| With the first day of summer just around the corner, the great staff at Roy Thomson Hall venue in Toronto are excited to kick- off another season of great FREE music with Live on the Patio at Roy Thomson Hall. The 2017 season delivers a stellar line-up of incredible talent including Tanika Charles, Fast Romantics, Barney Bentall, Shakura S’Aida in partnership with Toronto Blues Society, Peter Katz, and Paper Bag Records Night featuring Natalia & Murray (The Dears) with Strings and special guest Lou Canon.
For this season’s inaugural event, they welcome LIZ LOKRE (pronounced lock-ree) TOMORROW evening (Doors at 4:30pm + Music at 5pm) for two fun-filled sets of music. LOKRE brings her powerhouse voice and message of unity and performs right before Carly Rae Jepsen’s sold out performance with Toronto Symphony Orchestra later that night (inside Roy Thomson Hall). LOKRE puts her powerful, artistic ideal to work directly in her Spotify smashes “Rise Up!” & “Buh Bye” which have racked up over 230,000 spins for the unsigned artist (who also has more than 3 million views on her YouTube channel). Tell your friends, grab some sunscreen and head on down to Live on the Patio at Roy Thomson Hall (corner of King & Simcoe St.) all summer long and experience evenings of FREE fantastic music, under the open sky. There are more Live on the Patio acts to be announced in the coming days and weeks. Visit www.roythomsonhall.com/liveonthepatio for the latest performance updates.
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Live on the Patio at Roy Thomson Hall Upcoming Events
Singer-Songwriter Crystal Bowersox Releases New Live Album, ‘Alive’
Singer-songwriter Crystal Bowersox is known for her soulful and distinctive voice and ability to transcend genres across folk-pop, classic rock, soul, blues and country. She displays both on Alive, a live album recorded at the Kitchen Sink Studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The album releases today, June 16, and is available on iTunes, Amazon and Apple Music.
Bowersox is known for her ability to experiment with different genres, never falling neatly into one category. Her live set addresses each of her influences, whether through “The Ride,” with its fury of blues-driven energy, “Marlboro Man” and its cinematic look inside an ill-fated love with a wannabe cowboy; the sweet, mandolin-tinged “Mine All Mine,” or the soulful “He Calls Me Angel” and its roadmap to unconditional love. The set closes with Bowersox’s lively take on Kris Kristofferson’s classic “Me & Bobby McGee,” a Bowersox fan favor
When describing the album, Bowersox says it is the trust music she has released to date, thanks in part to the team of musicians comprising the “chosen family” she tours with, their talents spread throughout the album. Bowersox hopes that Alive gives listeners something to take with them on their own journey, so that they, too, can feel truly alive.
Bowersox showcases her “voice like dirt and diamonds,” as one songwriter once put it, on Alive. She and the album have received early praise from Relix Magazine, The Boot and Cowboys & Indians. Bowersox also visited Paste Magazine for a live session earlier this week.
A northwest Ohio native currently calling Nashville home, Bowersox has built her life around music, a love that developed at an early age. Dead set on a career in music, she moved to Chicago as a teenager, where she performed on subway platforms and worked odd jobs. She broadened her musical horizons in the city and ultimately auditioned for the ninth season of American Idol. Her time on the show proved to be well spent, as she immediately left the the soundstage for the recording studio. She has since released two LP’s, two EPs, and several singles. She has also used her talents to benefit several causes close to her heart, and has become an advocate and inspiration for people living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Bowersox is inspired by what’s to come: she says it is what’s in front of her, not what’s behind her, that will define her personal and professional evolution. Alive is certainly a step in the right direction, offering Bowersox’s story of resilience and perseverance in every note.
Photo Gallery: Sam Hunt with Maren Morris and Chris Janson at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage
All photos taken by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Fallon Go Busking in Disguise in NYC Subway Station
2017 SOCAN Songwriting Prize Finalists Vie for $10,000
SOCAN today announced the finalists for the SOCAN Songwriting Prize, the prestigious competition that celebrates the incredible talent of emerging Canadian songwriters over the past year. The selection of 10 English and 10 French songs showcases artists from diverse genres. Once again, music fans will determine the winner, and for the first time in the 12-year history of the prize, fans will have the opportunity to vote for a single nominee – Charlotte Cardin – in both English and French categories beginning on June 15th.
