To the rest of the world, Cass Elliot was a rock star; A charismatic, wisecracking singer from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted band, The Mamas & The Papas; A legend of Laurel Canyon, decked out in her custom-made Muumuus, glittering designer jewelry, blessed with a powerful, instantly identifiable singing voice which helped define the sound of the 1960s counterculture movement. But to Owen Elliot-Kugell, she was just Mom.
In the nearly 50 years since Cass Elliot’s untimely death at the age of 32, rumors and myths have swirled about, shading nearly every aspect of her life. In her long-awaited memoir, Owen Elliot-Kugell shares the groundbreaking story of her mom as only a daughter can tell it.
In My Mama, Cass, Owen pulls back the curtains of her mother’s life from the sold-out theaters and behind the closed doors of her infamous California abode. Born Ellen Naomi Cohen, the woman who was known to the world as Cass Elliot was decades ahead of her time: an independently minded, outspoken woman who broke through a male-dominated business, a forward-thinking feminist, and a single parent who embraced motherhood from the moment Owen entered the world. From the closely guarded secret of Owen’s paternity to Cass’s lifelong struggles with self-esteem and weight, to rumors surrounding her mother’s death, Owen illuminates the complex truths of her mother’s life, sharing interviews with the high-profile figures who orbited Cass, as well as never-before-heard tales of her mother and this legendary period of American history.
Featuring intimate family and archival photos as well as interviews and memories from famous friends, fans, and colleagues who loved and respected Cass, this book is both a love story and a mystery, a tale of self-discovery and a daughter’s devotion. At its core, My Mama, Cass is a beautifully crafted testament befitting of Cass Elliot’s enduring cultural impact and legacy, written by the person who knew and loved her best.
Back during the COVID lockdowns, award-winning songwriter and musician Tara Dunphy spent much of her time walking in St. Peter’s Cemetery in London, Ontario, getting to know the stones and imagining the stories of the people whose names she read aloud. “I heard somewhere that so long as you say someone’s name, they’re never truly gone, so I tried to get everyone at least once” she explains. One stone kept grabbing her attention. “It bore two names,” she continues. “Thomas O’Meara, with a birth and death date, and below that it read ‘Beloved husband of Bridget O’Brien, 1885.’ Only a birth year, no death year.”
No matter the weather, 30 or minus 20 degrees, Tara was at the cemetery every day. And with every reading of the names, she just couldn’t shake the lingering question of what had truly happened to this Bridget O’Brien. “Did she marry someone else after Thomas died, and chose to be buried with the new fella? Did she pass away years later, penniless, unable to leave the money to have her name put on the stone? Is she still alive, having found the fountain of youth? I never found out, but one day a song just presented itself, almost as if Bridget wanted the question asked. Bridget O’Brien, where have you gone?”
“Bridget O’Brien” is the latest single from Canadian contemporary folk group, Maggie’s Wake, a band that emerged out of a shared vision for both honoring and building upon the foundation of traditional folk and Celtic instrumentation to create a constantly evolving sound that is truly fiery, limitless, and unique. Fronted by Tara Dunphy (The Rizdales, Luther Wright and the Wrongs) on tin whistle, flute, fiddle, guitar, banjo and lead vocals, and fellow award-winning musician Lindsay Schindler (Rant Maggie Rant, Trent Severn) on fiddle and vocals, Maggie’s Wake is additionally solidified by the powerhouse backing combo of Stephan Szczesniak on percussion, Andrew Kosty on bass, Dean Harrison on piano and accordion, and Kenneth Palmer on guitar.
Blending high twang, rich harmonies and soaringly haunting vocals, “Bridget O’Brien” brings back to life the imagined untold tale of the once passionate Bridget O’Brien, from the perspective of her devastatingly heartbroken husband, who calls out from his grave, “Bridget O’Brien where have you gone/I’ve been lying here, waiting for you for so long/Praying each night you’ll return with the dawn/Oh my Bridget, where have you gone/Oh my Bridget, where have you gone?”
