The Jackson 5 perform I Want You Back on The Ed Sullivan Show December 14, 1969.
When Johnny Carson Brought His Own Desk On David Letterman’s Show
I’ll tell you what you will find out David after a few years. This is the only way I can talk with anybody I go to I was on to dinner last night at a restaurant with me. Yeah, I go home after the show I use this in our bedroom. I do not perform well without this desk.
Toronto’s Alt-Rockers The Drifts Explore Tumultuous Love with “Breaking Every Bone”
If you’ve ever really lived, then at some point you’ve had one of those wildly tumultuous relationships where you can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em. Toronto-based alt-rockers The Drifts capture such a bittersweet, intoxicating situation with their shimmery-and-shadowy new single “Breaking Every Bone.”
Featuring a dark, grungy bassline under glittering guitar, “Breaking Every Bone” explores the layers of an on-and-off relationship as singer Alyssa Holmes alternates between a near-whisper and a stadium wail. “It’s just so easy to crawl back to you/ I always stumble and fall back to you,” she confesses, and then the song builds and dissolves over the chorus:
I’ve been breaking every bone in my body
Trying to write a love song
You think you get to know somebody
You get it all wrong
Giving me a run for my money been running too long
The corresponding music video captures the band performing in the middle of the Joshua Tree desert during the golden hour. “The song has a fierce and raw feel that seems incredibly fitting with the desert,” said Holmes. “We shot a raw performance video at dusk in Pioneer town, and loved the simple and honest feel it gave.”
Co-written with JUNO-winning rock band the Monowhales, “Breaking Every Bone” developed as Holmes and her bandmate Sam Nyberg strove to elaborate on their collaborators’ initial lyric of “I’m breaking every bone in my body/ Trying to write a love song.”
“For such a happy person, I tend to write darker lyrics,” Holmes said. “That lyric and that melody made the rest so effortless. ‘Breaking Every Bone’ is a song that gets right to the point: How am I supposed to write a love song if I can’t stand you?”
The song, included on The Drifts’ new EP, expands on the theme of their first album Traces, which focused entirely on falling out of love. “This EP, and specifically this single, feels like it is dedicated to the in-between,” Holmes said. “The moving forward and trying to find what you had once again, but with all the struggles and baggage that now come along with it.”
The Drifts are an up-and-coming rock band from Toronto formed in 2019 by Alyssa Holmes, Sam Nyberg, Binod Singh Jr., and Tay Ewart. Together they have created a bold and exciting sound that is both deeply personal and relatable. Their name represents themes in their lives from around the time the band was formed, a slow movement from one place to another, the act of being carried and shifted by a force or current.
Blues Rockers Midnight Miles Release “Coming On” Single
You can feel it coming alright! You can literally feel that heavy drumbeat taking you on a journey, just before the electric sounds of the guitar relinquishes that angst in Midnight Miles’ newest single, “Coming On” – available now.
The 5-piece vintage rock band from Montréal, Quebec lets it all out as they get set to introduce their Steal Away debut EP, dropping this Spring.
“Coming On” is a rhythmic anthem that punctuates a combination of bright blues and rock vocals with elements of jazz. This track takes you on an exploration of the human condition and the need for change. The lyrics describe a night out that lasts too long and leaves the central character feeling disoriented and disconnected from reality. The chorus urges the listener to “feel it coming on” and to be ready for change. This is evident when lead vocalist and song-writer – Ryan Setton is heard saying:
“Can you feel it coming on, Got a little bit of time to spare.
Can you feel it coming on, Everybody wanna’ get their share.
Can you feel it coming on, Just let the melody flow.
Can you feel it coming on, Baby let’s go.”
“In writing ‘Coming On,’ we wanted to express something that would encapsulate the angst that many of us felt throughout the pandemic. That yearning to break free, try new things and feel unburdened,” says Setton. He continues, “Like a shot of riff-driven rock ‘n’ roll adrenaline, ‘Coming On’ is about all the infinite possibilities awaiting us just around the corner, so close you can almost taste it.”
The Steal Away EP is filled with classic rock sounds including other bangers such as, “Don’t Worry (‘bout a thing)” and is a perfect backdrop for going on long countryside road trips or riding through the city, as the fluidity of their music makes your mind and spirit roam free.
Setton describes the influence and creative process behind the making of Midnight Miles’ debut album by explaining: “The name of the EP Steal Away is taken from the first line of one of our songs ‘Last Time’ and literally means to escape or sneak off, which conveys the general feeling and mindset of the record.”
