In celebration of the 40th anniversary of ABC’s The Lexicon Of Love – one of the most revered albums of the 1980s – a stand-alone half-speed remaster LP of the original album will be released on August 4 and is available to pre-order now, HERE.
Few albums define a particular era, as does The Lexicon Of Love. It’s embedded deep in the fabric of popular culture. Namechecked, referenced, and now frequently in “best of all time” polls, the album opened up the 80s wide, in total, glorious Technicolor. In 1982, ABC became the toast of the world with this album. It also launched the production career of Trevor Horn. Like the greatest landmark albums, it has transcended its origins and is simply there, an ever-evolving testament to its marriage of youth, wit, creativity, technology, emotion, master plan, and happy accident.
The Lexicon Of Love – Half Speed Master By Miles Showell At Abbey Road
Side One
1. Show Me
2. Poison Arrow
3. Many Happy Returns
4. Tears Are Not Enough
5. Valentine’s Day
Side Two
1. The Look Of Love (Part One)
2. Date Stamp
3. All Of My Heart
4. 4 Ever 2 Gether
5. The Look Of Love (Part Four)
Following the worldwide debut at SXSW 2023, the documentary feature, 299 Queen Street West, is coming to Canadian venues. After each screening will be an Intimate & Interactive with iconic MuchMusic VJ’s and the Director, Sean Menard. Tickets are now available here.
With unprecedented access to the MuchMusic archives, the two-hour feature tells the origin story and meteoric rise of the seminal music and pop culture brand, highlighting its beginnings as a scrappy Canadian television upstart.
299 Queen Street West is narrated by some of the original trailblazing VJ’s, who at the time had no prior TV hosting experience, received no direction, no scripts, and broadcasted live across the country. The film showcases how MuchMusic’s rise in popularity intersected with rap music entering the mainstream, the birth of grunge and alternative rock, and pop stars caused teenage hysteria at the iconic street level studio. VJ’s and iconic personalities featured include Steve Anthony, Rick Campanelli, Monika Deol, Denise Donlon, Erica Ehm, Namugenyi Kiwanuka, Sook-Yin Lee, George Stroumboulopoulos, Bill Welychka, and Michael Williams.
299 Queen Street West Tour Dates:
September 22, 2023 Roy Thomson Hall TORONTO, ON
October 17, 2023 Rialto Theatre MONTREAL, QC
October 18, 2023 Imperial Theatre ST JOHN, NB
October 24, 2023 Sobey Family Theatre CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI
Oct 25, 2023 Rebecca Cohn Auditorium HALIFAX, NS
Oct 28, 2023 Bytowne Cinema OTTAWA, ON
Nov 1, 2023 Jack Singer Concert Hall CALGARY, AB
November 4, 2023 FirstOntario Concert Place HAMILTON, ON
November 8, 2023 Winspear Centre EDMONTON, AB
November 13, 2023 Conexus Arts Centre REGINA, SK
Nov 24, 2023 Vancouver Playhouse VANCOUVER, BC
Nov 25, 2023 Royal Theatre VICTORIA, BC
Nov 27, 2023 Centennial Concert Hall WINNIPEG, MB
New York Fries (NYF) is thrilled to introduce the world’s first “Shazam-able” delivery discount through a custom electronic dance music (EDM) song, “Pulled Pork Poutine”. Currently showcased on major music platforms, the song celebrates the return of the beloved Pulled Pork Poutine to menus across Canada after being removed in 2020 when the pandemic hit. The undeniably catchy EDM track is a 2-minute-long version of a 15 second ad currently running on TV, digital and social media.
The delivery discount, which is offered via food delivery service, DoorDash Canada, is woven into the track itself with the discount code inserted into the album cover art. When listeners Shazam the song, they will be able to download it on their preferred streaming platforms, like Spotify or Apple Music, and access the DoorDash discount code. The exclusive offer, $5 off a minimum spend of $15, is available for a limited time on NYF purchases through the app. NYF is proud to pioneer this form of streaming and saving by embedding a delivery discount code through custom music for Canadians. This ad is part of a larger campaign, “Give Your Taste Buds Something to Sing About”, which launched in 2021 with Juniper Park/TBWA, the brand’s creative agency of record since 2011.
