Sonic Reducers: 5-minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big music story.
Join Darryl Sterdan and I as we go behind the scenes of some upcoming music biopics, and debate who could play us when it’s our turn in the spotlight (hint: I’m still looking for my Billy Duffy).
Sonic Reducers: Music Biopics Announcements: Marvin Gaye, Boy George, and Cher!
Canadian Music Week Announces Virtual Jim Beam National Talent Search
Canadian Music Week (CMW) is pleased to announce the annual Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search will take place virtually June 21-July 10, 2021. Jim Beam Bourbon’s Virtual National Talent Search will include six provincial webisodes that will be streamed via Indies.ca, where fans can vote for their favourite artists in each province to help determine the grand prize winner.
Hosted by comedian Darrin Rose, the Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search will include 18 finalists, with three finalists from each of the participating provinces British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. The finalists will receive constructive feedback from Artist Advisors: Jason McCoy, Singer/Songwriter and Morning Host at Pure Country 106; Ricochet, Host/Creator of Made In Toronto at FLOW 93.5; and Sally Shaar, lead singer of Monowhales.
CMW and the Jim Beam Virtual National Talent Search will provide 18 of Canada’s best new bands with their own virtual stage, ownership of their own recordings, and starring roles in this musical event that has rewritten the way homegrown independent talent is discovered. Each webisode will focus on one of the six participating Provinces, and feature performances from three local artist finalists, as well as feedback commentary from the Artist Advisors.
One grand prize winner, selected from 18 provincial 2021 finalists, will win the opportunity to perform live on stage at the 2022 Jim Beam INDIE Awards in Toronto, in front of thousands of industry insiders from Canada and around the world who are looking for the next big thing. Additional grand prize package items are a fully produced single at Metalworks Studios, a shopping spree at Long & McQuade, and gifts from Canadian Musician Magazine.
Virtual Jim Beam National Talent Search
Streaming Nightly June 21 – July 10, 2021
FREE at www.indies.ca
British Columbia Finalists – June 21
Kassandra Clack, Richard Tichelman, and Soul Push
Alberta Finalists – June 22
Taken By Sanity, Alexanne, and Victory
Manitoba Finalists – June 23
The Lytics, Brandi Vezina, and Kelly Bado
Ontario Finalists – June 24
Weigh The Anchor, Karli June, and Mia Sanchez
Quebec Finalists – June 25
Ricky Paquette, Gianni Bodo, and Shah Frank
Nova Scotia Finalists – June 26
Tye Dempsey, Braden Lam, and Good Dear Good
Live streams via Indies.ca
All market finalist videos will remain available for viewing and voting until July 10, 2021.
Foo Fighters Are Releasing A Bee Gees Tribute Album For Record Store Day
It’s Record Store Day Night Fever as the Brothers Foo Gibb it to you good with HAIL SATIN, the high Travoltage debut album of Foo Fighters’ disco alter ego the DEE GEES.
Out July 17 as a limited edition vinyl album packaged era-appropriately in a dazzling rainbow mylar sleeve, HAIL SATIN is the bipolar party record of the summer. Side A features Grohl, Hawkins, Mendel, Smear, Shiflett and Jaffee lighting up the floor at Foo Fighters’ 606 studios with faithful renditions of five stone cold Brothers Gibb classics — Bee Gees bangers “You Should Be Dancing,” Night Fever,” “Tragedy” and “More Than A Woman” + Andy Gibb’s “Shadow Dancing” — while side B literally rocks the party with live at 606 renditions of roughly half of Foo Fighters pandemic panacea album MEDICINE AT MIDNIGHT.
The DEE GEES: HAIL SATIN was recorded entirely at 606. For optimal results, listen with exposed chest hair and little gold spoon necklace (If you know, you know…).
Side A — The DEE GEES:
You Should Be Dancing
Night Fever
Tragedy
Shadow Dancing
More Than a Woman
Side B — LIVE at 606:
Making A Fire
Shame Shame
Waiting on a War
No Son of Mine
Cloudspotter
Diana Ross Announces ‘Thank You’, New Album Released In The Autumn
Diana Ross sings “Thank You” to the world. “This collection of songs is my gift to you with appreciation and love. I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to record this glorious music at this time,” said Ms. Ross. Her new album, “Thank You” is scheduled for release this fall through Decca Records / Universal Music Group. The title track and first single,” Thank You,” will be available for streaming and download on June 17.
Recorded in her home studio, “Thank You” offers a powerful, inclusive musical message of love and togetherness. With its songs of happiness, appreciation, and joy, it wholeheartedly acknowledges that we are in this all together. Her family, friends and loyal and loving audiences all around the globe have been an integral part of her wonderful life’s story. In this special moment, it is time to step into the light.
