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Bruce Cockburn To Be Inducted Into Mariposa Hall of Fame

Eric Alper
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Bruce Cockburn To Be Inducted Into Mariposa Hall of Fame

The Mariposa Folk Foundation will enshrine Bruce Cockburn in its Hall of Fame at this year’s festival, July 5 – 7, at Tudhope Park in Orillia.

“Bruce Cockburn is a courageous and inspiring Canadian artist who first played the festival in 1968 and has graced our stage 8 times over the years,” said Festival president Pam Carter. “We’re honoured to induct him to the Mariposa Hall of Fame this July during his 9th appearance,” added Carter.

“It’s of course an honour,” said Cockburn in reaction to the news. “Mariposa has been at various points a really important part of me being able to get my songs out to people.”

He recalls his first unplanned mainstage appearance at Mariposa: “I was supposed to do an afternoon set – which I did. And Neil Young was on the bill and Neil had to cancel because he had an ear issue or some problem and – all of a sudden – I was on the main stage so I got up and played my songs and people liked it and it went on from there.”

Cockburn and the Mariposa vibe seem to have always dovetailed. While his songs of protest, love, and spiritual quest have moved many Mariposa audiences over the years, in typical Bruce Cockburn fashion, he remains humble in the face of his Hall of Fame induction.

“I actually look forward to being at the festival more than I look forward to getting this. At the same time, it is an honour and I’m very pleased about it,” said Cockburn who, like many patrons, has appreciated opportunities to immerse himself and discover new artists while at the festival: “The famous people were less interesting to me than the people I had never heard of,” he said regarding his multiple appearances at Mariposa.

A special live and pre-recorded tribute to Cockburn will be held on the evening of Sunday, July 7 at Mariposa’s Gordon Lightfoot Mainstage to commemorate the Hall of Fame induction. “You don’t want to miss the special tribute we have planned for Bruce,” said Carter. “It will be an evening to remember.”

The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival (July 5-7 2024, at Tudhope Park, Orillia, ON) features more than ten stages of top folk-roots music, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. All ticket categories are on sale. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite camping is sold out.

Watch The Beatles Perform The Full Concert In Washington D.C. In 1964 From The Original Tapes

Eric Alper
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Watch The Beatles Perform The Full Concert In Washington D.C. In 1964 From The Original Tapes

Pepe_Java treated fans and music enthusiasts alike by sharing the full performance of The Beatles live at the Washington Coliseum on February 11, 1964. This rare gem was sourced directly from the master tape, offering a pristine glimpse into one of the most iconic moments in music history.

Toronto’s Winterfolk Music Festival Announces First Performers For 2024 Spring Festival

Eric Alper
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Toronto’s Winterfolk Music Festival Announces First Performers For 2024 Spring Festival

Winterfolk Music Festival is proud to announce its inaugural Spring Edition event taking place on June 8th, 2024 at Toronto’s historic Redwood Theatre, 1300 Gerrard Street E. This special edition of the festival promises to be a celebration of local talent, culture, and community, showcasing the incredible diversity and creativity of Toronto’s music scene.

For more than 20 years, Winterfolk has been a February staple, but they’re now adding a spring edition to the mix. This lively event continues to celebrate folk, roots, blues, and world music. From its inception, Winterfolk has been dedicated to showcasing local talent and fostering a robust mostly local musical community across different generations. Over time, the festival has contributed over $750,000 to its performers, with more than 80% of its revenue directly supporting the artists.

All of the Winterfolk talent featured at the Spring Edition are local GTA artists, highlighting Winterfolk’s commitment to supporting and promoting the vibrant community of musicians, and by showcasing these talented artists, Winterfolk aims to provide a platform for local musicians to share their artistry and connect with music lovers from across the city.

The Redwood Theatre, steeped in history and renowned for its intimate atmosphere, provides the perfect backdrop for this unique musical experience. With its rich acoustics and cozy setting, attendees can immerse themselves in the music and feel a deep connection with the performers.

