For Canadian alt. pop-punk artist Victoria Alex, the unleashing of her debut new single “Screaming” lands very much as an anthem — both personally, and professionally.
Available now, the unapologetic and piercingly magnetic release comes out swinging, setting a new stage for the Toronto-based singer/songwriter and former Mini Pop Kid who also appeared as an inaugural contestant on the premiere season of CTV’s The Launch.
Now 19, clear markers along the way of Victoria Alex’s lyrical landscape are the teachable toils and bountiful spoils of transitioning into adulthood. The multi-talented dynamo has channelled her unique sound and perspective into a forthcoming EP, blasting the lid off topics such as not being seen or heard, and the highs and lows of being a strong female in today’s society, all the way to falling in love for the first time, finding your place in the world, and more.
“The music is a lot about the stupid things we do as teens, and all the people you meet along the way,” she muses. “It’s music about falling in love, and making mistakes, but also about trying to find your purpose in this world.
“I’m a very sensitive, loving person, and helping people is part of me. I’ve always been that way — that person who ‘feels too hard.’ My mom says it’s in our family’s genes…
“While it can sometimes get me into trouble,” she continues, “it actually helps with my music. I work with my producer and share stories of my most meaningful experiences, and how I feel, and the music unfolds from there.”
Super-charged, yet soothing all the same, “Screaming” reflects this intersection of talent and triumph with a deft ease as it blasts through speakers; it’s the balm for what ails.
“I’m unafraid to speak the truth for my generation in a way that everyone can hear,” Victoria Alex says. “The hope is that the music helps people get through their own stories, as well.”
Horns up for the six-piece Mad Symphony, raucously rumbling from the coast of British Columbia, armed with their eponymous debut EP and earth-shaking lead anthem, “Do It All Over Again.”
Orchestrated from a variety of professional rock artists from all walks of life and career, Mad Symphony plucks together Kevin Wright (lead vox, percussion), Dave Groves (lead guitar, background vox), Ted Tosoff (rhythm guitar, background vox), Mike Russell (keys, background vox), Amrit Prasad (bass), and Wes Hallam (drums). Together, this band of rock and roll brothers have created a modern soundscape born out of the metric set by the classic rockers who influenced them all to become musicians.
One blast from the speakers and Mad Symphony transports the listener into a nostalgic vortex of classic rock; “Do It All Again” is an anthem of the ages, with pounding percussion, amplified electric guitar and powerhouse vox leading the charge. As they describe, it’s rock for the rebels; the fist-pumping hullabaloo your parents tried to keep you away from as teenagers.
The track was “written and recorded in rhythm guitarist and chief lyricist Ted Tosoffs’ basement studio, ‘Dungeon’,” explains Mad Symphony. The collective leaned into heavy-weight classic idols for inspiration on the track; from Deep Purple to Black Sabbath, Van Halen and the Scorpions. “Do It All Again” is emblematic of a sound still as prevalent, beloved and revered as it was the day it was consuming radio airwaves, boomboxes and arcades in the 70s and 80s. “We encourage the listener to embrace resilience, while never giving up on their dreams,” says the band. “With a giant middle-finger held up to the haters and trolls of the world this song will make you want to pump your fist and sing along.”
The tracks on the forthcoming EP were both produced by the group, and mastered by Bud Bremner (Coastal Mastering) and released on MR Records. The visual component of “Do It All Again” is available now to view on YouTube.
The magic and the mystery of Mad Symphony’s instant chemistry, and penchant for epic anthem writing is sourced from years as professional musicians in individual projects, groups, and rock outfits. Together, their decades of rock and roll know-how results in an erudite shakeup that will seduce you from the first note.
So much so, that when the track fades out and the music comes to a pause, Mad Symphony will cause you to want to “Do It All Again.”
“Memoir of a Rascal…From Pelham, NY To The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame” features a forward by famed rock ‘n’ roll deejay Cousin Brucie. The cover is an original photograph by Linda McCartney taken during The Rascals’ New York City’s The Phone Booth concert. Cavaliere’s gregarious writing is enhanced by heartfelt memories of the magic of the Rascals, his spiritual journey and guru Swami Satchidananda’s lifechanging influence, and professional accomplishments like being named to the Musicians Hall of Fame. A bold memoir that touches laughter, loss, lawsuits and love, “Memoir of a Rascal” is a firsthand account of rock ‘n’ roll history from a man recognized as one if its most celebrated artists—but who also sees himself as one of the genre’s biggest fans.
Fans can also expect Cavaliere’s new album, “Then & Now,” to arrive the end of summer 2022.
