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Logan Brown: A Decade in Entertainment, Combines Comedy and Music For New Album ‘Black Man, White Privilege’

Eric Alper
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Logan Brown: A Decade in Entertainment, Combines Comedy and Music For New Album ‘Black Man, White Privilege’

Logan Brown has been carving his path in the entertainment industry for over a decade, sharing stages with some of Canada’s top comedians and establishing himself as a notable act. Now, the Kingston, ON-born, Ottawa, ON-based musician introduces a humorous blend of comedy and music into his acts.

Brown is exploring the musical comedy universe and will make space for it with his debut album, “Black Man, White Privilege.” The provocative name comes from Brown’s heritage history. “Despite being a split between Irish and Nigerian I look like an extra from the Sopranos or your least favorite uncle after a trip to Florida.”

Even the album cover follows this witty intelligent provocative set, featuring Logan as a young boy wearing a ballerina skirt, joyfully playing in a toy kitchen. It subtly hints at the evolving understanding of privilege that resonates within the artist’s work.

However talented in music and in comedy, for a while in separated creative spaces, Brown is very passionate about comedy alone, and for a long period of unstable mental health, turned to that as a force to keep going.

“Comedy saved my life not because I connected with a particular comic’s viewpoints or political ideologies, but because the involuntary compulsion to laugh is something I couldn’t avoid no matter how deep into depression I was.”

“Black Man, White Privilege” holds 12 tracks, with extremely funny and sarcastic, but provocative lyrics. “The album is an accurate representation of the type of humor I excel in,” he says.

His light-hearted humor touches on a wide range of topics in its melodies, from race to mental health, and even the quirkiest aspects of everyday life. Logan’s unpretentious wit, complemented by catchy melodies, offers an experience that’s equally enjoyable upon repeated listening.

Each tune in “Black Man, White Privilege” is like a whimsical escape from the mundane. Whether it’s a witty exploration of the profound love some have for their furry companions in “Just Kidding,” a wink-and-nod contemplation of aging and the pursuit of eternal passion (although he’s now divorced) in “Middle Aged Love,” and a lot more.

“The creation of each song begins with a simple query: “Is this humorous?” And it only ends when I catch myself chuckling solo in my car or strumming my guitar at home – my rather suave way of saying, “Absolutely,” affirms the musical comedian.

On “Secret Burger,” the 7th track of the album, Brown tells us a little tale of how whenever his wife asks him to go to the drive-thru, he gets himself a secret burger – a different packing, different everything, just a little extra fat added to the system, a little guilty pleasure no one will know.

‘What my wife don’t know could never hurt her
So I get myself a secret burger
Always on impulse never planned
Last minute purchase at the drive thru stand
Don’t need a wrapper just throw it in my face
And forget you ever saw me set foot in this lace’

Brown was raised on a diet of Weird Al, Tenacious D, Flight of the Conchords, The Lonely Island, Garfunkel & Oates, and more. Witnessing the landscape of musical comedy deteriorate into a mess of lackluster jokes, forced puns, pretentiousness, and subpar musicality, he embarked on a mission: his goal was to create not just a comedy album he could be proud of, but also one that he believed was absent from the musical comedy scene—a creation that would make anyone, even if not himself, laugh their heart out upon listening.

When Logan is not on stage, you can find him on the podcast “That’s Ruckus Baby” with his two best friends in Ruckus Productions.

Hamilton EDM Artist Paul Manchin Returns with Master Album, Eliciting Nostalgia with “First”

Eric Alper
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Hamilton EDM Artist Paul Manchin Returns with Master Album, Eliciting Nostalgia with “First”

Hamilton solo artist Paul Manchin, whose songs have charted on international radio, is ready to rock the airwaves again with the release of a new album inspired by a song that takes listeners on a nostalgic journey down memory lane.

The indie singer and songwriter from Toronto announced he will officially unveil the album, Master, out now.

It will consist of 40 tracks, some of which have already been released in the past digitally. But it was when the musician was visiting his family and reflecting on his life that he thought to include them into the new double compilation CD album.

Manchin was transported back to his childhood and expressed that by picking up a pen and sitting down at his piano. Together, with Black Jack, they produced ‘First’, a powerful single which Manchin unveils in the upcoming album.

The artist approaches every album as if it’s his last, but ironically this song is about first experiences, and how they’ve influenced Manchin’s life, helped pave the way for Master, a record of all sorts of memories, emotions and thoughts combined into one soul-stirring tracklist.