The 10 English songs nominated this year:
- “Acid Test” – written by Tommy Paxton-Beesley, Thadeus Gardwood, Johnathan Mavrogiannis, Dan Voicu; performed by River Tiber; published by Raise Your Hands Music [Arts & Crafts Music].
- “Big Boy” – written by Charlotte Cardin; performed by Charlotte Cardin.
- “DVP” – written by Stefan Babcock, Nestor Chumak, Zachary Mykula, Steve Sladkowski;performed by PUP.
- “Figures” – written by Jessie Reyez, Bjoran Johan, Tobias Frelin, Blake Carter; performed by Jessie Reyez; published by BMG Rights Management.
- “Glowed Up” – written by Kevin Celestin, Brandon Anderson; performed by Kaytranada featuring Anderson .Paak; published by Watch and Learn/BMI, PULSE, Casablanca Publishing.
- “Push + Pull” – written by Thomas D’Arcy, Ian Docherty, Peter Dreimanis, Leah Goldstein, Danny Miles, Josh Warburton; performed by July Talk; published by July Talk Music Inc., GalleryAC Music.
- “Shithole” – written by Jasmyn Burke, Morgan Waters; performed by Weaves.
- “We Don’t Know ” – written by Jeremy Drury, Jonathan Hembrey, Darryl James, Brian Pickett, David Ritter, Isabel Ritchie, Joanne Setterington; performed by The Strumbellas; published by Domino Music Publishing.
- “Won’t Live Here “ – written by Ashton Simmonds, Jordan Evans, Matthew Burnett, Tommy Paxton-Beesley, Ian Culley, Alexander Ernewein; performed by Daniel Caesar; published by Kobalt Music Publishing & Raise Your Hands Music [Arts & Crafts Music].
- “Work” – written by Charlotte Day Wilson; performed by Charlotte Day Wilson; published by Raise Your Hands Music [Arts & Crafts Music].
For two weeks, from June 15-29, 2017, SOCAN invites music fans to vote for their favourite song from the nominees by visiting www.socansongwritingprize.ca or through Twitter using the hashtag #mySSPvote and identifying the performer’s name in the tweet. Fans can vote once daily through each platform for each of the English and French prize competitions.
The winning songs are scheduled to be announced the week of July 10, 2017.
Winners will receive $10,000 in cash, an Epiphone Masterbilt Century Olympic Guitar, a Yamaha PSR-S970 keyboard, and a $500 gift card from Long & McQuade.
“SOCAN supports emerging Canadian songwriters and composers every day, and the SOCAN Songwriting Prize celebrates the incredible and diverse talent of several of our best,” said Mike McCarty, chief membership & business development officer at SOCAN. “Each year, the nominees raise the bar, and this year is no different. No matter who wins, I am confident all of these potential superstars will continue to grow and flourish in the music community.”
The French and English finalists are determined by respective independent panels of 15 music-industry influencers who nominate two songs that they feel were artistically superior by emerging Canadian songwriters, within the eligibility period (see Rules for complete criteria). All of the nominated songs are then compiled, reviewed and voted on by each panel to determine the final 10 nominees in each category. SOCAN does not have a role in determining nominees or winners.
The 10 song finalists for the 2017 Prix de la chanson SOCAN, the Francophone counterpart to the SOCAN Songwriting Prize:
- “Apprendre à mentir” – written and performed by Lydia Képinski; published by Chivi Chivi.
- “Éclat” – written by John Nathaniel, Mariane Cossette Bacon, Alexe Gaudreault; performed by Alexe Gaudreault; published by John Nathaniel prod, Musicor.
