I can watch hours of him doing this.
David Bowie’s MOONAGE DAYDREAM Trailer Is Here
From Oscar-nominated filmmaker Brett Morgen, director of Cobain: Montage of Heck, and featuring never-before-seen concert footage, MOONAGE DAYDREAM is an immersive cinematic experience; an audio-visual space odyssey that not only illuminates the enigmatic legacy of David Bowie but also serves as a guide to living a fulfilling and meaningful life in the 21st Century.
MOONAGE DAYDREAM is not a documentary. It is a genre-defying cinematic experience based on one of the most iconic and global rock stars of all time, destined to be one of the defining cultural moments of the year
The film has the full support of Bowie’s estate and features many of his greatest tracks, as well as previously unseen concert footage.
Alt-Rocker Mikey is “Roaming” with Release of New Sophomore Single
Following three featured radio show debuts, critically acclaimed and Exclaim! Eh! List Canadian alt-rocker Mikey wants to know if you’ll go “Roaming” with him for the release of his dynamite new single.
Produced by multi-JUNO Award-winner Kevin Dietz (Billy Talent, Glorious Sons), Mikey — aka Michael Shankar — unleashes his next perfect anthem, complete with hints of Zeppelin and a smashing solo certain to make the rock gods proud.
For such a driving banger, the song had a quieter, more reflective start, however.
“I remember how alone I felt when I wrote this song, and writing it really gave me a chance to find myself again,” the Ottawa-born, Toronto-based artist reveals. “That said, with as honest of lyrics as I could write and a big guitar solo, this is me at my best.”
“Roaming” is the second in a string of singles for the artist — including 2022’s breakthrough release, “Operator,” which debuted on Ottawa’s Live 88.5 earlier this year.
After starting his career as a bilingual TV/FILM actor at age 11 (CBC’s The Tournament) and achieving his black belt in karate by age 12, Michael decided to further exercise his love for entertainment by beginning lessons in music at age 13.
It was a natural fit; he comes from an arts-driven family with deep roots in Canadian and global show business — including his sister, Melinda Shankar (Degrassi the Next Generation, YTV’s How to be Indie), who is a noted actress.
Toronto Pop-Hip Hop Artist Holy Ramen is ‘In Exile’ With New Single And Album
Holy Ramen is everything great about bedroom producers: intimate vulnerability thorough storytelling and creative control. With that, the Toronto-based artist’s newest single, “3am Thoughts,” and EP, In Exile, is a perfect example of this – and they’re both available now.
“3am Thoughts” is the product of a self-induced exile; bombarded by the duality of a toxic 24/7 news cycle and happy-go-lucky social media influencers, Holy Ramen was left with an empty feeling inside. Deciding to cut herself off from the world, Holy Ramen reclused into a personal uprooting, looking to find some sort of clarity in life.
‘It was too much,” she reveals. “I needed to cut myself off from everyone and everything. I entered a self-imposed exile, hence the name for this EP.
“I needed time alone to heal, and I was creating a lot of music.”
Inadvertently, “3am Thoughts” is a small tease of themes prominent in Holy Ramen’s newest EP, In Exile. A simple production that builds on itself, the song creates intricacies within its straightforward façade. The production embeds silky guitar and atmospheric keys to lull the listener into a daze – much like the late-night delirium that develops as the night goes by.
“Throughout my youth, I seemed fine on the outside – but not so much on the inside,” Holy Ramen recalls. “My darkest thoughts come to haunt me late at night, and if you listen to the lyrics carefully, it’s quite dark.”
Dark is an adjective that comes to mind, although the darkness behind some of the verses is accompanied by a raw and genuine vulnerability. The darkness that can accompany some of our late-night ponderances is oftentimes shined on by our acceptance of things we can’t change and words of wisdom – sometimes our own. “3am Thoughts” is a phenomenal representation of this.
“This wisdom comes with age / But with age now it’s too late
Calm down I’m just messing around / My mind’s full of strange noises and sounds
Think I got injected with the universe / Always making something new with the fairy dust”
Holy Ramen is an up-and-coming pop and hip hop artist who calls Toronto home. Best summed up as relatable and infectious, possessing an unruly talent for writing and storytelling, Holy Ramen draws inspiration from her real-life experiences to create a link between her music and her personal life and hardships.
