Post Malone’s unexpected yet enchanting performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert offered a fresh glimpse into the multifaceted artist’s musical universe. Stripped of the grandeur of arenas and elaborate production, Post Malone’s raw talent took center stage in an intimate setting.
TIFF Marks 40th Anniversary Of Talking Heads’ “Stop Making Sense” With A Special 4K Restoration Imax Screening With The Band Actually THERE
The Toronto International Film FestivalⓇ announced today it will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense with a special event screening on Monday, September 11, at Cineplex’s Scotiabank IMAX Theatre in Toronto. The special IMAX Live 40th anniversary event will include a screening of
the film followed by a Q&A, which will be live-streamed from TIFF to select IMAX theatres around the world, and moderated by filmmaker Spike Lee with all four original band members in attendance: David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison. The band is able to appear at TIFF as the film was produced independently as a concert film/documentary not governed by the SAG-AFTRA agreements. The members of the Talking Heads are allies in the fight to achieve a fair and equitable contract for the union’s members.
Stop Making Sense, A24’s recently acquired, groundbreaking Talking Heads concert film, for which A24 has done a complete 4K restoration, will have its World Premiere at TIFF in a globally connected IMAX Live event.
The film will have a full theatrical run following the special premiere event, releasing exclusively in IMAX on September 22 and in theatres everywhere on September 29.
“Some people say you’ll never find a better concert documentary than Stop Making Sense,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. “I’m one of those people. Talking Heads is at the top of their form. Working with Jonathan Demme, they build their performance scene by scene, song by song into a work of pure, cathartic power. Maybe you’ve seen it before. But you’ve never seen it in IMAX.”
This highly anticipated special event promises to transport audiences into the heart of music history, immersing them in the electrifying performance of the Talking Heads’ legendary 1984 concert film.
Directed by the visionary Jonathan Demme and produced by Gary Goetzman (The Silence of the Lambs, Mamma Mia!, Band of Brothers), Stop Making Sense has left an indelible mark on the world of music and cinema, and its timeless allure continues to captivate new generations.
Whitney Houston’s Iconic Voice Enchants in Unforgettable 1980 Steak Restaurant Jingle
In a captivating moment that fused the realms of advertising and musical artistry, the incomparable Whitney Houston lent her angelic voice to a classic 1980 Steak & Ale commercial jingle.
My Next Read: “Top Eight: How MySpace Changed Music” by Michael Tedder
In extensive interviews with scene pioneers and mainstays including Chris Carrabba (Dashboard Confessional), Geoff Rickly (Thursday), Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), Gabe Saporta (Midtown/Cobra Starship), and Max Bemis (Say Anything), veteran music journalist Michael Tedder has crafted a once-in-a-generation exploration of emo and The Scene that is as forthright as it is tenderly nostalgic, taking to task the elements of toxic masculinity and crass consumerism that bled out of the early 2000s cultural milieu and ultimately led to the implosion of emo’s first home and the best social media network, MySpace.
When MySpace thrived, the Internet was still fun. Top Eight recalls the excitement and freedom of the era, an unprecedented time when a generation of fans were able to connect directly with the bands and musicians they idolized, from Colbie Caillat to Lil Jon. MySpace changed everything, and Top Eight gives major voices of the era the chance to tell us why it couldn’t last.
Fog Blues & Brass Band Unveils Captivating Single ‘Too Deep’ from Latest EP 12 Bar Prescription And Debuts #4 On Roots Music Report
Fog Blues & Brass Band, the talented and charismatic 7-piece ensemble of Blues artists from Kitchener, Ontario, are excited to announce the release of their latest single, “Too Deep” – available now. The new track is featured on the blues/rock band’s latest EP – 12 Bar Prescription, debuting this week at #4 on the Roots Music Report’s Canadian Chart, including the #1 and #2 song on the Roots Music Report’s Canadian Song Chart this week.
Known for their infectious, high-energy live performances and creative twist on the classic rock and blues sound, Fog Blues & Brass Band continues to captivate audiences with their powerful rock-infused music. The songwriting process for the group has always been a collaborative effort, with one member coming up with an idea or demo for a song and then everyone contributing their ideas and talents to bring it to fruition. According to the band, this tune came together rather quickly.
“Too Deep” initially had a different working title but Fog Blues & Brass Band made a conscious decision to remove the expletive to keep their music clean and free of profanity.
“We’re a fun, easy-going type of band, and we like to keep our lyrics light and airy, poking fun at situational experiences we’ve encountered or stories about people we know,” says the band. “The subject matter of ‘Too Deep’ is something we all can relate to – those moments when a friend or family member falls head over heels for someone, but we know the relationship might not end well due to love blinders.”