- “Explosif” – written by Vincent Banville, Gregory Beaudoin, Jonathan Quirion, Jean-François Ruel, Pierre Savu-Massé, Charles-André Vincelette; performed by Dead Obies; published by Third Side Music.
- “Faufile” – written and performed by Charlotte Cardin.
- “J’aurai 100 ans” – written by Amélie Beyries, Maxime Le Flaguais; performed by Beyries avec Louis-Jean Cormier.
- “Je pense à toi” – written and performed by Bernhari; published by Editorial Avenue.
- “L’amour véritable est aux rebelles“ – written by Xavier Dufour Thériault, Jean-Philippe Godbout, Marc-André Landry, Julien Mineau, Ryan Battistuzzi, Jean-Cimon Tellier-Dubé; performed by Gazoline; published by Ambiances Ambigües / L-Abe.
- “Les ferrofluides-fleurs” – written by Klô Pelgag, Karl Gagnon; performed Klô Pelgag; published by Coop Les Faux-Monnayeurs.
- “Nord-Est” – written by Rosie Valland, Jessie Mac Cormack; performed by Rosie Valland; published by Ambiances Ambigües.
- “Rex” – written by Pierre-Luc Bégin, Éliane Préfontaine, Julia Daigle, Vincent Lévesque; performed by Paupière; published by Lisbon Lux.
For all of the latest updates, follow the SOCAN Songwriting Prize on social media at @SOCANmusic and on twitter via the #SOCANprize hashtag.
Previous winners of the SOCAN Songwriting Prize: Fast Romantics, “Julia” (2016); Dear Rouge, “I Heard I Had” (2015); Alejandra Ribera, “I Want” (2014); Mo Kenney, “Sucker” (2013); Kathleen Edwards, “A Soft Place to Land” (2012); Katie Moore, “Wake Up Like This” (2011); Brasstronaut, “Hearts Trompet” (2010); D-Sisive, “Nobody With a Notepad” (2009); The Weakerthans, “Night Windows” (2008); Abdominal, “Pedal Pusher” (2007); Propagandhi, “A Speculative Fiction” (2006).
Previous winners of the Prix de la chanson SOCAN: Laurence Nerbonne, “Rêves d’été” (2016); Antoine Corriveau, “Le Nouveau vocabulaire” (2015); Patrice Michaud, “Mécaniques générales” (2014); Keith Kouna, “Batiscan” (2013); Koriass, “St-Eustache” (2012); Galaxie, “Piste 1” (2011); Vulgaires Machines, “Parasites” (2010); Bernard Adamus, “La question à 100 piasses” (2009); Karkwa, “Oublie pas” (2008); Tricot Machine, “L’Ours” (2007); Éve Cournoyer, “Tout arrive” (2006).
Neil and Pegi Young Announce No Bridge School Concert This Year…And Maybe Forever?
Citing “personal reasons,” Neil Young is giving up hosting duties for the Bridge School concert series he co-founded with ex-wife Pegi in 1986, and the benefit show appears to be facing something of an uncertain future.
The Bridge School Benefit Concert is an annual, all acoustic, non-profit charity event held every October at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. All proceeds directly benefited the operations of The Bridge School.
The Bridge School is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that individuals with severe speech and physical impairments achieve full participation in their communities through the use of augmentative & alternative means of communication (AAC) and assistive technology (AT) applications and through the development, implementation and dissemination of innovative life-long educational strategies. The Bridge School is an internationally recognized leader in the education of children who use augmentative and alternative communication and has developed unique programs and trained highly skilled professionals in the use of state of the art assistive technology.
The first concert was held October 13, 1986 and, with the exception of 1987- the year the educational program was launched- it has become a highly anticipated Bay Area favorite.
