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Singer-Songwriter Matt Von Turns Loss Into A Musical Win With “Still In My Heart”

Eric Alper
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Singer-Songwriter Matt Von Turns Loss Into A Musical Win With “Still In My Heart”

Penning a tribute to a fallen loved one is an unavoidably personal undertaking. Whether the finished product ends up sounding like a private moment we shouldn’t be eavesdropping on, or like a gift to be shared with all humanity, is entirely up to the quality of the artist.

Toronto-based singer-songwriter Matt Von has taken the latter tack on his affecting new single, “Still in My Heart.” Ostensibly a paean to his mother, who passed away in 2023 after a more than 18-month battle with cancer, the song strikes a universal chord that transcends his own harrowing experience and rockets it straight into the stratosphere of mass catharsis. And in the algebra of popcraft, mass catharsis equals a great song.

It’s a musical send-off that’s neither maudlin nor morbid—just one of the qualities that make it feel like a ready-made hit. The weighty subject matter notwithstanding, “Still in My Heart” remains both uplifting and irresistibly catchy, due in large part to its invigorating, light-headed bounce. Von’s already youthful voice keeps leaping excitedly into falsetto as the rhythm simply skips along beneath him, turning what could be a defeated dirge into a hand-on-heart pledge of eternal gratitude. All the while, the meticulous production by Luca Caracciolo boosts and augments the song’s vocal/guitar core with keyboard accents and other embellishments that are applied tastefully in all the right places.

Most important, the lyrics convey their fond farewells in a way that’s generalized enough to resonate with anyone who’s experiencing grief over just about anything—not just death, but the sad end to a relationship of any kind:

I wanna be with you
After all that we’ve been through
I know that you’re far
But you’re in my heart
We still have forever
And for now, I’ll just settle
It’s been kinda hard
But I won’t fall apart
You’re still in my heart

“It’s always hard losing someone in your life, but I had never imagined I would be without my mom, my best friend, at the age of 25,” Von muses. The ordeal was so preoccupying that this natural talent—who had been playing music since he was 8—didn’t write any new material the entire time she was sick. But four months after she had passed, he sat down with an acoustic guitar, and the number poured out of him in the course of just about an hour.

“This song came as a blessing to me, which I believe was sent from my mom to me from heaven,” he says.

It wasn’t until he had given the tune a couple of dry runs at shows, however, that he realized he had something truly special on his hands:
“I performed the song live a couple times when it was unreleased, and the reaction that I received from audiences was surreal. I knew I had to record this song and have it released.”

Now it’s the fourth single in Von’s ever-expanding catalog of solo music, joining prior entries like his debut, “Crazy,” and the subsequent “Help with Something,” which he wrote and recorded as a tribute to his parents. Yes, family has always been a big deal to this Toronto kid. From 2018 to 2020, he performed as part of duo, Sarah Jordan and Matt Von, with one of his two sisters. They were a popular recording act and a regular presence at local events and festivals until the day Von decided to strike out on his own. As a solo artist, he’s cultivated a distinctive sound that seeds his pop/acoustic roots with hints of country and gospel.

“Still in My Heart” is the first addition to his released repertoire in three years. And as a proven crowd-pleaser, it’s bound to be a staple of his live sets as he continues his regular schedule of appearances at Ontario-area venues, where he regularly wows the crowd with a winning mixture of originals and covers.

“I want this song to be a tribute to my mom, and how much of an incredible person she was,” he says. “I would not be where I am today without her love, guidance and nurturing heart. She was my biggest fan and best friend. I continue to live my life today through her memory.”

And that isn’t just a promise he’s made to himself.

“I will never forget what my mom said to me just before she passed: ‘Don’t ever stop doing what you love.’ I won’t, Mom. I promise. I love you. You’re still in my heart.”

Pianist And Singer-Songwriter Jeffery Straker Releases Sincere New Single “The Time You’ve Got”

Eric Alper
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Pianist And Singer-Songwriter Jeffery Straker Releases Sincere New Single “The Time You’ve Got”

Life’s highest highs often accompany its lowest lows. Regina, Saskatchewan pianist and singer-songwriter Jeffery Straker knows this well. He’s opening up about some of the lessons he’s recently learned on his new single, “The Time You’ve Got,” out everywhere now.

