All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram or Twitter
Guitarist JEFF GUNN Releases New Single “One Life” From Latest Album ‘Momentum’
Almost eight hundred years since the first guitar strings were fashioned and plucked in Spain, arguably one of Canada’s best guitarists and award-winning singer/songwriter composer Jeff Gunn finds a new six-string story to tell with his meditative new single “One Life.”
Few artists have honed the guitar as a storytelling instrument the way Jeff Gunn has, and “One Life” is the latest demonstration of Gunn’s transcendent musicianship. “One Life” is the latest single from Gunn’s meticulously crafted third studio album “Momentum,” an eclectic collection of beautifully executed guitar-driven songs that are as compelling as they are versatile.
Jeff Gunn ushers in the future of guitar on his album “Momentum,” which was co-produced by award-winning guitar maestro Antoine Dufour. The album assembles a group of sensational artists who skillfully lend their talents to an immensely sophisticated group of songs that casual listeners and music aficionados can enjoy.
A critically acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, and producer with an extremely impressive catalogue of music, Jeff notably co-wrote and co-produced Emmanuel Jal’s JUNO Award-nominated album, The Key (Gatwitch/Universal). Gunn is also an academic author with his book, Hidden Sounds: Discover Your Own Method on Guitar (Mayfair Music Publications) and a regular “guitar tips” contributor in print and film with Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Guitar World, Canadian Musician, Overdrive (Thailand), and The Guitar Mag (Thailand). He also co-wrote the song “Scars” with Jal and Nelly Furtado for the film The Good Lie (Warner Brothers 2014) and The Black Prince (Rukus Avenue 2017) soundtrack.
A sought-after collaborator and contributor with an impressive A-list of artists, Jeff has recorded with Emmanuel Jal, Nelly Furtado, Bibi McGill, Mark Pellizzer, Kae Sun, Domanique Grant, James Bryan, Rayzak, performed with DMC, Swizz Beatz, Tanika Charles, and has served as musical director for Jal opening for such acts as Nico & Vinz, Peter Gabriel, Bonnie Raitt, Angelique Kidjo, Xavier Rudd, Mumford & Sons, and Ellie Goulding.
Gunn has also taken his top-notch performing abilities to notable international stages and high-profile gigs, including Glastonbury, the JUNO Songwriters’ Circle, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Ringo Starr’s Birthday Concert at Capitol Records, United Nations, GRAMMY Museum Concert Series in Honour of Bob Marley, Jimmy Kimmel’s Annual Italian Festival, and the Dalai Lama One World Concert. He has also appeared on CBC, CTV Canada AM, Good Day New York, Fox TV, Ted Talks, and The Travel Channel (Thailand). Gunn has also been a guest speaker at UCLA, University of London, University of Oxford, Thammasat University, the University of Hawaii and more. Gunn is endorsed by Godin Guitars, D’Addario Canada, Levy’s Guitar Straps, Planet Waves, Gravity Guitar Picks, and G7th Capos.
Breakthrough Pop Latin Artist Valentina Cherico Debuts Vivacious “Believe In Yourself”
Rich vocalizations and big-band pop vibes aren’t the only things driving young breakthrough artist Valentina Cherico. Her unique fusion of pop and Latin music sends shivers down spines across the globe, featured prominently in her newest single, “Believe In Yourself.”
Based in Pittsburgh, PA, 19-year-old Valentina’s polished vocals are merely the icing on this massive production. Featuring sexy Latin trumpet riffs, stylish Spanish guitar licks, and an alluring depth metaphoric of our own potential, “Believe In Yourself” is a massive mix that has something to tickle everyone’s fancy.
Preaching the gospel of confidence, Valentina reflects on her journey as an aspiring artist facing the criticism of industry gatekeepers, friends, and bystanders. Determined to become a musical sensation in her own right, Valentina looked past her critics and homed in on her own perseverance to end up where she is now.