“When I bring an album to life it has to create some kind of meaning. Every project I write about is with the intention that it will be my last,” he says.

The single, where Manchin shows off his penchant for the piano, is also accompanied by an equally provocative music video, shot this summer, and shows the gestation of a child in a mother’s womb representing birth, the future and daily life.

The rest of the album promises to strike a chord with many listeners as it continues to explore life’s key themes such as relationships, identity, rebirth, loss, mortality, time, love and heartbreak.

“My greatest goal is to create energy and a soul that is prepared to be free. My music has always been about diversity, and I have a love for all people,” he says.

Manchin, whose musical journey started when he was five years old after his sister asked him to write a song for her French Teacher called ‘Ferme la bouche (Shut your mouth)’, has released many digital albums, with his latest in 2020; ‘Don’t Love You Anymore’.

Paul’s music has aired on Sirius XM, NBC’s House of Mystery Radio, ‘The Afternoon Drive Show Top Tracks’, and charted on radio stations around the world. His music was included on a number of compilation recordings, such as Promo Only, WeMix and Xtendamix. Manchin’s music has received airplay on Citytv, MTV, VH1, Bravo, Omni, Chin, Camoes and Backstage Pass. In addition, his music has been reviewed in Billboard, Cashbox, HOLR, Canadian Music Blog, Exclaim and Spill Magazine.

Producers on Master include David Bottrill, Moe Berg, Chris Briscoe, Brent Bodrug, Denzil Remedios, Black Jack and Paul Manchin. Remixers include Jack D. Elliot and Spyros Poulos.

Blues Virtuoso Brandon Isaak Unleashes Musical Magic: ‘One Step Closer’ Album Out Now

Eric Alper
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Blues Virtuoso Brandon Isaak Unleashes Musical Magic: ‘One Step Closer’ Album Out Now

With a lineup of songs that span the blues genre, Brandon Isaak is set to stun audiences once again with the release of his new album, One Step Closer, out now.

Throughout the album, Isaak explores classic iterations of the blues with the occasional modern twist. The record flirts with a vintage, New Orleans sound and incorporates an array of old-time instruments, from fiddle and banjo to washboard and lap steel. Through his collaborations with masterful veteran musicians like David Vest, Al Pease, Darryl Havers, and others, Isaak creates a rich, timeless culmination of sounds, styles, and themes with the power to transport the listener to the French Quarter and beyond.

“It was such an honour to work with these veteran master musicians and I could not be more happy with the final outcome of the recording,” Isaak said.

The first single from the album, “House Bound Blues,” will also release on September 22. The single highlights Isaak’s skillful songwriting and intentionally crafted lyrics:

Take it easy, we’ll see this through
Everybody talkin’ bout the dyin’ flu
Don’t you worry, we’ll be fine
Dim the lights, and open up the wine

The album’s themes and lyrics range from lost love and positive thinking to spirituals and “down and out” subject matter.

“I always try to write from the heart, no matter if I’m writing about hard times, funny situations or singing about the spirit,” said Isaak.

One Step Closer spotlights the best of Isaak: the Yukon-born artist is known for his preeminent songwriting skills and his mastery of multiple instruments, from guitar to banjo to harmonica and more. The new record pulls these elements together into an authentic, emotional journey bolstered by raw musical talent and an expert command of the blues.

One Step Closer tracklist:

1) All You Got To Do
2) Do What Ya Did Last Night
3) East Van Blues
4) House Bound Blues
5) I Wanna Know
6) Just What I’m Talkin’ About
7) One Step Closer
8) Walkin’ In The Sunshine
9) What’s This World Coming To
10) When You Call My Name

Shannon Thunderbird + Sultans of String + Orchestra Soar with New Video and Single “Black Winged Raven”

Eric Alper
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Shannon Thunderbird + Sultans of String + Orchestra Soar with New Video and Single “Black Winged Raven”

Black Winged Raven is the new single off the album Walking Through the Fire by Sultans of String. It is a foot-stomping barn burner of a song that celebrates the project with Ts’msyen artist Shannon Thunderbird, who is originally from the Pacific Northwest coast of British Columbia: Gilut’sau Band of the Royal House of Niis’gumiik, Gispudwada (Orca) Clan. The lyrics are sung in Sm’algyax, with the music beautifully arranged with Sultans of String and the epic strings of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

“Raven is the culture hero of the Pacific Northwest Indigenous People” explains Shannon, whose fireside chats, lectures, and original music open the minds and hearts of audiences to the rich culture and history of Canada’s Indigenous people. “My sister Kate and I grew up with the stories of Raven. He is a very robust character that our people, the Coast Ts’msyen love and respect – to this day we listen to these stories.”