“The New York Fries brand has always embraced trends, pop culture and humour as key pillars in our marketing strategy,” says Alyssa Berenstein, Marketing Director, New York Fries. “We absolutely fell in love with the EDM script and music that Juniper Park/TBWA presented and wanted a fun, engaging way to extend this beyond a 15 second ad. We also know that EDM music continues to grow in popularity and that consumers are craving multisensory experiences, so we’re thrilled to spearhead this new method of sharing discount codes and innovate new ways to promote our fresh cut fries, perfect poutines and loaded dogs to Canadians.”
The Pulled Pork Poutine rollout is also supported with paid and organic social content, an influencer campaign, e-marketing initiatives and in-store creative, with social and influencer content managed by integrated marketing agency, Zeno Group Canada, media buying by Genuine Retail Media (GRM) and in store graphics by JUMP Branding + Design.
The iconic Pulled Pork Poutine, featuring a mouthwatering blend of spicy and smoky flavours and NYF’s signature real Quebec cheese curds, is now available at all NYF locations across Canada. To get your tastebuds singing, follow @newyorkfries on Instagram. Access the full version of the “Pulled Pork Poutine” anthem and the DoorDash discount code now on Spotify and Apple Music.
As announced today, multiplatinum-selling recording artist, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist ZAYN has signed to Mercury Records. The news arrives as ZAYN set the internet ablaze yesterday after he scrubbed his Instagram. The moment immediately sent fans worldwide into a frenzy as they wondered what might be coming next…
They didn’t have to wait long though.
Billboard just exclusively broke the news of his signing with an official announcement today.
Mercury Records President Tyler Arnold commented, “As soon as ZAYN and I met, I knew we had to work together. I was blown away by the new music, but just as impressed by his vision, drive and spirit. We’re honored he and his team have joined us at Mercury Records. We’ve got an incredible opportunity to tell the next chapter of his story together.”
ZAYN just launched a pre-save and teaser for his forthcoming debut single for Mercury Records, arriving very soon this summer.
Get the pre-save link HERE and watch the teaser HERE.
Stay tuned for more from ZAYN as he ignites what promises to be his biggest, boldest, and brightest chapter yet.
ZAYN is a multi-platinum selling recording artist, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist known for his skyscraping vocals and hybrid style of pop and R&B. With his debut solo album, he became the first UK Male Solo artist to simultaneously chart at #1 on the UK and US album charts in the first week of release for his record-breaking album Mind of Mine. The album’s lead single, “PILLOWTALK” hit #1 in 68 countries around the world and has since been certified 5x platinum by the RIAA. The album was followed by his gold certified Icarus Falls and the critically acclaimed Nobody Is Listening. In 2022, ZAYN was invited by the Jimi Hendrix estate to create a new version of the Hendrix classic song “Angel” to honor the legend’s 80th birthday. ZAYN has garnered several accolades throughout his career including a Billboard Music Award, American Music Award, MTV VMA, and two Brit Award nominations. In addition to his music, ZAYN continues to be a voice for positive change, most recently ZAYN wrote a public letter to the British Prime Minister advocating for expanding free school lunches program for children living in poverty in the UK. He will also star in the highly anticipated animation movie “10 Lives” alongside Simone Ashley, due out in 2024.
On her new single “Broken Girls,” Victoria, BC singer-songwriter Frances Hope compares a woman who’s been played and abused to a bird with a broken wing. The song is dreamy and haunting, with a dark atmosphere and gauzy vocals that float and flutter over the gloomy haze.
Broken girls can’t fly
That’s why they fell out of the sky
From grace where they lay
They fell prey to another’s game
You and you and you left them to decay
“Broken Girls” is the first single off of Hope’s new EP Paradigm, which features dream-pop storytelling to fill a lonesome dusk, and to guide forlorn, shepherd hearts into the sparkle of an emerging dawn. In other words, it’s a record that found Hope facing vulnerability, and learning to forgive and move on. “For me, this album speaks to how ‘I was broken but I’m not now,’” Hope explains.
Paradigm’s songs emerged after Hope had met someone new. “I had trust issues and emotional exhaustion to work through to be present and give this love a chance,” she divulges. “In forgiving myself, making a conscious choice to rise from the ashes, move on from past heartbreaks, and to be receptive to a new truth, I was able to begin healing and embrace a different perspective.”
