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Carlos Thurler’s Single ‘Divided’ Showcases a Powerful Fusion of Grunge, Britpop and Stoner Rock Influences

Eric Alper
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Carlos Thurler’s Single ‘Divided’ Showcases a Powerful Fusion of Grunge, Britpop and Stoner Rock Influences

Sometimes, it feels like everyone is on their own. When this happens, you can feel powerless to do anything to make your life better. However, the right call to action can motivate people to change things. Toronto-based rock artist Carlos Thurler rallies the people in his new single “Divided.”

The song opens with a steady blues rock riff that hooks the listener right before Thurler comes in with gravelly vocals. The first verse establishes the song’s grim tone as it discusses how people try to stay sane in a hopeless world. As the chorus comes in, Thurler sings of how it might take the world burning before people come together to make a change.

“Til it all goes up in flames
It’s so hard to stand a chance
It’s been this way since we became so divided

All goes down the drain
It’s so hard to make amends
And it’s a shame that we became so divided
So divided…”

According to Thurler himself, the song was inspired by the stark reality we’ve been living in. While discussing his debut solo album Divided, he states, “Our society has been growing more polarized and more than ever people aren’t getting along. On songs like Divided and New Inquisition touch on this subject more directly.”

Taking up the guitar at age 14, Thurler soon started forming bands with high school friends, and later cut his teeth at the tribute band scene in his native Brazil. Years later, having accumulated a good deal of experience onstage, he would then go on to write and perform original songs with bands and solo artists.

In 2008 Thurler recorded a full-length album in Brazil with local indie band Monovida, before moving to London, UK, dedicating to honing his craft has led him to actively collaborate with local songwriters, seizing every opportunity to gain invaluable experience. By working closely with fellow creatives in his community, he has been able to explore different perspectives, experiment with diverse musical styles, and cultivate a unique sound that resonates with audiences today.

Later on, he moved to Toronto and became determined to produce a solo album after experiencing the 2020 pandemic and realizing that his initial career in marketing wasn’t his true passion.

Divided reflects many of Thurler’s biggest influences: From grunge, hard rock and stoner rock to Britpop and indie rock. The debut single of the same name is a strong, emotional track that grabs the listener’s attention, making him one to watch out for.

Toronto-Based Psychedelic Folk Rocker Gary Edward Allen Reflects on Faith in Confusing Times in “Understood”

Eric Alper
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Toronto-Based Psychedelic Folk Rocker Gary Edward Allen Reflects on Faith in Confusing Times in “Understood”

Sometimes when you’re in the heat and tumult of living, it’s hard to know exactly what a particular time of your life might mean. Toronto-based folk rocker Gary Edward Allen captures the beauty and confusion of youth in his warm, reflective new single “Understood.”

Featuring the very steel guitar used on Gordon Lightfoot’s “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” Allen’s “Understood” is jangly, melancholy, and journeying through the years. The song begins with a beautiful walk home, one that the narrator can still see vividly in his mind’s eye:

The trees they dance and sway
The traffic rolls by
We live in complicated times
From the floor of an old friends house
…pictures hanging upside down

When writing the lyrics, Allen flipped through his old diaries, settling on a time in 1993 when he had just moved to Halifax as a young man in his 20s.

“I still have a memory of walking those streets near my apartment, no street lights in a lot of the city so it’s very dark and lonely,” Allen recalls. “The lyric ‘the pictures hanging upside down, halfway from me to the ground…’ is also such a strong memory. It’s about arriving in Halifax and sleeping on a friend’s floor, staring up at the pictures on the wall. Feeling lost in the world, in a new city. Scared but excited.”

Never mind what you fear
The signs they are so clear
And I know what I know….

The seasons change and so do I
Still livin’ large behind these eyes

The song is philosophical, about the ways in which we change – and also don’t change – as human beings. “It’s about just watching time roll by and trying to remain true to what you believe in, in the things that bring you joy, in the things that make you YOU,” Allen muses. “That’s a constant thing in life, not just specific to that time. Ultimately, ‘Understood’ is about having faith in confusing times.”

