Page 1633 – That Eric Alper

Bravo Niagara! Announces Laila Biali, Sultans Of String, Robi Botos Trio, Pavlo, Molly Johnson for 2021 TD Jazz Series

Music

Eric Alper

-

Oct 10, 2021

Bravo Niagara! Announces Laila Biali, Sultans Of String, Robi Botos Trio, Pavlo, Molly Johnson for 2021 TD Jazz Series

Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts invites audiences to join them as Canadian treasures take centre stage this Fall and Winter as they announce their 2021 TD Jazz Series and Voices of Freedom Concert!

Laila Biali Trio – October 16

Sultans Of String: Refuge & Sanctuary Double CD Release – Annual Voices of Freedom Concert – November 13

Robi Botos Trio w/ Special Guest Joanna Majoko – November 19

Pavlo: Home For The Holidays – December 16

Molly Johnson: This Holiday Season – December 20

All the details are at their Website and Tickets at these links.

Taking place at St. Catharines’ FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, the five forthcoming events kick off with JUNO Award-winning singer/songwriter Laila Biali and her Trio this October 16th performing selections from her latest release Out of Dust.

From there, and within the series, multi-award winning and NY Times-charting Sultans of String will mark Bravo Niagara!’s Voices of Freedom Concert — an annual event dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and histories through the arts.

“We’re excited to bring Sultans of String and their unique brand of musical synergy and collaboration that speaks to the challenges facing the world’s displaced peoples,” Artistic Director Christine Mori shares. This concert is a double CD release of Refuge and Sanctuary, two brand new award-winning albums by Sultans of String.

Continuing the festivities throughout November, JUNO Award-winning Robi Botos Trio is set to take the stage with special guest vocalist Joanna Majoko.

Delighting audiences in December with two festive holiday concerts will be multi-award winning and Billboard-charting Canadian guitarist, Pavlo, and one of Canada’s most treasured singer/songwriters JUNO Award-winning Molly Johnson, celebrating the release of her brand-new holiday album This Holiday Season.

Tickets are $50, plus taxes and fees, and are limited due to venue capacity under strict health and safety precautions. Exclusive $25 student/youth pricing is available with valid identification, and exciting flex packs are also on offer to save up to 25% by attending more than one show.

Founded by dynamic mother/daughter duo that is Artistic Director, Christine Mori, and Executive Director, Alexis Spieldenner, Bravo Niagara! is in its seventh year celebrating the beauty and cultural heritage of the Niagara Region with Canadian musical excellence, social activism, education, and a passionate love for the arts. That this premiere festival is their vision come to life can be traced to Mori’s classical training at Juilliard before spending 30 years as pianist with the Florida Orchestra, and Spieldenner keenly watching from the wings. Spieldenner is a Fellow of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management and a recipient of the Lincoln M. Alexander Award for her dedicated leadership in eliminating racial discrimination and promoting positive social change.

Tender & Massive All At Once, CHRISTINA MARTIN Releases Striking “Stay with Me”

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 10, 2021

0

Tender & Massive All At Once, CHRISTINA MARTIN Releases Striking “Stay with Me”

Singer, songwriter and storm-maker Christina Martin is back, releasing lead single “Stay with Me” from her upcoming eighth studio album Storm, slated for a Fall 2022 launch.

Pounding, titanic and tender all at once, “Stay with Me” is a string-drenched anthem that reaches new dizzying heights for the Canadian songweaver, and kicks open the doors for the masterclass album to follow.

“The muse for this song came in a pre-pandemic dream,” Martin shares. “I saw a girl wander a cobblestone city-street, through thick fog and moonlit night, and heard a familiar melody and the line ‘stay with me.’

“Unlike in dreams where I sometimes feel trapped in terrifying scenarios, with this song I found a space to purge my fears, and then coax myself to a better place.”

