There’s a jiiiigsaaaaw, waiting in this box. It’d like for you to solve it, but it thinks it’ll blow your mind!
Not unlike the lyrical genius of David Bowie, jigsaw puzzles are at times mystifying yet always satisfying. Not only is the Kev Gahan-illustrated Where’s Bowie? Jigsaw Puzzle a fun 500-piece detail-focused puzzle, it’s also a find-Bowie interactive adventure. On the finished eight-by-eight-inch puzzle, hidden in multiple places across the detailed image, Bowie, in his various chameleonic guises, is patiently waiting to be spotted by a well-trained eye. It’s like Where’s Waldo? but, well, better, because it’s about Bowie! This jigsaw is jam-packed with Bowie references that might even teach the most hardened Bowie aficionado a thing or two.
In a world where truth changes its appearance more often than a supermodel, Canadian country-folk artist David McLachlan is delivering a powerful dressing down of fakery with his fiery new single, “Gimme the Truth.”
From misleading politicians to social media misinformation, McLachlan’s new roots-rock stomper issues an attention-grabbing call to clear the increasingly blurred lines between fact and fiction. Fresh from his ninth album, A Little Place I Call Home, “Gimme the Truth” lands as a demand that’s in high demand by humans everywhere.
“You say hold on
What’s it all about
You askin me
All I got is doubt
Ain’t got no answer
Find it on your own
Know when you do
You’ll call me at home
Gimme the truth”
A prolific songwriter and avid performer with eight full length albums released since his 2003 debut, Can’t Close a Blind Eye — not to mention, seven of them rolling out since 2015 — McLachlan’s ninth, A Little Place I Call Home, was released in November 2021 via Hi5 Music. The 14-item release was recorded in Nashville at Beaird Music Group studios with a packed roster of Music City A-list session players and singers — including 13-time CCMA nominated vocalist Lisa Brokop, Evan Hutchings, Eli Beaird, Pat McGrath, Rob McNelley, Luke Mosely, David Dorn, Scotty Sanders, Tammy King and Tim Buppert.
While we’re talking numbers, A Little Place I Call Home is McLachlan’s sixth album recorded in Music City; he finished recording his fifth, Heartache Motel, in 2019 just prior to COVID-19’s arrival on the world stage. “It’s incredible to think of how much has changed since then,” he recalls. “For example, I played the last show at The Bluebird before it was closed for the pandemic.”
Nashville has become a creative home-away-from-home for the Toronto-based singer-songwriter and that’s reflected in the title of McLachlan’s new album. “I have looked at property there, and am toying with the idea of a place to call mine,” he notes. “I have made so many wonderful contacts in Nashville, and there are just songs floating around in the air. I find it a very creative environment, and the talent pool is beyond belief.”
Collaborating with that deep Music City talent pool has helped McLachlan bring his music to international audiences and recognition with five of his singles reaching Top 10 status or higher on European radio airplay charts since 2017 — with three songs reaching Top 5.
And now, “Gimme the Truth” is poised to be McLachlan’s next cut to cut through to the upper reaches of airplay charts.
“Gimme the Truth” and A Little Place I Call Home are both available now.
Carrying a thought-provoking and universal message of self-acceptance that crosses all ideological barriers, award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter Julia Shuren has joined WAMI for a new single, “Lost Sometimes.”
The Belle River, Ontario-born Songwriting Hall of Fame’s 2021 NYU Steinhardt Songwriting Scholar Award winner collaborated with the Italian music duo to craft a song navigating the societal pressures that complicate our lives. As the world becomes increasingly unpredictable, “Lost Sometimes” lands as a positive statement embracing the resilience of the human spirit.
“It’s a reminder to those struggling that it’s okay to feel this way,” Shuren shares.
The lyrics genuinely emphasize a humanistic approach to living instead of comparing the significance of our achievements to others; its liberating lyrics mesh with the warmth of its musicality.
A slight departure from the EDM style typically associated with WAMI, the track’s robust audio production gives the listener a sense of something new and simultaneously familiar. Layered pianos and saxophone embellishments construct a more acoustic song execution to the typical R&B ballad.
“I don’t know what I’m doing
As the seasons bloom
Will I come around and soon be
found like they always do
And the fire still burns
When it’s cold outside
So I guess it’s all
Gonna be alright”
The beautifully shot music video accompanies the comforting harmonies of “Lost Sometimes” with potent optimism in every frame. Visual narrative themes of finding happiness and overcoming adversity are embedded throughout the entire video — a testament to the judgment-free nature of the message.