In separate letters posting on the school website, Pegi and Neil wrote:
Dear Friends of Bridge School:
The Bridge School Benefit Concert, traditionally held at Shoreline Amphitheatre, will not be held in 2017. We want to express our sincere and profound thanks to all of you for your love and support, demonstrated by way of your attendance at 30 years of Bridge School Benefit Concerts. They have been truly memorable events and we have great appreciation for everyone who has been involved beginning, of course, with Neil Young and including all the many artists who have been so generous with their time and talent; the production people who have made it all possible; Elliot Roberts and the team at Lookout Management as well as Marsha Vlasic, who have been so instrumental in booking the shows all these years; the Bridge School staff and families and last, but certainly not least, the audience to whom the show has brought such enjoyment over these many years.
Because our mission is of such great importance to so many, we proceed onward with optimism into the future. Stay tuned for updates as we begin to shape what the next steps will be in reaching our endowment goals.
On behalf of the Bridge School family, I wish to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for your love and support as we work to bring opportunities and “participation through communication” to our student population here at home and around the world.
With peace, love, and sincere gratitude.
Pegi Young
Co-Founder and President of the Board of Directors, Bridge School
…and here’s Neil’s letter:
After thirty years of hosting the Bridge School Concerts, I would like to say thanks to everyone involved. Of course, I love the students most of all because the light in their eyes tells me we have been doing the right thing for the last thirty years. We have earned millions of dollars and the school is stable financially, able to go forward although we still need an endowment and would welcome one.
Thanks to Pegi Young for coming up with the idea and pursuing it with such great dedication, working for the kids like our child Ben, young children with disabilities who needed more than our education system offered. Our heartfelt thanks and appreciation go to the artists who have been so generous with their time and great performances. Certainly, my love and appreciation go to Executive Director Vicki Casella, who has given 100% to skillfully support and guide the school over the years. Thank you to our wonderful staff, made up of the finest educators I have ever known. I would also like to thank the Board of Directors for their dedicated efforts on behalf of our students and Bridge School mission.
My long-time friends, manager Elliot Roberts and agent Marsha Vlasic have been putting these concerts together and gathering the incredible artist line ups year after year. Thanks to you both and to Frank Gironda for all the work you’ve put into the event. I would also like to thank Tim Foster and the crews he has ably led while handling production of the concerts and making everything so easy for us. Great job Tim.
The Bridge School Concerts would never have been possible without Bill Graham and BGP, as well as Another Planet Productions. Thanks to Jerry Pompili and all the people who worked for these production organizations and made our wonderful concerts so easy for everyone.
To the Bridge School Community, the folks who attend the concerts year after year bringing their wonderful enthusiasm and love, I say thanks and lots of love to every one of you. You are the soul that kept everything happening for all these years. I know the concerts have become part of the Bay Area Landscape and we were all there together. I appreciate being part of it.
Although I will continue in fund raising efforts, for personal reasons beginning this year I will no longer be hosting The Bridge School Concert. I wish everyone the best as the school heads into the future. My heart is with each and every child we have had the honor to serve and those we will continue to serve, and your parents, siblings, and extended families. Thanks to you all for the honor of serving such a great mission. Thanks to my incredible son Ben Young for being there at my side throughout these many Bridge School years. I love you buddy. The Bridge School would not have been possible without you.
Neil Young
Metallica Funko Pop! Figures Coming This August
The members of Metallica likely see sold out shows, record-breaking sales of albums, and massive response on their videos as a sign of success. They might be changing their minds tonight, as they have just announced they’re going to be immortalized in the Funko Pop! family of figures.
According to a product listing at the band’s website, the set of four includes Funko versions of guitarist Kirk Hammett, frontman James Hetfield, bassist Robert Trujillo and drummer Lars Ulrich, all cast in 3.75″ plastic and available as a set for $43.96. There’s no street date listed, the listing promises the figures will be “coming in August.”
This $9,000 Scotch Comes with Its Own Jazz Song
Highland single malt Glenmorangie has unveiled its ‘oldest and rarest’ whisky to date – Glenmorangie Pride 1974.
The 41-year-old single malt Scotch whisky was filled into ex-Bourbon and ex-oloroso Sherry butts on October 30, 1974.
Only 503 crystal decanters of Glenmorangie Pride 1974 will be released globally in June, each priced at about $9,000.
