many more Indie Week events in the years to come.”

In 2003 there were 8 venues and approximately 60 artists and there was no conference at that point.

Bobby Curtola Inducted Into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Fri Nov 01 2019
Bobby Curtola Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee Photo Credit Johanna Carlo

Canadian icon Bobby was already in three Hall of Fames, the Coca Cola Hall of Fame, The RPM Hall of Fame and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and on Sunday Oct 27, 2019 he took his rightful place in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in Calgary, Alberta, along with also deserving Andy Kim, Chilliwack and The Cowboy Junkies.

This is one honour that Bobby really coveted and wanted to be a part of for many years. He used to half-jokingly say “when I’m gone they’ll induct me!”

I was one of the fortunate ones who got to be friends with Bobby, for over 25 years. We wrote songs together, planned projects, talked about the past and dreamt about the future. I learned so much from Bobby, about everything from the music business to life lessons and the importance and humility along with supporting our fellow musicians. So I know what Bobby would say if he heard  “it’s about time.” He would say “the timing doesn’t matter, I’m inducted now.”

Sultans of String Partner with Ojibway Elder Duke Redbird & Indigenous Duo Twin Flames “The Power of the Land”

Fri Oct 25 2019
Twin Flames

With their historic and visionary seventh album REFUGE (releasing March 20, 2020), Sultans of String bring their unique brand of musical synergy and collaboration into the studio like never before. 

Their most ambitious, diverse, inclusive and passionately political album, REFUGE puts the Toronto-based Sultans of String face-to-face with a VIP roster of artists from around the globe who have fled the peril and persecution of their homelands for the safer shores of USA and Canada (including Iraqi violinist Imah Al Taha, Iranian santur master Amir Amiri, Robi Botos, and many more) as well as those who have been global ambassadors for peace, including Béla Fleck and Yasmin Levy. REFUGE also includes important Indigenous voices from artists Twin Flames and Ojibway Elder Duke Redbird.

BTW-Zach Oliver, Basement Revolver, Lydia Persaud, Frazey Ford, Laura Repo, Little Scream, Betty Moon, Terry Gomes

Fri Oct 25 2019
Zach Oliver

Starting off with a blast of cheeky monkey music. Canadian pop-rock n’ roll bad boy and self-described “bastard” Zach Oliver has dropped his personal anthem and “battle cry” in the form of new 10-track LP, Banzai — available now.

“I feel alive in this music,” the Toronto-based artist says of the album as a whole. “I think that’s where the name came from. I love that ‘banzai’ is used as a patriotic cheer and battle cry. It’s kind of like the Japanese version of ‘hooray’ and shouted in the same sense as ‘long live the King’ in English…

“This relates EXACTLY to how I felt making this,” he continues. “It’s a battle cry for being original. I wanted to celebrate coming into my own.

“Although 90% of the album is about a relationship, a lot of the back-end emotion came from just being 21 or 22 years old, and figuring out who I wanted to be and what I wanted to say.”

Tonia Evans Cianciulli pens biography of Newfoundland opera legend, Georgina Stirling

Fri Oct 25 2019
Tonia Evans Cianciulli

A standing ovation for Newfoundland-born, Toronto-based international superstar opera singer Tonia Evans Cianciulli, The Heart’s Obsession celebrates the historical ripple effect of one woman's voice—Georgina Ann Stirling—and brings her astounding legacy into the twenty-first century. Forging a musical journey from across the surging sea of Twillingate, this heroine conquered the hearts of audiences through Europe, the United States, and beyond. This is the definitive biography of Georgina Stirling, and in addition, Tonia has also released an accompanying album, Nightingale of the North and both are available now!

Don’t Expect People To Like Your Music

Fri Oct 25 2019
Peter Åstedt

I got one of those emails when the artist requested feedback on their songs. I am always a bit reluctant to do that. You can see the new trends with bloggers and magazines as almost all of them take a step to just write about things that excite them. Bad reviews don’t really exist any longer. Instead, it’s like a silent agreement that if you don’t hear back after you got the thank you for sending in the files, if I’m interested, I will get back to you.

But all artists want that feedback, why I don’t understand, but I’m getting to that. The feedback has become an industry at different sites. When you pay for it, they actually give you some feedback. The problem with this I that it’s just bloggers that in many cases, just your average joe sitting and give feedback. Much of the feedback is also nonsense. Here is some feedback from bloggers that passed on The Magnettes track “Shakes (Falling in Love). 

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/FxHZcaePAH8

Myles Goodwyn Friends of the Blues 2

Fri Oct 25 2019
Myles Goodwyn Friends of the Blues 2

An artist debut album is most often ten years or more in the making, a collection of the best material they have gathered over the years. It’s the best of their best. The label usually requires the follow-up album 6 months to a year later leaving less time to create material. That to me is why the sophomore album is the true test for an artist’s shot at longevity.

