I’m never going to hear “I’m Batman” the same way again.
50 Hit Songs From 1986 Mashed Into 3 Minutes
Aaron Brink and Steve Reidell of The Hood Internet compiled 50 music videos from 1986 and remixed them into a 3-minute danceable mashup featuring The Bangles, Beastie Boys, Berlin, Billy Bragg, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Boogie Down Productions, Book Of Love, Bruce Hornsby & The Range, Cutting Crew, Cyndi Lauper, Duran Duran, Eric B. & Rakim, Europe, Fingers Inc., Genesis, Gwen Guthrie, Howard Jones, Human League, Janet Jackson, Lionel Richie, Loose Ends, Madonna, Metallica, Midnight Star, Nu Shooz, Oran Juice Jones, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Paul Simon, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Nevil, Run-D.M.C., Run-D.M.C. & Aerosmith, Samantha Fox, Slayer, Smithereens, Stan Bush, Steve Winwood, and Whistle.
Supertramp’s Isolated Vocals For “The Logical Song”
When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB1rjIYuhRQ
The Ramones’ Isolated Vocals For “I Wanna Be Sedated”
Originally released on The Ramones fourth album, Road to Ruin, in September 1978, I Wanna Be Sedated and was the B-side of the UK single “She’s the One” released on September 21,1978. The song was later released as a single in the Netherlands in 1979, then in the U.S. in 1980 by RSO Records from the Square soundtrack album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOhDf79SsJc
Montreal Brother/Sister Duo JUST COSTA Make Everything “Peachy” With Fresh, Feel-Good Summer Groove
For Canadian brother-sister duo Just Costa, music is just the ticket to their own sonic theme park, and their glistening, feel-good summer anthem “Peachy” — available now! — lands as top contender for its theme song.
Lighthearted and upbeat, the track mixes pop, R&B and g-funk into a catchy groove start to finish, combining full band and synth-based elements along the way. “The message shines as a pinnacle of positivity,” the sibling set says. “It expresses that every moment can feel like a margarita on the beach.”
This Montreal-based fam-band embodies the term “happy-go-lucky” through and through. That likening of their music to a theme park? That’s their real deal.
“We call it Just Costa Land,” quips Jesse Just Costa, who leads the outfit with older sibling Juliana. “It’s like this: We want to bring the sense of an amusement park to our music. The excitement, the enthusiasm, the joie de vivre, the willingness to be happy and grateful and positive and live life to the extreme; that’s what we’re trying to construct.”
Between them, they have all the building blocks they need in a sort of supernatural blend of style, skill and substance that takes a lifetime to achieve. Which is about how long the Just Costas have been making music.
By age 13, guitar prodigy Jesse was taking Montreal’s rock scene by storm, playing lead and fronting his own outfit. Meanwhile, Juliana had begun a solo career as an acoustic singer-songwriter. The turning point came a few years ago, when she was heading to Vancouver to record. Jesse decided to tag along, and in need of material, they began to write together for the sessions. The magic was instant. “We weren’t just putting catchphrases over standard chords; we were writing these intricate, meaningful songs,” Jesse recalls. “That really solidified things. That’s when we really hit the ground running together.”
They haven’t slowed. Since joining forces (and fittingly combining their parents’ surnames for their handle), they’ve more than made up for any lost time. They’ve appeared on talent show La Voix (The Voice), played over 400 shows — including a 16-date tour of Italy — performed at festivals and conferences (including the MUZ showcase in Montreal, where they took home a trio of people’s choice awards), released one album — In Time, All Things under their previous moniker Juliana & Jesse — and are midway through writing and recording a new full-length. More focused and ambitious, their newer material takes full advantage of their creative kinship and shared vision — while also acknowledging their different musical backgrounds and skill sets. “One of our greatest strengths in working together is how varied our individual strengths are,” Jesse explains. “I know where Juliana has me beat, and where she might be able to handle a situation twice as well, and I feel like she knows the same about me. So that’s where the lines get drawn.”
As if on cue, she picks up the thread: “For the most part, Jesse has a real knack for melody and chords, and groove as well. So he’ll put something down and we can play off that. And I really like to write lyrics, so we’ll play off of each other. We work together really well in that sense. Other times, I’ll have a really simple kind of idea on the guitar and I can always count on Jesse to spice it up. It’s always good to have a partner in any venture, and there’s no better partner than family. We are really connected — we’re also best friends — and we really do see it as a big blessing. We’re not scared to push each other. And by bringing the best out of each other, we’ve reached some really cool and unique places songwriting-wise that we might not have found. And we feel we have something really special we can bring to people.”
That gift in a nutshell: Love. “I break down life into two really simple things: doing what you love and doing it with the people that you love,” Jesse says. “That’s really where the magic comes from. That’s when the highs start getting higher and the lows don’t feel so bad. That’s what we have, and that’s what we want to share with people. Really, we want to light up every room that we go into. I feel such an energy and positivity inside of me and so much gratitude for everything I have. We want to bring that to ourselves and to bring other people with us. We want … ”
Naturally, Juliana finishes his thought: “We want to take everybody along for the ride.”