“In the past five years I’ve watched both of my parents pass away,” Straker shares. “I’ve also found love in my partner of four years, Michael. Losing my parents has made me reflect on where it is that I was born, then decided to leave, and then felt drawn back to in recent years. All throughout this I’ve become cognizant of time: how precious it is and how important it is to use it wisely.”

Co-written with Beverley Mahood and Mac Shepherd, “The Time You’ve Got” reflects on that ever-profound common refrain of the bereaved– That we have to appreciate every day that we’ve got. Straker and Mahood were initially inspired to write the song while co-hosting the annual Telemiracle Telethon on CTV, where they both shared a profound sense of awe witnessing Canadians contribute their hard earned dollars to a good cause.

The single is the third off Straker’s upcoming album Great Big Sky, following “Brand New Light” and “Sing Your Song.” On Great Big Sky, Straker shares his story as Saskatchewan’s prodigal son in his signature folk-roots style, with eight self-penned tracks and two co-written with Nashville-based producer Steve Dawson. The full album will be released everywhere this July.

“In spite of the deep loss I’ve experienced,” Straker concludes, “an optimistic tone rings from these songs and I think it comes from gratitude. I feel lucky to have been raised in a beautiful place by wonderful parents. I’m lucky to be from and to call the prairies home. A place that reminds, inspires, lifts, and grounds me. Great Big Sky is about being lost and then being found again, it’s a whisper painted on a giant canvas, and the gratitude for not knowing all the answers but being able to ask all the questions.”

Jeffery Straker is a celebrated pianist and singer/songwriter hailing from small-town Saskatchewan. He received his licentiate diploma in piano performance from Trinity College, London when he was just 19, and has gone on to perform over 100 shows per year across Canada, Europe and Latin America. His music has been featured on CBC radio’s ‘Canada Live’, and he has twice been recognized as the Saskatchewan Music Awards Roots/Folk Artist of the Year.

Married Singer-Songwriters Marc Jordan And Amy Sky Show Off An Enduring Love On “Into You”

Eric Alper
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Married Singer-Songwriters Marc Jordan And Amy Sky Show Off An Enduring Love On “Into You”

It’s one thing for a couple to stay together for decades while plying their trade in different corners of the same business. It’s another for them to collaborate on a project that celebrates the durability of their bond with the deepest sincerity. And it’s still another thing entirely for them to sit on that document for a quarter century, then have it feel as fresh and honest as a newly written wedding vow when it finally does come out.

“Into You,” the new single by married singer-songwriters Marc Jordan and Amy Sky, is just such a wonder. Written in 1999 as a song for the hard-working pair to duet on during one of their rare shows together, it’s only now seeing the light of day in recorded form—ironically, as an appetizer for a tandem concert tour they’re undertaking as a rare treat for their fans. But no matter the era or context, the song is a showcase for the writing skills the duo have honed crafting hits for the likes of Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Chicago, Olivia Newton-John, Heart, Reba McEntire, Joe Cocker, Bette Midler, Bonnie Raitt, Cher and Cyndi Lauper. Just as important, it’s a testament to why they work so splendidly as singing partners when they can manage it. Whether they’re trading lines or doubling up, Jordan’s jazz-trained voice meshes perfectly with Sky’s earthier, more intuitive approach as they lob mutual-appreciation tributes like “You tattooed your name on my skin/ And I can’t get back if I wanted to.”

“If you look at the lyrics and you know our writing styles, you can see who wrote what,” Jordan says. “I like to write with visual metaphors like ‘I see the signs/ I know that Jupiter aligns with Mars/ It’s clear to me our destiny was written in the stars/ and gravity is pulling you closer to me.’ And Amy uses more personal, interior language: ‘And I breathe you out and I breathe you in/ I don’t know where you stop and baby I begin.’”

The couple says the tune was influenced by their shared love of Southern California rock, but it also has an alt/roots feel that’s held up nicely over the years. The minor tonalities are met by refreshingly dark timbres, with some full-bodied acoustic guitar playing against electrics whose trebly bite keeps the lyrical theme of undying devotion from coming across as particularly saccharin.

In a further irony, this paean to simpatico-hood was written at a time when Jordan and Sky were spending plenty of time apart. Sure, they would write together incessantly, but when it came to taking performing gigs, they agreed that someone always had to be home to look after their then-young offspring. And there was another, just as sensible reason for them to maintain somewhat of a professional distance:

“One of the reasons we’ve had a long and successful marriage is that we’re in the same business but in very different departments,” Sky says. “We write with many of the same people, but we try not to collaborate too much. We aim to be a support to each other, rather than being the person causing you work problems.”