It should come as no surprise that a song this ethereal was born in a dream. After glimpsing fragments of it in her subconscious, Martin set to crafting the song into a finished piece, and it ended up as the cornerstone and trendsetter for the whole Storm album.

As suits its surreal origins, “Stay with Me” has a cinematic feel to it. All built around a timeless, theatrical piano and Martin’s spectral vocals, delicate as eggshells and yet soaring as an eagle, backed by drums that pound and burst like distant fireworks. Like much of the album to come, it’s impossible to ignore the luscious string section, which adds a grandiose, orchestral tone to the piece. Symphonic and succulent, Martin sweeps them up into a fervor. Yet her vocals rise masterfully above it all, like a lone ship cresting a great wave.

The lyrics, with true Christina Martin style, are enigmatic. They shift and turn on a phrase — painting mindscapes of despair and ruin, yet hope and peace at the same time. The oft-repeated title sounds at times like a desperate plea, yet other times like a world-wise mantra, and acknowledgement of one’s past experiences. It is poetic, powerful, even hauntingly prophetic in references to ‘breathing without masks’ and ‘living in fear’ in a song written (and dreamt) a year before the global pandemic. There is something untouchable at work here, something magical.

“Stay with Me” was one of the first songs recorded for the album, and had a heavy influence on the soundscape of those that followed. Originally rendered in a more upbeat pop/rock style, it went through a radical rework to end up at the dreamier symphonic tone of the final piece. This saw Martin co-producing with long-term collaborator Dale Murray, and writing the string parts alongside Karen Graves. This collaborative approach to orchestral arrangements was new territory for Martin, weaponizing midi synths and loops in the composing process.

A powerhouse musician, songsmith, and performer hailing from the windswept East Coast of Canada, her music dances effortlessly through Pop, Rock, Folk and Americana traditions but stays deftly unchained by any one label, refusing to be pigeon-holed and unafraid to dip into stranger waters. From her Austin-inflected 2002 debut Pretty Things, through more rousing rocky climbs such as 2015’s It’ll Be Alright, to the sweeping cinematic dreamscape of 2018’s Impossible to Hold, Martin is an artist who is constantly shifting, and constantly evolving. Through it all runs a backbone of raw honesty about the human condition. Be they personal confessions or narrative tales, each song is lovingly crafted, and hits in the heart like a well-thrown punch. With a brand new album on the way, promising to be more sweeping and orchestral than ever before, Christina Martin is going from strength to strength.

“Stay with Me” is also accompanied by a music video, written and directed by Brendan Henry, which is suitably dreamlike, dark and surreal. Ahead of a series of upcoming East Coast tour dates, she’s hosting an exclusive 60-minute global Music Video Premiere Event October 24th at 2PM Atlantic Daylight Time. The event offers fans a behind-the-scenes look of the video, a chance for Q&A with her and the video director, and a new performance video of the song. Attendees need to pre-register for this event and have the option to ‘pay what they can’ to watch the video early, reducing any financial barrier to accessing an online experience during the pandemic.

“Stay with Me” is available now.

Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour Details Revealed

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 9, 2021

0

Red Hot Chili Peppers 2022 Global Stadium Tour Details Revealed

The Red Hot Chili Peppers have been around, and have not just fallen off the turnip truck, but to a man, they have never been more thrilled, bursting with commitment and purpose, as they are regarding this upcoming tour. They have no interest in resting on past accolades, awards or commercial success, this is a mission, they intend to channel the most mighty spirits, and give everything they’ve got. And with that, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have announced a world tour with The Strokes, A$AP Rocky, Beck, Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals, HAIM, St. Vincent, plus Thundercat and King Princess.

The 32-city global stadium tour kicks off on Saturday, June 4th at Estadio La Cartuja in Seville, Spain with stops in London, Paris, Dublin, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and many more before wrapping up in Arlington at Globe Life Field on September 18th. The tour is produced by Live Nation. Full tour dates and details are below.

