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Canadian Reggae Icon Jay Douglas Gets The Blues With “I’m In Love With You”

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If you have a hankering for soulful blues and big band swing, then reggae icon Jay Douglas is the perfect choice of sweet, sweet symphony with his newest single, “I’m In Love With You.”

Following the release of a string of reggae singles, including “Stone In Love With You,” “Muschange,” and “Pattidemic,” Jay Douglas slows things down and takes a stroll down the bass line to deliver a smashing blues single – “I’m In Love With You.”

Jay Douglas has always had a strong connection with blues and jazz, which shows throughout this icon’s catalog. What makes “I’m In Love With You” special is its ability to transport the listener to a time when big bands were the norm and warmly embraced. Warm brass swells and slick guitar riffs draw the listener in, reminiscent of the appeal of jazz bars back in the 60s.

“I’m In Love With You” is brimming with rich layers of instrumentation – even on multiple listens it’s hard to narrow a definitive list. That’s always been the appeal of Jay Douglas, and he doubles down on this musical prowess here in his newest single.

With guest features from Hammond organs and Leslie cabinets, they are appropriately accompanied by jazz piano movements by walking bass lines; the whole track feels cinematic in its magnitude.

“Many years ago, a promoter allowed me to put a band together for a famous blues singer from the USA whose name is Rosco Gordon. His music is one of the main reasons we’re enjoying Reggae music today. Working with Roscoe gave me so much inspiration for my blues recordings. “I’m in Love With You” was produced by the Maestro Eddie Bullen – lending to that blues style.”

Jay Douglas’ ability to connect with listeners and paint a picture with his lyrics is truly something special and always humbling. Growing up in Jamaica, Douglas was drawn to blues, jazz, gospel, country, mento, and calypso styles of music early on. He draws much of his inspiration from this love affair he has with these genres and writes music he loves that he believes will love him back.

“Writing my music gives me a platform to share the truth and experience of my musical journey with others. The idea behind my music is all about the truth, and good vibrations for our souls. Just moving and grooving. The connections between me, my instruments, bandmasters, and collaborators – it’s a love affair under one foundation to share with the younger generations who are the gems of the future.”

Jay Douglas found his introduction to the limelight in Montego Bay, Jamaica. From there, his natural charisma and irresistible charm have led to a successful and continuing 45+ year career in entertainment, through which he has developed a passion for American Blues, West Indian Rhythms, and Jazz Standards.

Douglas’ tactile and impactful performances are the reason he was announced the winner of NOW Magazine’s “Toronto’s Best R&B Act” in 2006 and Toronto Reggae Awards “Male Reggae Vocalist Of The Year” in 2007. These accolades drew the attention of Seattle-based Light In The Attic, choosing Douglas as the Headliner of the “From Jamaica to Toronto” tour.

More recently, Douglas was nominated for “Reggae Recording of the Year” at the 2012 JUNO Awards and was the recipient of “G98.7 FM Entertainment Award” at the Harry Jarome Awards. His most recent nomination was for his collaboration with General Trees on “Jah Children,” receiving his second JUNO nomination during 2020.

Jay Douglas’ connection to his homeland has been the foundation of his career, which has led Douglas’ to form lifelong friendships and musical collaborations with many of the founding musicians of ska, rock steady, and reggae. His upcoming single teasing his new album is set to feature a collaboration with one of his old friends, the legendary guitarist Ernest Ranglin.

Roots/Folk Artist JUSTYN THYME Navigates A Contemplative Soundscape Of Letting Go On “It’s Been Awhile”

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While the music itself lulls us into an even deeper state of meditation, or contemplation, “life could be so simple” is the thought-provoking refrain of award-winning Canadian Americana artist Justyn Thyme’s philosophical new single, “It’s Been Awhile.”

