Page 1309 – That Eric Alper

Eric Alper Public Relations’ Artists Receive 27 Maple Blues Awards Nominations

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 12, 2023

Eric Alper Public Relations’ Artists Receive 27 Maple Blues Awards Nominations

Blues music today continues to be a vibrant and influential genre that resonates with a wide range of listeners. While it has evolved over the decades, the essence of the blues, with its emotive lyrics and soulful melodies, remains as powerful as ever. Modern blues musicians draw from the rich history of the genre while infusing their own unique styles and perspectives. Blues festivals and clubs around the world provide platforms for both seasoned veterans and emerging artists to showcase their talents, keeping the tradition alive and well. In an era of constant musical innovation, blues music endures as a timeless testament to the human experience, offering solace, catharsis, and a connection to the roots of American and Canadian music. Whether through classic standards or contemporary interpretations, blues continues to touch the hearts and souls of its listeners, proving that its enduring legacy is far from fading.

The Toronto Blues Society continues to support and promote Canadian Blues artists by announcing the nominees for the upcoming 26th annual Maple Blues Awards. The winners will be announced on Monday, February 12, 2024 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto.

The Eric Alper Public Relations and its family of labels and artists nominees listed below were selected by the Maple Blues Awards Nomination Panel for their outstanding achievements in blues music in Canada over the past year.

Entertainer of the Year
Angelique Francis
Blue Moon Marquee

Electric Act of the Year
Colin James
Sue Foley

Acoustic Act of the Year
Brandon Isaak
Michael Jerome Browne

Male Vocalist of the Year
Brandon Isaak
Steve Marriner

Female Vocalist of the Year
Crystal Shawanda

Recording/Producer of the Year
Midnight Blues
ARTIST: Crystal Shawanda
PRODUCER: Dewayne Strobel

One Step Closer
ARTIST: Brandon Isaak
PRODUCER: Brandon Isaak/Conrad Hillis

Guitarist of the Year
Sue Foley
Tony D (Diteodoro)

Harmonica Player of the Year
Steve Marriner

Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
David Vest
Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne

Horn Player of the Year
Dan Jancar
Loretta Hale

Drummer of the Year
Matt Sobb

Bassist of the Year
Angelique Francis
Gary Kendall

Songwriter of the Year
Andre Bisson
Brandon Isaak
Crystal Shawanda

Blues With A Feeling/Lifetime Achievement Award
Dalannah Gail Bowen
Sue Foley
Tom Lavin

Haneke Twins Delivers Raw Emotion in ‘Voices’ from ‘Stories of Violence’ Album

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 11, 2023

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Haneke Twins Delivers Raw Emotion in ‘Voices’ from ‘Stories of Violence’ Album

Grief finds its way to all of us. Swiss-based band Haneke Twins unload a palpable, relatable pain in its latest single, “Voices.”

One slice of the band’s third album, “Stories of Violence,” “Voices” is a classic post-punk spirit served ice-cold with a drizzle of dissonance. The song’s lyrics are based on an unreleased poem from Zen Das, a poet and friend of the band, and describe the emotions of someone processing the ravenous ache of loss.

“I grab my pen, a hand that shakes
You’re in my mind, my heart that aches
I know you’re there, you’re in my soul
You’re in my smile, my every bone”

“We’ve blended influences from three generations of post-punk: the classic era of the ‘80s, its 2000s revival, and its modern retake,” the band said. “Our lyrics deal mainly with psychological, social, and political subjects, such as the lack of stable and appropriate housing, the ever-increasing policing and surveillance, the punitive justice, the recent refugee crisis, the vanity in our lives, depression, anxiety, and more.”

Most of the album was hatched during the pandemic, which impacted the process and tone.

“The mood of the album is such partially because most of the material was written during the pandemic,” the band explained. “The pandemic also affected our songwriting process since most of the tracks were not composed in the traditional way working together in a studio – on the contrary, they were written in total isolation due to the lockdown, exchanging material remotely over the internet.”

You can feel the heartache in each piece of “Voices,” expertly laid down by the band’s five members: Stefanos Leontsinis (guitar), Andrés G. Delannoy (guitar), Paul Aspell (bass), Emil Koulouris (drums), and Paschalis Vichoudis (vocals and keys). The track stands as a testament to the Haneke Twins’ insistence that while it takes pieces from multiple subgenres of rock, its original sound manifests into a style the band coined itself: “rough-wave.”

