DESTINATION WEDDING reunites two of Hollywood’s most adored stars, Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder, as the socially awkward Frank and Lindsay. When they meet on their way to a destination wedding, they soon discover they have a lot in common: they both hate the bride, the groom, the wedding, themselves, and most especially each other. As the weekend’s events continually force them together – and their cheerlessness immediately isolates them from the other guests – Frank and Lindsay find that if you verbally spar with someone long enough, anything can happen. When debate gives way to desire, they must decide which is stronger: their hearts or their common sense. The film gets to theaters on August 24.
Robin Williams Explaining How His Mind Works
Robin Williams tries to explain how his mind works to James Lipton.
https://youtu.be/cVF6S-BDM6k
UP Cannabis and Unison Benevolent Fund Announce Major Music Industry Support
Up Cannabis and the Unison Benevolent Fund, a non-profit, registered charity that provides counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community, today announced a partnership agreement that will serve to strengthen Unison’s longstanding Counselling and Health Solutions program. The partnership, which entails an infusion of funds totalling $150,000, will also offer Unison members access to a Cannabis Responsible Use resource to which they can turn for questions about the emerging legalized cannabis marketplace.
Jay Wilgar, CEO of Up Cannabis, said the partnership is meant to solidify Up’s wholehearted support of the Canadian music industry, which began with fundraising support in 2017 at Unison’s Holiday Schmoozefest and the 2018 Unison Rocks Charity Bonspiel in January. “With strategic partners on our side including Canada’s iconic musicians, The Tragically Hip, and world class entertainment consultants at The Feldman Agency, our brand is steeped in the music business,” Wilgar said. “We could not think of a better way to show our support for the industry than to ensure the music community is getting the health & wellness resources it may need as the cannabis industry moves toward legalization. We’re thankful for this partnership and look forward to cultivating health together.”
The partnership begins immediately and will be officially recognized at this summer’s Canadian Entertainment Charity (CEC) Golf Classic, in support of Unison, and for which Up Cannabis has been named Presenting Sponsor. The fundraiser expands this year to include events in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal/Ottawa.
“Up Cannabis’ support is instrumental in allowing this fundraising event to grow nationally, which ensures additional resources to sustain and expand Unison’s health and counselling services,” said Derrick Ross, Chair of the Unison Benevolent Fund Board of Directors. “Up, in partnership with Unison, will be raising awareness of the safe and responsible use of cannabis. We’ll be continuing to support the music community in times of need through counselling, while also exploring the ways in which we can educate the general community.”
Scott Helman Set To Embark On North American Tour
Following a successful three-week swing of European dates which included performing in front of 50,000 music fans in Spain, Scott Helman, is crossing country lines to infiltrate the U.S as the start of a North American tour which includes solo shows and support slots for Vance Joy.
Since the May 2017 release of his full-length album Hôtel De Ville, the four-time JUNO Award nominee has maintained a relentless touring schedule in support of the album and it’s hit singles “Kinda Complicated” and the gold-certified “PDA.” Beginning with a headlining tour across Canada in the Fall of 2017, Scott then began the new year with dates in Sinapore, Hong, Kong, Australia and Japan.
As a follow-up to “PDA,” Scott is releasing the song “Ripple Effect” as the next step in his burgeoning career. The release of the single will be accompanied by a series of remixes and a beautiful video that pays homage to John Lennon’s “Imagine.”
“Ripple Effect” exudes the kind of emotional maturity and self-realization that belies Helman’s age. He understands that the issues we have are a result of the ripple effects of all of the history that came before us. Through the song, Helman continues on to explore all the ways we can start fresh, free of patterns of the past. The “Ripple Effect” video, directed by Scott’s long-time video collaborator Ben Knetchel debuted earlier today on Billboard.com.
The Australian edition of Cosmopolitan magazine recently named Scott one of the 14 men to look out for in 2018 alongside the likes of Timothée Chalamet, Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman.