The lyrics go on to paint the picture of the enchanting woman he longs for: “Bold and unruly, she couldn’t be tamed/When she kissed me, my heart was claimed/So we boarded a liner and made our way west/Across the wild ocean, we rode every crest/Of the waves with abandon, I was beguiled/When we landed she carried our child.” Before long, however, the love story becomes an abrupt tale of painful tragedy and loss. “A baby born quiet and cold as the ground/That we buried him ‘neath in this town/Her eyes lost their fire, her heart lost its flame/She left me one dark night and never again/Would I feel the soft touch of her lips against mine/Or the love of my Bridget O’Brien.” The song leaves us with the even further chilling lines “And I asked for your name to be etched in this stone/Should one day you find your way home”.
Considering the merging of strong roots in honoring traditional folk and celtic music, a fearless ability to embrace a vast range of influences, and a songwriter as mystical and engaging as Tara Dunphy, it comes as no surprise that Maggie’s Wake was the winner of the 2023 Forest City London Music Awards in the category of Folk/Roots. And just as we are left wanting more from the inconclusive story of Bridget O’Brien in their latest release, we are indeed also left wanting more from Maggie’s Wake.
Originally from Créteil, French pianist Simon Denizart arrived in Montreal in 2011 and wasted no time in getting his music heard.
Initially working with the Canadian label The 270 Sessions, he produced three albums, Between Two Worlds (2015), Beautiful People (2016) and Darkside (2017). This productive period earned him the Radio-Canada Revelation award in 2016 and two ADISQ nominations in 2017 and 2018.
Released in 2021 on the Laborie Jazz label, his fourth album NOMAD offers a dynamic and original encounter between the piano and the calabash. It was again nominated for an ADISQ award in the Album of the Year Jazz category that same year.
Critically acclaimed, “Croyez-nous c’est un sacré talent” (Radio-Canada), “Simon Denizart, retenez bien son nom!” (FIP – Jane Villenet), he performs all over the world (France, Canada, Czech Republic, Cuba, etc.) and leaves no one indifferent.
“Simon Denizart is a pianist in a class of his own, with obvious jazz influences, but also rock, world music and even neo-classical music” (Jérôme Davieau, sors-tu.ca). “Cultivating a fluid, dynamic sound that brings him very close to the late Swedish pianist Esbjörn Svensson” (Christophe Rodriguez, sortiesjazznights.ca), he plays sensitive, energizing music, sprinkled with subtle, accessible melodies.
In 2023 he began a new collaboration with the prestigious Canadian label Justin Time Records, which produced his forthcoming fifth album: Piece of Mind.
With his debut solo album, To Begin With, Ritesh Das invites listeners to join him on a groundbreaking musical voyage that seamlessly blends the vibrant mastery of the tabla and transcends borders with a fusion of genres. This energetic and visionary album is a harmonious blend of meditation, psychology, and celebration.
The second single and music video from this album, “Forgiveness of Trees,” as a distinctive blend of tabla and rock and roll, featuring the raw vocals of Canadian rock icon Bif Naked and the powerful guitar work of Ash Ravens.
Das’s solo venture unfolds a new chapter in his illustrious career as the celebrated leader and founder of the Toronto Tabla Ensemble. The 66-year-old percussion maestro, originally from Calcutta and now based in Toronto, exhibits a sophisticated celebration of artistry in “To Begin With.”
Crafted during a time when travel was no longer an option, Das mastered composing and recording software, leveraging technology and his home studio. The album not only highlights his diverse musical skills but also features a unique fusion of live instrumentation with programmed beats, samples and orchestral instruments.
“To Begin With” includes collaborations with world-class talents, such as the Montreal klezmer outfit Oktopus (‘Ot Azoy’), Egyptian vocalist Maryem Tollar, and sarod maestro Manik Khan (‘Ta Alu Nitabill’), along with Canadian rocker Bif Naked (‘Forgiveness of Trees’).
