The next Record Store Day will be on Saturday, April 20th. Be sure to save that date on your calendars for the largest single-day music event in the world, taking place at a record store near you.
Even if you don’t have a release officially connected with the event, you can still get involved as an artist, unofficially, of course.
Store Visits: Artists can visit local record stores on Record Store Day to show their support, browse through records, and interact with fans and store staff.
Social Media Shoutouts: Artists can use their social media platforms to promote Record Store Day, share their favorite record stores, and encourage their followers to participate.
Playlist Recommendations: Artists can create and share playlists of their favorite records or songs on streaming platforms, highlighting the importance of exploring and appreciating physical music.
Online Q&A Sessions: Artists can host live Q&A sessions on platforms like Instagram or Twitter, where they can answer questions from fans about music, records, and their own musical journey.
Collaborate with Record Stores: Artists can collaborate with record stores to curate special sections or displays featuring their favorite albums or genres, adding a personal touch to the store’s offerings.
Record Store Day Playlists: Artists can create special playlists specifically for Record Store Day, showcasing songs that have inspired them or tracks from fellow artists they admire.
Promote Independent Record Stores: Artists can use their platform to promote independent record stores in their area or online, emphasizing the importance of supporting local businesses.
Share Personal Stories: Artists can share personal stories or memories related to record stores and vinyl records, creating a connection with fans and emphasizing the cultural significance of these spaces.
Collaborate with Fans: Artists can encourage fans to share their own Record Store Day experiences, vinyl collections, or favorite finds on social media using a specific hashtag, creating a community around the event.
Host Virtual Events: Artists can host virtual events like listening parties, discussions, or live performances on Record Store Day, bringing the celebration online and engaging with fans from around the world.
By getting involved in these unofficial ways, artists can show their support for Record Store Day, celebrate the culture of physical music, and connect with fans and the broader music community.
Today, Dashboard Confessional, announced their Fall Tour 2024 featuring special guests BOYS LIKE GIRLS and Taylor Acorn. Produced by Live Nation, the 28-city tour kicks off on September 10 at Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park, NJ making stops across the U.S. in New York, Los Angeles, Houston and more before wrapping up in Irving, TX at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory on October 27.
Initially founded as an acoustic solo project by singer-songwriter/guitarist Chris Carrabba, Dashboard Confessional stands tall at the vanguard of an entire musical scene, adored for its groundbreaking sound and respected for its unwavering candor. Dashboard Confessional made an immediate impact with 2000’s The Swiss Army Romance, earning the Florida-based Carrabba applause and a passionate fan following for his intimate and intensely heartfelt songcraft. Carrabba expanded Dashboard Confessional into a full-fledged band with the following year’s RIAA Gold-certified The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most. The album proved a national breakthrough, fueled by seemingly nonstop touring as well as the now-classic hit single, “Screaming Infidelities,” the companion video for which received the influential MTV2 Award at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards. Dashboard Confessional was suddenly a sensation, with high profile late night TV appearances and a string of increasingly bigger headline tours. 2002’s MTV Unplugged 2.0 furthered the band’s rising popularity, garnering them their first RIAA Platinum certification and first #1 album on Billboard’s “Heatseekers” and “Top Independent Albums” charts. Dashboard Confessional ascended even higher with 2003’s A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar. The album – which made a top 3 debut on the overall Billboard 200 – saw Carrabba developing his singular sound with more expansive arrangements that earned praise from such outlets as Rolling Stone, which hailed it as “easily the toughest, most assured music Carrabba’s ever made, summing up the vulnerable charisma that has made him a cult idol for fans who crave the kind of emotional realness that has totally disappeared from the mainstream-rock assembly line.”
