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Twenty One Pilots Return With Details Of New Album ‘Clancy’ And Release “Overcompensate” Single

Eric Alper
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Twenty One Pilots Return With Details Of New Album ‘Clancy’ And Release “Overcompensate” Single

GRAMMY Award winning duo Twenty One Pilots have announced details of their new album, Clancy, which will be released May 17th via Fueled By Ramen. Today, the band has shared the forthcoming album’s first single, “Overcompensate,” which is available on all streaming platforms and accompanied by an official music video directed by longtime collaborator Reel Bear Media. Clancy marks Twenty One Pilots’ first studio album in three years and follows their RIAA Gold certified LP, Scaled And Icy.

With details of the release teased to fans earlier this month via cryptic mailings and covert artswaps on streaming services, “Overcompensate” welcomes listeners back to the band’s immersive world of ‘Trench.’ Layers of synths build over a racing breakbeat in the song – a skilled passage of alternative dynamics, flexing in time, and ready to explode.

Introducing a new era of Twenty One Pilots, Clancy is available for pre-order today in a variety of physical formats including: two limited-edition deluxe box sets, four vinyl variants with additional retailer exclusives, an exclusive CD + Journal Book and a Cassette + Photocard Wallet, and much more.

Having amassed over 33 billion streams worldwide and over 3 million tickets sold across global headline tours, the Columbus, OH based duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun have established themselves as one of the most successful bands of the 21st century and redefined the sound of a generation. Co-produced by Joseph and Paul Meany, Clancy marks the final chapter in an ambitious multi-album narrative first introduced in the band’s 2015 multi-Platinum breakthrough, Blurryface. Furthermore, Clancy’s forthcoming release on May 17th coincides with the 9th anniversary of Blurryface, which was released exactly nine years prior to the day.

Twenty One Pilots extended the ambitious concept laid out in Blurryface with their 2018 Platinum-certified album TRENCH. Featuring the multi-Platinum and Platinum singles “Chlorine,” “My Blood” and the GRAMMY Award-nominated “Jumpsuit,” the album graced spots on “Best of” year-end lists by Billboard, KERRANG!, Alternative Press, and Rock Sound—who placed it at #1.

The duo’s 2021 epic Scaled And Icy debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top “Rock Albums” and “Alternative Albums” charts while landing at No. 3 on the “Billboard 200,” marking the biggest opening week for a rock album in 2021. The record is highlighted by the #1 Alternative Radio hits “The Outside,” “Saturday,” and “Shy Away,” the latter of which ascended to #1 at the format in just three weeks, placing the duo in an elite group of acts with multiple songs to rise to #1 at the format in three weeks or less including: U2, R.E.M., The Cure, Linkin Park, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Foo Fighters.

Grammy-Award winning band, Twenty One Pilots, have shifted music and culture as an incomparable creative force and with an ever-evolving vision. The Columbus, OH duo—Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun— have tallied over 33 billion global streams and counting, sold north of three million tickets worldwide, notched dozens of multi-Platinum certifications, and even claimed a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records. In historic fashion, their quadruple-Platinum breakout LP, Blurryface, took flight as “the first album to notch a RIAA Gold or Platinum certification for every one of its songs,” while Vessel followed suit and achieved the same distinction. They elevated to rarified air as “one of only 18 artists to earn multiple RIAA Diamond certifications,” going Diamond with “Stressed Out” and “Heathens.” 2018’s Platinum-certified Trench extended the ambitious concept laid out in Blurryface and delivered the multi-Platinum and Platinum singles: “Chlorine,” “My Blood” and the GRAMMY® Award-nominated “Jumpsuit.” They followed Trench with their Gold-certified LP Scaled And Icy, achieving “the biggest opening week for a rock album in 2021” by capturing #1 on the Billboard Top Rock Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts and crashing the Top 3 of the Billboard 200. Beyond rapturous headline shows at arenas and festivals worldwide, Twenty One Pilots have notably architected an immersive world without comparison, originating a multi-album conceptual arc across Blurryface, Trench, and Scaled And Icy. Exactly nine years to the date of the Blurryface album release, they complete this story on their seventh full-length offering, Clancy [Fueled By Ramen], out May 17, 2024. Led by the single “Overcompensate,” the LP signals the dawn of another era for Twenty One Pilots and alternative rock music at large.