Most of the song was recorded in one session with industry veteran Tim Bovaconti, who has worked with Burton Cummings, Leonard Cohen, Ron Sexsmith, and more. “Initially, it was just two tracks of acoustic guitar and me singing. Tim put some piano on after the first verse and then added a track of pedal steel guitar,” Allen explains. “Tim owns the actual pedal steel guitar used on Gordon Lightfoot’s ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’, played by Pee Wee Charles.”

It made for a very appropriate tribute. “Gordon Lightfoot passed away the week we were set to record ‘Understood,’ so it seemed fitting for Tim to use it,” Allen continued. “Tim is a pro. His pedal steel track is the first and only take he did. He just nailed it immediately and it really makes the song.” The track also features Mishka Gogitidze on bass and Andrea Ciacco on drums.

Allen started playing guitar at seven years old before falling in love with it as a teenager after listening to Queen and KISS. After a brief stint in a music class, he taught himself different guitar playing styles using his love of different music genres. By his early 20s, he gradually overcame his performance shyness by playing live in Ottawa at various clubs.

After moving to Vancouver in the mid ’90s, Allen took a hiatus from performing live, but never stopped playing the guitar and singing. When Allen entered his 40s, he decided to return to performing music after meeting indie artist Robb Hill. Not long afterwards, he would record his first songs with producer Doug Fury before meeting AJ Ottaway and Jake Broder and recording their debut album Ottaway Broder Allen. This would lead to a local tour in Vancouver as well as a second album, Invictus, that was made and released in 2015.

Sometime after Allen moved from Vancouver to Toronto and met his partner Tara (also from Ottawa, but as fate would have it, they didn’t meet while in the city), the band called it quits. By 2017, Allen would become a solo artist that collaborated with his former bandmate AJ mixing new songs and recording with producer Tim Bovaconti.

Tim McGraw Announces Standing Room Only Tour 2024

Eric Alper
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Tim McGraw Announces Standing Room Only Tour 2024

Live on stage earlier last week, from an intimate fans-only sneak preview concert at LA’s famed The Whisky a Go Go nightclub on the Sunset Strip, three-time Grammy Award winning superstar Tim McGraw announced his highly anticipated headlining 2024 Standing Room Only Tour.

Produced by Live Nation, the Standing Room Only Tour will hit arenas across 30+ cities starting March 14, 2024. Grammy® Award winning singer-songwriter Carly Pearce will join the Standing Room Only Tour on all dates as direct support.

“I always want to deliver the best possible concert I can for the fans,” said McGraw. “We’ve got some really special plans to make this the biggest and the best tour we’ve ever done.”

Long proven as a titan of touring across a career spanning more than three decades, the Standing Room Only Tour promises more unparalleled, high energy live shows from McGraw. Featuring a huge production, his biggest hits, and songs from his forthcoming 17th studio album Standing Room Only, the tour promises the most fun and memories of a lifetime.

All tickets – including VIP packages – for the Standing Room Only Tour will be on sale starting August 4 at 10am local time in each market. VIP packages and experiences will include a variety of offerings – from an exclusive gift item to meeting Tim – for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Fans are encouraged to visit www.timmcgraw.com and become part of MCGRAWONE for more information.

On August 25, McGraw will release his new album Standing Room Only via Big Machine Records and McGraw Music. The album’s title track, “Standing Room Only,” is currently top 15 at Country Radio and climbing the charts. It also marks McGraw’s 92nd career chart entry. An acoustic version of the song was released on July 14.

On Standing Room Only, fans can expect an album full of McGraw’s enduring Country sound, distinguished vocals and meaningful songs – as evidenced on previously released tracks “Hey Whiskey,” and, most recently, “Remember Me Well,” which was released on July 21. Standing Room Only marks McGraw’s first new record since 2020’s Here On Earth, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.

Throughout his career, McGraw has amassed 68 Top 10s and holds the Mediabase record for the most weeks at No. 1 with all titles, totaling 73 weeks, and holds the record for second-most No. 1 albums in the U.S. just behind George Strait.