Ritesh Das, a tabla virtuoso, and the visionary founder of the Toronto Tabla Ensemble, has played a pivotal role in shaping the global music scene since the early 1970s. Born in Calcutta, India, Das embarked on a remarkable career marked by innovation and cultural fusion. As the artistic director of the Juno-nominated Toronto Tabla Ensemble, he seamlessly blends traditional tabla rhythms with diverse musical elements from around the world. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of traditional music has earned him recognition and acclaim, establishing him as a respected authority in the world of percussion and fusion. Das’s influence extends to music education, where he imparts his knowledge and passion for tabla to aspiring musicians.
Bif Naked is a celebrated and notorious performer in music, TV, film, and dance; a writer and poet; and a tireless advocate and humanitarian. Orphaned in India, emancipated by punk rock, and empowered by surviving breast cancer, kidney failure, heart surgery, divorce, and surviving as a Woman in The Entertainment Industry for twenty-five years. Bif is a platinum-selling recording artist, a best-selling author, a passionate entrepreneur, and advises and coaches other artists as a mentor and manager. She is an animal rights and human rights advocate and activist, there is nothing that could stop her! Bif has transcended any obstacles placed in her path to become one of the world’s most unique, recognizable and beloved icons.
Nominated for ‘Newcomer of the Year 2022’ by Ottawa Music Industry Coalition, and recipient of the SEED Award by City of Ottawa; the Bangladesh born, globe-trotting artist Ash Ravens has made Ottawa his home in 2021 after living & playing in Melbourne, Australia and Los Angeles, USA. Although he is new to the Canadian music scene, he is already making waves blessed with a recognizable sound full of guitar driven songs and virtuosic instrumentals and has performed in RBC Bluesfest, Citysounds Festival and Encore Ottawa. With musical talent to bridge the many genres in his music from rock to country; an electrifying stage presence backed by a solid band composed of Ottawa’s best musicians, Ash Ravens is a musical treat to experience.
The collaboration with Bif Naked and Ash Ravens on “Forgiveness of Trees” was inspired by a shared concern for nature and its impact on the environment. Das, impressed by Bif’s sensitivity, proposed the theme of “trees” for their collaboration, prompting her to write this song pleading for forgiveness from the trees and nature itself.
This release offers a glimpse into Das’s ability to seamlessly blend musical traditions and create impactful narratives that resonate globally. The varied sonic landscapes exhibit a dynamic blend of spirituality and technology, forming a soundtrack for a globe-trotting adventure film.
Das, a multifaceted artist with a storied career, reflects on his journey from Calcutta to Toronto and the evolution of the Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Having crossed Canada multiple times and mesmerized audiences internationally, Das’s compositions have earned recognition, including nominations for Global Music Awards, Independent Music Awards and Juno Awards.
As a restless artist, Das is already looking ahead to his next solo release, demonstrating his commitment to continual exploration. With projects ranging from radio-station themes to orchestral compositions, film scoring opportunities, and a return to performing with the Ensemble, Das’s inventive spirit continues to shape the musical landscape.
Get Into the Groove with our new print celebrating pop songs from the 80s.
The 80s was the decade that gave us big hair, massive shoulder pads and GIGANTIC pop songs. Dorothy’s NEW print celebrates 42 pop songs from this era by bands and artists including Duran Duran, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Whitney, Frankie and Prince. Expect a Power Ballad or two! You can get it here.
A deep-dive into the unique connections between the two titans of the British cultural psyche—the Beatles and the Bond films—and what they tell us about class, sexuality, and our aspirations over sixty dramatic years.
The Beatles are the biggest band in the history of pop music. James Bond is the single most successful movie character of all time. They are also twins. Dr No, the first Bond film, and Love Me Do, the first Beatles record, were both released on the same day: Friday 5 October 1962. Most countries can only dream of a cultural export becoming a worldwide phenomenon on this scale. For Britain to produce two iconic successes on this level, on the same windy October afternoon, is unprecedented.