Twenty One Pilots Clancy Tracklist:
1. Overcompensate
2. Next Semester
3. Midwest Indigo
4. Routines In The Night
5. Backslide
6. Vignette
7. The Craving (Jenna’s Version)
8. Lavish
9. Navigating
10. Snap Back
11. Oldies Station
12. At the Risk Of Feeling Dumb
13. Paladin Strait

Kate Bush Is This Year’s Official Record Store Day UK Ambassador

Eric Alper
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Kate Bush Is This Year’s Official Record Store Day UK Ambassador

Record Store Day UK is honoured to announce Kate Bush as this year’s official ambassador.

As part of her role, Kate will champion the special and unique culture of record shops all over the UK and celebrate the art of vinyl.

Kate will also release a special 10” Record Store Day edition of “Eat the Music” exclusively in independent record shops on Saturday 20th April. 

The single was originally scheduled to be the first release from her 1993 album “Red Shoes”, but was cancelled in favour of “Rubberband Girl”. The RSD edition is now set to be a hugely collectible release for Kate Bush fans.

Kate has recreated her own unique version, a beautiful UV printed 10” with her preferred track list of: Eat the Music, Lily and Big Stripey Lie.

As Record Store Day ambassador, Kate Bush joins an illustrious list of artists including Taylor Swift, Elton John, Noel Gallagher and the 1975.

Kate said today:

“What a huge honour to have been asked to be Ambassador for this year’s Record Store Day. It really is a great privilege. Isn’t it great to see how the resurgence in vinyl has taken the music industry by complete surprise? It had decided to leave vinyl far behind, but it would seem that not everyone agrees! I love that!

I know there are many, many artists who are just as excited to see the audience turning the tide. In the same way that some people like to read a book on Kindle but also want to have a book as a physical object, a lot of people like vinyl and streaming. Both have different appeals.

The added bonus of vinyl is that it encourages people to listen to albums. An art form that I’ve always thought can be treasured in a unique way. An album on vinyl is a beautiful thing, given a strong identity by its large-scale artwork. There’s a much more personal connection with the artist and their work.

It’s been fun putting designs together for some of the previous RSDs. This year’s design echoes the cancelled release of Eat the Music as the first single from the album, The Red Shoes. The image was intended to be on the cover of the single bag and is now on the disc as a UV print.

The title, Eat the Music, is meant to be a playful nod to ‘If music be the food of love, play on,’ from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night.

Each year Record Store Day gathers more attention, more momentum, and attracts more people who cram into indie record stores all over the world to see what’s up. What’s new?

This year, I hope you have a fantastic time at this very important event, and that you get to celebrate music that’s been specially released for you.

Very best wishes,

Kate”

The Best Time To Release Your Music (Other Than, Of Course, Anytime!)

Eric Alper
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The Best Time To Release Your Music (Other Than, Of Course, Anytime!)

One question I get a lot is, ‘When is the best time to release music?’ My answer is usually the same – anytime! But each month offers its own unique blend of weather, mood, and cultural festivities. For musicians and music lovers alike, this diversity offers an opportunity to release music with the changing months. Keep in mind, anytime is still good, but these angles and ideas might give you a bit of an edge.

January:
As the calendar for another year, January beckons a sense of renewal and introspection. It’s a time for contemplation, setting intentions, and embracing change. Songs released in January should reflect themes of reflection, hope, and fresh beginnings. Acoustic ballads, soulful melodies, and uplifting anthems resonate well with audiences seeking inspiration for the year ahead.

February:
Ah, February, the month of love and passion. With Valentine’s Day at its heart, this month pulsates with romance and sentimentality. Songs released in February should evoke emotions of love, longing, and devotion. From tender serenades to heart-pounding beats, this is the time for artists to capture the essence of amour in their music.

March:
As winter wanes and spring whispers its arrival, March embodies a sense of anticipation and transition. It’s a month of awakening, where nature bursts forth in a riot of colors and sounds. Songs released in March should mirror this sense of vibrancy and renewal. Upbeat tunes, catchy melodies, and songs that celebrate life and new beginnings thrive in this season of change.

April:
April showers bring May flowers, they say (or sing!), and this month teems with the promise of growth and regeneration. Songs released in April should capture this duality – from reflective ballads that mirror the pitter-patter of raindrops to upbeat tracks that celebrate the emergence of life from the earth.

May:
As the hot weather becomes oh-so-close, May emerges as a month of celebration and vitality. It’s a time for outdoor adventures, gatherings with friends, and hanging out in the warmth of the sun. Songs released in May should embody the spirit of joy, freedom, and adventure. Catchy tunes, summer anthems, and feel-good melodies are the perfect accompaniment to this season of HERE COMES THE SUMMER, WOOOO.