For Pearce, the Standing Room Only Tour announcement comes at an exciting time – she recently ushered in the next chapter of her musical career with her acclaimed new single “We Don’t Fight Anymore” (feat. Chris Stapleton). With four No. 1 hits and dozens of accolades already under her belt, the 2021 CMA Female Vocalist of the Year and 2022 ACM Awards Female Artist of the Year is showing no signs of slowing down. With her latest release receiving high praise from fans and critics alike, she continues to resonate with her honest lyrics and timeless musicality.

Tim McGraw has sold more than 90 million records worldwide and dominated the charts with 46 worldwide No. 1 singles and 19 worldwide No. 1 albums. He’s won 3 Grammy Awards, 21 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards. His iconic career achievements include being named BDS Radio’s Most Played Artist of the Decade for all music genres and having the Most Played Song of the Decade for all music genres. He is the most played country artist at radio since his debut in 1992, with two singles spending 10 weeks or more at No. 1. Known for his high energy concerts, he is one of the top touring artists of all time including the record-setting “Soul2Soul” tours with his wife, Faith Hill. An acclaimed actor, McGraw starred in and narrated the hit movie “The Shack” and co-wrote and performed the closing credit song for the Oscar winning documentary “Free Solo.” His other movie credits include blockbuster hits “Friday Night Lights” and “The Blind Side. McGraw starred beside Sam Elliott and his wife Faith Hill in the Yellowstone prequel and three-time Emmy nominated 1883. McGraw has co-authored two New York Times Best Selling books, Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music that Made a Nation with Jon Meacham and fitness book Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life. As part of the host committee, McGraw welcomed the largest outdoor crowd in Nashville history to his performance at the 2019 NFL Draft. He also appeared in the NFL Tailgate Party for Super Bowl LII and the College Football Playoffs 2020. His newest single, “Standing Room Only,” just launched with the most first-week streams of any track in McGraw’s career.

Tim McGraw – Standing Room Only Tour 2024 Dates:
March 14 Jacksonville, FL VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
March 15 Tampa, FL Amalie Arena
March 16 Orlando, FL Amway Center
March 21 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
March 27 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
March 29 Seattle, WA Climate Pledge Arena
March 30 Eugene, OR University of Oregon – Matthew Knight Arena
April 4 Denver, CO Ball Arena
April 5 Salt Lake City, UT Delta Center
April 6 Boise, ID Boise State University – ExtraMile Arena
April 13 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
April 18 Indianapolis, IN Gainbridge Fieldhouse
April 19 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum
April 20 Saint Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center
April 25 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
April 26 Knoxville, TN Thompson-Boling Arena
May 9 Belmont Park, NY UBS Arena
May 11 Wilkes-Barre, PA Mohegan Sun Arena
May 16 Greenville, SC Bon Secours Wellness Arena
May 17 Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
May 18 Charleston, WV Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center
May 30 Toledo, OH Huntington Center
May 31 Chicago, IL United Center
June 1 Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
June 6 Sioux Falls, SD Denny Sanford Premier Center
June 7 Omaha, NE CHI Health Center
June 8 Kansas City, MO T-Mobile Center
June 13 Biloxi, MS Mississippi Coast Coliseum
June 15 Lexington, KY Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center
June 20 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
June 21 Baltimore, MD CFG Bank Arena
June 22 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
June 27 Phoenix, AZ Footprint Center

About Tim McGraw

(TW/IG: @TheTimMcGraw, FB: TimMcGraw, timmcgraw.com)

Brooklyn Brewery Launching Limited Edition Brooklyn Lager Featuring Notorious B.I.G. in Celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

Eric Alper
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Brooklyn Brewery Launching Limited Edition Brooklyn Lager Featuring Notorious B.I.G. in Celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

Today, Brooklyn Brewery unveils an exciting, limited-edition Brooklyn Lager featuring Notorious B.I.G. in homage to his vibrant legacy and in celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary.

