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Acclaimed Guitarist, Songwriter & Producer JEFF GUNN Releases “Angelicus”

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Toronto-based guitarist and singer/songwriter Jeff Gunn dazzles with his signature wizardry on an instrumental track that exudes a mystical sonic energy with his latest single, “Angelicus.”

Gunn’s innovative new single “Angelicus” can be found on the rhythmically rich record “Momentum,” a collection of eclectic guitar-driven tracks by a master of his craft. Gunn utilizes a unique guitar technique known as percussive harp harmonics on the entirety of “Angelicus” to produce musical texture audiences can sink their teeth into.

“Angelicus” is an instrumental piece of music that enraptures listeners and transports them to a place of auditory bliss. The song demonstrates Gunn’s ability as a musical storyteller, using his guitar to bring a tale of gratitude to life. The composition of “Angelicus” was inspired by all the women in Gunn’s life and the strengths he continues to admire.

Accompanying the release of “Angelicus” is the official music video which can be found on YouTube now. The video highlights the incredible mastership of Gunn’s guitar playing as the percussive harp harmonics are flawlessly executed with style. A black and white colour palette of the visuals harmonizes with the emotional tone of the music.

Jeff Gunn ushers in the future of guitar on his album “Momentum,” which was co-produced by award-winning guitar maestro Antoine Dufour. The album assembles a group of sensational artists who skillfully lend their talents to an immensely sophisticated group of songs that casual listeners and music aficionados can enjoy.

Artists such as drummer Mike Sleath (Shawn Mendes) and sax player Dennis P (Arkells) delight listeners with spellbinding performances alongside Gunn. “Momentum” is a testament to Gunn’s creative vision of producing contemplative music that celebrates all life has to offer.

A critically acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, and producer, he co-wrote and co-produced Emmanuel Jal’s JUNO Award-nominated album, The Key (Gatwitch/Universal). On the more academic side of things, he is also the author of the Hidden Sounds: Discover Your Own Method on Guitar (Mayfair Music Publications) and a regular “guitar tips” contributor in print and film with Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Guitar World, Canadian Musician, Overdrive (Thailand), and The Guitar Mag (Thailand). He co-wrote the song “Scars” with Jal and Nelly Furtado for the film The Good Lie (Warner Brothers 2014) and The Black Prince (Rukus Avenue 2017) soundtrack.

A sought-after collaborator and contributor with an impressive A-list of artists, Gunn has recorded with Emmanuel Jal, Nelly Furtado, Bibi McGill, Mark Pellizzer, Kae Sun, Domanique Grant, James Bryan, Rayzak, performed with DMC, Swizz Beatz, Tanika Charles, and has served as musical director for Jal opening for such acts as Nico & Vinz, Peter Gabriel, Bonnie Raitt, Angelique Kidjo, Xavier Rudd, Mumford & Sons, and Ellie Goulding.

Gunn has also taken his top-notch performing abilities to notable international stages and high-profile gigs including Glastonbury, the JUNO Songwriters’ Circle, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Ringo Starr’s Birthday Concert at Capitol Records, United Nations, GRAMMY Museum Concert Series in Honour of Bob Marley, Jimmy Kimmel’s Annual Italian Festival, and the Dalai Lama One World Concert. He has appeared on CBC, CTV Canada AM, Good Day New York, Fox TV, Ted Talks, and The Travel Channel (Thailand) and has also been a guest speaker at UCLA, University of London, University of Oxford, Thammasat University, the University of Hawaii and more. Gunn is endorsed by Godin Guitars, D’Addario Canada, Levy’s Guitar Straps, Planet Waves, Gravity Guitar Picks, and G7th Capos.

Pop Singer/Songwriter AGGIE Express The Importance Of Self Love In “Happy”

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Through times of struggle, we are often looking for a light at the end of a tunnel. However, up-and-coming pop artist Aggie is here to remind us that life is what we make of it, and that happiness is almost always obtainable, in her newest single, “Happy.”

