Paul McCartney and Rick Rubin. History in the making. #McCartney321 is coming to Hulu July 16.
Midge Ure Returns To North America This Fall – Un-Zoomed And Face To Face
Midge Ure returns to North America for an East Coast run of dates this fall. “Un-Zoomed And Face To Face” will see Midge playing solo-acoustic versions of songs from his vast career including Ultravox, Visage, Thin Lizzy and his solo albums. Ure is excited to return to the road after almost two years.
The last time Ure toured the states was in early 2020 with his one man ‘Songs, Questions and Answers’ and in spring 2020 the 1980 Tour hit New Zealand and Australia just at the same time as Covid-19. This led to the run being cut short and Midge and the band returning home to and empty tour diary and a very different world. With touring stalled Midge devised a way of doing performances and keeping connected with his audience from his studio with the conception of the Backstage Lockdown Club. Ure said “I had seen many artists doing home concerts singing and playing into their webcams and irrespective of how good the artists were the look and sound were not really up to scratch. So I did a lot of research into Hi -res cameras and visual mixers etc and put together a ‘one man’ system which enabled me to webcast at a quality level’ He went on to say “This has been a lifeline for not just me but the audience as well”
Midge Ure is now working on three albums including a follow up to Fragile, an Orchestrated Pt. 2 and an instrumental album.
Midge Ure has an impressive catalogue fronting the groundbreaking electrorock band Ultravox as well as being a member of such notable bands as Visage and Thin Lizzy. He helped form Band Aid where he produced and co-wrote the smash charity single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas,’ still one of the biggest singles in UK music history. He was also one of the principle creators of Live Aid and Live 8 along with Bob Geldof. Ure has spent most of his career touring the globe playing solo and with Ultravox who reformed in 2009. He served the notable role of MD for the Princes Trust at the Royal Albert Hall with a cast of the usual suspects including Queen, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Mark King.
Midge Ure Un-Zoomed & Face to Face Tour: (More TBA)
October 26 – Pawling, NY – Daryl’s House
October 27 – Boston, MA – City Winery
November 1 – Philadelphia, PA – City Winery
November 2 – Washington DC – City Winery
November 4 – New York, NY – Iridium
November 5 – New York, NY – Iridium
November 6 – Hamden, CT – Space Ballroom
November 7 – Bordentown, NJ – Randy Now’s Man Cave
November 9 – Northampton, MA – Iron Horse
Sonic Reducers: Allman Brothers’ Live At Fillmore East Turns 50 Today
Sonic Reducers: 5 minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big story.
Join us as we chat about the 50th anniversary of The Allman Brothers Band’s Live At Fillmore East, into a discussion of other great live albums, and if Gregg Allman called everybody brother.
Every Time The Beatles Say “Love”
Dustin Garner created a mashup of every time The Beatles say the word “love” in their songs, in the order that the songs came out. Love is all you need!
Submissions now open for the 2021/2022 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and Slaight Music today announced that submissions for the Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class are now open. Now in its seventh year, the program is renowned for offering emerging artists with opportunities to hone their craft and further develop their music careers, including an intensive week of mentorship from notable Canadian music industry professionals, a trip to Toronto, ON to be a part of the 2022 JUNO Awards and more.
Interested artists can apply now at junomasterclass.ca. There are no fees associated with submissions and all eligibility requirements can be found here.
The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class was developed in partnership with Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI). Each year three artists are selected, and the experience aims to cultivate new talent through networking, collaboration opportunities, and curated mentorship. This year’s selected artists will be joined by Jhyve, the winner of CBC’s annual search to find the next great Canadian artist.
“Now more than ever emerging artists need our support and this program has a proven track record of fostering and elevating new and emerging talent,” said Allan Reid, President and CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards & MusiCounts. “We encourage artists from across the country to apply and take the next step in their careers.”
“After this past year the need for this program is crucial for Canadian artist development and recognition,” said Gary Slaight, CEO and President, Slaight Communications. “Championing and supporting Canadian artists was a passion of my father, Allan Slaight. I am proud to be part of a platform for these talented artists to develop skills and connections to further their careers and we look forward to seeing the submissions for the upcoming session”
All submissions will be assessed by a panel of music industry professionals and three artists will be chosen by a Super Jury made up of key music industry leaders. The selected artists will be announced this Fall and will receive an all-inclusive trip to Toronto a week of customized mentorship in collaboration with Canada’s Music Incubator, culminating in a music industry showcase night in Toronto, supported by SiriusXM Canada. They will also receive a cash prize courtesy of Slaight Music.
Additionally, the artists will also attend the 2022 JUNO Awards in Toronto, where they may have an opportunity to participate in JUNO Week events. One of the artists will be chosen to perform at the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards for the Canadian music industry.
