Oh, oh here she comes, watch out boy, here are the isolated vocals for Daryl Hall & John Oates’ Maneater.
…and here’s the finished version:
June is Brain Injury Month – Toronto’s Singer/Songwriter SUZANNE JARVIE’s personal story is put to music for latest album
Canadian folk artist Suzanne Jarvie sees and hears the month of June — Canada’s Brain Injury Awareness month — a little differently nowadays.
The Toronto-based singer/songwriter shares a personal connection to the cause; eight years ago, her eldest son tripped and fell down a spiral staircase, lapsing into a coma. Now, she continues her advocacy work, spreading awareness to others afflicted.
“It was a bomb,” Jarvie recalls. “I couldn’t breathe. My mind, which was always so busy, was finally quiet.
“The doctors said he wouldn’t survive, but he did.”
More than 1.5 million Canadians currently live with the effects of an acquired brain injury, and that number increases daily.
The miracle of her son’s recovery changed Jarvie’s life.
One afternoon while he was still at the hospital, she heard a melody in her head. She picked up her guitar and started writing. “Over the next few months, many songs came out. Some fast and fully formed, it was powerful and strange.”
As one listens to the unique beauty of Jarvie’s sound and sensibility — both on her new record In The Clear and her debut, produced by Hugh Christopher Brown, Spiral Road — it’s hard to imagine that it was only in 2014 this Ontario wife, mother of four and lawyer, found the courage to tap into her songwriting powers and record an album.
Until then, Jarvie had never written any real music before, except for a few throwaway songs. Spiral Road garnered rave reviews from the US, Canada, and Europe, comparisons to Emmy Lou Harris and Lucinda Williams, and a 2015 nomination from the Independent Music Awards for “Best Concept Album”. No Depression described Jarvie’s voice as “seraphim-pure, reaching out and lifting your spirit often without permission.”
Jarvie’s sophomore record In the Clear, releasing in North America on January 22, 2019, and Europe on February 8, 2019, picks up where Spiral Road left off – delving again into the aftermath of her son’s brain injury – but going well beyond it. The tunes tunnel into feelings and impressions that are the essence of Suzanne’s artistry, luminous rabbit holes merging mystical lyrics with reflections on life’s big challenges that fans of Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan or Lucinda Williams would appreciate. Producer Hugh Christopher Brown keeps the music steeped in mostly acoustic sound, and the mix of dobro, mandolin, guitar, violin and bass, welcomes Jarvie’s clear and haunting voice as she sings:
Somewhere far away from here, long before the sun appears
You will feel, every single fear, you will feel it, feel it,
‘Till you’re back in back in
In the clear, In the clear
The songs also touch on addiction, forgiveness and the legacy of trauma on the entire family. The opening track, “Headless Rider” reflects the unexpressed feelings of her daughter, Sara, who is the twin sister of Jarvie’s eldest son, while the fierce and bluesy “Point Blank” is Jarvie’s response to her son’s wild mood swings:
Blow in like a hurricane, move out in a slow rain
Mind bent up and insane, killing me like a freight train
Don’t you get to feel strange, like Shane on the old grange
35 mm frame, it’s a movie size blame game
Point blank range, get down on your knees,
You’re gonna say thank you, you’re gonna say please
In the Clear and Spiral Road are poetic and imaginative journeys that anyone who has dealt with a family tragedy can relate to. Jarvie said: “The album is another reverie – where the songs reflect on motherhood, death, freedom and longing for peace. For me, the title track has a melancholy irony; In The Clear is where I want to be, always. Instead, it is this ephemeral state that never lasts. So, you learn to really enjoy the peaceful moments, knowing more challenges are on the horizon.”
Some of Jarvie’s songs are inspired by science fiction literature, which is a “lifelong escape hatch for me,” she says. “I’m a pretty eccentric person in some ways. I find the weird visionary parables to be so cool and idiosyncratic. They give artistic permission for highly individualized, obscure trance-like imaginings. ‘Carpenter Bay’ was written during an odd period when I was reading a lot about psychiatry and medication….it’s about a journey through neurons, psychopharmacology drawings, and the world’s most famous woodworker. But it’s also just about waiting for that miracle that never happens, and learning to say out loud and accept that what you want the most is gone. On ‘One It Finds’, my friend Jeff Morrison kept asking, ‘what’s going on with the probe?’ “It’s a secret. I know the lyrics are a bit inscrutable, but they mean something real. I don’t think you have to understand everything. It could just be that a melodic line or poetic phrase resonates and moves someone and that’s all you need. The ideas aren’t very concrete, and sometimes I have to rush and grab them before they decay. But anyhow, it’s why I thank John Wyndham, Tolkien and Rodenberry, etc. in my liner notes. Gotta keep weird alive man!”