This limited release of Brooklyn Lager – which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year – delivers the same bold taste that has made it a favorite for three decades, but for a limited time will feature an iconic image of Brooklyn’s favorite son, capturing his larger-than-life persona and serving as a testament to his creative legacy and profound impact on the hip-hop community, as well as in fashion, style, photography, and more. The limited-edition artwork will be available across all packs and sizes, starting in August, while supplies last.

When Brooklyn Lager first launched, it revolutionized the beer scene with its award-winning taste, delivering a rich and flavorful profile. With bold grapefruit and smooth, toasty caramel notes, this iconic lager quickly became a symbol of quality and craftsmanship. Emerging from Brooklyn in the ‘90s, both achieved local acclaim before attaining global status. This pairing brings together his timeless artistry with the bold iconicity of the classic beer; a celebration of innovation and artistry in both music and brewing, honoring Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary.

Coinciding with the release, a special capsule collection of limited edition apparel and accessories will be on sale on August 4th, online and in the Brooklyn Brewery Tasting Room. The collection is available to preview now via: https://store.brooklynbrewery.com/notoriousbig. 

In conjunction with the release of the limited-edition Brooklyn Lager, Brooklyn Brewery has teamed up with Wax Poetics – the acclaimed music journal, who has long been recognized for their deep appreciation of music, culture, and art – for a 3 part series to celebrate Notorious B.I.G.’s enduring cultural legacy.

Karli Bainbridge, VP of Marketing for Brooklyn Brewery explains: “We are thrilled to bring this collaboration together in celebration of fifty years of hip-hop. We are also excited to team up with notable music journal Wax Poetics, along with Brooklyn-based establishments Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts, and leading arts and media institution BRIC for a series of events that pay homage to Biggie’s extraordinary cultural impact.”

Guests can RSVP for free in advance of each event at WaxPoetics.com/BIG starting Wednesday, August 2nd; entry will be granted on a first come, first served basis, dependent on capacity. Brooklyn Brewery will be supplying delicious beers and surprise giveaways at each event as well.

Taking place across 3 nights in August and September, the events will include live performances by Masta Ace, Easy Mo Bee, MIKE and DJ sets by Niara Sterling, Monk-One, and more.

  • Thursday, August 17th – In Conversation & DJ Set with Easy Mo Bee at Brooklyn Brewery’s Williamsburg Tasting Room
    • Renowned producer Easy Mo Bee will join Wax Poetics Magazine’s Editor-At-Large Andrew “Monk-One” Mason to reflect on the early ’90s New York City milieu that gave birth to this musical phenomenon. Mo Bee will also break down some of his classic beats that powered Biggie’s legendary Ready To Die album and other unforgettable songs of the era. Following the talk, Mo Bee switches to DJ mode for a dance party, joined on the decks by Monk-One and more.
  • Thursday, August 31st – B.I.G.: Lineage of a Legend Photography Exhibition Launch Party at the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA) 
    • The Notorious B.I.G. has burned an indelible image, built of many personas into the minds of millions across the world. Whether it’s due to the infectious chatting of the West Indian rudeboy, the effortless lyricism of the Brooklyn native, or the vivid nature of his storytelling, one could argue that Christopher Wallace has one of the deepest and most cherished legacies in rap’s history. MoCADA in Brooklyn will host a photo exhibition exploring Biggie’s personas and their wider influence on hip-hop.
  • Thursday, September 14th – Masta Ace with Marco Polo + MIKE Closing Series Party at BRIC 
    • The series concludes with a finale celebrating Brooklyn hip-hop in its fullest spectrum, old school to new, with a concert at BRIC in Brooklyn. Curated by Wax Poetics, the line-up is headlined by storytelling golden era MC Masta Ace and rising star MIKE who continues to shine the torch for quality homegrown hip-hop.

Foo Fighters With Alanis Morissette Pay Tribute To Sinéad O’Connor With Stirring “Mandinka”

Eric Alper
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Foo Fighters With Alanis Morissette Pay Tribute To Sinéad O’Connor With Stirring “Mandinka”

The Foo Fighters with special guest Alanis Morissette pay tribute to Sinéad O’Connor at the Fuji Rock Festival.