With deft acoustic fingerpicking and gorgeous, well-timed harmonies, “It’s Been Awhile” is a journey through letting go. It’s a message that’s much-needed throughout the world after several difficult years of a pandemic and so much unrest:

The world has cast a heavy shadow
Well, the light will always win
Yeah, life could be so simple

Justyn sings of the shedding off of heavy layers, those things that protected us but that are now just a burden — “They may have kept you comfortable / But you won’t need them anymore” — and the relief is palpable. His voice is rich and honeyed and melodic, and when the song ends with the simple yet soulful “Welcome home/ Child of God,” it evokes the feeling of having completed a spiritual journey, or at the very least an emotional catharsis.

“This song to me is speaking of leaving behind the world that we know and that we’ve created for ourselves and getting back to what’s been there for us the entire time,” Justyn explains. “It’s about recognizing the folly of our ways, accepting it, coming to terms with it, and letting it be a thing of the past.”

Justyn Thyme is the artistic emancipation of ECMA-nominated and Music PEI award-winning Justyn Young, multi-instrumentalist, singer/songwriter, and child of Charlottetown, PEI.

Having developed as a creator out of a collage of influences ranging from East Coast Roots and Americana to Mongolian Throat Singing and modern Soul fusion, Justyn delivers a freshness of insight and musicality which reflects his deep relationship with self and the world. His rhythmic blend of Neo-Folk, Bluegrass, Acoustic, World, and Funk, rivets bare-bones symposium against undeniable smoothness and flow, both sharp and mellow in its attempt to create something powerfully authentic.

Justyn often performs in-studio collaboration with some of the island’s most talented musicians whom he calls friends, and on this song that’s Jonathan Gallant on drums, Logan Richard on bass, Ben Aitken on keys, Josh Langille on electric guitar, and Connor Nabuurs on trombone.

Chinese Man’s Matteo Unveils New Trip-Hop Jazz-World Project in Matteo & Bro

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Built around chance artistic encounters, and confronting electronic music and jazz head-on, new project reveals Matteo’s new trip-hop jazz project, Matteo & Bro.

The brainchild of DJ, producer, and co-founding member of the group, Chinese Man, and label, Chinese Man Records, Matteo’s Matteo & Bro orbits the universe of soul, funk, trip-hop, and world music — all with musicians at the heart of the process.

The eight-song release’s latest single, “Path,” features Franck Lebon; its official video — available now — is directed by Fred and Annabelle.

For its part, the single “Prumirim” features the sublime groove of General Elektriks within the atmospheric afrobeat, Brazilian rhythms, and baile funk. Named after a Brazilian beach in Ubatuba Matteo knows well, this song lands as an official invitation to dance.

Soft and suave, just like featured artist Isadora’s voice, “Sweet Shadows” evokes movement and the transitions of life within melody, rhythm, and tinges of R&B and soul. “I wanted a track that speaks of love and memories,” Matteo shares. “One that speaks of what resonates after spending time with someone — within the body, the emotions, the mind…

“Ultimately,” he adds, “a song that speaks of the soft imprint we choose to keep from a past relationship.”

The project Matteo & Bro dates back to 2019 when Matteo first met the project’s contributing musicians: guitarist Karim Addadi, bassist Christophe Lincontang, drummer Hugo Pollon, and saxophonist, flutist, and Duduk player Lamine Diagne.

The album also features the voices of Isadora and Tania Saleh, keyboards from General Elektriks, as well as collaborations from film music composer Franck Lebon to add a cinematographic dimension to a pairing of tracks.

Since the release of his album, Scaglia (2018), all the way to his latest solo EP project, Home (2022), Matteo’s genre-bending range extends further into compositions for film, television, and more — including Vincent Cappello’s Nouveau Monde and Dernier appel, as well as Lamine Diagne’s Le livre Muet.

With an international tour — including India, Thailand, Italy, France, and more — afoot for the summer, Matteo & Bro will take the stage at Quebec City’s L’ANTI Bar & Spectacles this October 20th, 2022.

