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The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown Celebrates Ron MacLean Appearance With New Episode Out Now

Eric Alper
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The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown Celebrates Ron MacLean Appearance With New Episode Out Now

If you’re a fan of The Tragically Hip, chances are you’ve already been swept up into the whirlwind of nostalgia, fandom, and stories that is The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown. Hosted by JD Dew, this podcast has taken the Hipverse by storm, reaching #1 on Apple Podcasts Music Commentary in Canada, and charting in over 10 countries. Out now, JD drops one of the most anticipated episodes yet—an in-depth conversation with legendary broadcaster and Hip fan Ron MacLean, just in time for the kickoff of the NHL playoffs. Listen to it on Red Circle, Spotify or Apple.

This isn’t just another episode. This is a moment. Ron MacLean—who was there in the trenches of Canadian culture, calling the games, quoting lyrics, and wearing his love for the Hip on his sleeve—joins JD for a candid conversation about the band’s legacy, personal memories of Gord Downie, and what it means to be Canadian in 2025. MacLean’s appearance adds a powerful new layer to a podcast already praised as “articulate,” “riveting,” and “the ultimate podcast for Hip fans.”

The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown is a passion project born from grief, memory, and celebration. Dedicated to JD’s friend Matthew Rona, who passed away from ALS in 2024, the podcast also serves as the anchor for a major fundraiser this fall—culminating in a live finale show at The Rec Room Roundhouse in Toronto on October 4, featuring The Strictly Hip with all proceeds benefiting the ALS Society of Canada.

Each episode features fans sharing their personal stories, revealing how these 40 iconic Hip tracks helped soundtrack their lives. Whether it’s hearing from super-fans coast-to-coast or revisiting the glory of “Blow at High Dough,” “Wheat Kings,” or “Nautical Disaster,” listeners return weekly not just for rankings—but for community.

JD has created more than a countdown—he’s curated a collective mixtape of Canadian memory. The Hip may be gone from the stage, but through the TTH Top 40, they’re still playing, louder than ever.

Tune in Monday, April 21, for the exclusive Ron MacLean episode wherever you get your podcasts. As MacLean himself might say—this one’s for the fans.

New Toronto Jazz Festival Shines Spotlight on Local Legends and Rising Stars

Eric Alper
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New Toronto Jazz Festival Shines Spotlight on Local Legends and Rising Stars

Toronto has a brand-new jazz festival and it’s all about celebrating the city’s richly diverse local talent pool. The JazzInToronto Community Celebration will take place throughout the downtown core May 30, 31 and June 1st. Produced by musicians Lina Welch and Ori Dagan – who collectively run JazzInToronto, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting live music – the festival is a young grassroots affair fueled by a passion for community.

“When it comes to the combination of talent and diversity, there is probably no place in the world quite as vibrant as Toronto,” says JazzInToronto’s artistic director Ori Dagan. “The hardest part about programming a festival like this is narrowing it down, as there are so many local musicians deserving of attention.”

From Swing and Bebop to Soul and R&B, rising stars to veteran virtuosos, the weekend will feature something for everyone.

On Friday, May 30, the festival will open with FREE concerts presented by the St. Lawrence Market District on Market Street. Recently returned from a successful tour of New Orleans, young sensation Trombone Charlotte will breathe new life into early jazz classics to launch the festival at 5pm, followed at 7pm by the hot Afro-Cuban sounds of an exhilarating quartet led by Lady Son aka Yeti Ajasin on vocals and percussion. The evening will conclude one block west with a Tap Dance Jazz Jam event at C’est What (67 Front St E) that will feature an opening set by host Cori Giannotta – free for jammers, the event is sure to be an impressive showcase for the tightly-knit community of Toronto tap dance talent.