Holy Ramen’s adventure in the world of music started at 12-years-old after she took interest in writing and producing music which evolved into her now blossoming music career.
While there is no dispute about Holy Ramen’s ability to invoke emotion in her listeners, the real bread finesse is in her innate competency of music production while ingeniously presenting music in multiple styles – all while staying on brand.
Holy Ramen’s big dreams and seemingly endless energy create a positive influence on her listeners and, inevitably, society as she climbs the ladder of success that haunts so many up-and-coming independent artists.
Susan Aglukark’s New Album ‘The Crossing’ Is Out Now
Multi-JUNO Award-winning Inuk singer/songwriter Susan Aglukark reveals a lesson in belonging and beyond with the release of her new album, The Crossing.
The Officer of the Order of Canada and Governor General Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award-winning artist’s 10th studio album tells a small part of what the Inuit ancestors’ journey might have been — and why it’s important to tell it from the Inuit perspective.
“Writing this album through our contemporary Inuit lens has been a lesson in belonging,” Aglukark shares of the release. “As we correct the narrative, we are also finding puzzle pieces in our own healing journeys — and what a privilege it is to have this platform to share these lessons from.”
Recorded with Chad Irschick — who also produced Aglukark’s triple-Platinum-selling release, This Child — The Crossing also features co-writes with Michael Francis on select songs.
Renowned for her unique blend of Inuit folk, country, and pop music, Susan Aglukark is Nunavut’s first-ever JUNO Award-winning Inuk singer/songwriter; she has won three and received an additional seven nominations.
This year, Aglukark will be recognized with the 2022 Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada at the 51st annual JUNO Awards this May.
Aglukark’s receipt of the 2022 Humanitarian Award is a tribute to her long-standing dedication to improving the lives of children and youth in Northern Indigenous communities. Through the Arctic Rose Foundation, her organization supports the emotional health of Northern Inuit, First Nations, and Metis youth through Indigenous-led, arts-based after-school programs, as well as other cultural and creative projects.
“It is an honour to receive this award, and a privilege to have had the opportunity to help create safe spaces for Northern Inuit and Indigenous youth to explore their own potential and forge connections through Indigenous-led programs,” Aglukark says. “I am proud of the work our team at the Arctic Rose Foundation has achieved so far, and look forward to expanding our footprint across the North to bring more culturally-grounded, adaptable programming to young people, and help engage, support, and inspire them in all aspects of their lives.”
“The conversations around reconciliation have provided an opportunity to change the narrative. The Indigenous people in Canada come from highly organized societies built on knowledge, process and organization – without which none of us would have survived.”
For Susan, art played a significant role in her healing journey and she believes it plays an important role for indigenous youth who are dealing with contemporary identity issues today.
“Our children and youth are strong and resilient, they still believe very strongly in their culture, in Inuit or Indigenous culture, and they are still fighting every day to find their place.”
“They need to be anchored to an identity and some of those connections are in our ancestors and their stories and we have a duty and a responsibility to engage our children and youth in the process of connecting with and helping them write those stories.”
Susan was presented the Officer of the Order of Canada Award, and was awarded the Governor General’s Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award in June of 2016. The founder and program developer of the Arctic Rose Foundation, she is also set to receive the Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada at the 2022 JUNO Awards.
Susan Aglukark’s previous awards include three JUNO Awards and seven additional nominations, the first-ever Aboriginal Achievement Award in Arts & Entertainment, the Canadian Country Music Association’s Vista Rising Star Award, and several other CCMA nominations. Susan has Honorary doctorates of Law from the University of Alberta, where she also worked for three years as Distinguished Scholar in residence, as well as an Honorary law degree from Calgary University, an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Lethbridge University, a Doctor of Letters from the Laurentian University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Toronto.