// Matteo & Bro Tracklisting
“Bron”
“Prumirim (feat. General Elektriks)”
“Sweet Shadows (feat. Isadora)”
“With S”
“Path (feat. Franck Lebon)”
“Sakakeen (feat. Tania Saleh)”
“Bina (feat. General Elektriks)”
“Playa”

Jack White Performs ‘Seven Nation Army’ At Glastonbury 2022

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Glastonbury’s audience for Jack White was so loud, so happy to be there, they performed the song louder than his band.

London, ON-Based Blu Bones Signs Deal With S!NG INC. NFT Market Place

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The stage is set for more Canadian artists releasing NFTs in Web 3, and classic rockers Blu Bones remain front and centre with their recent partnerships with both S!NG Market and Lemmon Entertainment! The new single and video, “Summertime in Europe (LIVE at Canadian Music Week),” is available now as an NFT here.

The crypto-cred is longstanding for the London, Ontario-based band that just marked their 26-year anniversary; they were the first Canadian artists to release a single and video via NFT in Spring 2021.

With Our Lady Peace’s Raine Maida as CPO and EVP, S!NG Market is the music-only NFT marketplace for fans to buy, collect, and listen to exclusive music and add-ons from their favourite artists — before it’s available anywhere else.

“Artists can’t afford to not pay attention to Web 3,” Maida says of the burgeoning digital frontier — and Blu Bones agree.

“We are elated to be part of such a brand new, exciting, and cutting-edge platform,” Blu Bones lead singer Gord Prior shares. “I have no doubt that the S!NG platform is the future of music delivery, and is going to be a massive game-changer for artists across Canada and all over the world.

“Blu Bones are very grateful to Raine and the entire S!NG team for bringing us into the family,” he adds.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Blu Bones as one of our new artists,” S!NG Inc. co-founder and CEO Geoff Osler says.

Lemmon Entertainment are also on-hand to expand artist opportunities into new digital realms, thanks to their recent partnership with S!NG Inc. “Both S!NG Inc. and Lemmon Entertainment embody an artist-first approach,” says Lemmon Entertainment CEO Jessica Lemmon. “We have come together to void the gap between traditional industry practices and new avenues of providing entertainment — including Lemmon Stage, an International emerging artist discovery platform.”

The Internet has played a distinct role in Blu Bones’ resurgence on the scene as of late, Prior recently revealed. “It became time to address the endless emails and social media tags we received from fans ‘begging’ us to either get back together, or record something new… Most of us never thought of reuniting or doing anything new musically after all these years, but the Internet reconnected us with fans and friends from all over the world; the timing is perfect for everyone.”

Blu Bones’ “Summertime in Europe (LIVE at Canadian Music Week)” is available now — exclusively as an NFT via S!NG Market. Offered for only $1.00 USD, the NFT bundle includes the full video of the song, MP3, and WAV file. The song and video can only be found on S!NG Market and will not be available on any other platforms for three months.

Alt-Rocker HARKNESS Say “Ciao To The Beauty” with New Single

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With Canadian alt-rocker Harkness saying “Ciao To The Beauty,” their new track — available now — will have you saying “hello” to your new favourites on the scene.

The solo artist from Toronto, Canada delivers a full-bodied soundscape full of rich instrumentation, yesteryear nods, and forward-motion music of the future. The title track from Harkness’ forthcoming album, “Ciao To The Beauty” dips and ducks around 60s flair while incorporating modern alternative rock and exciting musical experimentation.

“Many years ago, I went on a solo trip to Brazil on holiday,” says Harkness. “The gorgeous environment and the open, joyful character of the people had a profound effect on me — as did the fantastic local music that seemed to always be playing in the open air.

“I would stroll aimlessly for hours finding cool percussion instruments to buy while soaking up what felt like so much explosive energy all around me,” Harkness continues. “One of the peak moments was my visit to Falls de Iguazu where hundreds of waterfalls can be seen, heard, and felt to your very core.

“It was there that ‘Ciao To The Beauty’ was born.”