“Even though we find that our music balances perfectly between post-punk, alt-rock, and dark-wave, none of the three terms describes it well enough, thus we often use the invented term ‘rough-wave’ when referring to it,” the band said.

Originally started as a duo comprised of Leontsinis and Vichoudis, Haneke Twins later grew to five and is centered between Geneva and Zurich and recorded some of “Stories of Violence” at a studio in Saint-Genis-Pouilly, France. Perhaps most unique about the band, though, is its scientific background.

Each member of the outfit holds a doctorate degree in physics, a fact not often true for any collection of five people, let alone five people who all rock out together.

“When not making music, we wear our lab coats and investigate the secrets of the universe at the CERN research center,” the band explained. “Too bad the band name ‘We Are Scientists’ was already taken.”

Instead, the band drew inspiration for their moniker from Austrian filmmaker Michael Haneke and his movie, “The White Ribbon,” which the band calls a “masterpiece.”

“It’s a second-to-none suspense film without a single note of music!” the band said. “According to Haneke, ‘usually music is used to hide a film’s problems.’ Another favorite of his quotes is: ‘a feature film is 24 lies per second.’ The question that arises from this: what is the ‘lie rate’ in popular music?”

While that question might not have a scientific answer, Haneke Twins is doing its part to bring truth to the musical world. With signature baritone vocals and cold, arctic guitars that rip through the songs like shards of ice, the band’s sometimes hypnotic and often explosive music transports you to the dark and smoky underground clubs of the U.K. while serving up the rawness of reality, like it or not.

First of the Last Stars Fuse the Dreamy with the Powerfully Raw on “Wrong Star”

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 11, 2023

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First of the Last Stars Fuse the Dreamy with the Powerfully Raw on “Wrong Star”

There are so many possible paths in life that it can be hard to know for sure if we’re getting it right. Ottawa-based alt-rockers First of the Last Stars address this fear of regret in their dreamy, introspective new single “Wrong Star” from their All I Ever Wanted EP – available now.

A mix of gossamer dream-pop and soaring pop-punk elements, “Wrong Star” guides us through a universe of inward reflection:

Of all of the ghosts that have haunted me I miss yours the most
So lost beside you, I can’t feel when you’re close
too cold to hold, one’s silver one’s bone
this one is ashes, the other’s lost control

Meanwhile, the corresponding music video pulls us through this dark infinity scenes of star-filled nights juxtaposed with snow-covered landscapes. The visuals complement the song nicely, Gareth’s ethereal instrumentation offset by singer Ophelie’s strong, passionate, and sometimes raw vocals.

As much as the song is about uncertainty, it’s also about keeping sight of our priorities. “This song is about the fear of regret as we face many paths throughout our lives,” the band mused. “Things can tear us apart from what’s most important, if we let them. Our time is finite. One day, we’ll look back on our lives and wonder if we ‘wished on the wrong star.’”

However, the song is ultimately open to interpretation. “Our writing process is quite fluid,” they said. “Each song comes about in a different way. We mean our lyrics to be interpreted by the listener in a way they can relate to personally. We take a lot of time to write each of our songs. We try to serve the song, always.”

First of the Last Stars are an alternative rock duo – Gareth and Ophelie – formed in 2019 in Ottawa. They combine elements of post-punk, shoegaze, and dream pop as their influences. Born out of lockdowns and the loss of loved ones, they were inspired to find their post-grunge sound, to follow a dream, and ultimately free themselves.

First of the Last Stars previously released their debut single “Never Alone,” a slow burner that sparks into a fire. Their second single “Unfamiliar” showcased their more upbeat side with a slight tinge of their signature melancholy, proving that their All I Ever Wanted EP was guaranteed to be captivating.

Danny Lamb’s ‘Powerful (Hold Space)’ Is A Musical Testament to Love, Empathy, And A More Inclusive World

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 11, 2023

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Danny Lamb’s ‘Powerful (Hold Space)’ Is A Musical Testament to Love, Empathy, And A More Inclusive World

Danny Lamb has been creating music and doing everything he can to carve out a more empathetic world since he was sixteen years old. His life as an able-bodied person, while still having a disability, has made him keenly aware of the privilege he has. Danny is always thinking about how hard things can be for others, instilling in him a driving desire to see the world become as it can be: better and full of love. His latest single and release, ‘Powerful (Hold Space)’ is both a testament and a reflection of his dedication to music, love, and empathy, and you can hear it clearly in every note.

