Inspired by Winnipeg’s empty streets and the nation’s collective concern for COVID-19, Canadian modern rock outfit D2UR channelled their straight-to-the-point songwriting into this, their newest single ‘Slippin’ Away.”
Co-fronts Diane Isbister and Mike Isbister — plus Dave Sikorski-Thorn, John Colburn, and Stephen Broadhurst — continue to bring their signature rhythms to the forefront in the riff-filled rock piece and serve “Slippin’ Away” as the latest in their library of recently released tracks.
“Upon returning from a well-deserved break in Palm Springs in March, COVID-19 hit Canada hard and restrictions were put in place,” Diane recalls. “Self-isolation for two busy people was going to be a challenge if we didn’t find ways to entertain ourselves!”
“Like others, the city of Winnipeg was a ghost town with very little traffic and lots of fear,” Mike adds. “It did not take long for us to pull out our guitars and begin to run through ideas for new songs.”
The basis for “Slippin’ Away” in particular was born from a cool little lick Diane started strumming; from there, some embellishment in the studio — plus input from bandmates sharing their parts via Google Drive, and input from producer Murray Pulver — brings us to today’s release and what we hear now.
“A surprising addition came about with Murray suggesting a gang backing vocals approach,” the pair share. “It really enhanced the song and truly catches the essence of the tragedy the world has gone through during the pandemic.”
“Slippin’ Away” is the latest single to come from the Winnipeg-based rockers; earlier this year also saw the release of “Little Sunshine.”
Following their 2013 debut release Rev U Up, D2UR took a Top 25 spot in the 2014 CBC Searchlight competition, and a Top 10 finish in 2015; their single “Losing Control” earned 15th place in the CJIM Montreal Independent Rock Countdown in 2016. The band launched their sophomore offering, Tic Toc, in 2017.
2019 also included the release of singles “Wild Ride” and “Where’s the Rocket.”
Ahead of her virtual holiday party this December 13th, ECMA Award winning singer-songwriter Christina Martin has released her newest holiday single, “Kisses for Christmas.”
Following her 2018 hit holiday tune, “This Christmas” — which has 750,000 streams on Spotify alone, and includes features from Dale Murray and Jordi Comstock, as well as a video by Seela Misra — “Kisses for Christmas” speaks to the simple joys of the season: spending time with the people we love.
“Who remembers all the presents they got growing up?” Martin asks. “Maybe it was that Playmobil mansion, or a first electric guitar, or a prized stuffed animal or G.I. Joe…
“But then there was probably a lot of other ‘stuff’ that just went to waste.
“It is the most thoughtful and heartfelt gestures that stay with us,” she continues. “It’s the company and laughs, the festive traditions of trees bursting with lights and tinsel, the scents of cinnamon and pine candles, the music and fireside hangs that make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.”
Martin’s focus on simplicity is apt as the world adapts to finding new ways to celebrate holidays this year. “We’re all trying to hold onto the traditions that are the most meaningful and comforting for us,” she says. “Let’s keep it simple this year and focus on what matters.”
In such, Christina Martin and Dale Murray are bringing cheer to audiences this season from the comfort of their home in Nova Scotia with The Martin & Murray Virtual Holiday Party this December 13th.
“We’re preparing some of our favourite holiday covers for this 60+ minute online event,” she shares. “Cozy up with your favourite holiday snacks and socks, and bring your friends and family together virtually — or in-person within your bubble — to watch.
“We’re looking forward to connecting with all of you and exchanging holiday traditions!”
Tickets for The Martin & Murray Virtual Holiday Party are $10, or included in some Patreon tiers.
Music is the pill for every disease and the power that helps get through tough times, restore energy, and boost creativity. After an exhaustive day in a college, it seems like nothing can help you reach an emotional balance. You just need to go back to your room, close the door, turn on your favorite song, close your eyes, and feel how the sound gives you chills.
Did you know that music eases the writing process too? Famous writers, including Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, used to listen to music while working on some of their novels. Metallica, the Beatles, jazz and blues bands are the background for wonderful books that these talented authors gave us.
As a student, you can buy papers from a college essay writing service, but you can also choose another way and try to cope with an assignment on your own. Keep reading our article to find out how music can help you write excellent academic papers and what to listen to while studying.
Why Should You Listen to Music While Writing?
