All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Photo Gallery: Gord Bamford with Aaron Goodvin at St. Catharines FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
A Celebration & Fundraiser for A Man Called Wrycraft Held At Hugh’s Room In Toronto
Michael Wrycraft is known and loved for his unquenchable enthusiasm for music. His Juno award-winning album art and poster art creations are everywhere, and many of Canada’s top musical artists and festivals have hired him for his versatile and beautiful talents. He has had to face challenges such as the recent loss of both legs, and did so with bravery and humour. Now comes the time for the community to celebrate him, raise money, and send our very best wishes to him as he begins the next cycle of creativity and prosperity.
Renowned Toronto music producer & multi-instrumentalist George Koller has teamed up with Hugh’s Room Live Board member & Canadian Folk Music Awards co-founder, Judith Laskin, and highly regarded guitar maker & artist Grit Laskin to organize The Art of Music – A Celebration And Fundraiser for Michael Wrycraft – assisted by the good folks and publicity team at Hugh’s Room Live. The organizers have curated a special night of intimate songs and stories from some of his friends, clients and supporters. On the star-studded and musically diverse bill so far are:
Tom Wilson
James Keelaghan
Carlos Del Junco
Chloe Charles
Wendell Ferguson
Gary Craig
Kevin Fox
Jon Brooks
Katherine Wheatley
Treasa Levasseur
Sharlene Wallace
George Koller
and your host for the evening: Jaymz Bee
And the best news…Michael Wrycraft will be there!
“Michael Wrycraft is one of the most loved and admired people in the community. I am thrilled to present this concert, along with George Koller and Grit Laskin, to support him. It gives the community a way to let him know how valued he is. As the master of the “tribute concert genre” at Hugh’s Room Live, I can’t think of a better way than to honour him with this exciting and heartfelt event. “ so says co-presenter, Judith Laskin.
“Michael was recently featured as an Unsung Hero of Toronto music by Brad Wheeler in The Globe and Mail, and that’s exactly what he is,” says George Koller. “He’s the best art designer in the history of Canadian music, bar none, and also a passionate concert promoter who’s given hundreds of artists the chance to shine on the Hugh’s Room Live stage. Now, he needs us to rally behind him, and it’s my pleasure to be part of this special evening in his honour.”
“Michael has done so much behind the scenes to grow and nurture roots music in Canada,” adds Grit Laskin. “We’re thrilled to be able to give back, and also that Michael will be able to enjoy this tribute concert in one of his favourite music spaces at Trinity-St. Paul’s.”
Tickets are available here.
Rose Cousins, Jenn Grant, KINLEY, Ria Mae, and Joel Plaskett lead 2018 East Coast Music Award nominations
s they prepare to celebrate their milestone 30th anniversary, the East Coast Music Association is thrilled to announce the 2018 East Coast Music Award nominees.
Rose Cousins leads the pack with eight nominations, while Jenn Grant follows with six. Ria Mae, KINLEY, and Joel Plaskett each garner four.
The East Coast Music Association (ECMA) is a regional collaboration of people in the music industry of Atlantic Canada that fosters, develops and celebrates East Coast music and its artists locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The ECMA annually produces the ECMAs, one of the top music industry events in Canada, which includes Awards, a Festival, an Industry Conference and the International Export Buyers Program.
The 2018 East Coast Music Award nominees are as follows:
2018 MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES
Blues Recording of the Year
Earle & Coffin – Wood Wire Blood & Bone
Matt Minglewood – Fly Like Desperados
Matt Minglewood – Fly Like Desperados
Mike Biggar – Go All In
Shirley Jackson & Her Good Rockin’ Daddys – Things Keep Lookin’ Up
Wayne Nicholson and The Eastenders – Diggin’ the Dirt
Wayne Nicholson and The Eastenders – Diggin’ the Dirt
Bucky Adams Memorial Award
MAJE
Measha Brueggergosman
Nova Scotia Mass Choir
Reeny Smith
Universal Soul
Classical Composition of the Year
Andrew Staniland – “The River Within Us”
Derek Charke – “In Sonorous Falling Tones”
Fiona Ryan – “Lady of the Lake”
Jeff Reilly – “To Dream of Silence (In Four Movements)”
Martin Kutnowski – “Tonadas y Mateadas”
Classical Recording of the Year
Derek Charke and WIRED! Ensemble – In Sonorous Falling Tones
Duo Concertante – Incarnation
Jeff Reilly – To Dream of Silence
Maureen Batt – Lady of the Lake
Symphony Nova Scotia – Schubert
Ventus Machina – In The Weeds
Country Recording of the Year
The Hypochondriacs – The Hypochondriacs in ¾
Jason Benoit – WAVES
Makayla Lynn – On A Dare and a Prayer
Pretty Archie – Sing Alongs and Love Songs
Whitney Rose – South Texas Suite
Dance Recording of the Year
Bardic Beatz – “Beautiful Minds”
