Antiquarian booksellers are part scholar, part detective and part businessperson, and their personalities and knowledge are as broad as the material they handle. They also play an underappreciated yet essential role in preserving history. THE BOOKSELLERS takes viewers inside their small but fascinating world, populated by an assortment of obsessives, intellects, eccentrics and dreamers. “The Booksellers” is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Grant Lawrence of The Smugglers and Lisa Marr of cub join Lookout Records virtual reunion
In the spirit of UNITY, togetherness, community, friendship, good times, and yes, nostalgia, Oceanside Productions announces the first in a monthly online live performance series for 2021 called LOOKOUT ZOOMOUT.
The reunions will bring together the singers and songwriters from Lookout Records, the iconic Berkeley, California pop-punk record label founded in 1987 by Larry Livermore and David Hayes. Until its demise in 2012, the label had one of the most recognizable logos in the world, and was most notable for bands like Green Day, Operation Ivy, the Donnas, the Mr. T Experience, and Screeching Weasel.
The Smugglers and cub were the label’s only Canadian artists.
“If your band was lucky enough to land on Lookout Records like ours did in the 1990s, it felt like winning the lottery”, states the Smugglers frontman Grant Lawrence, who will lead the conversation between performances. “It was an incredible community of artists, bands, and friends. It didn’t end well, but there were some amazing times and some really, really great records while it lasted.”
The first Lookout Zoomout will occur live on Sunday January 31 at noon PT / 3pm ET and promises to be an interactive experience with fans from around the world. Tickets are available now: https://sidedooraccess.com/shows/7neh5hsekDcH5hDgy3YI.
Featuring:
– Grant Lawrence from the Smugglers… the lead singer of the Vancouver garage rock ‘n’ roll band that was on Lookout from 1995-2005. “Selling the Sizzle”, the band’s highest selling record, was released on Mint Records in Canada and Lookout internationally in 1996.
– Lisa Marr from Cub … the front woman of the “cuddlecore” all-female sensations from Vancouver BC, Lisa sings with a smile in her voice and has always had an incredible knack for hooks. cub’s final album “Box of Hair” was released on Mint Records in Canada and Lookout internationally in 1996.
– Dr. Frank from the Mr. T Experience … arguably the architect of modern pop punk in sound and lyrics, Dr. Frank and his Berkeley-based band were on Lookout longer than any other artist.
– The Queers … over the course of 40 years, Joe Queer and his black leather jacket-clad band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire have released a string of popular bubblegum punk rock records, none better than “Don’t Back Down” on Lookout, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
– Jon Ginoli from Pansy Division … the lead singer of the first openly gay punk rock band on the planet.
– Raf Classic from The Crumbs … from Miami, Florida, the Crumbs were arguably one of the most underrated punk rock ‘n’ roll bands in Lookout’s entire catalogue.
Reggae Hall of Famer RUPERT (OJIJI) HARVEY Walks Memory Lane With “Old Friends” in New Video
Multi-award winning artist and Barrie, ON-based Rupert (Ojiji) Harvey takes a trip down memory lane, extending his arms to “Old Friends” in this, his new video.
As both a solo recording artist and the founder of legendary funk band, Crack Of Dawn, and world-renowned Reggae outfit, Messenjah, Harvey has been an iconic mainstay on the Canadian music scene for more than four decades and counting. Along the way, he’s stacked a tower of awards, including a JUNO, CASBY, and the Q107 Music Award. Inducted into the Canadian Reggae Music Hall of Fame, Harvey’s music has been featured in several television and movie soundtracks; there was also a cameo appearance in the movie Cocktail.
“Old Friends” is mined from Harvey’s extensive archive; he wrote the track in 2004 and produced it in 2020 with contributions from his brother, Carl, a long-time member of the GRAMMY Award-winning reggae act, Toots and the Maytals.
The freshly pressed video — produced by Michelle Melles and Pedro Orrego, and featuring engineering and production contributions from Harvey’s son, Meshach — is based on Harvey’s life story, a detail he explains in the opening scene.
“It’s like walking down memory lane,” Harvey muses. “We used photos from my personal photo albums as well as old, archived footage to show Toronto in the 70s — just around the time when many Jamaicans and other West Indians were arriving in Canada.
“The video really hits some very emotional chords,” he continues. “It lays out the very unique journey that was experienced, not just by the Harveys, but by all the people of colour that were starting to settle in Canada.”