The 2022 tour will mark the return of guitarist and all round cosmic musician John Frusciante to the group, as well as the band’s first ever stadium tour in the U.S. Red Hot Chili Peppers will be performing their career-spanning hits as well as new music from their forthcoming album.

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS 2022 WORLD TOUR DATES:
Europe
Sat Jun 04 – Seville, Spain – Estadio La Cartuja De Sevilla=
Tue Jun 07 – Barcelona, Spain – Estadi Olimpic=
Fri Jun 10 – Nijmegen, Netherlands – Goffertpark=
Wed Jun 15 – Budapest, Hungary – Puskas Stadium=
Sat Jun 18 – Firenze, Italy – Firenze Rocks (festival date)
Wed Jun 22 – Manchester, UK – Emirates Old Trafford=
Sat Jun 25 – London, UK – London Stadium~
Wed Jun 29 – Dublin, Ireland – Marlay Park~
Fri Jul 01 – Glasgow, UK – Bellahouston Park~
Sun Jul 03 – Leuven, Belgium – Rock Werchter (festival date)
Tue Jul 05 – Cologne, Germany – RheinEnergieStadium=
Fri Jul 08 – Paris, France – Stade de France~
Tue Jul 12 – Hamburg, Germany – Volksparkstadion=
North America
Sat Jul 23 – Denver, CO – Empower Field at Mile High*
Wed Jul 27 – San Diego, CA – Petco Park*
Fri Jul 29 – Santa Clara, CA – Levi’s Stadium+
Sun Jul 31 – Los Angeles, CA – SoFi Stadium+
Wed Aug 03 – Seattle, WA – T-Mobile Park^
Sat Aug 06 – Las Vegas, NV – Allegiant Stadium^^
Wed Aug 10 – Atlanta, GA – Truist Park^
Fri Aug 12 – Nashville, TN – Nissan Stadium^
Sun Aug 14 – Detroit, MI – Comerica Park^
Wed Aug 17 – E. Rutherford, NJ – Metlife Stadium^
Fri Aug 19 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field^
Sun Aug 21 – Toronto, ON – Rogers Centre^
Tue Aug 30 – Miami, FL – Hard Rock Stadium^
Thu Sep 01 – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium^
Sat Sep 03 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park^
Thu Sep 08 – Washington, DC – Nationals Park^
Sat Sep 10 – Boston, MA – Fenway Park# (on sale date TBA)
Thu Sep 15 – Orlando, FL – Camping World Stadium^
Sun Sep 18 – Arlington, TX – Globe Life Field^
=with special guests A$AP Rocky and Thundercat
~with special guests Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals and Thundercat
*with special guests HAIM and Thundercat
+with special guests Beck and Thundercat
^with special guests The Strokes and Thundercat
^^with special guests The Strokes and King Princess
#with special guests St. Vincent and Thundercat

4K Remastered Footage From Genesis Live In 1973 At Paris’ Bataclan Theatre

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 9, 2021

0

4K Remastered Footage From Genesis Live In 1973 At Paris’ Bataclan Theatre

The Genesis Museum should get an award for restoring this amazing 1973 live concert of Genesis at The Bataclan Theatre in Paris. They write, “This was a really big project. Not that the source was bad, the source was actually very nice. However, the source had many anomalies, but enough “clay” was there to mold this into something even better. The entire process was helped immensely by Ikhnaton, who provided material as well as suggestions and many many previews.”

Singer-Songwriter MICHELLE CREBER Comes to Terms with the Past in “Like It Never Happened”

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 9, 2021

0

Singer-Songwriter MICHELLE CREBER Comes to Terms with the Past in “Like It Never Happened”

We all have that box of letters and photographs commemorating a special, yet difficult relationship; whether it’s pushed to the back of a closet, or exists only in the back of the mind, Canadian singer and actress and voice of beloved animations, Michelle Creber’s new single, “Like It Never Happened,” tells the tale of one of those fraught and almost-forgotten relationships — and its available now.