June:
With the arrival of June, summer officially takes center stage. It’s a time for lazy days, balmy nights, and carefree vibes. Songs released in June should evoke images of sun-kissed beaches, road trips, and starlit evenings. Upbeat pop tunes, reggae-infused rhythms, and breezy melodies capture the essence of summer’s embrace.

July:
As temperatures soar and fireworks light up the night sky, July sizzles with energy and excitement. It’s a month of festivities, and barbecues, and holidays in the U.S. and Canada. Songs released in July should reflect the spirit of celebration and camaraderie. Up-tempo tracks, anthems of unity, and songs that ignite the soul are the perfect soundtrack for this month of revelry.

August:
In August, the dog days of summer linger, inviting lazy afternoons and sultry evenings. It’s a time for relaxation, reflection, and savoring the final moments of the season. Songs released in August should capture the laid-back vibe of summer’s end. Mellow tunes, acoustic serenades, and songs that evoke nostalgia resonate with listeners as they bid farewell to the sun-drenched days.

September:
As summer fades into memory and autumn tiptoes in, September heralds a season of transition. It’s a time for change, harvest, and new beginnings. Songs released in September should reflect themes of reflection, transformation, and resilience. From introspective ballads to anthems of empowerment, this is the month for artists to explore the depths of the human experience.

October:
With the arrival of October, the world transforms into a canvas of spooky stuff. It’s a month of mystery, magic, and the allure of the unknown. Songs released in October should embrace themes of darkness, enchantment, and transformation. Haunting melodies, eerie soundscapes, and songs that embrace the spirit of Halloween captivate audiences during this bewitching month.

November:
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, November invites introspection and gratitude. It’s a time for cozy gatherings, comfort food, and counting blessings. Songs released in November should evoke feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and connection. From heartfelt ballads to soul-stirring melodies, this is the month for artists to touch the hearts of listeners with their music.

December:
As the year draws to a close, December shimmers with the magic of the holiday season. It’s a time of festivities, family, and spreading goodwill. Songs released in December should capture the spirit of the holidays – from timeless classics to festive originals that inspire joy and merriment. Whether it’s a jolly carol, a heartfelt ballad, or a spirited anthem, December is the perfect time to share the gift of music with the world.

So, anytime, right? Keep going, keep writing, keep releasing, no matter what time of the year!

Taya Mori Gets Personal On Her New Single “Mo’s Life”

Eric Alper
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Taya Mori Gets Personal On Her New Single “Mo’s Life”

Breathtaking and soulful Canadian recording artist, Taya Mori shares “Mo’s Life”, the 2nd single from her forthcoming debut EP, LUCID… “Mo’s Life” is all about acceptance and choosing yourself despite your flaws. The Euro Visa Visa produced track has a versatile upbeat yet chill vibe; perfect for a sunny day in the park or a gloomy Sunday at home… Following the early success of her first single “In Advance”, Taya is on course to deliver her debut EP, LUCID, very soon and cannot wait to share it with the World…

LUCID is an experimental project, playing around with sounds to create this sort of utopic environment — what it sounds like being alone floating on a cloud, lying on a lily pad, or in a bed of roses. The project is an emotional journey about questioning your sanity, and what it means to be alone and live for yourself truly. From leaving lovers, questioning your choices, and choosing to stay a fantasy — all to remain in control, in solitude and reassured by the wind, that you’re never truly alone.

“This EP was heavily inspired by the breakup I was going through while writing these songs. Breakups fucking suck and they suck even harder when no one does anything wrong and you have to make a decision based on your needs to propel you forward. It’s too easy to lose yourself in relationships, and that was exactly what was happening. Ultimately, I wanted to reclaim the person I was when I was/am alone. Alone and entirely pouring into myself and what that felt like. I missed that. I love that. I love being alone! The EP’s outro, “Flower Girl”, circles back to that initial jump scare you get when you make a life-altering decision, like leaving your lover of 2+ years… We are never truly alone, we are constantly surrounded by so much love and beauty! Go outside and stand in the trees. Listen to the wind. You are most definitely not alone!”

Taya Mori is a multifaceted Canadian singer-songwriter, model, and actress. Emerging from the ether, Taya has recently relocated to Vancouver, where she focuses primarily on her passion for expression. Alongside her youthful aura, “staying in one place for too long stagnates the mind,” and “experience makes life worth living” are enlightenments that Taya continues to apply throughout her life to keep every day full of inspiration. Heavily influenced by Blues and Jazz music, holding notes of Amy Winehouse, writers like Billie Holiday and Adele close to her heart — Taya and her sweet yet sultry vocals look forward to writing more ballads, bringing a sense of vulnerability, and applying live instruments to captivate listeners all over the World.

