David Bowie showcased the “Hunky Dory” track during their appearance on the BBC TV show “The Old Grey Whistle Test.”
The Legendary Song That Became the Rick Roll
Nearly everyone has been RickRoll’d. But few know the real story of the artist behind the Rick Astley 1987 hit “Never Gonna Give You Up” or the mysterious origins of the viral RickRoll video meme that exploded in the mid-2000s. VICE meets the creators of the song and the meme.
My Next Read: “The Sporty One: My Life as a Spice Girl” by Melanie Chisholm
An intimate memoir from international pop star Melanie Chisholm–better known as Mel C. or Sporty Spice–chronicling her trajectory from small-town girl to overnight icon as part of the Spice Girls.
25 years ago, The Spice Girls, a girl band that began after five women answered an ad in the paper, released their first single. ‘Wannabe’ became a hit and from that moment and, almost overnight, Melanie Chisholm went from small town girl to Sporty Spice, part of one of the biggest music groups in history.
Beginning in her bedroom in the north-west of England dreaming of performing on stage, THE SPORTY ONE follows the meteoric rise of the Melanie and The Spice Girls, from the incredible highs of becoming one of the world’s most recognizable popstars – playing at Wembley, conquering the BRITs, closing the Olympics – to the difficult lows. For the first time ever, Melanie talks about the pressures of fame, the shaming and bullying she experienced, the struggles she has had with her body image and mental health, and the difficulty of finding yourself when the whole world knows your name.
THE SPORTY ONE is an incredible story of resilience, hope and how you can find your power.
Billy Joel, Miley Cyrus, Foo Fighters, Metallica, Jewel, Jay-Z, and Lisa Loeb Talk About Making Their Hit Songs
Learn from the best as this Howard Stern compilation features clips from renowned artists such as Billy Joel, Miley Cyrus, Foo Fighters, Metallica, Jewel, Jay-Z, and Lisa Loeb.
Photo Gallery: Glorious Sons with Elliott Brood, Jin and Gravely at Port Colborne’s Canal Days
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or Twitter
Buffy Sainte-Marie Announces Retirement From Live Performances
Due to a combination of contributing factors including travel-induced health concerns and performance-inhibiting physical challenges, Buffy Sainte-Marie is regretfully announcing her retirement from live performance.
“I have made the difficult decision to pull out of all scheduled performances in the foreseeable future. Arthritic hands and a recent shoulder injury have made it no longer possible to perform to my standards. Sincere regrets to all my fans and family, my band and the support teams that make it all possible,” says Sainte-Marie.
Canada! Taylor Swift is coming. It’s offical.
With each new era, Taylor continues to surprise and delight fans, solidifying her status as a global superstar and an inspiration to aspiring artists worldwide. Here we go, Canada!
Long Island Hip-Hop Artist Freddy D Inspires Listeners to Be Themselves with ‘Life Of The Party’
When you’re worried too much about what others think of you, it can be hard to be yourself. Sometimes, the right song can give you the encouragement you need to let go of other’s perceptions of you. Long Island, NY based Hip-Hop artist Freddy D aims to encourage listeners to be themselves in his new single, “Life Of The Party.”
The song kicks off with the chorus right from the start as Freddy D asserts that they will keep being who they are even when no one is paying attention or when people hate them. He raps against a trippy backbeat that is just as catchy as the lyrics.
“We gone keep it going
When nobody is watching
We gone keep on moving
when them haters are blocking
Party yea
Be the life of the party
Yea, yea, yea
I don’t really need know one
If I can’t really be myself”
Of course, the verses are just as confident as the chorus. Freddy D raps with an easygoing flow as he discusses his personal journey and how he remains confident in himself despite the odds being against him.
In fact, the song was inspired by the artist’s personal observations about being online. “It speaks from an introverted aspect, especially for every human that’s currently on social media. It depicts what it’s like creating your own party and enjoying it regardless of who sees it or not.”
Freddy’s D journey to music began with his family. Freddy’s mother sang gospel, his father wrote poetry, and his brother made beats, so stepping up to the mic was inevitable for him. He released his first album “Hunger” in 2013 and followed it with a slew of other EPs and albums over the next ten years.
His newest project is the upcoming album EGO, which is short for “Energy Goes On”. Produced and written by Freddy D himself, the album will be released in September 2023. Its first single is “Life Of The Party”, which has an accompanying music video featuring Freddy D happily having a one-man party.
54•40 Release New Single ‘West Coast Band’ From Forthcoming Album
54•40 has been telling Canada where they came from and where they’re going for the last 40 years. Now, it’s time for lead vocalist and guitarist Neil Osborne, bassist Brad Merritt, guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Dave Genn, and drummer Matt Johnson (with the help of keyboardist David “Oz” Osborne) to reveal their band culture in a collection of songs called ‘West Coast Band.’ Through self-referential and often very literal stories, the songs explore bizarre shenanigans, odd dynamics, and personalities of its members.
‘West Coast Band’ is the first single offering from the forthcoming album of the same name, out October 6, 2023. The track is an autobiographical origin story of 54•40. The sound and production pay homage to the local Vancouver music scene that inspired Neil and Brad to form 54•40 and commit to a creative life.
