Record Producer Taabu Joins Forces with Kenyan Singer Yviona for “Pigana”

Fri Jul 02 2021
Taabu & Yviona Pigana

Canadian record producer Spencer Heaslip, AKA Taabu, continues to showcase his musical talent and range with this, the release of his heart-pounding ominous new pop single “Pigana (feat. Yviona)” — available now!

Landing just a month after the release of his upbeat, bubblegum-pop EDM single, “Ooey Gooey (feat. Omega Mighty),” ''Pigana” is the second cut from the Toronto-based artist’s forthcoming debut album, Bellows.

Translating to “fight” in Kiswahili — Yviona’s native tongue — the title “Pigana” was inspired by the subject matter of the two-and-a-half-minute rollercoaster. Yviona, who wrote the lyrics, explains it was inspired by “broken relationships caused by miscommunication.”

Check out “Pigana” on YouTube here:  https://youtu.be/iXOm9SVi0IA

“This is a tale of two lovers who struggle to make it work before contemplating pulling the plug,” she adds.

For a breakup song so dark, and filled with so much intensity, you wouldn’t expect it to kick off with a Kalimba; it does, however, and it works beautifully.

What Do You Have To Offer?

Fri Jul 02 2021
Peter Åstedt

Do you really have something to offer? This question needs to be asked in so many different ways and forms. People today give out music, but is that really something to offer? I was doing a funny video for my friends and was amazed about how many free pictures and music was out there for my project. And most of them are really great. Made by people in their spare time who just want to share what they have filmed or composed. And for my project that was enough. I found what I needed and put it together.

Of course, this was a hobby thing. If I worked on Netflix and did a bigger TV-series these pictures or music might not be up in the top-notch material, they need to compete in their channels. Of course, they pay to get the best material as well. The problem is that most of the material that is offered is in the hobby quality that I used.

BTW - Lorde, Lightman Jarvis Ecstatic Band, Taylor Abrahamse, Pink, Royal Wood, Andrew Cassara, Laura Rain and The Caesars

Fri Jul 02 2021
Lorde

This week we spotlight Thornhill Food Bank 1 Leaside Park Dr Unit 5B, Toronto, East York Office phone 647-428-9755
Email thorncliffefb@icnareliefcanada.ca

Stepping in with a very timely single from Lorde. Her first new music in four years, Solar Power is a light, summery anthem inspired by the storied folk songwriters of the 60s and 70s and early 2000s pop (see The Mamas & The Papas, Crosby, Stills & Nash meets TLC, Destiny's Child, All Saints).It’s also the title track of her August 20th album of new music.

In a statement, she explained: “The album is a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalizing the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors. In times of heartache, grief, deep love, or confusion, I look to the natural world for answers. I’ve learned to breathe out, and tune in. This is what came through.”

Indie Week and indie101 Announce FREE Summer /Sessions with Rick Barker July 6, 13 and 20, 2021

Fri Jul 02, 2021

Indie Week is proud to announce, indie101 Summer Sessions Music as a Business (3 Part Series) with Rick Barker (ex-manager of Taylor Swift). The 3-part series is every Tuesday for 3 weeks (July 6, July 13, July 20, 2021) and are FREE for everyone to register and attend. Rick will be covering information on how to run your career as a business, how to make money and how to grow your online audience.

“The information Rick Barker gave during our indie101 conference (online) was so good that it just made sense for us (INDIE WEEK) to get Rick to come back and be able to go into more detail. As things start to open up - it also made sense for us to make this information available to artists and businesses, so we are making the sessions FREE for everyone to attend”, says Darryl Hurs (founder of Indie Week).

Indie 101 Summer Sessions

BTW This Week-Robin Cisek, SaintVicious, Patrick Watson, Mike Boguski, Caty Perry, Adam Ndaro Solomon

Fri Jun 25 2021
Robin Cisek

This week we spotlight Parkdale Community Food Bank, 1499 Queen St. W. 416-532-2375.