A musical childhood would grow and develop a young Harkness’ insatiable thirst for artistry; his father fronted The Al Harkness Orchestra a band consisting of horns and winds along with a traditional rhythm section and his mother played French horn and piano beautifully.

While his mother gave him his first piano lessons, Harkness learned his essential life lessons from his father’s vast record collections. By age 12, he’d learned his first guitar chords, and by 17, Harkness quit school in favor of a professional musical career that took him around the world.

Harkeness’ debut LP, The Occasion, officially arrived in August of 2021 and his newest project is slated for March of 2023; two four-song strong EPs are expected in the lead-up to next year’s full-length project.

“The song celebrates beauty and hints at the question ‘Why do we feel the need for an abundance of possessions and assets in order to find happiness.’?” explains Harkness: “It suggests that all we could ever want is ours if we just stop to embrace what is already right in front of us. ‘Ciao to the Beauty’ encourages the listener to recognize the destructive tendencies of a self-centered existence. The lyrics go as far as to say, ‘Look up at the sky, kiss yourself goodbye’ to encourage a whole new perspective to live by.”

Harkness levies his love of multi-instrumentation on the track; unique melodies, and eclectic percussion. “Ciao To The Beauty” doesn’t shy away from tuba, marimba, flute, bassoon, glockenspiel, and plenty of layered harmonies. Harkness’ artistry relies on performing with real musicians, in real tones created by humans versus machines. His flair for creating detail-oriented tracks that take the listener on a sonic journey is unparalleled into today’s musical landscape.

Harkness plucks together every note, seamlessly weaving them into one fluid body of work. And when the song ends, you’ll find yourself thanking Harkness for providing a sonic think-piece: you saying “hello” to the newest love of your life, while he croons: “Ciao To The Beauty”.

Symphonic Metal Rockers OPHELIA FALLING Are “Destroyed in Delight” with New Single

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Canadian symphonic metal rockers Ophelia Falling are “Destroyed in Delight” with the release of their haunting new single and symbolic cinematic video.

The title song from the Vancouver-based festival-favourite band’s recent full-length album, the track trades in themes of addiction, broken promises, and domestic disputes and violence, vocalist Chelsea Rose reveals.

“So many have witnessed or experienced the destruction addiction causes,” she continues. “This song is about the pain experienced by those surrounding and who love the afflicted, and written from my personal experience with partners whose alcoholism, drug abuse, and gambling addictions destroyed the relationship.”

The creation of Mark Anthony Richardson (Diesel Candy, The Lumps, Drive By Poets) with collaborators Chelsea Rose (5minutewait), James Meyer (Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend Project), Sylvain Maltais (Omega Crom, Anarcheon), and Chris Pallot (Carousel Scene), Ophelia Falling emerged from the rainy streets of Vancouver in 2013.

Beyond their Savage Love EP and Destroyed in Delight LP releases, their single “Anybody’s Daughter” was featured in Kevin Schultz’s indie film, Guiltless, and award-winning filmmaker Karen Lam’s feature film, The Curse of Willow Song.

Lam directed the video for “Anybody’s Daughter,” and returns to co-direct alongside animator Bonni Reid for “Destroyed in Delight” as well. “The video is about the internal journey to confront the self,” Lam shares. “The fear of that unknown is paralyzing to the point where dancing with the devils — the devils you know, even though you know they’re damaging for you — is still preferable over facing yourself.

“The Minotaur is your shadow self; symbolic of strength and fertility in the old bull cults but, within the labyrinth, it’s more like a void. We’re attracted and repelled by it, the way we both want to dive inside — and yet are terrorized by it…

“We’re not using overt bull symbols in the video, but even Chelsea’s heels in the grass remind us more of hooves than feet,” she adds.

With previous festival appearances at Hyperspace Metal Festival III, Decimate 2.5 Metal Festival, Metalocalypstick Metal Fest, and more, Ophelia Falling will take center stage this Summer during a multi-date Western Canada tour.

The video and tour are supported by Music BC, Creative BC, and the Province of British Columbia.

