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Step Right Up: DOUGLAS VON IRVIN’S CARNIVAL Sink their Teeth into Negativity with “Vampire Lovers”

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Step Right Up: DOUGLAS VON IRVIN’S CARNIVAL Sink their Teeth into Negativity with “Vampire Lovers”

It’s a carnival horror-lovers just won’t be able to resist: Douglas Von Irvin’s Carnival, or DVIC — the Toronto- and Los Angeles-based garage-pop songwriting collective — has just released the third and latest single from their upcoming EP, Meet The Monsters, and it’s called “Vampire Lovers.”

Judging from the title and the “monster” nature of DVIC’s forthcoming release, it’s reasonable to expect a frightening, gruesome, and fictitious tale about vampires romantically sucking the lifeblood out of one another, right?

Well, that actually is the case… But not quite to the tee.

The enigmatic lyrical mastermind and lead singer behind DVIC, Douglas Von Irvin, revealed the ambient, four-minute ballad came about after some personal reflections about how exhausted he had become after being consistently surrounded by people that “have to be the center of attention all of the time.”

Comparing their behaviours to the desperate cravings of vampires, Von Irvin said those people “actually take energy” and “leave nothing behind.

“Except-worn out people that run in the other direction to avoid getting energy sucked out of their lives again,” he adds.

Though its concept was born of negative experiences brought upon by these so-called “lonely” people, Von Irvin was hell-bent on spreading a positive and inspiring message with “Vampire Lovers.”

With that in mind, it’s a must-hear, because he really pulled it off in this track.

“The dark loneliness [these people] go through would change if vampires could learn to ‘live and give,’” Von Irvin said — in reference to a lyric written specifically for the ethereal, piano-driven chorus. “I used the lyric ‘learn to live and give’ to build the song’s foundation on a positive note.

“The characters in this song are vampires; one of them has decided to make a change, then makes a dramatic plea to his lover to follow him. We can change anything we decide to change about ourselves when we decide it’s time to do it.”

Rather than include a ripping guitar solo, Von Irvin made the conscious decision to break off into a low-key spoken-word bridge in the tail-end of the song. The section speaks volumes (metaphorically) about shaking the negative connotations of being vain. “I’m suggesting a possibility / to break the curse and for you to become my one bride,” he says.

In addition to a keyboard feature from Walter Ino (The Babys, The Eagles of Death Metal), “Vampire Lovers” was co-recorded and co-produced with Von Irvin’s collaborative counterpart, Dr. Prycenstein, and drummer and producer Matt Starr (Mr. Big, Ace Frehley). They revealed that “Vampire Lovers” was one of the easiest songs to record from the upcoming EP, thanks to their mutual passion for classic monster movies.

“Vampire Lovers” is available now. Meet the Monsters, Douglas Von Irvin’s Carnival’s highly-anticipated five-track debut EP, is available on May 25, 2021.

Step Into the Playland Arcade… Prog-Rocker BOB LORD Unleashes Decades of Creative Invention with New Album

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Step Into the Playland Arcade… Prog-Rocker BOB LORD Unleashes Decades of Creative Invention with New Album

Endlessly inventive, Bob Lord brings prog-rock firmly into the 21st century on Playland Arcade — available now.

There are 19 tracks in Bob Lord’s latest release, Playland Arcade, a cornucopia of musical offerings in a range of styles and moods. He grabs you by your ears and dancing shoes from the first track — “Fry Doe.” This is prog-rock for the 21st century, with a musical imagination that has vast parameters, blending a cool, funky groove and massive bass guitars with Latin-style percussion recorded in Havana, Cuba and rock syncopations.

The Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based musician and composer injects a sense of fun into a genre that’s often been critiqued for taking itself too seriously. With tracks like “Hey” and “Yo Soy Miguel,” he’ll put a smile on your face as you admire the musicianship.

It’s typical of the sense of joyous invention that permeates Playland Arcade.

The Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra adds dimensions of colour to “In For The Kill,” a sexy and dramatic track. “Night Sweats” will draw you into its quirky sensibility with a mysterious electronic flair, then throw an anthemic rock climax at you for a loop.

“Wyoming Vice” is an orchestral rock workout with a lilting melody played hauntingly on the flute… Which morphs into a Western theme suitable for a TV series. He tips the hat to both prog-rock pioneers ELP and Aaron Copland in “Fanfare For A Losing Team,” an orchestral romp reminiscent of soundtrack music from the KPM sports music library.