There’s nothing sweeter than a ukulele feel-good song, and Aggie doubles down on this vibe as she reflects on what happiness really means. “Happy” uses a simple yet alluring ukulele rhythm as its foundation, layering muted trumpet and walking bass lines into this sonic serotonin capsule – daily recommended dose at least once a day after meals.

Over the last few years, there have been a lot of changes in everyone’s lives; we work from home, sacrificed social interactions, and for some – lost loved ones. Some people possess a characteristic jovial perspective of the world, and even then, the lockdowns and quarantines have severely pressured even the happiest people into a dark place.

Aggie ponders on her mindset as she wrote “Happy” : “We all work on being happy – we recall being happy or consider being happy in the future. Rare are those who live in the moment, finding and acknowledging happiness every day. Happy is normally followed by a but…”

Aggie’s message is blunt yet delivered with grace. “Happy” encourages listeners to be true to themselves and to carry on without regret; to love themselves and to start the change with themselves. The feel-good energy radiating from this production is coupled expertly with appropriate lyricism, delivered in a way that makes it seem like Aggie truly cares about the individual listener.

“COVID has taught me that there is no time to take; the time to be happy is now. I realized that self-love and acceptance are the keys to being at peace with oneself. Once you master both you can enrich others’ life and really change things.”

Aggie is a singer-songwriter and a performer based in Barcelona, Spain. Aggie records her music in Barcelona but travels to London, New Orleans, and Canada to work. She translates her passion for genres like Pop, RnB, Hip Hop, Trap, and indie rock into a unique music style that is personal to Aggie. Among her major influences, Aggie mentions Sia and MGK for their inspiring ability to innovate and control the trajectory of their productions.

After releasing her first EP, The Breath Out, in 2017 and her first album, Soul Center, in 2018 Aggie decided to take her passion for music to the next level. The plans about telling stories and inspiring others culminated with the creation of HOWIHADADREAM, an indie self-published label. This label has become the vessel for Aggie’s release and distribution.

Armed with full creative control over her work, Aggie focused on polishing her sound, leading to the release of her first music video “I Might” in 2019. For her production, she received an honorable mention at the ARFF Barcelona Festival. The single “Music Box” was released in October 2020 and ended up on Spotify’s editorial playlist “New Music Friday Canada,” giving Aggie a push of confidence to keep creating music she loves.

Alt-Pop Singer/Songwriter Lisa Humber Urges Critical Thinking & Human Connection on “Shades of Grey”

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One of the most frustrating elements of the pandemic has been the lack of clear information and the inability of everyone to collectively get on the same page. Canadian alt-pop songstress Lisa Humber addresses these frustrations in her piano-driven ballad “Shades of Grey.”

Featuring bold piano and moody, dramatic strings, “Shades of Grey” can be taken as both a challenge to think critically as well as a song about the tumultuous end of a relationship. The lyrics are passionate, and also open to interpretation. “I’m so sick of talking/ And you taking offense/ As you pontificate/ While sitting on the fence,” Humber sings.

The one thing she knows for certain, however, is she can’t succumb to wishy-washiness, or to rigid thinking. The longing for a deeper connection is visceral and palpable: “Engage in conversation/ Meaningful and true/ It never hurts to listen/ To another point of view.”

“‘Shades of Grey’ is an anthem for the times,” the Toronto-based artist says. “Born in the midst of misinformation and fake news, this song is a rallying cry urging listeners to ask questions.”

The song is one of eight on Humber’s new EP, The Space Between — slated for a late-August release. The project represents the renewed commitment Humber made during the pandemic to her own music; up until then, she had always worked behind the scenes as a stage manager on most of the commercial musicals that have played in Toronto. “I love that job,” Humber says. “I thrive on the fast-paced exciting world of ‘backstage’ life. Music has always existed in the space between my professional ambitions and the blue skies version of my life.

“I don’t want to call this a ‘pandemic record,’” she continues, “but I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that in March of 2020, Covid-19 not only changed life as we know it on a global scale, but it also had a significant impact on a micro individual level.

“When it felt like everything else had been taken away, music and the stories I wanted to share through my own creations were the only thing that made sense.”