“I know fans have been asking me for years to finish my autobiography,” Cavaliere said. “This is for the fans. It’s a blessing to revisit memories and hopefully my story can inspire the next generation of singers and songwriters.”
With No. 1 songs like “Good Lovin’”, “Groovin’”, “A Beautiful Morning”, “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long”, “People Got To Be Free” and “How Can I Be Sure”, The Rascals are considered the best ‘blue-eyed soul’ group to come out of the 1960s. For Cavaliere, making people feel good is fundamental to his illustrious career that includes the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriter Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame. As a solo artist, Cavaliere connected with a new generation of fans with his hit “Only A Heart Sees” in 1979, and in 2008 Cavaliere worked with Steve Cropper on the Grammy-nominated “Nudge It Up A Notch.” In 2019, Cavaliere was inducted into the Musicians Hall Of Fame. Cavaliere is a 2022 recipient of the Free Speech in Music Award presented by Middle Tennessee University and in April embarks on a Legends Live Tour with Micky Dolenz of The Monkees in select markets.
Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals 2022 Tour
February 26 | The Casino @ Dania Beach | Dania Beach, Fla.
March 28-31 | Flower Power Cruise
April 1 | Southwest Florida Events Center | Bonita Springs, Fla.
April 2 | Center @ Anna Maria Island | Anna Maria Island, Fla.
April 8 | Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino | Niagara Falls, N.Y.
April 9 | Rams Head On Stage | Annapolis, Md.
April 23 | American Music Theatre | Lancaster, Pa.*
April 24 | Keswick Theatre | Glenside, Pa.*
May 12 | Count Basie Center | Red Bank, N.J.*
May 14 | Patchogue Theatre | Patchogue, N.Y.*
June 3 | Palladium Times Square | New York, N.Y.*
June 4 | Lynn Auditorium | Lynn, Mass.*
June 10-12 | Blue Note Hawaii | Honolulu, Hawaii
July 16 | Meadow Brooke Theatre | Rochester, Mich.
*Legends Live Featuring Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals and Micky Dolenz of The Monkees
British singer-songwriter Sam Ryder has just released “SPACE MAN,” his first release of 2022. The track is available now on all streaming platforms via Elektra Records/Parlophone Records. Sam has quickly become a reliable name when it comes to releasing songs of depth, honesty and quality and the new single is an exciting taste of what’s to come this year.
“SPACE MAN” is richly raw, as Sam weaves a dreamy tale of what the world would be like if he was an astronaut. His authentic lyrics paired perfectly with his signature gravelly voice, Sam Ryder’s bold music is storytelling refracted through a universal lens, reminiscent of Elton John’s work, a bouncy pop anthem full of both fun and deeply personal lyrics.
The Essex-based singer-songwriter has been making sure he remains true to his art since the industry spotlight fell on him. The meteoric rise was caused by the viral hit “Whirlwind” that was uploaded online without any expectations and any anticipation of what was to follow.
During the stellar two-years in which his much-loved The Sun’s Gonna Rise EP became a worldwide hit, Sam has gathered over 100 million global streams, 18 million followers on social media, and become a household music name, with his videos appearing on Ellen Show, BBC Newsbeat and more.
In a time where the world was plunged into darkness in 2020, Sam Ryder found his light through music. Sam has spent the last few months writing and recording original songs with some of the finest writers and producers from around the world which are set to continue his rise.
Keeping one foot in front of the other is easier said than done for many of us, especially throughout the past two pandemic years. Finding a new song that moves us can certainly help, so here comes rising Americana artist Doug Schmude with a roots rock anthem that walks the uplifting talk in the catchiest way possible — “It Takes a Little Faith.”
Landing alongside his new EP, One Shy of a Six Pack, Schmude — pronounced ‘moody’ — says “some songs follow the 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration rule and some pretty much fall straight from the ether and out of your guitar; ‘It Takes a Little Faith’ is the latter.”
These days, our hope reserves could all use a little extra top up and Schmude believes that intrinsic need in all of us is what helped fuel this song’s birth.
“I am not really sure if it is just what I needed to believe in the middle of the pandemic or what,” he muses. “But this one came out pretty quick and seems to be resonating with folks so far as I play it live.”
It takes a little faith to make it through
It takes a little faith when you get down to it
As the Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas raised and now, SoCal based singer-songwriter earnestly delivers those two key chorus lines, they bring with them an instantly sing-along-able melody. Set to a 1-2 guitar and drums punch akin to a classic Tom Petty rocker, “It Takes a Little Faith” has no trouble driving home it’s inspiring and infectious you-just-gotta-believe sentiment. Schmude’s bluesy slide guitar adds just the right amount of swampy spice to the mix.