Parkdale Community Food Bank continues to service clients during this challenging time for our community. We are following Public Health Ontario guidelines and taking additional precautions to keep our employees, volunteers and clients safe.

Open Wednesday: 11a.m.–3p.m.
Thursday: 11a.m.–3p.m.
Friday: 10:30a.m.–1:30p.m.
Saturday: 10:30a.m.–1:30p.m.

The Music Industry Screwed Me!

Fri Jun 25 2021
Peter Åstedt

You always hear about people saying that they got screwed by the music industry. Yes, the music industry is a very competitive environment so don’t think it’s a nine to five place. And yes, there is always some shady stuff, but not really more shady than in any other business. What is actually more common is that people are screwing themselves because of their own lack of knowledge.

The biggest problem in the music industry is that it’s too easy to just start a business and claim that you are part of the industry. No education, no credentials, nothing. Even with an education, you still need an extended amount of networks and a genuine interest in how things are developing to be considered valid in the industry. The problem is that many just think this is a bit more competitive nine to five work, when in actuality it is a lifestyle.

So who screws who in the industry?

Joni Mitchell Celebrates 50 Years of “Blue”

Fri Jun 25, 2021

Blue was the fourth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, released on June 22, 1971, on the Reprise label.Written and produced entirely by Mitchell, it was recorded in 1971 at A&M Studios in Hollywood, California.

Created just after her breakup with Graham Nash, and during an intense relationship with James Taylor, Blue touched on so many sides of relationships from infatuation on “A Case of You” to total insecurity on “This Flight Tonight”. The songs feature simple accompaniments on piano, guitar and Appalachian dulcimer, and had a sound like no other.

Today, Blue is generally regarded by music critiques and fans as as one of the greatest albums of all time; the way Mitchell's songwriting, compositions and voice all work together are frequent areas of praise.

In July 2017, Blue was chosen by NPR as the greatest album of all time made by a woman.

In January 2000, The New York Times chose Blue as one of the 25 albums that represented "turning points and pinnacles in 20th-century popular music".

BTW-Felix Cartal/KRoy, Billie Ellish, The Hello Darlings, Lara Hope & The Arktones, Collingwood Summer Music Festival, The Century Band

Fri Jun 18 2021
Felix Cartal & KRoy

Highlighting this week The Sharing Place, 624 Annette Street. This non-profit compassion organization provides warm meals on a weekly basis as well as a food and clothing bank for all people regardless of faith, income, or culture. Donations of non-perishable food items or funds are always needed. Phone (416) 762-3322

Open 10 a.m. Thursdays till the food runs out.

Paul Sanderson - A Lawyer, A Laureate, A Poet and a Musician

Fri Jun 18, 2021

In the music industry, when the discussion of lawyers comes up, 9 times out of 10 the name Paul Sanderson is mentioned, more often than not the comment is “Paul is my lawyer”. (Even I get to say that). But what so many don’t know is what a diversified career this deep and thoughtful man has and his latest poetry book embraces that sensitive and soulful side of a diversified talent.

Ed Sheeran Confirms Official Return with the Release of New Single “Bad Habits”

Fri Jun 18 2021
Ed Sheeran

Sheeran has confirmed his official return with the announcement of his brand-new single “Bad Habits,” out everywhere June 25, 2021.

Sheeran hinted at his return to music last week in a now viral clip alongside actress and close friend Courtney Cox. In addition to this, Sheeran has also unveiled the single’s accompanying artwork that reveals him as a vampire character, which he has been teasing on his social channels recently, including in overnight posts featuring a string of London landmark projections, including the Tate Modern.

Commenting on his comeback, Ed Sheeran says: “I’ve been working away in the studio over recent months and I can’t wait for you to hear ‘Bad Habits.’ I always aim to push myself and my music in new directions and hopefully you’ll hear that on the new single. Feels great to be back!”

