We always say that music has no borders, and that is proven all the time with the submissions we get to Cashbox Canada, Record World International, and Cashbox Radio.

As Cashbox Magazine was originally one of the first music magazines to create a music chart back in the day, we have decided to launch a monthly Top Ten of the new Indie artists we feel deserve to be heard. As standard radio has become such a difficult place for artists to get added to rotation, at Cashbox Radio we love to play the legendary and the new indie artist releases.

In the ‘old days’ of radio, you could call a radio station and request a song so we have embraced that idea and made it so you can now do it virtually. If you want to support any of these artists with more airplay you can go to Cashbox Radio and hit the link cashboxradio.ca/request-a-song-on-cashbox-radio/

So here is our very first Spotify Chart curated by the Cashbox Team, starting with the September Top 10 Pick Hits, strictly in alphabetical order.

Mobius Radio, the genre-bending duo known for their electrifying blend of Metal, Alternative, Prog, and Electronic music under a Rock n Roll banner, is thrilled to announce the release of their eagerly awaited debut full-length album, "Mobius Radio." The album drops on August 7th, 2023, delivering a compelling narrative that unfolds atop an enigmatic radio station nestled high on a mountain, broadcasting its sounds through the FM waves.

Years in the making from Producer and frontman Dylan Hennessy, "Mobius Radio" captures the essence of the band's signature live performances, infusing each track with raw energy and an innovative soundscape. With cerebral Rock anthems to chill atmospheric alternative cuts and daring, expansive epics, the album is a rich and diverse musical journey that defies the conventions of radio.

Notably, the album showcases Mobius Radio's collaboration with Canadian radio icon Jeff Woods, famed for his role as the voice of Q107's Legends of Classic Rock. Woods lends his voice to the role of the “on-air DJ”, guiding listeners through the sonic landscapes of "Mobius Radio."

Calling all eager musicians and singer/songwriters who want to achieve their goals! Music in Motion Canada in collaboration with EMG Collectives is proud to host a MiMc Awards. This competition gives undiscovered indie talent a chance to gain connections and exposure to music industry experts and opportunities.

Everyone who enters will be adjudicated by a panel of professionals in the music industry and gain valuable feedback, and receive a certificate of participation. The adjudicators will feature these experts in the industry: a music director, a music producer, and a music publicist.

Awards and prizes are given to individuals who exceed in their originality, skill, and distinction. Prizes include branding, media marketing, mentoring sessions, and promotion and distribution.

Participants will get a chance to win prizes worth over $25,000 (not redeemable for cash). These prizes are designed to support and uplift indie musicians on their road to recognition.

Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne has received many accolades over the course of his six-decade musical career, and this year brings a particularly honourable distinction. In recognition of Wayne’s outstanding contributions to the blues genre, the Jus’ Blues Foundation has selected him for the Jus’ Blues Bobby “Blue” Bland Lifetime Achievement Award.

For more than 25 years, the Atlanta-based Jus' Blues Foundation has worked tirelessly to nurture the cultural heritage of the Blues through arts education programs, philanthropic efforts, and special events designed to protect the legacy and originators of the Blues.

Wayne will be presented with the award, named for the legendary American blues singer Bobby “Blue” Bland, at both a VIP Honoree Reception on August 2nd and at the Jus' Blues Music Awards "Night of the Living Legends" on August 3rd held at the Bluesville Music Hall in Tunica, Mississippi.

“Life is a mystery and full of surprises and this Lifetime Achievement Award is surely a surprise,” said Wayne. “I am very honoured to be receiving it.”

On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, shock waves rippled across the global music community, announcing the sudden death of Sinéad O’Connor. Although it was devastating news to learn the talented and complicated artist had passed away at the young age of 56 years old, the stigma of her trials and tribulations almost made it something that was not unexpected.

It has been a rough couple of years, between aging artists and illnesses, we have lost so many it is hard to keep track.

Details of her death are still not completely clear, but so far we know that Police officers found Sinéad O’Connor unresponsive in a London flat on Wednesday just weeks after she had moved to the city, it has emerged. The Metropolitan police said in a statement on Thursday that officers were called at 11.18am on Wednesday to reports of an “unresponsive woman” at a residential address in the Herne Hill area of south London.

Some of the best, most innovative musical acts ever started out when they were merely teens – The Runaways, The Strokes, The Arctic Monkeys, to name just a few – and Canada’s Teen Jam, a first-of-its-kind performance showcase, is well aware of the immense talent and creativity that can be developed during that wonderful time of life. 

Canada’s Teen Jam will allow finalists to perform on a massive concert stage as an opener to this year’s Wayback Festival in Kitchener, Ontario, on July 22 featuring JUNO Award winners Kim Mitchell and Sass Jordan. The performance will allow teen artists to explore their natural musical talents in front of both their peers and industry heavyweights.