After playing “Too Deep” live and witnessing the positive response from their audience, Fog Blues & Brass Band felt confident that the song would resonate with their fans. This confirmation inspired them to head straight to the recording studio to capture the magic of the song.
“Music is an art, and we always want to create something meaningful and enjoyable for our listeners,” says the band. “We might overthink things at times, but we’re considerate of people’s feelings, and we want to be good humans, spreading positivity through our music.”
Fog Blues & Brass Band exploded onto the music scene with their debut album, “Into The Fog!” in 2018, which attracted much fanfare as each track from the album received extensive airplay on live radio both locally and abroad. Comprised of a group of seasoned musicians, Fog Blues & Brass Band’s live performances are nothing short of spectacular as their signature mix of Classic Blues, R&B, and Rock creates a captivating and electrifying experience for all audiences.
To Be Human: Toronto Peruvian Artist Arturo Rojas Unveils Powerful Message in ‘Te Diré (Ser Humano)’
Humans make mistakes, take things for granted, and experience pain. You cannot run from it. Embrace your missteps and march forward. Humanity demands it.
This is the message of Peruvian-born singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and producer Arturo Rojas’s single, “Te Diré (Ser Humano),” part of the artist’s debut, self-titled album, “Arturo Rojas,” that dropped in April.
Rojas left Lima for New York City when he was 20, where he spent six years. He later crossed another border, relocating to Toronto to start in the Music Industry, Arts & Performance program at Centennial College. He’s found his home in the Canadian metropolis since.
Growing up, Rojas had a wide range of musical influences pulling him in multiple directions. His mother listened to Spanish pop ballads, his father preferred salsa, one uncle engaged with metal, another uncle obeyed classic rock, and his grandparents enjoyed traditional folklore music. They all imparted their styles on him from a young age, he said.
In “Te Diré (Ser Humano),” which translates in English to “I’ll Tell You to Be Human,” you can feel the musical mutt in Rojas. The Spanish influences are obvious given the entire song is in his native tongue, but you can feel that there’s more happening than that. At times, the vocals have a punk twist, while the instrumental borrows from the pop, folklore, jazz, and salsa realms.
Put simply, “Te Diré (Ser Humano)” delivers something you don’t expect.
“My style is a mix of pop, rock, and Latin,” Rojas said. “I’ve even heard some people refer to some of my songs as punk.”
Though “Arturo Rojas” was the artist’s first album, he has plenty of experience in the music world. So far, Rojas has performed live at venues in Toronto, New York City, and Peru, including Tapestry, The Free Times Cafe, Grossman’s Tavern, Supermarket, Not My Dog, and more. But when he came to Canada, he started from the very bottom.
“When I was new to Toronto, I didn’t know anyone, so I just started playing on the streets and in parks,” Rojas explained. “Eventually, people started handing me tips and inviting me to open mics. I grew from there, and eventually I was hosting the open mics and playing longer sets.”
The artist said his personal life is the main inspiration behind his original music. He uses the musical process to better grasp himself and life as a whole.
“A lot of my music came out of a time when there was a lot of fear and uncertainty in my life,” Rojas said. “Being ill makes you realize that we only have so much time and energy to live. Music helps us understand ourselves and life better, it protects you, and helps you to forgive yourself and others.”
That shines through brightly in “Te Diré (Ser Humano).” The song acknowledges the fear and pain behind knowing the wrong decisions you made in the past while insisting we must forge on anyway.
“Oh, si pudiera
Cambiar algunas escenas,
Como quisiera
Borrar aquellas escenas
Cuando no era yo el que actuaba
Y te hacía llorar
“Pero no llores tanto,
Levántate
Te necesito para poder seguir
Recorrer cantando,
Seguir cantando…”
Translated into English:
“Oh if I could
Change some scenes,
How I wish I could
Delete those scenes
When I wasn’t myself
And I made you cry
“But don’t cry so much
Get up
I need you to be able to continue rolling
To go around singing,
Keep singing…”
But you don’t need to know Spanish to appreciate or feel the mood of Rojas’s track. As the artist loves to point out, music doesn’t abide by the same rules as traditional languages.
“Music is the universal language,” Rojas said.
Go check out “Te Diré (Ser Humano)” and the full-length album “Arturo Rojas” to hear for yourself – both available now!
Canadian Composer Bill Brennan Releases Captivating Album ‘Kaleidoscope’ Showcasing Original Mallet Instrument Compositions
Canadian composer and classical musician, Bill Brennan, is set to unveil the release of his new album “Kaleidoscope.” The St. John’s, Newfoundland native’s latest creation is a captivating collection of original compositions for mallet instruments, predominantly featuring the marimba and vibraphone.