The multi-award nominee is happy to receive and shape what the muse channels his way with his own unique stamp. “I always try to tame these songs and ideas as they come out but they always seem to take on a life of their own,” he says. ”I just keep writing and selecting what I think are the best and then release them into the wild.”
“It Takes a Little Faith” is the lead single from Schmude’s sixth album of original music, One Shy of a Six Pack. The four other tracks cover an intriguing range of subjects including an ultimate road trip (“On the Run”), an unforgettable birthday party (“We Won’t Live Forever”), a note to self to slow down (“Nothing But Time”) and a very personal tribute to self-discovery (“The Voice God Gave Me”). Schmude’s previously released albums are his Orange County Music Award nominated debut A New Century (2003), All These Avenues (2014), Ghosts of the Main Drag (2017), Burn These Pages (2018) and Mileposts (2020), which was hailed as a “a total masterclass of the genre” by Rock ‘n’ Reel Magazine. Schmude’s singles have been played on over 200 radio stations internationally.
The new EP’s title One Shy of a Six Pack is, of course, a nod to the amount of songs in the collection, as well as to our modern tendencies in music consumption.
“I’ve found that the EP is the happy medium between the single format prevalent in music today and the once great medium of the album,” notes Schmude. “This allows me to promote multiple songs over the course of a year while it is still relatively fresh, yet I still get the benefit of a collection of songs in a single package.”
Often performing as a solo act and accompanying himself on acoustic and slide guitar and harmonica, Schmude gravitates toward venues like craft breweries, where local, original artists and music are savoured like a newfound, one-of-a-kind brew. The close and personal connection with audiences at these venues has helped him hone and develop his craft.
“I really think I am hitting my stride as a songwriter and singer. Finding my voice, both literally and figuratively, has been a journey for sure. I am right where I want to be for now.”
And, keeping the faith, Schmude is bound to keep moving onward and upward with his music.
Life is crazy busy for all couples with kids. “Between the bills, kids and work there’s not much time for me and you,” laments Ottawa singer-songwriter Francine Honey as she reminds us that every once in a while, couples need to put the life back into ‘life together!’ “Hunker Down” leads the way on finding the passion again with this upbeat new single and video blending the very best of Americana, Country and Roots with layers of guitar, fiddle, and smooth, honeyed, soaring vocals. “Hunker Down” focuses on the romantic side of a long-term couple hunkering down at home.
Let’s hunker down, I’m not foolin’ ’round
If we gotta be stuck at home, glad I’m stuck on you
This crazy world, still goes around
There’s a raging storm outside, it’s gonna be a wild ride
So Baby, let’s hunker down
Evoking a wild ride where you roll the windows all the way down to let your hair blow in the wind, “Hunker Down” highlights the playfulness at the heart of any good romantic relationship, and gives us all hope that, amidst the craziness of life, love will ultimately win.
The subsequent video to the song plays into Honey’s commitment to providing a visual connection to the songs she’s written. “When I write a song, I imagine the movie that is playing for these three minutes and eventually it becomes its own movie in a video.”
“Hunker Down,” penned with collaborator Dan Washburn who also lends his vocals on the track, finds itself on Honey’s newly released LP, I Carry On. With 12 tracks consisting of a mix of five new songs and previously released singles, I Carry On has already received international recognition and touched many of Honey’s fans worldwide. “This album set out to make itself” Honey says. Most albums Honey has recorded to date have been intentional pieces of work recorded in sessions in Nashville lasting a week or two. The songs that find themselves on I Carry On are a compilation of songs recorded individually over the years that found their way together into a cohesive journey through the ups and downs of life celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. “We have all gone through our own individual experiences, however, we have all experienced similar emotions… Grief, loss, hope, tragedy, fear, loneliness, togetherness, gratitude, anger, reaching out, reaching within, holding onto each other, dreaming of the future and celebration. A roller coaster ride on the rails of resilience that is necessary to keep going and to carry on. This collection of songs is an experience through the journey of resilience and hope for those that listen from beginning to end,” says Honey of her fifth album I Carry On.
Her own journey through life’s changes has been years in the making. With a mission of helping people through life with music, Honey offers ‘real’ music that is described as a mixed tape of Americana, Alt-Country, Singer-Songwriter, Folk, and Blues. Some sass mixed in with a unique voice as sweet as honey — but most of all, Honey tells stories in her songs, and she has a lot of stories to tell.