Raven was responsible for organizing the world that was in chaos at the time “and it led to me writing a tribute to him” Shannon continues “because he is a champion problem solver, and he changed the world through humour, and contemplation and logical action, and he put all of nature in all of the places that we know of today. And we are so excited to play this live with orchestras on this tour!”

Indeed they are performing with Indigenous collaborators from coast to coast to coast, live on stage with Stratford, Niagara, Brantford, and Winnipeg Symphony Orchestras. “One of the things we have been working on is to increase capacity within Canadian orchestras to include Indigenous voices on stage” says Sultans of String bandleader and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Recipient Chris McKhool.

“This is our first major foray into this rich and important repertoire, with the help of the Sultans” explains Bradley Thachuk, music director of the Niagara Symphony. “We could not be more thrilled to bring this concert to the stage on the weekend of Truth and Reconciliation.”

“The orchestral material is beautifully done,” adds William Rowson, music director of the Stratford Symphony. “We are always looking for ways to have meaningful collaborations with Indigenous artists and this show came as a way to participate with our artistry in a way that feels really great.”

Philip Sarabura of Brantford Symphony agrees with this sentiment: “Arts organisations across Canada are trying to find ways to connect with Indigenous communities, we are really keenly aware that this is something that we should be doing more of” he says, and is excited that “all of the people in our community can come experience this incredible culture, in conjunction with symphony orchestra.”

For this track, Indigenous collaborators Kate Dickson, Marc Meriläinen, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuck and others also join on the chorus of the track, and the other Indigenous collaborators in Walking Through the Fire make cameo appearance in the video, with many more joining for the live concerts.

You can watch it here https://youtu.be/NxRJCOxB6S0

WALKING THROUGH THE FIRE TOUR DATES:
2023 Tour – All Tickets Here

With Shannon Thunderbird, Alyssa Delbaere-Sawchuk, Marc Meriläinen (Nadjiwan), and a multimedia extravaganza including Northern Cree, Kendra Tagoona, Tracy Sarazin, Duke Redbird, and more.

Oct 10 – Sudbury Café Heritage – Education & Evening show
Oct 11 – North Bay Capitol Centre
Oct 12 – Timmins Timmins Museum, O’Gorman HS
Oct 13 – Geraldton Geraldton Concert Series
Oct 14 – Thunder Bay Sleeping Giant Folk Music Society
Oct 15 – Dryden Dryden Entertainment Series
Oct 16 – Sioux Lookout Sioux Hudson Entertainment Series
Oct 17 – Red Lake Red Lake Entertainment Series
Oct 18 – Kenora Lake of the Woods Concert Group
Oct 19 – Fort Frances Tour de Fort Entertainment Series
Oct 22 – Burlington Burlington PACw/ Tom Wilson and Din
Oct 23 – Burlington Burlington PAC Education show
Nov 12 – Walkerton Victoria Jubilee Hall

2024

Jan 19 – Ottawa Centrepointe Theatre
Jan 23 – Kingston Kingston Grand Theatre – Education & Evening show
Jan 25 – Brampton Rose Theatre – Education & Evening show
Jan 30 – Guelph River Run Centre Education show
Jan 31 – Guelph River Run Centre Education show
Feb 1 – Guelph River Run Centre – Education & Evening show
Mar 2 – Winnipeg Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Mar 3 – Winnipeg Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
April 15 – Markham Flato Markham Theatre – Education Show
April 16 – Markham Flato Markham Theatre – Education Show

Celebrate the Changing of the Seasons with Land Heart Song’s New Single “Green Leaf”

Eric Alper
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Celebrate the Changing of the Seasons with Land Heart Song’s New Single “Green Leaf”

Land Heart Song is weaving childhood wonder into musical fun for the whole family on her new song “Green Leaf,” available everywhere now. This new track follows her first single, “Thank You, Tree,” which was released May 12th, and her full album Songs for Tree will be released on October 27th.