The 2020/2021 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class long list artists included duo Command Sisters, 2021 JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada performers MONOWHALES, genre-bending Myles Castello and 2020 CBC Music Searchlight winner Shawnee Kish.
The Beaches Announce 2022 Future Lovers Headline Tour
JUNO Award-winning rock band The Beaches announce their Future Lovers Tour, a 20-date cross-Canada headline tour.
The Future Lovers Tour will be The Beaches’ most ambitious to date and first in support of their latest EP, featuring the alternative radio hit “Blow Up,” which has held the No. 1 slot for two consecutive weeks. The new tour follows the highly successful 2020 The Professional Tour, which sold out 15 shows across Canada, including three hometown performances at The Danforth in Toronto.
After almost two years of no touring due to the global Covid pandemic, The Beaches are back and prepared to give fans an experience that only live music can deliver. With a foundation built upon their live shows, the band is very much looking forward to performing multiple nights at History – Toronto’s newest venue located in the area known as the Beaches and a five-minute walk from where the band grew up.
The Future Lovers Tour kicks off in Montreal at the Corona Theatre on February 3, heads through Ontario, including two stops at History, and continues west. The tour ends with two shows at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver (March 3, 5) and a show in Victoria, BC, at the Royal Theatre (March 6). Spotify Fans First and VIP ticket packages pre-sales start on Tuesday, July 6, and Wednesday, July 7 at 10 am local times, and general on-sale starts on Friday, July 9 at 10 am (local). Packages include exclusive tour experiences like side stage access, soundcheck hangouts and exclusive merchandise items.
“We’ve been waiting a long time to get back out on the road and play some shows,” said Jordan Miller, lead singer and bass player, The Beaches. “Like so many others, we were grounded by the pandemic in 2020. But the upside was we were able to step back, write, record, and release more music. Now we get to come back out and kick some ass. I hope everyone is as ready as we are.”
In addition to the tour dates below, The Beaches are especially excited to announce the forthcoming release of the Sisters Not Twins (The Professional Lovers Album) LP, which artistically and physically conjoins the band’s Future Lovers and The Professional EPs and includes a few new, musical, and packaging surprises. See below for track listing.
FUTURE LOVERS TOUR DATES:
February 3, 2022 – Montreal, QC @ Corona Theatre
February 4, 2022 – Ottawa, ON @ Bronson Theatre
February 5, 2022 – Ottawa, ON @ Bronson Theatre
February 8, 2022 – Kingston, ON @ Ale House
February 11, 2022 – Toronto, ON @ History
February 12, 2022 – Toronto, ON @ History
February 14, 2022 – London, ON @ London Music Hall
February 15, 2022 – Guelph, ON @ Guelph Concert Theatr
February 16, 2022 – Hamilton, ON @ FirstOntario Concert Hall
February 19, 2022 – Winnipeg, MB @ Burton Cummings Theatre
February 20, 2022 – Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre
February 22, 2022 – Edmonton, AB @ Midway
February 23, 2022 – Edmonton, AB @ Midway
February 25, 2022 – Red Deer, AB @ Red Deer Memorial Centre
February 26, 2022 – Calgary, AB @ MacEwan Hall
February 28, 2022 – Kelowna, BC @ Kelowna Community Theatre
March 1, 2022 – Vernon, BC @ Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre
March 3, 2022 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
March 5, 2022 – Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
March 6, 2022 – Victoria, BC @ Royal Theatre
Sisters Not Twins (The Professional Lovers Album) Track List:
SIDE A
You Owe Me Nothing
Desdemona
Bad Behaviour
Snake Tongue
Lame
Slow Mo
SIDE B
Interlude
Blow Up
Fascination
Let’s Go
Want What You Got
You Don’t Owe Me Anything
Stevie Van Zandt’s Memoir “Unrequited Infatuations” To Be Published On September 28
What story begins in a bedroom in suburban New Jersey in the early ‘60s, unfolds on some of the country’s largest stages, and then ranges across the globe, demonstrating over and over again how Rock and Roll has the power to change the world for the better? This story.
The first true heartbeat of UNREQUITED INFATUATIONS is the moment when Stevie Van Zandt trades in his devotion to the Baptist religion for an obsession with Rock and Roll. Groups like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones created new ideas of community, creative risk, and principled rebellion. They changed him forever. While still a teenager, he met Bruce Springsteen, a like-minded outcast/true believer who became one of his most important friends and bandmates. As Miami Steve, Van Zandt anchored the E Street Band as they conquered the Rock and Roll world.
