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“DIO: DREAMERS NEVER DIE” Documentary Celebrating Metal Legend RONNIE JAMES DIO Arrives in Theatres Sept. 28 & Oct. 2

Eric Alper
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“DIO: DREAMERS NEVER DIE” Documentary Celebrating Metal Legend RONNIE JAMES DIO Arrives in Theatres Sept. 28 & Oct. 2

The first-ever, career-spanning documentary on the life and times of legendary metal icon Ronnie James Dio comes to cinemas worldwide for two days only on Wed., Sept. 28 and Sun., Oct. 2. Executive produced by Dio’s widow and longtime manager, Wendy Dio, and fully authorized by the artist’s estate, “DIO: Dreamers Never Die” delves deep into the singer’s incredible rise from a ‘50s doo-wop crooner to his early rock days in Elf and Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, to replacing Ozzy Osbourne in Black Sabbath, and finally cementing his rock star status with his own band, DIO. The film incorporates never-before-seen footage and personal photos, as well as offering intimate scenes with his closest peers, family, and friends, among them Wendy Dio, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Glenn Hughes, Vinny Appice, Lita Ford, Rob Halford, Sebastian Bach, Eddie Trunk, and Jack Black, as they bring viewers inside the life of one of rock and roll’s true heroes and one of the most beloved figures in rock.

In addition to the feature-length film, this special cinema event will also include a hand-picked selection of outtakes from the cutting room floor, creating an experience that is exclusive only to fans in attendance.

Presented in cinemas worldwide by Trafalgar Releasing and BMG, tickets for “DIO: Dreamers Never Die” go on sale on Wed., Aug. 24 at 10:00 a.m. EDT here.

“We are excited to be partnering with BMG and Wendy Dio to present ‘DIO: Dreamers Never Die’ in cinemas worldwide,” said Kymberli Frueh, SVP for Programming and Content Acquisitions for Trafalgar Releasing. “Ronnie James Dio has and continues to influence the heavy metal movement. This cinema event will take fans on a big screen journey into the creative and personal life of this notable frontman.”

Ronnie James Dio, who died of gastric cancer in 2010, reigns as one of the most influential rock artists of all time and one of the greatest vocalists ever. With an illustrious recording career spanning from the 1950’s through to the 2000’s, the documentary follows his trajectory from sideman into singer, songwriter and frontman of not one, but three, of rock’s internationally-renowned, multi-Platinum-selling arena attractions: Rainbow, Black Sabbath and DIO. Famous for popularizing the ‘devil horns’ hand gesture that is now synonymous with hard rock and heavy metal music, Dio was known for not wavering in his pursuit of his rock and roll dreams and continues to influence a new generation of music artists. His fans the world over remember him not only for his massive talent, but for his kindness, resulting in millions of dollars raised for cancer research in his memory.

“DIO: Dreamers Never Die” was financed solely by BMG and was directed by Don Argott and Demian Fenton (Framing John DeLorean, Believer, Last Days Here), produced by Don Argott and Sheena Joyce for 9.14 Pictures, and executive produced by Wendy Dio for Niji Productions and Kathy Rivkin Daum for BMG.

Argott and Fenton said, “People who have conviction, talent and heart like Ronnie James Dio are in short supply these days. It is refreshing to share his inspiring story of believing in yourself and chasing your dreams. As life-long DIO fans, it is incredibly humbling to bring Ronnie’s journey to the screen and we can’t wait to share it with audiences.”

Rhino/WMG will release the soundtrack from “DIO: Dreamers Never Die” in the fall.