With the wind at his back, Carrabba drove Dashboard Confessional through a series of chart-topping and critically acclaimed studio albums, soundtrack contributions, festival appearances, and sold-out headline tours. The band’s legacy was explored on a number of deluxe editions, re-recordings, and career-spanning greatest hits collection, 2020’s The Best Ones of The Best Ones. But after two extraordinary decades, Dashboard Confessional almost came to a screeching halt following Carrabba’s near-fatal motorcycle accident in the terrible summer of 2020, leaving him unsure of his band’s future. Thankfully, Dashboard Confessional’s ninth studio album, 2022’s All The Truth That I Can Tell, proved among their finest yet, both as cathartic achievement of Carrabba’s vision and a vital burst of artistic clarity. The band celebrated with multiple tours (including a hugely successful co-headline runs with Jimmy Eat World, Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness, and Counting Crows), global live streaming events, and top-billed performances at such festivals as Las Vegas, NV’s first-ever When We Were Young. The summer of 2024 now sees Carrabba and Dashboard Confessional continuing their unstoppable calling with a fresh round of ceaseless roadwork, with upcoming highlights including the eagerly awaited “Once More with Feeling(s) The Dashboard Confessional Emo Superjam” at Manchester, TN’s Bonnaroo and a number of headline festival performances culminating in a triumphant return to When We Were Young for a full-album performance of 2006’s beloved fourth studio album, Dusk and Summer.
DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL FALL 2024 TOUR DATES:
Tue Sep 10 — Asbury Park, NJ — Stone Pony Summer Stage
Wed Sep 11 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Thu Sep 12 — New York, NY — The Rooftop at Pier 17
Sat Sep 14 — Wallingford, CT — Toyota Oakdale Theatre#
Sun Sep 15 — Philadelphia, PA — The Met
Tue Sep 17 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
Wed Sep 18 — Grand Rapids, MI — GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Fri Sep 20 – Columbus, OH – KEMBA Live!
Sat Sep 21 — St Louis, MO — The Pageant
Sun Sep 22 — Indianapolis, IN — Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
Tue Sep 24 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha
Wed Sep 25 — Des Moines, IA — Val Air Ballroom
Thu Sep 26 — Minneapolis, MN — Uptown Theater
Sat Sep 28 — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
Fri Oct 04 — San Diego, CA — SOMA
Sat Oct 05 — Anaheim, CA — House Of Blues
Sun Oct 06 — Los Angeles, CA — Hollywood Palladium
Wed Oct 09 — Wheatland, CA — Hard Rock Live Sacramento
Fri Oct 11 – Forest Grove, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge
Sat Oct 12 — Spokane, WA — The Podium
Sun Oct 13 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo
Tue Oct 15 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Complex
Wed Oct 16 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
Sat Oct 19 – Las Vegas, NV – When We Were Young Festival%
Sun Oct 20 – Las Vegas, NV – When We Were Young Festival%
Tue Oct 22 — Phoenix, AZ — Arizona Financial Theatre
Wed Oct 23 — Albuquerque, NM — Revel Entertainment Center
Fri Oct 25 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center
Sat Oct 26 — Austin, TX — Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
Sun Oct 27 — Irving, TX — The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
#Without BOYS LIKE GIRLS
% Festival Date
The Black Keys have announced a 2024 North American headline tour – International Players Tour – in support of their new album, Ohio Players, out April 5th. The 31-date run, produced by Live Nation, kicks off in Tulsa, OK on September 17 and travels across the country to cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, with two dates in the band’s home -state of Ohio. The Head and The Heart will be joining the tour as direct support for select shows.
The tour announcement follows two stand-out performances by The Black Keys at SXSW earlier this month, where they also debuted their new documentary This is a Film About The Black Keys to rave reviews. Ahead of this leg of the tour, The Black Keys will head to Europe to debut their brand-new live show. Tickets for the UK and Europe shows are on-sale now.
Ohio Players is set to be an album unlike any of the band’s others, featuring collaborations with friends and colleagues, including Beck, Noel Gallagher, Dan the Automator, Greg Kurstin, Juicy J, Lil Noid, and others. Listeners have gotten a taste of what to expect from the new project with the lead single, “Beautiful People (Stay High),” that recently reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart and AAA Airplay charts, and additional offerings “This Is Nowhere” and “I Forgot to Be Your Lover.” Based on these releases, Stereogum comments, “The Black Keys are entering another pop crossover phase.” In its four-star review, Mojo said, “This is the most streamlined and tunes-packed Black Keys album since El Camino. The sound of a band rejuvenated.” Pre-order Ohio Players here.
