Home Blog Page 2365

Short Cuts: The Best Songs Heard On February 1, 2018 From The Indie World

0

Lost Talk
Chrome Alone
Forming in late 2016 in Melbourne, Australia, this is the kind of band you’d have to pry from the stage for having too much fun up there. The group’s sound has matured, they know what they want, and look out.

Heart Society
Rocket
You want commitment, verve and guts? After completing a successful crowdfunding campaign, Alicia Teneia Sanders-Eichelberger and husband Benjamin took a huge leap of faith: they sold most of their possessions and bought a 32-foot travel trailer to tour North America and reach more hearts with their message. Something tells me Rocket as a title means more than what is being sung. It’s also their method to the top if they keep this up.

Nanu Alidina
When I’m Gone (feat. EverythingOShauN)
Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, all the right boxes are checked here: Drake, A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, but they’re just signposts, rather than stops. He’s going to have plenty of opportunities to get heard, and one of the most promising releases I’ve heard in urban this year.

The Visions
Lookin’ for Ya
They namecheck Prince, Talking Heads, and J Dilla as influences, so right there, their record collection is going to be solid. But it’s their creative blossoming that sparkles. It’s deep, dark and ambitious.

Gio
Ididthisforyou
A rapper and singer from Worcester, Massachusetts, he sounds a bit like Jagger at around 3am after a night out with Keith, while screwing around with the drum machine, which is a good thing. Attitude is impressive.

Casey Burns
Calling CheeChee
Casey Burns is an artist that believes music has the power to change lives and this is a slight but welcome move in the right direction for him. Straightahead rap beats and much respect for the rhythms.

Here To Stay
ViVA Trio
ViVA Trio’s dazzling debut, Nothing Else Matters, expertly converges classical and contemporary, blazing a vibrant new crossover trail previously tread by acts like Il Divo and 2CELLOS, albeit more glamorously.

Nectarines
Lies
Hailing from Long Beach, Nectarines make music that is slightly Goth, with a vibe that feels a bit like The Pixies on codeine, and fleshed out with some nifty guitar work Cold War Kids fans will notice their committed modern pop-rock. Ignore them at your own risk.

DUETS AND STUFF
Serve Somebody
From Sweden, they’ll remind you right off with the steadiness of Peter Bjorn and John, and Feist, but quickly goes into their own lane with passion and poetry. Great stuff, can’t wait to hear more.

Loocties
New Beginning
If Eurovision ever took them, they’d reach pretty far in the competition. Non-stop energy of Euro, trance with young, aware, and fun vocals from start to finish.

Prism Prize Announces 20 Best Canadian Music Videos Of The Year

0

The Prism Prize today announces the Top 20 best Canadian music videos of the year, as voted by a jury of more than 120 Canadian music, film and media arts professionals. After viewing hundreds of music videos, jurors selected the Prism Prize Top 20 based on originality, style, creativity, innovation and effective execution. One of these videos will be awarded the $15,000 Grand Prize at a screening and awards presentation on Sunday, May 13, 2018 at TIFF Bell Lightbox. The Prism Prize Top Ten will be announced on March 27, 2018.

Watch all 20 videos below.

A Tribe Called Red, feat. Black Bear – Indian City (director: Combo Bravo)

Alice Glass – Without Love (director: Floria Sigismondi)

Alvvays – Dreams Tonight (director: Matt Johnson) 

Belle Game – Spirit (director: Kheaven Lewandowski)

BEYRIES – Son (director: Philippe Grenier)

Charlotte Day Wilson – Work (director: Fantavious Fritz)

Clairmont The Second – The Ave In You (director: Clairmont The Second)

Cri – Rush (director: Didier Charette)

Daniel Caesar – Freudian, A Visual (director: Keaven Yazdani and Sean Brown)

Feist – Century (director: Scott Cudmore)

Flying Hórses – Tölt (director: Alexandre Richard)

Grimes feat. Janelle Monáe – Venus Fly (director: Grimes)

Harrison – Right Hook (director: Eva Michon)

Homeshake – Every Single Thing (director: Wen hao Chang) 

Husser – Can’t Blame Em (director: Emilie Lavoie) 

Jessie Reyez – Gatekeeper (director: Peter Huang)

Leonard Cohen – Leaving The Table (director: Christopher Mills)

PUP – Old Wounds (director: Jeremy Schaulin-Rioux)

The Weeknd – Secrets (director: Pedro Martin-Carelo)

Young Rival – Elevator (director: John Smith)

“We are very proud to point the spotlight on this eclectic group of artists. They are some of the most talented Canadians working in music and visual art today” said Prism Prize Founder Louis Calabro.