Music can influence your emotions, change your worldview, and help you understand life at a deeper level. Besides, it eases the studying process because your favorite playlist can help you create something like a personal bulb and focus on a subject. So, here are a few reasons why you should press “Play” whenever you have to write an essay:
1. Music helps you shape your writing style
Haruki Murakami started as a jazz bar owner, and he didn’t even think of writing a novel until he turned 29. But suddenly, the idea of writing a book crossed his mind, and he couldn’t let it go. He didn’t have a teacher who could explain to him even basic rules or secrets on writing, but he had a passion for music since he was a child. Murakami wondered whether it’s possible to transfer the melody into the world of words. It was the beginning of his writing career, and music was and still is its integral part. Music ultimately helped Haruki Murakami shape his style.
So, how can music help you form your writing style? According to Murakami, music and text have much in common, including rhythm, composition, harmony, improvisation, and culmination. If you choose the right playlist, you’ll notice how your text flow changes soon. Murakami adores jazz, so you can experiment and choose this music for writing. Chances are, jazz will help you structure your papers better, improve the arrangement of words, and form your writing style.
2. Music inspires you
When writing an essay, you have to focus on a subject and dive into the world of the topic. However, it’s sometimes hard to complete this mission because students don’t have much time to dedicate to one task. They have to cope with a few assignments at a time, while professors expect to get flawless papers.
If you are stuck and you can’t even start writing an essay, you’ll benefit from listening to your favorite music. The right playlist will inspire you and even help you find new ideas. If you like to listen to music with lyrics, you should pay attention to the words. You can rewrite some catchy phrases to make them relevant to your topic.
3. Music helps you focus
The inability to focus can be caused by different factors, including noisy roommates, academic pressure, a large number of other tasks, and sleepless nights. The right playlist can help you relax, reduce anxiety, and create a favorable atmosphere for writing. Many students prefer to listen to music without lyrics, but it’s Ok if you choose the background with words. It’s important to comfort yourself. Besides, it’s better to pick songs you already know because new tracks will draw your attention away from writing, and you’ll focus on music more than on your topic. You should also experiment with the volume of sound to find out which level works best for you.
4. Music can improve memory
So, how does music affect learning? Researches found out that music brings an effect similar to meditation. In other words, it helps relax the brain and focus on a subject without paying attention to negative triggers. Music improves the human ability to process and memorize information. That’s why you should create a playlist that will successfully get you through this academic year.
Bottom Line
Music is the most wonderful thing humanity has ever invented. It not only brings us aesthetic delight but also helps us improve writing, awaken the inner Muse, focus on a subject, and enhance memory. So, if you have to write an essay, don’t forget to choose the best music for creativity.
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Amanda Dudley is passionate about teaching and writing. She got a Pg.D. in History at Stanford University in 2001. Amanda always strived to teach and help students, and that’s why she decided to become a lecturer at the university. She also works as an essay writer at EssayUSA to share her experience in the field and spread her knowledge.
Any man will come to a point where he needs a good starter watch. A starter watch is the first good watch for any person, be it in mechanical or quartz movement. This watch is the watch they’ll treasure forever, and it will hold quite the emotional value for them. Statistics show that most men will have a starter watch at the age of 15 to 16.
If you have a son or a daughter, for that matter, who you want to share your passion for watches with, or you want to have a great watch, we’ve collated the best starter watch from cheap watch brands in this article. With these brands, you don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars to get a beautiful timepiece.Speaking of cheap brands, if you’re looking for an affordable watch that is solar-powered and easy to maintain, then Citizen Eco Drive watch might be your best bet. It’s a men’s watch that can be just as easily worn as a functional diver watch as it can as a dress watch for a formal party.
Timex
Timex has been around the industry for quite some time, and they have never come out with a watch that did not impress. You can get an automatic movement from the brand in less than $300, but the quartz chronograph option is a better alternative if we’re going to be honest. You’ll need to decide first if you want your kid to have a mechanical or quartz watch, in this instance.
But when you do decide, a classic Timex piece should do the job. The Waterbury Traditional is a great-looking watch to start. It has the simplicity of an analog watch paired with the bells and whistles of a chronograph. It feels substantial on the wrist as well, and that will put more weight on your child’s mind. No wonder it’s constantly voted as one of the best wrist watch brands.
Seiko
Never heard of Seiko? Well, you’re in for luck. Seiko is a Japanese watch brand that revolutionized the industry by introducing the quartz movement. Since then, the movement took off, and it’s the most profitable watch movement in the world today. What most people fail to realize though, is that Seiko produces great automatic watches too.