Kurt Cobain’s Isolated Vocals For Nirvana’s “On A Plain”
Nirvana’s “On a Plain” was written in 1990 and was first recorded in the studio on January 1, 1991, by Craig Montgomery at Music Source Studios in Seattle, Washington The song was recorded for the band’s second album, Nevermind, by Butch Vig in May 1991 at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California. Vig later called it “a great pop song,” remembering it as “a really new one” that “took a few takes” to record properly. The final lyrics were written at Sound City shortly before the vocals were recorded, which led to the line, “What the hell am I trying to say?” The recording features high harmonies by drummer Dave Grohl. Vig had wanted to end the recording with Grohl’s harmonies repeated four times a capella, and originally mixed the song that way, but upon hearing the mix, Cobain decided the song should end after only one pass of the harmonies. Cobain’s lead vocals were done in one take.
…and here’s the final version.
What’s new Doc? New Looney Tunes short-form cartoons are back!
Warner Bros. Animation is announcing its most ambitious Looney Tunes content initiative to date with Looney Tunes Cartoons, a series of new short form cartoons starring the iconic and beloved Looney Tunes characters. With multiple artists employing a visual style that will resonate with fans, each “season” will produce 1,000 minutes of all-new Looney Tunes animation that will be distributed across multiple platforms – including digital, mobile and broadcast.
Looney Tunes Cartoons echoes the high production value and process of the original Looney Tunes theatrical shorts with a cartoonist-driven approach to storytelling. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and other marquee Looney Tunes characters will be featured in their classic pairings in simple, gag-driven and visually vibrant stories. Each cartoon will vary from one to six minutes in length and, from the premise on through to the jokes, will be “written” and drawn by the cartoonists allowing their own personality and style to come through in each cartoon.
“The Looney Tunes are one of the most beloved group of animated characters in the world” said Sam Register, President, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Digital Series. “Looney Tunes Cartoons places these characters into the hands of some of the best artists in the business and into an animated shorts format that will remind many of the time when they first fell in love with Bugs, Daffy, Porky and the rest of the gang.”
Here’s the first cartoon to be released, and it’s a banger worthy of TNT.
June 14 is “Massey Hall Day” in Toronto in honour of its 125 birthday
Toronto Mayor John Tory has proclaimed June 14, 2019 “Massey Hall Day” in honour of the National Historic Site’s 125 birthday.
“This Massey Hall Day proclamation is a fantastic way to celebrate this iconic venue’s 125th birthday,” said Board Chair, Eileen Costello, The Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall. “Massey Hall may be closed, but we have teams of skilled restoration & construction experts passionately working to restore and renew it so that it can continue to host another century of this country’s most iconic musical moments.”
While Massey Hall is closed, music fans and historians alike can still revel in the Hall’s history this week by visiting Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St. West, Toronto) for an immersive display in the City Hall lobby. This exhibit features exclusive photography by Toronto photographer Matt Barnes, archival video, architectural models and more. The installation is in place now through June 18.
Sturgill Simpson Unveils Brand New Track “The Dead Don’t Die”
GRAMMY Award-winner Sturgill Simpson has released his brand new track “The Dead Don’t Die,” available everywhere now. “The Dead Don’t Die” – which serves as the original theme song to the acclaimed new Focus Features release of the same name – is the first new music from Simpson since 2016’s GRAMMY Award-winning, critically acclaimed third album, A SAILOR’S GUIDE TO EARTH.
The just-released track plays a prominent role throughout The Dead Don’t Die, from the opening credits to the close, with Simpson himself making a surprising cameo after countless references to him by name. WATCH an exclusive film clip, starring Bill Murray and Adam Driver, and featuring “The Dead Don’t Die” below.
Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, Focus Features’ The Dead Don’t Die stars the greatest zombie cast ever disassembled – Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Danny Glover, Caleb Landry Jones, Rosie Perez, Iggy Pop, Sara Driver, RZA, Selena Gomez, Carol Kane, Austin Butler, Luka Sabbat, and Tom Waits.
Jon Hamm And Nick Offerman Talk About Their First Times
In honor of the release of Good Omens, Jon Hamm (Mad Men, Bridesmaids) and Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation, Making It) tell us all about their firsts.
George Thorogood And The Destroyers Announce 45-Year Anniversary Tour
One of the great and nicest guys in music, George Thorogood has announced dates for his Good to Be Bad: 45 Years of Rock tour. The blues rocker will hit the road with his band the Destroyers for performances across the U.S. that stretch from summer into fall. You can see the full touring schedule below.
George Thorogood and the Destroyers, ‘Good to Be Bad: 45 Years of Rock’ Tour
June 22 – Hinckley, MN @ Grand Casino
June 23 – Highland Park, IL @ Ravinia
July 19 – Rama, ON @ Casino Rama
July 20 – Kemptville, ON @ Kemptville Live Music Festival
July 21 – Webster, MA @ Indian Ranch
July 23 – Beverly, MA @ The Cabot
July 24 – Rochester, NY @ Live at MLK!
