Home Blog Page 2608

Submissions for the 2017 JUNO Awards Open Today

0

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that submissions for the 2017 JUNO Awards will be accepted starting Friday, September 30 until
Friday, November 11 here. JUNO Week 2017 will be hosted in Ottawa from March 27 through April 2, 2017.

Eligibility for the 2017 JUNO Awards applies to music released for national sale between September 1, 2015 and November 11, 2016. For a complete list of JUNO Awards categories, eligibility rules, and voting criteria visit here.

One notable change in this year’s categories – Canadian conductors are now eligible for nomination in Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber, Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble and Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral; as long as they are deemed to be the main focus of the project.

You Can Win A Night At Abbey Road Studios In London

0

Abbey Road has always been a place where the next great music artist is discovered, where the next recorded track becomes the greatest hit. In October, the accolade can be yours. You can win a free night’s stay at the legendary studio in London.

A few blocks from the St. John’s Wood tube stop, you’ll find a 9-bedroom townhouse – just like any other on a quiet London street. But when you step through the graffitied gates, it’s as if you’ve been there all along. Music history echoes through this old building in the form of skiffle chords and chromatic concertos, soul beats, cry baby distortions, and a touch of Honky-Tonk.

Split-level Studio 3 will be your bedroom, and you’ll be hosted by resident chart-topper and renowned DJ, Mark Ronson, as you make Abbey Road Studios your home for the night. He has plenty of stories to tell–from the recording of 19 to tales of his own “Uptown Funk.”

Walk the hallowed halls and tap your fingers on the keys of John Lennon’s piano, still marked with cigarette burns dating back to the recordings of The White Album. Feel the reverberation of the cymbal shot that set pace for Tony and Amy’s duet. Count “Time” on the Dark Side of the Schiedmayer Celesta, or just get lost in the knobs and buttons of the studio’s famed mixing board.

And if you’re moved, then make your own music history. Harmonize on the fire escape, or jam on the Persian rugs. Grab your instrument of choice, unleash your inner Winehouse, and ask your host – who just so happens to be one of the best producers of our day – for some advice.

With such a rich back catalogue of albums, it’s difficult to choose which song’s recording you most wish you’d witnessed at Abbey Road Studios, but that’s exactly what Air B&B are asking you to do. So tell us by 11:59pm BST on 6th October 2016, comply with the contest rules, and you could be rocking out and crashing out at the home of recorded music.

Submissions should be between 100-500 characters in English, French, German, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese and 100-300 characters in Chinese (Simplified or Traditional), Japanese or Korean.

Not a Londoner? No worries. Winners will be flown in from anywhere in the world. Who knows? Maybe your tale of musical fame will be the next to emerge from this storied old home.

capture2-2

Music Directory Canada Online Version Released

0

After 30 successful years and nine print editions, Norris-Whitney Communication Inc. announces the launch of Music Directory Canada Online. Music Directory Canada is the country’s essential guide to all things musical and just like its printed predecessor, this digital version is an easy-to- reference directory and one-of-a-kind resource.

Access to thousands of music industry professionals is instant as Music Directory Canada Online encompasses over 10,000 companies and contacts from all across the country within more than 60 specific categories.

Companies and individual professionals are encouraged to take advantage of one of several premium account options. Premium users can create their own digital space and access a variety of listing features like detailed descriptions, hours of operation, a location map, social media integration, logo placement, photo/video galleries, and personalized event listings. These listings give users access to a targeted market and audience to promote themselves or their company to the entire music industry.

“We are thrilled to offer Music Directory Canada Online as an industry resource and anticipate that it will be the most successful and most accessed edition of MDC to date. It will evolve and expand before our eyes as the music industry in Canada continues to grow with such strength and prosperity,” comments Jim Norris, President, Norris-Whitney Communications Inc.

Justin Bieber’s sister named Ambassador for tech start-up

0

KidsWifi, an Ontario-based technology start-up company with the goal to make the Internet a safe place for children, has officially launched today, and has chosen the inaugural FUZEnation Tech + Music Summit to help announce the launch of a revolutionary new internet device that helps protect kids while using the internet. KidsWifi’s official spokesperson is ET Canada’s Cheryl Hickey, and Jazmyn Bieber, sister of Justin Bieber, is the innovative tech start-up’s official Kid Ambassador.