Although she’s been making music since childhood, Honey never dreamed of making it a career. Instead, she studied mathematics and computer science, got married, had kids, and worked as a project manager in the Canadian Federal Government. Her life seemed perfect. Then a near-simultaneous breakup and job loss forced her to relocate, find a new career, and raise a family alone. Music went on the back burner; she never stopped writing, but songs went unfinished. In 2013, Honey took the plunge into songwriting full-time, graduating from the Berklee College of Music and chose creating music as her path. And she’s never looked back.
Honey has worked with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Neilson Hubbard and the same core group of first-call players in Nashville TN since 2018. During this time Honey has gone on to write, record, perform and release a series of albums and singles featuring her signature vocal and her commitment to telling the truth in pure authentic songwriting. Consistently mentored by the songwriting gurus of country from Music City. Her third full-length release, to be continued (2018), solidified Honey’s place as an artist to watch for, scooping up international accolades for her abilities as a songstress and dedication to her genre. Her music career has garnered numerous finalist and semi-finalist honours from industry organizations and competitions, such as the International Songwriting Competition, Blues and Roots International Songwriting Competition, Canadian Songwriting Competition, UK Songwriting Competition, and a first-place honour from the Austin Songwriting Group for “Stay.” Honey’s songs have found airplay with the CBC, CTV, BBC, and countries around the world. Honey’s 2019 holiday album Take Me To The North Pole made Rolling Stone’s Top 50 Christmas Albums of the Year list.
Toronto rock duo The Manic Boys and Girls Club’s sonic distress call dressed up as a high-voltage dance banger receives thrilling new treatment from composer, producer, and musician Paul Andrews with the release of “Blacked Out (Paul Andrews Remix).”
“’Blacked Out’ is a cry for help in disguise,” The Manic Boys and Girls Club admits. “We’re lost, overmedicated, depressed and hiding behind bathroom selfies, late nights, and lip gloss.
“Raised strict Catholics, children of immigrant parents, and sent away to live in rural Portugal with their grandmother — who had previously been a nun — The Manic Boys and Girls Club is more than a band,” co-fronts and siblings Bela and Fernando Ferrieira explain. “It is an escape from the submissive existence that was reality, an escape from the disposable music packaged for the masses, and an escape for any misfit looking to join the club.”
In its original form, “Blacked Out” already rages out of the gates, unrelenting in its pulsating bass and ineffable synth. Now, Paul Andrews’ treatment of the track reveals an nostalgic, ethereal vibe unique to the composer behind endless scores for the likes of HBO, ABC, NBC, FOX, MTV, WWE, and OLN releases, and more could wrangle.
“We met Paul in Los Angeles,” Bela recalls. “Neither of us remember who exactly put us in touch; I don’t know if it was the ‘European background’ thing, but we hit it off right away.
“We listen to a pretty wide spectrum of music,” she continues. “One guilty pleasure of ours is retro new wave, and some of the heavier electronic music that came from that. When we talked about doing a remix, our British friend with an industrial and goth background who now scores European horror films seemed like the obvious call we had to make.”
“Besides being a great producer and musician, Paul is the best storyteller,” Fernando adds. “Having had multiple record deals, tours, and even living in an apartment off Sunset Strip next to Motorhead’s Lemmy, there was never a shortage of material. Whenever we’ve been together to work, the time spent has probably been spent 10% on productivity, and 90% just hanging over beer.”
As for The Manic Boys and Girls Club’s co-fronts, the pair share equal responsibility to the group: Bela’s haunting vox, balanced with Fernando’s savoury harmony, their dual talent snagged the attention of producer Gavin Brown (Glorious Sons, Billy Talent, Mother Mother), who would go on to produce their EP. “We are pretty stubborn and very opinionated when we work, so the fact that an award-winning producer like Gavin Brown put up with us, and actually saw eye to eye with us on various ideas, feels like a miracle,” the band explains.
The result is a collection of five songs recounting the two loners’ experience touring in a van, as well as relationships, and bad habits. “Every song starts with a lyric and a melody,” they say. “No matter how it is produced, every one of our songs can be a lullaby.
“When we play as a duo, our music is heard as it was initially written.”
For Bela and Fernando, the essence of songwriting comes from growth in the studio. Eternally tweaking, ever adjusting, the songs they bring to the recording session can continue to shape shift and morph entirely. “The two of us have always agreed that a song is never finished,” they say. “You just choose to stop and record it at a certain point so, as we play music, perform, whatever… We continue the development of these songs. Everything keeps growing.”
It’s the fearlessness of their ideas, and their shared love of risk-taking that lands The Manic Boys and Girls Club in a lane all their own. Traveling down a rock highway and picking up pop and dance hitchhikers along the way encapsulates a sound they’re equally rediscovering, and reimagining.