Warner Music Group & TikTok Announce First-Of-Its-Kind Expanded Agreement

Eric Alper
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Warner Music Group & TikTok Announce First-Of-Its-Kind Expanded Agreement

Warner Music Group and TikTok today announced a wide-ranging, first-of-its-kind partnership that will benefit WMG’s artists and songwriters, and TikTok’s billion-plus users around the world. The multi-year, multi-product deal licenses the repertoire of Warner Recorded Music and Warner Chappell Music to TikTok, TikTok Music, CapCut, and TikTok’s Commercial Music Library.

The deal will expand the level of partnership, collaboration, and innovation between the two companies. It will create new revenue, marketing, and insights opportunities for WMG’s artists and songwriters, while deepening the engagement with TikTok’s huge audience of passionate music fans.

As part of the deal, WMG and TikTok will find new ways to harness TikTok’s revenue generation and promotional capabilities, as well as a wealth of insights. In addition, artists and songwriters will have access to new ways of working with TikTok’s vibrant brand partners, as well as to new fandom development and monetization features, like merchandise, ticketing, and digital goods and services, among other opportunities. Further, the deal will see the joint development of additional and alternative economic models.

Additionally, the companies have agreed to a licensing deal for TikTok Music, the premium subscription streaming service that recently launched in Indonesia and Brazil, with plans for further growth in other markets.

The deal also paves the way for WMG artists and songwriters to leverage the unique promotional capabilities and engage with the growing community of users on TikTok’s sister video-editing app, CapCut.

Robert Kyncl, CEO, WMG said: “We are happy and excited for our next chapter together with TikTok. Through this expanded and significantly improved partnership for both companies, we can jointly deliver greater value to WMG’s artists and songwriters and TikTok’s users.”

Shou Chew, CEO of TikTok, said: “We are very excited to partner with Warner Music Group to create a shared vision for the future in which artists, songwriters, music fans, and the industry can all benefit from the power of discovery on TikTok platforms.”

Doug MacNaughton Releases Compelling and Funky Third New Single ‘Nous’- This Time In French

Eric Alper
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Doug MacNaughton Releases Compelling and Funky Third New Single ‘Nous’- This Time In French

Multi-instrumentalist and indie singer-songwriter Doug MacNaughton released his third single (and first in French!), “Nous,” out now. Following on the heels of previous releases “So Lost Without You” and “The Well of Friendship,” these songs and more will all be available on his upcoming album Old Enough To Know Better.

“The start of this piece came from a news article from RAD.CA, a Radio-Canada show on contemporary issues,” MacNaughton recalls. “The article was talking about how the biggest obstacle to tackling Climate Change was not technological but rather social and political . . . That started me thinking about the false binaries that surround us, and from there, the lyrics just came out.”

Building on the lyrical legacy of juxtaposition a la John Lennon’s “Imagine” and Prince’s “Controversy,” the (translated) lyrics include–

There’s no me, there’s no you
There’s no left, there’s no right
There’s no predator, there’s no prey
There’s only us

There’s no peace, there’s no war
There’s no Heaven, there’s no Hell
There’s no father, there’s no mother
There’s only us

Through his clever presentation of contrasting ideas and concepts, MacNaughton invites listeners to reflect on the arbitrary divisions that often separate us and highlights the urgent need to overcome these differences for the greater good. By presenting these opposing elements side by side, MacNaughton emphasizes the interconnectedness of humanity and the shared responsibility we have in addressing global challenges like climate change.

“Ultimately,” says MacNaughton, “I want the overall message to be one of hope – I really do believe that if we can work together toward the common goal of saving the planet and halting Climate Change, we can do it! Convincing people to pull together in the same direction is the hardest part!”

Musically, “Nous” draws influence from various Quebecois artists, including Beau Dommage, Mitsou, Les Cowboys Fringants, and Corcoran, while incorporating a touch of Steely Dan’s eclectic sound. The results are nearly two and a half minutes of pure funk, grooving along the foundation set by MacNaughton’s fierce stylings on the jazz guitar.