Check out Bad Habits on YouTube here:

Understanding the ”No Filter” World

Fri Jun 18 2021
Peter Åstedt

Before in the industry, there were filters for everything. Like when an artist recorded in a studio there was a producer that made decisions. Then the producer took it to the record label and they made decisions. The record label took it to the distributor, and they had their opinions. Not optimal for sure, many of the complaints back in the days were a long time between when the artist had recorded a song until it actually was out on the market. Another complaint was that much of the artist's work was changed by different opinions, right or wrong.

All that has changed. Today an artist can record in the day and get it out to the audience the same minute the song is finished. That is why the demo is no longer exists. Demo was the song roughly recorded for different people in the chain to give comments, so they didn’t have to get back and do it again. Today with all digital it’s so easy to change you consider everything release ready, the demo is gone.

How To Make the Most Out of a Showcase Festival

Fri Jun 11 2021
Peter Åstedt

So, you got booked to a Showcase Festival or are planning to attend one. Congratulations if you got booked and great if you plan to visit one, good choice. In this part of Showcase Festivals for Dummies, I will go guide you through the dos and dont’s of how to make the most out of a Showcase Festival.

Firstly, don’t overdo it. Many artists get really excited that they will get a show at a Showcase Festival and suddenly they are planning a show of a lifetime. Yes, its can be an opportunity of a lifetime but the people that are going to see you want to see what they get. So, if you book a small choir of singers for the background vocals and an extra person on the saxophone, yes, it will sound great and be amazing on stage, but for the professionals, we will think “okay, the promo picture showed four people in the band do we really need the other extra eight? That will be a massive cost in transportation. Try to make a great show that you can re-create every time. So even if it’s tempting for this time using some fireworks, if it’s not in the show every time just skip the extravaganza, be excellent at everything else.

Peter Frampton Forgets the Words

Fri Jun 11, 2021

Frampton Forgets the Words in our current age of legendary artists could very well be a disconcerting comment but the tongue in cheek title for this new studio album offering is actually a brilliant concept. Frampton Forgets the Words is the new studio album out now via Ume.

The album includes instrumental versions of some of Frampton’s favorite songs and is actually the follow-up to his 2007 Grammy Award-winning instrumental album, ‌Fingerprints‌. The Peter Frampton Band’s Instrumental Cover Album is being met with praise and kudos, with featured instrumentals of songs by other legendary greats such as George Harrison, David Bowie, Radiohead, Stevie Wonder, Roxy Music, Lenny Kravitz to name a few. The 10 perfectly chosen songs spotlight the guitar brilliance of Peter Frampton and also engage in his diverse influences with a plethora of mixed genres, proving he has not lost his magic in the deliverance and performance in this album.

BTW – Art Bergmann, Suzy Bogguss, Glass Animals, The Cooper Brothers, Sleater-Kinney, Olivia Lunny, Liz Phair, Maroon 5, Garbage, Dany Laj and the Looks

Fri Jun 04 2021
Art Bergmann Photo Credit David Kotsibie

This week we spotlight Beeton Cupboard Foodbank at St. Michaels All Angels Church.611 St. Clair Ave. West. (416) 653-3593. Our outreach program remains a high priority at this time. The Beeton Cupboard Food Bank is an essential service and will continue serving our community on Wednesdays. Steps have been taken to adjust service delivery in line with up-to-date Public Health advice.

Open 11:30 - 12:30 on Wednesdays

Merck Mercuriadis: Catalyst for Change Pt. 2 For Change And The Ulterior Motive

Fri Jun 04 2021
Merck, Nile Rogers, Dave Stewart

If you missed Catalyst for Change Pt. 1 here you go:
cashboxcanada.ca/features-cover-story/merck-mercuriadis-catalyst-change/4860

In 2013 The Wu-Tang Clan created the NFT, when they sold the only copy of “Once Upon A Time in Shaolin” for 2 Million. The group wanted it to be a bankable investment like Renaissance Art…

The album was played for 13 minutes at MoMA PS1 for 154 people on March 2, 2015, there were no recordings made of this event, security confiscated attendee's cell phones before the event began. After the event, the album was stored at Royal Mansour Hotel and all backup copies were destroyed. Later on, it was sold at Paddle8 for 2 million dollars to Martin Shkreli. Making it the most expensive record ever sold.  The first NFT.