Scott Helman North American tour dates:
May 31 New York City, NY Rockwood Music Hall
June 1 South Burlington, VT Higher Ground Showcase Lounge
June 2 Boston, MA The Red Room at Café 939
June 3 Philidelphia, PA Milkboy
June 5 Washington, D.C. Songbyrd Music House
June 6 Millvale, PA The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls
June 7 Pontiac, MI The Pike Room
June 8 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
June 9 Buffalo, NY Mohawk Place
June 21 Montreal, QC Bell Centre (w/ Vance Joy)
June 22 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage (w/ Vance Joy)
June 25 Winnipeg. MB MTS Centre (w/Vance Joy)
June 27 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place (w/Vance Joy)
June 28 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome (w/Vance Joy)
June 30 Burnaby, BC Festival Lawn at Deer Lake Park
July 1 Fort Saskatchewan, SK Legacy Park
July 6 Quebec, QC Festival d’ete de Quebec
July 25 Peterborough, ON Peterborough MusicFest
July 27 Timmins, ON Rock On The River Festival
August 3 North Bay, ON Summer in the Park Festival
August 4 Kirkland Lake, ON Homecoming (w/Tom Cochrane)
Get Ready For A Trio Of Releases Highlighting David Bowie Live And Studio Recordings Made Between 1978 and 1982
David Bowie released two classic studio albums between 1978 and 1982 (Lodger and Scary Monsters [And Super Creeps]), as well as a wealth of work for film, television and more. Bowie also found time to embark upon a massive world tour, documented by the double live album Stage, along with two acclaimed projects for film and television. On June 29, Parlophone will revisit that prolific period with Welcome To The Blackout (Live London ’78), as well as two special vinyl reissues exclusively for “brick and mortar” retail stores: Christiane F. – Wir Kinder Vom Bahnhof Zoo and David Bowie In Bertolt Brecht’s Baal.
The new releases begin with the CD and digital debut of Welcome To The Blackout (Live London ’78). This live album features performances recorded at Earl’s Court in London on 30 June and 1 July, 1978 during Bowie’s “Isolar II” Tour. The music was released earlier this year on vinyl as a strictly limited-edition triple-LP set for Record Store Day 2018.
Tony Visconti, who co-produced a dozen studio albums for Bowie throughout his career, recorded the 1978 concert which was later mixed by Bowie and David Richards.
The set naturally focuses on songs from the two albums Bowie released in 1977 – Low and “Heroes” as well as other earlier career highlights such as “Fame”, Ziggy Stardust”, “The Jean Genie” and “Station To Station” and the first ever live performance of “Sound And Vision”, included in this set was its debut live performance. Welcome To The Blackout (Live London ’78) will be available as a two-CD set as well as digitally for download and streaming in both standard and high-definition versions.
Christiane F. – Wir Kinder Vom Bahnhof Zoo is the soundtrack to the 1981 film based on the 1978 autobiography by German actress Christiane Vera Felscherinow. The soundtrack incorporates songs from several Bowie albums, including “Stay” (Station To Station, 1976), “Warszawa” (Low, 1977) “V-2 Schneider” (“Heroes”, 1977), and “Look Back In Anger” (Lodger, 1979.) Released on vinyl for the first time in 30 years, this fan favourite will be pressed on limited edition red vinyl and available exclusively at “brick and mortar” retail stores. The set includes Mark Adams’ original liner notes from the 2001 CD issue of the album.
David Bowie In Bertolt Brecht’s Baal features Bowie performing five songs that were written for German playwright Bertolt Brecht’s 1918 play “Baal.” Bowie recorded this EP with Visconti at Hansa Studios in Berlin in November 1981. Recently, all five songs were re-released as part of the exclusive Re:Call 3 compilation that accompanied the box set, A New Career In A New Town (1977-1982). This new limited edition 10” vinyl reissue comes in a six-panel sleeve that replicates the original 1982 packaging and is available exclusively at “brick and mortar” retail stores.
WELCOME TO THE BLACKOUT (LIVE LONDON ’78)
CD and Digital for streaming and download in standard resolution, 96kHz/24bit and 192/kHz/24bit resolutions.
CD1
Warszawa
“Heroes”
What In The World
Be My Wife
The Jean Genie
Blackout
Sense Of Doubt
Speed Of Life
Sound And Vision
Breaking Glass
Fame
Beauty And The Beast
CD 2
Five Years
Soul Love
Star
Hang On To Yourself
Ziggy Stardust
Suffragette City
Art Decade
Alabama Song
Station To Station
TVC 15
Stay
Rebel Rebel
CHRISTIANE F. – WIR KINDER VOM BAHNHOF ZOO
Side 1:
V-2 Schneider
TVC 15
“Heroes/Helden”
Boys Keep Swinging
Sense Of Doubt
Side2:
Station To Station
Look Back In Anger
Stay
Warszawa
DAVID BOWIE IN BERTOLT BRECHT’S BAAL
10” vinyl EP
Side 1:
Baal’s Hymn (Der Choral Vom Großen Baal)
Remembering Marie A. (Erinnerung An Die Marie A.)