Rupert Ojiji Harvey’s solo releases include Ojiji – The Shadow, Ojiji – Halfway Home, and most recently, Once A Lion.
Former ARKITEX Frontman ROGOV Draws Paris’ Illicit & Illustrious Underground with New Single, “Dancing Girls”
Canadian artist ROGOV and former frontman of 80s-era rockers ARKITEX draws inspiration from Paris’ illicit and illustrious underground as he offers up an unrelenting new alt-rock single, “Dancing Girls.”
Produced by long-time friend and collaborator — Gold- and Platinum-selling, award winning Canadian producer and former lead guitarist for David Bowie, Stacy Heydon (Teenage Head, Long John Baldry, Sheriff) — the track lands as a pulsating, beat-driven ear worm, enticing audiences with its infectious hook, introspective lyrics, and eclectic approach; in all, it’s a great time.
The second release to preview ROGOV’s forthcoming EP, Tourist, the song’s inception sprang to life one summer evening, the artist recalls. “I was walking home, past a book shop, and saw a book called The Crazy Horse Saloon in the window.
“Initially, I’d mistaken it for a book about saloons and horses, but it was about anything but,” he continues. “(The book was actually about) Le Crazy Horse de Paris, a Parisian cabaret known for its diverse range of stage shows, including magic, variety, jugglers, mimes, and — most notably — burlesque.
“I was curious and bought the book. It was gregarious and inspired the pulse, writing, theme, and sonic fabric of ‘Dancing Girls.’”
“Dancing Girls” follows the album’s premiere release, “Mistakes are Beautiful,” a track Canadian industry icon Alannah Myles enthused as “thoughtful, complicated, and extremely interesting.”
Easy Songs to Play with the Ukulele
Playing the ukulele is not as hard as it seems. This musical instrument is beginner-friendly, meaning that you can start learning at any time or any age!
If you have held a ukulele before, you likely know how easy it is to carry them. Although playing ukulele chords may take you a few minutes, you’ll be playing songs before you realize.
Today we’ll be presenting to you some of the easiest songs you can play with the ukulele. Of course, you’ll have to learn the different ukulele chord variations first, but these songs make the job straightforward for you.
Most of the songs we considered for this list contain easy ukulele chords, so don’t worry about getting lost. However, please note we recommend learning how to read chord charts first before starting the songs. Doing so will make the process a lot more straightforward.
That being said, let’s begin by telling you what songs you can play with the ukulele for beginners!
“22” by Taylor Swift
“22” by singer and songwriter Taylor Swift is extremely easy to learn. It is first on our list because it only uses three notes, meaning that you can learn how to play it in a few moments.
The order is as follows: G – D – C – D. Did you think there was more? That is all. It didn’t take Taylor too much to make of “22” a hit song!
This song is part of Swift’s album Red, which marks a departure from her traditional country sound and incorporates a lot more pop into her music. You can guide yourself better by listening to the song.
“Someone Like You” by Adele
This song by the hit-maker Adele is hugely popular. We doubt you haven’t heard it! This is one of the best ukulele beginner songs you can learn, especially if you’re into sad songs.
Similar to the previous option, this one isn’t complicated to learn either.
The order is as follows for most of the song, except the pre-chorus: G – D – Em – C.
For the pre-chorus, you’ll need to play: D – C – D – C – D.
Although there is a bit of variation here, we doubt you’ll get lost. Listen to the song once, and then try to play it!
“With or Without You” by U2
The famous band U2 has delivered some hits throughout the years, so you probably know about this one (if you don’t live under a rock).
The Irish band used this chord progression for the hit song: C – G – Am – F.
It would be best if you strummed the chords four times each, downwards.
“With or Without You” is a beautiful song, and it’s hugely easy to learn for those who are just getting started into the ukulele world. Watch a detailed tutorial here.
Playing the ukulele is not challenging!
All the songs mentioned above have something in common: they use almost identical and short ukulele chord variations. Therefore, it will only take you a few minutes to learn to play each one. Don’t start buying ukulele accessories just yet. Wait until you can play some more songs!