LUCID TRACKLIST
In Advance
Mo’s Life
EZPZ
Flower Girl

Tickets On Sale Now For “Hate To Love: Nickelback” Global Theatrical Premiere

Eric Alper
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Tickets On Sale Now For “Hate To Love: Nickelback” Global Theatrical Premiere

Tickets for the global theatrical release of “Hate To Love: Nickelback” are on sale now at www.NickelbackFilm.com. The feature-length documentary will be distributed to over 1350 locations across 30 countries for two nights only March 27 and March 30.

Premiering last September at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), “Hate To Love: Nickelback” tells the authentic story about the band from their humble beginnings in Hanna Alberta, to their explosive global success in 2001 and the highs and lows that followed. Directed by Leigh Brooks and produced by Ben Jones, the film celebrates the loyalty of Nickelback fans and delves into the years of online vitriol while exposing the personal impact it had on each of the band members. The film also unveils the rock groups decision to return after a 5-year break with a new record and a hugely successful sold-out tour, finding themselves riding a sudden wave of online love that has introduced their music to an army of new fans and audiences worldwide.

The exclusive theatrical premiere features never-before-seen three song recorded performance of Nickelback fan favorites. “Hate To Love: Nickelback” offers fans and audiences 90-minutes of translucence – an unvarnished and emotionally revealing look into the career of one of the world’s biggest rock bands. Combining never-before-seen archival footage, concert footage, interviews and enthusiastic celebrity advocates like actor Ryan Reynolds and Smashing Pumpkins’ Billy Corgan, Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Daniel Adair don’t shy away from the band’s topsy-turvy legacy as they share compelling and real-life stories alongside life-changing moments that have never-before been divulged publicly.

2023 Canadian Music Hall of Fame recipients, and Diamond-certified selling group Nickelback were named the “most successful rock band of the decade” by Billboard in 2009. Globally celebrated for their career defining and award-winning hits “How You Remind Me,” “Photograph,” “Far Away,”, “Rockstar,” and more, the four-piece comprised of Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger, and Daniel Adair is one of the most commercially viable and important acts of the past two decades. Their success includes worldwide sales of more than 50-million units, solidifying their status as one of the top-selling acts of all time and the second best-selling foreign act in the U.S., in the 2000’s decade, behind only The Beatles.

Amongst their many accolades, they’ve been named Billboard’s “Top Rock Group of the Decade” and received nine Grammy Award nominations, three American Music Awards, a World Music Award, a People’s Choice Award, twelve JUNO Awards, seven MuchMusic Video Awards, and have been inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame (2007) and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (2023). With more than 23 chart-topping singles and fans spanning the globe, Nickelback boasts more than twelve consecutive sold-out world tours, playing to well over 10 million+ diehard and adoring fans.

SiriusXM Announces Coverage of 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season

Eric Alper
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SiriusXM Announces Coverage of 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES Season

SiriusXM announced today its plans for season-long coverage of the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season. Starting with the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, running Sunday, March 10 (coverage starting at 11:30 am ET), SiriusXM subscribers will have access to the live call of every one of the 18 events on the INDYCAR calendar.

SiriusXM’s schedule includes the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge at storied Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the new $1 Million Challenge exhibition race at The Thermal Club outside Palm Springs, the return of the Milwaukee Mile event at Wisconsin State Fair Park, plus coverage of NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying and practice sessions.

INDYCAR broadcasts are available to listeners nationwide on the SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation channel in their cars (channel 218) and on the SiriusXM app. For a schedule of races go to SiriusXM.com/IndySeries.

For the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda, driven by Felix Rosenqvist, will showcase a special livery displaying the logo of the Bon Jovi Radio channel (pictured below), the exclusive SiriusXM channel that celebrates the legendary band’s music and Hall of Fame career. Jon Bon Jovi will also be appearing at the race in St. Petersburg on March 10.

SiriusXM’s Bon Jovi Radio channel – available on channel 312 and on the SiriusXM app – features decades of Bon Jovi rock anthems, fan-favorites and exclusive concert specials, along with interviews and commentary from Jon Bon Jovi, members of the band, and crew. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of the band’s self-titled debut album, Bon Jovi, and the channel is commemorating the anniversary with special programming featuring the 1984 album’s original tracks, plus bonus tracks, demos, and live recordings from the Bon Jovi Deluxe Edition re-release.