Valentina comments on her battle with criticism, saying “One night, I became so tired of all the negative opinions and comments. I went to my bedroom, and I just started writing about my deepest thoughts and frustrations.”
From there, she took her fledgling brainchild to her father, Michael Cherico who also happens to be the frontman for Casanova for musical inspiration and polishing. Their unbreakable bond fueled by a generation of music became a key ingredient for success as they recorded instrumentation and harmonies, with Michael alongside Bob McCutcheon produced the single, and creating the infectious single that is spreading like wildfire.
“My mission behind this song was to share my story and to show the world that you are capable of anything if you have a positive mindset, work hard and never stop dreaming.”
Leading into her musical career, Valentina found herself drawn to acting and musical theater, bringing her to attend Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School to practice acting, singing, and dancing and theater, opening the door for her to work with critically acclaimed Broadway actors.
Eventually, Valentina moved on to writing her own original songs, focusing more on her musical talents and vocals. From there, she worked alongside American Grammy-nominated and multi-award-winning music producer Roy Hamilton III to debut her first original single, “There’s No Stopping Me.” The sky became the limit for Valentina.
The breakthrough artist now finds herself performing alongside her father and sister, Alexandra Cherico-Shirley in Casanova and The Divas. While singing with the band, Valentina focuses on modeling and acting while working with several music producers in Pittsburgh, Nashville, and New York.
Original MuchMusic VJ and Platinum Singer/Songwriter CHRISTOPHER WARD Re-Releases Debut 1978 Album Spark of Desire
Before writing a No. 1 Billboard hit (“Black Velvet”), becoming a MuchMusic original veejay, and an author and podcaster, JUNO-winning songwriter Christopher Ward recorded a 1978 solo debut album titled Spark of Desire.
Until now, Spark of Desire has never been available on streaming services. However, on a lucky trip to his well-organized storage space during the pandemic, Ward found the master tapes, and Warner Music Canada was able to bake them back into existence and remaster this delightful debut.
Available October 21, fans will finally be able to discover (or re-discover) Spark of Desire in its remastered splendor, including the joyful, groovy single “Once In A Longtime,” which, with its bright horns and easy disco roll, evokes the beauty, wonder, and euphoria of discovering new love.
“Once In A Longtime” was written when Ward was just your average, ambitious kid trying to make it in the biz. “In 1975 I was scuffling,” Ward remembers. “Writing songs late at night and by day chasing whatever gigs I could find on the Toronto singer-songwriter circuit. I regularly pestered record companies with my latest demo tapes, which were created in dingy basements, taking my dog with me to appointments.”
Finally, Ward caught a lucky break. He met an A&R guy named Jim Campbell (who everyone referred to as “Soupy,” for obvious reasons). “Jim liked my music, listened to all my demos, and was very encouraging,” Ward recalls. “He booked me and my band into Eastern Sound studios in Yorkville, to record what was called ‘four sides,’ meaning four songs.” One of those songs happened to be the sublime “Once In A Longtime.”
Like fans of classic singer-songwriters of the 1970s, Ward is aware that Spark of Desire has continued through the decades as a beloved album, even if it hasn’t been readily available. “To this day, the songs get played on the radio and, I know from the reaction that I see online, hold a special place in many people’s hearts,” Ward says. “For this, I’m grateful.”
It seems almost like kismet that Ward just released Same River Twice, his first solo album in decades, last year. Perhaps best known for his No. 1 hit “Black Velvet” which he wrote for Alannah Myles, Same River Twice featured a fresh take on the beloved song.
As far as resumes go, Ward’s is among the nation’s most prolific: He was a recording artist throughout the ’70s, a television icon and founding VJ through the ’80s, and a hit songwriter in the ’90s. He’s written songs for many – including Diana Ross, Amanda Marshall, Colin James, and the Backstreet Boys – as well as for CTV’s Instant Star, the Degrassi franchise, Cirque du Soleil, and more. His songs have been performed on Idol shows around the world, and he’s won a JUNO Award for Songwriter of the Year. Ward has also authored three novels and an oral history of MuchMusic titled Is This Live?. He also co-hosts a podcast called Famous Lost Words.