Organizers also announced Slaight Music would return as Lead Sponsor for the 2018 awards, continuing a partnership that began when the Prize launched in 2012.

“Slaight Music has allowed the Prism Prize to grow into a top international music prize, and in turn, has provided more opportunities to the Canadian music community at home and abroad,” said Calabro.

Along with the $15,000 to the best Canadian music video of the year, Prism Prize will continue to present several special awards. In the coming weeks, the Special Achievement Award (sponsored by Slaight Music) – for artistic achievements and exceptional world-wide contribution to music video art – will be announced.

Last year, Toronto collective KID. STUDIO, who have worked with artists such as Big Sean and The Weeknd, were announced as the recipient of the Lipsett Award for innovative and unique approaches to music video art. With this award, Prism Prize is proud to continue the flourishing partnership with Bell Media, who return as sponsor of the Lipsett Award as well as presenting the Top 10 screening at TIFF Bell Lightbox on May 13th, 2018.

Finally, the Hi-Fidelity Award (sponsored by FACTOR) – an award given to a recording artist who has used video art to represent their work in a consistently creative and innovative way – will also be revealed leading up to the May 13 event.

Prism Prize is proud to host a comprehensive resource for music fans to watch the best Canadian music videos all in one place. Videos and news from Canada’s music video community are available throughout the year at www.prismprize.com.

Did You Ever Wonder How Dave Grohl Ended Up In Seattle Before Joining Nirvana? Let Him Tell You…

0

From his first trip to the Emerald City, Dave Grohl knew Seattle was a place meant for him. Long after his days with Nirvana, Seattle still remains close to Dave Grohl’s heart. This film, first premiered at SundanceTV HQ at the Sundance Film Festival 2018, celebrates his relationship with the city, a defining period of his life in Seattle, discovering himself, experiencing heartbreak and creating new-found success.

Photo Gallery: Big Sugar with special guest Alex Lifeson at Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall

0

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com for all your photo needs.

Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar

Kendrick Lamar: How To MC

0

He’s the greatest MC of his era. Is it even a question? But how did he get to be that? Toure talked to Kendrick Lamar to find out how Kendrick became Kendrick. In this conversation we talk about how Kendrick got to be so good—how do you practice? How do you develop as an MC? What are his favorite words? They also talk about his best verses and his best song. And the impact of seeing dead bodies on the street when he was a kid. He’s a man who’s obsessed with hiphop, so he practiced intensely and constantly, but he’s also willing to accept failure. His success—his amazing music—is built atop lots and lots of private failures that helped him learn his craft and become a master MC.

Toure Show is successful people talking about their success. What tactics, attitudes, and strategies fueled their success? How’d they deal with failure? What can you learn from their journey that’ll help fuel your rise? Here’s a quote from Kendrick to get you started:

“Writing terrible verses. Writing terrible hooks. Your homeboys and your friends and people that you trust telling you that’s garbage. And growing thick skin and getting back in there and doing it all over again. That’s practice.”

Pussy Riot Announces North American Tour

0

Here’s the official tour announcement from Pussy Riot, whose concerts across North America start on March 6th.

Today, we’re announcing Pussy Riot’s first live music performance art tour through America. The feminist art collective protest against the re-election of Putin as the President of Russia earned them a long, fake trial that led to a 2 year prison sentence for “hooliganism”.

Pussy Riot’s performance will include Nadya Tolokonnikova among others, Pussy Riot’s member whose identity was unfortunately and abruptly revealed after her arrest for performing 35 seconds of the Punk Prayer “Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away” in Moscow’s Savior’s Cathedral in 2012.

Besides Pussy Riot’s headline dates that can be described as an extremely politicized marriage of performance art and a concert, they will also take over music stages at Boston Calling and Hangout Festival.

Pussy Riot’s worked on new music and video art, such as: “I Can’t Breathe,” their first English language song made in honor of Eric Garner; “Chaika,” about Russia’s corrupt prosecutor general, “Make America Great Again,” which was eerily created and shot before #45 was elected president, and “Police State,” which was released ad the end of last year with a video starring Chloe Sevigny.

Alongside the performances, there will be new art revealed to spread the continued calls for action and protest to a wider audience.

Art is just a part of Pussy Riot’s mission. In 2014, since the release of two members from prison, they launched Mediazona, a free-of-censorship independent Russian media agency focusing on law enforcement issues like conditions in prisons and prosecutions of political activists. Activists of Pussy Riot are advocating for the prison reform in Russia and providing help and lawyers to prisoners.