Doug MacNaughton’s upcoming album, Old Enough To Know Better, slated for release in the Fall of 2023, showcases his artistic growth and diverse influences. Drawing from his extensive experience singing a Frank Zappa tribute concert with a Montréal-based electronic music ensemble, his time in Les Misérables, and his contributions to various stage productions, MacNaughton brings a wealth of musical expertise and storytelling prowess to his songwriting.

Alt.Rockers AROUND JOSHUA Celebrates Love In “Baby Stardust”

Eric Alper
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Alt.Rockers AROUND JOSHUA Celebrates Love In “Baby Stardust”

New love can come in many forms, whether it be a new romantic relationship, a new friendship, or a newborn child. When this happens, everything feels like a fresh start filled with promise. Trois Rivières alt.rock band Around Joshua celebrate this newfound hope in their new single, “Baby Stardust”.

The song opens with upbeat guitar riffs from guitarist and vocalist David Talbo as well as a steady drumbeat from Jean François Houde and keyboardist Marie Claude Chateauneuf and David Leclerc on bass guitar that makes the listener want to get up and dance. Then the song’s first verse comes in as Talbo sings of the bliss of waking up and starting the day with someone he loves. The words “I’m ready to begin” serve as the hook that leads into the song’s jubilant chorus.

“Baby, baby stardust
Tears falling down
You choosing us”

The next verses discuss the physical and emotional intimacy of being with someone they love and using that love to create a family. The anticipation associated with the latter is enhanced with the words “Soon you’re coming” before the chorus comes in again.

In fact, the band confirms that the song is about having a new family, stating, “Baby Stardust” was written in Trois Rivières, my hometown, I wrote it after meeting my girlfriend and it was kind of a message about starting a family, having kids and the spiritual journey it would be.”

Enhancing the song’s emotions is a music video that shows the band playing as kids play around in a bedroom and outdoors. Although shot in black and white, the song’s joy and anticipation make it colorful. Furthermore, the music video’s lack of color gives it a classic rock vibe reminiscent of The Beatles or The Rolling Stones.

Around Joshua displays a strong influence from the Britpop movement that is showcased through the band’s melodies that fuse alternative rock and pop rock. Their sound is often compared to the bands Muse, Placebo and Snow Patrol.

Their debut album, “”Cassiopeiae Noks”, was produced by Jordon Zadorozny and featured the single, “Same Star” which was included on the soundtrack of the American film “Rehab”, produced by David Caruso (C.S.I Miami). Following this, the RDS sports network decided to play the singles “Eternally”, “Hold On” and “Sometime” before every Montreal Canadiens field hockey game.

In 2019, their second album “The Trees Are Singing” was released. It was produced by Mike Fraser, who is known for his work with the bands AC/DC, Aerosmith, and Franz Ferndinand. It was named one of the best Canadian rock albums of 2019 by Canadian Music Blog.

After taking 2020 and 2021 to regroup with a new lineup and joining the label The Noise Shack.

Classical Guitarist EMMA RUSH Releases New Album “A Dream Of Colour” Inspired By Painter William Blair Bruce

Eric Alper
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Classical Guitarist EMMA RUSH Releases New Album “A Dream Of Colour” Inspired By Painter William Blair Bruce

Highly renowned Canadian classical guitarist Emma Rush is set to captivate audiences with the release of her latest album, “A Dream of Colour” is inspired by the life and works of impressionist painter, William Blair Bruce. Collaborating once again with her long-time producer Kirk Starkey, Rush recorded the album in her hometown of Hamilton, Ontario.

The well-travelled classical artist’s new record features daring new music by esteemed Canadian composers, all beautifully capturing the essence of Bruce’s artwork. While growing up, she developed a deep connection to fellow Hamiltonian William Blair Bruce’s paintings, which decorated her family’s homes and the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Motivated by family ties to the celebrated artist, she embarked on a musical journey, inviting composers to interpret Bruce’s work through sound.

“All the music on this album is brand new and written by Canadians,” says Rush. “It was an incredible opportunity to collaborate with these amazing composers, bringing their works to life and exploring the profound connection between music and visual art.”