Rockers EVIL CREEK Explore The Healing, Connective Power of Music in New Single and Video “Away From The Sun”
Music has a profound way of making us feel less alone, and that was particularly true during the pandemic. And yet at the same time, live music halted, also stunting some of those musical connections. Ottawa-based rockers Evil Creek capture this conundrum with their release of their new single and video “Away From The Sun”, from their forthcoming EP of the same name out December 2.
An Americana-tinged guitar anthem with introspective loud-quiet dynamics, “Away From The Sun” takes a deep dive into mental health issues and depression, exploring loneliness and isolation.
I know I walk alone
My shadow follows me
Takes away my sanity
Take a look in my eyes
See I’ve become so hollow
Will I make it through tomorrow
The corresponding music video tells parallel stories of a band and an individual who found themselves closed off from the world
“A lot of people face a very real and legitimate daily struggle with mental illness,” the band said. “Throughout history, touchpoints like music and social connections have provided coping and healing mechanisms in this struggle. But when Covid came along, we were all forced into isolation with no end in sight, no good news, and very little interaction to create a balance. This really amplified the impact of mental illness struggles across the world.”
In the video, the man eventually finds some peace as he makes his way towards a cozy living room and puts on some headphones, finding a cocoon – and connection – there. The camera then cuts to a scene where the same man stands in front of the band in that empty bar and he fist bumps the singer, as though he’s there.
“I want people to identify with the character in this video,” said band member Johnny McConnell. “I hope for them to realize the satisfaction of knowing that no matter what we go through in life, music is always there for us – to change us for the better, to wrap its arms around us, and to empower us.”
Voted Music Group of the Year in the 2022 Ottawa Awards, Evil Creek are a rock band that creates music honoring multiple musical traditions, with a heavy groove behind energetic riffs and eerie, melodic vocals. Evil Creek’s songs tell an emotional story that each audience member can easily interpret and make their own. Formed in 2017, the band unites several accomplished musicians who capture the power and authenticity of unplugged musical performances, honed through years of road work and playing live. The result is a raw, real, and immediate experience that has earned Evil Creak a loyal legion of fans.
Blues Rocker EMILY MAC Finds Her Strength on Fiery, Sassy New Single “Whiskey Like Me”
Watering oneself down to suit the fickle tastes of someone else is never a good idea, though we’ve all likely done it before. Toronto blues-rocker Emily Mac embraces the fact that she’s a strong shot of whiskey rather than a weak cup of tea on her scorching new single “Whiskey Like Me.”
A fiery rock anthem with sassy vocals and dirty, bluesy guitar, “Whiskey Like Me” hits right where it hurts when Mac sings, “I’m a top-shelf queen/ And you keep staring at me/ But you can’t drink me tonight/ I ain’t your trophy wife.” Like all the best songs, it’s inspired by a true story. “When I was writing ‘Whiskey Like Me,’ I was coming out of a bad relationship and I didn’t understand why I was so heartbroken over a guy who treated me like I was worthless,” Mac divulges. “I made a joke to my co-writer about how I was this strong, whiskey-drinking woman who could drink this guy under the table while he preferred milk, and out of this conversation, ‘Whiskey Like Me’ was born.”
Co-written with Jay Stolar (Demi Lovato, Daryl Hall & John Oates), “Whiskey Like Me” features Ben Healey on guitar, Stacey Shopsowitz on bass, and Robert Sibony on drums. It was engineered by Theresa Gemma and produced by Dajaun Martineau (Moist, Big Sugar).
“I love that popular quote, “I’d rather be someone’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea,’” Mac says. “As someone who has a problem with being a people pleaser, this was a very important lesson for me to learn. I hope that when people hear ‘Whiskey Like Me,’ they’ll embrace their inner badass and walk away from anyone who doesn’t value them.”