Members of Pussy Riot’s community chose to keep fighting for their fellow citizens’ human rights, though since 2012 Putin’s regime started harsh oppression of outspoken activists, thus any member of Pussy Riot may be arrested again at any point. Two of Pussy Riot’s members Lusine Djanyan and Aleksej Knedljakovskji filed for political asylum in Sweden, since they’ve been persecuted and are facing death threats in Russia.

Pussy Riot would like to rally with you at these upcoming live performances.

Pussy Riot live dates:

3.06 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
3.10 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
3.18 – Mexico, MEX @ Vive Latino
3.20 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (sold out)
3.21 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (sold out)
3.22 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
3.23 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
3.25 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
3.27 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Atrium at The Catalyst
3.28 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop (sold out)
3.31 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo (sold out)
4.01 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
5.18/20 – Gulf Shores, AL @ Hangout Festival
5.25/27 – Boston, MA @ Boston Calling

more dates to be announced

Hanging up on smartphones at concerts

0

Go to a concert today and it’s a sea of smartphone screens. Now some artists aren’t allowing them. CBC’s Jason Osler and I explains why.

Fleetwood Mac to Launch Exclusive SiriusXM Channel

0

SiriusXM announced today that GRAMMY Award winning rock band Fleetwood Mac will launch an exclusive, limited-run SiriusXM channel, The Fleetwood Mac Channel, on Thursday, February 1.

The Fleetwood Mac Channel will showcase music from Fleetwood Mac’s extensive Rock & Roll Hall of Fame career, including their indelible hits, solo material, live songs, rare demo tracks and musical influences.

The channel will also include exclusive stories and insights from Lindsey BuckinghamMick FleetwoodStevie Nicks and Christine McVie, plus special hosted shows by band members.

Fleetwood Mac will be honored at the 2018 MusiCares Person of the Year tribute on Friday, January 26 in recognition of their significant creative accomplishments and their longtime support of a number of charitable causes, including MusiCares, the premier safety net of critical resources for the music industry.

SiriusXM’s The Fleetwood Mac Channel kicks off on Thursday, February 1 at 12:00 pm ET, via satellite on channel 4, and through the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online at siriusxm.com.

Jon Bon Jovi and Acclaimed French Winemaker, Gérard Bertrand Join Forces to Launch a Premium Rosé Wine

0

Award winning music icon, Jon Bon Jovi and acclaimed French winemaker, Gérard Bertrand, have joined forces to launch a premium rosé wine label, Diving into Hampton Water, soon to be available in the US market.

The venture was inspired by Bon Jovi’s son, Jesse Bongiovi, former Notre Dame football player, who played a pivotal role in the brand’s creation. The idea to create a wine, emblematic of a bon vivant lifestyle, emerged during time spent in the Hamptons, between Bon Jovi and his son. Rosé, a popular drink for the Bongiovi’s, had initially been dubbed ‘pink juice’ by Bon Jovi, until Jesse and a friend inadvertently coined the name, Hampton Water, and an idea was born.

Bon Jovi and Jesse began exploring this idea as a real enterprise, designing bottles and building on concepts. They were eventually introduced to Gérard Bertrand by a mutual friend and the three quickly developed a shared vision, to create a unique rosé, uniting the essence of the relaxed lifestyles of the Hamptons and the South of France. “We’d tried rosé from everywhere,” says Jesse. “But when we visited Gérard, we realized that there is an entire coastline in France that is producing some of the best-kept secrets on Earth.”

Coincidently, Jon Bon Jovi and Gérard Bertrand, both giants in their respective fields, had a lot in common. “We just hit it off immediately,” Bon Jovi reports of their first meeting. “We found that we shared a love of family, food, friends, and of course, great wine and great music.” Gérard Bertrand hosts a jazz festival at his main wine estate, Château l’Hospitalet, each year. “For me the connection between wine and music is organic,” says Gérard Bertrand. “I want to create a link between the emotions that spark off a great song and good wine. They elevate each other.”

After a number of visits between the US and Gérard Bertrand’s wineries in the South of France, as well as numerous blending and tasting sessions, the wine is now ready for release. The wine is described as a fresh and lively rosé, with distinctive minerality, featuring Grenache, Cinsault and Mourvèdre, grape varieties characteristic of the French Mediterranean region.

Bon Jovi states, “Creating this wine with Gérard was just as creative as collaborating with another songwriter, Gérard uses his talents and wine knowledge just like a gifted musician. And working with my son on this has been an amazing experience.”

Diving into Hampton Water rosé wine is set to hit the shelves before spring 2018 and will retail for $25.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Unmasked: The Platinum Collection To Be Released March 16th, 2018

0

As one of the most successful composers of the modern era, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s repertoire includes some of the world’s most celebrated musicals; Sunset Boulevard, Cats, Aspects Of Love, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Starlight Express, The Phantom of The Opera, School of Rock and Love Never Dies – to name but a few.

