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

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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

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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.”

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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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.

Toronto will have 22-storey mural celebrating Toronto’s musical heritage

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The Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area neighbourhood offers vibrant urban experiences and events in the heart of downtown Toronto thanks to a thriving and diverse community of retailers, restaurants and services.

The soaring mural will cover the entire north face of the Toronto Community Housing building at 423 Yonge Street. It features the faces of 1950s and ‘60s music luminaries like Ronnie Hawkins and Gordon Lightfoot plus marquees from legendary venues such as Le Coq d’Or and Massey Hall, and the dual neon discs of the famed Sam the Record Man sign. The new mural is part of the Downtown Yonge BIA’s Music Strategy, described as “an ambitious, multi-pronged plan to re-establish the area as a ‘Music Mecca.’”

The Band’s 40th Anniversary Editions Of ‘The Last Waltz’ Due In November

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On November 25, 1976 The Band ended a Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame worthy career with one of the most celebrated concerts in the history of the genre, The Last Waltz. The concert was documented by director Martin Scorsese for one of rock’s most famous concert films. Rhino Records will honor the upcoming 40th anniversary of The Last Waltz with four new anniversary editions of The Band’s finale including a collector’s edition boxed set featuring Scorsese’s never-before-seen shooting script.

A 40th Anniversary Edition of The Last Waltz features the original soundtrack with newly remastered audio from the original master tapes on two CDs, while a 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition contains complete audio from the concert, including rehearsals and outtakes, plus The Last Waltz film directed by Scorsese on Blue-Ray. There’s also a 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition Vinyl featuring complete audio from the concert pressed on 180-gram vinyl for the first time and presented in an ornate lift-top box.

band-last-waltz-anniversary-photo

The aforementioned 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition will be limited to 2,500 copies. This massive set contains complete audio from the concert, The Last Waltz film on Blu-Ray and a second Blu-Ray disc including a rarely seen interview from the 1990s with Scorsese and The Band guitarist Robbie Robertson, photo gallery and 5.1 audio mix of the original album. The Collector’s Edition also includes a 300-page book bound in red faux-leather with a full replication of Scorsese’s shooting script, rare and previously unseen photos, set sketches, three foldout storyboards and a foreword written by Scorsese. All formats of the new 40th Anniversary Edition of The Last Waltz will be available on November 11 except for the Collector’s Edition, which will be issued on December 9.

The Last Waltz 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Tracklist
Disc One

1. “Theme From The Last Waltz” (with orchestra)
2. “Up On Cripple Creek”
3. “The Shape I’m In”
4. “It Makes No Difference”
5. “Who Do You Love” (with Ronnie Hawkins)
6. “Life Is A Carnival”
7. “Such A Night” (with Dr. John)
8. “The Weight”
9. “Down South In New Orleans” (with Bobby Charles)
10. “This Wheel’s On Fire”
11. “Mystery Train” (with Paul Butterfield)
12. “Caldonia” (with Muddy Waters)
13. “Mannish Boy” (with Muddy Waters)
14. “Stagefright”
Disc Two

1. “Rag Mama Rag”
2. “All Our Past Times” (with Eric Clapton)
3. “Further On Up The Road” (with Eric Clapton)
4. “Ophelia”
5. “Helpless” (with Neil Young)
6. “Four Strong Winds” (with Neil Young)
7. “Coyote” (with Joni Mitchell)
8. “Shadows And Light” (with Joni Mitchell)
9. “Furry Sings The Blues” (with Joni Mitchell)
10. “Acadian Driftwood”
11. “Dry Your Eyes” (with Neil Diamond)
12. “The W.S. Walcott Medicine Show”
13. “Tura Lura Lura (That’s An Irish Lullaby)” (with Van Morrison)
14. “Caravan” (with Van Morrison)
Disc Three

1. “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”
2. “The Genetic Method/Chest Fever”
3. “Baby Let Me Follow You Down” (with Bob Dylan)
4. “Hazel” – with Bob Dylan
5. “I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Live We Never Have Met)” (with Bob Dylan)
6. “Forever Young” (with Bob Dylan)
7. “Baby Let Me Follow You Down” (Reprise) (with Bob Dylan)
8. “I Shall Be Released”
9. Jam #1
10. Jam #2
11. “Don’t Do It”
12. “Greensleeves” (From Movie Soundtrack)
Disc Four: “The Last Waltz Suite”