Hipgnosis is at the right place in the right time.

#1 Best Selling Canadian Author, Filmmaker & Musician Glenn Dixon - Bootleg Stardust

Fri Jun 04 2021
Glenn Dixon

#1 best selling author Glenn Dixon takes on the whirlwind life of a rock star in his fourth and latest book, Bootleg Stardust — available now via Simon & Schuster!

It’s 1974 and Levi Jaxon is about to become very famous. He’s a young guitarist from nowhere, and he’s been dutifully sending out demo tapes to record companies when, miracle of miracles, he gets a call to audition for an already famous band called Downtown Exit. They’re recording their second album at Abbey Road Studios and are about to embark on a European tour.

Nothing is as it seems, though, and when things start to go wrong, Levi has to escape before he loses everything; the love of his life, the rights to his songs, and about a hundred thousand dollars worth of Greek Drachma. 

And although the band (and Levi) are entirely fictional, the songs are very much real; the Vancouver-born, Calgary-based author, Glenn Dixon, put together a top notch band to write and record all the songs in the book.

Paul Saunders Says “It’s About Time” to Have “Courage”

Fri Jun 04, 2021

Paul Saunders wears a lot of hats, actor, writer, producer, entertainer and songwriter. And although he wears them all well, the one he is most comfortable and happy wearing is songwriter. “That’s really how I started in this business was as a songwriter with Epic Records in Los Angeles. It was the kind of gig that paid me to sit in a room and write with a monthly quota of songs required.”

Paul started out his career in Toronto, Canada and played in the Yorkville Village, (Greenwich Village north) getting the grassroots training that would form the foundation of his musical career.  It wasn’t long before the call of the West was ringing loudly in his ears and he made his way to Los Angeles, CA to take his shot at the U.S. market. This led to connections and opportunities as a performer and acting roles. playing leads in both Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair and Paul continues to play character roles in film, television and commercials to this day.

Combining the singer and actor in him he created a stage show, Pauly and the Goodfellas with an entertaining and energetic troupe of talented performers that he produced and played frontman.

How Do You Get Picked For A Showcase Festival?

Fri Jun 04 2021
Peter Åstedt

I guess this is one of the more important and pertinent articles that are in my series if you are trying to get accepted as a Showcase act at a Festival. If you have not already read them check out Pt. 1 and Pt 2 of the series Showcase Festivals for Dummies.

How do you secure a spot on a Showcase Festival?

Even though Showcase Festivals usually don’t pay any or at best a minimum fee, they still get a lot of applications. A midsize festival can get around 1500 to 2000 applications. How do you stand out when there are so many other artist’s applications?  I have been working on many Showcase Festivals over the years and they all deal with it differently. And yet, some things never change.

BTW This Week-Joan Armatrading, Lana Del Ray, Lily Frost, We Were Sharks, Airinna, K.C. Jones, Garbage

Fri May 28 2021
Joan Armatrading Photo Credit Kantine Koeln

This week we spotlight Haven on the Queensway 1533 The Queensway Toronto. Monday to Thursday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Phone: 416-640-2005 Email: info@havenontheq.com   Haven on the Queensway operates a food bank that provides groceries, household products, personal hygiene items and even pet food to anyone in need in the community.

 

It’s a lady laden line-up this week. Stepping in with Legacy singer/songwriter Joan Armatrading's new forthcoming album, Consequences, one of her most intimate and direct yet and one that wears its conscience and its heart on its sleeve.

As a teaser, Armatrading has released the album's first single "Already There". Due to drop June 18th (Digital) and August 13 (CD/LP) via BMG, her 22nd studio album to date, Consequences ably illustrates the fact that Armatrading never likes to repeat herself. It is in no way a follow up to 2018's UK's Top 30 oeuvre Not Too Far Away.