Blending dreamy alt-pop, melancholic rhymes, hopeful optimism, and elements of adult alternative to create a unique sound that rises from the ashes of the pandemic, The Space Between highlights life in the space between the good, the bad, and the messy.

Humber collaborated with producer and guitar master Justin Abedin, who she met while working backstage on the musical, Come From Away. “Justin has this incredible ability to breathe beauty into everything he does and knows exactly how to frame and shape my lyrics and melodies into something that feels authentically me,” Humber shares. “Without him, I don’t think these ideas and songs would exist outside of my own heart and mind.”

Psychedelic Folk Artist THUNDERCLAP! Immortalizes Local Legend Hugh MacDonald with “Be Resurrected Tonight”

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The unquestionable strangeness of modern times is brilliantly captured by Niagara Falls-based psychedelic folk artist THUNDERCLAP! with an eclectic new single about one of the region’s most captivating residents, “Be Resurrected Tonight.”

A harmonic delight for audiences, the track tells the tale of an avant-garde individual named Hugh MacDonald from the Niagara region; MacDonald was known by many locals to be a relentless artist of several media with a kind soul and THUNDERCLAP! decided to immortalize him, and all of the mystique around his life and death, with a song that does justice to his legacy.

The legend is brought to life through infectious vocal harmonies and a writing style that acts as a philosophical account of life — while also being a dark comedy. Rhythmically described as The Beatles in 2022 — but with more LSD — THUNDERCLAP! conducts a cacophony of instruments on “Be Resurrected Tonight,” blending cinematic lyricism with a punchy singing cadence to create something profoundly distinguishable from anything you’ve likely heard.

“Two weeks before you left, you closed your bank accounts,
And showed us what came out, you threw it in the air,
Because you didnʼt care. Yea, isn’t life so funny?
Although Chornobyl hurt you, it didn’t kill you first;
We actually suspect it was the tainted liverwurst.”

The psychedelic singalong is set to appear on the highly anticipated new album, Strange Songs For Strange Times, due October 15th, 2022. Like a sonic Rubiks Cube carefully puzzled through over two years, the forthcoming album is a commentary on the state of society and self-actualization. It is no longer taboo to accept people with all their idiosyncrasies, and THUNDERCLAP! Is just taking it all in; society has awakened to its own sense of place in this world.

THUNDERCLAP! made his debut with his 2016 LP, Hell Bent On Success — an expertly crafted record that included producer Spookey Ruben (Feist, Ke$ha) and featured notable guests Bob Wiseman (Blue Rodeo), Mary Margaret O’Hara (Miss America), and Dave Clark (Rheostatics, Gord Downie).

THUNDERCLAP! has since released a number of singles and creative projects that draw on his method acting background and the bottomless well of psychological concepts that propel his art forward. With an unforgettable sound and a penchant for the ethereal, THUNDERCLAP! will continue to hit stages and produce music that engages audiences on a deeper level.

My Next Read: “Party Like a Rockstar: The Crazy, Coincidental, Hard-Luck, and Harmonious Life of a Songwriter” by J.T. Harding

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This fun and fast-paced rock-and-roll memoir from hit singer-songwriter J.T. Harding shows what it takes to go from South Detroit to the top of the Nashville charts.

In PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR, J.T. Harding charts his life from a kid growing up in Michigan to a chart-topping songwriter living in Nashville and working with country music stars like Keith Urban and Kenny Chesney. As a kid playing rock n’ roll in his parents’ garage, Harding’s was a world in which every taste of new music—from KISS to Prince and everyone in between—was a revelation. Inspired by his favorite artists, Harding abandons the classic “American Dream” and runs away to Los Angeles, where he forms a band and becomes part of the music scene there, all the while selling records to his favorite artists and producers at Tower Records.

A story of youth, rebellion, and determination, PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR is a memoir for music lovers and an invaluable how-to guide for anyone who wants to learn how to write a hit song. Fun and heartfelt, Harding’s memoir is the story of one man’s unshakable love for rock and roll, how it guided him through some of the greatest tragedies—and greatest triumphs—of his wild and unvarnished life.