Land Heart Song is Tiiu Strutt (she/her), a first-generation Canadian with Estonian and British Heritage living in Williams Treaty Territory in the small town of Mount Albert, Ontario. Since 2003, she has released four albums, toured nationally, and received recognition on national and college radio, including CBC Radio’s “Canada Live” program. Under her “Land Heart Song” moniker, Strutt brings ten years of experience as an elementary school teacher, which informs her work in creating meaningful musical workshops for families often in collaboration with organizations like Natural Curiosity.

“Green Leaf” is the song that catalyzed Strutt’s journey to create the full Songs for Tree album, a collection of ten songs that follows a child’s relationship with a tree over the four seasons. The song came to her during a walk with her 2-year-old and newborn on a crisp autumn day, as her son playfully kicked colorful leaves. This simple moment sparked a whimsical wondering in her– “Red Leaf, where’s Mr. Green?!” This moment led to the spontaneous creation of the melody and lyrics, uncovering her talent for perceiving the world through a child’s eyes and infusing it into song.

Created during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, “Green Leaf” also marked the initial collaboration between Strutt and producer Joel Schwartz. Despite working in isolation, they exchanged musical ideas and tracks, with Strutt converting her bedroom closet into an improvised recording studio for scratch tracks and final vocals.

Strutt is passionate about understanding the lived experiences of all beings sharing the land with her, and seeks to recognize the connection between social justice and climate change in her work. She writes regularly about her learning journey on her blog where she shares ideas, lyrics, and chords to help others connect with the power of music.

Land Heart Song is on a mission to help nurture love for the land through song, and her music is perfect to help celebrate the changing of the seasons with the young (and young at heart!) in our lives. Don’t miss “Green Leaf” and Songs for Tree.

Synthetik Blonde Electrifies Audiences With The Release Of The Synth-Pop ‘Manic Mind’

Eric Alper
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Synthetik Blonde Electrifies Audiences With The Release Of The Synth-Pop ‘Manic Mind’

Synthetik Blonde, the alternative pop band from Regina, Saskatchewan who are known for their electrifying blend of synth-pop, disco, and guitar-driven rock music, has released their latest single, “Manic Mind” – available now.

This seductive track is part of their upcoming third album, “Dark Side of Your Love,” set to be unleashed early next year. With “Manic Mind,” the innovative and talented duo of Stefani Kleppe and Brad Evanochko, invites listeners to delve into a sultry and pulsating groove, with smoky vocals that challenge mental health stigmas, giving voice to those who have been forced into silence.

When describing the powerful message portrayed in their new single – “Manic Mind”, Stefani passionately declares, “Let’s destigmatize mental health challenges, remove the negative associations they bring, and foster self-love and acceptance.” Her words resonate as she continues, “Embrace yourself as you are and slam the book closed on self-limiting stories, we tell ourselves and place on others. Be free to be unapologetically yourself, just as you are.”

Supported by a thick bassline and Stefani’s passionate lyrics, the song serves as an invitation for intimacy, honesty, and transparency. In Stefani’s words, “Welcome to my manic mind,” she shares her personal journey of triumphing over depression, anxiety, and manic episodes, and challenges the societal labels that attempt to define us all, however, “This is not just my story; I am giving voice to millions that feel this way”.

Stefani is an advocate for female empowerment and amplifying the voices of the silenced. She believes that music can be a powerful tool for change, sparking conversations that lead to greater understanding and acceptance.

Brad, the musical mastermind behind Synthetik Blonde, adds his unique flare to “Manic Mind,” infusing it with a tasteful mix of atmospheric guitar work and the band’s signature funk guitar, creating a unique sound that not only entertains but raises awareness about the importance of mental health in today’s challenging times.

“The song is tasty, sexy, and fun while drawing attention to an important issue, mental health, as people are really struggling now more than ever it seems,” Brad explains.

Synthetik Blonde has written, recorded, produced, and released two eight-track albums including the recent, “PIECES”, and are currently gearing up for the launch of their third album, “Dark Side Of Your Love.” In addition to their recorded music, the band has recently ventured into the world of music videos, with their upcoming release for “Dreams Of You” with talented local filmmaker Aaron Sinclair (Films), set to drop in the Fall of 2023.

Jacob Collier Announces Djesse Vol. 4, New Album Out February 29

Eric Alper
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Jacob Collier Announces Djesse Vol. 4, New Album Out February 29

Five years have passed since Jacob Collier embarked on the epic musical journey of Djesse. What first began as an ambitious idea to make one massive album in 2018 soon erupted into a sprawling vision for a four-part series that encompasses every genre under the sun, culminating in a grand finale that combines all the elements that came before – and so much more. Through three GRAMMY wins, six nominations including Album of the Year for 2020’s Vol. 3, dozens of collaborations and hundreds of performances, Collier’s talent and imagination have continued to exceed his own stratospheric heights and led his fans to expect the unexpected. Today he announces the highly anticipated final installment in this storied chapter of his career: Djesse Vol. 4, out February 29, 2024 on Hajanga / Decca / Interscope.