Andy Kim Christmas Special Raises Over $190,000 For Crew Nation, CAMH Gift Of Lights And Food Banks Canada
The 16th Annual Andy Kim Christmas Special, presented by AIR MILES, which nationally aired on December 19th and December 24th on Citytv, Citytv.com, allowed viewers to donate while watching the special and raised over $190,000* for Crew Nation, CAMH Gift of Lights and Food Banks Canada. AIR MILES also gave viewers the chance to donate Miles towards rewards that directly benefitted Food Banks Canada and raised over $40,000.
“Work is just work unless there is The Purpose. I’m lucky and blessed to have been alongside the inspired who understood helping those in need was paramount during the 2020 Christmas and Holiday Season. Every artist I asked to donate their time and perform a song for our Christmas Special said yes because of the idea of helping others. Whether we do this again or not, I’m thankful to everyone for their time and commitment, and to everyone watching the show at home,” Andy Kim said.
The two-hour music special was broadcast from Toronto’s one and only, El Mocambo on December 19, which reached over 2.5 million viewers and re-aired on Christmas Eve with over 2.3 million Canadians tuning in.
The special was hosted by Sportsnet host and Juno-nominated musician, Tara Slone as well as Cityline host Tracy Moore, and gave Canadians a classic variety entertainment show over the holidays. Performances included some of the country’s most sought-after singer/songwriters and performers: Andy Kim, Barenaked Ladies, Broken Social Scene, Buffy Sainte-Marie, City and Colour, Glass Tiger & Roch Voisine, Jully Black, Kardinal Offishall, Ron Sexsmith, Sam Roberts, Sarah McLachlan, Serena Ryder & William Prince throughout the special.
*$100,000 of the total was donated by The Slaight Family Foundation, which will directly benefit CAMH Gifts of Light. $40,000 will directly benefit Food Banks Canada as a result of AIR MILES collectors. The remaining $50,000 will distributed equally between Food Banks Canada, the Gifts of Light program at CAMH Foundation, and the Crew Nation at Charities Aid Foundation Canada.
My Next Read: “SONIC BOOM The Impossible Rise of Warner Bros. Records, from Hendrix to Fleetwood Mac to Madonna to Prince” by Peter Ames Carlin
From journalist Peter Ames Carlin—the New York Times bestselling music biographer who chronicled the lives and careers of Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, the Beach Boys, and Paul Simon—Sonic Boom captures the rollicking story of the most successful record label in the history of rock and roll, Warner Bros Records, and the remarkable secret to its meteoric rise.
The roster of Warner Brothers Records and its subsidiary labels reads like the roster of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Jimi Hendrix, the Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, James Taylor, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Prince, Van Halen, Madonna, Tom Petty, R.E.M., Red Hot Chili Peppers, and dozens of others. But the most compelling figures in the Warner Bros. story are the sagacious Mo Ostin and the unlikely crew of hippies, eccentrics, and enlightened execs who were the first in the music business to read the generational writing on the wall in the mid-1960s. By recruiting outsider artists and allowing them to make the music they wanted, Ostin and his staff transformed an out-of-touch company into the voice of a generation. Along the way, they revolutionized the music industry and, within just a few years, created the most successful record label in the history of the American music industry.
How did they do it? It all goes back to the day in 1967 when the newly tapped label president Mo Ostin called his team together to share his grand strategy for the struggling company: “We need to stop trying to make hit records. Let’s just make good records and turn those into hits.”
With that, Ostin ushered in a counterintuitive model that matched the counterculture. His offbeat crew reinvented the way business was done, giving their artists free rein while rejecting out-of-date methods of advertising, promotion, and distribution. And even as they set new standards for in-house weirdness, the upstarts’ experiments and innovations paid off, to the tune of hundreds of legendary hit albums.
It may sound like a fairy tale, but once upon a time Warner Bros Records conquered the music business by focusing on the music rather than the business. Their story is as raucous as it is inspiring, pure entertainment that also maps a route to that holy grail: love and money.
Marley Marl Was IN CONTROL, 1989 As This Mixtape Shows
Marley Marl was no joke. Search around for the different shows and stations he rocked throughout the 80s and 90s and you’ll hear he was one of the best.
This 2-hour set is from January 13, 1989 on 107.5 FM WBLS.
That Time Noel Gallagher plays in a fan’s house in 2006
“You gonna do the clap………………?”
On December 1, 2006, Ben Haynes got the concert of a lifetime when Noel Gallagher of Oasis performed at his home in the small English Midlands town of Poynter.