Bond and the Beatles present us with opposing values, visions of the British culture, and ideas about sexual identity. Love and Let Die is the story of a clash between working class liberation and establishment control, and how it exploded on the global stage. It explains why James Bond hated the Beatles, why Paul McCartney wanted to be Bond, and why it was Ringo who won the heart of a Bond Girl in the end.
Told over a period of sixty dramatic years, this is an account of how two outsized cultural phenomena continue to define American aspirations, fantasies, and our ideas about ourselves. Looking at these two touchstones in this new context will forever change how you see the Beatles, the James Bond films, and six decades of cross-Atlantic popular culture.
Skyzz, the pop singer known for his 2021 risqué summer anthem “Lento Y Pegadito,” drops his newest single, “Without You.” This latest offering delivers an enticing combination of Top 40 and pop elements, guaranteed to touch on that soft spot for his audience.
Growing up with a love of music, Skyzz found his passion when he played drums at a young age, revealing his natural talent for the instrument. So talented that at age 17, he used his dream and a pair of drumsticks to pursue his music career further. His musical influences draw from Alternative Rock, R&B, and Reggaeton. However, deep down, Skyzz’s inspiration originates from his Belizean foundation.
In late 2022, Skyzz curated a concert at the renowned Don on Danforth to ceremonialize his latest EP, “Skyzz.” This moment, alongside winning Manitoba’s CJ107’s title of Most Talented Performer in 2017, demonstrates his technical skill and ability to draw an audience.
The inspiration for “Without You” stemmed from the sudden and tragic passing of his best friend, pillar of strength and lifelong confidant. From this sorrow, Skyzz had to mold an avenue for his healing, as the loss, he shares, “was simply too great to endure.” But with help from his longtime friend and mentor, Michelle Gold, Skyzz saw the need to tell his story through the development and production of “Without You.”
“Sometimes, in the face of inconceivable loss, we forget that the world will go on and death is simply a part of life that cannot be avoided,” he adds on, “even for the ones we love most.”
He continues, “I made this song in the hopes that someone who is facing tragedy, be it loss of life or the loss of love, understands that they are not alone.”
“Without You” tugs on the heartstrings and takes the listener on a journey of grief and emotional discovery. The production on its own feels nostalgic, Skyzz’s emotion through his singing reverberates throughout the song from start to end. Only a few artists manage to force the listener to take on their frame of mind. Skyzz does this effortlessly, and one can hope that anyone experiencing loss can survive it and learn to endure “even if the world is forever less beautiful without them.”
Available now, the 36th episode of the heartfelt podcast “Remembering with Jeff Sammut” will be released here and various podcast platforms. Hosted by Jeff Sammut, host of Canada Now on SiriusXM Canada, this special episode serves as a poignant tribute to Jeff’s late father, Emmanuel Sammut, who battled Alzheimer’s and passed away in 2021.
In a deeply moving and personal episode, Jeff Sammut invites listeners to join him on a unique journey of remembrance with featured guest none other than Rita Sammut, Emmanuel’s devoted wife of over half a century and his primary caregiver during his battle with Alzheimer’s.
Jeff reflects on the significance of “Remembering” and its unexpected evolution throughout the year. The podcast, born out of a simple idea, has blossomed into a platform where Jeff has had the privilege of delving into the lives of remarkable guests across various fields, from pop culture and sports to music. For the concluding episode of the year, Jeff chooses to make it deeply personal, sharing his family’s journey and highlighting the importance of open conversations about Alzheimer’s.
By openly discussing his family’s experience with Alzheimer’s, Jeff hopes to encourage listeners to share their own stories and support organizations dedicated to battling this challenging illness.