CRaymak – “Play With Fire” ft. Neon Dreams
FWLR & Twistex – “Without Borders”
Joel Freckelton – “Violet Rose” ft. Frank Kadillac
Spoutnique – “My Blue Sky Turns Teal, Vol 1”
Electronic Recording of the Year
Elephant Skeletons – The Traveller
Nicole Ariana – STRAND
PINEO & LOEB – LIFEBLOOD
Rozalind MacPhail – SUNSET SUNRISE
Veev – Golden EP
Folk Recording of the Year
Amelia Curran – Watershed
Catherine MacLellan – If It’s Alright With You
The East Pointers – What We Leave Behind
Joel & Bill Plaskett – Solidarity
Rose Cousins – Natural Conclusion
Francophone Recording of the Year
Jacques Jacobus – Le retour de Jacobus
Les Jeunes d’Asteure – paradis, probablement
Joey Robin Haché – Stigmates
Mary Beth Carty – Les biens-nommés
Menoncle Jason – Dans son prime
Gospel Recording of the Year
Informants – Uprising
Matt Linton – I’ve Got To Praise Him
Measha Brueggergosman – Songs of Freedom
Nova Scotia Mass Choir – Immanuel
Rekoncyle – Desire
Group Recording of the Year
Cassie and Maggie – The Willow Collection
City Natives – Dream Catchers
The East Pointers – What We Leave Behind
Ouroboros – Kitchuses
Les Païens – Carte noire
Tomato Tomato – I Go Where You Go
Walrus – Family Hangover
Indigenous Artist of the Year
Beaatz
Carolina East
City Natives
Don Ross
Maxim Cormier
Instrumental Recording of the Year
Amy Brandon – Scavenger
Chronos – What It Is
Michael Maillet – Entropy
Paul Tynan and Aaron Lington – Bicoastal Collective: Chapter 5
Rosie MacKenzie – Atlantic
Jazz Recording of the Year
Florian Hoefner – Coldwater Stories
Heather Bambrick – You’ll Never Know
Les Païens – Carte noire
Paul Tynan and Aaron Lington – Bicoastal Collective: Chapter 5
Willem Paynter – Wise Guy
Loud Recording of the Year
Hard Charger – Bad Omens
Sleepshaker – Things Are Different Now
Spirit of the Wildfire – Paradisolation
Tactus – Bending Light
ZAUM – Eidolon
Pop Recording of the Year
Ian Janes – Yes Man
Jenn Grant – Paradise
KINLEY – Letters Never Sent
Neon Dreams – To You
Port Cities – Port Cities
Rap/Hip-Hop Recording of the Year
City Natives – Dream Catchers
Fortunato x DJ IV – 2 Bad Dudes
Ghettosocks – Diamants en cendres
Mitchell Bailey – Last Time Introducing Myself
Quake Matthews – Celebrate the Struggle
Rising Star Recording of the Year
The Barrowdowns – Come What May Come
KINLEY – Letters Never Sent
Mama’s Broke – Count the Wicked
Owen Meany’s Batting Stance – Owen Meany’s Batting Stance
Shreem – Celtic Remixing
Rock Recording of the Year
Alert the Medic – Let Them Have Their Fun
Jessie Brown – Keeping Appearances
Like A Motorcycle – High Hopes
Mo Kenney – The Details
Partner – In Search of Lost Time
Roots/Traditional Recording of the Year
Cassie and Maggie – The Willow Collection
Còig – Rove
MacIsaac and MacKenzie – The Bay Street Sessions
Matthew Byrne – Horizon Lines
Scott Macmillan and Colin Grant – GOOD2GO
Solo Recording of the Year
Amelia Curran – Watershed
David Myles – Real Love
Jenn Grant – Paradise
Mo Kenney – The Details
Rose Cousins – Natural Conclusion
Songwriter of the Year
David Myles
Jenn Grant
Joel Plaskett
Rose Cousins
Tim Chaisson, Jake Charron, Koady Chaisson (The East Pointers)
Song of the Year
Gabrielle Papillon – “Keep the Fire” (Producer: Daniel Ledwell)
Jenn Grant – “Galaxies” (Producer: Daniel Ledwell)
KINLEY – “Microphone” (Producer: Kinley Dowling & Colin Buchanan)
Port Cities – “Back to the Bottom” (Producer: Gordie Sampson)
Rose Cousins – “Grace” (Producer: Joe Henry)
Rose Cousins – “Grace” (Producer: Joe Henry)
Album of the Year
Amelia Curran – Watershed (Producers: Amelia Curran & Chris Stringer)
Jenn Grant – Paradise (Producer: Daniel Ledwell)
Joel & Bill Plaskett – Solidarity (Producer: Joel Plaskett)
Joel & Bill Plaskett – Solidarity (Producer: Joel Plaskett)
Ria Mae – Ria Mae (Producer: Luke Boyd aka Classified)
Rose Cousins – Natural Conclusion (Producer: Joe Henry)
Rose Cousins – Natural Conclusion (Producer: Joe Henry)
Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year
David Myles
Joel Plaskett
Matt Minglewood
Measha Brueggergosman
Neon Dreams
Port Cities
Ria Mae
Rose Cousins
Fans’ Choice Video of the Year
George Belliveau – “Grand verre de tchekafaire ft. Arthur Comeau” (Director: Mathieu Laprise)
Jenn Grant – “Galaxies” (Director: Adam Goldhammer)
Jenn Grant – “Galaxies” (Director: Adam Goldhammer)
KINLEY – “Microphone” (Director: Jenna MacMillan)
Neon Dreams – “Marching Bands ft. Kardinal Offishall” (Director: Cazhmere)
Ria Mae – “Bend” (Director: Stephen Dunn)
Rose Cousins – “Chains” (Director: Nathan Boone)
The Town Heroes – “Thought Police” (Director: Cody Westman)
CMW Announces Renowned International Immigration Lawyer, Lorraine D’Alessio as Keynote at Live Touring Summit 2018
Canadian Music Week (CMW) is pleased to announce renowned international immigration attorney, Lorraine D’Alessio as a keynote speaker at the 2018 Live Touring Summit. The Live Touring Summit takes places from Thursday, May 10th to Friday, May 11th at the Sheraton Centre Downtown Toronto.