KidsWifi is an Internet safety device that is available for purchase today in Canada and the United States, and soon globally. This compact device is redefining Internet safety solutions with simplicity. Plug it into any home electrical outlet, connect to your home WiFi network, and in 2 minutes or less, you can be up and running with safe Internet.

“We are thrilled and honoured to share in the launch of KidsWifi as part of the inaugural FUZEnation Tech + Music Summit,” says Live Nation’s Emmanuel Patterson, Co-executive Producer, FUZEnation. “This opportunity exemplifies the outstanding opportunities and partnerships that exist in the Waterloo Region, and FUZEnation is proud to be part of this.”

Co-Founder of KidsWifi, John Stix, has extensive experience as an Internet executive, being immersed in the tech industry for over a decade.

“The Internet should be a place of safe discovery and learning but not while under constant threat from malicious individuals that want, and hope, to take advantage of our children. As a dad, grandparent, and a 12-year owner of a Canadian Internet company, I unfortunately know all too well the concerns and dangers that exist on the Internet. KidsWifi is a simple product to use that delivers huge comfort once and for all. We couldn’t be happier to find out that our KidsWifi device was selected as product of the event at FUZEnation 2016. It’s truly an honour! I wish to thank everyone that has helped to build Global awareness of KidsWifi including the Bieber family, Hickey family, Achor family and of course FUZEnation.”

Through its ability to block inappropriate materials online, parents will have peace of mind knowing their children are utilizing the Internet safely, without the risk of negative exposure. The device combines convenient and intuitive features to ensure your child’s Internet time is monitored effectively, while still giving them the ability to enjoy their online experience. The KidsWifi device allows parents to adjust settings to fit their individual family needs, which includes every Internet-connected device inside your home, from tablets and laptops, to cellphones and iPods. The parental dashboard includes analytics, so you can easily view blocked sites, blocked ads and websites your children have recently viewed. It also incorporates features such as automatic bedtime shut-off and automatic morning turn-on that can be customized to a child’s schedule. While the KidsWifi device provides parents with endless options for customization, it is already pre-loaded with ready-to-go universal settings.

With the one-time purchase fee of the device, automatic updates and no additional purchases required, the KidsWifi device truly simplifies Internet monitoring, screen-time, and protection in its discreet, compact frame.

Jazmyn Bieber is ecstatic to be a part of her very first partnership, as the Kid Ambassador for KidsWifi. As a lover of technology, Jazmyn believes the Internet is an important part of the lives of kids: “My favourite part of the Internet is learning things I never knew before, playing games and watching cool videos. Without the Internet, I would definitely be sad. I think it’s important for us kids to explore online. The KidsWifi [device] takes the best parts of the Internet and shows them to kids. So we’re safe and we only see what we want to see.”

KidsWifi is thrilled to launch an Internet safety movement with their device, by partnering with ET Canada’s Cheryl Hickey, Jazmyn Bieber, Shawn Achor and welcoming support from leaders across the globe. Made by parents, for parents, with kids in mind, the KidsWifi device strives to become an essential product in the homes of families everywhere.

Rush Singer Geddy Lee on his love of Toronto’s Massey Hall

0

Released 40 years ago today, All the World’s A Stage was Rush‘s first live album of 11 released over the next four decades. The two-record set was taken from a three-night stand in Rush’s hometown Toronto earlier in the year, when they hit Massey Hall in support of their 2112 album. Singer, bassist and keyboardist Geddy Lee loves Massey Hall:

“The first show I saw here was Cream, I believe — don’t ask me what year it was, but it’s a very clear memory,” he recalled. “I couldn’t get anyone to go with me, so I said, ‘Screw you all, I’m going by myself.’ When you are in front of the stage, the place feels huge, but when you stand on the stage, it just feels so much smaller than you remember it. There’s a shift in perspective that happens, and it becomes a different place. You cannot reconcile it’s the same place you used to sit in the audience and watch bands.”

Via

Watch Pink Floyd Fan Benedict Cumberbatch Sing “Comfortably Numb” With David Gilmour

0

On Wednesday, September 28th 2016 David Gilmour performed Comfortably Numb in London’s Royal Albert Hall and Benedict Cumberbatch joined him for the last song of the night. He’s quite a fan of Pink Floyd, as he wears their tour shirts on the movie sets and off-time.