“At the time, seeing local west coast bands like DOA, The Subhumans, Pointed Sticks and Young Canadians playing live, making records and doing it their way was a huge signal that we could do this too!” says Brad Merritt.
Recorded remotely during the lock down, 54•40 occupied their time like many of their contemporaries; writing and recording trading files until the songs took shape. The track was produced by Neil Osborne and Dave Genn and mixed by west coast producer Adam Kasper (Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam) with a superb video directed by Millan Curry-Sharples.
54•40’s ‘West Coast Band’ is really about being in a rock n roll band, writing some songs, recording them, and getting in the van and taking the show on the road. Something that 54•40 has been doing for 40+years.
54•40 Tour Dates In 2023:
August 5, 2023 The Drill Hall @ Base 31 Prince Edward County , ON
August 10, 2023 Lakehead Exhibition Thunder Bay, ON
August 12, 2023 Peach Festival Penticton, BC
August 17, 2023 PROMO TOUR Toronto, ON
August 18, 2023 El Mocambo Toronto, ON
August 19, 2023 Grand Fondo Event Saugeen Shores (Port Elgin), ON
September 7, 2023 Balls Falls Conservatory Lincoln ON
September 8, 2023 Bear Den, Seneca Niagara Resort Niagara Falls, NY
September 9, 2023 Bear Den, Seneca Niagara Resort Niagara Falls, NY
September 16, 2023 Barnside Harvest Festival Ladner, BC
October 6, 2023 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
October 7, 2023 Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, BC
October 19, 2023 Lester Centre for The Performing Arts Prince Rupert, BC
October 20, 2023 Lester Centre for The Performing Arts Prince Rupert, BC
Jazz Singer Heather Christine’s Captivating ‘Walking With You’ Takes You On A Nostalgic Journey Of Timeless Romance
An ode to the golden age of crooners, Mississauga-based Jazz musician/vocalist Heather Christine dazzles with her latest uplifting song about the timeless romance of being with your partner on the new original single “Walking With You.”
Inspired by vocal legends like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Judy Garland, “Walking With You” is a wonderous musical number that draws on the careers of giants and was recorded and produced by renowned Canadian Producer and pianist Bill King.
Part of the “Mentor Magic” project funded by the Mississauga Arts Council, “Walking With You” came together during the pandemic as Heather would take walks with her husband, and accomplished musician, Matt Zaddy. “It’s what got me through that rough time,” says Christine. “Just that time out of the house with him was enough to spark my creativity and let me know we would be ok.”
Exquisite melodies and relentless energy elevate “Walking With You” into a swinging spectacle for the senses. The precision of the rhythm section is performed by Mark Kelso on drums and Pat Collins on acoustic bass, allowing the listener to be swept away to a time of dance halls, Broadway songs and big bands.
Recorded at Inception Sound in Toronto, “Walking With You” was as much of a riveting experience, as it was a growing period for Heather as an artist. “When we were recording together, Bill helped me to create a new ending for the song right on the spot,” says Heather.. Bill works ‘in the moment’ as they say. There were musical developments that happened spontaneously. The whole session was so fast as Mark Kelso and Pat Collins nailed their parts in the first two takes. I left the session floating on a cloud.”
Dynamic rhythms and cozy pianos set the backdrop for Heather Christine’s jaw-dropping vocal performance which acts as a demonstration of her raw musical talent and ability to capture the magic in her lyrics.
“Maybe good news, or some real blues
But what stays true, I’m loving you
Life is wonderful when I’m walking with you”
The music video for “Walking With You” was shot by LA Based Filmmaker Eric Soto, and was funded by the Mississauga Arts Council with their MAC MicroGrant funding. As Heather says, “The music video was a salute to old Hollywood.”
“The video features my former dance partner Rob Halley from Canada’s Wonderland, and it also enabled me to brush up on my dance steps and get me dancing again!”
Heather is an award-winning vocalist, composer, entertainer and budding producer from Mississauga. Her dynamic stage presence and soulful voice have led her to stages all over Canada singing live for audiences as large as 25,000. She has performed at numerous festivals gracing stages including Mississauga’s Celebration Square, Toronto’s Mel Lastman Square, London’s Aeolian Hall and more.
As a recording artist, Heather’s original sound is a fusion of Jazz with elements of R&B and Pop, Heather’s 2019 debut release, Love in Colour garnered international attention and within the first month of its release, Love in Colour rose to #1 on the Spanish Radio show Smooth Jazz Sitges (Radio 99.2FM Barcelona). Featuring her original compositions, songs from Love in Colour received airplay in Canada on Toronto’s JazzFM91, CIUT 89.5FM, Coco Jazz in Montreal and Wave 94.7.
Heather Christine is the proud recipient of the Best New Artist Award presented by Mississauga Music in 2018. She is grateful to share her passion for music and the arts with Matt Zaddy, her husband and their two kitties. Heather is currently writing and recording her second album, Soul Call. She is dedicated to using her gifts to uplift humanity while encouraging women to use their voices.