Danny Lamb has had his music and achievements featured in and recognized by several publications and organizations, including Niagara Life Magazine, Canadian Musician Magazine, Global TV with Susan Hay, CHTV, and the BBC, and it’s easy to see why, once the music of Danny Lamb surrounds you with the possibilities and wonders, waiting just around the corner.

Danny Lamb is building a legacy of art and lifting others up, in every way he can, as a humanitarian, artist, and human being that loves the world and its people, and it’s all painted clearly across ‘Powerful (Hold Space)’, a song about creating love and making space for others.

Danny Lamb has shared the stage or worked with countless industry-shaping artists and figures, including Mark Lalama, Music Director of Canadian Idol, Fefe Dobson and Marianas Trench, and it’s because he’s part of the next wave of artists shaping the future of music. His latest single ‘Powerful (Hold Space)’ adds to the already rich legacy of music and is a clear sign of Danny Lamb’s future as an artist and performer.

Charlie PS Lights A ‘Slow Burn’ Against The Modern Music Industry In New Release

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 11, 2023

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Charlie PS Lights A ‘Slow Burn’ Against The Modern Music Industry In New Release

In Charlie PS’s single, “Slow Burn,” the Vancouver-based, England-born rock artist isn’t mincing words about the modern music industry.

The creativity inherent to music is what ignites the magic we feel when that bassline hits. It’s not a formula, it’s not linear, and it doesn’t require metrics for meaning – it’s a journey into humanity that makes you want to move. This is core to the concept of “Slow Burn,” a cathartic roar from Charlie PS as she unleashes her frustrations onto the track.

“Too many side eye glances I’ll never learn
Too much of a good thing, point of no return
Too many times that I wanna sit and watch it burn,
You better notice, you better know…”

Over instrumentation from Steven Roe on lead guitar, Lachlan Tocher on bass, and Brennan Buglioni on drums, Charlie PS rocks out with plenty of raw emotion.

“‘Slow Burn is my retort back towards an industry that is forever changing with expectations that are unrealistically high, especially for independent artists,” she said. “We live in an incredibly bittersweet age that allows us to bypass the need for record labels by being able to self-promote and self-record our music, but that also results in being more easily lost in the crowd of those also pushing for the same goals. Sometimes, it feels less about the quality of my music and more about how many times a week I post to my TikTok, and that thought is one of the matches that ignited the fire into writing ‘Slow Burn.’”

The way Charlie PS, who also provides rhythm guitar on the track, structured the song and delivers the vocals displays the urgence she feels to keep up with what she’s hearing all around her. The chorus was bumped up one BPM faster than the rest of the song to add a hurriedness to that portion, one example of how the artist used tools other than her words to get the message across.

“This song plays around with feel and timing,” Charlie PS explained. “All of the verses in ‘Slow Burn’ are played in a ‘swung’ style rhythm, whereas the rhythm changes to a straight style right at the end of the pre-chorus going into the chorus.”

“Slow Burn” is the fifth of five tracks on Charlie PS’s latest EP, “Even If It Kills Me,” which is set to be released on Oct. 27. The artist dug deep into her psyche to bring together a project with plenty of personal meaning.

“Each song is a bit of a snippet from certain periods of my life over the past three years, recognizing things I need to work on – in the songs ‘Raw’ and ‘Down To The Devil’ – and celebrating moments of personal growth – in ‘Revival’ and ‘Even If It Kills Me,’” she said. “Then the final song, ‘Slow Burn,’ focuses on everything that I’ve been wanting to vent about regarding the music industry over the last few years and underlining my intentions in moving forward at this stage of my career.”

Charlie PS burst onto the scene in 2018 with her debut EP, “Little Miss Dysfunctional,” which included a track that went on to be nominated and win Best Pop Song, be nominated for Best Music Video, and earned the artist herself a nomination for Artist of the Year at the 2019 Kootenay Music Awards. She also finished in the top-100 in CBC’s Searchlight competition in 2019 and won a spot at the local Surrey Fusion Festival in the same year.