On Saturday May 31st at 11:30am, the festival will continue its showcasing of world music with the Ona Ensemble at The Rex Hotel (194 Queen St W); led by Olivia Esther, the unique Canadian-Brazilian chamber jazz ensemble features two French horns, bassoon, reeds and a rhythm section performing choro, samba and jazz. Moving slightly north to Yorkville’s Liss Gallery (112 Cumberland St), Saturday afternoon will feature an intimate concert at 3:30pm by flamenco guitar master Roger Scannura. At 8pm, the festival’s flagship concert, “Overjoyed: Celebrating 75 Years of Stevie Wonder” will take place inside the TD Music Hall in the newly renovated Massey Hall (178 Victoria St). For this exciting evening honouring the iconic singer-songwriter, award-winning pianist Michael Shand will lead an 8-piece band with vocalists Selena Evangeline, Queen Mary the Artist, Robert Ball and Chris Rouse.

“For me, Stevie is the most important artist that we have ever encountered,” says Michael Shand. “He has inspired us all with his fusion of Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz, not to mention his vocal acrobatics – Stevie really is the embodiment of a genius musician.” The night will conclude with a jam session led by University of Toronto jazz student Selena Savage who is already appearing regularly at venues around the city as bandleader, arranger, trombonist and vocalist.

The final day of the festival, Sunday June 1st will start at 11am at The Rex Hotel with a masterclass by JUNO-nominated pianist Mark Eisenman who will inspire young pianists by sharing some of his wisdom about the art accompanying vocalists. In a nod to the beginning of Pride Month, from 2:00-4:30pm the same venue will host an album launch for “Alex Samaras Meets Judy Garland,” featuring the stunning vocals of Samaras in a heartfelt tribute to the iconic artist with the bare accompaniment of Steven Noronha on piano and David French on saxophone.

To conclude the festival, the elegant Jazz Bistro (251 Victoria Street) will host a very special concert reuniting Order of Canada member and 5-time JUNO winner Jane Bunnett with her musical kindred spirit, acclaimed avant-garde pianist Marilyn Lerner. The two started their jazz journey as a duo in 1977 and although their career have taken them in separate directions, they have remained close friends since then. For this special reunion, Bunnett and Lerner will share some of classics Ellington, Strayhorn and Monk standards which they learned together nearly five decades ago.

Tickets for the festival can be purchased at www.jazzintoronto.ca

Holly Cole Releases “Moon River” Video And Announces New Tour Dates Across Canada

Eric Alper
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Holly Cole Releases “Moon River” Video And Announces New Tour Dates Across Canada

Legendary East Coast Canadian songstress Holly Cole has released a stunning new music video for her rendition of the classic “Moon River.” The dreamlike visuals explore a lunar theme that is interwoven throughout the track and album. Dark Moon is available now via Rompus Room Records / Universal Music Canada on CD, 180-gram black vinyl, standard, Hi-Res digital + ATMOS.

Holly Cole started the year with a series of eight sold-out dates at the prestigious BluNote in Tokyo, Japan, and she has just announced new tour dates that will stretch across Canada throughout the rest of 2025. Below is a list of scheduled stops including the famed Montreal Jazz Festival in support of Dark Moon.

For her latest album Dark Moon, Holly uniquely reshapes traditional Jazz, Pop and Country standards including reimagined versions of “No Moon At All,” “Steppin’ Out with My Baby,” “Walk Away Renee,” and “Kiss Me Quick,” originally covered by Elvis Presley.

Holly Cole is a renowned Canadian / International jazz singer who began her career in 1989 with the release of her 4-song EP ‘Christmas Blues’ under indie label Alert Music, followed by her debut album ‘Girl Talk’ in 1990. In 1992, she signed with Blue Note and released ‘Blame It on My Youth’ which achieved Platinum + sales in Canada and a number 1 charted single and album in Japan.

The next album ‘Temptation’ which included her hit rendition of Johnny Nash’s, “I Can See Clearly Now” cemented her success. With 12 previous albums to her name, Cole has achieved multi-platinum sales and received numerous awards, including 2 Juno Awards (8 nominations) and 2 Gemini Awards. She has also won two Japanese Grand Prix Gold Disc Awards and the prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Award from the Montreal Jazz Festival, and in 2014, she was awarded an honorary doctorate from Queen’s University.

In 2019, Holly reunited the original Holly Cole Trio to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, and those special shows were recorded and became the 2021 album ‘Montreal’. In Christmas 2022, Cole released a remastered compilation combining her holiday releases, titled anew ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside and I Have the Christmas Blues.’