Side 2
Ballad Of The Adventurers (Die Ballad Von Den Abenteurern)
The Drowned Girl (Vom Ertrunkenen Mädchen)
The Dirty Song
National Music Centre launches special exhibition dedicated to Barenaked Ladies
The National Music Centre (NMC) is pleased to launch a new temporary exhibition at Studio Bell in partnership with The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS), honouring 2018 Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductees Barenaked Ladies, alongside former member Steven Page.
As one of Canada’s most unique and acclaimed international acts of the past 30 years, Barenaked Ladies carved out a legacy with their irreverent sense of humour and blend of pop, folk, alt-rock, and even rap. They have produced 15 studio albums—including their latest 2017 release, Fake Nudes—that have collectively sold more than 15 million copies.
The band has won nine JUNO Awards, earned multiple Grammy nominations, penned No. 1 single in the U.S. “One Week,” along with beloved hits “It’s All Been Done,” “Brian Wilson,” “If I Had $1,000,000” and many others, and created the theme song to one of TV’s most popular shows, The Big Bang Theory, which is syndicated in over 80 countries around the world. The band just completed extensive Canadian and U.K. tours, and are about to embark on an almost 40-date tour of the U.S. on June 1.
Additionally, Barenaked Ladies have been recognized for the philanthropic efforts, including their If I Had A Million Flavours ice cream with Ben & Jerry that has resulted in over $125K donated to ABC Life Literacy Canada, and more recently Plus1 donating a dollar from every ticket on their 37-date Canadian tour to MusiCounts.
This new exhibition, called Milestones: Barenaked Ladies, will capture the band’s career trajectory—from their first concert as teenagers at Toronto City Hall, to making history as the best-selling independent artists in Canadian history, their international breakthrough in the U.S., to the present day with their induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and their undeniable power as a live act for nearly 30 years and counting.
“It’s still hard to get our heads around,” said Ed Robertson about the band’s induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame yesterday during a plaque ceremony at Studio Bell. “We’re the band that makes fun of the bands in the Hall of Fame.”
After 20 years with the band, former member Steven Page continues his successful solo career with a new album set for release later this year, along with tours of Eastern Canada and the U.K. this summer and extensive U.S. dates in the fall. “I hope our fans enjoy this exhibition as much as I’ve enjoyed looking back on the early days of our career,” said former member Steven Page. “I’m incredibly proud of all we accomplished together and I’m excited to celebrate it with this exhibit.”
The exhibition features treasures from the band’s founders, Ed Robertson and Steven Page, including early songbooks and lyric sheets, an acoustic guitar used by Robertson in the music video for “Falling for the First Time,” and Page’s 8-track cassette recorder used to make early demo tapes for “Jane” and “Old Apartment.” The exhibition will also include an assortment of memorabilia from members of Barenaked Ladies and Page, such as behind-the-scenes photos from the band’s formative years, press clippings, album artwork, and awards.
Milestones: Barenaked Ladies is accessible with paid admission to Studio Bell and will run from May 17, 2018 until February 2019.
The Bob Lefsetz Podcast: Gilberto Gil
Brazilian musician & social activist Gilberto Gil discusses the experience of being a political prisoner, the international influences on his music which emerged as he was forced into exile living in London in the late 60’s, and his return home to Brazil continuing to push the boundaries of freedom and equality in society while innovating musically, ultimately being named Brazil’s Minister of Culture in 2003.
SiriusXM and the CCMA open voting for Top of the Country semi-finalists vying to be Canada’s next country star
SiriusXM Canada invites the nation to vote for Canada’s next big country star in the first SiriusXM Top of the Country in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA). Nine semi-finalists from coast-to-coast now face off as Canada picks the top three to move on to the finals for their chance at $25,000 and more.
The 2018 SiriusXM Top of the Country semi-finalists are:
Western Canada
- Shawn Austin (Hometown—West Vancouver, BC)
- Kristin Carter (Hometown—White Rock, BC)
- Leaving Thomas (Hometown—Calgary, AB)
Central Canada
- Andrew Hyatt (Hometown—Sudbury, ON)
- Cory James Mitchell (Hometown—Port Lambton, ON)
- The Redhill Valleys (Hometown—Hamilton/Burlington, ON)
Eastern Canada
- Jason Benoit (Hometown—Fox Island River, NL)
- Ian Janes (Hometown—Hantsport, NS)
- Chris Ryan (Hometown—St. John’s, NL)
Earlier this spring, SiriusXM hosted studio sessions with each semi-finalist to record an original song. Beginning at 10 a.m. ET today through to June 6, country fans can watch all studio sessions and vote at siriusxm.ca/topcountry for their favourite in each market, once per day.