The authentic rock ‘n’ roll band consisting of Ryan Setton, Justin Wiley (drums), Shaun Ryan (bass), Paul Lucyk (guitar & backing vocals) and Peter Grant (guitar & backing vocals) have gained a reputation for their electrifying and liberating live performances and have often been compared to The Black Keys and The Black Crowes, thanks to their dynamic and exciting rock sounds.
Pop/EDM’s Adrienne Nye’s “I Need The Light” Focuses On The Journey Of Relationships And Seasons
Adrienne Nye’s single “I Need the Light” focuses on the metaphorical (and physical) journey of seasons, particularly dreary winter spells. The single grabs the listener’s attention with crescendoing drum synth pads. The song off her upcoming EP, These Winter Skies, out now, and the 5-song EP comes out April 27.
The lead single from the project lays out a catchy rhythm with syncopated snaps and staccato keys. Adrienne’s steady vocals drive through the percussive backdrop, previewing the talent on These Winter Skies.
Around the two-minute mark, Adrienne’s vocals dissolve into a showcase of her newly realized electronic production skills, courtesy of producer Cody Taylor at Fiend Recordings Trickling synth backs her powerhouse lyrics as she croons about self-love and acceptance.
“The song is actually about a relationship I found myself in at the time that really wasn’t working. In a lot of ways, this relationship had me feeling ‘left out in the cold’ figuratively,” Adrienne mentioned she stripped down and reworked the production of the song, but the lyrics for this tune poured out of her with ease.
“One little snowflake on my tongue
There for a second, then gone
And underneath these winter skies
Stripped naked, there’s nowhere to hide
I’ll pull the stars down from the night
‘cause I need the light,” Adrienne sings.
The impermanence of snow parallels the uncertainty of love in life. The ebb and flow of relationships.
“Love is often so temporary. Like a snowflake that melts on your tongue, every person you fall for is unique, one of a kind, and often gone in the blink of an eye, leaving you feeling raw and grieving in some ways,” she added.
For Adrienne, this single represents the positivity one can gain from internal reflection. When she finds herself in a pickle or with an issue, she looks to nature for guidance. “I often look to the sky when I need to connect to something bigger than my ego. It humbles me and brings me back down to earth with a little more perspective.”
The album spans the theme of nature, as well. Adrienne said nature helps her make sense of the strangeness that is this thing called life.
“Nature brings me back to simplicity. To simple truths about the world.”
According to the multi-faceted singer, These Winter Skies is a “hopeful and uplifting” foray into the human condition. An exploration of what it means to fully exist. How to navigate life, love, pain, and ultimately, accept yourself.
Albuquerque Singer-Songwriter Kàsh Mojo Goes Big With Cover Of Sparklehorse’s “Cow”
A musician’s influence can be incredibly apparent in their sound, but Albuquerque, New Mexico singer-songwriter Kàsh Mojo takes it one step further with a live electric cover of Sparklehorse’s 1999 live at Leeds indie clanger “Cow.”
From Mojo’s debut album Buried or Replaced, he adds to Sparklehorse’s alluring dark landscapes, created in the original version of “Cow,” with his baritone voice building on the song’s already haunting lyrics with an addition of harmonious electric guitars.
The song builds with the listener being introduced to Mojo’s post-rock universe as it reaches a slow crescendo of emotions and brooding visions. Backed by a group of musicians from Austin, Texas, Mojo breathes new life into an indie classic.
Mojo became obsessed with Sparklehorse after band leader Mark Linkous’ suicide in 2010. He found that Linkous sometimes hid his lyrics behind different effects such as purposely singing into poor quality microphones for effect.
When Mojo went to cut the album Buried or Replaced, he brought in “Cow” to cover because he felt like it embodied the mood and scene he wanted on the record. And Mojo achieves it with the reimagined electric version that brings the haunting lyrics to the forefront.
For this single, Mojo is backed by an all-star crew from Austin, Texas, including members of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. The song was produced by Bryan Ray (Lonely Child) and Grammy Award winning engineer Stuart Sikes (Loretta Lynn, The White Stripes, Modest Mouse). “Cow” is a follow-up single to Mojo’s first song, “Galveston Gone,” off the album Buried or Replaced to be released in 2023.
Mojo’s debut single “Galveston Gone” was released in 2022. It tells the tale of another pensive songwriter, Townes Van Zandt. The booming baritone voice of Mojo croons themes of love, opportunities, and memories lost in Townes’ tumultuous life. A catchy bassline and scorching baritone saxophone and guitar solos builds a signature sound for Mojo that is unique but also familiar.