Last year, Lloyd Webber became the only person to equal the record set in 1953 by Rodgers & Hammerstein with four shows running concurrently on Broadway (Sunset Boulevard, Cats, The Phantom of the Opera and School of Rock). Two of his shows are currently running in both Broadway and the West End: School Of Rock and The Phantom of the Opera, and his musicals have grossed more than $13.6 billion and have been watched by 302 million people across 44 countries. He has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.

In celebration of his 70th birthday this March, ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER UNMASKED: THE PLATINUM COLLECTION will be available March 16.

The collection is personally curated and overseen by Lloyd Webber to include classics from his earliest work starting with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat through his most recent School of Rock.

Newly recorded songs from superstar artists Lana Del Rey (“You Must Love Me”, Evita), Nicole Scherzinger (“Memory”, Cats) and Gregory Porter (“Light at the End of the Tunnel”, Starlight Express) and add to the collection of his cherished works from the past five decades.

The set also contains recordings by world-class performers such as Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Michael Ball, and released for the first time, Beyoncé singing “Learn To Be Lonely” from the 2005 Academy Awards with Lloyd Webber accompanying on piano.

UNMASKED: THE PLATINUM COLLECTION is available as 2 CD and 4 CD editions. The 4-disc version contains an exclusive 40-page book with a personally penned introduction from Lloyd Webber and in-depth notes on each track, written by respected theatre critic and Lloyd Webber biographer Michael Coveney, together with tributes from Barbra Streisand and Glenn Close among others.

The fourth disc encompasses a mix of overtures and showstoppers from Lloyd Webber’s key works, as well as newly created orchestral suites. The five new orchestral suites have been specially prepared from existing recordings, emphasizing the grand orchestral aspects of his work. All CDs were mastered at Abbey Road Studios.

Lloyd Webber’s productions have sold more than 330 million tickets worldwide. The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show on Broadway and second longest-running show in West End history. Cats and The Phantom of the Opera are two of Broadway’s four highest grossing shows. The Phantom of the Opera original cast album is the No. 1 Broadway album of all time in the U.S. and the #175 biggest seller among ALL albums of the SoundScan era in the U.S. In addition to his worldwide sales and audiences, Lloyd Webber has been recognised by critics and peers with numerous accolades and awards including seven Oliviers, seven Tonys, three Grammys, one Golden Globe and an Oscar.

Also in celebration of his 70th birthday, Lloyd Webber’s new autobiography UNMASKED, will be released by HarperCollins on March 6th in the U.S. and on March 8th in the U.K. Written entirely in his own words, Lloyd Webber recounts his fascinating life and remarkable career. A natural storyteller, with his signature humour and self-deprecating tone, Lloyd Webber shares the details of his early personal and professional years, including his early artistic influences. He takes stock of his achievements, the twists of fate and circumstance, which brought him both success and disappointment, and the passions that inspire and sustain him.

ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER ‘UNMASKED: THE PLATINUM COLLECTION’ TRACKLISTING
CD ONE
01 SUPERSTAR • MURRAY HEAD & THE TRINIDAD SINGERS
02 THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA • SARAH BRIGHTMAN & MICHAEL CRAWFORD
03 OH WHAT A CIRCUS • ANTONIO BANDERAS & MADONNA
04 LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING • MICHAEL BALL
05 STICK IT TO THE MAN • ALEX BRIGHTMAN & THE BROADWAY CAST OF SCHOOL OF ROCK
06 MEMORY • NICOLE SCHERZINGER
07 NO MATTER WHAT • BOYZONE
08 WITH ONE LOOK • BARBRA STREISAND
09 BUENOS AIRES • GLEE CAST
10 DON’T CRY FOR ME ARGENTINA • JULIE COVINGTON
11 TAKE THAT LOOK OFF YOUR FACE • MARTI WEBB
12 I’M HOPELESS WHEN IT COMES TO YOU • JOANNA RIDING
13 LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL • GREGORY PORTER
14 THE MUSIC OF THE NIGHT • MICHAEL CRAWFORD
15 GETHSEMANE ( I ONLY WANT TO SAY) • IAN GILLAN
16 ANY DREAM WILL DO • DONNY OSMOND
17 AMIGOS PARA SIEMPRE • SARAH BRIGHTMAN & JOSÉ CARRERAS
18 I DON’T KNOW HOW TO LOVE HIM • YVONNE ELLIMAN