1. “The Well”
2. “Evangeline” (with Emmylou Harris)
3. “Out Of The Blue”
4. “The Weight” (with The Staples)
5. “The Last Waltz Refrain”
6. Concert Rehearsal
7. “King Harvest (Has Surely Come)”
8. “Tura Lura Lura (That’s An Irish Lullaby)”
9. “Caravan”
10. “Such A Night”
11. “Rag Mama Rag”
12. “Mad Waltz” (Sketch track for “The Well”)
13. “The Last Waltz” (Instrumental)
14. “The Last Waltz (Sketch)
Disc Five: Blu Ray

1. “Theme From The Last Waltz” (with orchestra)
2. “Up on Cripple Creek”
3. “The Shape I’m In”
4. “It Makes No Difference”
5. “Who Do You Love” (with Ronnie Hawkins)
6. “Life Is A Carnival”
7. “Such A Night” (with Dr. John)
8. “Down South In New Orleans” (with Bobby Charles)
9. “Mystery Train” (with Paul Butterfield)
10. “Mannish Boy” (with Muddy Waters)
11. “Stagefright”
12. “Further On Up The Road” (with Eric Clapton)
13. “Ophelia”
14. “Helpless” (with Neil Young)
15. “Coyote” (with Joni Mitchell)
16. “Dry Your Eyes” (with Neil Diamond)
17. “Tura Lura Lura (That’s An Irish Lullaby)” (with Van Morrison)
18. “Caravan” (with Van Morrison)
19. “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”
20. “Baby Let Me Follow You Down” (with Bob Dylan)
21. “I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Live We Never Have Met)” (with Bob Dylan)
22. “Forever Young” (with Bob Dylan)
23. “Baby Let Me Follow You Down” (Reprise)
24. “I Shall Be Released” (Finale)
25. “The Well”
26. “Evangeline” (with Emmylou Harris)
27. “Out Of The Blue”
28. “The Weight” (with The Staples)
29. “The Last Waltz Refrain”
30. “Theme From The Last Waltz”

Canada’s Premier Radio Broadcasters Unite to Bring Listeners Top-Rated Digital Radio Streaming Service, Radioplayer

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Canadians, this announcement will be music to your ears! A free app is on the way that will give listeners from coast-to-coast access to nearly every style of music, news, talk, and entertainment content from close to 500 stations on any connected device, at any time of day, from anywhere.

Radioplayer, a UK based digital radio streaming service, has joined forces with Canada’s leading radio broadcasters to bring Canadians free, easily accessible digital radio on any connected device. Launching later this year, Radioplayer will allow Canadians immediate access to their favourite English and French entertainment, news, sports and talk radio stations powered by 15 Canadian radio broadcasters. Launch date to be announced in the coming weeks.

“I am extremely pleased that the majority of Canadian radio broadcasters have come together to bring this innovative offering to its listeners,” said Ian Lurie, Chief Operating Officer, Newcap Radio and Chair of the CEO Radio Council. “Radioplayer occupies a unique position in Europe, and its expansion into Canada represents a milestone for the platform in North America.”

“The way Canadians listen to radio is changing, and we’re changing with them,” said Julie Adam, Senior Vice President, Rogers Radio. “Radioplayer gives our listeners access to their favourite local stations and allows them to discover others across the country like never before. With access on mobile devices and desktop, turning the dial to your favourite stations has never been easier.”

Listeners will be able to access live and past radio broadcasts across the country through Radioplayer’s browser-player, and on connected devices through the iOS or Android app, including integrations with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Chromecast, and smartwatches. As the top-rated radio app in Europe, Radioplayer features the world’s best search and recommendation engine for radio, powered by the Radioplayer metadata platform.

“This is a very proud moment for Radioplayer and it will further strengthen the international ties between radio broadcasters,” said Michael Hill, Founder and Managing Director, Radioplayer UK. “Radio is in great shape, but we know we face challenges and opportunities in cars, smartphones, and among younger audiences. Joining the ever-growing Radioplayer family is a great way for broadcasters and countries to address these together.”

Radioplayer Worldwide is a partnership between UK Radioplayer, 7digital (a B2B digital music and radio services company), All In Media (who build the Radioplayer apps), and the countries which have rolled out Radioplayer. Radioplayer provides the trusted simplicity of radio with all the benefits of digital. Users can move between stations, set favourites, listen to on-demand content, find location based programming, see what is trending, and more.