The Ramones Perform The Theme From ‘Spider-Man’ on A Rooftop In New York City

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The Ramones performed the theme from the classic Spider-Man animated series on top of a New York City roof in 1995.

Here’s Bob Odenkirk Doing Standup In 1997

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Bob Odenkirk’s career is inexplicable. The Ben Stiller Show, Mr. Show with Bob and David, Breaking Bad, Better Sault Saul, the brilliant Nobody movie….But in between all of this, he did standup in 1997.

SiriusXM Bundles Stitcher Premium Into Its Platinum Plan Subscriptions

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SiriusXM announced today that it is adding even more value to its popular SiriusXM Platinum Plan by including access to Stitcher Premium at no additional cost to their subscribers. Stitcher Premium, a $4.99/month value, has been added for both new and existing subscribers of the SiriusXM Platinum Plan (for listening in the car and on the SXM App) and SiriusXM Streaming Platinum Plan (SXM App only). This is the first time SiriusXM is bundling another service with its Platinum and Streaming Platinum Plans.

Home to Stitcher Originals, Black lifestyle and culture network More Sauce, top-ranked comedy podcast network Earwolf, and award-winning documentary network Witness Docs, Stitcher produces some of the most acclaimed and award-winning podcasts around, including Office LadiesFreakonomics RadioLeVar Burton ReadsConan O’Brien Needs a Friend, and more. Stitcher is the #1 podcast network according to Triton*.

With Stitcher Premium, listeners get exclusive benefits like ad-free listening, early access to podcast episodes and the ability to binge select podcast series without having to wait for new episodes to drop. Stitcher Premium listeners also get access to 60,000+ hours of podcasts in the Premium library, including many archival episodes not available on other platforms.

Platinum subscribers have access to SiriusXM’s full content lineup, which includes more than 425 SiriusXM channels. Listeners get ad-free music from virtually every musical genre, curated mood and activity-based channels, the ability to create personalized Pandora Stations, the most extensive lineup of professional and college sports in audio, plus talk, entertainment, news, comedy, and now access to the #1 podcast network. New subscribers can learn more and sign up for a Platinum Plan at SiriusXM.com.

“Stitcher Premium is a terrific value add for our Platinum and Streaming Platinum subscribers. With one subscription and one set of login credentials, our listeners get our full spectrum of unparalleled SiriusXM content, and now a huge selection of popular podcast content on Stitcher as well,” said Richard Beatty, Chief Subscription Revenue Officer, SiriusXM. “This enhancement to our Platinum Plans delivers more content with no extra cost and no hassle to sign up. It’s another great way for SiriusXM to connect people to the voices, stories and music they love.”

Current SiriusXM Platinum Plan subscribers can download the Stitcher app and log in now using their existing SXM streaming username and password to immediately access the benefits of Stitcher Premium without having to set up a new profile or create a new account. SiriusXM Platinum subscribers who have not yet set up their SXM streaming credentials can do so by going to care.siriusxm.com/onboarding/setup-credentials.

Stitcher Premium is also included in SiriusXM’s Platinum VIP Plan. Platinum VIP is SiriusXM’s comprehensive subscription tier and includes access to SiriusXM in two vehicles, two SXM App logins, and other VIP benefits including access to a selection of more than 5000 official live concert video and audio recordings via nugs.net, exclusive subscriber experiences and priority customer care. To learn more about the Platinum VIP Plan go to SiriusXM.com/VIP.

SiriusXM Music Town announces dates and ticket details for free concerts

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SiriusXM and Live Nation announced dates, locations, and ticket details for the upcoming SiriusXM Music Town concerts in four lucky communities across Canada. The winning towns of Orangeville, Ontario, Estevan, Saskatchewan, Miramichi, New Brunswick and Blanc-Sablon, Quebec, beat out hundreds of other communities to be named the inaugural SiriusXM Music Towns. Their heartfelt nominations, incredible community spirit and passion for music have secured them a once-in-a-lifetime concert featuring a big-name Canadian act.