Says Brandi Carlile, “‘Little Blue’ is such a gorgeous song and Jacob is a generational talent. I spend an embarrassing amount of time following him and studying his mind bendingly beautiful music. Getting to climb inside of it and be a part of his creation is a wonderful twist of fate.”

Crafted in the famed studio beside his London bedroom, as well as various corners of the globe, Djesse has explored Jacob Collier’s wildest dreams, and Vol. 4 brings the series to a most dramatic and thrilling conclusion. While his music is proudly unclassifiable, Collier enters a distinct sonic universe with each volume, which he likens to the different phases of a day. With Vol. 4, the saga ends at the incandescent light of dawn, alchemising a full spectrum of emotion into a massive, joyous moment of awakening and human potential.

From sweeping orchestral arrangements to intimate folk songwriting, and fusions of R&B, rap and pop, the multitudes of Djesse Vol. 4 are all centered around an ecstatic and global celebration of the human voice. In the midst of working on Djesse, Collier started turning each of his concert audiences into sprawling, improvised choirs. While conducting the crowd at rock clubs and Lincoln Center, even festival fields like Bonnaroo and Glastonbury, droves of fans have all been united in rousing harmony, furthering his guiding belief that everyone in this world is a musician. Having recorded each of his 80+ audience choirs, roughly 150,000 different voices play a role in the story and creation of Djesse Vol. 4, and are featured as the foundation of songs like “Little Blue” and more of the tracklist that will be revealed soon.

Djesse has so far included 37 songs, welcoming a staggering list of nearly 25 featured artists, plus gospel choirs, orchestras and more into Collier’s singular world. The list of special guests includes an extraordinarily diverse range of talents, from Ty Dolla $ign, T-Pain, Jessie Reyez and Daniel Caesar to Kimbra, Chris Thile, Rapsody, Tori Kelly, JoJo, Lianne La Havas, Oumou Sangare, Laura Mvula, Steve Vai, gnawa master Hamid Kasri and Take 6. Collier’s recent single “WELLLL” – a crunching slice of rock, pop and punk co-written with Remi Wolf – will also be featured on the new album, as will his GRAMMY-nominated 2022 release, “Never Gonna Be Alone” (feat. Lizzy McAlpine & John Mayer).

“Five years ago, in the wake of a musical journey that had begun in solitude, I set out on an epic adventure with a big dream – a collaborative quadruple album, and by way of that – to learn music, and life, from the greatest teachers of all – my heroes.

In many ways, Djesse Vol. 4 is an album that’s taken me 30 years to make. It is, to me, a celebration of humankind – the way that I see it and hear it, built with musicians from every corner of the world. To be culminating this collaborative experiment with a 100,000 voice audience-choir, a sound that permeates the heart of this album, feels like I’ve found the heart of it. My voice is only ever as full as the voices around me. Everyone is welcome, and part of the tapestry. And most of all, creating this album has reminded me that life is full of magic, if only we can remember to look for it in each other.”

Alongside the album announcement, the Djesse Vol. 4 cover art has also been unveiled. Created by Brooklyn artist Dustin Yellin, known for his work in tableaux and glass veneer sculpture, the piece captures the essence of Djesse: thousands of tiny images and drawings that interpret the theme of the previous album covers, illustrating the idea that one is made of many, and many come together as one. Says Yellin: “Collaborating with Jacob has been an electrifying journey into the boundless realms of his musical landscape. His kaleidoscopic harmonies, sonic complexities, and intricate layers provided the perfect backdrop for my visual hallucinations. I am honored and excited to share our fusion of visual and auditory magic with the world.”