TOUR DATES:

• 7/2/2025 Montréal, QC Théâtre Jean Duceppe – Place des Arts
• 7/5/2025 Orillia, ON Tudhope Park *Mariposa Folk Festival
• 9/13/2025 Nanaimo, BC The Port Theatre
• 9/14/2025 Vancouver, BC Vogue Theatre
• 9/16/2025 Calgary, AB Bella Concert Hall
• 9/17/2025 Sherwood Park, AB Festival Place
• 9/20/2025 Winnipeg, MB Club Regent Event Centre

Toronto Alt.Rocker Jax Turcotte Makes Powerful Statement With Debut Single “Sincerely, Once Beloved”

Eric Alper
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Toronto Alt.Rocker Jax Turcotte Makes Powerful Statement With Debut Single “Sincerely, Once Beloved”

Toronto, ON alternative singer-songwriter Jax Turcotte has released his debut single, “Sincerely, Once Beloved,” an intimate yet expansive ballad written as a farewell to guilt, grief, and everything that no longer serves him. Blending vulnerable lyricism with stripped-down instrumentation and a voice that sounds like both a whisper and a declaration, Turcotte is carving out a lane all his own—equal parts Phoebe Bridgers, Radiohead, and the emotional resonance of early 2000s indie rock.

The single is released via The Singer’s Company and marks a bold new chapter for the 18-year-old artist. Written during his final year of high school, “Sincerely, Once Beloved” started as a personal journal entry—an outlet for processing change, confidence, and clarity. It quickly became something more. “This team’s belief in me promoted my confidence and growth as a musician,” says Turcotte. “Their expertise greatly aided me in creating a fully-fledged record from what was a journal entry.”

“Sincerely, Once Beloved” was written as a “sign off” to all of the negativity I had been allowing to affect me: others’ opinions, self-doubt, guilt,” Turcotte explains. “It’s the clarity that comes with recovering from hard times in your life.”

Produced by Roy Hamilton III and Matt Fasullo, with additional mixing by Joe Carolus and mastering by Noah Mintz (Broken Social Scene, The Constantines), the single showcases Turcotte’s artistry and multi-instrumental talent. He performs guitar, vocals, hand percussion, and more on the track.

Lyrically, it’s a poetic burn letter—and a love letter to oneself. “It’s a letter I wished I had sent to myself and to anyone who has ever willfully misunderstood me,” says Turcotte. That authenticity rings out in the refrain:

“Sincerely, a dreamer / Sincerely, a lover / Sincerely, a mourning dove / Sincerely, once beloved”

Turcotte’s gift is in transforming deeply personal thoughts into universal truths. The imagery is raw, but never bitter—there’s grace in his vulnerability. It’s the kind of songwriting that meets listeners exactly where they are, whether they’re in the middle of healing or finally stepping out of the fog. The track balances emotional catharsis with melodic restraint, showcasing a young artist with an old soul and a sharp sense of self.

Raised in Toronto, Jax’s musical upbringing included everything from James Blake and Florence Welch to Sufjan Stevens and Brandi Carlile. But “Sincerely, Once Beloved” is no imitation—it’s an arrival. With this track, Turcotte introduces himself not as an echo of his influences, but as a distinct voice within the new generation of emotionally intelligent singer-songwriters. His classical training, combined with a natural gift for lyricism, gives his music both weight and warmth.

The song has already begun to connect with fans who describe it as “a mirror” and “a hug disguised as a heartbreak.” Whether played through headphones on a rainy walk or through speakers at the end of a long day, “Sincerely, Once Beloved” feels less like a debut and more like a companion.

Turcotte’s goal remains refreshingly clear: “The goal has always been to express myself in a way that feels authentic. If someone connects with it, and I’ve made even the smallest difference—then I’ve done what I came here to do.”

With more music and live performances on the way, “Sincerely, Once Beloved” is a debut, sure, and also an invitation into Jax Turcotte’s world.