July 26 – Nichols, NY @ Tioga Downs Casino Resort
July 27 – Bensalem, PA @ Parx Casino XCite Center
July 28 – Annapolis, MD @ Outlaw Jam-Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds
July 30 – St. Louis, MO @ River City Casino & Hotel
July 31 – Clear Lake, IA @ Surf Ballroom
Aug. 2 – Billings, MT @ Magic City Blues Festival
Aug. 3 – Sturgis, SD @ Sturgis Buffalo Chip
Aug. 4 – Arvada, CO @ Arvada Center
Aug. 7 – Jackson, CA @ Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort
Aug. 8 – Ventura, CA @ Ventura County Fair
Aug. 9 – Costa Mesa, CA @ Pacific Amphitheatre
Aug. 10 – Primm, NV @ Star of the Desert Arena at Buffalo Bill’s
Sept. 17 – Odessa, TX @ Ector County Coliseum
Sept. 25 – New York, NY @ The Town Hall
Sept. 27 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre
Sept. 29 – Jim Thorpe, PA @ Penn’s Peak
Oct. 1 – Wilmington, DE @ The Grand Opera House
Oct. 3 – Newport News, VA @ CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts
Oct. 5 – Peachtree City, GA @ The Frederick J. Brown Amphitheater
Oct. 10 – Greensburg, PA @ Palace Theatre
Oct. 11 – Northfield, OH @ MGM Northfield Park – Center Stage
Oct. 12 – Cincinnati, OH @ JACK Cincinnati Casino Event Center
Oct. 13 – Nashville, IN @ Brown County Music Center
Oct. 18 – Wisconsin Dells, WI @ Crystal Grand Music Theatre
Oct. 19 – Battle Creek, MI @ Firekeepers Casino Hotel
Charli XCX announces third studio album ‘Charli,’ and world tour
Pop futurist Charli XCX officially announces her immensely anticipated third studio self-titled album ‘Charli’, executive produced by A. G. Cook and Charli XCX. Arriving on September 13th via Atlantic Records, it can be pre-ordered/saved here, alongside a series of transatlantic headline Charli LIVE tour dates going on sale to the public June 21st. Charli has announced three Canadian dates – Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
A video for her single ‘Blame It On Your Love’ Feat. Lizzo, was filmed in New York, and directed by Bradley & Pablo. The video will be released soon.
The art of collaboration is at the heart of the album, a verified savior of pop, Charli seamlessly binds musical genres from the vast pop spectrum. Collaborators include Lizzo, Christine and the Queens, HAIM, Troye Sivan, Brooke Candy, CupcakKe, Big Freedia, Sky Ferreira, Kim Petras, Clairo, Yaeji, Pabllo Vittar and Tommy Cash with full track listing below. Charli teamed with AR makeup artist Ines Alpha to design her artwork with a goal of dismantling classic beauty ideals, a pairing which resulted in her striking album cover.
The multi-award-winning and chart-topping Charli has accrued two Billboard Music Awards, a YouTube Music Award, two Sesac ‘Songwriter of the Year’ Awards, plus nominations at the GRAMMYs, BRIT Awards and MTV EMA’s. As the trailblazer behind the multi-platinum and global No.1’s “Fancy”, “I Love It” and the hit “Boom Clap”, Charli has also released the critically-acclaimed mixtapes ‘Number 1 Angel’ and ‘Pop 2’, released her prolific summer crush anthem “Boys” and “1999 featuring Troye Sivan”. This year Charli attended the Met Gala as a special guest of Vogue and performed for the amFAR Gala at the Cannes Film Festival.
Charli’s transatlantic headline tour Charli LIVE will open on September 20th for an impressive 21 dates in the US prior to kicking off 19 dates throughout Europe. Tommy Genesis, Brooke Candy, Dorian Electra & Allie X to support Charli on select dates.