The mood turns ambient and upbeat in “Mighty Forces,” a scintillating electronic track that builds to a stunning crescendo, and it’s almost impossible not to move to “Siege,” a mash-up of heavy, kinetic rhythms and bubbly, percolating 8-bit electronic sounds. The first video, for the track “Lobster Roll,” is a colourful and bombastic ode to the golden era of both arcade games and big band jazz.

Along with Lord’s own spellbinding 8-string bass, the album features a roster of high octane musicianship, including drummer Jamie Perkins (from the Billboard chart-topping group The Pretty Reckless) and keyboardist Duncan Watt (composer for “League of Legends”), with cameos by Ed Jurdi (Band of Heathens, Trigger Hippy), and Andy Happel (Thanks To Gravity).

“I’m a composer and performer by design, and a producer and music executive by accident,” says Lord, “but at the core of it all is my constant urge to expand the definition of creativity, of being an artist, of being a producer, of being a musician.”

After a career that has racked nearly 1,000 recording and production credits, Playland Arcade is Bob Lord’s first solo album, and unleashes the creativity of a long, rich career in the music industry. Three albums which he Executive Produced have been nominated for GRAMMY Awards in the last two years alone, and another album he Executive Produced held down the #1 position on the Billboard Classical charts in 2017.

Bob has crossed paths with many of the music world’s luminaries and has played a key role in the industry. In his storied career, he co-produced the double album Method Music by Lawrence Ball with Pete Townshend of The Who and also produced the music for Wild Symphony, the hit children’s illustrated book and orchestral suite by Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code. In 2015, he was named one of Musical American’s “Key Influencers,” and with his band Dreadnaught, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, he has shared the stage with artists such as John Entwistle (The Who), Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel), NRBQ, Eddie Jobson (Roxy Music, Jethro Tull), and many more. Lord is the founder and CEO of PARMA Recordings, an international music production company specializing in classical, jazz, electronic, and world music.

Steve Marriner Makes The Move To Solo Artist with “Hope Dies Last” Out July 2

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Steve Marriner Makes The Move To Solo Artist with “Hope Dies Last” Out July 2

Ottawa, ON-based bluesman Steve Marriner is ushering a decidedly more roots-rock Americana sound to the forefront with the release of his new solo album, Hope Dies Last.

Crafted through COVID — and inspired by years on the road, and back — the 10-track full-length is available this July 2 via Stony Plain Records. It explores not only an evolving sound for the ever-busy artist, but an ever-expanding skill set as well.

“I like to be on the move,” Marriner shares, who took on engineering the project. “To me, standing still feels the same as walking backwards; not only is it a survival mechanism, but it truly is my passion to have my hands in so many different projects. There’s just so much to learn, and it’s that learning that sustains me as an artist.

“I had decided a couple of weeks into the pandemic that I would use my new-found downtime to learn how to engineer and mix recordings,” he continues. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to know how to do; I’d been producing records and doing session work for a bunch of artists, and I’ve sat beside some incredible engineers in my career… Turns out, I absorbed a ton of what I was witnessing.”

A multi-award winning and esteemed solo artist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer in his own right, Hope Dies Last is Marriner’s second solo release; Going Up was released in 2007.

In addition, he has performed extensively with the likes of Colin James, Paul Reddick, Samantha Martin, Delta Sugar, Lee Holmes, and more, is one-half of Manx Marriner Mainline with Harry Manx, and one-third of the JUNO and Maple Blues Award-winning trio MonkeyJunk.

“Hope Dies Last is different from a MonkeyJunk record in a multitude of ways,” Marriner reveals. “On MonkeyJunk records, the sounds are created largely by Matt Sobb, Tony D., and myself. On Hope Dies Last, there are 15 other musicians who have lent their extraordinary talents to the creation of this project.

“Throughout the summer, Jimmy Bowskill and I did a ton of sonic experimenting; tinkering; listening,” he continues, noting the multi-awarded blues-rocker, lead guitarist for The Sheepdogs, and recording engineer at Ganaraska Recording Company. “Stylistically, I’m exploring some territory closer to Americana that I haven’t visited yet.

“There’s lots of rocking on this release, but there are some pretty tender moments as well; it felt good to get low.”