While this isn’t the first time WAMI and Julia Shuren have collaborated, “Lost Sometimes” is another indication of the creative alignment between these artists, regardless of genre.
WAMI is the brainchild of Italian artists Lorenzo Ghelli and Federico Naso, who began collaborating professionally with their music four years ago. After achieving success with their previous releases through various record labels, WAMI made their jump to full independence, gaining notoriety with features on a few of the most prominent Spotify playlists.
Julia Shuren is an artist who has worked with some of the biggest musical acts in the business. From composing music for popular podcasts to gaining the attention of legendary Motown arranger/songwriter Paul Riser (Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder), Shuren is an in-demand talent who continues to thrive. She’s currently working on her first EP which is slated for spring.
Recorded at the ABC Studios, Burbank, California on November 7th 1967, this newly re-colorized video shows Pink Floyd performing Apples and Oranges, presumably in pre-taped rehearsal with Syd Barrett fronting the show.
International non-profit Make Music Matter announced today the appointment of music industry veteran Steve Kane as Director of Business Development and Industry Affairs.
Kane, the former President of Warner Music Canada, steps into the role after having served on the Make Music Matter Board of Directors since August 2021. In his new position he will work closely with Board Chair David Bottrill and founder and CEO Darcy Ataman to develop new partnerships in the music and corporate sectors and build organizational capacity.
“During my thirty plus years in the music business, I’ve witnessed first hand the power of music to inspire and heal, but I’ve never seen anything like the Healing in Harmony music therapy program,” said Kane. “The work Make Music Matter does in some of the world’s most horrific conflict and post-conflict zones to restore people’s dignity through the creation of music is both inspiring and vital. I look forward to deepening my involvement and bringing their work to the attention of the global music community to raise awareness of how key music can be in beginning the process of healing.”
Make Music Matter (MMM) is dedicated to helping trauma survivors to heal through the Healing in Harmony program – a unique form of group therapy that combines traditional psychotherapy with lyric writing, musical composition, and professional music production. Most recently, MMM launched a mobile version of its music therapy studio in the Democratic Republic of Congo with the support of Grand Challenges Canada, allowing them to bring mental health services to remote and conflict-ridden communities.
MMM’s Darcy Ataman shared, “We are honoured to welcome Steve to the team to help guide Make Music Matter into a new era of growth and proficiency. As we set our sights on continuing to scale in the humanitarian and development sector, and on burgeoning operations in our Indigenous communities and mainstream health in North America, Steve’s expertise and leadership will be instrumental. His international reach and unparalleled reputation will help extend our outreach to all those we wish to serve.”
Kane joined Warner Music Canada in 2001 as Senior Vice President and Managing Director and was appointed President in January 2004. Prior to his time at Warner, he was the Senior Vice President of Universal/Island/DefJam Canada (1998 – 2001) and Senior Vice President of Polygram Records in Canada (1997). He has also held positions in marketing and promotions at independent label I.R.S. and A&M Records, before becoming General Manager of Virgin Records. In 2015, Kane was inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame.
Make Music Matter is a Canadian nonprofit that helps to empower marginalized individuals and communities with an innovative music therapy program called Healing in Harmony. From survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo to young Syrian refugees with disabilities, Make Music Matter has helped to transform the lives of over 6000 individuals in 8 countries worldwide.
Developed in close partnership with 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege, Healing in Harmony was initially designed for use in conflict and post-conflict zones. Research published in April 2021 has demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Participants emerge as empowered artists with original songs for personal healing and advocacy tools to help combat stereotypes, stigma, and shame. Their music is professionally recorded, produced, and disseminated via local radio stations, community concerts, social media, and major streaming platforms through A4A Records. A ground-breaking new publishing model helps to ensure that all royalties from the songs are sent back to the artists and their communities, regardless of socio-economic circumstances.
As founder and frontwoman of seminal bands Bikini Kill and Le Tigre, Kathleen Hanna led the way for countless artists looking to meld art and activism. NewsHour Weekend’s Christopher Booker reports on how the punk rock legend inspired generations of musicians and feminists.
To celebrate Dolly Parton’s upcoming new novel (co-authored with James Patterson) and companion album — both titled Run, Rose, Run — Jeni’s has partnered again on something special for ice cream and music lovers alike: the return of Strawberry Pretzel Pie and a Jeni’s exclusive digital version of the album with a bonus track you can’t get anywhere else.