“Letters and cards
Remnants of
An era that I
Failed to hide from myself”

That’s how “Like It Never Happened” opens…

Layered over gorgeous full-bodied piano and keyboards, Creber sings in her signature crystal-clear vocal style, and the feeling of loneliness and regret is visceral. Then, after a near-whisper, the Vancouver-based artist hits us with a soaring melody coming right from the core. The corresponding video features Creber wearing a white suit and all alone in a beautiful, empty mansion, juxtaposed with footage of her shrouded in a hoodie and navigating a deserted subway station.

“At its thematic core, ‘Like It Never Happened’ is a song about coming to terms with, and realizing some things are best left in the past,” Creber shares. “Whether it be our past relationships, our past actions or our past selves — it’s up to you to decide. This video is an open canvas onto which you can paint your own interpretations.”

“Like It Never Happened” is one of Creber’s personal favorites off of her album, Storm. “The song has always meant a great deal to me,” she says. “From demo to finalization, I was very invested in the production process and particularly picky about the vocals and the orchestration. Releasing this song out into the world, along with the Storm album, was an important milestone for me.”

Creber is a dynamic and exciting performer, with a compelling stage presence and a wealth of experience that defies her young age. Since releasing her first album, she has performed her music in concerts in major cities throughout the US, Canada, Germany, Poland, Thailand, Australia and the UK. She has a dedicated, enthusiastic and highly supportive fanbase through her work on My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. Her most prominent roles in the series are as Apple Bloom and the singing voice of Sweetie Belle in the show’s first three seasons, and it’s easy to see why she’s described as relatable, honest, thoughtful, and inspiring, Michelle Creber’s music is making a positive difference in the world, and in the lives of her listeners. She is also proud to be an official ambassador for Kids Help Phone Canada.

Storm was released in 2020 to great industry acclaim. The album sold and streamed in more than 130 countries and earned top-100 placement on the U.S. and Canadian Billboard charts. Creber’s previous albums include On Display (2018), which also sold and streamed worldwide with top-100 US Billboard placement; Timeless: Songs of a Century (classic covers); A Creber Christmas (Volumes 1 & 2); and three albums with YouTube star and performing partner Gabriel Brown (aka Black Gryph0n): At Home, Tribute and best-selling Getting Stronger.

“Like It Never Happened” and Storm are available now.

Folk Artist KELE FLEMING Laments Loss of Ecosystem in “Where the Rivers Meet”

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 9, 2021

0

Folk Artist KELE FLEMING Laments Loss of Ecosystem in “Where the Rivers Meet”

The indelible, but tenuous bond between the natural and human worlds is being tested like never before with unprecedented loss and change. And singer-songwriter Kele Fleming has distilled her grief over this, and relationships, into a musical merger of hope and healing in this, her new single, “Where the Rivers Meet” — available now.

The sixth single to be released from Kele (pronounced Kelly) Fleming’s fourth solo album, The Song I’ll Write For My Whole Life, “Where the Rivers Meet” is a touchstone for the multi-layered senses of grief and loss that thread their way through the album.

It was written while the nature-loving artist was spending time in the lush Kootenays area of southeastern B.C. in 2019, the Victoria, B.C.-based artist recalls. “I was in one of my favourite places on Earth, and surrounded by towering mountains, breathless forests, cool lakes and rushing rivers. The song captures my love of the natural world.

“And it’s a love song [about] wanting so badly to get another chance and to do right with the one you love.”

Someday we’re gonna set this right
And we’ll walk hand in hand
Down the street
Where the rivers meet

Whether it’s our relationships to each other, or the Earth, both are currently in peril for their own reasons. Watching the massive fires that have occurred over multiple summers in Canada, the U.S. and Australia and how they’ve had devastating, multi-level impact on nature, animals and humans spurred Fleming on to underline the fragile connection between these worlds in song.

“Our energy and spirits are impacted by the marginalization and destruction of nature,” states Fleming. “Everything is connected and we have experienced a loss of connection. The beauty we experience in the natural world is also reflected in us.”