Melissa Etheridge Announces The Release Of  “One Way Out”

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Melissa Etheridge Announces The Release Of  “One Way Out”

Award-winning singer, songwriter and activist Melissa Etheridge announces the release of “One Way Out,” the first single off her upcoming album of the same name coming this fall. Set for a May 25 release, “One Way Out” is part of a collection of music written by Etheridge in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s that never made the cut….until now. The single is one of nine tracks that will be featured on the full length album – One Way Out ¬– to be released on September 17, 2021.

Etheridge stumbled upon these decades old songs/demos years ago while gathering materials for a retrospective box set. As she went through the songs, it brought her back to the start of her career and how they just weren’t right for that particular time or album. Some of the tracks were written before she had even come out and never felt comfortable releasing them, but knew they would be perfect for the box set. In 2013, the singer found herself back at Henson Studios in Los Angeles with her original band (Fritz Lewak, John Shanks, Kevin McCormick) and would give these songs a new life. Shortly after she finished the records, she would part ways with her label and the box set was shelved. Melissa would begin working on new material and once again, those songs were set aside. That is, until 2020 when she was sorting through old files to share with fans on Etheridge TV’s “Friday Night Time Machine” show. The time was finally right. Fans will finally get a deeper glimpse to who Melissa was then, when she releases One Way Out this fall. Check out the tracklisting below which includes two songs recorded live at the Roxy in Los Angeles in 2002!

Fans will get also get to hear the song live when Melissa performs from the Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Downtown LA for her “One Way Out….Of The Garage” concert special. The concert will stream LIVE on May 29 so consider this event part single release party and part Birthday celebration! Tickets are on-sale now, with a limited amount of in-person seats available.

Etheridge has also confirmed a U.S. tour in support of the new album which will include both new dates and rescheduled dates from 2020. All tour dates are listed below and tickets for all shows are available now.

ONE WAY OUT TRACKLISTING
One Way Out
As Cool As You Try
I’m No Angel Myself
For The Last Time
Save Myself
That Would Be Me
Wild Wild Wild
You Have No Idea (Live)*
Life Goes On (Live)*

*Recorded at the Roxy in Los Angeles in 2002

2021 TOUR DATES
May 29 – Theatre at the Ace Hotel – Los Angeles, CA
August 7 – Sandy Amphitheater – Sandy UT
August 8 – Belly Up – Aspen, CO
August 11 – Dillon Amphitheater – Dillon, CO
August 14 – Hollad Center Outdoors – Omaha, NE
August 15 – Cotillion Ballroom – Whichita, KS
August 17 – Carson Center – Paducah, KY
August 22 – Tennesse Theatre – Knoxville, TN
August 25 – After Hours Concert at Meadow Event Park – Doswell, VA
August 28 – Freeman Stage at Bayside – Selbyville, DE
August 31 – State Theatre – Portland, ME
September 1 – Music Hall – Portsmouth, NH
September 2 – Egg Center for Performing Arts – Albany, NY
September 4 – Ocean Casino Resort – Atlantic City, NJ
September 5 – Garde Arts Center – New London, CT
September 6 – Indian Ranch – Webster, MA
September 20 – Harvester Performance Center – Rocky Mount, VA
September 25 – Camp Leavenworth, Leavenworth, KS
October 1 – Epic Event Center – Ashwaubenon, WI
October 3 – Genesee Theatre – Waukegan, IL
October 5 – Brown County Music Center – Nashville, IN
October 8 – Four Winds Casino – New Buffalo, MI
October 10 – Walton Arts Center – Fayetteville, AR
October 12 – Tulsa Theater – Tulsa, OK
October 13 – Tobin Center for the Performing Arts – San Antonio, TX
October 15 – Billy Bob’s Texas – Fort Worth, TX
October 16 – Golden Nugget – Lake Charles, LA
October 22 – Bergen Performing Arts Center – Englewood, NJ
October 23 – Event Center at Hollywood Casino – Charles Town, WV
October 24 – Paramount Theatre – Asbury Park, NJ
November 1 – Warner Theatre – Torrington, CT
November 3 – Paramount Theater – Huntington, NY
November 5 – Santander Performing Arts Center – Reading, PA
November 9 – Ruth Eckerd Hall – Clearwater, FL
November 10 – Thrasher-Horne Center – Orange Park, FL

War Launches A 50th Anniversary Celebration

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War Launches A 50th Anniversary Celebration

WAR burst onto the scene 50 years ago, capturing the heart and soul of America’s streets with its righteous, multi-cultural sound on hits like “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” “Low Rider” and “The Cisco Kid.” Avenue/Rhino is kicking off a year-long anniversary celebration that will begin with the introduction of a new colored-vinyl boxed set for Record Store Day and new 4K videos available via WAR’s YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/war.

