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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. 

First Day of Fall: Canadian Singer ALEX BIRD’s Ballad to Canadian Thanksgiving

Eric Alper
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First Day of Fall: Canadian Singer ALEX BIRD’s Ballad to Canadian Thanksgiving

While American Thanksgiving gets a ton of attention and fanfare, Canadian Thanksgiving is arguably the superior holiday.

https://youtu.be/jOb-p-vl7mw 

Alex Bird, the Toronto-based singer, thinks Thanksgiving is so special, in 2022 he wrote Canada’s first official Thanksgiving tune called “The Sweetest Moments”.

Alex Bird is a JUNO nominated jazz singer, songwriter, and actor in Toronto, Ontario. Alex and his band “The Jazz Mavericks” are working on an entirely new chapter of the Great American Songbook and pushing the boundaries of a beautiful tradition by bringing it into a new era. Bird’s original debut album “Whisky Kisses” (Oct 2020) received glowing reviews, awards, airplay, and distribution around the world, and was recently followed up by his sophomore album, “Songwriter” (2022) in collaboration with Ewen Farncombe. To learn more visit Alexbird.net.

The heartwarming, nostalgic tune captures the unique essence of Canadian Thanksgiving – including the smell of cool, crisp autumn air and turkey roasting in the oven, two elements that Canadians associate most with the season. The song remains Alex’s most-played song, with over 272K listens and counting on Spotify and is gaining momentum right in time for the first day of fall!

 

“The Sweetest Moments” can be streamed on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.

Lighters Aloft For Renowned Musician Martin Larose’s Classic Rush Cover Of ‘The Spirit Of Radio’

Eric Alper
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0
Lighters Aloft For Renowned Musician Martin Larose’s Classic Rush Cover Of ‘The Spirit Of Radio’

Martin Larose, the renowned musician, and owner of Le Studio Septentrio from Quebec’s picturesque Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is set to enthrall music lovers once again with the release of his latest single, the classic Rush cover “The Spirit Of Radio” – available now.

This musical rendition is a captivating cover of the iconic Rush classic and a testament to Martin’s exceptional talent and unique approach to making music. “The Spirit Of Radio” which coincides with the upcoming launch of his album, ‘Hek of a Ride,’ co-written with lyricist Nath Farley, is scheduled to be released in late 2023.

“The Spirit Of Radio” is a demonstration of Martin’s deep-rooted admiration for Rush, a band he has been a fan of since 1980. Martin, who had never seen Rush perform live until 2013, was finally able to experience the band’s incredible live performance. However, the show was abruptly halted by a thunderstorm and despite being soaked to the bone, this experience left an indelible mark on Martin, fueling his passion to pay homage to Rush in his own creative way.

“I’m usually reluctant to cover other people’s material and prefer to work on my own stuff,” proclaims Martin. “However, I had this idea in the back of my mind for quite some time and wanted to release it alongside my new album, ‘Hek of a Ride,’ as it showcases another facet of my musical style.”

Influenced by legends such as Michael Hedges, Eddie Van Halen, Steve Howe, Chris Whitley, and Pete Townshend, Martin developed an original sound combining tapping, atmospheric ambience, and intricate gameplay. His exceptional talent and technique earned him recognition, with his work being featured in the prestigious magazine, Guitar World.

“I’ve been playing the harp guitar for 12 years now. I’m also fortunate to own an Allan Beardsell HG1 HarpGuitar, which is based in Winnipeg, Manitoba,” says Martin. “It’s a wonderful instrument built by a tremendously talented Canadian luthier, so it’s a Canadian guitar played by a Canadian guitarist interpreting a Canadian song.”

His contributions to the regional music scene extend beyond the stage, having served as the producer and host of the television show “Studio Boréal.” Recently, he and his wife directed the documentary, “Les Cordes Insensibles,” providing an intimate look into the world of independent music. Martin was also instrumental in training and recording Québec’s singing sensation Jeanick Fournier who won last year’s edition of Canada’s Got Talent.

Sing Along with Multi-Award-Winning Country Music Star Laurie LeBlanc on His Cozy “Campfire Song”

Eric Alper
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Sing Along with Multi-Award-Winning Country Music Star Laurie LeBlanc on His Cozy “Campfire Song”

Grab a blanket, a cold one, and your closest friends– Laurie LeBlanc proves that summer never ends in his new single “Campfire Song,” out now.

“I won’t deny that one of the most incredible feelings on earth is being on stage singing for hundreds/thousands of fans,” says LeBlanc, “but there’s something magical when you’re sitting by a campfire with family and friends, and everybody sings along to some classic campfire songs.”

“Campfire Song” is both a tribute and invitation to reflect on the meaningfulness of gathering and connection, especially when bolstered by the magic of nature and music. It captures the essence of a campfire gathering and evokes cherished memories of warmth, camaraderie, and summer fun. On the track, LeBlanc shouts out John Denver, Chris Stapleton (George Jones), and The Beatles; but more importantly, he calls out to all listeners to embrace the shared experience of singing around a campfire. Everybody knows that true cool kids will always sing along!

Laurie LeBlanc is one of Canada’s rising country music stars, whose distinctive style contains a sizable helping of east coast Acadian flavor. Ten years after releasing his first album La Pitoune in French, establishing his reputation in his home province of New Brunswick and throughout the Maritimes and Quebec, LeBlanc released his first English album When It’s Right It’s Right in 2020.