Throughout the evolution of Djesse, Jacob Collier’s career has grown to reach tremendous heights as a solo artist headlining the world’s greatest stages, as well as an in-demand collaborator. Djesse has earned Collier three GRAMMY Awards and six nominations. Overall Collier is a 5-time winner and 11-time nominee, making him the first British act in history to win four Grammys for each of his first four albums. Recent live performance highlights include his biggest headlining show to date, last week at the Hollywood Bowl with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and two nights at the Kennedy Center with the National Symphony Orchestra. In the last twelve months alone his audience choir videos have garnered hundreds of millions of views, he was the first-ever male to be featured as a Vogue Darling, he appeared on the July cover of Rolling Stone UK, and co-wrote and performed on seven tracks of Stormzy’s This Is What I Mean. He has also collaborated extensively with Coldplay and Chris Martin, performing with them on Saturday Night Live in February, as a featured guest at their Wembley Stadiumshows last summer, and on their album Music of the Spheres. He has also contributed to major hits including SZA’s “Good Days” and songs by Lizzy McAlpine and Kehlani, and launched a signature line of music-making Crocs. Collier has recorded two NPR Tiny Desks, has spoken at the world-renowned TED conference, and has performed on TV shows around the world including the BBC’s Later with Jools Holland, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and more.

Jewel Announces 25th Anniversary Of Multi-Platinum Sophomore Album, Spirit With Expanded And Remastered Editions

Eric Alper
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Jewel Announces 25th Anniversary Of Multi-Platinum Sophomore Album, Spirit With Expanded And Remastered Editions

Today, singer-songwriter and mental health pioneer, Jewel, celebrates the 25th anniversary of her multi-platinum sophomore album, Spirit, with expanded and remastered reissues of the 1998 release, via Craft Recordings. Arriving November 17th on 2-CD and digital platforms, the deluxe album features the GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter’s Top 10 US hit “Hands,” fan favorites “Down So Long” and “Jupiter (Swallow the Moon),” plus 23 bonus tracks, including eight previously unreleased demos and outtakes, rare live performances from the era, alternate takes, remixes and much more. Additionally, the original 13-track album will be reissued as a 2-LP set, marking Spirit’s first availability on vinyl since 1998. In addition to the black pressing, the 2-LP set will also be available on blue swirl vinyl exclusively via Jewel’s store.

In the mid-late ’90s, singer-songwriter Jewel captured the hearts and souls of a generation with her engaging vocals, folk-pop melodies and introspective lyrics. Raised in Homer, AK, the mononymous artist (born Jewel Kilcher) moved to San Diego to pursue her musical dreams. Living out of her van as she struggled to make ends meet, Jewel built a loyal following in local coffee shops and clubs and soon attracted the attention of industry tastemakers, including legendary songsmiths like Bob Dylan (who brought the young artist on tour as a supporting act) and Neil Young, as well as execs at Atlantic Records, who released her debut, Pieces of You, in 1995. Over the next two years, the album—which featured such era-defining hits as “Who Will Save Your Soul,” “Foolish Games” and “You Were Meant For Me”—gained momentum, eventually selling over 12 million copies and becoming one of the highest-selling debuts of all time.

Jewel began recording her eagerly anticipated follow-up in 1998 (a year which found the artist performing the National Anthem at Super Bowl XXXII and publishing a New York Times bestselling book of poetry, among other accomplishments). Expectations were high as the artist entered the studio with producer Patrick Leonard (known best for his extensive credits with Madonna, as well as projects with Carly Simon, Pink Floyd and Bryan Ferry, among many others). Jewel certainly did not disappoint, as she served up an inviting collection of reflective, vivid songs that were far beyond her 24 years.

Setting the tone for the album is opener “Deep Water,” which offers a hopeful message that love conquers all, even when life gets tough. Similarly, lead single “Hands” is based upon a desperate moment in the artist’s youth when she considered shoplifting. Instead, she decided to put her hands to better use and start writing songs. The uplifting song speaks to the power of seemingly small decisions. “Life Uncommon,” meanwhile, reminds listeners to be brave and stand up to the forces that tie them down. Spirit also features several love songs, including the playful “Jupiter” and the sweet “What’s Simple Is True.” Other highlights include the single “Down So Long,” written when the artist was just 18, as well as the haunting “Barcelona,” which features the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea on bass guitar.

Upon its release in November 1998, Spirit was an instant bestseller, debuting at No.3 in the US, where it was certified 4x Platinum. The album also peaked at No.2 in Canada and No.5 in Australia. The hit single “Hands,” landed at No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Canadian pop charts.

The album was also acclaimed by critics, including Rolling Stone, which declared Spirit “musical comfort food.” Entertainment Weekly praised, “The way Jewel’s voice dips from a mountain-stream soprano to a vulnerable lower octave in the chorus demonstrates what a stronger, more confident singer she’s become,” while Music Week hailed “Hands” as “a delicious, softly-sung number, showcasing this talented Alaskan’s songwriting skills.”