The Black Keys – 2024 International Players Tour
Date City Venue
September 17* Tulsa, OK Austin, TX
September 18* BOK Center Moody Center
September 20 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
September 21* Houston, TX Toyota Center
September 24 Denver, CO Ball Arena
September 26* Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center
September 27* Los Angeles, CA Kia Forum
September 28* Palm Desert, CA Acrisure Arena
September 29*^ Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
October 2 Portland, OR Moda Center
October 3 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
October 10* Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
October 11* Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
October 12* Cleveland, OH Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
October 13* Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
October 16* Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
October 18* Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
October 19* Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena
October 21* Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
October 23 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
October 24* Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
October 26* Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 27* Knoxville, TN Food City Center
October 30* New York, NY Madison Square Garden
November 1 Boston, MA TD Garden
November 2* Baltimore, MD CFG Bank Arena
November 3 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
November 7* Chicago, IL United Center
November 9* Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum
November 10 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
November 12* Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
* With supporting act The Head and The Heart
Billy F Gibbons explains why ZZ Top chose to adopt their trademark beard look. “Our first official release for Warner Brothers contained a photograph on the little sleeve inside the 12in long playing album. Actually the only evidence of Frank beard with a beard is hiding in inside of that record. He quickly grabbed the razor and went to town, but for Dusty and I, what started out as a disguise turned into a trademark.”
BACARDÍ rum announces pop superstar Camila Cabello as the new face of the brand, kicking off a multi-year partnership under the BACARDÍ global Do What Moves You platform. In her first-ever spirits collaboration, the multihyphenate artist stars in a sensational campaign spot set to her new song “I LUV IT,” now available on all major streaming platforms. This is the first single off her highly anticipated fourth album arriving this summer, C, XOXO.
“I’m beyond excited to be partnering with BACARDÍ. I’ve always thought of BACARDÍ as the quintessential rum brand,” said Camila Cabello. “To me, BACARDÍ is synonymous with the spirit of the Caribbean and, of course, good cocktails and a great party. The campaign we worked on is unlike any project I’ve done before. I can’t wait for fans to experience it.”
The BACARDÍ campaign is a celebration of the vibrant spirit of Cabello’s new music and the brand’s longstanding passion for bringing together community through movement and self-expression. The creative was captured by director Nicolás Méndez, Co-Founder of CANADA and a go-to director for international hitmakers including Rosalia, Travis Scott, and Tame Impala. His cinematic and irreverent vision, developed in partnership with BBDO New York, features the popstar moving to the beat of her infectious new track. Soundwaves from the song begin to pulsate from the radio onto the street, and eventually culminate in a joyous, communal block party complete with BACARDÍ cocktails. The choreography was brought to life by Marine Brutti, Jonathan Debrouwer, and Arthur Hare of (LA)HORDE, while Cabello’s bold new looks were created in collaboration with celebrity stylist Jared Ellner, makeup artist Ash K Holm, hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos, and nail artist Tom Bachik.
The campaign celebrates Cabello’s fresh-new sound and style, unlike anything fans have seen before. Beyond the new creative, BACARDĺ will continue to support the star through the release of her new album with a series of upcoming events and performances across the world, all featuring the I LUV IT Punch. Co-created by Cabello herself, the drink is a delicious twist on a classic rum punch, pairing BACARDÍ Superior with some of her favorite ingredients, including passion fruit, lime, coconut water and St. Germain.
“The BACARDÍ team is thrilled to partner with one of the biggest stars of today for our newest campaign,” said Roberto Ramirez Laverde, Global SVP of BACARDĺ Rum. “Our shared Caribbean heritage and love of music are the driving forces behind this multifaceted global collaboration. Camila Cabello’s electrifying energy matches perfectly with our brand DNA, which has always championed individuality and doing what moves you. This campaign is only the start—we can’t wait for the world to see just how she embodies the spirit of BACARDĺ.”