In 2021, Charlie PS introduced the world to her single, “Ghost of You,” which combines flavors of alternative and southern rock, creating a backdrop for western-esque storytelling. It was featured on the Spotify Editorial Playlist “Morning Blues,” BBC Radio, and CBC’s “Rock Canada” Playlist.

The artist has a sound that can be described as a sonic melting pot, which makes sense given her upbringing. Charlie PS was born in Bristol, England, but transplanted across the world at a young age to grow up in Nelson, British Columbia. She has since moved to Vancouver, where she continues to draw inspiration from a wide variety of rock and blues, naming Stevie Nicks, Ann Wilson, Grace Potter, and ZZ Ward among her encouragers.

“I borrow elements of strong vocals and energetic riffs and use them to create my own blended sound rooted in modern-rock,” Charlie PS explained.

Watch ‘Fishing With John Lurie’ TV Show Featuring Tom Waits

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 11, 2023

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Watch ‘Fishing With John Lurie’ TV Show Featuring Tom Waits

“Fishing with John” is a cult television series from the 1990s created by actor and musician John Lurie. The show features Lurie taking various celebrity guests on fishing expeditions in different parts of the world. Each episode follows a humorous and offbeat format, with the fishing itself often taking a back seat to the interactions and comedic situations that arise during the trips.

Episode 2 of “Fishing with John” features the musician and actor Tom Waits. In this episode, John Lurie and Tom Waits embark on a fishing adventure in the wilds of Montauk, New York. The show is known for its deadpan humor and unconventional take on the fishing and travel documentary genre.

Throughout the episode, Lurie and Waits engage in quirky conversations and bizarre situations while attempting to catch fish. The two share amusing and absurd moments, such as Tom Waits catching fish with his bare hands, and their interactions are filled with dry humor and a surreal atmosphere.

“Fishing with John” is a unique and unconventional series that has gained a cult following over the years, thanks to its eccentric approach to celebrity-driven travel and fishing shows. Tom Waits’ appearance in this particular episode adds to the show’s charm, and fans of both John Lurie and Tom Waits often find it an entertaining and eccentric experience.

Watch The Carpenters’ Holiday Classic “A Christmas Portrait” TV Show From 1978

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 11, 2023

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Watch The Carpenters’ Holiday Classic “A Christmas Portrait” TV Show From 1978

“The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait” is a Christmas television special that originally aired on ABC in 1978. It features the popular American music duo, The Carpenters, consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. The special was a holiday-themed musical event that showcased the duo’s signature soft rock and pop music style, as well as their charming and heartwarming approach to Christmas songs.

Karen Carpenter was known for her beautiful and distinctive voice, and in this special, she performed a variety of classic Christmas songs, including “The Christmas Song,” “Sleigh Ride,” and “Merry Christmas Darling.” Richard Carpenter, the musical arranger and pianist of the duo, accompanied her with their signature sound.

The program also featured guest appearances by various artists and entertainers, and it included segments with the Carpenters interacting with children in a festive holiday setting. The special was a one-hour celebration of Christmas music and the holiday season, and it has become a beloved part of the Carpenters’ legacy. It was a reflection of the Carpenters’ enduring popularity and their ability to capture the spirit of the season through their music.

“The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait” has been re-aired on television in subsequent years and has been made available on various home video formats, making it a cherished tradition for fans of the Carpenters and holiday music enthusiasts.

My Next Read: “A Book of Days” By Patti Smith

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 11, 2023

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My Next Read: “A Book of Days” By Patti Smith

A deeply moving and brilliantly idiosyncratic visual book of days by the National Book Award–winning author of Just Kids and M Train, featuring more than 365 images and reflections that chart Smith’s singular aesthetic—inspired by her wildly popular Instagram.