Coming on the heels of the recently sold-out Greatest Hits album released during last year’s Record Store Day Black Friday event, Avenue/Rhino will showcase one of the group’s most-prolific periods with a new boxed set. The set includes five LPs pressed on color vinyl, including War (1971); All Day Music (1971); The World Is A Ghetto (1972); Deliver The Word (1973); and Why Can’t We Be Friends? (1975) and will be limited to 5,000 copies.  WAR – THE VINYL 1971-1975 will be released on July 17 exclusively for Record Store Day 2021 at participating retailers.

“Our music came from the street and the challenges that everyday people struggle with, says founding member Lonnie Jordan. “We expressed the pleasures and pains of those experiences which we are still confronting all these years later.”

The collection brings together some of WAR’s most-popular records, including its three consecutive #1 R&B albums: The World Is A Ghetto (Billboard’s best-selling album of 1973), Deliver The Word, and Why Can’t We Be Friends?”. To date, the group has earned 17 gold, platinum, or multi-platinum albums and is reaching new milestones across all digital streaming platforms.

The set also encompasses many of WAR’s biggest hits. Among the 35 tracks are gold-certified singles like “Slipping Into Darkness,” “The World Is A Ghetto,” and “The Cisco Kid.” Another gold single – “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” – stayed on the charts for 31 weeks and became the soundtrack to the US-Soviet space mission in which astronauts and cosmonauts linked up in the spirit of friendship. It has now been streamed more than 100 million times. Also included in the set is the #1 R&B smash “Low Rider,” which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014.

WAR Producer Jerry Goldstein states, “Making these records was like one big street party.  Everyone was invited and brought something different musically. Editing these sometimes 20 minute jams into records was a struggle but well worth the labor.”

As part of the anniversary festivities, WAR has debuted two new 4K high-definition versions of their classic music videos on their YouTube channel for “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” and “Low Rider.” The restored innovative videos which pre-date the MTV era capture the band’s roots and spirit.  “Low Rider” features Southern California’s unique and cherished car culture while “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” displays WAR’s good-humored commentary on serious social issues.

For more than decade, WAR’s exhilarating sound spoke to millions of Americans about the troubled times of Vietnam, Watergate, racial strife, and the tensions of the inner cities. The actively touring band is celebrating it 50th anniversary in 2021 with a legacy that is still growing as its music inspires a new generation with a revolutionary sound that continues to transcend shifting tastes and styles. WAR will continue the celebration with a series of vinyl releases to be announced later this year, and content will continue to expand in the coming months.

GIVE ME FIVE! THE WAR ALBUMS (1971-1975)
LP Track Listing:

War (1971)
Side One
1.“Sun Oh Son”
2.“Lonely Feelin”
3.“Back Home”

Side Two
1.“War Drums”
2.“Vibeka”
3.“Fidel’s Fantasy”

All Day Music (1971)
Side One
1.“All Day Music”
2.“Get Down”
3.“That’s What Love Will Do”
4.“There Must Be A Reason”

Side Two
1.“Nappy Head” (Theme From “Ghetto Man”)
2.“Slippin’ Into Darkness”
3.“Baby Brother”

The World Is A Ghetto (1972)
Side One
1.“The Cisco Kid”
2.“Where Was You At”
3.“City, Country, City”

Side Two
1.“Four Cornered Room”
2.“The World Is A Ghetto”
3.“Beetles In The Bog”

Deliver The Word (1973)
Side One
1.“H2 Overture”
2.“In Your Eyes”
3.“Gypsy Man”

Side Two
1.“Me And Baby Brother”
2.“Deliver The Word”
3.“Southern Part Of Texas”
4.“Blisters”

Why Can’t We Be Friends (1975)
Side One
1.“Don’t Let No One Get You Down”
2.“Lotus Blossom”
3.“Heartbeat”
4.“Leroy’s Latin Lament” (Medley)
a.“Lonnie Dreams”
b.“The Way We Feel”
c.“La Fiesta”
d.“Lament”

Side Two
1.“Smile Happy”
2.“So”
3.“Low Rider”
4.“In Mazatlan”
“Why Can’t We Be Friends?”