And then, in the early ‘80s, Van Zandt stepped away from E Street to embark on his own odyssey. He refashioned himself as Little Steven, a political songwriter and performer, fell in love with Maureen Santoro who greatly expanded his artistic palette, and visited the world’s hot spots as an artist/journalist to not just better understand them, but to help change them. Most famously, he masterminded the recording of “Sun City,” an anti-apartheid anthem that sped the demise of South Africa’s institutionalized racism and helped get Nelson Mandela out of prison.
By the ‘90s, Van Zandt had lived at least two lives—one as a mainstream rocker, one as a hardcore activist. It was time for a third. David Chase invited Van Zandt to be a part of his new television show, the Sopranos—as Silvio Dante, he was the unconditionally loyal consiglieri who sat at the right hand of Tony Soprano (a relationship that oddly mirrored his real-life relationship with Bruce Springsteen).
Underlying all of Van Zandt’s various incarnations was a devotion to preserving the centrality of the arts, especially the endangered species of Rock. In the twenty-first century, Van Zandt founded a groundbreaking radio show (Underground Garage), a fiercely independent record label (Wicked Cool), and developed a curriculum to teach students of all ages through the medium of music history. He also rejoined the E Street Band for what has now been a twenty-year victory lap.
UNREQUITED INFATUATIONS chronicles the twists and turns of Stevie Van Zandt’s always surprising life. It is more than just the testimony of a globe-trotting nomad, more than the story of a groundbreaking activist, more than the odyssey of a spiritual seeker, and more than a master class in rock and roll (not to mention a dozen other crafts). It’s the best book of its kind because it’s the only book of its kind.
Stevie Van Zandt says, “I’ve seen enough things that could be useful that justified writing them down and sharing them. As far as my life story? Well I hope this book explains it to me!”
Mary Ann Naples, Publisher of Hachette Books, adds, “Stevie Van Zandt’s story is a singular arc in American culture. From his vantage point as a witness to the renaissance era of rock and roll to consequential activism and a third act in groundbreaking television, Hachette Books is proud to bring Van Zandt’s odyssey to readers.”
Stevie Van Zandt will actively promote UNREQUITED INFATUATIONS with a media tour and event appearances. The book will be published in hardcover, e-book, and an audio format by Hachette Audio on September 28, 2021.
Sonic Reducers: Will Mick Jagger EVER Write His Autobiography?
Sonic Reducers: 5-minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big story.
Join us as we natter about Mick Jagger’s aborted 1983 autobiography, talk about the time Darryl met the man himself, and relive one of the most interesting elevator rides his wife ever had.
Blues Rockers ARSENAL MILLS Release Song About Love Called “Songs About Love”
Just in time for the summer — and vaccination — season, Canadian blues rock band Arsenal Mills is back with another retro-fueled rock n’ roll tease ahead of their upcoming debut EP. An absolute breath of fresh air in terms of modern rock, “Songs About Love” is available now.
Unlike the PEI-based outfit’s previous single, “Cry No More” — which is a perfect tune for driving at a high speed, windows down, in the middle of summer — “Songs About Love” is an emotional journey of rock n’ roll which really pulls at the heartstrings. Arsenal Mills frontman Brad Milligan says it “touches on the idea of innocence” and that it’s about “being young and naïve.”
“I wanted the main character to be someone who hasn’t experienced all the joys and heartache that love brings,” Milligan says. “All they know about love is what they’ve heard about it in songs on the radio, which to me is such an interesting concept.”
With that concept in mind, it seems fitting that this song (about love) kicks off with a piano hook sent from the heavens. Though it was played by one-off guest pianist Ben Aitken, it is genuinely such a memorable piece of music that it’s bound to become an instant classic in the modern rock scene.
Slap a soulful electric guitar solo, tickling drum fills and a chorus that begs for mass audience participation in the mix and you’ve got yourself a metaphorical ear message. These enchanting musical elements make “Songs About Love” the perfect track to raise your lighters (or phones) to.
And it won’t be long… Once these guys break the scene, it’ll be a stadium anthem in no time at all — with music-lovers from all walks of life will be screaming their hearts out to it together.
Do you like Journey, or the Scorpions? How about Def Leppard? If you’re looking for a familiar sound, but something completely new, this is the song (and band) for you. And if you’re hesitant about taking a chance on one of Canada’s best up-and-coming four-pieces, “Songs About Love” mirrors the sonic mastery and emotional depth of Reckless-era Bryan Adams as well as 1990s Aerosmith. How could it not be good?
Bassist and keyboardist André Uyterlinde promises more songs “of this profundity” on the horizon too.
Spawned from their heavy New Wave, Blues and R&B influences, since day one it has been Arsenal Mills’ collective mission to completely reimagine the modern rock scene in a unique and refreshing way. To help them achieve this, the boys enlisted mix-master Colin Buchanan to produce their brand-new smashing track as well as Chuck Carvalho, master engineer for Toronto-based studio Joao Carvalho Mastering.