// The Crossing Tracklisting:
“The Crossing”
“Walk With Me”
“Uangilaa”
“Tikitaummata”
“Winter’s Dream”
“Be Set Free”
“Ada”
“Journey Home”
“Into The Light”
“Forever Young”
“People’s Soul (Arviat)”
“Ataniq Qujaqiliqpagit (Thank You Lord)”
If One Thing’s For Sure, It’s That Four-Piece Delaware Rockers DUTCHMAN Are Anything But “Going Nowhere”
Dutchman brings a statement to their sound in directions that make you Rock, make you Roll, and keep you hanging along for the ride. Always feel at home with their groovy piano-based ballad, “Going Nowhere.”
It’s the “Hear You Me” of Jimmy Eat World. The “My Immortal” of Evanescence. It’s the “Good Riddance” of Green Day and the “Broken” of Seether. “Going Nowhere” is the vulnerable counterpart of Dutchman’s signature rock and roll. And it leads the listener down a soundscape of fondness for looking back.
The four-piece rock outfit from Delaware formed in late 2017 and have steadily collected fans and friends throughout the music community online and around the world ever since. Their commitment to well-produced originals and top shelf promise of authenticity has seen the band make strides while they push genre boundaries and carve a sound they can neatly call their own.
“Going Nowhere” is included on the band’s upcoming album; their follow-up release to the widely acclaimed ‘Dutchman Volumes 1-3’. It acts as a twin flame to the upcoming, “Springfield ‘79”, and broadens Dutchman’s uncanny ability to level up their songwriting by continuing to produce well-rounded music that touches every level of the human condition.
For Connor Johnson (Rhythm/Lead Guitar & Vocals), Garrett Gravatt (Rhythm/Lead Guitar), Yamir “Fez” Alicea-Rivera (Drums), and Franco Solorzano (Keyboards & Bass Guitar), Dutchman music acts as a representation of who they are. “We have since collected over 30 vintage and newer reissue instruments to authentically represent what we bring to the table, check out the classic sounds and more on our current and upcoming releases.”
Now into their fifth year, and with the pandemic looming, Dutchman are digging deep into their roots and love of vintage music to propel themselves into their next level of flow and sound to their recordings and performances. “We’ve decided to really trim the edges and get down to the bare basics of what we’re about,” says Johnson. “Collectively our heaviest influences span from the 1950s straight through the 70s and the best way to pay homage to that sound and feel is to use the gear and tools our heroes had used that inspired us.”
Adds Gravatt: “This single is by far my favorite project to date. The gang has really been coming together nicely, just meshing in every way. The way I see it is, what better way to strike an audience than to show resilience in an unmistakenly meaningful song, all the while broadening our sound in the process.”
“Going Nowhere” bleeds keys with organ, their signature heavy percussion with well-placed electric riffs that compliment the melody and general vibe of the song leaving you both remembering and recollecting.
Dutchman take “Going Nowhere” straight to a hat tip of yesteryear, calling on your memories like a reel-to-reel tape playing on a crudely constructed projector screen of dusty bed sheets in an idle attic. It’s a trip you may not have been planning to take. But you’ll be plenty happy you thumbed a ride “Going Nowhere” with Dutchman.
Pop Artist Joshua Sade James Has “Gone” into Euphoria with Release of New Single
Kitchener/Waterloo, ON’s JSJ (aka Joshua Säde James) has “Gone” into an utter whirlwind of euphoria with the release of his newly minted single, and audiences shouldn’t wait to say ‘same.’
Oozing with R&B finesse, the insta-classic is an ode to the ex-lover caught in a tryst, causing lunacy for whoever is left behind in their trap.
“This song is my ‘Cruella has entered the chat’ moment,” JSJ reveals. “It’s the Gemini’s lament to love. ‘Gone’ is a sonic roller coaster that hurls you up and down as love battles hatred.”
A Sheridan graduate holding his bachelor’s degree in musical theatre performance, JSJ has set out to carve his own path and find his own voice in his musical journey. The son of renowned Canadian country artist Jamie Warren, JSJ was born into a world built on the foundation of song, melody, and performance. Since childhood, JSJ was aware he was born to be an artist, and his roster of recent releases are setting swift precedence for an extraordinary career ahead.