Emily Mac’s sultry vocals are something to be both savoured and enjoyed in abundance. Before she could legally order a drink, she was singing in cover bands in bars, honing her craft in real time in front of an audience. Over the course of her career, Emily has performed at numerous festivals such as Canadian Music Week, Indie Week, TD Toronto Jazz Festival, Beaches International Jazz Festival, and Niagara Wine Festival. Additionally, Emily has become an asset of empowerment to the Toronto music community through her support of other female artists with her Queens Of Rock ’n’ Roll showcase series, which has brought like-minded indie artists together both online and in person.
Bristol, UK Singer-Songwriter Saskia Nyx Waxes Poetic in New “Moon” Single
Who doesn’t look to the moon for guidance in matters of the heart? And where better to look for a voice to guide you than a rising star coming from the place of Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky and The Wild Bunch? It’s an age-old tradition in song and verse and following this lineage as well as a long line of British female singer-songwriters, eclectic Bristol, UK-based songspinner Saskia Nyx adds modern depth with her new single, simply titled “Moon.”
With its spare piano-and-cello arrangement and heartfelt vocal, the track walks a fine line between melancholy and hopeful. More otherworldly than her previous release, “Motorbike” – although that song, too, doesn’t quite belong to Planet Earth – it shows the singer missing her loving partner while taking some comfort in their seeing—and sharing—the same moon. The song, in fact, was inspired on a moonlit night: “A trap door opened in the sky,” Nyx recalls, “and the song ‘Moon’ fell out.”
The song may be rooted in a real situation, but “Moon”’s cinematic, dreamlike qualities make the experience universal. The singer’s vulnerability seduces the listener, holding them close, from her plaintive opening notes to the prayerful repetition at the track’s end:
Go find my love
Go tell him
Tell my love I love him.
If Saskia’s distinctive voice sounds familiar, no doubt you’ve heard her on sessions by Stormzy, Labrinth, and other acclaimed acts. She counts Lana Del Ray, Jordan Rakei, Glass Animals, and other genre-blending acts among her stylistic kin.
More new music will be available this winter, including an EP—and Nyx assures us of “more songs brewing in the cauldron.”
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club & Few Spirits Collaborate On Motor Oil, Whiskey Finished In Rum And Vermouth Barrels
FEW Spirits announces the release of Motor Oil Whiskey, a new, limited-release collaboration between FEW Spirits Founder and Master Distiller Paul Hletko and modern rock icons Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, honoring the 21st anniversary of the band’s seminal debut album, B.R.M.C.
Motor Oil is scheduled to be available for purchase on July 1.
“I’ve been a fan of Black Rebel since the debut album came out,” said Hletko. “When we heard they were looking for a distillery to work with, you better believe we jumped at that chance.”
Said Black Rebel Motorcycle Club founding member and bassist Robert Levon Been, “We’d always joke around about how someday we should make our own whiskey called ‘Motor Oil’ that’s so painful nobody would be able to actually drink it. It would basically be jet fuel in a bottle, just pure pain. But then we met Paul Hletko and he said, ‘Yeah that’s cool, but that’s illegal’. So after brooding for a bit, Paul took the next year to properly school us in how it’s really done, dialing in what somehow eventually became a legitimate incredible whiskey blend, which is crazy, and we’re still mostly surprised we didn’t blow up the barn.”
Featuring label art inspired by the band’s logo, every bottle of FEW Spirits Motor Oil Whiskey (SRP: $60/750 ml) is a blend of three whiskeys: FEW Bourbon finished in rum barrels, FEW Bourbon finished in vermouth barrels, and a mesquite-smoked wheat whiskey. The result is full-flavored and complex – grassy and sweet from the rum barrel; herbaceous, bitter and vegetal notes from the vermouth barrel; and heavy mesquite smoke that evokes winding back roads, long stretches of highway, and pit stops at roadside barbecue joints of West Texas. The blend was proofed & bottled at a very rock n’ roll 101.