Ms. Ross co-wrote and collaborated on the 13 songs along with award-winning songwriters and producers including: Jack Antonoff, Troy Miller, Triangle Park, Spike Stent, Prince Charlez, Amy Wadge, Neff-U, Freddie Wexler, Jimmy Napes, Tayla Parx, Fred White, and Nathanial Ledgewick.
Let us come together in harmony and gratitude with Diana Ross now and for the future. “I dedicate this songbook of love to all of you, the listeners. As you hear my voice you hear my heart. “Let Love Lead the Way.”
“Thank You” Track Listing
Thank You
If the World Just Danced
All Is Well
In Your Heart
Just In Case
The Answers Always Love
Let’s Do It
I Still Believe
Count On Me
Tomorrow
Beautiful Love
Time To Call
Come Together
Mastodon Team Up With Dreamstage To Present A Unique Live Performance Experience
Mastodon team up with DREAMSTAGE to present a completely unprecedented live performance set for July 15, at 9PM EDT. The GRAMMY award-winning rock band along with the pioneering HD live streaming platform DREAMSTAGE, is thrilled to announce Captured Live At Georgia Aquarium, a unique live Mastodon experience in a rare, intimate setting from their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia like you’ve never heard them before. In addition, the program will include exclusive commentary from the band offering an inside view into their creative process. Click here for tickets and further information.
Now in their 21st year the hard rock quartet are one of the most legendary active live acts around. Captured Live At Georgia Aquarium will bring that passion and power pouring out of your home speakers, as the band performs acoustic for the first… and perhaps last time, from the Georgia Aquarium in their hometown. Tickets on sale now. Along with bundle merch packages, with $1 from each T-shirt bundle package going to support the Georgia Aquarium.
Fresh off the release of their Medium Rarities collection, along with “Rufus Lives” off the Bill & Ted Face The Music (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) last autumn, plus the hard-hitting “Forged By Neron” – the lead single for DARK KNIGHTS: DEATH METAL Soundtrack (DC Comics) – out tomorrow, Mastodon provide a career-spanning special performance event.
DREAMSTAGE was launched last August by CEO Thomas Hesse (former President of Sony Music for Global Digital Business and U.S. Sales/Distribution), CTO Scott Chasin (serial entrepreneur with a track record of successfully founding and growing startups, including ProtectWise and MX Logic), and Artistic Director Jan Vogler (internationally known cellist and director of the Dresden Music Festival).
Last month DREAMSTAGE announced a strategic investment from global streaming service Deezer [press release here], while hosting incredible performances from Yo-Yo Ma (co-sponsored by Audible), Sean Paul, Live from Jamaica, Rodrigo y Gabriela and slenderbodies, Rodney Atkins and Jeris Johnson. Their successful series, Broadway Stories & Songs hosted by renowned musical director Ted Sperling, wrapped last weekend, with upcoming performances from Train on June 25, along with the inaugural DREAMSTAGE Virtual PRIDE, June 25-26, featuring Big Freedia, LP, Trixie Mattel, Dawn Richards, Dorian Electra & more.
Portugal The Man Announces 2021 Tour Dates
After more than a year without playing a live show, Portugal The Man – one of the hardest working bands in live music – have announced their return to the road, beginning this Summer. The Alaska-formed, Portland, OR-based rockers have announced their 2021 tour dates, kicking off at Cleveland, OH’s Wonderstruck Festival on July 25th and concluding October 23rd at Shaky Knees Festival in Atlanta, GA. A Pre-sale for the tour begins tomorrow, with general on-sale beginning this Friday, June 18th at 10 a.m. local time.
The national tour will include headline shows at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Edgefield in Portland OR and the Alaska State Fair, with additional high-profile festival performances at BottleRock, Governor’s Ball, WonderStruck, Firefly and more.
As if today’s tour announce wasn’t enough, the band has answered the calls of their fans with the release of Ulu Selects Vol. #1 (Live), out today. The four-track EP is the first of many eclectic EPs to come and features stripped down performances of fan-favorite songs.
The first three tracks from Ulu Selects Vol. #1 (Live), “Feel It Still,” “So Young” & “Don’t Look Back in Anger,” are pulled from the band’s 2017 FADER sessions, which have accrued over 25 million views since their debut. “Noise Pollution,” the fourth and final track on the EP, is pulled from the band’s special KCRW arrangement.
Ulu Selects Vol. #1 (Live) arrives on the four-year anniversary of the band’s gold-certified album, WOODSTOCK, which features the chart-topping, GRAMMY-winning hit single “Feel It Still.” RIAA-Certified 6x platinum, the John Hill-produced smash song broke the alternative radio record for being the longest running #1 of all time with 22 weeks atop the format’s chart, as well as reaching #1 at both top 40 radio and on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. WOODSTOCK also spawned the now RIAA-certified gold cut “Live In The Moment.”