Teen Jam counts Premier Doug Ford, as well as Kitchener Councillor Bil Ioannidis, as supporters. “Music and the arts have the power to engage and inspire young people,” Ford said. “Music gives our youth a chance to express themselves, develop discipline, and excel.”

The festival is expanding into the Sanderson Center for the Performing Arts 1100 seat theatre in Brantford for their main event concerts. Buy tickets for Saturday Aug 12 on southcoastjazz.com or direct from the Sanderson Center.

The festival has multiple venues, a diverse line-up and is very accessible for everyone. This includes our affordable prices! Note: FRIDAY and SUNDAY are CASH ONLY EVENTS.

"10 Years, 10 Decades of Music" will take you on a musical journey from the 1930's with Canadas's sweetheart of swing Alex Pangman, through to the 50's -70's with Le Trio Parisien featuring Juliet Dunn into the 80's with 12X platinum selling artist Mark Holmes of Platinum Blonde, into today with 2X Juno nominated Mark Kelso and the Jazz Exilesand award winning, internationally acclaimed songwriter Charu Suri and more.

“Mating Cry,” the new single from Toronto-based Maple Blues Band goes into the jazz world for this and is exactly what its name suggests – a sexily strutting tune that announces its grand entrance with bright horns and a fun, cocky confidence. And its tenor sax solo by Alison Young adds just the right amount of sultriness to seal the whole deal.

Check it out on YouTube here:

 With crossover appeal in both jazz and blues, Maple Blues Band reached No. 1 on the Roots Music Report’s Canadian Album Chart for a fifth week total for their album Let’s Go, consisting of 12 of the instrumental compositions the band compiled during their association with The Maple Blues Awards. Their release of a full-length album of instrumental music is part of a master plan to launch the group into the performance market of festivals and concerts.

Herb Alpert signed Quincy Jones, Gino Vanelli, and Williams D. Smith (Motherloade) and Brenda Russell ( Brian and Brenda ), Joan Armatrading, Melvin Van Pebbles, Paul Williams, Garland Jeffreys (Herb Alpert played trumpet on “Matador” on Garland’s “One Eyed Jack”), Bryan Adams, The Tubes ,Supertramp, Cats Stevens and the Carpenters.

Making Music history by putting the artist and music first…

 As a kid I grew up on Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass, but had never seen them live except on television, I was really looking forward to this!

The live show, a beautiful retrospective of a wonderful life lived artistically, always leaving spaces for improvisation, kindness and more music… Musically he was outstanding; the Band was killer, Lani Hall (The Sundown Lady) one of the iconic voices of Sergio Mendes Brazil 66. Herb Alpert tells a story about an early fan letter which said thank you for transporting me around the world with your music.

Founding member of April Wine to be celebrated during the 2023 East Coast Music Awards, May 4

In 2003, acclaimed songwriter and April Wine frontman Myles Goodwyn received the ECMA Lifetime Achievement Award for his impact on the music industry of Atlantic Canada. Exactly 20 years later, he’ll return to the East Coast Music Awards to accept his latest distinction as the newest Inductee to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF). Considered by many as one of Canada’s greatest rock n’ roll songwriters, the CSHF will celebrate Goodwyn’s catalogue of songs penned for April Wine, spanning more than five decades.

A classic April Wine hit, You Won’t Dance With Me:

The 23-year-old alt-pop artist formerly known as velours has changed her name to Vikki Minor. The name change comes as Minor embarks on a new chapter in her career, preceding the release of her upcoming E.P., Call Me Vikki.

"I'm so excited to share this new chapter in my life with my fans," comments Minor. "I've felt for some time that I've outgrown the artist name 'velours', and I'm finally able to embrace this new era as Vikki Minor."

The new name is just one of many changes Minor has made in recent months. She has also been honing in on her new sound, as heard on recent releases, which she describes as "Neo-'90s Alternative Pop." Additionally, moving from Saskatoon to Toronto has placed Minor at the epicentre of Canadian music.

"I'm really psyched about continuing to develop this sound under my new name," adds Minor. "The music I'm working on is my best so far and I can't wait to share it!"

Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band - Steve Lukather, Colin Hay, Edgar Winter, Warren Ham, Hamish Stuart, Gregg Bissonette - have added 4 dates to their upcoming Spring 2023 tour which begins May 19 and concludes June 17. The new dates are: May 23 Long Beach, CA Terrace Theater; May 30 Prescott Valley, AZ Findlay Toyota Center; June 4 Woodinville, WA Saint Michelle Winery and June 10 Jacksonville, OR at the Britt Festival.

 “The joy for me about touring is playing live to an audience with the All Starr Band - so I’m always happy when we can add some more dates. See you in May!” said Ringo. 

Ambient music is typically defined by soothing, psychedelic beats that have the goal of relaxing the listener. In producer Kutiman's newest single "Sun Don't Shine", he urges the listener to sit with their feelings before moving on from them. Check it out on YouTube here:

When it comes to the production, a looped electronica beat with a smidge of hip-hop evokes a feeling of stagnancy. Supplementing the beat are a line of lyrics droning like a desolate chant: "Why, why the sun don't shine when I'm down."