The arduous creative process, spanning two years and a global pandemic, involved sending samples to band members in points around the world, conducting blind tastings over video calls, tweaking flavor profiles based on band feedback, regrouping, and starting the process all over again until just the right blend was achieved.
Of the collaborative process, Hletko commented, “Creating a new whiskey is a lot like working a song – what are you trying to say? What do you want it to feel like? I was picturing riding on a motorcycle through backcountry roads and Route 66 – from one end of the ‘Mother Road’ in Chicago, to the California coast where the band began. But what does that sound like, and taste like, and what kind of feelings are evoked by that ride?”
Christina Aguilera Returns to MasterClass to Teach How to Elevate Your Singing & Stage Presence
MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world’s best across a wide range of subjects, today announced that globally celebrated musician Christina Aguilera will return to the platform and join Sessions by MasterClass, a structured, 30-day curriculum where members learn meaningful skills through hands-on experience, step-by-step demonstration and an engaged community. Aguilera will teach members how to take their singing and performance to the next level by finding new meaning in their favorite songs, exploring their creative influences and molding them into a deeply personal performance. Enrollment for Aguilera’s session is available starting today; the session goes live Aug. 3.
“Christina’s incredible four-octave range and mastery of vocal techniques go hand in hand with the emotion and soul she brings to every performance,” said David Rogier, founder and CEO of MasterClass. “Christina knows what it takes to connect with an audience. Her new session is the perfect companion to her original class, teaching members how to level up their skills as a singer and deliver performances that are sure to impress.”
In her session, Aguilera will guide members through her creative process from finding inspiration to making a song her own. Members will leave the session with a fine-tuned vocal warm-up and the opportunity to turn their creative vision into a final performance. The session is broken down into five sections and a bonus chapter:
- Introduction: Aguilera shares her personal story and helps members design a comfortable space that will boost creativity and preserve their energy so they can develop and grow as artists.
- Warm-Up: Aguilera will teach members the importance of properly warming up their vocal cords. She shares a custom vocal warm-up she created exclusively for the session and encourages members to practice it on their own.
- Making a Song Your Own: Breaking down one of her favorite songs, “At Last” by Etta James, Aguilera will teach members how to analyze songs they love to develop a stronger emotional connection to the music they perform. Members will learn how to add their own unique style to a chosen song and share their first performance with the community.
- Final Performance: Members will prepare for their final recording by visualizing their performance through mood boards, journal entries and collages. Members will then translate their creative vision and record their biggest performance of the session.
- Conclusion: Aguilera offers additional advice for future performances and encourages members to continue to pursue their singing dreams.
- Bonus: Aguilera explores her latest Spanish-language album, La Fuerza, with artist and producer Jean Rodriguez. Members will learn the inspiration behind the vocal performances and ways to foster a soulful connection to music that transcends language.
“Emotion and soul are the quintessential ingredients to a dynamic and impactful performance,” Aguilera said. “In my new session, I’m excited to teach the importance of being vulnerable in the studio and on stage, and how it translates into a more powerful connection with an audience.”
Aguilera’s career spans more than two decades, earning her countless accolades including six Grammy Awards and one Latin Grammy, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Recognized for her powerful voice and hit songs, she has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide to date and has been featured as part of Rolling Stone‘s list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. She has also achieved five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making her only the fourth female artist to top the chart over three consecutive decades. Aguilera recently released her second Spanish-language album, AGUILERA.
SiriusXM Music Town Announces The Four Winning Communities Of Epic Concert Experience
Four of Canada’s most passionate and music-loving communities have been named the inaugural winners of SiriusXM Music Town, each winning a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience for their towns. After weeks of voting and online rallying, the 2022 SiriusXM Music Towns and their headlining act (from East to West) are:
- Miramichi, NB – Arkells
- Blanc-Sablon, QC – 2Frères
- Orangeville, ON – Walk off the Earth
- Estevan, SK – Dallas Smith
“We are thrilled by the response from Canadians for the inaugural SiriusXM Music Town program, and the passion and enthusiasm all of our finalists showed to bring live music to the heart of their community,” said Paul Cunningham, SVP, Sales & Marketing, SiriusXM Canada. “The spirit of this program is to bring people together to share an experience that only live music can provide. We have partnered with the best of Canadian talent to ensure that this fall, these four communities will have a night to remember.”