The campaign will air on global broadcast and be amplified through various social and online video channels, with additional support via out-of-home billboards and still imagery. C, XOXO will be released on global streaming platforms this summer. The full recipe for Cabello’s I LUV IT Punch is below.
2 oz BACARDÍ Superior rum
½ oz St Germain liqueur
½ oz Passion Fruit Nectar
½ oz lime (juice of about half a lime)
1 oz coconut water
Lime wheel and toasted coconut flakes as garnish
Method: Build all ingredients into a rocks glass filled with cubed ice. Give a quick stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel and toasted coconut flakes.
On the heels of a competitive public vote and industry panel judging, SiriusXM Canada and the Canadian Country Music Association are thrilled to announce the Finalists for the sixth annual SiriusXM Top of the Country competition. This marks an exciting moment for the artists, propelling them towards coveted mentorship opportunities, live performances, and the chance to claim the title of SiriusXM Top of the Country Champion. The winner, announced during Country Music Week 2024 in September, will also win a grand prize of $25,000, with both runners-up receiving $10,000 each. The competition will only intensify from here as the three talented Canadian musicians fight for their chance to win.
The 2024 SiriusXM Top of the Country finalists are:
Robert Adam – Bonnyville, Alberta
Zach McPhee – Vernon, British Columbia
Trudy – Montreal, Quebec
The journey for the Finalists continues as they prepare to make their mark in Nashville at CMA Fest, where they will gain once-in-a-lifetime mentorship and networking opportunities ahead of the Finale. From there, they will go on to perform at one of Canada’s top country music festivals, Lasso Montréal, in mid-August. The opportunities ahead not only give the Finalists a chance to showcase their talent on a large stage, but also open doors to invaluable experiences and connections within the industry.
“SiriusXM is thrilled to continue providing a platform for the wealth of talent within the Canadian country music scene,” says Michelle Mearns, Vice President of Programming and Operations at SiriusXM Canada. “This year’s Finalists demonstrate the diversity of talent within Canada and have such incredible commitment to their craft. We’re more excited than ever to see how the opportunities during the final leg of the competition support their growth and future!”
The competition peaks at the exciting live Finale kicking off during Country Music Week 2024 in September, broadcast live on SiriusXM’s Top of the Country Radio (Ch. 171), which plays the best new and established Canadian country artists (available to subscribers across North America in their car and on the SiriusXM app). The Finale will feature captivating live performances from the finalists alongside a soon-to-be-announced headliner. In addition to a panel of industry judges who will participate in a live vote to decide the winner of the competition, fans in the audience and at home can make their voices heard by texting to vote for their favourites, solidifying the winner’s place in Canadian country music history.
“With each passing year, the SiriusXM Top of the Country Competition unveils a new array of exceptional talent helping to shape the trajectory of Canada’s country music landscape,” says Amy Jeninga, President, CCMA. “Wishing the best of luck to all three Finalists; we look forward to watching you continue to grow and evolve during the final stage of the competition!”
SiriusXM’s Top of the Country, in partnership with the CCMA, is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing tradition of promoting and elevating the best emerging Canadian music talent. Through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach, SiriusXM offers a leading platform for Canadian artists.
Sirius XM Canada Inc., operating as SiriusXM Canada, is the country’s leading audio entertainment company. SiriusXM creates and offers ad-free music; premier sports talk and live events; comedy; news; podcasts; and exclusive talk and entertainment. SiriusXM is available in vehicles from every major car company, as well as on smartphones and all connected devices on the SiriusXM app. For more information, visit siriusxm.ca.
In the dynamic realm of mathematics, creativity is a vital component of problem-solving and exploration. Yet, even the most adept math students encounter periods of creative block—moments when solutions seem out of reach and ideas refuse to materialize. But what if overcoming creative block in math meant embracing unconventional tactics and thinking outside the box? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deep into the depths of creative block in math students and explore unique strategies for breaking through barriers, igniting mathematical imagination, and unleashing innovative solutions. Whether you’re grappling with challenging math problems or seeking inspiration to overcome creative hurdles, resources that can help you to do my math and offer expert assistance tailored to your individual needs. With personalized support at your fingertips, you can tackle mathematical obstacles with confidence and achieve your goals with ease.