Tom Wilson’s New Exhibition ‘Blood Memory’ to Open at Hamilton’s Beckett Fine Art in June 2025

Eric Alper
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Tom Wilson’s New Exhibition ‘Blood Memory’ to Open at Hamilton’s Beckett Fine Art in June 2025

Tom Wilson has never been one to stay in a single lane. He is a JUNO Award-winning musician, a bestselling author, a playwright, a Member of the Order of Canada, and an advocate for Indigenous visibility. He is also, without question, one of Canada’s most powerful visual artists. His latest solo exhibition, Blood Memory, opens at Beckett Fine Art in Hamilton, Ontario, from June 5 to 28, 2025, with a public reception on June 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. This is not just an art show. It is a reckoning, a reflection, and a revelation.

Following the sold-out success of his 2024 solo exhibition at Beckett Fine Art—a rare achievement for any Canadian artist—Wilson returns with a new body of work that confronts history and memory with the same intensity he brings to his music and writing. Blood Memory draws on Wilson’s journey of identity, heritage, and rediscovery, themes that have underscored much of his creative output since the release of his memoir Beautiful Scars.

The title of the exhibition, Blood Memory, speaks to the ancestral knowledge that lives in the body and spirit. Through vivid oil paintings, Wilson explores the lasting echoes of his Mohawk heritage, and the complicated beauty of reclaiming one’s story. The exhibition will feature new works, as well as select rare early paintings.

The timing of the exhibition is especially meaningful. June marks National Indigenous People’s Day in Canada, and Wilson’s work offers a deeply personal perspective on what it means to carry Indigenous identity forward through art, language, and storytelling. Visitors are encouraged to speak with Wilson at the opening reception about his artistic process, his thoughts on cultural memory, and what lies ahead.

This exhibition comes during a time of continued national recognition for Wilson. In 2024, he was shortlisted for the Playwrights Guild of Canada’s Tom Hendry Award for Beautiful Scars: The Musical. He received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from McMaster University and the Lifetime Achievement Award in Music at the International Peace Festival, both in the Fall of 2024. Coinciding with these accolades, Wilson has released a new version of his song “Death Row Love Affair”, an alternative take that serves as a preview of a forthcoming album. The song, which was a powerful closer in the stage musical Beautiful Scars, has been reimagined as a haunting, introspective track produced by Gary Furniss, with contributions from Thompson Wilson, Jesse O’Brien, and Aaron Goldstein.

More than a musician or a writer or a painter, Tom Wilson is a storyteller across mediums. With Blood Memory, he invites audiences to stand still, look closely, and feel the weight and wonder of stories that have waited too long to be told.

Blood Memory runs from June 5 to 28, 2025, at Beckett Fine Art, located at 196 Locke Street South in Hamilton, Ontario. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, June 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. A sample of the artwork will be available online at www.beckettfineart.com starting April 10.

Séan McCann Announces “The Great Big Canadian Road Trip” : One Man. One Guitar, One Country

Eric Alper
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Séan McCann Announces “The Great Big Canadian Road Trip” : One Man. One Guitar, One Country

Séan McCann, the beloved Canadian troubadour and Order of Canada recipient best known as a founding member of Great Big Sea, is hitting the road for a different kind of tour in 2025—a tour not about charts, fame, or the “American dream,” but about connection, community, and commitment to country. Literally.

In the wake of tightening U.S. visa restrictions, rising touring costs, and the recent cultural backlash from artists choosing to avoid the U.S., McCann is embracing a path less travelled—right here at home. While others are cancelling American dates due to aggressive tariffs and threats to our sovereignty, McCann is leaning hard into Canada, launching his Great Big Canadian Road Trip, a coast-to-coast journey through many towns and cities he’s never played before. “I LOVE Americans!” says McCann. “I love them so much that I even married one, but I won’t return to the states until the current president is gone and our neighbours change their angry tone. In the meantime, I believe that Canada needs a little more singing, and a little less shouting.”