“Kaleidoscope” draws from Brennan’s rich career as a performer of contemporary new music and jazz, and from his vast experience and appreciation of music from various cultures around the world. When describing the new album, the two-time MusicNL Jazz and Blues Album Award winner says, “I want to acknowledge the music of Ghana, Brazil, Indonesia, and India. I have been fortunate to have great teachers and mentors from these countries, and my musical life has been immensely enriched because of them and their music.”
Collaborating with highly acclaimed musicians Rob Power and Étienne Gendron, Brennan’s virtuoso performances resonate with beauty, sensitivity, and integrity revealing this album as a unique, one-of-a-kind musical experience.
Bill Brennan has been hailed as “a central figure in this country’s music” by The Toronto Star, as his musical talents as a pianist, percussionist, composer, arranger and producer can be heard on over 120 albums to date. With numerous accolades to his name, including the 2019 MusicNL Jazz and Blues Award for his album “I’ll Be Seeing You” with Andrea Koziol, and the MusicNL Instrumental Album of the Year in 2008 for “Solo Piano 2,” his contribution to the world of music is unparalleled.
Having collaborated with renowned artists and institutions, including the Evergreen Club Contemporary Gamelan, Andy Stochansky, Kevin Breit, Oliver Schroer, and Tafelmusik, Brennan’s versatility shines through in various genres, from classical to jazz, folk, and world music. He has performed with esteemed organizations such as the National Ballet, New Music Concerts, Continuum, and the Canadian Opera Company. Brennan has also been a composer for CBC’s The Nature of Things and musical director for The Vinyl Café and for countless stage productions including Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Evita which cemented his status as a prominent figure in Canadian culture.
Over the course of his illustrious 35+ year career as an entertainer, Brennan has graced audiences across the globe, captivating listeners in North America, Indonesia, Austria, Germany, France, Japan, Norway, the Czech Republic, England, Scotland, Portugal, and Switzerland. A relentless explorer of new ideas and creations, Brennan’s boundless curiosity ensures that his musical journey remains an ever-evolving and enlightening experience.
Stewart Copeland Announces New Album Police Beyond Borders— The Police’s Greatest Hits With Musicians From Around The World
The creative duo of two-time Grammy-winning album Divine Tides—Stewart Copeland and Grammy-winning Indian musician/composer Ricky Kej—announce their latest world music collaboration, Police Beyond Borders. Furthering their mission to feature leading talent from around the world, the album, recorded in Bangalore, is a reinterpretation of the seminal 80s band’s classic songs with diverse interpretations and artist representation from South Africa, India, Japan, China, Canada, the U.K., and more.
Copeland and Kej have enlisted top international artists, including South Africa’s Grammy-winning Soweto Gospel Choir; China’s “Father Of Rock” Cui Jian; U.S.-based Berklee Indian Ensemble; Japanese Grammy-winner for Best Global Music Album, Masa Takumi; South Africa’s acclaimed Mzansi Youth Choir; leading Indian composer/singer Shankar Mahadevan; renowned British classical trumpeter Alison Balsom; multi-award winning Canadian flutist Ron Korb; legendary Bollywood composers and brother duo Salim-Sulaiman, hammered dulcimer virtuoso Max ZT; and multi-instrumentalist Serj Tankian of metal band System of a Down.
Of the recording Stewart Copeland said, “It was Ricky Kej who suggested that we make a global album out of the Police derangements. It was a lightbulb moment. Of course! The Police was always a global band; we toured all over it and Sting wrote songs about the bigger picture of humanity.
The idea of hearing the songs in exotic languages was immediately inspiring and Ricky set about finding the magnificent talents on this record. As with all of the musicians and singers on this record, we exhorted them to step beyond, to take the songs into new places. They sure did do that!
The Police’ music essentially derives from Black culture, and it was particularly spine-tingling to hear that culture arriving back in Africa. Every Breath You Take in Zulu! All the flavors of the different languages lit up these tunes that are so familiar. I hope that familiarity will give a comfortable vantage point for anyone to experience music styles that might otherwise sound alien.
Music evolved in Homo sapiens as a bonding social skill. My humble hope is that this record can contribute to that human bonding on this shrinking planet.”