Photo Gallery: Lord Huron with First Aid Kit at Toronto’s RBC Echo Beach

Eric Alper
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Photo Gallery: Lord Huron with First Aid Kit at Toronto’s RBC Echo Beach

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com

Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
Lord Huron
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Lord Huron
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Lord Huron
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit
First Aid Kit
Lord Huron

THE HAPPY CAMPERS (feat. CHRIS BIRKETT) Release “Icky Cottage Blues” About Those Horrible Summer Getaways

Eric Alper
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THE HAPPY CAMPERS (feat. CHRIS BIRKETT) Release “Icky Cottage Blues” About Those Horrible Summer Getaways

Who hasn’t embarked on an outdoor adventure only to learn that the accommodations are a little bit … Icky? Appropriately (and maybe ironically) named Toronto duo The Happy Campers serve up a roaring rock-blues amalgam capturing all the nastiness of a lake cottage gone wrong in their new single, “Icky Cottage Blues.”

Pounding drumbeats, wailing guitars, and a wild, careening rhythm are the backdrop to a tale that starts out, “I knew things were bad/ When I unzipped my bag/ And a spider crawled right inside.” Mice, bats, and rats also have their cameos, as well as a mysteriously sticky carpet and a shower so scuzzy it’s better to bathe in the lake.

Sound familiar? Then you’ll understand the comical lyrics and vibe of this latest single by this husband-and-wife team made up of music veteran Chris Birkett and JUNO Award-nominated video director Joan Prowse.

It’s a scenario the duo knew was relatable. “Each summer, thousands of families head to cottages for some R & R,” they said. “Away from city life, they arrive only to find garbage left behind by previous guests, appliances that don’t work, dead flies and mouse droppings inside cupboards and drawers, and bedrooms and bathrooms that had seen better days.”

The corresponding music video, which features the duo as well as some cute, creative animation, dramatizes the various scenarios in a playful, comical way.

The Happy Campers make use of fun-loving lyrics, pop melodies, and music videos to highlight today’s popular issues. Whether it’s a growing preoccupation with cell phones (“Tweet Me Right”), kids singing about climate change (“Save Our Beautiful World”), or this current single, their fun-loving approach is meant to appeal to a wide audience of listeners.

There will be further editions from this insightful team, like “Medi-go-round,” with the pair singing about the ups and downs of medical advice. But for now, their hope is that this summer “Icky Cottage Blues” becomes a campfire sing-along, summer cottage classic.

Strawberry Swing Debuts Nostalgic Fueled “Bennie (Won’t Dance)” Featuring meadowhip

Eric Alper
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Strawberry Swing Debuts Nostalgic Fueled “Bennie (Won’t Dance)” Featuring meadowhip

In a production that feels like a time capsule, Strawberry Swing brings everything great about 80’s pop rock and fuses it effortlessly into a modern production that feels timeless in their newest single, “Bennie (Won’t Dance).”

Like something right off a Billy Joel album, “Bennie (Won’t Dance)” features smashing piano stabs accompanied by a groovy drum set — all leading the listener onto the dance floor.

Absolutely infectious and masterfully executed, it ultimately boils down to an inviting call to action to enjoy yourself and dance it out. Encapsulating Strawberry Swing’s dedication to their production value are energetic piano licks and drum kits, each serving as the diesel fuel driving this high-octane production to its penultimate chapter: a super sick guitar solo.

Strawberry Swing co-fronts Mark Griffin and Nima Dehghani lay out a bit of their formula for “Bennie” and their approach to writing music, saying they “usually write around a keyboard — Mark provides the lyrics and Nima comes up with the music on keys, then Mark jumps on the drums and we jam a bit until eventually, we figure out the feel of the song.

“Later, we then flesh it out with the band.”

This approach to songwriting makes Strawberry Swing shine as the duo builds a dedicated cult following. Fueled by Mark and Nima’s passions for music and the genres that tickle that sweet nostalgia bone, they’ve found that their audience is picking up what they are putting down; Strawberry Swing recalls the thrill of their live performances, sharing how “Bennie” was one of those songs “you don’t so much write, but pluck out of the air.”

And, after performing live with Cara Walkam (aka meadowhip) for 18 months, the duo invited her to feature on the single — which they considered a no-brainer. Her vocal style and timbre are the icing on the cake for this sonic masterpiece.