Hope was joined in the making of the EP by Neil James Cooke-Dallin of Burning Rainbow Studio performed on bass, guitar and keys, and Ron Thaler on drums, percussion, additional keys, creative consultant and did additional production on the EP. “Between the three of us, we each brought something extraordinary and special to the mix (so to speak), and I’ve never been prouder of something I’ve created than this,” Hope said.
Frances Hope’s music is an eclectic combination of sweetness and grit, and her sound has been characterized as “edgy ethereal” and “intimate and touching with subtle and emotional insight.” She is a singer-songwriter, old soul, natural performer, poet, multi-instrumentalist and alternative/indie-folk rock artist. Her music is inspired by early Joni Mitchell, Don McLean, Gordon Lightfoot, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Ray, Fleurie, Florence and the Machine, Birdy, and Brandi Carlile.
Frances is an advocate for mental health, as her own struggles led her to begin songwriting to process and heal her own emotional wounds. Her works shine a light on universal themes of vulnerability, mental health and healing, and have become one of her raisons d’être. She is currently teaching a virtual songwriting class for youth and adults dealing with trauma and she is also working on new projects to be released in 2023. Her songs “Mistaken Identity,” “Stay,” “Warzone,” and “Wanderer” have been recently played on both Indie 101.5 FM and Unsigned BC multiple times (CFRO 100.5 FM radio), and you can find her music on all streaming platforms.
Kitchener-Waterloo, ON-based emerging pop sensation JSJ kicks off the summer with a vibrant celebration of self-acceptance and genuine artistic expression with his new song “Free” — available now.
JSJ, real name Joshua Säde James, is an emerging Canadian artist from Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. He has worked across Canada in various shows from coast to coast. JSJ began competing in talent competitions as far west as The Calgary Stampede Talent Search, to Ontario to compete in The Western Fair’s Rise2Fame. Soon he travelled over to PEI to be a part of the Charlottetown Festival, to Newfoundland to play “Pepper” in Mamma Mia! Today he travels the world with Norwegian Cruise Lines performing in various shows including his self-made cabaret.
Drawing on his own experiences and personal stories, JSJ uses music as the ultimate catalyst for messages of self-worth and love, particularly as an ambassador for LGBTQ2IA+ rights. JSJ’s overarching philosophy is clear, “you are worthy, you are loved, and you are imperfectly you.”
JSJ’s uplifting new single was inspired by a challenging time in his life. As JSJ explains, “This song was written during a period when I was doubting my own self-worth and dignity as a queer man. I realized I was alive but not fully living. I was denying the part of myself that made me unique, that made me special, that made me, me.”
“Free” was created around the lyrics, “You don’t need to know where you are going to know who you are.” This important life lesson, like many lessons, was relayed by an educator. “The most inspirational and supportive professor I ever had, Mary-Lu Zahalen,” says JSJ. “She was my popular music performance teacher in college and always strived for us to own our individuality and sense of self.”
The ideas behind JSJ’s music are always inspired by some life event. In the case of “Free,” the song was written as a second-coming (out) song. The goal always remains the same with JSJ’s music, to make people smile by letting them know that they are special, no matter who they are.
There is perhaps no better demonstration of JSJ’s commitment to love and acceptance than the positivity that radiates from the lyrics in “Free,” which begins the moment the music starts.
“And I believe
That you don’t need to know where you are
Going to know who you are
And I can see
The universe’s energy is wrapping all around me
We are free.”
JSJ, real name Joshua Säde James, is an emerging Canadian artist from Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario. He has worked across Canada in various shows from coast to coast. JSJ began competing in talent competitions as far west as The Calgary Stampede Talent Search, to Ontario to compete in The Western Fair’s Rise2Fame, over to PEI to be a part of the Charlottetown Festival, to Newfoundland to play “Pepper” in Mamma Mia!
Prior to obtaining his Honours Bachelor Degree in Musical Theatre Performance at Sheridan College, alongside winning the Sheridan: Pop Award (For Outstanding Performance), Joshua Säde James also co-choreographed, co-directed, and starred in his original Revue Diva Dynasty (Sheridan Institute PREP Production); proving yet again he was born for the stage. His latest single, “Free,” joins his WCSW Award-Winning Single, “I’ll Wait For You.”