Toronto’s LGBTQ2S+ Pop Star ANA PAC Empowers & Inspires with “Bite The Rainbow”

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Toronto dance-pop artist Ana Pac is breaking down the boxes of societal norms and showing the world its infinite and limitless possibilities with a new single, “Bite The Rainbow.”

It’s a song about “respecting and celebrating true diversity — whatever path you take, whatever your style, whatever interests and drives you,” the Montreal-born, Toronto-based artist shares. “All the pieces of you should be a reflection of the real you!”

A triple threat in more ways than one, Ana Pac is both a singer, dancer, and performer, and trilingual, speaking fluent English, French, and Spanish. With previous singles including “Blast Off,” “This Is…,” and more, she has also appeared in both film and television projects — including Netflix original films “Work It” (produced by Alicia Keys), and “Feel the Beat” (starring Sofia Carson). In addition to dancing, Ana’s athleticism also extends to national sports as a former speed skater.

A proudly open member of the LGBTQ2S+ community, Ana Pac writes and performs songs focused on positivity and acceptance — with “Bite The Rainbow” soaring as no exception.

As such, it’s a song close to Ana’s heart. With her “be you” messaging, she continues to exude confidence and kindness as she supports people to embrace who they are with love and joy.

“My message to others is to encourage them to celebrate their differences so that we may build better hearts and minds,” she says. “Let LOVE rule!”

Little Big Town Releases New Song “All Summer” From Upcoming New Album

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ACM, CMA and GRAMMY-winning band Little Big Town is releasing their latest song “All Summer” from their forthcoming 10th studio album. The song is the follow-up to their most recent single “Hell Yeah” which has amassed more than 10 million streams since its April release.

Written by Karen Fairchild, Sara Buxton, Madi Diaz, Ashley Ray, Savana Santos and Alyssa Vanderheym, “All Summer” is a bonafide, summer ready anthem.

Little Big Town continues to bring their exceptional live shows to fans worldwide this summer – they recently wrapped up The Bandwagon Tour with Miranda Lambert and joined The Eagles on all dates of their European stadium tour this summer. This fall, Little Big Town will join Wynonna Judd on select dates of The Judds: The Final Tour.

GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, AMA and Emmy Award-winning group, Little Big Town – consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook – first entered the music scene over 20 years ago with hit songs “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” “Good As Gone” and the GRAMMY-nominated “Little White Church.” The band’s breakthrough albums Tornado and Pain Killer produced multiple #1 singles, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” and “Day Drinking,” as well as the history-making, best-selling country single of the year (2015) “Girl Crush.” 2017’s The Breaker debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country Charts and Top 10 (No. 4) on the Billboard 200 to critical acclaim. The album features their GRAMMY-winning, multi-week #1 single, “Better Man,” as well as the 2019 GRAMMY-nominated, “When Someone Stops Loving You.” The band’s self-produced ninth studio album Nightfall was released January 2020 and hit the top of the Billboard Country Charts. The record included critically-acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated “The Daughters,” “Over Drinking” and “Wine, Beer, Whiskey”- the latter of which has reached more than 160 million global streams. In April 2022, they released their new single “Hell Yeah,” which has amassed more than 10 million streams to date. Little Big Town has earned more than 45 award show nominations and has taken home nearly 20 awards, including multiple GRAMMY, AMA, People’s Choice, CMA and ACM Awards, in addition to an Emmy award.

Goo Goo Dolls Announce Thirteenth Studio Album ‘Chaos In Bloom’

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GRAMMY Award nominated, multi-platinum-selling band Goo Goo Dolls have announced their brand new thirteenth studio LP Chaos in Bloom, arriving August 12th, 2022 via Warner Records. Marking the first album of their career to be produced by frontman John Rzeznik, the record finds the band at the top of their game and continuing to constantly evolve just as they have for nearly four decades together. Consisting of 10 tracks, Chaos in Bloom is an album of biting sarcasm, stadium-ready choruses, and the type of spear-sharp songwriting that’s led them to becoming one of the most influential alternative rock groups of all time.