“We realized later that, really, the song is about us and our audience,” they continue. “It’s become a favorite of our live shows and over time it’s developed into a call and response with the audience. So, when we play it live the audience chants the chorus back at us, and that is just the best validation of the song and what it is about.”

Strawberry Swing is the brainchild of Dharawal/Wollongong-based duo, Mark Griffin and Nima Dehghani. Iranian-born Nima and Sydney-bred Mark fuse together influences from Billy Joel and Coldplay to The Yeah Yeahs and Gil Scott-Heron. Nima’s groovy keys and Mark’s cheeky lyrics create a modern pop played old-school vibe paired with a distinct strawberry flavor.

Strawberry Swing’s core mission is to make music exactly the way Mark and Nima want to, telling the stories they want to tell. The duo is also committed to working with and featuring the incredible and diverse musicians around them in their songs.

As Mark puts it, “Strawberry Swing is a strange brew of everything Nima and I bring to the table with a heart fueled by pop music and live instruments – the way your mama likes it.”

Genre Bending Singer/Songwriter Lozen Debuts Sugary Summer Love Anthem In “Something Bout Chu”

Eric Alper
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Genre Bending Singer/Songwriter Lozen Debuts Sugary Summer Love Anthem In “Something Bout Chu”

A harrowingly romantic combination of what feels like the Dirty Heads and Jessie Reyez, Lozen tells a tale of coming and going, and the fire that comes with reuniting in her newest single, “Something Bout Chu.”

A light-hearted track that draws from American reggae influences like Sublime with Rome and Slightly Stoopid, “Something Bout Chu” infuses smooth acoustic guitar riffs with a trancelike 4-piece drum kit. Lyrically, Lozen alludes to her infatuation for rap as she references groups like Wu-Tang Clan and Busta Rhymes, dropping palpable innuendos and allusions to mystic love.

“It was very surreal,” Lozen says of the writing process. “So fresh, but familiar at the same time. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. I just knew, there was something about him. Something kept pulling us together, despite all odds.”

“Something Bout Chu” is both a diary entry and confession letter fueled by unapologetic self-worth and a passionate, long-distance romance. A tale of baddie meets goodie — lady in the streets but a freak in the sheets— and finding the courage to express yourself authentically. Throaty vocals are paired with slow arpeggio stripped-back acoustic triplets which break into reggae-infused rhythms without warning – an innuendo in and of itself. The pre-chorus builds up a climactic chorus which brings a light-hearted summertime vibe that screams freedom.

Lozen reflects on these stylistic choices, both musically and romantically, sharing: “I know what I want, where I want it, and how I like it.

“Also, I make my boundaries crystal clear: I’ll ‘never be your side chick,’” she continues. “Don’t let the four-letter words and rugged edge fool you though — my raw vulnerability shines through with true confessions — ‘four chords and truth, yeah I’m falling for you.’”

Most notably known for her rap projects, “Something Bout Chu” gave Lozen the opportunity to stray from her usual creative process, she reveals. “Before I even got down with rap, I’d write songs on my guitar. I went back to my roots with this one. In a sense, it was kind of like coming home.”

This approach to composing laid the groundwork, while teaming up with JUNO, SOCAN, ASCAP, and MUCH MUSIC Award-winning beatmaker DJ Kemo (Producer/Audio Engineer – Kardinal Offishall, Akon, Rascalz, Swollen Members, K-OS, SNOW, Pitbull, Fito Blanko) allowed her to bring her project to life. The duo has been hunkering down together at the Vanguards Music studio for months, enlisting the talent of prominent feature artists and session musicians to collaborate on a new forthcoming album; “Something Bout Chu” is the first taster made public.

Lozen (real name Meaghan Mullaly) is a singer-songwriter-bandleader who bends genre norms beyond classification, offering trippy R&B, jazz-infused ballads, golden-era style hip-hop, and dirty electronic bass. This seasoned impresario has many tricks up her sleeve, and it most definitely is worth sticking around to see what Aces are left to be played.