And they do great mechanical watches with automatic movement. If you want the feel and look of a Rolex with the detail and attention that only the Japanese can do, knock yourself out with a 5 Sports watch from the brand. The line is stylish, cosmopolitan, and most importantly, accessible. For no more than $250, you can get your child his starter mechanical watch.
Apple
Apple is not a watch company per se, but with its smartwatch series, the company has placed itself in a position that all the other smartwatch companies are envious of. The Apple Watch Series 5 is as good a smartwatch can get. It starts at around $300, and best believe you’re getting a ton of features for it.
If your kid has an iPhone, it’s a no-brainer that you get him an Apple Watch. They’ll probably recognize it from the get-go, so you’ll earn Daddy or Mommy points for it. It’s trendy, for sure, but the insides and make of it are worth its price. Trust us when we say, this watch is the safest bet when you want to see your kid truly light up.
Casio
Another Japanese watch company that produces quality watches without the astronomical pricing, Casio has been the stalwart of digital watches since the concept took off. Today, Casio is known for its G-Shock line of rugged watches. A G-shock or a Baby G may be the perfect starter watch for your kid – it’s ostentatious enough for them to humblebrag it, but also tough enough for daily wear and tear.
Takeaway
A starter watch needs to have enough emotional weight to be treasured. For parents, you don’t need to buy your kids luxury mechanical watches as they probably won’t appreciate the value of it when they’re still that young. Get them one of these recommendations instead, and you’re good to go.
As many of you know, Adam Savage wears a hearing aid (like me!) In this Ask Adam, he answers Tested Patron Joe Niedbala’s question: “As someone who has been forthcoming about your own hearing-related issues, why do you think that more attention has not been given to this topic, both from a preventative and a treatment perspective? So many people refuse to acknowledge they have a problem. Hearing aids are marketed to primarily the elderly, making hearing loss seem an age-related issue and a shameful sign of frailty, rather than something that can affect anyone in our loud, industrial world.”
Starting today, you can hum, whistle, or sing a melody to Google to solve your earworm. On your mobile device, open the latest version of the Google app or find your Google Search widget, tap the mic icon and say “what’s this song?” or click the “Search a song” button. Then start humming for 10-15 seconds. …After you’re finished humming, our machine learning algorithm helps identify potential song matches. And don’t worry, you don’t need perfect pitch to use this feature. We’ll show you the most likely options based on the tune.
When you hum a melody into Search, our machine learning models transform the audio into a number-based sequence representing the song’s melody. Our models are trained to identify songs based on a variety of sources, including humans singing, whistling or humming, as well as studio recordings. The algorithms also take away all the other details, like accompanying instruments and the voice’s timbre and tone. What we’re left with is the song’s number-based sequence, or the fingerprint.
Just when you thought this year couldn’t have any more plot twists, it’s time to get another taste of award-winning Platinum-selling Canadian rockers, Universal Honey.
A double, in fact.
First up, co-fronts Johnny Sinclair and Leslie Stanwyck have their brand new EP, UH EP 2020, including lead single “Rolling Back Time” — PLUS a rollickin’ re-release of their holiday classic, Can’t Stop Thinking About Christmas.
It’s a holiday season throwback for the ages: Some 15+ years after its initial independent release, Can’t Stop Thinking About Christmas is officially and for the first time available on digital streaming platforms.
While paying homage to holiday classics like “Three Ships” — featuring Gerard Popma (Sin City Boys) and Clayton Denwood — the extended re-release includes some first-ever takes on a trio of yuletide classics, including “Little Drummer Boy,” “White Christmas,” and “Winter Wonderland.”
The album’s title track “Can’t Stop Thinking About Christmas” also got a second look with an all-new radio edit. “This song’s claim to fame is that it’s an acapella song, and it’s the only acapella song we’ve ever written and produced,” Sinclair says. “We didn’t know it was going to be all-vocals at first, but when Leslie started singing the bass line, we thought ‘let’s do this one with just voice.’”
“This album was produced during an especially creative period in our career,” Stanwyck recalls. “We had gathered in our home studio during a heatwave in July, of all times, to co-write some original holiday rock tunes.
“We wanted them to reflect our own power pop backgrounds while capturing Johnny’s distinct lyrical takes on the Christmas season. We were going for an uplifting and inspiring release; there’s a few heartfelt ballads, yes, but most of the songs are fun, funny, and engaging.”
“It was a hot summer and beautiful outside, and there we were inside conjuring up visions of sugar plums in our heads,” Sinclair adds. “But the album came about quickly once we got going…
“Seemingly, the hardest part was trying to find Egg Nog in the summer!”