SiriusXM Launches VOLUME: First-Ever 24/7 Music Talk Radio Channel – Where Music Is the Conversation

0

SiriusXM announced today the launch of VOLUME, the first-ever 24/7 talk radio channel dedicated to music — its latest news, raging controversies, and non-stop debates – as the focus of the conversation.

This new channel will cover all genres of popular music.  VOLUME will deliver a mixture of live daily shows, artist interviews, weekly specials, a music trivia game show, album reviews, and several in-depth docuseries hosted by the most respected, knowledgeable, and passionate people in music today – including artists themselves. VOLUME will debut live October 17 at 7 am.

VOLUME’s live daily programs will include Feedback, a three-hour morning talk-show from 7-10 am ET/PT featuring the latest music news, celebrity guests and scoop on trending topics. Lady Gaga will be a featured guest on Feedback‘s debut program. Legendary DJ Eddie Trunk will host mid-days from 2 pm to 4 pm ET, and Debatable, hosted by MTV VJ Mark Goodman and author Alan Light, will air each weekday from 4 pm to 7 pm ET, and focus on the great debates fans often have about music.

Other featured shows upon launch include Rolling Stone Music Now, the popular weekly podcast from the editors at Rolling Stone that will now also appear on VOLUME.  Author, TV producer and commentator Bill Flanagan will host Written in My Soul, a new series of interviews with legendary musicians including Robert Plant, who will be a guest during the show’s premiere. In addition, Melissa’s Basement  hosted by Melissa Etheridge where she gathers her favorite singer-songwriters to share their stories and get together at her Los Angeles-area home for musical collaborations. David Crosby will appear on Melissa’s debut show on October 18. And journalist and TV producer Elliott Wilson will host Rap Radar Report, bringing some of the biggest names in hip hop together for discussions about the musical genre.

VOLUME will be on SiriusXM channel 106 and available through the SiriusXM app as well as online at siriusxm.com.  Music fans will be able to join the discussion on social media via Twitter @SiriusXMVolume on Facebook at SiriusXM Volume.

VOLUME’s programming line-up will include:

  • Feedback will be a live daily morning talk-show featuring the latest music news, scoop, what’s trending and conversations with guests and audiences. Hosted by nationally syndicated radio personality and former VH1 host Nik Carter, and veteran magazine editor, entertainment journalist and author Lori Majewski, Feedback will air weekdays from 7 am – 10 am ET/PT.
  • Trunk Nation, featuring TV host and legendary DJ Eddie Trunk, will host a daily afternoon talk show, from 2 pm to 4 pm ET, from where he shares his stories from his 35-year-career in music, interviews top artists, and brings listeners in on the action.  Trunk kicks off his first show with an interview with Metallica’s Lars Ulrich.
  • Debatable, a daily afternoon show from 4 to 7 pm ET, hosted by original MTV VJ and radio personality Mark Goodman, and former Spin and Vibe editor and author Alan Light, will be where hot topics, lists, and news of the day are discussed, debated, dissected and sometimes destroyed.
  • Written in My Soul with Bill Flanagan will feature a series of interviews with legendary musicians including Robert Plant and Paul Simon. Flanagan is a TV producer, commentator, and author of the book Written in My Soul, a collection of conversations about songwriting with Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Mick Jagger and others.
  • Rolling Stone Music Now, hosted by Rolling Stone Executive Editor Nathan Brackett, will bring this podcast to a new level by debuting it live from the SiriusXM studios.  Each week, Nathan and his team discuss and analyze the hottest music news, profile up-and-coming acts, interview top artists and invite the audience to get in on the action to discuss new music.  
  • Rap Radar Report, hosted by journalist and TV producer Elliott Wilson, where he brings together some of the biggest names in hip hop for weekly discussions about the musical genre. T.I. will appear on the premiere episode of Rap Radar Report.
  • Melissa’s Basement features Grammy Award-winning recording artist Melissa Etheridge teaming up with her favorite singer-songwriters as they share stories and get together for musical collaborations. Melissa’s Basement, a one-hour program premiering October 18, will provide listeners a rare and honest view of musicians as they talk about their craft and get together for one-of-a-kind performances of some of their favorite songs.  Upcoming guests appearing on Mellissa’s Basement will include David Crosby, Pat Benatar, Steve Cropper and more.
  • Never Meet Your Heroes with Scott Ian features Anthrax guitarist and heavy metal icon Ian as he chats with his celebrity idols and musical influences about what inspires them. Corey Taylor of Slipknot will be the featured guest on the debut show.
  • True Stories with Kurt Loder will feature incredible stories from some of the most fascinating musicians, filmmakers and writers of our time, as told to author, film critic and former MTV News anchor Kurt Loder.  Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top will be the debut guest on True Stories.
  • The Album Review Show features YouTube star and the internet’s busiest music nerd Anthony Fantano as he provides an in-depth discussion of the latest releases from new artists across all genres.
  • 70’s 80’s 90’s Now is a new music trivia game show hosted by former MTV and VH1 personality Jim Shearer. This lively, fun-filled trivia show will allow listeners to test their musical IQ while learning some obscure facts.
  • The Last of The …is a new series hosted by Ryan Duffy, journalist, producer and entrepreneur, that examines the changing landscape in the world of music and tech.  From producers to video directors, these are the folks behind the scenes who bring the music to the forefront. The Last of The…kicks off with guest, producer Steve Albini.