“When we set out to find the first SiriusXM Music Towns, we knew Canadians would be excited by the opportunity to bring amazing Canadian artists to their doorstep, but the passion and enthusiasm has exceeded all our expectations,” said Paul Cunningham, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “As we continue to plan local events, we’re looking forward to celebrating with the winning communities and we have some exciting surprises in the works!”

On Friday, August 19 at 11:00 am ET, a limited amount of free tickets will be available to claim through musictown.siriusxm.ca. The number of tickets available is based on venue capacity.

The dates and locations for each concert are:

  • Orangeville, ON – Saturday, September 17 – Walk Off The Earth at Alder Recreation Centre
  • Estevan, SK – Saturday, September 24 – Dallas Smith at Affinity Place
  • Blanc-Sablon, QC – Saturday, October 1 – 2Frères at Blanc-Sablon Arena
  • Miramichi, NB – Sunday, October 2 – Arkells at Miramichi Civic Centre

“It is a great honour to host Arkells for an unforgettable concert experience,” said Paddy Quinn, Deputy Mayor of Miramichi and key player in the town’s rallying stage of the competition. “Music and culture have always been important to our community and when we learned of this competition, we rallied to demonstrate why Miramichi would be the perfect place for a SiriusXM Music Town concert. Now, we are fortunate to be one of four towns hosting one of Canada’s biggest bands. We are also excited to offer additional activities and events built around the concert to make this occasion even more memorable for all of us.”

Each SiriusXM Music Town event will engage local vendors, businesses, and community groups, to help support the community even further.

Visit musictown.siriusxm.ca to learn more about the four winning communities and the SiriusXM Music Town Program

Berklee College of Music Presents Honorary Doctorate to Joni Mitchell

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Berklee’s Office of the President and Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice presented an honorary doctorate to the incomparable Joni Mitchell on Tuesday, August 23, at a private residence in Santa Monica, California. Linda Brown and Russell Brown of the MaddocksBrown Foundation hosted the intimate evening gathering.

Described as “the voice of a generation,” Mitchell has been hailed as having a consequential influence on the styles and sounds that shaped 20th century music and culture. Berklee President Erica Muhl remarked in her introduction, “Since her debut in the late 1960s, Joni has been a force for change in the industry, blazing the trail for women in music with an unwavering commitment to achieving the status rightfully due her as one of the world’s great musical artists.”

Terri Lyne Carrington, founder and artistic director of the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice said, “I am thrilled that we are finally able to honor Joni Mitchell. Her career and social principles stand for the values our institute pursues—imagination, freedom, equity, and identity. I can think of no one more deserving.”

“Well, luckily I’m too old to get a swelled head,” said Mitchell after the gracious introductions. “It’s a beautiful event. Words can’t describe it. I’ve got my good friends here with me.” Mitchell added, “I wish my parents were alive. My mother in particular would be really proud of this because she wanted me to go to college. I went to art school and I quit after a year. She thinks of me as a quitter. So to see this achievement would be really impressive to her. I wish I could share it with her.”

Over a six-decade-plus career, Mitchell has earned 17 Grammy Award nominations—winning 10, including a Lifetime Achievement Award—as well as three Juno Awards, and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. She has been honored by Billboard with its highest accolade, the Century Award, for distinguished creative achievement. In 2021, the musical innovator and trailblazer was celebrated for being a master of her craft at the 44th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, where she was feted by Norah Jones, Brandi Carlile, and Brittany Howard, among others. Earlier this year, the songwriting pioneer received a Grammy for Best Historical Album for Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963–1967) at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards and was honored as the 2022 Musicares Person of the Year by the Recording Academy.

The evening’s musical tributes featured performances by Grammy Award–winners Dianne Reeves and Esperanza Spalding B.M. ’05 as well as the Grammy-nominated vocal supergroup säje, and students Devon Gates (bass), Julian Miltenberger (drums), Milena Casado (trumpet), and Nika Ko (piano), all performing Mitchell’s songs, including “A Case of You,” “Love,” “Both Sides Now,” “River,” and more. Guests included musical giants Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter.