The True Birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll and The Alan Freed Moondog Coronation Ball

Sat Mar 23 2024
Moondog Coronation Ball

On March 21, way back in 1952, rock and roll music was close to being born…but suffered its first setback. However, the setback would turn into a win eventually.

 “The Alan Freed Moondog Coronation Ball” was a concert of acts performing what the pioneer DJ Alan Freed coined “rock and roll” music at the Cleveland Arena. March 21, 1952 was a Friday night. The event turned into an unmitigated disaster.

 That's because there were as many counterfeit tickets sold as legitimate ones. When some 22,000 people tried to cram into a building meant to hold only about 12,000, a full-scale riot erupted. Extra police had to be called along with firemen who'd use their hoses to break up the mess. To escape injury, Freed had to be hoisted via a rope to the upper level announcer's booth. 

Bad Romance: Insider-Turned-Novelist Puts Music-Biz Types In The “Crush” Groove

Sat Mar 23 2024
Hunter Snow

If you had to assign the music business to a literary category, you’d have lots of options: horror, true crime, maybe science fiction. But none of those possibilities has the storytelling potential of a good romance. Enter Rock Crush and Roll, an amorous potboiler from author Hunter Snow that shows what happens behind the scenes can be even spicier than what goes on in the lyrics.

The plot in a nutshell: A female artist manager named Tyler Robertson works at a company that represents the biggest rock star in the world, Cary Kingston. But when their relationship becomes more than professional, she has a lot of soul-searching to do. For one thing, she’s violating her hard-earned policy against dating musicians. (Ever been in or around a band? Good call!) And his lifestyle is hardly conducive to having a serious relationship. Now she must navigate a precarious courtship while trying to figure out if her attraction is really to him, or merely to what he represents.

“This book, at its core, is about navigating relationships,” says author Snow. “Friends, families, partners, colleagues, and what truly makes you happy at the end of the day.”

Hugh’s Room Live Presents ‘Walking Through The Fire’

Sat Mar 23 2024
Walking Through The Fire

Sultans of String & Indigenous Collaborators across Turtle Island Create Trailblazing Musical Response to the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action

Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 8:00pm

Hugh’s Room Live presents
‘Walking Through the Fire’ – Indigenous Collaborations with Sultans of String

Featuring Dr. Duke Redbird, The North Sound, Shannon Thunderbird, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk, Marc Meriläinen (Nadjiwan), and a multimedia extravaganza including Northern Cree, Kendra Tagoona, Tracy Sarazin, and more!

Hugh’s Room Live
296 Broadview Avenue,
Toronto ON M4M 2G7

TIX: $45 in advance, $50 at the door, 647-347-4769

showpass.com/sultans-of-string-walking-through-the-fire/

Eric Alper Expands His PR Services to New Streaming Options

Sat Mar 23 2024
Eric Alper

What sets businesses apart and makes a good business a great business is the ability and foresight to continue to grow and change with market demands and needs.

Eric Alper of Eric Alper PR is an embodiment of that mindset, embracing change and fluidity “Change is constant – not a bad thing. And change in the music business is happening at an ever-accelerating pace.”

Eric Alper has been at the forefront of the Canadian entertainment industry for the past 25 plus years and his forward thinking is what keeps him at the top of his field.

Bif Naked Secures Prestigious Screen Award Nomination From The Academy Of Canadian Cinema & Television

Sat Mar 23 2024
Bif Naked

Bif Naked has garnered a coveted nomination for the prestigious Screen Award for Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or Series by The Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television. This esteemed recognition is in tribute to her outstanding portrayal in the captivating new CBC Gem original series, ‘I Hate People, People Hate Me’.

‘I Hate People, People Hate Me’ has picked up 4 Canadian Screen Award nominations.

Bif Naked's unparalleled talent, dedication, and enduring impact continue to captivate audiences worldwide. As she embarks on this remarkable journey, the celebration of her illustrious career and the anticipation surrounding her latest accolades reach new heights.

About Bif Naked

Bif Naked, a dynamic force in music, TV, film, and dance, boasts a storied career as a multi-platinum and gold singer-songwriter. Celebrated and notorious in equal measure, her journey reads like a whirlwind—a gripping saga of resilience, rebellion, and unwavering advocacy.

Art During Wartime Podcast Examines Cultural Beauty of Ukraine, Kicks Off Its Second Season With Rapper OTOY

Sat Mar 23 2024
Art During Wartime

Art During Wartime, a podcast that examines the beauty and richness of Ukrainian culture, kicks off its second season with an interview with rapper OTOY, one of the most conceptual Ukrainian rappers today.

The podcast was conceived by Ohio native David Junk, who first started working in Ukraine in 1999, not long after the fall of the Soviet Union, as a record executive for Universal Music. At the time, no other Western record label had ventured into Ukraine. David played a pivotal role in opening Universal's first branch office in the country, which was a major boost to the early development of the Ukrainian music industry. Check out the podcasts here: podcasts.apple.com/ua/podcast/art-during-wartime/id1716447606

Lisa Hartt Releases Hypnotic New Video Offering for Release of “The Night I Learned to Dance.”

Sat Mar 23, 2024
(l-r) Lisa Hartt & Pat Nunn at the Pyramids 1971
(l-r) Lisa Hartt & Pat Nunn at the Pyramids 1971

Lisa Hartt has had quite a whirlwind year, launching her career back full steam ahead with single releases, an EP release, 2 tours to Sweden, the first being the amazing time she was greeted at Lilla By Festivalen as the Canadian legend she truly is. She deserves that recognition for a story long untold about her collaboration with Sweden’s hero, Ted Gardestad.

Tom Wilson Takes His Story To The Stage With Beautiful Scars Musical At Hamilton’s Theatre Aquarius

Fri Mar 15 2024
Tom Wilson

April 24 to May 11, 2024: Theatre Aquarius in Hamilton, Ontario

Tickets to Beautiful Scars the musical are $25 and up at www.theatreaquarius.org, or call the box office at (905) 522-7529

Tom Wilson’s identity crisis began in earnest at the age of 4, when his mother looked him square in the eye and told him “There are secrets I know about you that I’ll take to my grave.” What she meant, and how he finally figured it out, is a topic the Canadian writer-musician explored to stunning effect in his best-selling 2017 novel, Beautiful Scars: Steeltown Secrets, Mohawk Skywalkers and the Road Home, and a 2022 documentary film of the same name. Now his gripping story is coming to the stage as a world-premiere musical created by Wilson and Shaun Smyth, under the direction of Mary Francis Moore.

CMW Hires Brian Hetherman As International Programmer

Fri Mar 15 2024
Brian Hetherman

We're excited to announce the hiring of established label owner and manager Brian Hetherman of Toronto’s Cerberus Management & Consulting to handle international programming for this year’s Canadian Music Week conference, June 3-5.

Brian — who will continue to operate his labels, Curve Music and Sonic Envy — will work alongside CMW president Neill Dixon, and the rest of the CMW team, to bring the top names and topics to the leading music industry conference, held in Toronto at the Westin Harbour Castle.

CMW is always adapting with the times,” says Brian. “I was the international ambassador at Canadian Music Week for many years, working with them on their international marketplace and attending conferences around the world on behalf of Canadian Music Week, as well as my own entities. It a natural progression to help put together panels, both domestic and international.”

Bif Naked And Georgie Jett Join Forces To Create A Dynamic, Women-Led Music And Events Management Powerhouse

Fri Mar 15 2024
Bif Naked And Georgie Jett

The fusion of UK-based GeorgieJettEvents.com and Canadian powerhouse HerRoyalMajestys.com marks the union of two exceptional and talented women, pooling their resources to offer comprehensive music and event management, marketing, consultancy, and distribution services for artists across Canada, the UK, EU, and North America.

Celebrating milestones - Bif Naked's 25th Anniversary with her multi-platinum I, Bificus XXXV Album on her private label HerRoyalMajestys.com in Canada, and Georgie Jett's 25 years of live events in the UK and EU—underscore the depth of experience and dedication these two bring to the table.

Their bond, forged through shared values of animal protection and a passion for music and live events, embodied a profound connection. Bif Naked, reflecting on their very first meeting facilitated by her Manager, Peter Karroll, describes Georgie as a kindred spirit, sharing not only their love for music, "Georgie is committed to music and knows more about music history than any person I have ever met, and we share a deep- seated commitment to animal welfare."

Award-Winning Folk Group MAGGIE’S WAKE Set To Release Self-Titled Debut Album March 17, 2024

Thu Mar 14, 2024

Award-Winning London, Ontario folk group Maggie’s Wake is set to release their long-awaited debut album on March 17, 2024.

Spotify pre-save link here: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/maggieswake/maggies-wake?utm_campaign…

It took just over a year for Maggie’s Wake to write, record and release their first full studio album, which will finally be available on St. Patrick’s Day, following the success of their holiday single "Christmas is Coming (for You)" and the haunting fan favourite "Bridget O’Brien". The album showcases their vast talents both as storytellers and musicians and has been a labour of love for the women who front Maggie’s Wake, singer and multi-instrumentalist Tara Dunphy and Lindsay Schindler, fiddler and harmony vocalist.

Tilly Kingston Releases New Single “Youth is Wasted”

Thu Feb 29 2024
Tilly Kingston

Tilly Kingston today releases her single Youth Is Wasted. Youth Is Wasted follows 2023 debut single Best Break Up Ever, which received support from BBC Introducing, has so far racked up 1.4million YouTube views, and hundreds of spot plays across UK radio stations.

With her hard edged, punk-rock & metal fused pop, Tilly wants to connect with anyone who’s ever felt like a misfit. She explains ‘Youth Is Wasted is a tongue in cheek ‘Piss Off’ to all the people who look down on me and say I am wasting my life and having too much fun. Well if this is wasting my life than fuck yeah, I am, and loving every minute of it!!”

Watch the official video for Youth Is Wasted HERE

A refreshing, unorthodox counter to the typical pop artist, Tilly Kingston was born for the stage – a good thing, too, seeing as she has spent her whole life sleeping in a bed just a few feet away from one.

The North Sound and Sultans Of String Team Up To Sing The Sound Of The Prairies In “Sweet Alberta”

Thu Feb 29 2024
Sultans of String

“Sweet Alberta” is the new single off the Sultans of String album entitled Walking Through the Fire, the most ambitious and important project of their career, a CD and concert of collaborations with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit artists across Turtle Island. The song started as a poem penned by Grammy nominated and legendary Chippewa/Anishinaabe Elder Dr. Duke Redbird, set to music by Chris McKhool and Sultans of String.

This track features the gorgeous vocals of The North Sound, formed in 2014 by lead singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Forrest Eaglespeaker along with his wife Nevada Eaglespeaker who composes and provides vocal harmonies.

Keeping true to the traditions of Forrest’s heritage, The North Sound was created to share stories of Forrest’s Blackfoot identity and traditions from Treaty 7 Territory. This track was perfectly suited to these award-winning artists, with their connection to the land.

Corey Hart’s Legacy: Where the ‘Sunglasses At Night’ Singer Is Now

Thu Feb 29 2024
Corey Hart

From fashion to film and television, recent years have seen a massive resurgence of the glitz and glamour of the ‘80s in popular culture. Even music is no exception, with model and television host Heidi Klum recently releasing a cover of the ‘80s song ‘Sunglasses At Night’ as her new single. Prior to Klum’s cover, musical artist and composer Loïk Gome (BFRND) has also reworked the same tune, originally sung by Canadian singer Corey Hart, to show off Balenciaga’s SS21 collection.

The original ‘Sunglasses At Night’ was released in 1984 as the first single of Hart’s debut album, ‘First Offense.’ Due to its unique melody and catchy hook, the song was an instant hit, peaking at No. 7 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. Now that it has been 40 years since the song was released, fans and casual listeners may be wondering where Hart is now and what he is up to. So, we look at Hart’s legacy as a talented musician and one of Canada’s biggest ‘80s artists.

Montreal Punk Suffragettes Bad Skin Take A Vacation From Restraint With “We Are The Girls”

Thu Feb 29, 2024

How many paeans to the power of women are we going to have to hear? If you dared ask Montreal grunge-pop punkers Bad Skin that question, the answer you’d get would probably be “Until you get it through your thick skull.”

Waving their musical middle finger proudly in the tradition of musical forebears like L7, Bikini Kill and No Doubt, the Canadian quartet make their own contribution to the hear-us-roar tradition with “We Are the Girls,” an exhilarating anthem that proves it’s never a bad time to fly the flag for the sisterhood—especially when you do it with the style, smarts and sass of this perfectly turned single, which has “instant classic” graffiti-ed all over it.

Check it out on YouTube here:

Church of Trees Release New Album “Transience”

Fri Feb 23, 2024

Church of Trees is a Canadian synthpop band, whose debut Primitive Creatures (2017) charted in Japan, the UK, and across Canada. Since then, the band has released 7 albums that have spawned number 1 singles, such as World's a Bitch (ft Rough Trade’s Carole Pope), Like Gary Numan, and Believe It Or Not. Their albums have been played on 4 continents and have landed on Top Ten charts on college and independent radio in Canada, The UK, and France/Switzerland, as well as Best Of album charts from 2017 to 2023. They have performed with legendary Canadian band Rough Trade and Broadway’s Rob Preuss, and have played such iconic venues as Toronto’s El Mocambo, Ottawa’s Bronson Centre, and Wakefield’s Black Sheep Inn.