The Winterfolk Spring Edition will feature a diverse lineup of musicians spanning various genres, from folk and blues to roots and world music.

Main Stage Notable performing artists and times include:

Noon Shawna Caspi
1:00 David Newland
2:00 tbd
3:00 Brian Gladstone
4:00 Lynn Harrison
5:00 Noah Zacharin
6:00 Issak Bonk
7:00 Mid Century Modernes
8:00 Donne Roberts Band
9:00 Gary Kendall Trio
10:00 Toney Springer – Wild T and the Spirit
11:00 Garnetta Cromwell

Winterfolk will also feature workshops and audience interactive sessions, providing a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with the music and artists on a deeper level while supporting their local community.

“We are proud to showcase the incredible talent of our local artists and support the vibrant music community in Toronto,” said Brian Gladstone, Founder of Winterfolk Music Festival. “This event is a celebration of our city’s cultural diversity and artistic excellence, and we look forward to sharing an unforgettable day of music and camaraderie with everyone.”

The folk music world is evolving rapidly, with new styles shaping its landscape. Festivals play a crucial role in highlighting these changes and connecting musicians and fans. It takes active involvement and participation from the music community to create and sustain vibrant festivals that celebrate the diverse sounds of folk, roots, blues, and world music.

Tickets for the Winterfolk Spring Edition are available for purchase online at https://www.winterfolk.com/wristbands/ , with early bird discounts available for a limited time. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Winterfolk and for fans to continue to support their local artists.

Ticket Information:

Pre-order online https://www.winterfolk.com/wristbands/

Ticket Prices

$30.00 Until May 20

$35.00 From June 1 – June 7 (If Available)

$40.00 at the door June 8 (If Available)

Service Fees Apply

Volunteers Wanted Apply Now https://www.winterfolk.com/volunteer-now/

For more information and updates, visit or follow Winterfolk Website www.winterfolk.com  on social media on Facebook.

Avalon Stone Gets Real About Mental Health With Rock Anthem “Drag Me”

Eric Alper
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Avalon Stone Gets Real About Mental Health With Rock Anthem “Drag Me”

And now, some hard-earned wisdom from Avalon Stone: Personal growth is a bitch. Sometimes, you even have to be dragged into it.

The emergent rock sensation shares that message with a forceful authenticity that belies her 20 years on her third and latest single, “Drag Me.” In a three-minute confessional that’s harrowing yet positively habit-forming, Stone struggles to escape the darkest pits of her own mind—and to admit she may need to be carried out of there on somebody’s back.

I’ve gotta get up off of my knees
Feeling so surrounded in my doubt
The ghost of pressure makes it hard to breathe
Only I could drown while in a drought
You’ll have to drag me
You’ll have to drag me
Oh God, I wish there was another way

It’s a classic case of an artist’s natural eloquence as a writer being hoisted even further aloft by her innate talent as a performer. When that imploring chorus hits, Stone’s world-class, Fiona-Apple-on-steroids voice leans on the melody’s dramatic minor thirds like a car horn warning of an impending crash, playing against a descending guitar-and-bass riff, thanks to Caleb Bourgeois and Donovan McKinley, that tumbles downward through the blues scale with the literal gravity of a million dreams hurtling straight toward the floor.

As profoundly listenable as it is emotionally raw, “Drag Me” is destined to be taken to heart by anyone who knows the realities of mental exhaustion and the other pitfalls on the long and arduous road to emotional wellness. It just might be the new national anthem for a legion of listeners who feel pushed to their limits and realize they need to get help, loathe though they may be to accept it.

And Stone knows whereof she sings. Already a veteran of the band scene in her native Kitchener-Waterloo by her late teens, she made the daring decision to forgo a university education to pursue a full-time career as a solo artist. Combined with many other challenges brought on by the pandemic, what resulted was a bout of deep uncertainty and stagnation, compounded by intense social anxiety and imposter syndrome. It all left her feeling creatively paralyzed and unable to move forward.