Arsenal Mills is: lead singer/guitarist Brad Milligan, backup vocalist and lead guitarist Griffen Arsenault, drummer Josh MacNeil and bassist/keyboardist André Uyterlinde.
From their hometown of Charlottetown, Arsenal Mills have been featured in many well-known music publications including CBC, Tinnitist, Canadian Beats, Record World Magazine, Cashbox Canada and more. Not only that, but the quartet has opened for the likes of Canadian legends like Kim Mitchell, The Glorious Sons and Wintersleep, among many others. The cherry on top for this group is that they’ve been nominated for both ‘New Artist of the Year’ and ‘Rock Recording of the Year’ by Music PEI.
While you’re waiting for Arsenal Mills highly-anticipated debut EP, check out lead single “Lovesick & Broke” and the 2020 standalones “The Bleeding Heart” and “Cry No More.”
“Songs About Love” is available now.
Bagpipe Rockers ARCANA KINGS Lead The Charge With “Here We Go”
Hear that? That’s the powerfully catchy sound of Canada’s premiere “kick-ass bagpipe party rock” band, Arcana Kings, pumping up their pipes as they unleash this summer’s biggest blow out, stadium-sized anthem, “Here We Go” — available now.
“Here We Go” is the lead single from the Nelson, BC, Regina, SK, Saskatoon, SK-based quintet’s brand new album Lions as Ravens, released this June on Brandy Records Canada/MC1 Nashville. It energetically showcases a band fired up and ready to play hard as we begin to emerge from our long, lonely pandemic winter and Canada opens up, smiles wide and gets ready to rock again.
Prior to its official release, “Here We Go” has already become a universal sports anthem with CFL, NHL and pro basketball teams across North America. The Saskatchewan Roughriders have adopted it as their rev up, team run-out song during home games and the Winnipeg Jets and the Saskatoon Rush also use it to pump up their crowds. Arcana Kings were also honoured to perform “Here We Go” live at halftime during the CFL’s western semi-final playoff game at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Saskatchewan. Kicking off with the double rallying cry of “Here we go! Here we go!”, the chorus is guaranteed to have entire arenas ready to shout it out and ride along whether they’re in the house for the big concert or the big game.
After performing across Canada and internationally in the U.S., Japan, Taiwan and Sweden, the rush of putting it all out there on stage — or on the playing field, if you will — is what inspired Arcana Kings’ lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and bagpiper Johnny McCuaig, to write “Here We Go.”
“I wanted to capture the feeling of those nights when we were getting ready to hit the stage and getting ourselves pumped up for the ‘Big Show’ or the ‘Big Night Out,’” McCuaig explains. “Every time I hear it, it still gets me pumped up and I get a little excited.”
That pumped up excitement permeates throughout Arcana Kings’ new album Lions as Ravens, which was recorded with producer Ryan Andersen (Nickelback, Theory of a Deadman, Default), at RedDoor Recorders in Saskatoon. Rounding out the band’s signature sound are lead guitarist James Picton, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Allan Morrison, bassist Kevin Kyle and drummer Graham Templeman.
The music video for “Here We Go” also has that “big show” vibe as it debuted at Regina’s IMAX Theatre and showcased at Saskatchewan’s renowned Yorkton Film Festival. Thematically, the band wanted the video to capture the intensity of competitive sports like football, hockey or basketball but knew that budget limitations wouldn’t let them draw those connections visually. However, happenstance enabled the band to capture the idea in a more unique but no less intensely competitive way.
“It just so happened that there was an advertisement in the local paper for a women’s roller derby bout,” recalls McCuaig. “We brought the idea to our director Dave Benedict (from the band Default) and within a day we had the concept, the contacts and the direction. It all just came together like it was meant to be.”
Nominations for Best Music Video at the Kootenay Music Awards and Best Rock Video for the Canadian Independent Music Awards were also meant to be, along with nods for Rock Band of the Year at the Saskatchewan Music Awards and Artist of the Year and Best Rock Song for the Kootenay Music Awards.
This has been a season of change and growth for the Arcana Kings, whose name means “secrets” or “mysteries.” Previously known as the Johnny McCuaig Band, they recently changed their name to make it easier to pronounce and to reflect a redefining of their sound, which still contains its secret weapon — the bagpipes. Blending seamlessly like a long-lost Celtic cousin to the electric guitar, AK uses the bagpipes as an intriguing extension of their high energy sound, rather than a focal point.
“Just imagine the Foo Fighters, AC/DC and The Steve Miller Band all mixed with a touch of Métis spirit and Scottish heritage,” explains McCuaig, who is Métis.
It’s also easy to imagine the joyous thunder inside a rockin’ stadium thanks to the Arcana Kings’ “Here We Go” — available now.