Exploring the Depths of Creative Block:
The Creative Abyss: Navigating the Depths of Design Paralysis
Creative block is more than just a temporary setback—it’s a psychological labyrinth that can leave even the most seasoned designers feeling lost and overwhelmed. Dive deep into the psyche of creative block, uncovering its roots in fear, self-doubt, and the relentless pressure to produce. By understanding the psychological underpinnings of creative block, designers can begin to unravel its grip and reclaim their creative mojo.
Beyond the Easel: Embracing Chaos and Complexity
Traditional notions of creativity often revolve around order and structure, but what if creativity thrives in chaos? Explore the concept of complex systems thinking and how it can inspire new design paradigms and solutions. From fractals to chaos theory, discover the beauty in complexity and harness its power to fuel your creativity. By embracing chaos and complexity, designers can break free from the constraints of linear thinking and open themselves up to a world of infinite creative possibilities.
Unleashing Unconventional Solutions:
The Art of Absurdity: Embracing Nonsense and Surrealism
Sometimes, the path to creativity lies in embracing the absurd. Dive headfirst into the surreal world of automatic drawing, exquisite corpse, and chance operations, where logic takes a backseat and imagination reigns supreme. By embracing nonsense and surrealism, designers can tap into the raw, unfiltered power of the subconscious and unlock hidden reservoirs of creativity lurking beneath the surface.
Designing Discomfort: Embracing Dissonance and Dissatisfaction
Discomfort is often seen as a barrier to creativity, but what if it’s actually a catalyst for innovation? Lean into discomfort and challenge the status quo by deliberately designing for dissonance and dissatisfaction. Explore the concept of “productive discomfort” and how it can spark innovation and drive meaningful change in design. By embracing discomfort and dissatisfaction, designers can push past their comfort zones and unlock new realms of creativity and innovation.
Revolutionizing Your Creative Environment:
Cultivating Chaos: Designing for Disorder and Disorderly Design. Transform your creative environment into a sanctuary of controlled chaos, where disorder and randomness breed innovation. Experiment with unconventional workspace setups, sensory stimuli, and interactive installations to disrupt routine and ignite your imagination. By cultivating chaos and embracing disorderly design, designers can break free from the constraints of tradition and explore new avenues of creative expression.
The Outsider’s Advantage: Seeking Inspiration Beyond the Studio Walls
Design inspiration can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Break free from the echo chamber of design and seek inspiration beyond the studio walls. Immerse yourself in diverse cultures, subcultures, and countercultures to uncover hidden gems of creativity. From street art to underground movements, find beauty in the unconventional and inspiration in the unexpected. By embracing the outsider’s advantage, designers can gain fresh perspectives and tap into new sources of creative inspiration.
Conclusion
Creative block may be an inevitable part of the design journey, but it doesn’t have to be a dead end. By embracing unconventional tactics and thinking outside the box, designers can transform creative block from a barrier into a springboard for innovation. So dare to venture into the unknown, embrace chaos and complexity, and let your creativity run wild. With the right mindset and a willingness to explore new avenues, you can break through creative block and unleash your full design potential.
Data and information are provided for informational purposes only, and are not intended for investment or other purposes.
In her joyous, wistful new single “The Night I Learned To Dance” – available now – Montreal, QC-born, Port Credit, ON-based Lisa Hartt weaves a story of a hot, exotic desert night that seems almost like yesterday.
In the late ’60s in London, Lisa Hartt had joined an all-girl big band called The Christine Lee Set – today, known as the famous Britain’s Got Talent drummer Crissy Lee. Then, in a spirit of adventure, the band signed a contract to play in Cairo, Egypt, at the Sheraton Hotel.