The turning point came when her mother and manager told her daughter she couldn’t and wouldn’t “drag” her, that following her dreams would only begin when she was ready. She wrote “Drag Me”, and her next single “Shaking Me Up”, that night. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the song, Avalon shares, “Writing ‘Drag Me’ was a turning point for me. It came from a place of real frustration and despair, feeling chained by my own fears. But it also marked the moment I decided to get help and take control of my journey, no matter how hard it seemed.”

Following Stone’s lived-in blueprint, each track she has released so far for her upcoming album describes an in-between state, or a feeling of being “Chained” within a moment of personal tribulation. She previewed the motif on two previous singles: “Forget You,” a deceptively defiant-sounding portrait of someone hamstrung by a toxic relationship; and “Harder,” a mournful acknowledgment of the crippling effect depression can have while coming of age. Taken together, these three singles will combine with the other songs on Chained to form a compelling, emotionally resonant narrative arc that cycles through pain, resilience, and the pursuit of true freedom. A bracingly mature, profoundly introspective piece of rock songcraft, the record doesn’t flinch an inch in exploring the underlying themes of inner darkness and hoped-for liberation its creator knows all too well.

The blood, sweat and tears Stone put into the project are already paying off in spades. “Forget You,” her recorded debut, is an international hit that’s logged more than 90,000 streams. What’s more, writing the full album (and part of the next one) has been great for her personal development. Writing “Drag Me” not only helped her breakthrough her creative block, but also led her to enroll in a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) program to focus intensely on her mental health and build a foundation for the challenging road of following musical dreams. Now she’s using her experiences as both inspiration and a grounding force in her career, presenting herself as a kind of creative avatar for the resilience a person needs to pursue their passions despite all the obstacles the world throws in their way.

And in a true sign that she’s going to be an industry force to be reckoned with, Stone has already shown a communal mindedness some artists take decades to develop. While she was still in the process of

getting her own act together, she founded the nonprofit Music For Mental Health Canada, which raises awareness, fosters community support, and generates funds for mental-health causes. To date, MFMHC has raised over $7000 for related charities. This year, the organization will put on two live shows in four markets: Rock-Her Road Fest, a festival of female- and female-presenting musicians; and the 2024 edition of Rock The Halls, an annual platform for local musicians to perform originals and custom arrangements of holiday songs.

Have your calendar and a big red pen ready for when those dates drop. You’re going to want to be there—even if you have to drag yourself.
“Drag Me” is now available across all streaming platforms, highlighting her unique ability to blend intense emotion with powerful rock dynamics. With it, Avalon continues to build her reputation as a formidable force in the alt-rock world. Fans and new listeners alike can expect a year of compelling music and deep, resonant stories from Avalon Stone, as she prepares to release more from her highly anticipated album.

Teen Guitarist And Rocker Nikhil Bagga Releases New Single “Never Meant It”

Eric Alper
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Teen Guitarist And Rocker Nikhil Bagga Releases New Single “Never Meant It”

Even a 15-year-old guitar god-in-waiting occasionally has to deal with normal, everyday high-school angst. For Nikhil Bagga on his new single, “Never Meant It,” that means having to sit home with his trusty axe while everybody else is out having a good time.

I’ve been staying at home
And I’ve been checking my phone
But I see nothing
I’ve been laying in bed
Drowning with thoughts in my head
And you can’t save me
You don’t invite me to the party but you play my song
I know I should be happy but I feel so wrong
Hey
While everyone is having fun and shooting for the stars
I’m just a kid who’s strumming his guitar
Hey

“The song was inspired by a time when I saw a bunch of my friends having fun at a party online and I wasn’t invited,” Bagga explains, matter-of-factly. “Even though they didn’t mean to hurt me, it did.”