“We’re so happy to be back on the road, and Atlantic Canada is a place very close to our hearts,” said Max Kerman, lead singer of Arkells. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with SiriusXM to bring a once in a lifetime experience to the city of Miramichi. Get ready to update your Wikipedia page, cause this will be one for the books and a history making night when Arkells get to town.”
“On behalf of our entire community, we want to express our incredible excitement over being selected as a SiriusXM Music Town,” said Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown. “Congrats and best wishes to the other finalists. Many thanks to our Town staff and members of our local musicians and businesses that helped with videos encouraging the public to vote for Orangeville! Thank you to Live Nation and SiriusXM Canada for bringing Live Music Back. We can’t wait to welcome Walk off the Earth to Orangeville!”
The four winning communities were selected based on their nomination story, online voting and social rallying, and their unwavering spirit to be named a SiriusXM Music Town. Over 100,000 votes were cast for the top 16 communities, with local officials and community leaders motivating residents to get involved and bring live music to the heart of their town.
About the winning communities:
- EASTERN CANADA – ARKELLS in Miramichi, NB
The tight-knit community of Miramichi showcased their famous competitive spirit with an outpouring of passionate nominations and hometown stories. Their commitment to win followed through to the voting stage as daily reminders from town officials drove significant votes and rally points, ultimately helping Miramichi win a history making show with Arkells.
Situated between beautiful rivers and valleys on the east coast of New Brunswick, Miramichi residents know how to come together as a community to celebrate. Tragedy struck the city when their local 70-year-old theatre was lost to a fire in 2020. The Vogue Theatre was an arts and cultural hub for the community and a place where live music was regularly celebrated.
- QUEBEC – 2FRÈRES in Blanc-Sablon, QC
Blanc-Sablon’s community shone bright during the voting period, coming together to celebrate the warmth of their hometown. Inhabitants of this Lower North Shore municipality demonstrated their excitement for SiriusXM Music Town, highlighting Blanc-Sablon’s uniqueness and welcoming spirit.
Named after the fine white sand of its eponymous bay, the lively yet tiny community of Blanc-Sablon serves as the gateway to the eastern end of Lower North Shore. Although small, with a population of just 1,122 residents, the town of Blanc-Sablon is a tight-knit community with a big heart – a place where everyone knows your name. This fall, Blanc-Sablon will give a warm welcome to 2Frères.
- ONTARIO – WALK OFF THE EARTH in Orangeville, ON
If music is your jam, Orangeville is the place to be. The community’s love for live music and entertainment was made crystal clear during the voting period of SiriusXM Music Town. Local officials, small businesses and music fans rallied together in an extraordinary demonstration of hometown spirit to win an epic show from Walk off the Earth. The concert will help bring live music back to this vibrant community of true music lovers.
Orangeville, located near Lake Ontario in Dufferin County, has a thriving arts scene and an enormous love of music. While the town experienced enormous growth and expansion in recent years, some buildings remain much as they were when they were built 120 years ago. The early days of a prosperous, successful county town are still here.
- WESTERN CANADA – DALLAS SMITH in Estevan, SK
The town of Estevan knows how to rally. After a difficult few years, local small businesses and music fans came together to drive thousands of votes and rally points to win SiriusXM Music Town in Western Canada.
Located in southeastern Saskatchewan close to the Souris River, Estevan is known as the sunshine capital of Canada – but residents would love to host a concert to bring even more brightness to their home. Estevan enjoys an average of 3,536 hours of sunshine and the highest number of hours each year of clear blue skies, but this unusually sunny town has unfortunately experienced dark times recently with the downturn in the Canadian oil industry. This fall, Estevan will host Dallas Smith for an unforgettable concert and celebration of hometown pride.