“When I was writing this song, specifically the bridge, I remember thinking how hard and sassy the rest of the song was,” he recalls. “I turned to producer Anthony Wright and said, ‘I need an Adele bridge. I gotta show range in more than just my voice. I think I need a piano breakdown.’
“Almost instantly I had the melody in my head and, less than five seconds after humming it, Anthony pulled out this beautiful piano part that just fit. Next thing you know, I’m singing a nodes-y low Eb feeling like Beyoncé, telling people I’m putting my ‘freakum vest’ on.
“This song was one of the most cathartic and empowering pieces I’ve recorded to date. Never have I ever felt like more of a bad b****.”
One spin and you’ll feel it too; “Gone” radiates confidence and shocking insight to the other side of the breakup coin.
Arriving complete with an equally stunning visual component, the track evens the score between partners in a relationship gone sour, with JSJ and his powerhouse vocals at the helm of the sinking ship. While his ex-lover may have steered the vessel to the storm, JSJ stole the stern in an effort to consume the madness, rather than evade it. It’s his CeeLo Green moment. His Lily Allen middle finger. “Gone” is a call and answer to the heartbreaking in two separately sized pieces.
“It sat on my laptop as this minute demo for almost a year before I brought it to Anthony,” JSJ says. “He took my little dinky basement demo and made it a fierce f u track that made me believe in myself again.
“It allowed me to embrace and truly experience my darkness in a different way,” he continues. “This time, when it consumed me, I controlled it for once.”
Lean into the visceral veracity of love gone wrong with the latest track from JSJ.
It’s a truth serum for the masses. A chance to reclaim autonomy from a broken heart…
Even if it leaves you “Gone.”
LGBTQ+ Christian Pop Artist Danah-Lee Laments Loss of Contact In “Love Letter To A Friend”
There are times when alone time isn’t just necessary, but absolutely crucial to our wellbeing. Canadian contemporary Christian pop artist Danah-Lee sings of such with radical honesty and deep vulnerability in her new single, “Love Letter To A Friend.”
Melancholy but soaring, “Love Letter To A Friend” beseeches a friend to be understanding about the fact that the narrator has fallen out of contact. Featuring piano, a groovy-lite bassline, and elegant strings with some whimsical pizzicatos at the end, the song arrives from Danah-Lee’s newly released 2022 album, Made in the Image.
“In my humble opinion, the ‘Read/Seen’ ability on messenger-type apps can be a double-edged sword,” Danah-Lee says. “Sometimes it’s not possible to respond, but the person on the other end might take this personally and start creating their own stories as to why the reader/receiver is not responding.”
Danah-Lee speaks from recent personal experience, having fallen ill during the summer of 2021 after a rare adverse reaction to a Covid-19 vaccine. She believes it was likely caused by an allergy to one of the ingredients, which had long-term effects over the span of eight months.
“During this time, I moved back in with my parents to care for me for three months,” she shares. “As I slowly returned to my own home and to the studios, I really struggled with responding to messages, and the only thing that kept me connected to any sort of sanity was creating music – especially this song.”
A big fan of the song “I Love You” by Climax Blues Band, Danah-Lee strove for a similar effect in the production of “Love Letter To A Friend.” The song’s groovy-but-tasteful bassline was supplied by bassist John Thomasson, the beautiful string arrangement by David N. Campbell, and drums/percussion by Glenn Welman.
Danah-Lee is a Contemporary Christian/LGBTQ musician, producer, award-winning music educator, entrepreneur, and author. Outside of her strong faith in Christ as a member of the LGBTQ community, and outside of her career as an artist, Danah owns and operates a safe and inclusive music school. She was recently nominated for LouderThanTheMusic’s “Christian Album of the Year” and the “Impact Award” at Ottawa’s Capital Music Awards. She has released three solo albums and two collaboration albums and has toured extensively throughout North America.
As a Christian artist, she does not fit the traditional mold because of her existence within the marginalized LGBTQ community. It is Danah’s hope to merge Christian ideals and a Queer existence into her music. The intention is to inform, engage, educate, and open doors.