Yet somehow, this fretboard prodigy who has already played “The Star-Spangled Banner” at several major sporting events resisted the temptation to take them all out in a blaze of fretboard pyrotechnics. Instead, “Never Meant It” airs its grievances via chugging, percussive rhythm guitar and chord slashes that mesh perfectly with the outcast vibe of the lyrics—and Bagga’s raspy-yet-cherubic vocals—to create an aural effect that’s pure ’90s grunge. Which is not entirely inappropriate for a Seattle kid who’s already made quite a name for himself in his adoptive home of the Emerald City since relocating from his native Canada.

The throwback vibes notwithstanding, Bagga’s target audience is teenagers just like him: ones who are passionate about music, and particularly those who gravitate towards the gritty authenticity of rock ‘n roll. As the new single so ably demonstrates, his music is awash in the earnestness and frustration of being young and searching for meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain.

“Never Meant It” was recorded at London Bridge Studios with producer Eric Lilavois (Ayron Jones, Saint Motel, Island Apollo), whom Bagga describes as a vital collaborator on more than one front. “We orchestrated the whole thing and really made it come to life,” he enthuses. Accompanying him on the record are drummer Ben Smith and bassist Andy Stoller, the former rhythm section of the legendary Heart. And thus one generation of Seattle royalty meets the next.

Rites of passage are second nature by now to Bagga, who learned guitar at age 9 by playing along to records by AC/DC, Ed Sheeran, Nirvana and Queen. By his 10th birthday, he was making his public debut, busking on Pacific Beach in San Diego. When the pandemic hit, he kept himself in the public eye by sharing a song a day online, attracting an ever-growing legion of fans with his takes on pop and rock classics. Before long, his repertoire had swollen to 350 songs.

The next step in his musical evolution saw him moving from covers to originals—the better to document his daily reality in song. He collected the cream of the crop on his debut full-length album, Leap of Faith, which he recorded at London Bridge with Lilavois and released in the spring of 2022. Glide called the record a love letter to “thick guitar tones and the ’90s punchy alt-rock of Teenage Fanclub and Matthew Sweet.”

In the wake of his emergence as an original act, he’s made more than 40 appearances at marquee Seattle venues like the Crocodile, Vera Project and Pike Place Market. He even took a road trip to perform at the famed Bluebird Café in Nashville. Bagga has also appeared on Voice of America and made numerous television appearances in Toronto and Seattle.

And then there’s that high-profile cottage industry he’s forged for himself as pregame entertainment. Bagga has become a familiar face at Seattle’s professional sports stadiums, having played the national anthem multiple times for the Seattle Mariners (MLB) and the Seattle Kraken (NHL). He even busted out a rare electric-guitar version of “O Canada” for the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs.

In a true sign of multigenerational solidarity, he shared the bill with Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Allen Stone, and an all-star cast of fellow players at the SMASH “Songs of Hope” concert (a benefit devised to provide affordable healthcare for musicians). Other worthy causes Bagga has lent his talents to include the Big Table Benefit (supporting restaurant workers impacted by COVID) and Champions of Change, an annual basketball game at Climate Pledge Arena that raises funds for underserved communities.

Bagga’s goal going forward is to continue to fuse the diverse influences of Seattle’s musical landscape —the electrifying riffs of Jimi Hendrix, the raw authenticity of Kurt Cobain and the soulful melodies of Pearl Jam—into a singular, powerful voice. He has a new EP coming soon that’ll take that agenda to the next level.

The Wailin’ Jennys Co-Founder RUTH MOODY Releases “The Spell of the Lilac Bloom” Featuring Joey Landreth From Her Wanderer Album

Eric Alper
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The Wailin’ Jennys Co-Founder RUTH MOODY Releases “The Spell of the Lilac Bloom” Featuring Joey Landreth From Her Wanderer Album

It’s the mark of a great artist when even one of her pledges of undying devotion has more going on than meets the eye. For proof, cop a listen to “The Spell of the Lilac Bloom,” the romantically straightforward — or is it? – latest single from Ruth Moody’s new album, Wanderer.