At the same time, the song also urges the listener to move, to try and stop being stuck. The hip-hop portion of the song combines with a more frantic electronica beat to convey someone taking a more active role in their life despite their hopelessness.

Ontario country artists are coming together to share untold stories about mental illness and mental health in a benefit concert for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

May 24, 2023: Moonshine Café, Oakville

More info and tickets at countrytalks.eventbrite.ca

Country Talks: Mental Health, taking place on Wednesday, May 24 at the famous Moonshine Cafe in Oakville, will feature a lineup of top Canadian independent country artists, all with a history of living with mental illness, addiction, and mental health challenges, sharing stories about their struggles, obstacles, and using music to overcome them. All proceeds from the benefit will be donated to the CAMH Foundation.

The lineup features Maddie Corinne, Taylor Wilson, Broadtree, Caves, Jessica Towler, and Katy Topham performing in a writers’ round format. The event will be hosted by Nicole McCafferty and Armand Antony, who will also be performing in the show as Broadtree.

With a lineup focusing on gender representation, LGBTQ+ representation, cultural diversity, and emerging artists, JazzInToronto’s College Street Jazz Festival will showcase some of the best and most exciting talent Toronto has to offer.

Only a few more days until the first-ever Arctic Music Conference and Arctic Music Awards! These online events are created to celebrate and support artists, music industry professionals, and other participants from the Arctic region.

The Keynote Speaker for the 2023 Arctic Music Conference and Arctic Music Awards will be multi-award winner Susan Aglukark. There will be virtual performances from Twin Flames, Beatrice Deer, Uyarakq, Tarrak x Peand-eL, Aasiva, and Jacob Okatsiak. Learn more at hitmakerz.com/blog/lineuppart1

Workshops for the 2023 Arctic Music Conference & Arctic Music Awards include: 60 Things to Post on Social Media in 60 minutes - Eric Alper, Performance and Stage Presence - K.ÓLA, Songwriting - Anna Fauske, Fundraising for Music Projects - Nunavut Music (Thor Simonsen), Entertainment Law for Artists - Edwards Creative Law (Byron Pascoe), and Music Distribution and Marketing with CD Baby - CD Baby (Darryl Hurs & Kevin Breuner). Learn more at hitmakerz.com/blog/lineuppart2

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) is pleased to announce its first Inductee to the Class of 2023 – celebrated Celtic fusion singer-songwriter Loreena McKennitt. Her masterful songwriting, ethereal soprano voice, and imaginative arrangements that combine her passion for traditional Celtic music with world music influences, have forged her own distinctive genre of ‘eclectic Celtic.’

Check out The Mummers’ Song on YouTube here:

Global critically acclaimed singer-songwriter who has sold more than 14 million albums worldwide will be recognized at the Inaugural Women in Music Canada Honours event on International Women’s Day, March 8^th, 2023.

LASSO Montréal, presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Original, is back after a hugely successful first run in 2022. Last year's inaugural edition of the country music fest surpassed all expectations, creating a massive buzz in the city, and proving that Montrey'all is a country music Mecca! Right out of the gate, LASSO Montréal has proven to be a bonafide phenomenon, offering a state of the art festival experience with all the country fixins you'd expect, on a beautiful island in the St Lawrence River, overlooking the stunning Montreal skyline, and with all that momentum from last year's kickoff edition, the 2023 edition is shaping up to be incredible! With the warm weather just around the corner, Canadians and Quebecers are already gearing up for those long summer days and nights, hanging out with friends and family, eating and drinking to their hearts’ content, while being serenaded by that golden country twang - that is the raison d’être of LASSO!

As International Women’s Day 2023 draws closer, Women In Music Canada excitedly shares the long list of nominees for the Women In Music Canada Honours. The Honours event will take place on March 8 at the Opera House in Toronto, where the recipients will be recognized and celebrated, alongside a reception-style dinner and showcase of incredible performances.

“I have been told often over that last few months that this recognition program has been needed for a long time,” says WIMC Executive Director, Robyn Stewart. “On behalf of the WIM Canada board, we couldn’t be more excited to recognize the long list today, and to bring the Canadian music community together to celebrate March 8^th, on International Women’s Day. Thank you to all jury, all applicants, sponsors and funders for helping us bring this dream to reality. And above all, congratulations today to all of our long list.”

Women In Music Canada has announced their special programming that will take place in March in celebration of International Women’s Day. Through March 7 and 8 in Toronto, ON, artists and industry professionals will be able to take part in workshops, speaking engagements and networking opportunities, followed by the inaugural Women In Music Canada Honours, where the 2023 recipients will be recognized for their outstanding success and contributions to the music industry. Tickets to the WIMC Honours are available in advance along with more information about the categories. Full event details can be found below.