Unison Fund Announces Million Dollar Campaign With Amazon Music, Nickelback, Eleanor McCain, The Tragically Hip

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Unison Fund Announces Million Dollar Campaign With Amazon Music, Nickelback, Eleanor McCain, The Tragically Hip

Today, The Unison Fund – Canada’s music industry charity, providing counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community – announced the launch 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. Several major artists and industry organizations including Amazon Music, Nickelback, Eleanor McCain, The Tragically Hip and more have rallied to support the music community here at home with generous financial donations that will go towards the campaign’s goal of raising $1,000,000.

“It’s inspiring to see our music community come together to support and lift up our peers during this difficult time,” said Amanda Power, Executive Director, The Unison Fund. “While the donations raised will significantly help, much more is needed. We encourage those who have the means to support this charitable effort so that all music people affected by this crisis can receive the financial assistance they need.”

#BandTogetherInUnison will serve to amplify The Unison Fund’s efforts and focus on helping those most in need, both as an awareness campaign and as a call to action for further donations to assist with the demand and urgency for support of the Canadian music industry during this difficult time.

Since the start of the pandemic 12 months ago, The Unison Fund has dispersed $2.3M+ in funds through financial assistance alone reaching over 2,200+ vulnerable music and entertainment people and their families in need – a 3,021% increase in emergency financial assistance applications in 2020 alone and the demand for The Unison Fund’s counselling services continue to rise. In 2020, The Unison Fund saw a 208% increase in crises intervention counselling cases and a 142% increase in general counselling cases. “THIS IS CRITICAL,” shares Power. “It is more important than ever to collectively come together to ensure that The Unison Fund can continue to help where they are needed most.”

The Unison Fund, Canada’s music industry charity, provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community in times of hardship or difficulties. For over a decade, Unison has been committed to helping producers, engineers, singers/songwriters, musicians, production crews, and thousands more through our financial assistance and counselling and health solutions programs. For more information, please visit: www.unisonfund.ca. If you can, PLEASE make a donation by visiting www.unisonfund.ca today. Every donation counts. Every donation helps. Let’s keep Canadian music and entertainment ALIVE.

on Volt Continue To Inspire And Challenge On ELECTRO MELODIER Out July 30

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on Volt Continue To Inspire And Challenge On ELECTRO MELODIER Out July 30

Son Volt, one of the most influential bands of their generation, has announced the July 30th release of their tenth studio album, Electro Melodier (Transmit Sound/Thirty Tigers). The title, taken from the names of two vintage amplifiers from the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, also describes the album’s unique blend of folk, country, blues, soul and rock.

The follow-up to 2019’s acclaimed release Union, Electro Melodier finds band founder Jay Farrar’s unparalleled songwriting as poignant and intelligent as ever. Electro Melodier touches on the thought-provoking issues that impact us all, including the pandemic, love, and the inevitable passing of time. The current political divide makes its appearance on the album as well. “I wanted to concentrate on the melodies which got me into music in the first place,” says Farrar. “I wanted politics to take a back seat this time, but it always seems to find a way back in there.”

“Livin’ in the USA” echoes protest songs of old, highlighting both the breakdown of our culture and planet. “Share a little truth with your neighbor down the block, We’ve all got fossil fuel lungs while we run out the clock,” Farrar sings. “The Globe” reverberates with the tensions that arise with the fight for equality. “People climbing skyward stairs, Deciders of their fate, You can see it everywhere, Change is in the air…” The sentimental “Diamonds and Cigarettes,” featuring vocals by country singer Laura Cantrell, lovingly pays homage to his wife, while “Lucky Ones” is a weary tale of gratitude.

Electro Melodier features band members Mark Spencer (piano, organ, acoustic slide, lap steel, backing vocals) Andrew DuPlantis (bass, backing vocals), Chris Frame (guitar) Mark Patterson (drums, percussion). Son Volt will take Electro Melodier on the road with select tour date in summer and fall.

Farrar started Son Volt in 1994 after leaving the seminal group Uncle Tupelo, whose No Depression album helped define the alt-country and Americana genre. Son Volt’s debut Trace was heavily lauded and remains a defining document of the ’90s alt-country movement. Two decades later, the group continue to decidedly capture the times while breaking new musical ground on Electro Melodier.