 

Postmodern Jukebox and Casey Abrams Present An Old Fashioned Cover Of The Family Guy Theme

0

Postmodern Jukebox are starting their North American tour today in Providence, and Casey Abrams and tap queen Sarah Reich are helping them celebrate with an old fashioned take on a modern classic: the “Family Guy” theme song. Their cover is currently available to purchase on iTunes.

Here is the original theme song for comparison.

The Dears’ Krief on the biggest lessons he’s learned in music

0

As former guitarist for The Dears, Patrick Krief made sizable contributions to shaping that band’s often dark and brooding sound. But working within another artist’s musical boundaries has never been enough for Krief, as evidenced by his latest solo project.

Bearing only his last name, Krief’s two new albums, Automanic Red andAutomanic Blue (out simultaneously Sept. 30 on Toronto indie label Culvert Music), contain 20 songs that capture the emotional extremes the Montreal native has lived over the past few years.

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned as you’ve built your career, and what advice would you give?

I’ll answer this in point form:

Being talented is not enough.
Hard work does pay off. Tenacity does, too.
Be prolific. Know when to let go of something and that it will never be perfect. The closer something gets to “perfection” the more sterile and boring it will become.
Always offer to help musicians or artists you believe in. Don’t hoard your knowledge.
Decimate any sense of entitlement you have.
Treat people with respect in all situations.
Be loyal to the people who helped you early in your career.
Know that the people who work for you are also taking risks. Hear them out and be cooperative.
Respect your vision, and don’t let your mind (insecurities, goals/ ambitions etc) get in the way of inspiration.
Protect your assets. Define all the work you do. Anyone refusing to put something in writing for you is up to no good.
If you’re gonna goof around in a press photo shoot, know they will use THAT picture.
Nobody can ever care as much as you do. Understand that and respect it.
Don’t slag other artists.
Lead by example.
Don’t waste your time or money on “battle of the bands” type gigs.
Be self sufficient, learn as many skills as possible to advance your art and career.
Don’t blame others for your failures.
Understand how others have contributed to your success and credit/ reward them for it.
If you’re not loving it anymore, STOP.
As Bob Dylan says, “know your song well before you start singing” … and as Willie Nelson says, “you can’t make a record if you ain’t got nothing to say.”

Via

Sony Just Created Two Pop Songs Using Artificial Intelligence. EVERYBODY PANIC!

0

Scientists at SONY CSL Research Laboratory have created the first-ever entire songs composed by Artificial Intelligence: “Daddy’s Car” and “Mister Shadow”.

The researchers have developed FlowMachines, a system that learns music styles from a huge database of songs. Exploiting unique combinations of style transfer, optimization and interaction techniques, FlowMachines composes novel songs in many styles.

French composer Benoît Carré arranged and produced Daddy’s Car, and wrote the lyrics as well.

“Mister Shadow” is composed in the style of American songwriters such as Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and Cole Porter. French composer Benoît Carré arranged and produced the songs, and wrote the lyrics.

The two songs are excerpts of albums composed by Artificial Intelligence to be released in 2017.

I, for one, welcome our new overlords of music and wish no harm.