SiriusXM will be the co-title sponsor on Meyer Shank Racing’s No. 60 Honda for all 17 races run in the U.S. this season. Following the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, the Bon Jovi Radio paint scheme will again adorn the No. 60 car for the $1 Million Challenge exhibition at The Thermal Club on March 24. Meyer Shank Racing cars are expected feature other SiriusXM channels and iconic artists for select future races this season.

For the Indianapolis 500, the SiriusXM colors will appear on both MSR’s No. 60 Honda and the No. 06 Honda driven by Helio Castroneves.

In addition to NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, SiriusXM will air INDY NXT by Firestone series races throughout the course of the season. The INDY NXT series features some of the world’s best young open-wheel drivers and has produced many of the stars in INDYCAR today.

In addition to on-track coverage, SiriusXM offers fans weekly INDYCAR-focused shows and podcasts.

A new season of SiriusXM’s exclusive INDYCAR show, Brick-by-Brick, will debut on February 28 and air every Wednesday (6 pm ET) on the NBC Sports Audio channel (SiriusXM channel 85). The show will also air on race days on the SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation channel and will be available on demand on the SiriusXM app.

INDYCAR fans can also tune in to the podcast Off Track with Hinch & Rossi, hosted by Andretti Autosport teammates James Hinchcliffe and Alexander Rossi. New episodes of Off Track with Hinch & Rossi debut weekly and can be heard on the SiriusXM app and all major podcast platforms. The podcast will also air every Saturday at 9 am and 1 pm ET on NBC Sports Audio and on race days on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation.

Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM streaming for free. Click here to sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer. See Offer Details.

 

Incredible Banjo Rendition Brings ‘Super Mario Bros’ Theme Song To Life

Eric Alper
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Incredible Banjo Rendition Brings ‘Super Mario Bros’ Theme Song To Life

Foggy Mountain Spaceship, a gifted trio, delivered a delightful rendition of Super Mario Bros.’ “Overworld” and “Underworld” themes on banjos. They highlighted the intriguing connection and contrast between the two compositions.

They write, “Enjoy our take on the classic Mario Brothers and Underworld themes. These songs are nostalgic for us. We love the interplay between the bass line and melody in the main theme, and the contrast the minor key in the Underworld theme provides.”

My Next Read: “Heartstrings – First Guitars: Guitar Players & Their Stories of the Guitars That Made Them” By Sean Barrette

Eric Alper
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My Next Read: “Heartstrings – First Guitars: Guitar Players & Their Stories of the Guitars That Made Them” By Sean Barrette

Heartstrings – First Guitars, is a collection of memories from a variety of musicians, famous, semi-famous, up and coming, anonymous, or otherwise, about the guitar they learned on, the first guitar they bought with their own money, the first “good” guitar they owned, or the beloved first-line guitar that accompanied them on first songs, first shows, first tours, or first recordings.

These short, narrative pieces, tied together with first-time author Sean Barrette’s memories of a life and career spent immersed in music, tell a story that demonstrates that, no matter the guitar player, they all have this first guitar story and love to tell it. It’s the thread that ties all guitar players together, but these stories also provide insight into the very beginnings of many of the musical artists we love. It may even provide insight into the guitar player who lives with you. Or encourage someone to pick up a guitar and get playing themselves.

With first guitar stories by: Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, David Knopfler, Colin Linden (Blackie & the Rodeo Kings), Johnny Hickman (Cracker), Rob Baker (Tragically Hip), Paul Langlois (Tragically Hip), Gord Sinclair (Tragically Hip), Tom Wilson (Blackie & the Rodeo Kings), Kevn Kinney (Drivin & Cryin), Liona Boyd, Leeroy Stagger, Moe Berg and Kris Abbott (The Pursuit of Happiness), Blair Packham (The Jitters), Rik Emmett (Triumph), Finny McConnell (The Mahones), Ron Hawkins (Lowest of the Low), Dave Genn (54-40), Skye Wallace, Alun Piggins, Mark Stuart, Stacey Earle, Chris and Eleanor Masterson (The Mastersons), Preston and Alan Glass, Barney Bentall, Sean Kelly (Crash Kelly), Mr. Zero (The Kings), Jaimee Harris, Andrew Hyatt, Terry Draper (Klaatu), Dan “Chewy” Mongrain (Voi Vod), Sal Costa (My Darkest Days, Bonds of Mara), Michael Mckenzie (Lowest of the Low), François Lamoureux, Jordon Zadorozny (Blinker the Star), Ed Ringwald (Gordon Lightfoot), Joel Plaskett, Neil Osborne (54-40), Carl Harvey (Toots & the Maytals), Don Ross, Mike Turner (Our Lady Peace), Darrell Scott, Stephen Fearing (Blackie & the Rodeo Kings), Ethan Ives (Car Seat Headrest), Jeffrey Trott (Sheryl Crow), Julian Taylor, David Pulkingham, Brian Howes (DDT), Gary Lee Connor (Screaming Trees), Johnette Napolitano (Concrete Blonde), Pete Yorn, Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar), David Baerwald, Pete Droge and Elaine Summers (The Sinners), Serena Ryder, Myles Zuniga (Fastball), Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo), Hayes Carll, Stuart Cameron (Crash Test Dummies), Myles Goodwin (April Wine), Brian and Bruce Good (The Good Brothers), Adrian Eccleston (Drake, The Weeknd), and many more.