JSJ has dreamed of becoming a recording artist ever since he first watched his father, highly decorated independent country artist Jamie Warren, sing on stage. He would soon find himself locked in the basement, belting his little heart out to artists like Whitney Houston, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, and Christina Aguilera. Thankfully, the KW Arts Fund & FACTOR (ADP) recognized James’s potential, granting him funds to work on his latest project.
A pride anthem declaring self-love and ownership of one’s identity, JSJ’s newest single, “Free,” is available now, right in time for the great weather!
Fog Blues & Brass Band, the dynamic 7-piece ensemble from Kitchener, Ontario, known for their electrifying live performances, is thrilled to announce the release of their latest single, “12 Bar Prescription”, featured on the bluesy rock band’s latest EP. It captures the essence of their journey during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID pandemic and showcases their unyielding spirit and musical prowess.
“Ironically, the only tune we had pre-pandemic was this song we co-wrote with Grant Heywood (Major Hoople’s Boarding House). However, we were locked down before we could record it. “12 Bar Prescription” was one we solidified in Memphis, TN during the International Blues Challenge and playing that song live at The Rum Boogie Cafe and Alfred’s was surreal! It’s become our opening song on every show we play, so it only seemed fitting it be the title track.”
The other songs featured on Fog’s latest EP are a testament to their ability to create and collaborate through adversity due to the pandemic’s restrictions and limitations. The band members had to resort to utilizing email and file transfer services to share and exchange musical concepts, crafting demos and recording tracks individually. Some band members taught themselves recording software to keep the creative process alive as this remote collaboration continued for several months until they finally gathered again.
For this EP, the multi-talented and versatile 7-piece band from western Ontario sought to capture the raw energy and immersive experience of their live performances. To achieve this vision, they enlisted the expertise of renowned engineer Robi Banergi, whose distinguished portfolio includes working with legendary artists such as The Rolling Stones, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Etta James.
“Robi is amazing to work with! It’s a very chill environment filled with good vibes, creative ideas, and a few studio stories from the past, very interesting to say the least! We also hired Steve Skingley (Rick Emmett, Molly Johnson) to do the mastering and he’s a great guy to work with!”
FOG Blues & Brass Band burst onto the music scene with their debut album, “Into The Fog!” in 2018, which garnered much fanfare as each track from the album enjoyed extensive airplay on live radio locally and abroad. Comprised of a group of seasoned musicians, FOG’s live performances are nothing short of spectacular as their signature blend of Classic Blues, R&B, and Rock creates a captivating and invigorating experience for all audiences.
Acclaimed Toronto-based jazz vocalist Fuat Tuaç releases his fittingly titled second album, Immigrant, out now, reflecting on his experiences as an immigrant living in the city. Fuat sings in three languages — English, French, and his native Turkish — while curating a potpourri of jazz styles that, like the artist, traverse the globe.
“Immigration is a very hot issue in the world now. People move around the world for one reason or another, even COVID could not stop them. I wanted to share my story in Canada as an immigrant,” says Fuat. “I wanted to talk about my journey in Canada. I wanted to talk about the people I’ve met along the way; my experience inside and outside the jazz world; what I anticipated from Canada and what I’ve found; how people see me and how I see them. I wanted to talk about all of this and inspire people.”
“I’d like the songs on Immigrant to speak to every person regardless of their country of origin,” Fuat says. “I think the eclectic nature of the album lends itself to that.”
I wanted to talk about my experiences as a single man dating online looking for love and intimacy in a humorous way. Online dating now has an international vernacular and its own ground rules, infraction of which will come with grave circumstances. In today’s world, post-COVID, meeting someone organically, outside internet, is almost impossible so this song speaks to most of us.
I also wanted to talk as well about how social media rules our lives in this era. We use it for so many different purposes. Apart from trying to give the impression that our lives are perfect, many people use it for purposes of spying on others. “Who’s That Man?” tells the story of a dumped lover who becomes the stalker of his ex on social media.
The English language songs also include the wistful, melancholic, but inspiring title song, “Immigrant,” and the groovy “Moss Park,” a reflection on the homelessness in a Toronto Park.
These songs were written in lockdown and recorded recently, so they are also reflective of that period. I›ve also included some songs in French and a traditional Turkish song that I revisit in the jazz style.” Fuat says.