Gary, Indiana Rocker Scot Sier Dives Deep Into World Of Society Injustices In “Newspaper Man”
The truth is out there – it just depends on where you look for it. If you’re searching for the answers to some serious questions about the world we live in today, then look no further than “Newspaper Man”, the newly released single by the talented rocker Scot Sier.
Sier sets the tone on his new track with a variety of fast-paced heavy guitar riffs that electrify your musical senses as he begins to tell the story of “Newspaper Man.”
“Newspaper Man on the corner.
I still don’t know your name.
I see your face on the front page.
You look the same.”
The Gary, Indiana native dives deep into the world of politics and societal injustices by pointing out that people who have worldly experience can decipher what they see and read in the news. This is all so clear when listening to the powerful chorus:
Eight quarters and a dollar.
Get your news hot off the press.
Delivered by a man with fifty years experience.
I can tell you anything about the news.
You need to know.
Current events, politics.
And those who’ve turned their toes.
Freedom of speech, human rights issues, and equality for all are the underlying themes on not only this new single, but prominent throughout his 2nd full-length, 8-song LP, “Space and Other Things” – also available now. The guitarist, and singer-songwriter gives us the meaning behind his new album by saying, “The goal of the new album is to showcase songs that serve a higher purpose fueled by my concerns over free speech, human rights abuse, rising inequality, and climate change.” Sier further explains, “I wrote and produced each song to deliver universal messages that I hope will bring people together to create a more enlightened world through meaningful change.”
The multi-talented and creative classical rock veteran collaborated with a host of acclaimed Los Angeles musicians on the new ambitious “Space and Other Things” album, including the likes of Chris Chaney, Aaron Sterling, and mixed by Grammy-nominated engineer, Michael Patterson.
Sier began his career as a child classical violin prodigy, following the long line of family musicians from the industrial city of Gary, Indiana. With an extensive library of hundreds of songs, his mission is to challenge the status quo through his unique guitar style and poetic lyricism.
Canadian Singer-Songwriter Lisa Hartt Releases “Tell the Truth” From Upcoming ‘Arrival’ Album
Lisa Hartt’s new EP, “Arrival,” is a deeply personal and heartfelt collection of songs that has been 40 years in the making. The second single, “Tell the Truth,” is out now.
Lisa was born in Montreal but grew up in La Tuque and Dorval, Quebec. At the tender age of 10, she embarked on a long music career, taking her to many parts of the world, which included London and Cairo. During the 1960s and 1970s, Lisa toured extensively with various established musicians before returning to Canada, where she founded The Lisa Hartt Band. Throughout the 80s and 90s, Lisa explored multiple genres of music before eventually combining her vocal talents with world instruments and the ancient practice of reiki. As a result, she became a reiki master and developed her music into a holistic and transformative experience.
Lisa showcases her ability to lay every emotion on the table and tell a story that speaks to health, mindfulness, body, and spiritual themes. The single is a powerful anthem that encourages listeners to reject others’ attempts to dictate their emotions and to trust their inner voice. Through her music, Lisa reminds us to stay true to ourselves and to honour our feelings, no matter what others may say.
With her new EP, “Arrival,” Lisa Hartt has poured her heart and soul into a deeply personal and reflective musical journey. After settling in Port Credit, Ontario, Lisa took the time to reflect on 40 years of recovery and clean sobriety, drawing on her own experiences to create a collection of vulnerable and courageous tracks.
These songs had been floating around in Lisa’s mind for some time, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that she decided to record them. With the help of Chris Birkett, a multi-talented producer and musician from 2Mounties, Lisa brought her vision to life. She explored the many different genres that have influenced her over the years.
The vocals and acoustics were recorded in Lisa’s home studio, giving the EP a raw and intimate feel that captures the essence of her music. Lisa’s voice has undertones of Joni Mitchell, incredibly vibrant, drawing inspiration from this iconic woman to create something unique.
From gentle folk to groovy soul to the occasional hard rock, Lisa’s influences come together to create a backbone that runs right through “Arrival.” Each track tells a story, inviting listeners to join Lisa on a journey that is at once personal and universal. Lisa Hartt has created something extraordinary with this EP, and we are privileged to share her journey.
“Tell the Truth” is a song that reflects a hero’s journey, from the quest to the journey into despair and the plunge into the abyss, to finally emerging fresh and clear-eyed with the knowledge of the truth shining like a golden beacon. What sets this song apart is its upbeat feel, funky bass, driving chorus, and smooth breakdown.