Heartstrings – First Guitars is a feel-good read that will draw people in, whether guitar players, other musicians, or music fans, and allow them to feel the enthusiasm and gratitude towards music shared by this international cast of individuals, some legendary, others just regular people who love to play, and every kind of guitar player in between.

Celebrating Canadian Talent: 2024 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Laureates Announced

Eric Alper
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Celebrating Canadian Talent: 2024 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Laureates Announced

The Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Foundation is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of Canada’s highest honour in the performing arts.
The laureates of the 2024 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA) for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, which recognize artists who have made an indelible contribution to cultural life in Canada and around the world, are:

Measha Brueggergosman-Lee – Soprano and faith advocate
Soprano Measha Brueggergosman-Lee’s engaging personality, exceptional musicianship and powerful voice have taken her to the major orchestras and concert halls of every continent, as well as the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill, and a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth II.

Ronnie Burkett, O.C. – Puppeteer, playwright, designer and performer
Recognized as one of Canada’s foremost theatre artists, Ronnie Burkett has been credited with reinventing the art of puppetry. Provocative, topical, compassionate and entertaining, his work has revitalized puppet theatre, consistently attracting adult audiences who are enthralled by the colourful characters populating his miniature world of big ideas. His productions have been commissioned and presented by major theatres and festivals, and have earned critical and public acclaim across Canada and around the world. He has also shared his knowledge and experience with hundreds of aspiring artists through masterclasses, workshops and lectures.
Watch Ronnie Burkett’s announcement video.

Diane Juster, C.M. – Songwriter, composer, performer, pianist and arts advocate
One of Canada’s most successful music artists, Diane Juster has been captivating audiences with her talent as a singer and pianist for nearly 50 years. She has written hit songs for such leading Canadian and international performers as Céline Dion, Ginette Reno (GGPAA 1999) and Dalida, and has a rich discography of her own. A tireless advocate for the promotion and protection of the work of Canadian artists, she is the co- founder of the Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec (SPACQ).

Andrea Martin – Actor
Andrea Martin’s hilarious characterizations and heart-warming performances have been delighting audiences for over 40 years. A beloved icon of stage and screen, she gained prominence in the 1980s as a regular on the award-winning sketch comedy series SCTV (Second City Television). Her Broadway career has earned her Tony Awards for featured actor in the musicals My Favorite Year (1993) and Pippin (2013), and she has an equally impressive list of film and television appearances.

Wes “Maestro” Williams – Recording artist, actor, author and motivational speaker
Often regarded as the “godfather of Canadian hip hop,” Wesley (Wes) “Maestro” Williams is the first Canadian rapper to achieve mainstream success. His debut album, Symphony in Effect, was the first album by a Canadian hip hop artist to reach platinum status, and his landmark single “Let Your Backbone Slide” was the first rap recording to go gold and the first rap song inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Alongside his musical career, Mr. Williams is also a successful film and television actor, author, and motivational speaker.

The Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts, which recognizes outstanding contribution by an individual or group in voluntary service to the performing arts in Canada:

Jenny Belzberg, C.M.
Jenny Belzberg is known across Canada as a passionate community activist and philanthropist. An enthusiastic advocate for the arts and education, and an outstanding volunteer, she has shown exemplary leadership in her involvement in a range of cultural and social action organizations, particularly Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. With her late husband, Hyman (Hy) Belzberg, she helped promote and develop the arts in her home town of Calgary, and has been a prominent force in her community for over 50 years.
Watch Jenny Belzberg’s announcement video.

The National Arts Centre Award, which recognizes work of an extraordinary nature by an individual artist or company in the past performance year:

Mélanie Demers – Multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, stage director and performer
Mélanie Demers is the founding artistic director of Montréal-based contemporary dance company MAYDAY. She is known for complex, highly imaginative works that reflect her fascination with the human condition, the role of the artist in society, the interplay between language and movement, and the powerful link between the poetical and the political. In a prolific career spanning nearly three decades, she has created over 30 works that have toured internationally and captivated audiences and critics alike.
Watch Mélanie Demers’ announcement video.