Glassware specialist Laurence Brabant was recruited to design the decanter, which is engraved with gold metallic detailing and concealed in a lacquered cherrywood veneer box with a mirrored interior. Brabant also designed the packaging for Glenmorangie Pride 1981 and Glenmorangie Pride 1978.
To celebrate the launch, Glenmorangie partnered with piano maker Steinway & Sons and pianist Aaron Diehl to compose a piece of music that ‘embodies the whisky’s rare beauty’.
Dr Bill Lumsden, director of whisky creation, distilling and whisky stocks at Glenmorangie, said: ‘Glenmorangie Pride 1974 is the oldest and deepest Glenmorangie ever to be released. Its age lends the whisky an enriched intensity, borne only of a slow, patient maturation.
‘The result is an exquisite blend of deep, rich, salty and spicy aromas – aged balsamic vinegar, salted caramel toffee and oranges, leading to tastes of baked apples, toffee, oranges and brown sugar.’
Photo Gallery: Don Henley with JD and the Straight Shot at Toronto’s Budweiser Stage
All photos taken by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Jd and the Straight Shot[/caption
Emily Haines And The Soft Skeleton Releases New Single “Fatal Gift” Ahead Of New Album
Although we live life in a linear way, Emily Haines is a woman who sees the importance of the cyclical nature of time. Now a decade on from the release of her celebrated solo album Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, Knives Don’t Have Your Back (2006) and companion EP What Is Free To A Good Home? (2007) Emily returns with a new full length, solo album Choir of the Mind for release on September 15, 2017.
Reuniting with the same record label, Last Gang Records/eOne who handled her previous solo work, the debut single Fatal Gift is available everywhere today. “Most of the songs on the album came to me out of some recent major changes in my life, and others were composed when my life felt more stable,” says Emily. “Of them all, Fatal Gift is the song that has lived with me the longest, through many incarnations. This is the right time for the definitive version to be heard. The song embodies for me the undeniable fact that no matter how high I climb, that voice, pulling me back to my essential self remains. We all pursue symbols of achievement, but utopian material promises are hollow.”
“The things you own, they own you,” is the revelatory call in Fatal Gift that begins as a beautiful, plaintive ballad of piano and voice but builds to a sonic, propulsive mantra verging on six-minute dance track. The video for Fatal Gift is available here and was directed by long time artistic collaborator Justin Broadbent who brought his considerable artistic and directorial talent to Metric’s 2012 award winning release, Synthetica. As with every element of her new record, Emily is deeply involved in the vision and execution of every single detail.
Where her two previous solo offerings largely dealt with her processing and grieving the loss of her father, the revered writer, poet and jazz lyricist Paul Haines, Emily continues to grapple with some of the harder-edged life subjects on her new LP; life, loss and being a woman in the world. But with the passage of time, and living through the career accomplishments she’s earned within her almost 20 years of being a front woman, songwriter, producer, business woman and style icon with her award-winning band Metric, Emily has an ever-evolving lens to distill her stories and life perspective, anchored by a home base within a familiar circumference of the streets of Toronto that always serve to inspire her.
Choir of the Mind was for the most part composed and inhabited in stolen moments with her piano over the past few years of intensive work with Metric. The selected songs that would become this 13 track album were recorded over a number of weeks in 2016 at Giant Studios, which is housed in those familiar blocks in the West end of Toronto where Emily and Jimmy have each lived and worked for the past two decades. The album was co-produced by Emily and her longtime band mate, spiritual advisor and musical partner Jimmy Shaw (who also mixed the album), and engineered by Kenny Luong. It sees Sparklehorse drummer, Scott Minor return to duty on “Legend of the Wild Horse,” as he also played on the original Soft Skeleton recordings.
Always focused on the songwriting and the element of performance, Emily is planning to tour Choir of the Mind with limited engagements in unique and intimate venues, driven by her singular, inspiring and artistic vision for how she wishes to present her work to her audience. These highly anticipated upcoming tour dates and more information on Choir of the Mind will be announced shortly.