Armed with nothing but his acoustic guitar, his powerful voice, and a lifetime of songs that heal as much as they entertain, McCann will criss-cross the country from Sudbury to Victoria and everywhere in between on the first leg of his national journey. This is not about sold-out stadiums or velvet rope green rooms—It’s about parking lots, prayer halls, libraries, and legion halls; places where local people still show up and sing along.

Best known for his stadium-shaking anthems with Great Big Sea, Séan has since carved out a deeply personal solo path, speaking and singing about mental health, recovery, and resilience. His shows are raw, real, and—above all—relational. “Music is medicine,” he says, “and we all need a dose right now”

This tour is also a celebration of McCann’s independence—not just from the U.S. industry machine, but from the relentless noise of the mainstream. He’s hitting the road to bring music to the people who need it most, in places that don’t always make the tour poster.

The Great Big Canadian Road Trip is about more than the 10,000 kilometres it will take to make the drive —it’s about finding harmony in a world that feels off-key. It’s about reminding Canadians, from Kamloops to Kenora, that their stories matter and their voices count and that together we are strong enough to overcome every challenge we may face as a country moving forward.

TOUR DATES – 2025
MAY
21 – Sudbury, ON – Trinity United Lively
22 – Sault Ste. Marie, ON – Willow Grove United
23 – Thunder Bay, ON – St. Andrews Presbyterian
24 – Fort Frances, ON – Knox United
25 – Kenora, ON – Knox United
28 – Winnipeg, MB – Bord-Aire Community Centre
29 – Regina, SK – Harmony United (Fundraiser for Carmichael Outreach)
30 – Swift Current, SK – Lyric Theatre (Fundraiser)
31 – Medicine Hat, AB – Public Library
JUNE
1 – Calgary, AB – Parkdale United
4 – Salmon Arm, BC – Song Sparrow Hall
5 – Penticton, BC – The Dream Cafe
6 – Chilliwack, BC – Ryder Lake Hall
7 – Parksville, BC – Knox United
8 – Victoria, BC – Hermann’s Jazz
12 – Kamloops, BC – St. Andrews Presbyterian
13 – Jasper, AB – Historic Jasper Baptist Church (Fundraiser for fire victims)
14 – Edmonton, AB – Grace United
15 – North Battleford, SK – Third Ave United
16 – Rosthern, SK – Trinity Lutheran
17 – Yorkton, SK – St. Andrews United
18 – Neepawa, MB – Arts Forward
20 – Hearst, ON – Hearst University Amphitheatre
21 – Timmins ,ON – MacIntyre Community Centre
22 – North Bay, ON – St. Andrews United

Raina Krangle Reimagines Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” with Fresh Folk Soul and ’60s Reverence

Eric Alper
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Raina Krangle Reimagines Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” with Fresh Folk Soul and ’60s Reverence

“You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.” More than 50 years since Joni Mitchell first sang those words, singer-songwriter Raina Krangle breathes new life into them with her vibrant, acoustic-driven cover of Big Yellow Taxi, out now. Blending her signature Fresh Folk style with a stripped-down authenticity true to Joni’s spirit, Krangle’s version is both a nostalgic nod and a timely refresh—one that captures the urgency of now with the warmth of a shared past.

Backed by longtime music collaborator Brian Siegal and Chris Seldon (guitar/backing vocals), the track was originally recorded decades ago in Toronto—preserved on tape and brought forward into the present with subtle clean-up and deep respect for its original rawness. The simplicity of the arrangement lets Krangle’s voice shine through, drawing comparisons to icons like Stevie Nicks and Sheryl Crow, but always sounding like herself: earthy, luminous, and unmistakably honest.

“There was no folk club at university,” Raina recalls, “so Chris, Brian and I started the Western Guitar Society. We jammed every Friday night and played around campus. I practiced singing daily to Joni’s Clouds album—especially ‘Chelsea Morning.’ That’s how I trained myself to hold notes, shift to falsetto, and find my voice.”

Their acoustic version of Big Yellow Taxi was captured one weekend in Toronto. “If I hadn’t digitized the tape, it might’ve been lost forever,” she adds. “Years later, I listened to it in my old car on the way to perform at the Aurora Music Festival—singing along, grinning—and realized it still had something real and special.” That recording, she says, was “pure, unpolished, and real—just three young musicians capturing the essence of a timeless song.” And though the cassette is long gone and the car it played in has since been replaced, the feeling remains. “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone. Records, tapes, even CDs—formats change, but the emotion of music is eternal.”