They’ve certainly racked up enough successes on their own. Jordan’s forays into jazz/pop won him a Juno Award in 1993 for his record Reckless Valentine and a nomination for 2019’s Both Sides, while Sky explored New Age/spiritual terrain with Olivia Newton-John on albums like Grace and Gratitude and Christmas Wish.

When they overcame their misgivings about working too closely together long enough to record and release 2022’s He Sang She Sang, the results were just as stellar. Boasting their renditions of classics like “Free Fallin’” and “Always on My Mind” plus five original compositions, the album was nominated for “Best Adult Contemporary Album” at the 2023 Junos. It also got plenty of radio and streaming play, appearing on many highly ranked playlists.

Now they’re taking the show on the road via a tour of Southern Ontario —their first road jaunt together since 2016—with “Into You” freshly rescued from their archives as an extra, non-album inducement. Dates are as follows:

May 1 Kingston – Grand Theatre
May 3 Orillia – Opera House
May 4 Milton – First Ontario Arts Centre
May 5 London – Aeolian Hall
May 6 Peterborough – Showplace Performance Centre
May 7 Ancaster – Memorial Arts Centre – Peller Hall
May 9 Oshawa – Regent Theatre
May 10 Meaford – Meaford Hall Arts & Cultural Centre
May 11 Guelph – River Run Centre
May 13 St. Catharines – Partridge Hall, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

As their touring keyboardist and opening act, Jordan and Sky have enlisted their son, Ezra Jordan, now a singer-songwriter based in Nashville. Yes, he’s one of the two children the couple were so careful to mind back when “Into You” was new. And now their audience gets to see the benefits of growing up with at least one highly musical parent in the household at all times.

“Even though everyone in the family is a musician, I can count the number of times we’ve all played together in a professional capacity on one hand,” says Ezra (who also contributed keys and backing vocals to He Sang She Sang.) “I feel very grateful to have the chance to work with my parents not just as a family member, but as a peer, and to get the chance to stretch my creative muscles in a variety of ways that so few gigs can offer.”

To his mom, the tour is the capper to a recording/performing campaign that’s been a true labor of love between her and her husband—one that might not be repeated any time soon.
“We are both very busy with our own projects, so we may never do an album together again,” Sky says. “This will be a unique opportunity for people to hear us together.”

Canada’s Teen Jam Coming To Toronto’s TD Music Hall – Auditions Open Now

Eric Alper
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Canada’s Teen Jam Coming To Toronto’s TD Music Hall – Auditions Open Now

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 aware of the immense talent and creativity that can be developed during that wonderful time of life.

Canada’s Teen Jam’s Discovery Program has proven hugely successful in uniting undiscovered musical teens and providing high-level opportunities such as performing on the same concert stages used by iconic Canadian music stars, and absorbing the professional world that surrounds them!

Back in July, Canada’s Teen Jam hosted its inaugural launch at the Wayback Festival in Kitchener ON, receiving a whopping 300 submissions in their search for teen talent. Now, Canada’s Teen Jam has acquired a major Sponsor, United Van Lines Canada, for a multi-year deal!

Last year’s finalist, 15-year-old rock guitar wiz Brandon Ahmet will be flown, all expenses paid to Miami Beach to perform at United Van Lines’ convention.

Teen Jam was created by Mark Higgins, producer, and founder of Big Music Fests, which has featured A-listers including Aerosmith, Bryan Adams, Soundgarden, The Tragically Hip, Slash, ZZ Top and many more legendary acts.

“When musical teens experience this level of excellence, they develop a great sense of worth, and a clearer path to fulfilling their dreams,” said Higgins. “Teen musical growth is essential for the future of our music industry! Canada’s Teen Jam will help in creating the next wall of sound.”

Teens ages 13 to 19 can submit video performances here, along with a $10 submission fee. Cash prizes will be awarded for the best performances – $1,000 in the band category, and $500 for the solo-artist category. All sounds and musical styles are encouraged, as well as both original songs and covers. More information can also be found on Canada’s Teen Jam’s Instagram and TikTok.

Ottawa Singer/Songwriter Jeff Rogers Releases New Lyric Video For “Lock & Key”

Eric Alper
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Ottawa Singer/Songwriter Jeff Rogers Releases New Lyric Video For “Lock & Key”

It’s been quite wild ride for Ottawa roots singer/songwriter and keyboard player Jeff Rogers over the past 6 months.

