Madison Beer takes to Instagram and lets us know which accounts we should all be following.
The Final Word On Sesame Street’s Bert And Ernie’s Relationship
I’m looking at one of my favourite awards I’ve earned from the music biz – a gold album of Sesame Street’s Platinum Songs collection. I’ve long-loved the program for teaching children about the relationship we should attain towards one another, including showing The Muppets Bert and Ernie being roommates on Sesame Street for 49 years now, and some have speculated that they are a gay couple. I had to give a smile when I read Mark Saltzman, who wrote for the program for 15-years, and Saltzman, and who is openly gay, talkings about the characters in an interview, in which he admits that his writing for the two was inspired by his relationship with his late partner Arnold Glassman.
I remember one time that a column from The San Francisco Chronicle, a preschooler in the city turned to mom and asked “are Bert & Ernie lovers?” And that, coming from a preschooler was fun. And that got passed around, and everyone had their chuckle and went back to it. And I always felt that without a huge agenda, when I was writing Bert & Ernie, they were. I didn’t have any other way to contextualize them. The other thing was, more than one person referred to Arnie & I as “Bert & Ernie.”
That interview went viral, and Sesame Workshop responded with a now-deleted Tweet, repeating their official stance on the matter.
As we have always said, Bert and Ernie are best friends. They were created to teach preschoolers that people can be good friends with those who are very different from themselves. Even though they are identified as male characters and possess many human traits (as most Sesame Street Muppets™ do), they remain puppets, and do not have a sexual orientation.
A few hours later, they updated their statement.
The beauty of their relationship continues to lie in the eyes of the viewer. So, let’s just celebrate the show, and the merging of the world between humans and puppets – even if you’re yellow and orange, and love one another.
Blondie’s Clem Burke Help Researchers Show Drumming May Help Kids with Autism
Research has shown for years the benefits of music therapy for various mental health conditions, including depression, trauma, and schizophrenia, to name a few, and also acts as help for processing emotions, trauma, and grief—but music can also be utilized as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety A new study led by Dr Marcus Smith of the University of Chichester showed that drumming could help children diagnosed with autism learn in school:
Preliminary results showed:
A vast improvement in movement control while playing the drums, including dexterity, rhythm, timing.
Movement control was also enhanced while performing daily tasks outside the school environment, including an improved ability to concentrate during homework.
A range of positive changes in behaviour within school environment, which were observed and reported by teachers, such as improved concentration and enhanced communication with peers and adults.
The study was completed by a group of researchers which include Clem Burke, the drummer of band Blondie.
Buck-N-Nice have shattered the mold embodied by many artists, and that’s how it’s going to stay
Buck-N-Nice have shattered the mold embodied by many artists, and that’s how it’s going to stay. The pair — wordsmith rapper SawBuck and deft beatmaster DJ So Nice — have released a new video for “EMAG”, the taster title track off the pair’s sophomore release.
The new LP further steadies the duo’s course in conscious hip hop, eschewing formulaic trends and dime-a-dozen anthems in favour of intellectually focused tracks.
“It’s a thought-provoking collection that challenge the deceptions and perceptions within the music industry,” they reveal about EMAG. “We don’t focus on creating that next club hit or keeping up with the latest trends, and this follows suit.
“It’s purposeful that our music reflects life experiences, the community that we’re surrounded by, and the general influences that have shaped us into artists and people.”
Shot in their hometown areas of Ottawa and Gatineau, the video for “EMAG” plays out like a mobster mega-flick ensconced deep within the music industry.
“The careful placement of visual metaphors in this video represent the many thoughts and moods that artists can have towards themselves,” details the video’s director and producer Patrick Lozinski. Makeup was done by Noure Manuchakyan. “The video was built around the notion that when it comes to success and money, artists are constantly beating themselves up about it.”
“We stayed consistent with the messaging throughout the album,” Buck-N-Nice add. “We have strong principles of independence, which we show and Patrick captures well in the video. We place our integrity above all else, and show there’s nothing we’d do to sell ourselves short and nothing we would not do to stand up for ourselves against the evils of the music industry.”
Their recipe is working and the pair’s secret sauce is sought after. 2014’s Us Versus Them enjoyed vast critical acclaim, and “EMAG” is currently rising among the ranks across !Earshot’s Hip Hop charts.
“EMAG” and the album are available now.
Ryan Tedder, Sarah McLachlan, and Arkells’ Max Kerman Confirmed as Initial Celebrity Mentors for Season 2 of CTV’s THE LAUNCH
Days before production kicks off on the highly anticipated second season of its hit original series THE LAUNCH, CTV announced today the first wave of celebrity mentors on deck to guide this season’s round of hand-picked emerging artists vying for an opportunity to create a new hit single. Recording superstar Ryan Tedder, the creative force behind THE LAUNCH Season 1 certified platinum hit single “Ain’t Easy”, returns to the series in a dual role as celebrity mentor and producer, along with Grammy® Award-winning singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan and Max Kerman, the 4x JUNO-Award winning frontman for Hamilton rock band Arkells.
THE LAUNCH also announced today that Québec pop icon Marie-Mai (STAR ACADÉMIE, LA VOIX) joins the series’ as a permanent mentor on the weekly celebrity panel alongside music industry powerhouse Scott Borchetta. In addition, fan favourite entertainment reporter Liz Trinnear (ETALK) joins the show in a new hosting role. THE LAUNCH begins production on its second season Sept. 26 in Toronto. Audience tickets are now available; see details below.