Globetrotting and time travel through the history of jazz are fused with hip, up-to-the-minute Canadian urban poetry which is in turn inflected with Turkish street flavor in Fuat’s album. The international feel of the album, like Fuat, is expansive, taking flight and soaring, seemingly intent on visiting more destinations than an airport departure lounge.
Underpinning the entire endeavor is some rock-solid musicianship provided by Eric St-Laurent on guitar, Kevin Turcotte on trumpet, Eric West on drums, and Jordan O’Connor on double bass. Celebrated vocalist Kim Richardson duets with Fuat on “Chez Moi” and the renowned vocalist from Istanbul, Yesim Akin joins Fuat on the traditional Turkish song, echoing hymns from the Asia Minor across the ocean. The album was recorded at Kensington Studios in Toronto, but Fuat traveled to Montreal and Istanbul to record the duets.
My guitar player, Eric told me, when I first told him that I wanted to record the album with him: “You are such a natural singer, you improvise a lot on the stage and your album must be reflective of your live performances on stage. Nothing more than that. If you ever lose your voice when you are old and you can’t sing anymore, we will bring in a huge, big band to accompany you so that no one will understand that you can’t sing anymore”. Fuat says.
Fuat plays regularly around town with the same band that he has recorded the album with, so it only came naturally to him to record the album with them to capture the existing natural sound of live concerts.
Fuat has a unique pedigree, partly because the cosmopolitan singer/songwriter used to be a qualified lawyer, practicing law in Istanbul, France, and the UK before the calling to pursue jazz full time became too strong. He relocated to Montreal in 2011 to study jazz at Concordia University where he earned a degree, plying his craft in the local bars and clubs of the city. In 2017, he released his first critically acclaimed album, Late Bloomer.
Immigrant Track Listing
1. NO STRINGS ATTACHED (TUAÇ) 2:46
2. ASLA UNUTAMAM (TUAÇ/FERRER) 4:00
3. CHEZ MOI (DUET WITH KIM RICHARDSON)* (FÉLINE/MISRAKI) 03:52
4. LONG & WINDING ROAD (UZUN INCE BIR YOLDAYIM) (VEYSEL/TUAÇ) 05:45
5. IMMIGRANT (TUAÇ) 3:44
6. AEROPLANE (PALMER) 4:00
7. WHO’S THAT MAN? (TUAÇ) 4:52
8. MOSS PARK (TUAÇ) 3:37
9. LA RUA MADUREIRA (FERRER) 4:44
10. STAY (TUAÇ) 3:53
11. UZUN INCE BIR YOLDAYIM (DUET WITH YEŞIM AKIN)** (VEYSEL) 6:28
Summer is officially here and SiriusXM’s Grateful Dead Channel (Ch. 23) is airing new programming celebrating the forthcoming releases of the Here Comes Sunshine 1973 Box Set and 20th volume of the GarciaLive series. As well as previously unreleased audio from the Grateful Dead’s annual “Meet Up At The Movies”!
Check out all of the programming below, and start listening to the Grateful Dead Channel on SiriusXM channel 23 on radios or the SXM App now.
Click here to stream Grateful Dead Channel on SiriusXM
Grateful Dead Channel Special Programming
Meet Up At The Movies Special (on demand)
Fri 6/23 @ 3pm ET
Sat 6/24 @ 9am ET
Garcia Live, Vol. 20 Special (on demand)
Fri 6/23 @ 10am ET
Sat 6/24 @ 4pm ET
Sun 6/25 @ 9am ET
Tues 6/27 @ Mid ET (Monday night)
Tues 6/27 @ 5pm ET
Thur 6/29 @ 11am ET
Here Comes Sunshine Special (on demand)
Mon 6/26 @ 5pm ET
Tues 6/27 @ 9am ET
Wed 6/28 @ 3pm ET
Thur 6/29 @ 12am ET (Wednesday Night)
Fri 6/30 @ 10am ET
Fri 6/30 @ 4pm ET
Starting at 5pm ET on Friday 6/30, the Grateful Dead Channel will feature the Here Comes Sunshine 1973 box set for the holiday weekend. Highlights from David Gans, Gary Lambert & Rob Bleetstein & complete concerts from the box.
Grateful Dead Channel July 4th Here Comes Sunshine Concert Schedule