Last fall he had the thrill of opening for The Legendary Downchild Blues Band on their sold-out Ontario theatre tour, to great response. The February 16, 2024, American and international release of his new album Dream Job, recorded in the revered music mecca of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, helped the album hit Top 5 on the Roots Music Report Canada Album Chart alongside The Dead South on March 30, 2024. Stellar album reviews south of the border from respected magazines like Downbeat and praise from Billboard Canada as “one to watch in 2024”, have helped put Jeff Rogers on the map internationally.

With the buzz building, Rogers is set to release his brand-new lyric video for his first single “Lock & Key.”

“Lock & Key is a song that captures the excitement I feel coming home from the road to see my partner. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and there’s honest appreciation in the lyrics with a hint of rose-coloured glasses masking a fear that one might have been gone too long. The rhythm and music represent the more primal longing upon return. It’s a fun song, and the band is electric, especially Kelvin Holly on guitar,” says Rogers.

“I wanted to approach this song with a jam vibe, the chords aren’t complex, it really is about the train rolling down the tracks. This is one of the songs that benefited the most from being down in Muscle Shoals, utilizing musicians who breathe that bluesy southern rock vibe. As soon as we counted it in, we clicked with the right attitude, and Kelvin dug in. It was a super fun jam. A couple days later, Clayton Ivey came in the studio and put the finishing touches on the rhythm section with some well seasoned B3, and it all really came together. It was so fun having these guys on my album and listening to them add their own spices in the mix. Wishbone Studio has an incredible room, spacious and warm with all the vintage toys you need to capture that Alabama sound.”

Jeff Rogers unmistakably soulful voice often evokes weighty comparisons to the past – whether that’s Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles or even Otis Redding, yet, his tone, range, phrasing, and sincerity, all make him unmistakably contemporary – and totally original.

On his new album Dream Job, Jeff is accompanied by some legendary musicians, including Kelvin Holly (Little Richard, Bobby Bland etc.), Clayton Ivey (The Staple Sisters, Thelma Houston), Justin Holder (Keb Mo’, Delbert McClinton) and Shonna Tucker (Booker T. Jones, Drive-By-Truckers). Dream Job features special guest appearances by Grammy Award winner, Colin Linden, and Juno Award winning singer, Kellylee Evans.

Jackman and Reynolds share the screen again – What’s the verdict this time?

Eric Alper
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By Mitch Rice

Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, two of the world’s most prominent actors and greatest assets within the Marvel space, make the headlines again following the debut of the official trailer that discloses them sharing the screen in what’s about to be one of the year’s biggest cinematic hits. Deadpool & Wolverine, scheduled to launch on the 26th of July of this year, see Deadpool cross paths with Wolverine, each preoccupied with their own struggles. While the latter is recovering from the pain caused by the relative’s death, it appears that a heroic desire still lingers on, which later takes the form of a partnership aiming to take their common enemy down. The two actors are foretold to quadruple the remunerations received by blockbuster actors Cillian Murphy and Margot Robbie, so at least from this POV, you can rest assured knowing the looming release will be as great as Oppenheimer and Barbie. 

So, what don’t we know, and what should you discover already, especially if you’ve been missing the latest updates? Let’s keep you posted! 

Rumors fly about similarities between Logan in X-Men ’97 and the forthcoming character

Ever since the Deadpool & Wolverine trailer dropped and started a craze, impatient enthusiasts have been rolling their dice at the variant of Logan that Hugh Jackman will impersonate. Many hypotheses have been circulating, among which one stands out as a definite jaw-dropper. The latest trailer release depicted Wolverine as a character from a realm abounding in disillusion and portraying Jackman’s utter regret for his past wrongdoings. 

While the Logan you’ve seen in the X-Men movies has bit the dust in Laura’s arms, the one you’re about to look at, which has been featured in the trailer, may impersonate Wolverine from an unknown universe, where he and Reynolds’ Deadpool cross paths. According to Matthew MacFadyen, alias Paradox, Wolverine has disappointed his world, and the desire to be a hero is thus gone. 

Moreover, a new Logan has been front and center lately. The hero from X-Men: The Animated Series is seen passing through a massacre on the sanctuary and homeland of mutants, depicting X-Men’s processing of the pain resulting from their kinsmen’s demise. A Reddit user spurred off debate following his post that correlates the Genosha massacre with the Logan seen in Deadpool & Wolverine and X-Men ’97. It’s crystal clear where much of the hype is, therefore, coming from.  