The destination? Just Costa Land, of course. Enjoy the trip and get ready to groove.
“Peachy” is available now.
Alexandria, ON’s Contemporary Jazz Singer/Songwriter KATIE DITSCHUN Says “That Is That.” When it Comes to People’s Need for Others
Canadian contemporary jazz pop singer/songwriter Katie Ditschun lovingly affirms “That Is That.” when it comes to life, love and people’s need for each other in this, her new single — available now.
“One morning, in the shower, I was singing songs from one of my favourite musicals and felt overcome by the powerful fact that everyone needs other people in their lives,” Ditschun recalls. “The power of love and human connection is unparalleled.
“People need people. That is that. People need people. That’s a fact,” she continues, citing the song’s basis. “The juxtaposition in ‘That Is That.’ — with a firm period — is in the fact that it’s a simple song with simple words and statements, but it’s also a very complex and complete message.
“It’s whimsy with depth.”
On that note, ’whimsy with depth’ is a wonderfully all-encompassing description that wraps all that is Katie Ditschun’s music and purpose together into one.
Born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, Ditschun spent time in Montreal, Quebec following her studies at Berklee College of Music for jazz and contemporary vocal, before returning to her home province; she now calls Alexandria home. Though she was diagnosed at 18 months old with juvenile arthritis, beginning piano lessons at age four to keep her fingers moving, it was the onset of her mother’s terminal illness that gave Ditschun the push to pursue music full-time.
“My songs are about relationships — of love, and of those often confused for love,” she explains of her 2019 debut release, Spare Skirt — home to previous singles “Here We Are,” “HER,” and now “That Is That.” Recorded in Ottawa, and featuring some of Eastern Ontario’s best jazz musicians, the track and album feature Ditschun on vocals, piano, and ukulele — a nod to the singer/songwriter’s self-described style of quirky piano pop meets serious jazz notes and thematic, explorative story-based lyricism. “I’m particularly interested in situations where people lack self-knowledge, or gain greater awareness about oneself, or one’s place in the world.
“While first recording this song in-studio, my co-producer said he felt this song was completely me,” Ditschun adds of “That Is That.” “I’m not sure I’ve ever received a nicer compliment…
“You’ll never regret loving, and I like to think that’s me: love hard. I try every day to be the person my dog thinks I am. I need people, and I remind myself that people need me too.”
Ditschun has embodied a form of this sentiment week after week since the national onset of COVID-19, working at mindfully connecting with her community through complimentary virtual music lessons via Facebook live. With a world reacting to increased isolation, Ditschun hoped her at-home music lessons in a live, “social” setting could offer respite for audience members navigating the world’s new circumstance.
“There’s something about being in the moment when the music is all there is…” says the classically trained musician with over 20 years experience in teaching, and member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association. “For me, all life’s worries melt away and I’m left only concerned about what phrase comes next and letting the notes float out.
“It’s my hope that my online music lessons can offer even just a bit of that for others in this challenging time.”
For those looking to optimize a rise in screen time by developing their sonic skill sets, the lessons are available via Ditschun’s Facebook page; they are geared towards beginners and focus solely on singing — no instruments are required.
For “That Is That.,” Ditschun’s lessons go a step further: “So, if you feel like it, head online, pick up your ukulele — or whatever you play! — and find the lyrics and chords for ‘That Is That.’ at UltimateGuitar(dot)com,” she invites. “Make the song your own, and send me the link to your versions so I can share!”
“That Is That.”’s name, incidentally, serves a secondary purpose; given that it’s the final track on Spare Skirt, it offers a fittingly impassioned bookend to her breakthrough album.
“That Is That.” is available now.
SOCAN Gets Music Makers Paid for Live Facebook and Instagram Concerts with Encore! Program
Music lovers across the country and social media platforms have benefitted from the generosity of Canada’s music creators since the start of the COVID-19 crisis with live online concerts on Facebook and Facebook-owned Instagram.
SOCAN is now reciprocating the love by launching Encore!, a program that compensates music creators and publishers for their invaluable work.
“Like so many Canadians, SOCAN member songwriters, composers, and music publishers are facing tough times, with the loss of revenue from touring and in-person concerts,” said Jennifer Brown, Interim-CEO of SOCAN. “Many of our members have stepped up for fans, staging online concerts to bring the public together and keep their careers moving ahead, so it is only fair that they get paid for their generous work with our Encore! program.”
SOCAN’s Board of Directors and management team recently approved the allocation of a portion of licensing revenue collected from Facebook for the Encore! program.
Encore! will ease the financial burden on SOCAN writer members and their publishers created by the pandemic. A total of approximately $200,000 is available each quarter for the program for the duration of the COVID-19 lockdown in Canada.
To receive an Encore! payment for a live music event on Facebook or Instagram:
- At least ten songs/compositions performed live, or a live performance of at least 30 minutes on Facebook or Instagram from March 15, 2020, to March 7, 2021 (inclusive).
- At least 100 people must have accessed the online event.
- A setlist of all music performed has to be sent via SOCAN’s Notification of Live Music Performance form at SOCAN.com, with the “venue” identified as Facebook or Instagram.