For those who fell hard for the earliest rock/synth crossovers of the early 2000s, join the club. The Manic Girls and Boys Club. There’s always room for one more misfit.
“Blacked Out” and “Blacked Out (Paul Andrews Remix)” are available now.
Stony Plain Records announces a March 18 release date for They Called It Rhythm & Blues, the exciting new CD from two-time Grammy nominee and multiple Blues Music Award-winning guitarist Duke Robillard. The 18 tracks on the new album will be released also as a vinyl LP on August 5th.
Joining the guitar maestro (who also produced) on They Called It Rhythm & Blues is an all-star cast of special guests, including John Hammond, Kim Wilson, Sue Foley, Sugar Ray Norcia, Michelle Willson, Chris Cote, Bruce Bears, Marty Ballou, Mark Teixeira, Doug James, Mike Flanigin, Mark Earley, Doug Woolverton and Matt McCabe.
The Duke Robillard Band will celebrate the release of the new album with two special shows in March: The Narrows in Fall River, Mass. On March 25th and The Center for the Arts in Natick, Mass. on March 26th.
Duke Robillard has been defined as not merely a great artist, but also a true historian, scholar and curator who is adept at electric and acoustic blues, jazz, jump, swing, ballads and standards. He proves that with the fluency he demonstrates on the 18 tracks of this album that visits the music that defined what came to be called “Rhythm & Blues.” Grammy-nominated and a five-time winner of the Blues Music Award as best guitarist, over his 50 plus year career Duke has been a prolific songwriter and is considered a blues guitar master.
Duke Robillard is effusive in his praise for his special guests on They Called It Rhythm & Blues and the magic they helped create in the studio. “I have to say, I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of the sessions for this album. It’s just a damn good representation of my band, the guest artists and the music we chose to record. I threw in a few of my own tunes written for the occasion also, and it makes a pretty well-rounded package I believe.
“Chris Cote, who has taken over most of the vocals in my band since our Blues Bash CD, has been a great band addition. He’s a powerhouse vocalist who can literally sing anything. His six spirited vocals here give the album a pretty high bar to start with. And on top of that he’s a great guitarist also!
“I have worked with Doug James from the early seventies on and off and he has spent quite a few years as a DRB member. On many of the tunes here, Doug is the whole horn section. He did an extraordinary job and with engineer Graham Mellor’s use of the right ribbon mic on him, Mister Low’s sound was captured like it’s never been captured before.
“Mark Earley and Doug Woolverton also added great depth to the tunes they played sax and trumpet on, also. As for the guest vocalists, I was lucky to get help from so many great artists. John Hammond, who I’ve called my friend since the 1970s and toured with many times and recorded with and co-produced his Found True Love album. Recording with John is always a pleasure. On this session, once we had sounds, it was play live and kill it in a take or two. Part of the reason to do more than one take was to prolong the joyous experience. John is always on and always an extreme pleasure to play with.
“There was a tune by Mickey and Sylvia I always wanted to do called ‘No Good Lover,’ and Sue Foley was quick to OK the tune and idea of recording it with me. I wrote an instrumental as a tribute Bill Jennings, Billy Butler, Bill Doggett and Wild Bill Davis and both Sue and Mike Flanigin agreed to recording both tunes long distance down in Austin, Texas. I’m really psyched about how they came out and ‘No Good Lover’ will be our first video for the album!
“Old band mate from my Thunderbird days Kim Wilson was up for being a guest and we chose two of his early tunes he originally recorded with the T-Birds. I’m pretty damn happy with the results personally! Kim kills both tunes the way he always does – of course. Matt McCabe plays piano on ‘Tell Me Why.’
“Michelle Willson, AKA ‘The Evil Gal,’ gladly added her expertise to two tracks that show her rockin’ R&B side with ‘Champagne Mind’ and her very deep blues side with her amazing reading of ‘Trouble in Mind.’
“I’ve known Sugar Ray Norcia for too many decades to count and anyone who is a true fan of deep Chicago and also Jumpin’ R&B knows he is one of the heaviest cats as a vocalist and as a blues harmonica giant. Ray’s rendition of Tampa Red’s ‘Rambler Blues,’ which originally had Big Walter Horton on harp, was the perfect vehicle for Ray to pay tribute to his old friend Big Walter. Ray suggested Jimmy Nelson’s ‘She’s My Baby,’ which I wasn’t familiar with, but it sure was a great choice! Again, Ray found a way for his harp to perfectly fit the tune and again, there are echoes of the great Big Walter here, but at the same time it’s pure Sugar Ray!”