The lively, joyful sounds, including the use of an accordion, give the song a happy-go-lucky vibe that almost makes you want to dance. The funky bass provides a groovy foundation for the music, creating a solid rhythm that drives the beat forward. The driving chorus is powerful and uplifting, with a catchy melody you cannot help but sing along with.
The calming breakdown contrasts with the energetic chorus, allowing the listener to catch their breath before diving back in.
Overall, “Tell the Truth” is a song that celebrates the journey of self-discovery and the peace that comes with it. With its upbeat feel, catchy melody, and soulful vocals, it’s a song you cannot help but feel good about.
Lisa Hartt opens her world here with her ‘Arrival’ EP. This recording is a new journey of Lisa’s life, and we will be hearing a lot more from the talented songwriter in years to come.
The second single, “Tell the Truth” is out now, while ‘Arrival’ is available early Spring 2023.
Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy Create A Musical ‘Canvas’ With New Studio Album Featuring Rhiannon Giddens
The entertainment world is filled with extraordinary stories of musical power-couples, but few match the beguiling true-life tale of Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. Known as Canada’s reigning stars of Celtic music, the two musicians’ combined album sales exceed one million; they sell out performing arts centers across North America, and their enthusiastic traditional folk music loving fan base (which boasts Shania Twain and The Chieftains) stretches from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Sydney, Australia.
Their new album Canvas, the pair stretch the boundaries of Celtic folk, experimenting with global sounds combining their virtuosic fiddle playing with more contemporary production and innovative arrangements, incorporating new instrumentation and contributing musicians. Special guests include celebrated Classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and Grammy award winning Americana music/Appalachian banjo/fiddle player Rhiannon Giddens. Canvas follows the duo’s 2015 release One, their first recording together, won Instrumental Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and A Celtic Family Christmas, the best-selling seasonal album and concert tour currently on stage at performing arts centers across North America.
The entertainment world is filled with extraordinary stories of musical power-couples, but few match the beguiling true-life tale of Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy. Known as Canada’s reigning stars of Celtic music, the two musicians’ combined album sales exceed one million; they sell out performing arts centers across North America, and their enthusiastic traditional folk music loving fan base (which boasts Shania Twain and The Chieftains) stretches from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Sydney, Australia.
Their new album Canvas, the pair stretch the boundaries of Celtic folk, experimenting with global sounds combining their virtuosic fiddle playing with more contemporary production and innovative arrangements, incorporating new instrumentation and contributing musicians. Special guests include celebrated Classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and Grammy award winning Americana music/Appalachian banjo/fiddle player Rhiannon Giddens. Canvas follows the duo’s 2015 release One, their first recording together, won Instrumental Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, and A Celtic Family Christmas, the best selling seasonal album and concert tour currently on stage at performing arts centers across North America.
Singer-Songwriter Suzanne Cook Is Ready For Summer With Reggae-Tinged “Red Wine And Red Roses”
The reggae vibe of Suzanne Cook’s new single, “Red Wine and Red Roses,” evokes sunshine, warm weather, and falling in love on the beach. It’s a fusion of Britpop and Reggae, the London sound shaking hands with the Caribbean.
Written by the British singer’s guitarist and regular collaborator Tim Devereaux, it’s the second single from Cook’s upcoming album, Waking Dream.
Cook says “Red Wine and Red Roses” was originally written to be a heavy rock song, but inspiration struck as the crack band she and Devereaux had assembled in a London studio began talking about their mutual love of Bob Marley.
The new direction for the number took shape around a simple reggae rhythm on the guitar, and the new melody followed naturally. The rhythm is such a perfect match for the romantic lyrics that it’s nearly impossible to imagine the song done in any other style.
Over a masterful beat set by drummer Howard Tibble (Paul McCartney, Little Richard), percussionist Everett Bradley (Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen) and bassist Winston Blissett (Massive Attack, Boy George), Cook delivers a sultry performance, singing of a friendship turning into something more, something exciting, something fresh and new.
There’s a sense of anticipation, a yearning for that first kiss, that first embrace. Punctuated by a horn section, guitars from Devereaux and Pascal Glanville, and organ and keys from Charlie Giordano and producer Mark Plati, Cook paints a picture of days of easy-going frolic, turning into evenings filled with romance and, of course, red wine and red roses.
It’s a playful, joyous song, as Cook sings of the “promises when love is new”, waking up to “autumn’s sun in morning’s dew.”
You’ll want to uncork a bottle of red of your own, and enjoy the tune with someone special, perhaps in a room strewn with red rose petals.