The unique Mentorship Program, generously supported by The Keg Spirit Foundation, provides a way for past GGPAA recipients to inspire the next generation by offering guidance to talented Canadian artists in mid-career. “Through The Keg Spirit Foundation, we are proud to support mentorship programs that enhance personal and professional growth, and enhance the broader community,” said David Aisenstat, Chairman and Founder of The Keg Spirit Foundation. “We are thrilled that widely acclaimed singer– songwriter Susan Aglukark will be sharing her depth of knowledge with her protégée Angela Amarualik for the next year through the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards Mentorship Program.”
The participants for 2024 are:

Susan Aglukark, O.C. – Mentor
Inuk singer–songwriter Susan Aglukark (GGPAA 2016) is one of Canada’s most distinctive music artists. She blends English, Inuktitut, and other Indigenous languages with contemporary pop arrangements to tell the stories of her fellow Inuit and other Indigenous groups. The emotional depth and honesty of her lyrics, her pure, clear voice, and her themes of hope, spirit and encouragement have captivated and inspired listeners from all walks of life. She has released 10 albums and is much in demand as a keynote speaker and workshop facilitator.

Angela Amarualik – Protégée
Angela Amarualik was born and raised in Igloolik, Nunavut. Like many other small Indigenous communities, her town had its share of social problems. Ms. Amarualik worked hard to retain a good attitude, improve her circumstances, and be a role model for the younger generation. Starting with the ukulele, she began writing Inuktitut songs in her bedroom closet. Her musical style combines elements of traditional Inuit melodies and throat-singing with pop and folk.

Created in 1992 by the late Peter Herrndorf, C.C., and Brian Robertson, under the distinguished patronage of the late Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, then-Governor General of Canada, and his late wife Gerda, these prestigious awards are presented annually to Canadians whose accomplishments have inspired and enriched the cultural life of our country. Nominations for these highly acclaimed awards are submitted by members of the public to recognize artists who have made a lifetime commitment and contribution to the performing arts in Canada.

Bat For Lashes Announces Sixth Studio Album The Dream Of Delphi Out May 31st

Eric Alper
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Bat For Lashes Announces Sixth Studio Album The Dream Of Delphi Out May 31st

London-based musician and multi-disciplinary artist Natasha Khan – aka Bat For Lashes – today announces her sixth studio album The Dream Of Delphi, out May 31st. The release will be Bat For Lashes’ first since signing a new deal with acclaimed label Mercury KX, heralding a new era for the three time Brit Award and Mercury Prize nominee. Named after her daughter Delphi, born in California in the locked-down summer of 2020, The Dream of Delphi finds Khan reflecting on early motherhood in her most personal album to date.

Today also sees the announcement of her first run of headline UK shows in five years including a landmark date at The Barbican on June 24th.

The new single is accompanied by a stunning video shot earlier this winter in the English countryside, produced in collaboration with creative director and choreographer Alexandra Green and directed by Freddie Leyden. The official video will form the first chapter of a yet-to-be-announced longform album film, with more information to be revealed soon.

Part pagan invocation, part celestial synth epic, new single and album opener “The Dream of Delphi” marks a stunning return and true-to-form reinvention from Khan. Feeling ancient and astral but at the same time novel and exciting. The album invites the listener through a journey of devotional love songs about the spirituality, ancestry and folklore; but also the mundane, selfless and tender aspects of child rearing that all mothers can attest to.

Speaking on the track, Natasha adds: “This is the manifesto of the album. It’s like a spell being cast. It’s the conjuring, the manifestation, the drawing-down of Delphi from the ether. This is me calling on her soul. It’s about going up into the stars and down into the underworld simultaneously, how celestials and deep guttural sounds can come together, how that reflects the journey I went on. It’s about what happens when you’re stretched physically, mentally, even vaginally! I think it’s just humbled me, too, becoming a mother. It’s made me feel more vulnerable than I’ve ever felt before. But I feel more human, more embodied. I can’t escape life by making beautiful things as much as I did. But there’s sort of a beauty to my mortality now.”

“Motherhood I thought would take me away from my art, but it opened up this massive world,” continues Natasha Khan, six albums into a career of vivid creative shifts, examining female archetypes in conceptually rich, musically rewarding explorations – but none of them as personal, raw or vulnerably powerful an experience as “The Dream Of Delphi”.