25 years later, this special reissue of Spirit offers a deeper look into Jewel’s creative process through a trove of bonus material. Among the eight previously unreleased tracks are demos for “Last Dance Rodeo” (which later appeared on 2006’s Goodbye Alice in Wonderland), “Gloria” (off 1999’s Joy) and “The Sue Lee Song”; outtakes and alternate versions of “Hands,” “Songs of Freedom” and “Jupiter”; plus live recordings like “Down So Long,” captured at Woodstock ’99. The album’s expanded content also offers highlights from a 1999 concert at Spain’s Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, plus rare live performances of Pieces of You B-sides, including “You Were Meant for Me” and “Who Will Save Your Soul” (both culled from the Dutch program 2 Meter Sessions in 1996).

Speaking to the 25th anniversary of Spirit, Jewel says: “My sophomore album, Spirit, is 25! I still cherish this album and sing many of these songs during my shows, so I’m glad my fans can pick up new copies and hear some unreleased tracks, outtakes, and live recordings. I also get to share this with my son now – it’s incredibly special to tell him stories about what was happening in my life and the world during this time. Whether you heard Spirit back then or are just discovering it now, I appreciate you listening.”

In the years since releasing Spirit, Jewel has continued to inspire through her music, words and voice. During her nearly three-decade-long career, she has released 13 studio albums (six of which were in the Billboard 200 Top 10), published five books (including her 2015 New York Times best-selling memoir, Never Broken – Songs Are Only Half the Story), and earned 26 nominations for such awards as the GRAMMYs, American Music Awards, MTV Awards, VH1 Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Country Music Awards, winning eight times. Jewel has also dedicated herself to pioneering change in the mental health space, offering mental health tools and resources to those who need it through her Inspiring Children Foundation and Inner.world, a new virtual mental health platform.

In 2021, Jewel captured the ears of a new generation when she won the sixth season of Fox’s hit competition TV series, The Masked Singer. Later that year, she appeared on The Masked Singer Christmas Singalong, where she performed “Hands” with her then-10-year-old son, Kase. Most recently, Jewel released Freewheelin’ Woman—her first studio album in seven years. Produced with Butch Walker, the 2022 LP earned acclaim from the likes of American Songwriter, Spin and AllMusic.

Tracklists:

Spirit (25th Anniversary Edition) (2-CD):

Disc 1:

Deep Water
What’s Simple Is True
Hands
Kiss The Flame
Down So Long
Innocence Maintained
Jupiter
Fat Boy
Enter From The East
Barcelona
Life Uncommon
Do You
Absence Of Fear
This Little Bird
Hands (Single Remix)
Down So Long (Single Remix)
Jupiter (Swallow The Moon) (Single – Alternate Version)
What’s Simple Is True (Soundtrack Version)
You Were Meant For Me (Live 2 Meter Sessions At VARA Studio, Netherlands – October 16, 1996)
Who Will Save Your Soul (Live 2 Meter Sessions At VARA Studio, Netherlands – October 16, 1996)

Disc 2:

Down So Long (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
What’s Simple Is True (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
Foolish Games (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
Do You (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
Who Will Save Your Soul (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
Innocence Maintained (Live At Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, CO – January 22, 1999)
Fat Boy (Live At Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK – November 14, 1997)
Deep Water (Live At Fox FM Studios, Melbourne, Australia – February 25, 1999)
Enter From The East (Solo Acoustic Outtake)
The Sue Lee Song (Demo)*
Hands (Studio Outtake)*
Songs Of Freedom (Studio Outtake)*
Last Dance Rodeo (Home Boombox Demo)*
Wandering (Demo)*
Gloria (Demo)*
Barcelona (Live At Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX – July 9, 1999)*
Down (Live At Woodstock ’99, Rome, NY, July 25, 1999)
Beeswax Operetta (Studio Outtake)*
*previously unreleased

Spirit (25th Anniversary Edition) (Digital):