“It was a huge honor to collaborate with my musical idol Stewart Copeland yet again. After having won 2 Grammy awards with Stewart, Police Beyond Borders is now the biggest, most epic album I have ever been a part of. It is a truly global album featuring musicians, voices and languages from across the world. These are songs that I have grown up listening to, songs that have shaped my music career.. so during the making of this album I paid a lot of respect to its legacy. I am certain our listeners will enjoy these legendary songs in a way they would have never imagined, and realize that music is the most universal language,” said Ricky Kej.
POLICE BEYOND BORDERS TRACKLIST
- King of Pain (feat. Berklee Indian Ensemble)
- Roxanne (feat. Mzansi Youth Choir)
- Message in a Bottle (feat. Salim-Sulaiman, Masa Takumi)
- Tea in the Sahara (Cui Jian)
- Don’t Stand So Close To Me (Soweto Gospel Choir, Ron Korb)
- Every Little Thing She Does is Magic (feat. Berklee Indian Ensemble)
- Can’t Stand Losing You (Mzansi Youth Choir, Max ZT)
- Murder By Numbers (Alison Balsom, Shankar Mahadevan, Max ZT)
- Demolition Man (featuring Serj Tankian)
- Every Breath You Take (Soweto Gospel Choir)
The recently released Police Deranged for Orchestra (Shelter/BMG) is Copeland’s exploration of the Police’s popular tracks through a new orchestral lens and was inspired by his forays into expansive musical forms and instrumentation. It features performances by locally-based symphony orchestras with a core, six-member band/vocal ensemble. Copeland has now toured with sold-out dates across the U.S. and Europe, and will continue with additional U.S. dates this fall. See updated information at www.stewartcopeland.net/716/events-and-tours
Stewart Copeland has spent more than three decades at the forefront of contemporary music, as a rock star and acclaimed film composer, and across the worlds of opera, ballet, chamber, and world music. Recruiting Sting and Andy Summers in 1977, Copeland is renowned as the founder of The Police, a band that became a defining force in rock music from the 80s to the present day. His career includes the sale of more than 60 million records worldwide and numerous awards, including seven Grammy awards—most recently a 2023 Grammy for Best Immersive Audio Album and a 2022 Best New Age award for Divine Tides, a collaboration with Indian musician Ricky Kej.
He has composed dozens of film and tv scores, including Francis Coppola’s Rumblefish, Oliver Stone’s Wall St. and Talk Radio, Simpatico, The Pallbearer, Boys, Earth Girls are Easy, Silent Fall, Highlander II—The Quickening, The Equalizer, Dead Like Me, and Boys and Girls, among many others. In 2007 Copeland was honored as the Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts in Paris and will be on the Jury at the Cannes International Series Festival, Canneseries, in France this April 2023.
Copeland’s operatic works include two based on the works of Edgar Allen Poe—The Cask of Amontillado and The Tell-Tale Heart; The Invention of Morel, a surreal 2017 chamber opera which premiered at Chicago Opera Theatre; Electric Saint, a 2021 Weimar DNT premiere; Satan’s Fall—an oratorio based on Milton’s Paradise Lost, which was performed across the U.S. in 2021 with UK and European performances still to come; and The Witches Seed, his new collaboration with creative partner and Pretenders lead singer/songwriter Chrissie Hynde.
STEWART COPELAND ON TOUR: POLICE DERANGED FOR ORCHESTRA
September 30: Omaha, Nebraska, US – Holland Center
October 5: Denver, Colorado, US – Boettcher Concert Hall
October 8: Detroit, Michigan, US – Orchestra Hall
October 19: Carmel, Indiana, US – The Palladium – Center for the Performing Arts
October 21: Erie, Pennsylvania, US – Warner Theatre
October 22: Erie, Pennsylvania, US – Warner Theatre
This year also brings the October release of Stewart Copeland’s Police Diaries, published by Rocket 88 Books and available in three editions. The book is based on and includes Copeland’s personal pocket diary entries from 1976-79. With scans of original pages and Copeland’s new background commentary, its pages are illustrated with classic and previously unseen photos from the early “starving years” of a band poised for global success. More information on Stewart Copeland’s Police Diaries can be found here, and read more here in the meantime at Rolling Stone. “It’s full of my original diary pages, hand-made poster designs, ragged accounts, callow observations and other scribblings of a proto-rock star, illuminated by hitherto unseen vintage photos from the deepest vaults,” Copeland told SPIN earlier this year. “It’s a big, noisy book about one heckuva ride.”
Concurrent with his early work with The Police, Copeland developed a solo recording alter-ego, Klark Kent, releasing singles and a self-titled 1980 album on which he played all the instruments, – even vocals. The cult album was re-released on April 14th (Record Store Day) on BMG. Klark Kent was credited with inspiring Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters) among many others.
ABOUT STEWART COPELAND