Some facts not everyone knows surface 

The world’s been awash in comics and science-fiction creations to date, which are often satisfactory for a specific category of consumers. Besides the lovers of movie watching, there are content creators, memorabilia collectors, marketers, and other categories of people who keep tabs on the Marvel Comics and MCU releases for entirely different reasons than bewildering their cinephiles. 

These companies’ hobbyists have expressed their passion by collecting specific items and displaying or holding them for auctions in the long term. Wolverine fans are now finding interest in Deadpool-based content, such as the Deadpool Funko range that’s been rising in demand after the trailer hit earlier this year. 

As you will discover, the essentials about the movie aren’t just boiling down to the well-awaited launch later this summer. There are more exciting things you should find, which is why we’re offering you a rundown of the fun facts that wow anyone.

The comics clear out the waters 

The relationship in the comics will give you bountiful insights so you can clear out any perplexity witnessed following the movie. Wolverine and Deadpool engaged in a fight that had both almost terminated, seeing the latter’s attempts to drown the former in a pool. Nevertheless, Daken stepped in to draw Deadpool back and save his father’s life. Fans didn’t discover this verdict until the comics disclosed the altercation and its conclusion years later, or long enough to keep the more significant part of movie consumers in a nebulosity. 

Fans expect to be left speechless 

The movie adaptations of Wolverine and Deadpool, bound to share the screen in the forthcoming blockbuster, foretell a change of dynamics between Marvel’s most terrific antiheroes. Nevertheless, the memorable duo has made a reputation for weathering the storms in the comics, and fans are now expecting a just as intense and mind-boggling conclusion to hit the big screen later this year. 

Finally, we know who will play Cassandra Nova

According to the latest disclosures, Emma Corrin, alias Lady Diana Spencer in Netflix-based “The Crown,” will play the villain in the forthcoming MCU release. The news has long been kept a secret, and chances are that many viewers will be caught by surprise, given the little time left until Deadpool 3 debuts.

The tenth apparition – and possibly the most impactful 

Hugh Jackman, the veteran behind Wolverine, is making his tenth appearance in Deadpool and Wolverine. This time, he’s entertaining the public with a comic-accurate garment and a fight with loudmouth Deadpool, so you can expect the cinematic release to be filled with laughter and suspense. Likely, the duo could irremediably alter the destiny of the MCU with a range of breath-taking elements after the many swirling rumors and leaks reached the ears of the least connected individuals. 

The movie could overtake “Joker”

The duo isn’t treated lightly. According to estimates, the star-studded iconic film can outshine” Joker”, the current holder of the title of the highest-grossing R-rated movie to date. While the latter boasts a whopping $1.08 billion, Deadpool and Wolverine could crack $1 billion. That’s undoubtedly a lot; but when considering the big names starring in the creation, it’s safe to say that the amount starts to make sense!

Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.

 

Alt.Rocker Gary Edward Allen Reaches Out To His Inner Child on “First Day of School Part 1”

Eric Alper
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Alt.Rocker Gary Edward Allen Reaches Out To His Inner Child on “First Day of School Part 1”

Bluesy, twangy and reflective, Gary Edward Allen’s “First Day of School Part 1” – available now – is an ode to one’s inner child and the immutable person within us.

“I like the idea of being true to yourself and knowing that the core of you is just as true at seven as it at 27 or 54 or however old you are,” Allen says.

If I could run away …. but not to follow
I’m so easily led astray …
Once I passed a note to the child I once was…

The lyrics are sparse, with the music – introspective, brooding, and then sunny – conveying most of the feeling and message. Allen originally wrote the song for a band he was in called Ottaway Broder Allen, and it was written as an homage to childhood and reincarnation. It’s a song about feeling like you’ve been here before, as well as about true love – with a bit of an apocalyptic twist.

“I remember when my old band recorded it, I explained, ‘Yeah, it’s about living many lives, constantly searching for your soulmate, finding them, and then the Rapture comes and you look at your soulmate and say, ‘Ok, we’ve been searching for each other for many lifetimes, we finally found each other, and now we need to get the f*ck out of dodge before the Rapture comes.’”

That was back in 2014, and Allen’s bandmates looked at him like he was more than a little bit crazy. However, now in 2024 on the heels of a pandemic, “First Day of School Part 1” seems pretty darn prescient.