‘Charli’ track listing:
1. Next Level Charli
2. Gone feat. Christine and the Queens
3. Cross You Out feat. Sky Ferreira
4. 1999 feat. Troye Sivan
5. Click feat. Kim Petras and Tommy Cash
6. Warm feat. HAIM
7. Thoughts
8. Blame It On Your Love feat. Lizzo
9. White Mercedes
10. Silver Cross
11. I Don’t Wanna Know
12. Official
13. Shake It feat. Big Freedia, CupcakKe, Brooke Candy and Pabllo Vittar
14. February 2017 feat. Clairo and Yaeji
15. 2099 feat. Troye Sivan
2019 Charli LIVE NORTH AMERICAN dates:
JULY:
21 – Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Music Festival
SEPT:
20 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre +
21 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works +
23 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall +
24 – Austin, TX – Emo’s +
25 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues +
27 – Phoenix, AZ – The Marquee #
28 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues #
OCT:
1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern # *
2 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theatre #
4 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market #
5 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore #
6 – Portland, OR – Roseland Ballroom #
8 – Salt Lake City, UT – Union *
9 – Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre *
11 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue *
14 – Toronto, ON – Rebel
15 – Montreal, QB – Corona Theatre %
17 – Boston, MA – House of Blues %
18 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
19 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer *
22 – New York, NY – Terminal 5 %
SUPPORTS:
+ Tommy Genesis | # Brooke Candy | * Dorian Electra | % Allie X
Phoenix: Brooke Candy Direct / Dorian Electric 1st of 3
Charli LIVE Europe + European festival dates include:
AUG:
17 – Frequency Festival, Austria
18 – Pukklepop, Belgium
21 – Zurich Open Air festival, Switzerland
23 – Reading Festival, UK
24 – Leeds Festival, UK
31 – Electric Picnic, Ireland
OCT:
27 – SWG3 Galvanisers, Glasgow UK
28 – O2 Institute, Birmingham UK
30 – Albert Hall, Manchester UK
31 – O2 Brixton Academy, London UK
NOV:
4 – Berns, Stockholm Sweden
5 – Sentrum Scene, Oslo Norway
7 – Vega, Copenhagen Denmark
9 – Astra Kulturhaus, Berlin Germany
10 – Fabrik, Hamburg Germany
12 – Stodola, Warsaw Poland
14 – Roxy, Prague Czech Republic
15 – Carlswerk Victoria, Cologne Germany
17 – Le Transbordeur, Lyon France
18 – Fabrique, Milan Italy
20 – Sala La Riviera, Madrid Spain
22 – Razzmatazz Room 2, Barcelona Spain
24 – Den Atelier, Luxembourg Luxembourg
25 – Paradiso, Amsterdam Netherlands
26 – AB Main Hall, Brussels Belgium
28 – Izvestia Hall, Moscow Russia
National Music Centre launches Speak Up! exhibition on June 14, honouring Indigenous artists making social impacts
The National Music Centre (NMC) is pleased to launch a new permanent exhibition at Studio Bell, showcasing Indigenous artists making social and political impacts in Canada.
Indigenous voices are deeply connected to the landscape we live within, they have long made significant contributions within the world of music. With the support from TD, Speak Up! will showcase Indigenous artists who have who have, or are, making a social impact on a local, regional or national level —motivating a new generation to take action while offering a better understanding of where they come from.
The exhibition features storytelling and audio with artifacts and video being added throughout the year. Visitors will gain an understanding of each artists’ personal inspiration and drive for social change, as well as their feelings on the medium of music as a tool for speaking up.
Featured artists include: Singer-songwriter and First Nations activist Willie Dunn, operatic vocalist and composer Jeremy Dutcher, trip-hop singer-songwriter iskwē, eight-time Grammy-nominees Northern Cree, legendary filmmaker and genre-defying musician Alanis Obomsawin, Aboriginal poet, painter, broadcaster and filmmaker Dr. Duke Redbird, Anishinaabe singer-songwriter and emcee Leonard Sumner, Ottawa-based rock band Seventh Fire, Inuit throat singer and experimental artist Tanya Tagaq, and groundbreaking Cree hip-hop group War Party.
“This is a vital first step to nationally recognize the important and often unrecognized contributions of Indigenous artists,” says David McLeod (member of the Pine Creek First Nation), Curator of Speak Up! Their deep connection to their music, their stories, and their community speaks volumes to the Indigenous experience. The first 10 artists are from across the country and represent multiple genres, but their creative output to bring about understanding in the world is what truly connects them all. The timeline of the artists is from the late ‘60s to present day. They all have and continue to radically shift the Canadian paradigm of who First Nation, Metis and Inuit people truly are. We’re certainly not done yet, there is still a wealth of Indigenous music and history needing long overdue recognition.”
“If I don’t use my voice, someone else will try to speak for me,” says iskwē. “Music is the language I use to break my silence, and to connect with others who feel that fight bursting in their hearts.”
Speak Up! precedes Indigenous Music Week at Studio Bell, from June 19 to 22, featuring a week-long celebration of music and activities in partnership with APTN, Canada’s Music Incubator, Indigenous Resilience in Music, and Sled Island. More info on all Indigenous Music Week activities can be found at studiobell.ca/whats-on.
“This exhibition is one of many ways that the National Music Centre is honouring Indigenous artists and shining a light on their legacies as artists and activists,” said Andrew Mosker, President and CEO, NMC. “Guided by the knowledge and experiences of Indigenous voices, NMC is committed to bringing about a collective process of reconciliation through our exhibitions and programs.”
Speak Up! is accessible with paid admission to Studio Bell and open to the public on June 14, 2019.