From those early days to today, Krangle has kept Mitchell’s music close. Her classroom even made the Top 10 in CBC Music’s 2019 Big Yellow Taxi challenge, an experience she calls “so thrilling.” But it was the rediscovery of the old university recording—rescued from tape, transferred to CD, and gently restored—that made her realize this version needed to be heard.

And the timing couldn’t be more right. “Now, with Canada-U.S. tariff wars and growing global tensions, two Canadian singer-songwriters—Joni, now in the U.S., and me in Canada—watch history unfold,” Raina reflects. What began as an environmental anthem has become something far broader. “That lyric—‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone’—it echoes now in broken alliances, disinformation, and a deep yearning for truth.”

This new release is a continuation of protest music’s legacy and a heartfelt reminder that art and activism can collide in meaningful, beautiful ways. “This project is a statement about unity, kindness and the need to stand against hate,” she says. “This song asks what went wrong.”

As Joni Mitchell’s legacy continues to rise in public consciousness—through tribute albums, documentaries, and sold-out concerts—Krangle’s version taps into something deep and timely. “The message feels even more urgent today,” she says. “And this version of the song, rooted in memory and reimagined for 2025, is my way of honouring that message.”

And now the song has been passed from one generation of Canadian artists to another. It’s memory, melody, and a message that still rings true.

Raina Krangle’s music has earned her finalist status in the Blues and Roots Radio International Song Contest and a nomination for the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award. Her sound—often described as a meeting of Tom Petty and The Eagles with modern folk sensibilities—has graced venues across Canada, including legendary spots like Toronto’s Free Times Café and the El Mocambo and The Rainbow Bistro in Ottawa.

Joe Cool Releases “Company Man” As Toronto Folk Rocker Previews New EP ‘Blood Sweat and Beers’

Eric Alper
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Joe Cool Releases “Company Man” As Toronto Folk Rocker Previews New EP ‘Blood Sweat and Beers’

Toronto folk-rocker Joe Cool is back, calloused hands and all, with the lead single from his third EP Blood, Sweat & Beers. The track, “Company Man,” is a blue-collar anthem for anyone who’s ever punched a clock, buried their dreams for a steady paycheque, and tried to keep their head above water in a world that doesn’t always make room for poets and pick-up trucks. Written by Joe Cool (aka Joseph D Coulas) and produced by longtime collaborator Jack Wiktor, “Company Man” is out now – offering the first sip of a record that goes down like a cold beer after a long shift.

Built on ringing acoustic chords and the kind of worn-in vocals that only come from life experience, “Company Man” captures the quiet resignation of working-class life, laced with just enough hope to keep going. Think Jason Isbell if he clocked in at a factory. Think Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska if it were written with a Canadian postal code. It’s a song that doesn’t flinch—it tells the truth, straight-up, no chaser.

Blood, Sweat & Beers was recorded in late summer 2024 at Toronto’s beloved Cadence House—a studio that’s been the beating heart of the city’s Bloorcourt scene for over a decade. With the studio closing its doors shortly after the sessions wrapped, the EP took on added emotional weight. “It felt like one last shift before clocking out,” says Joe. “We weren’t just making a record—we were closing a chapter.” Wiktor, who also engineered and produced, steered the sessions with the ease of someone who knew both the artist and the space like the back of his hand.Alongside Joe and Jack, the EP features a trusted crew: Dan Wiktor on drums,, Jason Wolowicz on electric guitar, and Jack on bass. It’s a lineup that brings just the right mix of sweat and sweetness—tight where it needs to be, and ragged in all the right spots.

Joe Cool’s songwriting has always leaned into the everyday—the busted pickups, the backyard beers, the silent goodbyes—but “Company Man” takes that ethos and distills it to its purest form. It’s not just a song for the working man. It’s a song for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, unseen, or underappreciated. Fans of John Prine, The War on Drugs, Steve Earle, and even The Hold Steady will find themselves in good company here.