“Writing Can’t Stop Thinking About Christmas was like writing songs for a play,” Stanwyck says. “We chose different subjects, which there are a lot of: Christmas shopping and the stress and rushing around for “The Celebration,’ or the sweetness of having your own Christmas tree and spending the time to dress it for ‘Little Christmas Tree.’
“We did not have a shortage of ideas to draw from!”
The release features the who’s-who of Canadian mainstays, including Kim Mitchell, Ron Sexsmith, Jim Cuddy, Tyler Stewart, Peter Timmins, and more. The success of the songs has endured: They continue to be regularly featured on holiday radio playlists, in films like The Road to Christmas and The Christmas Ornament, and rock n’ roll Hall of Fame-r Ronnie Spector liked the song “Best Christmas Ever,” she covered the song and named her 2010 holiday album after it.
“The number of artists that all came together to contribute to this album was amazing!” Stanwyck revels. “They each brought their own creativity to the process to make it special; for example, if you listen closely to Andy Maize’s vocals in the last chorus on ‘The Celebration,’ you can hear him say ‘enjoy me now’ instead of ‘join me now’ — he loved that turn-around of words, and he did such a great job singing that song.
“Another highlight for me is Ron Sexsmith’s singing on ‘Little Christmas Tree,’” she continues. “His voice is so comforting and the song is so sweet — it was a perfect combination.”
“The drums were recorded in Brampton at Mark Robinson’s Knobman Studios,” Sinclair details. “Mark is also the goalie on my hockey team, the Morningstars, along with other artists on the album like Stephen Stanley and Dave Bidini.
“Actually, the whole album is full of recreational hockey players who have played with or against me — Tyler Stewart, Jim Cuddy, Clayton Denwood, Darrin Pfeiffer…
“It’s a little bit of a Toronto musician Christmas Party.”
Re-energized by global events and sparked with a creative burst, Universal Honey are out with UH EP 2020 — a six-track album with their first new material in over a decade.
In it, the couple’s trademark melodic power-pop prowess is on full display — first and most notably on lead single, “Rolling Back Time.”
“It feels very ‘of the moment,’” Stanwyck offers of the song’s inspiration. “With all the uncertainties and questions of ‘today,’ it reminds us to keep moving forward and not become complacent or accepting of those energies that fear change.”
“It’s about looking forward and not getting caught in the trappings of past ideals,” Sinclair adds.
Joined on the recordings by fellow Canadian rock veterans Kurt Schefter (guitarist, Alannah Myles) and Don Kerr (drummer, Ron Sexsmith, Rheostatics), UH EP 2020 delivers the same distinct ear candy concoction Universal Honey has long been heralded for.
With seven albums and hundreds of tracks to their credit, UH EP 2020 marks the award-winning Platinum-selling artist’s first new release in over 15 years.
“After time away, we’ve always been asked if we’ll be doing another Universal Honey project, “ Sinclair shares. “It’s nice to find out we still have fans interested in our music.
“Our time away was spent being parents and raising our son — who also has a very strong love of music. So picking up now, after such a long break, we hope this is the natural progression from where our last album, Vicious Circles, left off.”
“The spare time provided by the pandemic lockdown found us immersed in many projects,” Stanwyck adds. “It inspired us to pursue and release this EP.”
Such inspiration is one of many as of late: Recently the pair have established their own production house and label, Honeytunes, and are in the process of mining the archives to re-release their catalogue in digital streaming format — including their 1995 debut, Magic Basement and 1996’s Earth Moon Transit.
Multi-award winning soul and blues singer/songwriter Miss Emily is Live at The Isabel for her first-ever live album release.
An enthralling compilation of songs, stories, and captivating moments, Emily Fennell’s live LP is a sonic snapshot spanning two+ years of record-setting sold-out performances at one of Ontario’s most prestigious venues, the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.
Earlier this Fall, audiences heard their first preview of what was to come: single “The Sellout” soars thanks to Miss Emily’s signature breathtaking vocals and Rob Baker and Gord Sinclair’s stellar accompaniments — guitar and bass, respectively.
From there, Live at The Isabel mines Miss Emily’s most noted archives, documenting two extraordinary periods and cross-sections in her award-winning career, including 2014’s Rise and 2017’s In Between.
The backing band for Live at The Isabel is the same crew of road-tested musicians who supported her throughout 2019’s Maple Blues Award-winning festival circuit; guest appearances by Gord Sinclair and Rob Baker of The Tragically Hip, and CCMA-nominated artists Kelly Prescott and Chad Murphy add what Fennell dubs as “musical muscle” on many of the tracks.