Portugal The Man is also teaming up with online sweepstakes marketplace, Fandiem, for a donate-to-win contest that will give one lucky winner and three of their friends the opportunity to hang with the band in a private virtual studio party where they will be the first to hear never-before-heard new music. The only requirement for entry is a minimum $10 donation via Fandiem to PTM Foundation, which is dedicated to building community resilience, empathy and awareness through music, stories, art, education and connectivity.
2021 TOUR DATES:
7/25 – Cleveland, OH – WonderStruck Festival
8/21 – Palmer, AK – Alaska State Fair
9/5 – Napa, CA – BottleRock
9/12 – Redondo Beach, CA – BeachLife Festival
9/21 – Ogden, UT – Ogden Twilight
9/22 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre*
9/24 – New York, NY – Governors Ball
9/25 – Harrisburg, PA – Riverfront Park
9/26 – Dover, DE – Firefly Festival
10/15 – Portland, OR – Edgefield
10/16 – Eugene, OR – Cuthbert Amphitheater
10/23 – Atlanta, GA – Shaky Knees Festival
*With support from Parquet Courts
Sonic Reducers: Frank Bonner, ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ Actor Has Passed Away
Sonic Reducers: 5-minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big music story.
We pay our respects to late actor Frank Bonner (aka WKRP in Cincinnati’s Herb Tarlek), look back at TV rock in the ’70s and recall the two things that old Herb could never quite nail.
The Tragically Hip Launch Sale Of The Unison T-Shirt
With all proceeds to be donated to The Unison Fund – Canada’s music industry charity, providing counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community – The Tragically Hip have announced a limited run of The Unison T-Shirt, as seen worn by the band while accepting the 2021 Humanitarian Award during the 50th Annual JUNO Awards broadcast on June 6th.
Says Rob Baker, lead guitarist of The Tragically Hip, “We’ve all missed live music, but for the folks who have devoted their lives to bringing music to you – the stage, sound and lighting techs, the staff of music venues and the other unsung personnel – for them this past year and a half has been devastating. This is our chance to let them know how much we appreciate their often thankless work. What would you spend on a night out at your favourite club? What would a ticket cost to see a favourite act at your local megadome? For a fraction of that price you can make a difference and make sure we hit the ground running. See ya at the club.”
Long-time champions of The Unison Fund, earlier this year The Tragically Hip donated over $50,000 through the sale of their Courage Masks, and just last month were announced as supporters of Band Together In Unison, a Million Dollar charitable campaign in support of The Unison Fund’s continued efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic’s financial and psychological devastation of the Canadian music industry.
Purchase The Unison T-Shirt HERE
My Next Read: “The First 21: A Memoir” by Nikki Sixx
Rock-and-roll icon and three-time bestselling author Nikki Sixx tells his origin story: how Frank Feranna became Nikki Sixx, chronicling his fascinating journey from irrepressible Idaho farmboy to the man who formed the revolutionary rock group Mötley Crüe.
Nikki Sixx is one of the most respected, recognizable, and entrepreneurial icons in the music industry. As the founder of Mötley Crüe who is now in his twentieth year of sobriety, Sixx is incredibly passionate about his craft and wonderfully open about his life in rock and roll, and as a person of the world. Born Franklin Carlton Feranna on December 11, 1958, young Frankie was abandoned by his father and partly raised by his mother, a woman who was ahead of her time in some ways and deeply troubled in others. Frankie ended up living with his grandparents, bouncing from farm to farm and state to state. He was an all-American kid—hunting, fishing, chasing girls, and playing football—but underneath it all, there was a burning desire for more, and that more was music. He eventually took a Greyhound bound for Hollywood.
In Los Angeles, Frank lived with his aunt and his uncle—the president of Capitol Records. But there was no short path to the top. He was soon on his own. There were dead-end jobs: dipping circuit boards, clerking at liquor and record stores, selling used light bulbs, and hustling to survive. But at night, Frank honed his craft, joining Sister, a band formed by fellow hard-rock veteran Blackie Lawless, and formed a group of his own: London, the precursor of Mötley Crüe. Turning down an offer to join Randy Rhoads’ band, Frank changed his name to Nikki London, Nikki Nine, and, finally, Nikki Sixx. Like Huck Finn with a stolen guitar, he had a vision: a group that combined punk, glam, and hard rock into the biggest, most theatrical and irresistible package the world had ever seen. With hard work, passion, and some luck, the vision manifested in reality—and this is a profound true story finding identity, of how Frank Feranna became Nikki Sixx. And it’s a road map to the ways you can overcome anything, and achieve all of your goals, if only you put your mind to it.
Sonic Reducers: Bob Dylan Announces Livestream Concert
Sonic Reducers: 5-minute video. 2 music geeks. 1 big music story.
Join us as we jaw about Bob Dylan’s upcoming livestream concert, debate whether it’s worth the money, and share our fervent hopes that it’s interactive.