For the song’s “new and improved” version, Allen recorded the track with Tim Bovaconti and AJ Ottaway, and the song is split into three separate sections. The wholly instrumental “First Day of School Part 2” was released on YouTube a little less than a year ago, and Part 3 might also eventually be in the works. “Stay tuned,” Allen says mischievously.

“I didn’t deliberately record it out of order, but after I did the rough tracks for the entire thing, I was very much in a lead guitar frame of mind, so that [Part 2] got finished first,” he explains.

Gary Edward Allen started playing guitar at seven years old before falling in love with it as a teenager after listening to Queen and KISS. After a brief stint in a music class, he taught himself different guitar playing styles using his love of different music genres. By his early 20s, he gradually overcame his performance shyness by playing live in Ottawa at various clubs.

After moving to Vancouver in the mid ’90s, Allen took a hiatus from performing live, but never stopped playing the guitar and singing. When Allen entered his 40s, he decided to return to performing music after meeting indie artist Robb Hill. Not long afterwards, he would record his first songs with producer Doug Fury before meeting AJ Ottaway and Jake Broder and recording their debut album Ottaway Broder Allen. This would lead to a local tour in Vancouver as well as a second album, Invictus, that was made and released in 2015.

Sometime after Allen moved from Vancouver to Toronto and met his partner Tara (also from Ottawa, but as fate would have it, they didn’t meet while in the city), the band called it quits. By 2017, Allen would become a solo artist that collaborated with his former bandmate AJ mixing new songs and recording with producer Tim Bovaconti.

Survivalist Extraordinaire Les Stroud Drops Earth-Shattering Single ‘Ancients Call’

Eric Alper
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Survivalist Extraordinaire Les Stroud Drops Earth-Shattering Single ‘Ancients Call’

Les Stroud, the renowned Rock musician from Huntsville, Ontario, is proud to announce the release of his newest single, “Ancients Call,” – available now.

This impactful and moving song breaks through musical limits, encouraging listeners to rekindle their bond with the earth and the knowledge of their ancestors. Ancients Call is more than a mere track; it’s a deep dive into Stroud’s spiritual and emotional exploration, inspired by earth ceremonies around the world.

Drawing inspiration from the survival expert’s adventures while filming the series Beyond Survival, Ancients Call mirrors his immersion into numerous earth ceremonies, from Ayahuasca and San Pedro rituals to ceremonies honouring the elements and Incan high priests.

“These ancients are there, always, watching and waiting and available to us to communicate with, to learn from, and to seek out wisdom,” explains Stroud. “They know where we are going because we are already there. There is no time in their existence as there is no time in ours. We are not linear. I did, as I always seem to do, want to finish off lyrically in a positive place. In a place with hope. ‘But the earth can heal and so can I”.

Ancients Call highlights the collaborative genius of Bryan Potvin and Ian Auger, crafting a complex soundscape from Stroud’s African chant-inspired melody. Enhanced by heavy guitars and dynamic compositions, Kelly Adams adds ethereal vocals as Mother Earth and producer Mike Clink elevates the intensity, drawing from his famed work with Guns N’ Roses.

This latest single serves as a bridge between Stroud’s musical pursuits and his survivalist passions. “I absolutely love that this whole musical extravaganza, as bombastic and big as it is, is, to me, reminiscent of every prog rock band I have ever loved; Rush, Yes, King Crimson and of course Peter Gabriel,” he proclaims.

Known for his survival skills and engaging TV persona, Les Stroud has solidified himself as a versatile musician. His significant works, “Mother Earth” and “Bittern Lake,” re-released and remastered under the expertise of legendary producer Mike Clink, feature collaborations with renowned artists such as Slash and Steve Vai, showcasing Stroud’s diverse musical range.

His captivating live shows connect music with wilderness tales, reflecting his passion, versatility, and environmental commitment, solidifying his musical innovation. It’s more than just music; it’s an experience that inspires and awakens the adventurer in us all.

RUTH MOODY, The Wailin’ Jennys Co-Founder Releases “Already Free” From Upcoming Wanderer Album

Eric Alper
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RUTH MOODY, The Wailin’ Jennys Co-Founder Releases “Already Free” From Upcoming Wanderer Album

Today, Ruth Moody is releasing the second single from Wanderer, her first new album in over a decade. Moody’s clear soprano soars on “Already Free,“ a song Moody says is “for anyone who is ready to let go of the weight they are carrying and be free.