- Claims must be made within 90 days of the Facebook/Instagram concert occurring.
Each online concert will be eligible for a total payment of $150, with shares of royalties going to all rights holders of the music performed.
Live performances on social media properties normally do not generate more than a few dollars in royalties for songwriters, composers and music publishers. Typically, royalties from music used on these platforms come from streamed and downloaded recorded music.
In addition to live music events on Facebook and Instagram, SOCAN is in the process of adding more online platforms to the Encore! program. The organization is encouraging its members to submit set lists for all online concerts. Just be sure to indicate the social media platform as the venue.
SOCAN will soon launch its regular “Get Set, Get Paid” awareness initiative, encouraging members to submit Notification of Live Music Performance set lists for past in-person concerts. Only by submitting set lists can license money paid by concert venues be matched to the correct rights holders of the music performed, enabling those who earned royalties to receive them.
SOCAN also confirmed that its regular distribution of royalties to all members will go out as planned on-time. Since March 13th, all 275 SOCAN employees across its offices in Toronto Montréal, Vancouver and Los Angeles have been teleworking with the company operating at full capacity.
Stevie Wonder on the Drums
Stevie Wonder is, of course, a genius on keyboards and harmonica, but check out this jaw-dropping drum solo from early in his career.
Grey Daze Open Download TV With Premiere Of “B12” Video In Honor Of Chester Bennington
Grey Daze opened the first ever Download TV, a weekend long virtual festival (June 12 – 14) from the creators of Download Festival, with the premiere of their video for “B12”. The song is from the Phoenix-based band’s forthcoming album, Amends out June 26 via Loma Vista Recordings.
“Everything we’ve done surrounding the upcoming release of Amends has been to honor Chester,” explains Grey Daze co-founder and drummer Sean Dowdell. “The video for ’B12’ is no exception. We wanted to celebrate all that has been accomplished in seeing Amends, a release he had wanted to bring to life, and in this video we not only brought his lyrics to life, we also were able to feel his presence as we performed alongside his vocal track.” The live performance is interspersed with clips from the recording of the song, which features contributions from Head and Munky of KORN. Head said of the track: “…the range, the power, the melody, and the flow… it sounds like he’s (Chester) in his prime.”
Grey Daze have released a number of profound videos in support of the 11-song release, offering fans a look into the early musical moments of one of modern rock music’s most beloved singers. “What’s In The Eye” showcased live footage of the band, sharing some of Chester’s first moments as a front man. “Sickness” portrayed the real life story of Sean becoming Chester’s “big brother” after witnessing him being bullied. “Sometimes” proved how powerful Chester’s lyrics were, even as a teenager, with the clip showcasing his words, “Maybe things will get better, maybe things will look brighter” against the backdrop of the COVID-19 crisis. “Soul Song” was possibly the most heart-warming of all, with Chester’s son, Jaime Bennington writing and directing the visual piece. In an interview with Alternative Press, Jaime explained that the video, which was set at a beloved family getaway in Sedona, Ariz., was reflective of his experience with mindful meditation, saying: “Through it, I have not just spoken with him but seen him with my own two eyes. And that is what this video is about. It’s about that practice. It’s about the lasting power of memory and about taking grief at my own pace.”
Amends is the origin story of one of modern rock’s most recognizable voices and also a full circle moment among friends. The album is the fulfillment of a planned Grey Daze reunion that Chester had announced prior to his untimely passing. The remaining band members – Dowdell, Mace Beyers (bass) and Cristin Davis (guitar) – along with Talinda Bennington (Chester’s widow) and his parents, made it their mission to see the project through with assistance from Tom Whalley, the founder of Loma Vista Recordings and former Warner Bros. Records Chairman during Linkin Park’s tenure at the label. Dowdell, Beyers and Davis selected the tracks from the band’s mid-90s, but largely unknown, catalog and re-recorded the music in 2019 to accompany Chester’s re-mastered vocals. Produced by Jay Baumgardner, several musicians leant their time and talent to the album, including Korn’s Brian “Head” Welch and James “Munky” Shaffer, Page Hamilton (Helmet), Chris Traynor (Bush, Helmet, Orange 9MM), LP (Laura Pergolizzi), Jaime Bennington, Jasen Rauch (Breaking Benjamin), Marcos Curiel (P.O.D.) and Ryan Shuck (Orgy). An eight-part video series titled “Making Amends” documented the process of bringing the album to life.
Amends is available in a variety of collectible formats with several iterations available exclusively via the band’s website. The CD comes as a 16-page case-bound book; a first pressing, ruby red vinyl variant exclusive to the band’s webstore; and a numbered deluxe edition featuring both a CD and LP, which includes the first ever disc tray designed for vinyl, a 60-page book with never-before-seen photos, 180g red and white splattered vinyl, and a collectible set of band memorabilia dubbed the “Grey Daze Archive.” Digital and other standard versions of the album are available HERE. Pre-orders on the band’s webstore include instant downloads of “What’s In The Eye,” “Sickness,” “Sometimes,” “Soul Song” and “B12.”