Pre-order the flavor and album now for a limited time, only at jenis.com.
A throwback to the triple decker pie from the potlucks of our youths. Layers of salty pretzel streusel, subtly sweet and effortlessly tangy cream cheese ice cream, and lipstick red strawberry sauce. This partnership is benefitting Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a book gifting program that gives free books to children under five.
The companion album to Dolly’s upcoming novel, Run, Rose, Run, featuring 12 original songs inspired by the book she co-authored with James Patterson, plus the Jeni’s exclusive bonus track “Rose of my Heart.”
Album pre-orders will be delivered digitally on March 4, and fulfilled separately from ice cream.
Back in November, Pierre & Chuck of Simple Plan took Dexter & Noodles to CANADA SCHOOL to get them ready for the 2022 LET THE BAD TIMES ROLL CANADIAN TOUR. That jaunt has since been cancelled, but well worth a second look of their video.
Inspired by her massive collection of guitars, ‘Melissa Etheridge’s Heartstrings’ will give personal insights into the instruments behind one of rock’s greatest female icons.
The musician’s love of her many guitars is well known by her fans, but for the first time ever, the untold stories of some of her favorites will be interpreted by Frank Marrafino (DC’s Haunted Tank, The Final Symphony: A Beethoven Anthology) and veteran music journalist Steve Hochman (Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone), with art by Manuela Pertega (Giraffes on Horseback Salad). This book provides exclusive and storied insight into the creative mind of one of the greatest songwriters of the past 30 years.
Canada’s newest rising pop star Mackenzie Dayle continues to set the scene ablaze, lighting up screens and streams with her fiery new single, “I’m Good, Thanks.”
The Edmonton, Alberta-based artist’s new track is an ultra sexy love-letter to one’s self: a super-charged reminder that the most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself.
“I got together with a group of people who have all experienced some level of ‘single person ridicule’ in their lives,” Dayle explains of the inspiration behind the track. “From that, we created a super sassy, salty song making fun of all the attempts people make to ‘fix’ someone who is single — while also empowering listeners to stay single as long as it feels good for them.
“Honestly, it could have been an hour long,” she continues. “After pooling all of our experiences from our times being single, and hearing the experiences of the people around us, we had enough ammo to fill 20 songs!”
The song is flirty, funny, poignant, and necessary, and the music video does as much visually as it does sending home a message. Between the dance numbers, Dayle’s exceptional singing, and the playful lyrics — not to mention the clip of the highly decorated and outrageously talented artist being yeeted into a pool fully clothed in the video — all make for a homerun in the game of finding yourself at the centre of your most important relationship: you.
“Being single can be so important,” Dayle muses about the song, and life. “It helps you take the time to work on the most important and epic relationship you’ll ever have – the one with yourself.
“I spent quite a few lengthy periods of being single,” she continues. “After every heartbreak, I typically like to take at least a couple months, if not more, to reflect on what happened in that past relationship: the red flags I overlooked, the behaviour I enabled, the way I personally could have done better, and further figuring out what I’m looking for in the person I want to end up with.
“Every portion of time I spend single helps me know myself more, and makes what I’m looking for even more clear.”
Surrounding the track’s reflective and insightful message is an upbeat, dance bop; a sure-fire banger in the vein of a modern Katy Perry, a sassy Ava Max. Beyond that, it gets its point across loud and clear — without being sanctimonious, or looking further down the pedestal.
“The song is not meant to put single and ‘taken’ people against each other either,” Dayle reassures. “It’s specifically saying you should take all the time you need to be single, so when or if you find someone great enough to settle down with, you’ll be going into it as your best, most confident, and most healthy self.”
A naturally gifted performer, Mackenzie Dayle has become a tour de force in the music industry, having snagged the attention of Wendy Starland (responsible for discovering Lady Gaga), honed her vocal ability with high vocal coach, Carole-Lynn Quinn, and continuing to train in hip hop at KORE Dance Studios under the tutelage of world-renowned choreographer, Carlo Atienza (So You Think You Can Dance).
Dayle dropped her first CD, Give Me Some Action, in 2012 — with singles featured on a variety of North American radio stations. Last year, she released her debut album, Single, worldwide, and followed up the track “Cut You Out” with an accompanying music video, racking up more than 450,000 views.