“I wrote the lyrics during the pandemic This was me, saying ‘I’m not coping well, I’m losing my grip’ and finding strength in that admission. It’s a song about that moment of reckoning, that acceptance of vulnerability and surrender that ultimately helps us to find our resilience. “

Wanderer is the long-awaited solo album from the Canadian singer-songwriter, known as a founding and current member of Billboard-charting and JUNO-award winning folk trio, The Wailin’ Jennys. Recorded at Sound Emporium in Nashville, the self-penned 10-song album was co-produced by Moody and Dan Knobler (Allison Russell, Lake Street Dive) and mixed by Tucker Martine (Madison Cunningham, First Aid Kit) and will be released May 17 on Moody’s Blue Muse Records via True North Records.

Open-tuned guitars (inspired by Moody’s heroes, Joni Mitchell and Laura Marling), provide the backdrop for soaring pedal steel and the otherworldly vocals and the intricate harmonies we’ve come to expect from Moody. She brought together her favorite musicians for the recordings, enhanced by the rich echo-chamber reverb of the legendary Nashville studio. Musicians including her partner, Sam Howard, who plays upright bass and provides backing vocals, her older brother Richard Moody (“He’s played on every record I’ve ever made”), Jennys’ touring member Anthony da Costa, (guitars), Jason Burger (drums), Kai Welch (Keyboards); Russ Pahl (pedal steel), Adrian Dolan (string arrangements) and duet partner Joey Landreth on “The Spell of the Lilac Bloom.”

The result is a transcendent collection of ten deeply powerful and personal songs that reflect Moody’s inner world and wanderings. Wanderer explores the emotional journey of motherhood, the joy and pain of life, the mysterious and complicated dance of love, and ultimately the longing we all feel for home, wherever that might be.

RUTH MOODY BAND TOUR: 
May 21 Annapolis, MD – Ram’s Head
May 22 Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
May 23 Alexandria, VA – The Birchmere
May 25 New York, NY – Joe’s Pub
May 26 State College, PA – State Theatre
May 28 Evanston, IL – SPACE
May 29 Milwaukee, WI – Vivarium
May 30 Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage May 31 Nashville, TN – TBA
Jul 11-14 Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Folk Festival
*More dates to be announced soon

Hard Rock Titans THE SPACE BETWEEN Unleash Powerful New Single ‘Crooked & Hollow’

Eric Alper
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Hard Rock Titans THE SPACE BETWEEN Unleash Powerful New Single ‘Crooked & Hollow’

The Canadian hard rock powerhouse hailing from Ottawa, Ontario, The Space Between, known for its articulate riffs, powerful melodies, and aggressive rhythms is excited to announce the release of their newest single, “Crooked & Hollow” – available now.

Crooked & Hollow delves into the introspective journey of lead vocalist and lyricist Maryn Pegan, exploring themes of self-perception and grappling with personal demons. “The title ‘Crooked & Hollow’ sparked images of looking into a mirror and not recognizing oneself,” says Pegan.

This song serves as a cathartic outlet for angst and anger, fueled by Pegan’s personal battles with self-confidence, a struggle that resonates with many young people.

“I wanted the chorus to just explode with desperate exclamations using the word “I”; using “I” in conjunction with negative words, such as “can’t” and “don’t,” Pegan reflects. “It really was quite a powerful thing for me in the end, as all of those negative feelings feel much smaller when you can use them to create a work like this that you’re proud of.”

During an informal jam session, guitarist James Shaheen and drummer Tom Sergi established the instrumental foundation, showcasing the band’s spontaneous creativity.

“I don’t even think we were trying to write at the time when we came up with this tune,” Shaheen recalls. “Sometimes Tom and I will just jam for a few minutes when the rest of the band is getting set up, and this song just came out of one of those practice jams. I played that opening riff and Tom just jumped in.”

The track draws from a diverse range of musical influences, paying tribute to rock icons like Queen of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme and Dream Theater’s drummer, backing vocalist and co-founder Mike Portnoy. Sergi’s drum intro echoes Portnoy’s unique fills, setting a commanding tone for the piece. Additionally, the song honours Sergi’s favourite parts from The Rev, Unholy Confessions (Avenged Sevenfold), especially evident in its climactic drum section.

Since the band’s beginning in 2022, The Space Between has bravely blended genres and challenged industry norms. “Crooked & Hollow” is proof of their changing sound and strong dedication to authenticity.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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