CD TWO
01 AS IF WE NEVER SAID GOODBYE • GLENN CLOSE
02 THEME AND VARIATIONS 1-4 • ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
03 UNEXPECTED SONG • SARAH BRIGHTMAN
04 YOU MUST LOVE ME • LANA DEL REY
05 EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT • YVONNE ELLIMAN, IAN GILLAN & MURRAY HEAD
06 THE VAULTS OF HEAVEN • TOM JONES & THE SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS
07 ANOTHER SUITCASE IN ANOTHER HALL • MADONNA
08 YOU’RE IN THE BAND • BROADWAY CAST OF SCHOOL OF ROCK
09 IT’S EASY FOR YOU • ELVIS PRESLEY
10 COLD • THE EVERLY BROTHERS
11 COME BACK WITH THE SAME LOOK • DENISE VAN OUTEN
12 I AM THE STARLIGHT • MICA PARIS & GEORGE URE
13 MR. MISTOFFELEES • PAUL NICHOLAS
14 TELL ME ON A SUNDAY • MICHAEL CRAWFORD
15 THINK OF ME • EMMY ROSSUM & PATRICK WILSON
16 RAINBOW HIGH • ELAINE PAIGE
17 ALL I ASK OF YOU • CLIFF RICHARD & SARAH BRIGHTMAN
18 WISHING YOU WERE SOMEHOW HERE AGAIN (LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL) • SIERRA BOGGESS
BONUS TRACK LEARN TO BE LONELY (LIVE AT THE OSCARS) • BEYONCÉ & ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER

CD THREE
01 JACOB & SONS/COAT OF MANY COLOURS • JANET METZ, DONNY OSMOND, MICHAEL FLETCHER & THE CANADIAN CAST
02 CLOSE EVERY DOOR • DONNY OSMOND
03 HEAVEN ON THEIR MINDS (LIVE – ARENA TOUR) • TIM MINCHIN
04 KING HEROD’S SONG • ALICE COOPER
05 SKIMBLESHANKS • KEN WELLS & THE ORIGINAL LONDON CAST OF CATS
06 MACAVITY: THE MYSTERY CAT • WENDY EDMEAD & DONNA KING
07 YOU’VE NEVER HAD IT SO GOOD • STEPHEN WARD ORIGINAL LONDON CAST
08 I’D BE SURPRISINGLY GOOD FOR YOU • ELENA ROGER & PHILIP QUAST
09 EVERMORE WITHOUT YOU • MARTIN CREWES
10 I BELIEVE MY HEART • DUNCAN JAMES & KEEDIE
11 IF ONLY YOU WOULD LISTEN • THE BROADWAY CAST OF SCHOOL OF ROCK
12 SING • MILITARY WIVES
13 HOSANNA • JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR LONDON CAST
14 HOSANNA • PLÁCIDO DOMINGO, SARAH BRIGHTMAN & THE CHOIR OF WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL
15 PIE JESU • SARAH BRIGHTMAN & PAUL MILES-KINGSTON
16 BY JEEVES • STEVEN PACEY, SIMON DAY & NICHOLAS HAVERSON
17 WHERE DID THE ROCK GO? • FLORENCE ANDREWS

CD FOUR
01 PHANTOM PHANTASY • ORIGINAL LONDON ORCHESTRA
02 MASQUERADE • ORIGINAL MOTION PICTURE CAST
03 ‘TIL I HEAR YOU SING • RAMIN KARIMLOO
04 LOVE NEVER DIES ORCHESTRAL SUITE • ORIGINAL LONDON ORCHESTRA
05 LOVE NEVER DIES • SIERRA BOGGESS
06 THE BEAUTY UNDERNEATH • BEN LEWIS & CASEY LYONS
07 VARIATIONS ON VARIATIONS • ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER
08 JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR OVERTURE • ORIGINAL JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR ORCHESTRA
09 OVERTURE AND THE BEAUTIFUL GAME • ORIGINAL CAST AND ORCHESTRA FROM THE BEAUTIFUL GAME
10 IF THIS IS WHAT WE’RE FIGHTING FOR • JOSIE WALKER
11 CATS OVERTURE • THE ORIGINAL LONDON ORCHESTRA
12 THE JELLICLE BALL • CATS MOTION PICTURE ORCHESTRA
13 SUNSET SUITE • ORIGINAL BROADWAY ORCHESTRA
14 SUNSET BOULEVARD • KEVIN ANDERSON
15 ASPECTS OF ASPECTS • ORCHESTER DER VEREINIGTEN BUEHNEN WIEN
16 SEEING IS BELIEVING • MICHAEL BALL & SARAH BRIGHTMAN
17 ANYTHING BUT LONELY • SARAH BRIGHTMAN