“I’ve worked with many of these musicians for more than a decade and, when I’m on stage with them, it’s like easing back into your favourite armchair…
“Except,” she adds,” that armchair is an incredible group of talented musicians.”
Miss Emily has won 2019’s Maple Blues Female Artist of the Year, New Artist of the Year, and the Sapphire Video Award. A frequent favourite on festival and venue stages nationwide, KISS’ Gene Simmons describes her pipes as “the best we have ever heard in an unsigned artist!”
It’s all par for the course for the multi-talented artist; “being on stage is the most confident version of me,” Fennell shares. “Performing transports me to another place… A place best described as ‘Neverland.’”
While the live performances are where Miss Emily feels most fearless, her production credits — especially as they relate to Live at The Isabel — are striking in and of themselves. To set the scene, Fennell released her most recent album, In Between, in the Fall of 2017. For touring, she felt it “only made sense,” she recalls, to produce the shows herself.
The result was back-to-back sellout shows at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts — a benchmark that has yet to be equaled, and one that prompted a second set of sold-out shows at the same venue, six in total.
“They were thrilling to perform and, when I reviewed the recordings from each show recently, I realized they had the makings of a live album that could help those nights live on forever.”
Blind music producer and recording artist Mattmac has harnessed his melodic pop-trap beats and inspiring story, quickly establishing himself as ‘one to watch’ on the national scene with his debut album, 20/20.
At 180,000+ streams across platforms, Mattmac’s premiere release features poppy vocals combined with hard-hitting trap beats, and thoughtfully honest lyrics that give listeners a glimpse into the mind of a blind creative as he paints vivid sonic pictures of struggle, healing, celebrating love, family and life on the rez.
The eight-track album’s lead single “Paradise” has risen to become a popular song in the Canadian music circuit; garnering more than 50,000+ streams on Spotify, it hit Top 3 on the NCI FM Indigenous Music Countdown hosted by SiriusXM, and Top 50 on the Mediabase radio charts. With heavy local support from Virgin Radio Winnipeg, the song has become both a national and local sensation — including features with CBC Indigenous, CTV National News, Winnipeg Sun, and more.
Hailing from Garden Hill First Nation, Manitoba, Mattmac has been blind from birth.
Mattmac began to struggle with depression at a young age, and credits music for helping him cope; he grew up surrounded by music both on the radio and singing in his community’s gospel choir.
A fully self-taught artist, he first began to make beats and write songs when he was 13 years old, and later taught himself how to play piano and guitar. He also has impressive skills with beat production software and equipment, and attributes his creative competencies to the support of the Blind & Famous group — a USA based collective of blind music artists who collaborate and connect with one another through the internet.
Mattmac was first launched into the music scene in 2016 when N’we Jinan, a travelling music studio program, visited his community and invited him to collaborate on a project. Pulling inspiration from his personal story, they created a song and video titled “Help You See” that has been watched early 250,000 times on YouTube and Facebook. Through this experience, he connected with International artist Nelly Furtado, and performed alongside her at Indigenous Day Live and We Day Canada Day in 2017; they continue to work together.
Mattmac hopes to continue to use his platform to inspire others to know that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to.
Kellindo is best known as energetic side-man and collaborator to Janelle Monae, playing guitar on her four GRAMMY Award-nominated records and touring the world on some of the biggest stages — including the Oscars and GRAMMYs, and for everyone from David Letterman to Karl Largerfeld to The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama.
Not only is he currently putting the final touches to his epic rock-opera album debut, Shattered Rhapsody, but he can also be heard on Janelle’s new single, “Turntables.”
His musical story however, starts way before that…
Born from a gifted bloodline that includes James Brown band members Melvin and Maceo Parker, and the first black law professor at Columbia University — his father, Kellis Parker — Kellindo was just eight years old when he first picked up guitar.
Now, after over a decade of performing with geniuses like Prince and Stevie Wonder, he’s ready to strike out on his own with his own distinctive brand of soul inflected rock ’n’ roll.
A string of eclectic singles (including “When Flowers Could Dance,” which has been streamed over 125,000+ times) and the Summertime Remixes EP on Quickfix Recordings have led to this new release. “Long Gone” is a no-nonsense hook-and-riff driven rocker with a nice, big chorus and the kind of flashy fret work that made him stand out in the first place.
You will be humming it into your mask for days, and Kellindo will soon be a name with no need for associations.