Myles Goodwyn’s first solo blues album was 11 years in the making and was critically acclaimed and Juno nominated.  I personally loved the first album so when I heard there was a second one coming I was wondering if Myles would be able to keep up with himself and deliver another killer album on such short notice. Well, those fears were totally unfounded as not only Myles keeps up with himself he actually surpassed himself.

Gene Cornish – My Life As a Rascal

Fri Oct 25, 2019

One of the amazing things about Cashbox Magazine is that it still has 'real estate' in the name, so when we request an interview with a legendary artist, it is always an honour when they say yes, and Gene Cornish was one of those personal honours for me not just as a journalist but as a true fan.

Catching up with Gene at his home in New Jersey, you can feel the love, memories and angst when he talks about the days of being one of The Rascals.  There is no bitterness in this talented man, and he has a philosophical and heartwarming way of telling the history of truly one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands from the 1960s & ’70s.

Neena Rose Shares Her “Secret”

Fri Oct 18 2019
Neena Rose Shares Her “Secret”

RnB powerhouse Neena Rose has a “Secret” to share and it comes in the form of her newest single, a hot n’ fresh collab with NorthSideBenji.

The new track features the two Canadian RnB and hip hop luminaries, each currently making their marks on the industry both at home and abroad.

With over 325,000+ streams and upwards of 135,000 views this year, “Secret” lands fresh off a summer of sound for Rose, having released her latest double feature “Mannequin” and “(You A) Machine Gun.”

The next single off her forthcoming EP, 333, “Secret (feat. NorthSideBenji)” serves as a preview to her upcoming performance at this winter’s Indie Week in Toronto, and a follow-up to her recent performance blitz at Hamilton’s Supercrawl.

“I love it all, but writing lyrics is my favourite part of the process,” muses the Hamilton-based teen, reflecting on previous toe dips into nu-country, emo rock, and lofty pop bops before finding her most authentic self in R&B. “It’s always been a thing I love to do. Any time I feel any type of way, I’m writing a song. If I’m happy, I’m writing… If I’m sad, I’m writing…

BTW-Andre Ethier, Modern-Rock Ensemble, Ellevator, The Lifers, Headstones, Sin City Boys, Girl Wilde, Anna Atkinson/Jessica Stewart, Searson, Ray Montford & Friends, Reid Jamieson Band, Soundgarden

Sat Oct 19 2019
André Ethier

So noted iconoclast and ex-Deadly Snakes frontman André Ethier celebrates the release of new album Croak In The Weeds with the new video for “Froggy”. Of the track, Ethier says : “It's like Froggy Went a Courtin' except this time Froggy is courtin' existential collapse. “

Watch Froggy here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-nsvjxp3Ls

Out via Telephone Explosion Records, Croak In The Weeds was created in collaboration with Sandro Perri (producer) at his Toronto studio in late 2018 / early 2019.

In Memory Of Jay Frank

Sat Oct 19 2019
In Memory Of Jay Frank

Even if it was expected it came as a shock when it happens. Jay Frank's death was not that expected even though he had suffered badly for the last year of cancer. Or yes, you sometimes know the outcome, we are all going to die. Just this went very fast. And it always happens to the wrong people. It’s always the nice, really friendly people that are going away.

I meet Jay by accident, like so many of my people in my network. I was on CMJ invited by Robert Singerman, another friendly and awesome guy. I had You Say France & I Whistle there playing live. I was in a real networking mode and took as many meetings as possible. And in the last hour, before I had to go to the gig and help the band, I made the decision to also visit the exhibition in the basement.

Hey Major Meet Them at “The Station”

Fri Oct 18, 2019

HEY MAJOR is formed by the two multi-instrumentalist brothers, Mickaël and Raphaël Fortin. Built on strong brit rock influences, the chemistry and history between these boys is audible from the first note, writing what they’ve coined to be “elegant rock.”

Inspired by the best of Brit rock and pop, their debut album “The Station” highlights Hey Major’s distinctive rock sound. The songs burst to life with Mickaël’s pristine and emotional vocals, dynamic piano parts and Raphaël’s restrained and consoling drumming. Released on October 11, 2019, this a band that is the one to watch.

Watch “The Station” here: https://youtu.be/XyNVvEE2T5k

The Latest Rock Music Merch? Check Out iGaming Websites

Fri Oct 11 2019
Motorhead

“Good evening” screams a familiar gravelly voice, “We are Motorhead; and, we play rock n’ roll!”. The voice, of course, is the legendary Lemmy, who begins to bark out vocals to an adoring crowd. It was a common way for Motorhead to open a concert before Lemmy’s death in 2015. However, this is not a DVD of a legendary concert; this is Motorhead the casino game.

It is surely one of the strangest phenomena in the area of iGaming that a whole genre of casino games has been built up around classic rock and metal bands. These are officially licensed games, merchandise if you will, with as much production value as you would see for something on a games console: Real footage, music snippets and images, all spliced in with spins and bonus games to create blockbuster casino games.

Line Up is a Who’s Who of Metal