Fleming released the song to bring attention to some of the most at-risk areas of our local environments.

“I feel it’s important to know more about these unique and key ecosystems,” explains Fleming.

“Where the Rivers Meet” also signifies the meeting of two creative and connected artists. Singer-Songwriter Aaron Trory, bass player in Fleming’s band, duets with her on the track.

“When I wrote the song, I knew Aaron’s voice was perfect for the duet and that he would bring a wonderful combination of grit and vulnerability to it,” she says, adding, “Aaron always says that when we sing this song together, he’s reminded of Gram Parsons and Emmy-Lou Harris. Pretty esteemed company!”

Finally, a little familial approval helped Fleming decide to highlight “Where The Rivers Meet” as a single release. “This is my Dad’s favourite song out of any I’ve written!”

“Where the Rivers Meet” is available now.

Delyn Grey Stakes Claim to Passion & Purpose in New Single, “Set Me Free”

Music

Eric Alper

-

Oct 9, 2021

0

Delyn Grey Stakes Claim to Passion & Purpose in New Single, “Set Me Free”

Continuing to break barriers and make waves within the rock and alt-pop world, Toronto’s Delyn Grey boldly stakes claim to her passions and purpose on this, her new single, “Set Me Free” — available now.

“This song is a release; it’s relief and empowerment,” she shares of the track. “It’s ‘moving forward’ and ‘getting it done.’”

It’s a sentiment that hits close to home for the Bif Naked-managed singer, songwriter, and production powerhouse. Eschewing traditional love-and-heartbreak themes rife within the genres, Grey combines modern-day R&B and electronic vibes with edgier rock elements reminiscent of grunge’s earlier starts.

This decidedly defiant and brave break from the industry mold results in an accessible, yet fresh, exciting, and at times, slightly dangerous feel to her sound. It has also, she reveals, made some naysayers question her very path forward.

“Despite having written this song several years ago, it holds a huge place in my heart, and comforts me every time I listen to it,” she reveals. “It’s because, when I was first starting pursue music, a lot of people told me I should make it my ‘plan b’ or my hobby because I didn’t ‘have anything unique to offer.’

“No one, let alone a 15 year old, should ever be told they shouldn’t work towards pursuing something that gives them purpose,” she continues. “Music was never a hobby for me; I just couldn’t have that relationship with it, and I needed people to know that. I needed myself to know that I was rooting for me, that I had my back, no matter what came my way, and that I would make it past the snide, or the uninformed comments about MY life choices.

“My art wants purpose, and I work hard to serve that. I work equally as hard to find purpose in my art.”

Such art has come to life across previously released tracks, including “Listen to the Thunder,” “Battle,” “Ghost Town,” and most recently, “Daddy’s Love” — and received critical acclaim from the likes of Abort Mag, New Sick Music, Concert Monkey, ShockYa, Guitar Girl Mag, The Word is Bond, Canadian Beats, and more.

As for “Set Me Free,” Grey says it’s “an anthem for anyone who’s ever been made to feel like their passion is pointless.

“Put in the work, people!” she continues. “Regardless of the goal, the experience alone will be worth it. Grab the reins, and hold on tight.”

“Set Me Free” is available now.

ADVANCE Announces $150,000 Business Expansion Grant From City Of Toronto

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 8, 2021

0

ADVANCE Announces $150,000 Business Expansion Grant From City Of Toronto

ADVANCE is proud to announce the launch of their brand new $150,000 Business Expansion grant, in partnership with the City of Toronto. This program will help a variety of Black-owned, not-for-profit businesses across Toronto expand and continue to serve and assist Black music professionals in their development. Recognizing the lack of Black representation on the business side of the music industry, compounded by the devastation of the recent pandemic, the ADVANCE Business Expansion Grant will be supporting entrepreneurs and local businesses at various levels of their journey, including emerging, elevating, and established.

ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective focuses on the lack of Black representation on the business side of the music industry. As such, ADVANCE has shown that the lack of Black people in decision-making positions, has halted the success of Black creatives. For the City of Toronto, and the nation, there is great potential for an increased economic effect on tourism, import/export of creative goods and services, film/television production, permanent residency, labour force and trades.

This program is designed to provide targeted investments to address a lack of resources, and systemic barriers that negatively impact Black businesses in the music industry[revise]. By focusing on non-for-profit companies, City of Toronto and ADVANCE expect to see more education-focused business programming that assist Black leaders in their pathway to entrepreneurship or careers within the corporate space of the music industry.

ADVANCE and City of Toronto have partnered to support economic growth and career development of emerging and established businesses. The areas of interest include professional development, education, mentorship, sponsorship for persons interested in the business practices of the music industry.
economic growth and career development

Deadline to submit: October 20th, 2021, 5pm EST. For more information, and to apply, go here.

Bruno Mars & Anderson .paak Announce “An Evening With Silk Sonic” Album Out November 12

Music

Eric Alper

-

Oct 8, 2021

0

Bruno Mars & Anderson .paak Announce “An Evening With Silk Sonic” Album Out November 12

Multiple GRAMMY Award winners Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak have announced the official release date for new album, An Evening With Silk Sonic – available on all DSPS November 12, 2021. An Evening With Silk Sonic will arrive with previously released hits “Skate” and “Leave The Door Open.”

Most recently, Silk Sonic graced the cover of Rolling Stone’s September issue, where fans got an inside look at Mars and .Paak’s deep friendship and quest for the perfect “feel good” record. The duo coasted into the release of “Skate” on the wave of success from their debut single “Leave the Door Open,” which earned them Best Group at the 2021 BET Awards. It became the group’s first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, spending two non-consecutive weeks at #1 and 18 consecutive weeks in the top 10. They released the live version “Leave The Door Open (Live)” and serenaded audiences three times over at the GRAMMY Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and the BET Awards.

Silk Sonic introduced “Leave The Door Open” alongside an official music video directed by Mars and Florent Déchard with over 346 million views and counting. The track was followed by a hugely popular social media campaign, #LetSilkSonicThrive and was immediately welcomed by unprecedented critical acclaim. “What’s new, smooth as silk on the ears, and features two stars of R&B?” wrote Billboard, praising Silk Sonic as “a groovy duo” and the single as “lounge at its heart.” Consequence of Sound enthused, “Mars has a voice like a liquid whip, while .Paak raps and sings through a foggy haze. They sound like smoke on the water.”

The seeds of the collaboration were planted in 2017 when Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars toured together on the European leg of his 24K Magic World Tour. One late-night jam session on the road unlocked immediate chemistry. Just before the world slipped into quarantine, Bruno called Anderson: “Remember that idea we had back in 2017? Let’s do it.” One studio session grew into to a months-long collaboration, culminating the “setlist of doom.” Legendary Bootsy Collins christened Silk Sonic and came in as the “special guest host” for An Evening With Silk Sonic, their debut album.

Silk Sonic was finally set free on March 5th, 2021. Within less than a month, their debut single “Leave The Door Open” cracked over 230 million streams, and currently sits at 1.2 billion streams with over 346 million official video views. It reeled in rave reviews, including Variety who noted it “could be a Best R&B Song GRAMMY® winner from 1974.” After petitioning the GRAMMY® Awards to #LetSilkSonicThrive, they made their debut performance with “Leave The Door Open” and served up a powerful tribute to Little Richard.

Photo Gallery: Enrique Iglesias with Ricky Martin at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena

Music

Eric Alper

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Oct 8, 2021

0

Photo Gallery: Enrique Iglesias with Ricky Martin at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena

All photos by Mini’s Memories. If you are an artist or band and need photos done for your next release, you can do no wrong contacting her with your details:

minismemories@hotmail.com