Photo Gallery: Styx with REO Speedwagon and Loverboy at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage

Eric Alper
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Photo Gallery: Styx with REO Speedwagon and Loverboy at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com

Styx
Styx
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Styx
REO Speedwagon
REO Speedwagon
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Loverboy
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The Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” As A Heavy Metal Song

Eric Alper
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The Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” As A Heavy Metal Song

You might think The Village People’s 1978 Y.M.C.A. is just for weddings and sing-a-alongs, but it’s a perfect tune to go viral on TikTok any moment now. Leo Moracchioli continues to perform his high-energy cover versions and chose a great one to do.

OLIVIA RODRIGO to Reunite with ALANIS MORISSETTE at Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala

Eric Alper
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OLIVIA RODRIGO to Reunite with ALANIS MORISSETTE at Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala

The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) has just announced the final round of presenters and performers to headline its highly anticipated Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on September 24 at Massey Hall in Toronto, ON with presenting partner The El Mocambo.

Powerhouse singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo will present Alanis Morissette with her induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. As part of the tribute, JUNO-winning artist for Songwriter of the Year Alessia Cara will perform in honour of the generational trailblazer who knocked down the door for unabashed female singer-songwriters. Rodrigo and Cara share in common the title of GRAMMY’s Best New Artist (Rodrigo in 2022, and Cara in 2018), as well as their outspoken affinity for an icon who paved the way, Alanis Morissette. JUNO-winning 2021 Breakthrough Artist of the Year, JP Saxe, best known for his 5x platinum smash hit “If the World Was Ending” will also be performing alongside previously announced artist Ruby Waters in the Morissette tribute.

Today’s announcement rounds out a cavalcade of star power to honour this year’s Inductees to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame: Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance, Alanis Morissette, David Foster, and Daniel Lavoie. (Murray McLauchlan recently celebrated his induction at the 2022 Mariposa Folk Festival in July).

The announcement of Olivia Rodrigo as a presenter will mark the first time she will reunite with Morissette since the pair graced the cover of Rolling Stone (Oct 2021) and surprised concert fans in LA with a duet of “You Oughta Know” last May.  As one of today’s most definitive pop artists, Rodrigo has accredited Morissette for inspiring and shaping her songwriting craft.

“I remember hearing Alanis for the first time when I was about 13.  I was in the car with my parents when Jagged Little Pill came on.  I heard ‘Perfect,’ I was like, ‘Oh, my God…You can write songs like that?’ I just looked at music and songwriting in a completely different way,” said Rodrigo.

Previously announced performers include, Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger and Ryan Peake, Corey Hart, Jessie Reyez, Charlotte Cardin, Serena Ryder, Deborah Cox, Chicago’s Neil Donell, Pierre Lapointe, Maurice Moore, Bobby Bazini, Clerel, Bruno Pelletier, and Marie-Mai who will also host the Gala broadcast by SiriusXM. Tickets to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Saturday, September 24 are available through Massey Hall. For a full list of performers and special appearances visit cshf.ca.

Sesame Street’s Easy Listening Monster Band Are REALLY Good

Eric Alper
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Sesame Street’s Easy Listening Monster Band Are REALLY Good

The Monster Quartet, aka the Easy Listening Monster Band, were produced in the 1980s for the Sesame Place theme park in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

The music features solo performances with light accompaniment from each member, consisting of Maurice on trumpet, Kermit the Frog on trombone, Clancy on saxophone, Bruce on keyboard and xylophone, and Elmo on guitar. In other segments, Grover replaces Elmo in the band on flute and Ernie replaced Bruce on the keyboard. While these pieces were originally produced exclusively for Sesame Place, they would later be used as Muppet segments on international co-productions.

That Time Elton John Surprised London Commuters In 1986

Eric Alper
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That Time Elton John Surprised London Commuters In 1986

On February 4th 2016, Elton John surprised commuters at St Pancras International with a performance in celebration of his new album – Wonderful Crazy Night. Following the performance, he donated the new Yamaha piano to the station for everyone to enjoy.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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