“One of our tasks was to play for the cabaret, and then the Belly dancer Nagwa Fouad would come on and she was the ‘star’ turn of the evening,” Hartt remembers. “My secret joy was to sneak behind the chorus of the Arabic orchestra and sing the ululations with the ladies while Nagwa twirled. She was simply entrancing.”
One steamy, star-filled night Nagwa asked if the group wanted to go out to the oasis at the pyramids of Giza so she could teach them to dance. The other musicians in the band were hesitant, but Hartt was game.
“I got in a jeep with some military guys and Nagwa, and before long we were driving into the desert night to the mystery of learning belly dancing. I have never forgotten this night – it was magical. ‘The Night I Learned to Dance’ has all the magic I was feeling.”
It was so hot the night I learned to dance
I was aware before the trance.
An aged scheming temptress
Placed a shawl around my hips,
She tipped the silver chalice, honey nectar to my lips.
It was so hot, the night I learned to dance,
The night I learned to dance.
‘The Night I Learned to Dance” was lived over 45 years ago, but it only came to light when Hartt was introduced to Jonas Gideon while they were both performing at Lillaby Festivalen 2023 in Rinkaby, Sweden. Hartt explains how this amazing songwriting collaboration began: “Jonas asked me to enter an experiment and write some lyrics that he then would put to music. Well, I was thrilled to have made this musical connection and I started writing immediately. The result was “The Night I Learned to Dance.”
Another very cool coincidence: Mayada, the lead dancer in the song’s accompanying video, had studied with Nagwa Fouad, the dancer Hartt writes about in the song. Nagwa is still alive at 87 in Cairo. “I can’t wait to reach out to her and reconnect,” Hartt says. “Life is magical, and we are the sum total of all our memories.”
Juno Award-winning producer Chris Birkett (Sinead O’Connor) gave the song his magical touch, which convinced Dance Plant Records to release it with distribution on Sony/The Orchard, proving that older artists can still make it happen with the right team behind them.
Lisa Hartt has had quite a whirlwind year, launching her career back full steam ahead with single releases, an EP release, and two 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.
With a career that dates to the late ’70s, The Lisa Hartt Band topped the charts with a single “Old Time Movie,” which resulted in major tours around the world. The band broke up, but Lisa never stopped honing her craft. Life had some twists and turns that stopped her touring and sometimes performing, but she continued to write and devote her time to celebrating her music.
Jonas Gideon and Lisa Hartt are now continuing to write together, with new songs for future release. “This experience has shown me that the best is yet to come, and age, time and space do not matter,” Hartt said. “It’s all about the magic of the music.”
Hartt recently received the Cashbox Legacy Award, presented to her at the Canadian Embassy in Stockholm, where she was celebrated for her accomplishments and contributions to the Canadian Music Industry.
They say music can be the best therapy but leave it to community-minded Canadian legend Martha Johnson to make her music a form of group therapy. Her new single, “Slow Emotion,” is a fortifying hit of emotional oxygen for those living with Parkinson’s Disease. That’s a topic relevant not just to Johnson herself—who was diagnosed with the condition nearly a quarter-century ago—but to every fellow patient she’s met or just envisioned along the way.
According to Parkinson Canada, more than 100,000 people in Canada live with Parkinson’s. For people affected by Parkinson’s, help across the country is available in the form of support groups and resources. Find help near you by visiting here.
Seeing release under the project name Martha Johnson and Company, the song furthers the reputation for courageous exploration Johnson has carved out as co-founder and lead singer of the seminal art-pop band Martha and the Muffins (sometimes just M+M), and in numerous other projects that have kept her at the vanguard of contemporary audio and video art. This time, she’s used soothing keyboard pads and an easygoing, quasi-R&B bounce to send a message about the need to stop, listen and relate:
Empathy not sympathy
That’s where we want to be
Take it slow, then you’ll know
How to be kind
How to free your mind
That’s where we want to be
I’m moving in slow emotion now…
“I came up with the title ‘Slow Emotion’ years ago,” Johnson says, “and it seemed like a good fit with the theme of accepting and adapting to the changes—both physical and emotional—that you go through when you are living with Parkinson’s Disease.
“One of my favourite lyrics, ‘Empathy not sympathy…,’ sums up the message of the song very well. I also like the randomness of referencing the title of a J.M.W. Turner painting as a line that has so much power in it: ‘No rain, steam or speed.’
The song came about thanks to a suggestion from Johnson’s neurologist, Dr. Alfonso Fasano at University Health Network (UHN)’s Krembil Brain Institute in Toronto, who felt he could help promote awareness of Parkinson’s to a wider audience while showing that life and creativity don’t end with a diagnosis. Dr. Fasano encouraged Johnson to collaborate with another of his patients, songwriter/musician Fabio Dwyer, and the two hit it off, combining their individual ideas into a cohesive whole. As a third voice, Johnson brought along Mark Gane, her perennial partner in Martha and the Muffins/M+M, to finish the composition. Then it was off to the studio.
“We wanted to have as many people as possible with PD involved in the recording,” Johnson says. “Fabio had already collaborated with me on writing the song, and he also played guitar and bass beautifully on the track. I managed to find five people with PD who were excited about adding their voices to the song. The vibe in the studio was amazing, and we were all so proud to have recorded a chorus of voices lifting everyone’s spirits higher.”
Bringing everything full circle, Dr. Fasano—a talented musician in his own right—contributed keyboards to the finished track.
The single will be available worldwide on all platforms on World Parkinson’s Day, April 11, 2024. It’ll be accompanied by a “making-of” documentary shot by Toronto filmmaker Jason Cipparrone (and produced with the support of UHN and Parkinson Canada).
That day will mark a highly personal milestone for Johnson, within a career that’s already seen plenty of them. Since co-founding Martha and the Muffins in 1977, she’s been involved with 11 albums, three of them co-produced by band discovery Daniel Lanois (who went on to win Grammys for his work with artists like Peter Gabriel and U2). The group has had five Top 40 hits in their native Canada, and won the 1980 JUNO Award for Single of the Year for their international hit “Echo Beach.” Timeless follow-ups like “Swimming” and the Dancesparc album further burnished the Muffins’ sterling reputation for canny songcraft. And with the 1984 dancefloor breakout “Black Stations/White Stations,” (Number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Dance chart), Johnson and her group took the lead in exposing the racist underpinnings of big radio.
As a solo act, Johnson hit the Top 10 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with the song “Troy,” which she co-wrote with German hip-hop group Die Fantastischen Vier. (The tune was later used in the O2 mobile phone company’s advertising campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.)
The birth of her daughter inspired Johnson to release the collection Songs from the Tree House, which won the JUNO for Best Children’s Album in 1996. She then embarked on a career as a children’s performer for several years with the Toronto nonprofit Prologue to the Performing Arts.
Her 2000 diagnosis with Parkinson’s was the catalyst for Johnson to stop performing live. Instead, she threw her energies into making records—both new releases and Martha and the Muffins reissues. She and Gane also launched a fruitful side career scoring films and TV programs.
In 2013, Johnson released her debut solo album, SOLO•ONE, which she co-produced with Ray Dillard and Gane, and which featured three tracks co-written by JUNO Songwriter of the Year Ron Sexsmith.
Today, Johnson continues to collaborate with younger singer/songwriters and work on new recording projects. Most recently, in January 2024, Martha and the Muffins released a haunting cover version of the Buffalo Springfield classic “For What It’s Worth,” which Johnson and Gane had played and recorded entirely on their own at their home studio. The accompanying video, also directed by Cipparrone, generated over 50,000 views on YouTube.
The release of “Slow Emotion” maintains Johnson’s seemingly unstoppable forward momentum—ironically in the context of a song that urges everyone to consider living life at a slightly more relaxed pace.
“I’m hoping that people are moved by the song to a place of better understanding,” she says. “Parkinson’s is continuously a life-changing event for me. Beyond that, generally speaking, life is what you make of it, and you’ll have a better time if you just slow down a little and really take it all in. I think that’s relevant to everyone.”