Their new album, Transience, takes a giant leap in a new sonic direction. Punching a hole in synthpop, the album artfully crosses genres, from art-pop to Indie rock, and from synth, to ambient. Think MGMT and Foster the People meets Gary Numan and Eno. Featuring stunning vocals by Stella Panacci, Heather Brazeau, and bandleader Bernard Frazer.

Laden with hooky vocal melodies and intricate harmonies, the album is a testament to great teamwork,

Bravo Robert Priest on a great live performance and a jazzy fantastic new release!

Fri Feb 23 2024
Robert Priest

“People Like You And Me”

The older audience magic hour seems to be Sundays two and six, the new Hugh’s Room Live was packed. It’s a classic neighborhood church 296 Broadview Avenue in Toronto.

Very simple stage , bar no food, chairs. Nice balcony.

Classic coffee house vibe with no coffee or tea?

Love the pews on the side, on the stage no place to hide.

Went to see my old friend Robert Priest, backed by some of the greatest musicians in the city to launch his new record “People like you and me!”

I have long since been a fan of Robert Priest poetry, he made poetry accessible to everyone who wanted to pick up a pen or perform poetry live.

Today at Hugh’s room backed two bands first a more traditional folk duo that changes into more jazz ensemble , including guitarists Bob Cohen ,David Hines and special guest Alison Young on saxophone and guitarist supreme Kevin Breit. The performance flowed well and Robert’s trumpet playing was a wonderful surprise addition to the jazz feel of his latest release.

OSHEAGA! Stacked Lineup Includes Established Megastars And Leaders Of The New Vanguard!

Fri Feb 23 2024
OSHEAGA

The 2024 edition of the OSHEAGA Music and Arts Festival presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Light is fast approaching and this year’s wide array of performers is nothing short of exceptional - balancing legends with up-and-comers, high energy with intimacy, and all the bombast fans have come to expect from a leading-edge top-tier festival. For the 17th edition, the OSHEAGA booking team has curated the festival with the express mission of appealing to fans of every genre, style, and generation.

Starting with the three exceptional headliners on down, there is something for everyone, and discoveries galore! Green Day sets the tone for the rock and punk crowd, with plenty of punk rock fire to please the fans, courtesy of old school legends Rancid, LA rockers The Linda Lindas, 90’s indie favourites Sleater-Kinney, and grunge icons The Smashing Pumpkins, who haven’t graced the OSHEAGA stage since the festival's 2nd edition in back in 2007!

Release The Sounds: Hit Artists Share Their Stories On ‘Let That Music Out!’ Podcast

Fri Feb 23 2024
Let That Music Out!

In the music business, few things are as helpful as an example. That’s the rationale behind Let That Music Out!—an independent, artist-driven FM radio show and podcast that offers an invaluable and enlightening look into the workings of the industry circa 2024.

Check it out here: thesingerscompany.com/let-that-music-out-radiopodcast

Based in Toronto and syndicated on Indie 101.5 and Philly Jamz 95.3 in the U.S.A., and CHHA 1610am back home, LTMO! features new music releases, interviews, discussions, and personal stories from industry leaders and recording artists. It’s analysis with an insider edge, crafted for anybody who wants to get in the game.

The show was made possible by the successes of The Singer’s Company, a record label, music-publishing operation and management firm founded by a dream team of music-biz pros—including highly pedigreed producer, songwriter and A&R executive Roy Hamilton III, for whom the program is both a passion project and the fulfillment of a personal vision.

You Get Bigger as You Go – A Personal Interview with Author M.D. Dunn

Fri Feb 16, 2024

I have just finished reading “You Get Bigger as you Go”, Bruce Cockburn’s Influence and Evolution by author M.D. Dunn.

What a wonderful rabbit hole to fall into! I As the reader, I was immersed for weeks in Bruce’s music, playing the tracks from all the albums that Dunn delves into, as I read the book. I followed the timeline along with Mark Dunn’s research and exploration of all Cockburn’s albums. This book explores the profound influence and remarkable evolution of Cockburn’s music. A renowned Canadian singer songwriter and guitarist, Cockburn has entertained and educated listeners for over five decades.

Speaking with Mark recently about the book, we discussed the fact that Bruce is like a war correspondent, a journalist observing through his lens of music the times we live in, complimented by the poetry of his complex guitar phrasing. Cockburn digs deep into the pathos of the song.

Mark reflected that: “Bruce is almost always the narrator in these songs, and they are not always about him, but they are always a reflection of his point of view.”