Five years ago this week, Amanda Palmer surprised worthy Paste Magazine with a guest vocalist during her Paste Session at the Newport Folk Festival—her husband, author Neil Gaiman.
Name a more iconic couple. I’ll wait.
Will Arnett Explains Canadian Slang
In the latest episode of Vanity Fair’s “Slang School” series, Canadian/American comedic actor Will Arnett explains the meanings of some common Canadian slang words and phrases. Will stars in “Teen Titans GO! To the Movies” which debuts in theaters July 27th.
Photo Gallery: Godsmack with Shinedown and Like A Storm at Darien Lake
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Transgender Artists Dreamstates Ask: ‘What’s “Normal” Anyway?’ In New Video
Merriam-Webster defines the word ‘normal’ as ‘conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern.’ It’s such an abstract definition of something that’s perceived as so rigid, that it makes the challenge of actually defining the word all the more amusing.
“What’s normal anyway?” ask Akron, Ohio singer/songwriter duo DreamStates in their new single “Normal” — available now. “As we say in the song, you’re more than any stereotype.”
DreamStates is equal parts the creative handiwork of Madeline Eckhart and Natalie Grace Martin. While they previously honed harmonies working together in Natalie’s live ensemble during her “She/Her/Hers Tour” — including a critically acclaimed performance at Akron’s inaugural Pride Festival last year — they quickly learned a newly-inspired iteration of working together could be so much more than just a band.
“We have a really strong mutual desire to expand the roster of transgender musicians in the entertainment industry,” DreamStates explain. “For us, it goes far beyond our personal musical goals and over into the realm of activism, equality and empowerment for what is an embattled community of beautiful people.
“We like to say, DreamStates is ‘love made aural’.”
Speaking of love, “Normal” was an act of self-love and -care by Natalie this past winter as she celebrated her annual milestone.
“This song was a birthday present to myself,” reflects Natalie. “I wanted to write something that felt like a gift to myself. I made sure that it included everything I love.”
On the list? It had to be groovy.
It had to be positive. It had to be innovative, powerful, and uplifting.
Most of all, however, it had to be fun.
“The song came together through a combination of FL Studio 10, Audacity, and sheer musical determination,” she laughs. “I composed the whole thing in a single 10-hour sitting.
“The world’s never had a hugely successful and popular transgender female pop vocalist. The biggest challenge we face (sharing our music) could be simply introducing people to the trans feminine voice. I know my tone fluctuates; I have moments of masculinity and moments of femininity in what is, overall, a totally androgynous vocal performance.”
“Normal” is but one track in the 12 song debut collection titled Parts One and Two. Co-written between them, Natalie and Madeline found the process to be a passion project like none other, fuelled by momentum and drive. “The songs just kept coming to us, like we couldn’t stop,” says Martin. “We wrote the whole album between December 2017 and February 2018, with Natalie’s “Normal” coming right in the middle of it on her actual birthday, January 2nd,” shares Eckhart. “We released it in halves. “Normal” is featured on Part Two and stands in solidarity with the album’s overarching themes of self-love, acceptance, and triumph.”
Coming full circle, it was only fitting the video be recorded in the same room it was written.
“Natalie wanted a simple, straightforward approach,” Madeline recalls. “We were heavily inspired by the ‘simple concept yields astounding results’ aesthetic of OK GO. She challenged herself to see how much she could do visually with a single, close-up shot of a face.”
The results are an intimate, boundary-breaking tete-a-tete with Natalie start to end.
The video is polished and engaging, which is especially notable considering the creative rigging DreamStates created to pull it together. “I used an everyday kitchen mixer — a whisk — propped up in a small metal bucket to hold my iPhone in place,” Natalie laughs, detailing her impromptu ‘cameraman.’ “I then used Vegas Pro 12 with the very multi-talented Madeline to edit it.”
While the side bar pep talk here should inspire emerging artists the world over that yes, you can create magic using only a camera phone, creativity, and your kitchen, the true goal of the video was unequivocally achieved, and then some.
“We simply wanted to show a transgender individual giving a message of hope, love, and positivity,” DreamStates share. “We think we got there.”
That they did.
“Normal” is available now.
The Midnight Hour: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
After years of produced releases and jam sessions, A Tribe Called Quest’s Ali Shaheed Muhammad and composer Adrian Younge formed The Midnight Hour in 2018 and released a 20-track album of the same name that bathes fans in an elixir of hip-hop, R&B and jazz.
For the new band’s Tiny Desk, the talented pair of impresarios — Younge stationed behind the keys with an undone satin bow tie and vaguely opaque glasses, Muhammad with a blue pinstriped suit and deep violet Fender guitar — turned their concert into a family affair, leading a six-piece band with interchanging vocalists through a stirring four-song set.