While Chaos in Bloom isn’t necessarily an album borne out by the pandemic, many of the tracks reflect on all of the things in daily life that became amplified while everyone was isolated from one another and sequestered at home. “Chaos in Bloom reminded us how special this whole thing is and to cherish the relationships that we have together,” says Rzeznik about the album. “Where we’ve been, and where we’re going.” Oscillating from personal reflections on the state of the world to societal commentaries, the songs on the album grapple with observations about our dystopian modernity while searching for optimism and pushing for a more empathetic world. “I’ve been trying to have a relationship with the bigger picture,” adds bassist and songwriter Robby Takac, “and refining happiness and what it means from that perspective.”

To record the album, Rzeznik and Takac retreated to Dreamland Studios just outside Woodstock, New York during the pandemic. An environment as remote as it is rich with historic rock music roots, the location proved to be the perfect setting for clearing the noise and creating such a record, which carries a true live quality that the band captured by blending vintage instruments and gear with new-age recording processes and techniques.

Alongside the announcement today, the band has shared the first taste of the album “Yeah, I Like You.” As the intro track featured on Chaos in Bloom, the song ignites the record with a rousing acoustic guitar line that hits like a gut punch, with lyrics that effortlessly critique our celebrity culture, and the people who work so hard to look so disaffected while masking insecurities with false self-assuredness. “In a world that is just drowning in social media and internet stars, many of whom are certainly talented, but many confirm that in 2022 you can be famous for doing nothing,” says Rzeznik. “Celebrity in this age has a very quick burn. It was hard not to be consumed by it during the pandemic.”

For the first time since 2019, the band will embark on a sprawling nationwide tour this summer. Set to kick off on July 15, 2022 at Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa, ID, the nationwide tour will see the band performing songs from Chaos in Bloom for the first time ever along with other tracks from their complete discography at iconic outdoor venues spanning North America, including Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, and Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY. Blue October will provide support for the entire run, and more information & tickets can be found via the band’s website HERE. Goo Goo Dolls will be partnering with the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation for the tour, a nonprofit founded in 2002 by Ali and Joe Torre to provide healing and education services to youth who have been traumatized by exposure to violence including domestic violence, child abuse, teen dating abuse, and sexual assault to help break the cycle of violence.

Formed by Rzeznik and Takac in Buffalo, NY during 1986, Goo Goo Dolls have quietly broken records, contributed a string of staples to the American songbook, connected to millions of fans, and indelibly impacted popular music for three-plus decades. Beyond selling 15 million records worldwide, the group has garnered four GRAMMT Award nominations and nearly a dozen platinum & gold singles combined, and seized a page in the history books by achieving 16 number one and Top 10 hits. As a result, they hold the all-time radio record for “Most Top 10 Singles.”

Thus far, A Boy Named Goo [1995] has gone double-platinum, Dizzy Up The Girl five-times-platinum, and Gutterflower [2002] and Let Love In [2006] both went gold as Something for the Rest of Us [2010] and Magnetic [2013] bowed in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200. Their music continues to reach new audiences around the world and rack up platinum & gold statuses – including the recently platinum-certified “Slide”, “Black Balloon” and “Better Days” – and has been covered by everyone from Taylor Swift to Phoebe Bridgers and Maggie Rogers.

Among a string of hits, “Iris” clutched #1 on the Hot 100 for 18 straight weeks and would be named “#1 Top 40 Song of the Last 20 Years.” On the heels of going viral on TikTok, the track recently achieved seven-times-platinum status and re-entered the Billboard charts, yet again proving the timelessness of Goo Goo Dolls’ illustrious catalog.

CHAOS IN BLOOM TRACK-LISTING
Yeah, I Like You
War
Save Me From Myself
Let The Sun
Loving Life
Going Crazy
Day After Day
Past Mistakes
You Are The Answer
Superstar