Singing in the gorgeous soprano The Huffington Post says could be “the prettiest voice in all of North Americana these days,” the Winnipeg-raised folkster lays out a plan of the heart that rings hopeful and forthright:

‘Cause I could love you for good
I could love you for always
I could love you the rest of my nights and the rest of my days
I could sing it like the mourning dove
I could watch you like the stars above
I could hold you with all that I’m made of

All signs point to a traditional romance, one our narrator envisions progressing from courtship to the altar. The verses abound with references to “sway(ing) in your arms” at “the old dance hall” and forgoing the traditional “wearing (of) white” to instead “do it our way if that’s alright.” But as Moody explains, the reality behind the lyrics is a bit more nuanced and complex.

“I wrote this song while I was living in Portland Oregon and had recently found out that I was pregnant with my son,” she reveals. “I was full of wonder and excitement, but also coming to terms with the fact that life was about to change forever. It was spring and the lilacs were in bloom; that scent would put me in a dream when I’d go out walking. One day, I went out into the rain, and the words to this song came into my head. I went home and put it to banjo.”

Appropriately, it’s only thanks to her real-life romantic relationship that the number got recorded in the form it was destined to take – as a duet with Joey Landreth of Winnipeg roots-rock luminaries The Bros. Landreth.

“I played the song for my partner, and he immediately heard it as a duet,” Moody recalls. “I was thrilled when I asked Joey Landreth to play and sing on this while I was in the studio, and he said “‘Yes!’”

It was the best of calls all the way around. Not only do their alternating lead lines make them the perfect vocal foils for each other, but Landreth lays down some atmospheric resonator guitar that beautifully enhances Moody’s graceful banjo.

The song is a charming and delicate highlight of Wanderer, which chronicles the life journey Moody has been on since her last album, These Wilder Things, dropped in 2013. That pregnancy led to an extended hiatus in which she chose to focus on her roles as a mother and life partner. When she was ready to record again, she had 10 new songs bursting with newfound wisdom and ready to be tracked with co-producer Dan Knobler at Sound Emporium in Nashville (where Winnipeg native Moody spends a good deal of her time these days).

It’s all a long way from Moody’s childhood on a goat farm in Manitoba. Then again, she’s never been one to shy away from growth and change. By her 20s, she was on the Billboard charts with the folk trio she had co-founded, The Wailin’ Jennys. (They’re still going strong after 22 years.) Between that and the parallel solo career she began in 2010, she’s been the proud recipient of two Juno Awards and six nominations —and found time to collaborate regularly with the legendary Mark Knopfler, both on record and as a member of his live band.

The combination of that gig, The Wailin’ Jennys’ activity and her work as a solo act has allowed Moody to tour extensively, appearing at some of the most prestigious venues on the planet.

With Wanderer out, she’s cementing her status as a live draw with a tour of top listening rooms in the U.S. Dates booked so far are as follows:
May 21: Rams Head, Annapolis, MD
May 22: World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA
May 23: The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
May 25: Joe’s Pub, New York City
May 26: State Theatre, State College, PA
May 28: SPACE, Evanston, IL
May 29: Vivarium, Milwaukee, WI
May 30: Ludlow Garage, Cincinnati, OH
May 31: Musicians Corner, Nashville, TN
July 11-14: Winnipeg Folk Festival, Winnipeg, MB

The Fabulous Thunderbirds Celebrate 50th Anniversary With “Payback Time (feat. Billy Gibbons)” From Struck Down Album

Eric Alper
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The Fabulous Thunderbirds Celebrate 50th Anniversary With “Payback Time (feat. Billy Gibbons)” From Struck Down Album

Stony Plain Records proudly announces the signing of legendary American band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, who will celebrate their 50th anniversary with the release of their first studio album in eight years, Struck Down, on June 28th. The album’s first single, “Payback Time,” featuring Billy Gibbons, is out now.

The album features contributions from Elvin Bishop, Terrance Simien and Canadian blues guitar ace Steve Strongman, who co-wrote with Kim Wilson nine of the album’s 10 tracks. The lone cover song on the album is a scintillating take on Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling,” featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal and Mick Fleetwood.

Struck Down was produced by Kim Wilson, Steve Strongman and Glen Parrish; recorded in New Jersey and Hamilton, Ontario; and mixed by acclaimed recording engineer Shelly Yakus (John Lennon/U2/Tom Petty). In addition to the searing first single, “Payback Time,” other standout tracks include the album’s opener, “Struck Down By The Blues,” featuring Steve Strongman on guitar; the Cajun-flavored “Don’t Make No Sense,” featuring Terrance Simien on accordion; “Watcha Do To Me,” featuring guitar icon Elvin Bishop; and the wistful closing track, “Sideline.”

The catalyst for the recording sessions happened when blues guitarist Steve Strongman hooked up with Kim Wilson on a trial basis to write some songs. Thunderbirds manager Glen Parrish had convinced an at-first hesitant Kim Wilson to give it a try by co-writing with Strongman, who flew down to California from Canada. As a songwriting team, they clicked immediately.

“In the first three days, we wrote five songs,” recalled Wilson. “He came back for another three days, and we wrote 12 songs. I would say there was chemistry there.” Together, Wilson and Strongman wrote 17 songs. They selected nine originals and one cover tune for Struck Down.

“Working with Kim Wilson and the Thunderbirds was a very organic process,” added Steve Strongman. “I snuck into a club to see Kim play with Mel Brown in Canada when I was 16 years old, so I have always held him in the highest regard. I could tell we had a mutual respect for each other after the initial writing sessions in California. The songs just seemed to flow naturally, we both had very open minds during the process, and there was great energy in the room while we wrote these songs. He is a true living legend, and it has been an incredible experience to co-write this record with Kim, and to produce this album with Kim and Glen Parrish.”

For the recording sessions, Wilson called a few friends. The first single, “Payback Time,” features Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top on guitar and backing vocals. “Billy is someone I talk to on a pretty regular basis,” said Wilson. “He is a dear friend, a great musician, and he knows how to make a record.” Regarding the great interplay on the track between Gibbons’ guitar and Wilson’s harmonica, Wilson said, “It was really all him. Being the great musician that he is, he created that conversation.”

The cover of Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling” is overflowing with talent. “All of these people I have the utmost respect for,” said Wilson. “Taj Mahal was one of my very first influences. He is one of the reasons I started playing the harmonica. Bonnie Raitt and I have always been very close. I love what she does. I love her voice. I love Keb’s voice. And Mick was kind enough to put his performance on that track as well.” “I love the material, the performances, and the sound of the album. It was mixed by Shelly Yakus and mastered by Greg Calbi and Steve Fallone. They are the very best there is.”

When talking about the full-time members of the Thunderbirds, Wilson proclaimed, “The strength of this band has inspired me to be more creative. This band really allows me to do anything I want to do: modern, traditional, anything in between. They are masters of it all. And as for what’s next…“I’m far from finished.”

Formed in 1974, The Fabulous Thunderbirds is a familiar name for anyone into contemporary blues and blues rock. This is the band that created classic albums like T-Bird Rhythm and Tuff Enuff, powered by hits like the title track and “Wrap It Up,” Tuff Enuff went platinum, selling more than one million copies. Led by founding member Kim Wilson, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been nominated for Grammy Awards six times and for Blues Music Awards more than 20 times.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds continue to tour internationally, selling out venues and headlining festivals with the current line-up of Kim Wilson on vocals and harmonica, Johnny Moeller on guitar, Bob Welsh on keyboards and guitar, Rudy Albin on drums and Steve Kirsty on bass.

Struck Down Track Listing
1. Struck Down By The Blues (featuring Steve Strongman), 3:41
2. Don’t Make No Sense (featuring Terrance Simien), 2:47
3. Payback Time (featuring Billy Gibbons), 3:35
4. Nothing in Rambling (featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood), 3:55
5. Won’t Give Up, 3:35
6. The Hard Way, 4:06
7. Whatcha Do To Me (featuring Elvin Bishop), 3:09
8. I’ve Got Eyes, 4:07
9. That’s Cold, 2:18
10. Sideline, 4:03

Jennarie’s Pop Jazzy Self-Love Anthem With ‘Stop (you can let it go)’

Eric Alper
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Jennarie’s Pop Jazzy Self-Love Anthem With ‘Stop (you can let it go)’

Montreal-born, Toronto-raised Queer pop artist Jennarie’s sophomore luscious jazz single “Stop (you can let it go)” is out now. This vibey and motivational track is anchored by luscious vocals and a splash of jazz harmonies reminiscent of Yebba and Amy Winehouse.

Jennarie first cut her teeth in the Toronto music scene, where she gained a powerful stage presence by performing regular live shows all over town. She’s continued to make waves and build a strong name for herself in the years since, with renowned Canadian print and online magazine The WholeNote recently hailing her for her “big voice, fearless delivery, ebullient sense of rhythm, and bubbles of humor.”

She enlisted producer Nick Tateishi for the project, who recently provided production to singer and songwriter Francois Klark’s JUNO Award-nominated 2022 sophomore album, Adventure Book, and is known for his work with the likes of Clerel, HILLARI, and Kiki Rowe, to name a few.

“I’ve learned to detect the subtle yet potent presence of resentment in my body—a tightening in my chest, a tendency to ruminate on others’ choices or actions (or lack thereof). Recognizing this, I redirect my focus inward,” Jennarie explains on the track. “The opening line, “When you point your finger at another, you are pointing at the mirror,” speaks to the process of healing people-pleasing tendencies and transforming resentment into self-empowerment and love.”

“Stop (you can let it go),” is a vibey R&B and pop track featuring lush vocal stacks and a splash of jazz harmony that inspires listeners to choose compassion and self-love. “I aim for “Stop (you can let it go)” to serve as a beacon of empowerment for those grappling with comparison, judgment, and gossip,” Jennarie said. “Drawing from my DBT practice, I hope the song’s themes offer both instruction and comfort to those in need.”

OUDi’s Emotions Are Up In The Air On Transporting New Hit “Afraid Of Flying”

Eric Alper
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OUDi’s Emotions Are Up In The Air On Transporting New Hit “Afraid Of Flying”

Her solo career may be soaring, but OUDi still doesn’t like heights. On her latest single, industrial pop’s prodigal daughter admits she’s “Afraid of Flying” — because the higher you go, the farther you might plummet.

I miss the horizon, I miss the views
It never used to scare me but now I know the truth
That what goes up, must come down
I’m afraid of flying, I’m afraid of heights
‘Cause now I know what it feels like, falling from that high
Feeling so helpless, I can’t help it
Oh, I’m afraid of flying

Those are understandable sentiments indeed for an artist who’s only recently made a bold return to her roots after a wildly successful sojourn into contemporary country. (As Chrystal Leigh, she was one-half of the Billboard-charting, CCMA Award-nominated duo Sons of Daughters.) But for all the existential dread OUDi professes as she navigates the uncharted territory of a solo career, the new record represents the best of the two worlds she’s inhabited. You can hear the country chops in her catlike purr as she confesses her innermost anxieties over the dark, immersive soundtrack of electronic rattles and horror-movie stabs assembled by producers Dave “Rave” Ogilvie (a veteran of sessions with Skinny Puppy and Nine Inch Nails) and Anthony “Fu” Valcic, known for his work with Front Line Assembly and Julien-K.

“‘Afraid of Flying’ speaks to the fear that keeps us from taking those imperative leaps of faith, whether it’s due to the fear of the unknown or a fear of failure,” OUDi says.

That’s exactly where her head was at when she came up with the number with help from co-writers Jennifer Kennard and Danielle Blakey. The collapse of Sons of Daughters had taken its toll on her confidence, to the point where she felt “paralyzed” with terror: “I wasn’t sure I could do start another music project from the ground up again,” she says. That’s notwithstanding the safety net of once again working with Ogilvie, for whom she had sung in the pop-industrial project Jakalope before Nashville came a-calling.

On an even more intimate level to which just about any listener can relate, while she was striking out on her own professionally, her personal life was a huge, flashing question mark as well.

“I had gone through so much heartbreak that I started to think that love wasn’t for me.”

Whatever does or doesn’t happen for her on the relationship front, the roll of the dice she made in her artistic career is already reaping big rewards. Her January 2024 debut single, the equally distraught industrial ballad “My Old Friend,” saw her reconnecting triumphantly with mechanistic melodrama, and went on to garner thousands of streams. Meanwhile, the accompanying music video she herself directed racked up over 30,000 views, establishing her as a creative force to be reckoned with behind the mic and the camera.

In a further harbinger of good things ahead, she’s recently signed with Bailer Music Publishing, a multinational outfit with headquarters in both Nashville and Germany. Their partnership signals a promising future for OUDi as she continues to develop her sound and expand her artistic reach.

None of which means, of course, that she’s suddenly going to become a mountain of confidence whose songs will rival Whitney Houston’s for self-assured moxie. She’s gone all-in on honest vulnerability, and a whole new audience has clearly embraced the approach. To put it another way, this flight is already out over the waters, and there’s no way to turn back now. Fortunately, there’s no reason to either.

Mestre Sérgio Xocolate’s XOCÔ Unveils Historic Musical Odyssey With New “Guerrra” Video

Eric Alper
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Mestre Sérgio Xocolate’s XOCÔ Unveils Historic Musical Odyssey With New “Guerrra” Video

XOCÔ (Lulaworld Records) represents Mestre Sérgio Xocolate’s visionary venture, blending Afro Indigenous Brazilian rhythms with elements of rock, psychedelic music, and various modern influences. Hailing from the Northern region of Brazil, Sérgio brings forth a vibrant fusion of traditional native rhythms intertwined with folklore, capoeira, and poetry.

In his music, Sérgio’s lyrics hold a profound power, embodying a narrative of embracing courage. This spirit shines brightly in his latest single, “Guerra”, where he paints a portrait of resilience and strength. The video is historic, in terms of the Eagle & Condor Prophecy manifestation of an Indigenous artist from the North, CLASSIC ROOTS, the King of Pow Wow Techno, collaborating musically on the new invocation of the song while also dancing together in regalia with XOCÔ, an Indigenous Artist of the South.

Penned aboard a Toronto streetcar, Sérgio’s inspiration was stirred by the rhythmic resonance reminiscent of the traditional Guerra rhythm, as heard during carnival in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, performed by the Indigenous Jurema Caboclinhos.

Infused with lyrics that offer courage to those grappling with fear, alongside a heartfelt plea to the Orixá Xângo, this song stands as a dedicated anthem to justice and protection for the world’s indigenous peoples, who persist in their courageous journey of existence.

XOCÔ showcases a masterful blend of cultural influences, offering a rich tapestry of sound and storytelling. Crafted under the guidance of the acclaimed, multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire, Rommel, the album flourished. This past Winter and Spring, Rommel, renowned for his ability to seamlessly blend traditional Música Popular Brasileira (MPB) with Afrobeat, Reggae, Funk, and Jazz, lent his expertise to the project, producing the entire album from his home studio in Montréal, Québec.

Mestre Sérgio Xocolate is not just an award-winning composer and international recording artist but also a singer/songwriter, percussionist, and advocate for Indigenous and Afro Brazilian culture. He’s also a master teacher of capoeira and a lifelong arts educator.

XOCÔ merges his original compositions with poetry, politics, and spirituality, honoring his ancestors by revitalizing their rhythms with new lyrics and passion.

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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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