Deep Water
What’s Simple Is True
Hands
Kiss The Flame
Down So Long
Innocence Maintained
Jupiter
Fat Boy
Enter From The East
Barcelona
Life Uncommon
Do You
Absence Of Fear
This Little Bird
Hands (Single Remix)
Down So Long (Single Remix)
Jupiter (Swallow The Moon) (Single – Alternate Version)
What’s Simple Is True (Soundtrack Version)
You Were Meant For Me (Live 2 Meter Sessions At VARA Studio, Netherlands – October 16, 1996)
Who Will Save Your Soul (Live 2 Meter Sessions At VARA Studio, Netherlands – October 16, 1996)
Down So Long (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
What’s Simple Is True (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
Foolish Games (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
Do You (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
Who Will Save Your Soul (Live At Colegio Oficial de Medicos de Madrid, Spain – February 11th 1999)
Innocence Maintained (Live At Wheeler Opera House, Aspen, CO – January 22, 1999)
Fat Boy (Live At Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London, UK – November 14, 1997)
Deep Water (Live At Fox FM Studios, Melbourne, Australia – February 25, 1999)
Enter From The East (Solo Acoustic Outtake)
The Sue Lee Song (Demo)*
Hands (Studio Outtake)*
Songs Of Freedom (Studio Outtake)*
Last Dance Rodeo (Home Boombox Demo)*
Wandering (Demo)*
Gloria (Demo)*
Barcelona (Live At Reunion Arena, Dallas, TX – July 9, 1999)*
Down (Live At Woodstock ’99, Rome, NY, July 25, 1999)
Beeswax Operetta (Sudio Outtake)*
*previously unreleased

Spirit (2-LP Vinyl):
A1: Deep Water
A2: What’s Simple Is True
A3: Hands
B4: Kiss the Flame
B5: Down So Long
B6: Innocence Maintained
B7: Jupiter
C8: Fat Boy
C9: Enter From the East
C10: Barcelona
D11: Life Uncommon
D12: Do You
D13: Absence Of Fear

Barenaked Ladies Commemorate 35 Years Together, New Album ‘In Flight’ With A SiriusXM Town Hall

Eric Alper
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Barenaked Ladies Commemorate 35 Years Together, New Album ‘In Flight’ With A SiriusXM Town Hall

t’s been 35 years since Barenaked Ladies looked at us for the first time, and the Toronto band is still going strong all these years later.

The band recently released their 18th studio album, In Flight, and marked the occasion by visiting the SiriusXM studios for an exclusive Town Hall hosted by Eric Alper of SiriusXM Canada Talks 167.

During their Town Hall, Barenaked Ladies band members Ed Robertson, Kevin Hearn, Tyler Stewart and Jim Creegan discussed writing and conceiving parts of their new album In Flight during COVID lockdowns, what it was like to be isolated from each other when they have such a long history as a band and as friends, what inspires their songwriting 30+ years into their career, and much, much more.

You can hear the Barenaked Ladies Town Hall on That Eric Alper’s Show:

Saturday, October 7 at 8 am and 4 pm ET
Sunday, October 8 at 12 pm and 8 pm ET
Wednesday, October 11 at 7 pm ET

You can also listen to the Town Hall anytime on the SiriusXM App.

Women In Music Is Promoting A New Accelerator Program

Eric Alper
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Women In Music Is Promoting A New Accelerator Program

Presented with partners ADVANCE and the International Indigenous Music Summit, this program will work to prepare more women and gender diverse professionals for executive level leadership roles.

This program is intended for mid-level industry professionals, in existing music companies or entrepreneurs, with a primary goal of preparing women and gender diverse music professionals for advancement to senior management and director-level opportunities. This will serve as a catalyst to create an ecosystem with more women and gender diverse role models and mentors in senior positions. This new national program will especially cater to intersectional women and gender-diverse people who have the least representation in organizational leadership roles, and as leaders in the music industry nationally.

Women in Music Canada and program partners value diversity, equity, and inclusion and welcomes and invites female and gender-diverse folks from diverse backgrounds to apply.
* Enrolment for this program will be 2/3 by paid registrations through companies, and 1/3 subsidized (free) participants through applications and juried selection. Space is limited to fifteen participants total.
This program is financially supported by Ontario Creates, and City of Toronto.
Additional partneship oportunities for this program are available. If your company is intertested in being part of this important work, please reahc out to robyn at womeninmusic.ca.
Deadline to apply is November 30, 2023
Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by December 15, 2023. 

The Leadership Program including mentorship and training will run online January 25, 2024 through February 29, 2024. Sessions will run from 7:00 PM through 9:00 PM ET (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PT) Tuesday and Thursday, weekly. Mentorship sessions will run as per specific arranged times by participants. An in-person component will following these dates, to be hosted at ArtHaus in Toronto in March, 2024. Details to come. 

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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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