The lyrics to “Company Man” read like pages torn from a hard-luck diary:

Too much, too late
I’m gonna stick to the plan
Out of touch and out of date
But i’m just a company man

It’s honest, unvarnished, and aching in that way only truth can be.

Catch Joe Cool on the road this spring and summer as he brings Blood, Sweat & Beers to audiences across Ontario and beyond:

May 17, 2025, Palmerfest, Palmer Rapids, ON
June 28, 2025, Cottagefest, Combermere, ON
August 30, 2025, Freakfest, Bells Rapids, ON

Briston Maroney Battles His Inner Demons in “Better Than You” Video

Eric Alper
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Briston Maroney Battles His Inner Demons in “Better Than You” Video

Indie-rock singer-songwriter Briston Maroney unveils the video for his latest single, “Better Than You.” Co-written with Dan Nigro (Caroline Polachek, Olivia Rodrigo, Chappell Roan, Lorde), the song is a bounding tune about menace and ambition and self-judgement that spreads like a virus. The video, directed by Amalia Irons, depicts just that — your inner self as your biggest enemy.

About the video, Maroney said, “FOLKS, wow. It’s time. To take a little journey into the smoggy, squatch fearing mind of our dear Jimmy as he confronts his greatest fear: himself! In all seriousness, I’m stoked to share this music video with y’all, I feel like the song really comes into itself with this visual world behind it.

“We filmed this sucker in Malibu, CA and you can feel all of the strange spirit of that place when you watch it , or at least I hope you can hahah. I’ve still got little yucca plant spines in my legs from this shoot and look forward to removing them one by one as you all tune in.”

Spotify’s DJ Just Got Smarter And Now Taking Your Music Requests

Eric Alper
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Spotify’s DJ Just Got Smarter And Now Taking Your Music Requests

People all over the world are already obsessed with Spotify’s DJ. Whether it’s at the gym, chilling at home, or zoning in at work, DJ delivers a deeper, more personal connection to music. It’s like having that one friend who actually gets your taste—except they don’t steal your phone or skip your favorite track. Over the past year, listener engagement with DJ has nearly doubled, and now, Spotify is giving that friendship a major upgrade: DJ is taking music requests. In real time.

That’s right—Premium users in more than 60 global markets can now talk directly to DJ and shape the vibe however they want. Think of it as a late-night request line, but powered by AI and curated by Spotify’s best editorial minds. Whether you’re rediscovering a forgotten classic or looking for the next new obsession, DJ has you covered.

The best part? It’s all voice-controlled. Want something moody for date night? Done. Need to get hyped for a run? DJ’s got the playlist for that too. You can literally say, “Surprise me with some indie tracks I’ve never heard before,” or “Give me some electronic beats for a midday run.” You can even channel your inner drama queen and ask, “Play me some cry-in-the-car songs.” DJ won’t judge.

And yes, this is that DJ—the voice modeled after Spotify’s own Xavier “X” Jernigan. If you’ve heard him before, you know he brings the energy. Now, you can actually talk back. This isn’t just personalized streaming; this is conversation-level connection with your tunes.

Here’s how to get in on it:

  1. Head to the search tab on Spotify and type in “DJ.”

  2. Press play. DJ will start spinning a mix just for you, complete with commentary.

  3. Want to switch it up? Press and hold the DJ button in the corner. You’ll hear a beep when DJ is ready.

  4. Say what you want—anything from genres and artists to moods and activities.

  5. DJ will instantly update your session based on your voice, listening history, and personal music taste.

Still want to mix things up without a specific request? Tap the DJ button to jump to the next section. It’s that easy.

A quick heads-up: DJ requests are still in beta, so it won’t pull up podcasts or audiobooks just yet. But for music? It’s like having a 24/7 audio concierge that listens, learns, and delivers.

As Spotify puts it, this is only the beginning. DJ is evolving—and with your voice in the mix, the soundtrack to your life is about to get a whole lot more interesting.

Ready to make a request? Just search “DJ” on Spotify and start talking.

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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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