The album opens with Christine Donkin’s “Moonlight in Canada,” inspired by one of Rush’s favourite painting housed in the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Another standout composition is Christina Volpini’s “The Walker of the Snow,” a haunting piece that mirrors the iconic painting “The Phantom Hunter” with innovative use of the guitar. One of the album’s highlights is a piece by acclaimed composer Dale Kavanagh, “Reflections on Afterglow.” Rush, who studied with Kavanagh in Germany, always admired her library of enchanting original pieces and dreamed of having one written specifically for her.

The three-time Hamilton Arts award winner emphasizes the significance of presenting new music to the guitar world. “With every album, I strive to offer something different. I’m thrilled to present seven exciting pieces that have never been heard before,” she says.

Emma Rush has established herself as one of Canada’s top classical guitarists, commanding worldwide recognition with recent tours to China, Mexico, Sweden, and Germany. The Hamiltonian has released several albums, including “Wake the Sigh,” a rare collection of music written for guitar by women in the 19th century. She has received support from prestigious organizations such as the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, Arts Nova Scotia, and FACTOR. Emma is also a highly in-demand guest lecturer and Co-Director of GuitarFest West in Calgary and the Collegiate Peaks Guitar Retreat in Colorado.

Redpath Traffic Proves Starting a Band Has No Age Limits

Eric Alper
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0
Redpath Traffic Proves Starting a Band Has No Age Limits

Starting a band is generally associated with young people, but Toronto progressive rock trio Redpath Traffic, whose members range in age from the mid-50s to early-70s, is proving that you’re never too old to start something new.

“There are many pros and cons to starting a new group at our age,” says Richard Todd, the band’s vocalist and guitarist. “But the positive aspects of doing it outweigh any negatives. And we’re having a whole lot of fun.”

Richard and his bandmate Mark Fernley (bass) first met in 2016 through a Meetup Rock Band group. Along with then-drummer Kerem Balci, they began getting together regularly to practice their favourite cover songs.

“Being older guys,” Rick says. “Our musical roots went back decades instead of just a few years. We had a diverse set of songs comprising everything from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to Nirvana and The Black Keys.”

However, their days as a cover band didn’t last long when Richard started introducing his originals to the group. Quickly, Redpath Traffic abandoned playing other people’s songs to focus exclusively on their own.

“I had about 12 songs in total,” Rick says. “We all brought our skills to arrange what turned out to be a great set of genre-agnostic tunes ready to take into the studio. Most of the band hadn’t ever set foot in a recording studio, so the experience for them was exhilarating.”

Teaming up with music industry legend Chris Birkett, the band recorded eight songs for their upcoming LP, Under the Crimson Sun. To date, they’ve released five singles that have accumulated almost 50,000 streams on Spotify.

“One of the bigger challenges of releasing music as older guys are having to learn about streaming,” Rick says. “Mark and I came from the world of vinyl records, cassettes, and later CDs. Navigating this new musical landscape was daunting at first, but we’re really getting the hang of it.”

In June 2023, Redpath Traffic welcomed new drummer Jim Medley, another music veteran with blues roots going back to the 1970s. Finding a new member presented a new set of challenges in a youth-oriented pastime, but the band knew the right person was out there.

“We faced some ageism when looking for new members,” Rick says. “A lot of musicians younger than us were turned off by our ages. We qualified everyone early on by being upfront about how old we were – and most never wrote back after that! A few drummers still came out to play, but we’re really happy to have found Jim.”

Rick also claims that being older means fewer obstacles stand in the way of making music.

“I’ve played in many bands since high school,” he says. “When you’re younger, you have all sorts of commitments, such as homework and part-time jobs. Later on, careers, family, and other activities take priority over music. And that’s okay – we’ve all been there. Now though, we have much more free time and less day-to-day stress to deal with so we can enjoy creating and playing music.”

What words of advice would Rick give other older people thinking of starting a band?

“Just do it, even if you’ve just learned how to play an instrument!” he says. “At first, I felt a little awkward getting out there with my guitar. But so many people – almost all of them much younger – told me to forget about age and just do what I love. I’m really happy I listened to them!”

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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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