This month Laurie received 3 new nominations for his album Long Weekend from two different associations: Album of the Year (multilingual and other languages) from Gala ADISQ, and Recording of the Year and Song of the Year (French) from Music New Brunswick Awards . The accolades follow his nomination for Album of the Year (other language), Album of the Year (classic country), Male Vocalist of the Year (Country Album), at the Gala Country. And Country Album of the Year, World Artist of the Year “Francophone” and Music Video of the Year, Male, at Nashville Tennessee’s Josie Music Awards . He is also a recent inductee into The Akademia Hall of Fame.

Now having firmly found his place within the English country music scene, LeBlanc has created simultaneously his most personal and accessible recording to date. His most recent studio album Long Weekend has six brand new songs in English and six in French, all crafted to convey a feel-good summer vibe in both languages. With his dynamic voice and undeniable charm, there is no stopping Laurie LeBlanc as he continues to build his fan base around the world.

“I’ll always love singing in French and cherish the support I get from my francophone audience,” Leblanc says, “but hearing one of my songs on the radio alongside the Canadian and American country artists I admire gives me so much joy.”

So, keep your eyes peeled– Laurie LeBlanc and “Campfire Song” are sure to be coming to a radio (or campfire!) near you soon!

CBC 2023 Searchlight Winner Mattmac Teams With Mariame On New Inspiring Single ‘Find My Love’ Encouraging Dream Chasers Everywhere

Eric Alper
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CBC 2023 Searchlight Winner Mattmac Teams With Mariame On New Inspiring Single ‘Find My Love’ Encouraging Dream Chasers Everywhere

Chasing a dream isn’t easy, but sometimes the right song can motivate you to keep going. Alongside singer Mariame, Indigenous Garden Hill First Nation Hip-Hop artist Mattmac – winner of this year’s CBC Searchlight – inspires others to follow their dreams in his new single, “Find My Love”.

The songs opens with a catchy chorus and sweet vocals sung by Mariame. The lyrics show how you smile through the pain and strife while trying your hardest to achieve your dreams. It hooks the listener and leads them into the song’s first verse that is rapped by Mattmac.

“Everybody if you hear me time to wake up
Get your grind, get your coin, get your Cake up
Yeah just ride with the boy I’m on the way up
I’m feeling young, feeling free and Feeling dangerous
This for the haters
To all the brave ones
We just doing our thing can you Blame us
We on fire let’s Show em what the flame does
It’s a vibe yeah we on that New wave son
It’s a celebration”

Throughout the song, Mattmac’s verses are a rallying cry buoyed by youthful exuberance and a strong drive. Moreover, Mariame’s vocals provide a soothing yet strong-willed backdrop to the song in the chorus as well as the song’s penultimate verse.

“Find My Love” is a song that was created in connection to Mattmac’s upcoming album release THAT SAUCE Volume 1. The song is a celebratory anthem for Indigenous Peoples; as September is a huge month surrounding Orange T-Shirt Day and the National Day For Truth & Reconciliation. This song also features Mariame, who is a Cree Pop Singer from the Cree Nation of Chisasibi in Northern Quebec.

Blind music producer and recording artist Mattmac has harnessed his melodic pop-trap beats and inspiring story, quickly establishing himself as ‘one to watch’ on the national scene with more than 15 million + streams across platforms, and critical acclaim across all major media outlets such as CBC, CTV, and Virgin Radio. Recently, he became the winner of CBC’s 2023 Searchlight contest with his song “Rez (Remix)”, which will appear on his upcoming full length album.

Mattmac debuted his entry to the music scene in 2016 when N’we Jinan, a traveling music studio program, visited his community and invited him to collaborate on a project. Pulling inspiration from his personal story, they created a song and video titled “Help You See” that has received over 250,000 views on YouTube and Facebook. From there, he released his debut album 20/20 in 2020, followed by a second album Blurred Visions in 2022.

Currently, Mattmac is gearing up to release his new project THAT SAUCE Volume 1, a special collaboration album entirely produced by Mattmac and features over 16 Indigenous artists.

Mariame broke out into the Canadian music scene in 2015 with the release of her award-winning debut EP Bloom. Blending elements of R&B, pop, and EDM, Mariame delivers irresistible music as electric as her stage presence. The project peaked at #3 on the iTunes Pop Charts and reached #1 on the NCI FM National Indigenous Music Countdown.

In 2017, Mariame’s Bloom won Best Pop Album at the Indigenous Music Awards presented by SiriusXM Canada. She is currently working on her follow-up album set to come out summer of 2024.

Hartbeat and SiriusXM Release Never-Before-Heard Bernie Mac Comedy Special To Commemorate the Late Comedian’s Birthday on October 5th

Eric Alper
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Hartbeat and SiriusXM Release Never-Before-Heard Bernie Mac Comedy Special To Commemorate the Late Comedian’s Birthday on October 5th

Hartbeat, the global, multi-platform entertainment company founded by Kevin Hart, in collaboration with SiriusXM, have exclusively released late comedian Bernie Mac’s first-ever solo full-length stand-up album. Bernie Mac: Tapes From A King is a collection of never-before-heard stand-up from the early days of Bernie Mac’s legendary career. Originally recorded on VHS for Bernie to review his material after shows, these remastered recordings provide a unique window into the creative process of a comedy legend. Bernie Mac: Tapes From A King is produced by Hartbeat in collaboration with NBW Studios and Rhonda R. McCullough, Bernie Mac’s beloved wife of 31 years.

Beginning today, October 5th at 6pm ET, Bernie Mac: Tapes From A King will be available exclusively for SiriusXM subscribers on Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Radio for (1) one month, and will then be released widely across all streaming platforms. Repeat airings will occur on October 6th at 9am, 2pm, and 8pm ET; October 7th at 11am, 3pm, and 7pm ET; and October 8th at 6am, 12pm, 6pm and 9pm ET.

Laugh Out Loud Radio is available to SiriusXM subscribers nationwide

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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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