“I hope the listeners are encouraged to speak out about their experiences with Alzheimer’s and support societies and foundations who do amazing work in battling this illness and supporting caregivers,” says Jeff. He further encourages listeners, regardless of their experiences with Alzheimer’s, to engage in meaningful conversations with their loved ones.
In a harmonious celebration of the holiday season, Tom Jackson’s The Huron Carole – Angels Without Wings – proudly announces multiple television presentations. Following its APTN premiere December 14, expect 9 encore presentations from December 18-26, on-demand viewing on APTN Lumi, and 3 airings on Eastlink Community TV. This iconic variety concert, taped at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax, promises an unforgettable experience of seasonal music, featuring stellar performances by renowned artists.
Immerse yourself in the magic of The Huron Carole, a musical journey curated on the ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaq people. The special showcases unique interpretations of classic tunes by a lineup of extraordinary talents, including Measha Brueggergosman-Lee, Loreena McKennitt, Beverley Mahood, Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy, Andrea Menard, PIQSIQ, and Shannon Gaye.
Noteworthy additions to the cast include Sullivan’s Crossing stars Morgan Kohan, Chad Michael Murray, and Scott Patterson, who will guide viewers on how to contribute to a noble cause during the broadcast. This collaboration serves as a heartfelt call to action, encouraging viewers to help The Huron Carole save lives.
For those compelled to make a difference, please consider contributing to Emergency Management at the Canadian Red Cross by visiting their dedicated donation link here.
Join us on this musical odyssey as we come together in the spirit of giving, embracing the joy of the season, and extending a helping hand to Canadians in need. The Huron Carole promises an evening of heartwarming performances and charitable endeavors.
Please visit huroncarole.ca for artist info, viewing times and how to watch on APTN Lumi.
Today, stand-up comedian, actress, filmmaker and activist Ilana Glazer announced her 2024 live comedy tour across North America. The 20-date Ilana Glazer Live! run kicks off on Thursday, January 18 in Kingston, NY at Ulster Performing Arts Center, with stops in Vancouver, Los Angeles, Portland, Chicago, New York and more before wrapping up on Thursday, May 2 in Toronto, ON at Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre.
Ilana Glazer is a creator and comedian who co-created and co-starred in the critically acclaimed series BROAD CITY. Her debut stand-up comedy special, THE PLANET IS BURNING is on Amazon Prime, and her film FALSE POSITIVE which she co-wrote and starred in, was produced by A24 and available on Hulu. She was also cast in the film ROUGH NIGHT and THE AFTERPARTY for Apple TV+. Ilana is the co-founder of the non-profit Generator Collective, which was founded in 2016. Generator Collective defines minimal civic engagement and aims to humanize policy through people-powered stories on social media. Ilana is currently on tour for ILANA GLAZER LIVE, performing stand up comedy across the country.
ILANA GLAZER LIVE! 2024 TOUR DATES:
Thu Jan 18 – Kingston, NY – Ulster Performing Arts Center
Fri Jan 19 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen Performing Arts Center
Mon Jan 29 – San Diego, CA – Balboa Theatre
Thu Jan 30 – Pomona, CA – Fox Theater
Thu Feb 01 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic
Fri Feb 02 –Monterey, CA – Golden State Theatre
Wed Feb 07 – Vancouver, BC – Vogue Theatre
Thu Feb 08 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre
Fri Feb 09 – Portland, OR – Newmark Theatre
Tue Feb 13 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
Thu Feb 15 – Los Angeles, CA – The Theatre at Ace Hotel
Thu Mar 07 – Coral Springs, FL – Coral Springs Center For The Arts
Wed Mar 13 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
Thu Mar 14 – Madison, WI – Orpheum Theater
Sun Apl 07 – Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Theatre
Wed Apr 10 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
Tue Apr 16 – Phoenix, AZ – Orpheum Theatre
Thu Apr 25 – Washington, DC – Warner Theatre
Wed May 01 – Montreal, QC – L’Olympia
Thu May 02 – Toronto, ON – Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Center