SON VOLT TOUR DATES
8/7 – Open Highway Music Festival – St. Louis
8/20 – Fitzgerald’s – Berwyn, IL
9/9 – George’s Majestic – Fayetteville, AR
9/10 – Diamondhead Music Fest – Tahlequah, OK
9/11 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, KS – MO
9/18 – Ludlow Garage – Cincinnati, OH
9/19 – Headliners – Louisville, KY
9/23 – Visulite – Charlotte, NC
9/24 – Haw River Ballroom – Saxapahaw, NC
9/26 – Graceland Guest House Theater – Memphis, TN

The Tragically Hip set to perform with Feist at The 50th Annual JUNO Awards on CBC

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The Tragically Hip set to perform with Feist at The 50th Annual JUNO Awards on CBC

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that 15-time JUNO Award-winning band and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees, The Tragically Hip, will perform with singer-songwriter, Feist during The 50th Annual JUNO Awards. The performance from Toronto will be broadcast on Sunday, June 6, 2021 airing nationwide at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBC TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music and streaming globally on CBCmusic.ca/junos.

“We’re really happy to be performing on The 50th Annual JUNO Awards,” said the band. “We’ve known Leslie Feist for over 20 years, having toured together in 1999. We are all huge fans and Gord loved her. It’s an honour to be able to play one of our songs with her. It’s been such a difficult year for our fellow musicians, we wanted to do something to honour them in a way that would make Gord smile.”

“I had a chance to tour with The Hip early on in my touring life, for something like a year,” said Feist. “Getting to be a fly on the wall of a camp that operated with such warmth and community by day, and then watch them transform and transcend every night to touch so many people was my first big education. I was a kid in their midst and I’m touched to be invited into the clan now, to play alongside them. The only way I’m making any sense of it is to imagine I’ll be singing backups for Gord, and know my 20-year-old self wouldn’t believe it. Like the rest of Canada, I’ll be so happy to hear these kings of song play again, and am very honoured to join them as they receive their Humanitarian Award.”

The Tragically Hip are also set to receive the 2021 Humanitarian Award Presented by Music Canada, which will be presented to them by Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees and rock icons, Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush. The Humanitarian Award recognizes outstanding Canadian artists or industry leaders whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada and beyond.

The band’s philanthropic pursuits have left a lasting impact on the lives of many across the globe through their help in raising and donating millions of dollars for various social and environmental causes including Camp Trillium, The Canadian Cancer Society, the Sunnybrook Foundation, the Special Olympics and more.