THE LAUNCH heads into production for Season 2 on the heels of a breakthrough inaugural season that garnered an exclusive worldwide distribution deal with Sony Pictures Television (SPT). In addition, the series delivered a series of consecutive #1 hit songs amassing more than 21 million streams internationally to date, including certified platinum “Ain’t Easy” by Season 1 chosen artists Elijah Woods x Jamie Fine. The pop/hip-hop duo won the iHeartRadio MMVA for Best New Canadian Artist in August, and recently dropped their latest single “Better Off.”
In each stand-alone episode of THE LAUNCH, unsigned aspiring artists audition for the opportunity to learn, record, and perform their version of a new original song by a world famous songwriter/producer. The artists are mentored by a panel of internationally renowned music industry legends alongside Borchetta, who then decide which version of the song will be released across the country immediately following the broadcast of the episode each week. THE LAUNCH is set to premiere on CTV and VRAK in early 2019.
Rocker Bryan Adams calls for changes to Canada’s copyright laws to help artists
Canadian rock star Bryan Adams appears as a witness at a Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in Ottawa on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. I give my thoughts here.
The Trews Plot Out National Tour With Stops In Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, And More
Last week, The Trews released their sixth full-length studio album Civilianaires and today they’re excited to announce they will be bringing these brand new songs out on the road at the top of 2019. The tour will take them across the country kicking off in Vancouver with stops through Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto and more, see below for full list of tour dates. Their New Year’s Eve show in Winnipeg will have tickets go on sale September 20, while the rest of the tour go on Sale September 21 – thetrewsmusic.com/live/ for more information.
Civilianaires is the band’s most fearless record yet with personal and political lyrics driven by a refreshing new sound. The Trews approached Civilianaires, their electrifying and wildly original follow-up to 2014’s The Trews, the way a contractor tackles a kitchen reno: tearing things down to the studs, then building out piece by new piece. “We’re almost in existential-crisis-mode if we don’t have new songs we’re excited about,” guitarist/songwriter John-Angus MacDonald says, “With us it’s always ‘What’s next?’ We’re most galvanized while we’re creating. And this new album is a completely fresh take on what we’ve done before.”
It features production credits from up and comer Derek Hoffman (The Elwins, Seaway) and the legendary Bob Rock. The band also worked alongside Max Kerman from Arkells, who co-wrote and co-produced their second single “Vintage Love”, along with a co-write with Serena Ryder on the title track.
With multiple radio hits drawn from six scorching studio albums plus several EPs, a pair of live records, and a retrospective, The Trews are among the most prolific, electrifying, and innovative rock bands. The Nova Scotia-bred, Hamilton /Toronto -based combo of singer/guitarist Colin MacDonald, guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek, and drummer Chris Gormley – songwriters all – has won universal acclaim for both their dazzling live performances and wildly accessible songs.
TOUR DATES
Dec 31 – Winnipeg, MB – Club Regent Event Centre
Jan 25 – Vancouver, BC – The Commodore Ballroom
Jan 28 – Grand Prairie, AB – BetterThen Fred’s
Jan 30 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
Jan 31 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
Feb 01 – Calgary, AB – The Palace Theatre
Feb 03 – Medicine Hat, AB – The Esplanade
Feb 04 – Red Deer, AB – Bo’s Bar & Grill
Feb 07 – Prince Albert, SK – E.A. Rawlinson Centre For The Arts
Feb 08 – Saskatoon, SK – Coor’s Event Centre
Feb 09 – Regina, SK – Casino Regina
Feb 15 – Waterloo, ON – Maxwell’s Concert & Events
Feb 16 – Thorold, ON – Moose and Goose
Feb 22 – London, ON – London Music Hall
Feb 23 -Toronto,ON – Danforth Music Hall
Album art: DOWNLOAD | Promo Photo: DOWNLOAD |
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK| INSTAGRAM
The Magic Numbers Announce West Coast Tour Dates this October
The UK-based, Mercury Prize nominated The Magic Numbers returned earlier this year with their long-awaited fifth LP, Outsiders: their first new music in four years. Following glowing reviews in their homeland and abroad, the band returned to the east coast of the US for a string of shows in support of the new record. This October, the band will now be taking on the west coast of the US. For dates, see below.
Outsiders, though instantly recognisable as a Magic Numbers record in its melodies, begins with a more raucous punch sonically. The confidence is more evident than ever before, noticeable immediately in the more bluesy, gnarly guitar sound. There’s also been a subtle but significant shift in lead singer Romeo Stodart’s lyrical themes as he plays around with different characters and title names.
Catch THE MAGIC NUMBERS Live:
10/22 – San Diego CA – The Casbah
10/23 – Los Angeles CA – Hotel Cafe
10/24 – San Francisco CA – The Chapel
10/25 – Sacramento CA – Harlow’s
10/28 – Portland OR – Holocene
10/29 – Seattle WA – Tractor Tavern
10/30 – Vancouver BC – Railway Stage & Beer Cafe
NBA Stars Read Mean Tweets About Themselves #6
Jimmy Kimmel presents the sixth NBA basketball edition of his popular “Mean Tweets” segment. This year’s NBA stars include Jalen Rose, Draymond Green, Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond, Scottie Pippen, Kevin Love, Charles Barkley, Kobe Bryant and more
NBA Legend Baron Davis Teaches You Basketball Slang
On this episode of “Slang School,” Baron Davis teaches you basketball slang words.