Metallica’s Kirk Hammett Holding Exhibition At Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum
Metallica’s Kirk Hammett holds one of the most significant archives of classic horror and sci-fi cinema art in the world. From July 13, 2019 through to January 5, 2020 at the Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park. Level 4, Roloff Beny Gallery, there’s a multisensory exhibition presents an international selection of original pieces that Hammett has amassed over three decades, including rare film posters, artwork, props, and costumes that explore the connection between artistry, emotion, and the dark side of popular culture.
It’s Alive! Classic Horror and Sci-Fi Art from the Kirk Hammett Collection is organized by the Peabody Essex Museum (PEM), Salem, Massachusetts.
Attention Swifties! Important entry instructions for Taylor Swift’s August 3 & 4 shows at Rogers Centre
Canadian Swifties are beyond excited, getting ready to see Taylor Swift live on August 3 and 4 at Rogers Centre. Taylor is using all digital ticketing for these shows, and Ticketmaster wants to ensure fans are Ready For It!
Tickets will not be emailed or available to print, and all digital tickets must be displayed on fans’ phones to get into the event. Please see below for more key information.
To help fans get into the stadium swiftly, Ticketmaster suggests following these easy steps to prepare:
How to Display Digital Tickets on Your Phone
- Download the Ticketmaster App.
- Find your digital tickets in “My Events,” and add them to your phone’s Apple or Google wallet.
- Send Tickets directly to everyone else in your party.
- Display your digital ticket at entry and you’re in!
*Phone troubles? Visit the box office on event day for assistance. Be prepared to show your ID.
*Please note that VIP tickets are not eligible for mobile entry.
Visit the links below for step-by-step instructions and more information about mobile tickets and how to transfer them on Ticketmaster.ca:
Other Key Show Information
- Tickets for the Friday show and Saturday show are still available at Ticketmaster.ca
- Taylor will be joined by opening acts Camila Cabello (known for “Havana”) and Charli XCX (known for “Boom Clap”)
- More information about the Rogers Centre (including directions/parking) is available here
Breakfast Anytime, Any Tims! Tim Hortons Canada makes breakfast items available for guests any time
On July 25, Tim Hortons will launch Breakfast Anytime, Any Tims: offering breakfast menu items any time at participating Tim Hortons restaurants nationwide. This expanded menu offering showcases Tim Hortons dedication to continually improve the guest experience.
Tim Hortons first piloted Breakfast Anytime in several Ontario locations earlier this year – a decision motivated by increased guest demand for the all-day menu offering. Following positive feedback from restaurant owners and guests, Tim Hortons is offering Breakfast Anytime beginning this week. The menu will feature guest’s favourite breakfast items formerly only available until Noon, including the Classic Hot Breakfast Sandwich on a Biscuit or English Muffin, Golden Hash Browns and more.
“We know how busy our guests are and we are dedicated to always offering them convenience and quality whether it’s 6am or 6pm,” says Ricardo Azevedo, Chief Sales Officer, Tim Hortons. “Breakfast Anytime is all about delivering our guests their favourite breakfast items at any time in communities across Canada.”
The new offering complements Tim Hortons Winning Together strategy, which is focused on three key areas – restaurant experience, product excellence and brand communications. Tim Hortons is committed to delivering the best guest experience and offering Canadians top quality products whenever they want throughout the day.
John Bonham: Achieving The Bonham Drum Sound
Rick Beato discusses all the elements related to recording, tuning, playing and the equipment used in Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham’s epic drum sound.
The shortlist for the 2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize has been announced, and the finalists are…
The shortlist for the 2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize has been announced, and the finalists are:
Arctic Monkeys – ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’
Everything Everything – ‘A Fever Dream’
Everything is Recorded – ‘Everything is Recorded’
Florence + The Machine – ‘High as Hope’
Jorja Smith – ‘Lost & Found’
King Krule – ‘The Ooz’
Lily Allen – ‘No Shame’
Nadine Shah – ‘Holiday Destination’
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – ‘Who Built the Moon?’
Novelist – ‘Novelist Guy’
Sons of Kemet – ‘Your Queen is a Reptile’
Wolf Alice – ‘Visions of a Life’
The Hyundai Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ celebrates and promotes the best of UK music recognising artistic achievement across a range of contemporary music genres. The shortlist was chosen by an independent judging panel and was revealed at their Launch event, hosted by BBC Music’s Huw Stephens.
The judges said: “This year’s Hyundai Mercury Prize celebrates albums by musicians at all stages of their careers, but with a shared belief in the importance of music for navigating life’s challenges – whether personal or political, falling in or out of love, growing up or looking back, angry or ecstatic. The music here is funny and inspiring, smart and moving. Twelve amazing albums!”
The 2018 Awards Show will take place on Thursday, September 20 at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.The event will feature live performances from many of the shortlisted artists and the evening will culminate in the announcement of the overall winner of the 2018 Hyundai Mercury Prize for ‘Album of the Year’.
The Prize’s broadcast partner, BBC Music, will be providing live television and radio coverage of the event on BBC Four and BBC Radio 6 Music.