Jason Isbell Now Has His Own Signature Telecaster

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Jason Isbell Now Has His Own Signature Telecaster
Fender Musical ­­Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today released the Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster, marking Isbell’s first collaboration with the iconic guitar brand as part of its Artist Signature Series. The four-time Grammy award winning singer-songwriter worked closely with Fender on the design, ensuring his signature Telecaster came equipped with all of the same modifications – even his known Road Worn® markings – that the Americana guitarist has sought out for touring and recording throughout the years.
“This collaboration with Fender is huge for me. I’ve owned and played Fender guitars since I was 12 years old and I consider their instruments to be a big part of my musical journey,” said Jason Isbell. “I wanted to create a road-worn version of my go-to Telecaster guitar because you can enjoy the instrument without worrying so much about scratching it up! When I was a kid and got my brand-new Fender [guitar] for Christmas, just holding the thing terrified me until it had a few dings and scratches on it. Then I felt more comfortable with it.”
Known for his impressive guitar chops, incisive lyrics and powerful voice, Jason Isbell has emerged as a leading face of the Americana movement – a dynamic blend of traditional roots music and modern rock. His collaboration with Fender aims to provide fans with the same songwriting and playing tool that has led him to pioneer this intersection and define an entire genre of music. Mentored by the legendary late John Prine, Isbell’s highly sought-after sound was used to inspire Bradley Cooper’s character in A Star Is Born, and he’s lent his talents to groups like Drive-By Truckers and The 400 Unit in addition to his prolific solo career.
“Jason Isbell writes and plays music for the soul of America, blending the sounds that have defined country music for decades with his unique genre-bending take on soul, blues and rock,” said Justin Norvell, EVP Fender Products. “We worked closely with Jason to recreate the ultimate road-worn version of his custom Telecaster for fans looking to emulate his celebrated, award-winning sound. This design is actually a combination of his favorite Tele guitars he’s played throughout his career, this one being the best yet. The result is a gorgeous, vintage-inspired instrument, with a double-bound ‘59-style Telecaster custom body, 21- fret rosewood fingerboard and modifications throughout, including Jason Isbell pickups designed specifically to emulate his sound.”
The Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster is visually striking – the Chocolate Sunburst pops against the cream double-binding of the ‘59-style Telecaster Custom body while Fender’s Road Worn aging process gives it the look and feel of a well-used instrument. The vintage-inspired mid-’60s “C”-shaped maple neck and 21-fret rosewood fingerboard combine with the sparkling, fiery tones of the custom Jason Isbell Telecaster guitar Pickups, designed by in-house Fender tone guru Tim Shaw. The chicken-pickin’ playability of the modified bridge creates a guitar that has an elegant vintage style to match its stunning classic tone.
Isbell adds, “I chose this guitar to re-create because I’ve put it to the test and it’s really proven itself. I love the look, the sound and the playability of my custom Telecaster. It truly stays in tune and I can’t wait for guitarists everywhere to give it a try.”
In addition to the launch of Isbell’s signature Telecaster, six of his hit songs have joined Fender Play, the complete learning app for guitar, bass and ukulele. Fans around the world can start their musical journey and play their very own Jason Isbell Custom Telecaster while learning his songs, including If It Takes A Lifetime, Overseas, If We Were Vampires, Hope the High Road, Last of My Kind and 24 Frames. 
In true tradition, the Fender Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists. From Drive-By Truckers and The 400 Unit to his GRAMMY-winning solo work, Jason Isbell has emerged as a leading voice in the Americana movement. Learn more about Fender’s first ever collaboration with Jason Isbell as he talks songwriting and his Signature Telecaster.
Fender also highlights Isbell’s new signature model in an episode of Fender’s serialized social video series, Fender Demos. Fender Demos is an educational video series focused on providing a deep dive into Fender’s newest products showcasing not only the key features and benefits but also the sonic quality of Fender’s instruments, amplifiers and pedals. In addition to product demos, the series also provides valuable beginner, intermediate and advanced tone tips, set-up and maintenance guides and insights to getting the most out of your Fender gear.

Powered Up West Coast Outfit THE GARRETT BAND Issues “The Warning”

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Powered Up West Coast Outfit THE GARRETT BAND Issues “The Warning”

Consider yourself on high alert in the most melodic way possible. Vancouver-based progressive rock quartet The Garrett Band have a hard rockin’ heads up for everyone with their new single “The Warning.”

Arriving directly on the heels of their current top ten Cashbox Radio Top 20 Pick Hit, “Systematic”, “The Warning” is the sonic harbinger for the band’s upcoming fourth album due out on Canada Day. With commanding, staccato strings interwoven with powerful lead guitar and kick drum strikes supporting lead vocalist/songwriter Sean Garrett’s soaring voice, the song pulls no punches about some big pitfalls.

“The Warning is about addiction, self destruction and a change that needs to be made before it is too late,” the band asserts.

You never had no faith, You always crossed the warning sign

The Garrett Band’s members are accomplished with a capital ‘eh’. Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sean Garrett and lead guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Brian Jones have created music together for over 30 years in the Lower Mainland. Bassist Gary Koenig has performed with a who’s who of Canadian blues legends such as Big Dave McLean and Dutch Mason and drummer Mike “Machine” Mallais has the distinction of being named Maritime World’s Fastest Drummer, along with endorsements from esteemed percussion companies such as Yamaha and Sabian.

The group’s fourth album and the first under their new, all-inclusive moniker is set to hit the digital streets on July 1, earlier than originally anticipated but with a newfound, do-it-yourself sense of pride. Due to COVID-19, the band’s 2020 tour dates in Canada and Sweden were cancelled, so they pivoted to streaming performances, writing and recording demos for the new album.

“We had demoed 30 songs and had a producer interested, but with travel restrictions, we weren’t able to go to Québec to record,” explains the band. “We decided to record at our own studio instead and the results are turning out great.”

With decades of live performing experience between them, this is a band that bursts with fine-tuned prowess on stage. Consequently, they can’t wait to get back out there and rock international audiences again once it’s safe to do so. “The love of music and what we do is always the motivation” according to The Garrett Band, and now, they’ll have an all-new set of rock anthems to unleash on the crowds.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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