According to Jeff Leake, Director of Music Programming for SiriusXM, selecting the nine finalists was no easy task. “From the moment registration opened, we were overwhelmed by the level of talent and passion from the artists that Top of the Country attracted. There’s no question that Canada is a hotbed for country music, and we are proud to provide a showcase of the very best new artists.”
At the end of the voting period, the artist with the most votes in each region will move on as a finalist and get a chance to perform at Big Valley Jamboree (Camrose, AB), Cavendish Beach Music Festival (Cavendish, PEI) or a SiriusXM-sponsored major festival in Ontario. Finalists will also receive a SOCAN songwriting camp in Nashville, TN and an exclusive mentoring session with artists and industry professionals in Toronto.
The grand prize winner of Top of the Country will be chosen during Country Music Week in Hamilton, ON this September. Finalists will compete live on stage before a headlining artist at the SiriusXM CCMA Top of the Country Finale, airing live on SiriusXM, with music industry professionals and audience votes deciding the winner of $25,000, plus a SOCAN songwriting camp in Pender Island, BC.
SiriusXM’s Top of the Country in partnership with CCMA is part of SiriusXM’s ongoing tradition of promoting and elevating the best Canadian music. SiriusXM continues to offer a leading platform for Canadian artists through its significant financial contributions and North American-wide reach of over 55 million listeners.
Capitol Studios Launches Online Mixing, Mastering And Vinyl-Cutting Services
Capitol Studios, the iconic and state-of-the-art recording facility located in the historic Capitol Tower in Hollywood, California expands its reach with the launch of its new Online Mixing, Mastering and Vinyl-Cutting services.
“Capitol Studios has an established history of GRAMMY® Award-winning, world-class audio services,” noted Paula Salvatore, VP/Studio Manager, Capitol Studios. “Our cutting-edge facilities and unparalleled team of engineers are now made available to artists and producers all around the world with these online mixing, mastering and vinyl-cutting services. We welcome you to come experience the best of the best.”
Clients’ projects will benefit from the entirety of Capitol Studios’ world-class mixing and mastering facilities, including one-of-a-kind echo chambers. Projects are guaranteed to have a turnaround of five days or less for mastering services, and 30 business days or less for mixing services, no matter where you are in the world.
For mixing services, projects can be uploaded in WAV format to Capitol Studios’ website. Clients will be able to preview the result and request a revision, and downloads will be provided as master stems.
For mastering services, projects can also be uploaded in WAV format, and the client will select the desired mastering formats and choose an engineer from the list of five world-class mastering engineers (Ron McMaster, Robert Vosgien, Evren Göknar, Ian Sefchick and Kevin Bartley). Clients will be able to preview the result and request a revision, and the master will be provided in WAV format or vinyl pressing/CD. Additional formats can be selected as add-ons at economical price points.
Vinyl mastering is a specific craft; the characteristics of the format require special attention to decisions that preceded the cutting process, including mix, EQ, compression and timing – considerations that these engineers are well-versed in.
Music Heals Wants To Put Your Band On Stage At Vancouer’s SKOOKUM Festival
SKOOKUM and Music Heals are partnering on Covers For The Cause, challenging musicians to raise money to increase access to music therapy while also providing those same musicians with an opportunity to play the inaugural music festival, September 7-9 in Stanley Park.
Through the Covers For The Cause fundraising platform, artists have the opportunity to engage their fans by building a fundraising page here and offering personalized videos of cover songs by request, in exchange for a tax-deductible donation to Music Heals. Videos of the cover songs requested include a dedication to the donor and are posted on the artist’s YouTube channels and/or sent directly to donors.
The band that raises the most money between May 14 and July 13 will play SKOOKUM Festival.
As part of Covers For The Cause, every artist who raises over $1,000 gets to pick which accredited music therapy program their money goes to – so they have the option to fundraise for one close to their heart.
“SKOOKUM is proud to partner with an organization that increases access to music therapy for patients in children’s hospitals, senior’s centres, palliative care, at-risk youth and bereavement support, and more,” said Paul Runnals, festival director. The inaugural SKOOKUM festival is produced by BRANDLIVE in collaboration with Virgin Mobile and will feature over 50 stage performances by some of the biggest names in music, including The Killers and Florence + The Machine.
Your band can play SKOOKUM! from Music Heals on Vimeo.