Constantly searching for untapped places in herself to make work, Khan suddenly found an extra, fleshy, fertile, raw layer after giving birth to her daughter in the Covid lockdown summer of 2020 – snatching moments in pregnancy and early motherhood to improvise and write, embracing gut instinct and emotional directness, then eventually self-producing what could be her boldest rebirth so far. The Dream Of Delphi is certainly her most intuitive and most deeply felt record, an ambitious, tender suite of abstract, almost spiritual songs – Natasha calls them her “song poems” – alongside haunting instrumentals that express the ineffable.

In The Dream of Delphi, we meet the Motherwitch: the name Khan gives to the armour she puts on when she is exploring the depths and peaks of herself in her new capacity as a parent and protector. “I’ve turned the mother in me into this more potent, heightened archetype of the aspects of myself that are a mother. [The Motherwitch] helps me be able to take something so vulnerable and personal out into the world – I felt I couldn’t just do it as Natasha, because it’s so, so deep.”

Moments of quiet domesticity sit amongst flashes of existential wonder in these ten spiralling compositions. Lyrics about the break-up of Natasha’s relationship with Delphi’s father interweave with the place of the mother in the never-ending cycle of life, death and rebirth. Ideas and sounds both ancient and modern also mesh mesmerisingly together, pianos, bass flutes and harps blending with organs, mellotrons and the whirling sound patterns of synthesisers, inspired by her love of female and trans artists like Delia Derbyshire, Constance Demby and Beverly Glenn Copeland, and her longstanding interests in ambient and orchestral film soundtracks.

After teasing new music and live staging last year as part of the Christine & The Queens curated Meltdown Festival at the Southbank Centre, Bat For Lashes will take to the stage again this summer for her first run of headline concerts for five years with a highly conceptual show that combines movement and elements of performance art alongside her virtuosic vocal performance and live band.

Last year Bat For Lashes released Motherwitch, a hand-illustrated reimagining of Tarot using multiple original female archetypes, visual symbols and an abstract spiritualist painters’ colour palette across 40 cards to provide a storyteller’s guide into the mysteries and beauty of our own internal landscapes. The Motherwitch oracle deck lands somewhere between Brian Eno and Peter Schmidt’s ‘Oblique Strategies’ and the Wild Unknown Tarot Deck, while the deck also stands alone as a bespoke art object in and of itself. The 40 cards were entirely designed and conceived by Khan, creating an oracle deck for use as a tool for the creative process and also as a conduit to the subconscious realms. Produced in collaboration with East London wellness brand She’s Lost Control, the deck is available to purchase HERE.

The Dream of Delphi marks a stark new chapter in the already varied, and critically acclaimed story of Bat For Lashes. Welcome to ‘The Motherwitch’s’ domain.

Natasha Khan is primarily a musician, singer and songwriter and has been a professional recording artist under the moniker “Bat For Lashes” for the past 17 years. She has recently returned back to the UK after 6 years in California with her 3 year old daughter Delphi. She is a multi-disciplinary artist working not only in music, but also across practices in the visual arts and film. Khan has recorded six studio albums, as well as soundtracks for film, podcasts and television over the course of her career. The singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, visual artist and director has been praised by critics and audiences worldwide, scoring 5 top 15 UK albums and playing live shows at Coachella, Glastonbury, Latitude and Laneway amongst others. Her musical works have been included in soundtracks for ‘The Twilight Saga’, ‘The Hunger Games’ and campaigns for Thierry Mugler, Chanel, Gucci and Miu Miu. Khan’s songs have been described as distinctively haunting, darkly fantastical and ripe with magic realism, which has garnered three Mercury Prize nominations, three BRIT Awards nominations and two Ivor Novello wins, for Song of the Year and Best Soundtrack in 2019. She has co-directed a majority of her 20 plus music videos, and premiered a short film she wrote and directed at TriBeCa film festival in 2016, all the while keeping up with her visual art practice.

The Dream Of Delphi Tracklist:
The Dream Of Delphi
Christmas Day
Letter To My Daughter
At Your Feet
The Midwives Have Left
Home
Breaking Up
Delphi Dancing
Her First Morning
Waking Up
The Dream of Delphi (Bonus Extended Strings Version)

Bat For Lashes Tour Dates:
12-Jun Oxford Academy 2, UK
18-Jun Town Hall, Birmingham, UK
19-Jun Beacon, Bristol, UK
24-Jun Barbican, London, UK
25-Jun De La Warr Pavillion, UK
27-Jun Factory International Theatre, Manchester, UK
29-Jun Siren’s Call Festival, Luxembourg|
18-Jul Colours of Ostrava, Czech Republic

Editors notes:

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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.

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