In 2018, without any plan or agenda for what might happen next, Patti Smith posted her first Instagram photo: her hand with the simple message “Hello Everybody!” Known for shooting with her beloved Land camera 250, Smith started posting images from her phone including portraits of her kids, her radiator, her boots, and her Abyssinian cat, Cairo. Followers felt an immediate affinity with these miniature windows into Smith’s world, photographs of her daily coffee, the books she’s reading, the graves of beloved heroes—William Blake, Dylan Thomas, Sylvia Plath, Simone Weil, Albert Camus. Over time, a coherent story of a life devoted to art took shape, and more than a million followers responded to Smith’s unique aesthetic in images that chart her passions, devotions, obsessions, and whims. Original to this book are vintage photographs: anniversary pearls, a mother’s keychain, and a husband’s Mosrite guitar. Here, too, are never-before-seen photos of life on and off the road, train stations, obscure cafés, a notebook always nearby. In wide-ranging yet intimate daily notations, Smith shares dispatches from her travels around the world.

With over 365 photographs taking you through a single year, A Book of Days is a new way to experience the expansive mind of the visionary poet, writer, and performer. Hopeful, elegiac, playful—and complete with an introduction by Smith that explores her documentary process—A Book of Days is a timeless offering for deeply uncertain times, an inspirational map of an artist’s life.

Governor Newsom Announces Statewide Expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Provide Universal Access to Free Books for Young Children

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 11, 2023

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Governor Newsom Announces Statewide Expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Provide Universal Access to Free Books for Young Children

Governor Gavin Newsom, joined by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, State Senator Shannon Grove, State Librarian Greg Lucas, and The Dollywood Foundation, announced that California is launching the statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The expansion, made possible by bipartisan legislation SB 1183 (Grove) — which was signed into law by Governor Newsom last year — allows all California children under the age of five to be eligible to enroll in the program to receive a free book every month in the mail. The program is currently active in areas across 30 counties in California and this expansion is expected to fully cover the entire state by 2028.

WHAT GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAID: “Dolly Parton unites us through her music — and through her commitment to helping all kids develop a love for reading. With this statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, California is on track to put more free books in children’s hands than any other state in the nation — broadening millions of young minds to a world of unlimited possibilities.”

WHAT FIRST PARTNER SIEBEL NEWSOM SAID: “Reading to kids early and often is good for their literacy development and a great way to begin to cultivate a lifelong love and appreciation for reading. I have immense gratitude for Dolly Parton and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for partnering with California to expand the program and provide the first in the nation bilingual book option. As the program grows from 30 counties to all 58, more and more California families will have the opportunity – at no cost to them – to give their children the beautiful and invaluable gift of reading, in English and Spanish.”

WHAT DOLLY PARTON SAID: “I’m so thrilled at the overwhelming support to make my Imagination Library available to every child in California! I want to thank Senator Shannon Grove and Senator Toni Atkins for inspiring tremendous support from California legislators and Governor Gavin Newsom for enthusiastically signing this bill. Today is an amazing milestone for children and families across the state! We still have a lot of work to do, but together we can inspire a love of reading in children across California that will last a lifetime.”

WHAT SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM TONI ATKINS SAID: “Books have the power to transport us to new worlds and introduce us to new people and ideas. Growing up, my family didn’t have a lot but we did have access to a library. Reading with my parents instilled in me a lifelong love of books and thirst for knowledge that propelled me to places I would never have expected. Every child deserves the same chance to learn from and enjoy books. This statewide expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will help spark a love of reading for generations of Californian children, support healthy brain development, and provide a fun way for parents and children to connect.”

WHAT STATE SENATOR SHANNON GROVE SAID: “Today is a historic moment as we embark upon an exciting journey to expand Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across California, a wonderful bilingual reading program that will inspire the minds of our youngest learners. I am honored to have authored this impactful legislation that will ignite the love for family reading, improve academic performance and have a positive impact on our children for generations to come.”

WHAT STATE LIBRARIAN GREG LUCAS SAID: “Early readers grow into strong readers. Strong readers are more likely to succeed in school and to succeed in life. The Imagination Library makes that happen for every kid under five. This is the kind of challenge we like at the State Library — working with local partners to put as many books as we can into the hands of as many kids as we can.”

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is currently active in all 50 states and has gifted over 200 million books since 1995. California is the first state to provide a bilingual option where children and their families can select to receive bilingual books in both English and Spanish. When California’s statewide expansion is complete, it will be the largest statewide Imagination Library in the nation.

Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, and in partnership with the Legislature, California is improving education outcomes and investing in literacy. California outperformed most states in mitigating learning loss during the pandemic, and through historic levels of school and library funding, the state is building a cohesive structure of support for educators and students that reflects a focus on equity, inclusion, and academic success.