Lorraine D’Alessio is D’Alessio Law Group’s founding partner and was recently named a 2016 Century City Bar Association Lawyer of the Year and Leader of Law for International Law by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Heralded by the Bay Street Bull as “One of the 9 Fearless Women in Canada Changing the Status Quo,” a Toronto native and former Ford model, Mrs. D’Alessio spearheads the firm’s business transactional law and business and employment-related immigration initiatives. Widely regarded as an industry expert and thought leader, Mrs. D’Alessio writes a monthly editorial for Canadian entertainment industry PlayBack magazine, contributes on business transactional and immigration issues regularly to the Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, LA Business Journal and other leading outlets. She also serves on the board for Artists for Change, chaired by BAFTA board members and OSCAR award winners. She is also the author of “Going Global: Investing in US Immigration,” a guide to US immigration that is being published and released spring 2017 by Brick Tower Press, and will be sold domestically and internationally. She has provided counsel to hundreds of prominent companies from small, medium to fortune 500 in the entertainment and technology fields as well as many award winning entertainment agencies, unions, private companies and academic institutions around the world from Hyperloop One to Next Models to Food Network to Instagram to Subpac to Gfuel and Pepperdine University.
Lorraine D’Alessio earned her law degree from Southwestern Law School. She earned her Masters degree in Public Administration from The Senate of Queen’s University at Kingston and also attended the University of Toronto, Canada to earn her undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Arts.
London to Host 2019 JUNO Awards
The JUNO Awards will be heading to Southwestern Ontario as The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced today that London will host The 2019 JUNO Awards along with all JUNO Week festivities, March 11 – March 17, 2019. The 48th Annual JUNO Awards will be broadcast live on CBC from Budweiser Gardens, on Sunday March 17, 2019.
JUNO Week 2019 will return to Ontario with the support of the Province of Ontario, the City of London, Tourism London, and the 2019 Host Committee. London will host Canada’s music awards for the first time since the award show began touring across Canada in 2002.
In support of the 2019 celebrations, the City of London has also announced that beginning January 29, key music venues in the city will donate one dollar from every ticket sold to MusiCounts, Canada’s music education charity associated with CARAS. Venues participating include London Music Hall, Budweiser Gardens and Centennial Hall.
“We are thrilled to host the 2019 JUNO Week celebrations here in London. As one of Canada’s emerging cultural scenes we are excited to show the world how culturally rich and diverse London is,” said Chris Campbell, Director of Culture & Entertainment Tourism. “The JUNO Awards is London’s opportunity to bring artists and music fans to our great city to showcase our hospitality and our growing music scene and we could not be happier to be the 2019 Host City.”
“We’re excited to be bringing the 2019 JUNOS to London. This city has seen incredible growth with its music scene and as such, is the perfect platform to celebrate Canadian talent,” said Allan Reid, President & CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards and MusiCounts. “We want to thank the Government of Ontario for their support in bringing the JUNOS back to Ontario. We look forward to supporting and showcasing the city’s diverse music scene.”
“Ontario is a key music hub in Canada and North America,” said Daiene Vernile, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. “Our vibrant culture is driven by our exceptional talent and diversity, making Ontario a great fit for hosting the JUNO Awards in 2019. We have a thriving music industry that makes a significant contribution to Ontario’s economy by creating jobs, generating sales and building the province’s profile at an international level. I am thrilled to welcome the JUNOS to London.”
With strong music heritage, London is home to several well respected Canadian artists including one of the first inductees into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the late Guy Lombardo and JUNO Award winning producer Jack Richardson for whom the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year JUNO Award was named after. The city has become a budding cultural epicentre, and is home to tourist destinations such as Museum London, which includes over 5,000 works of art and 45,000 artifacts, Grand Theatre, Thames Valley Trail, a paved trail through a number of London’s incredible parks, and a number of other enticing activities. London is becoming a hub for expression, innovation, and creativity.
Since the JUNO Awards started taking the show on the road, each host city has seen an average impact of $10 million. To date, the JUNO Awards have created a total impact of over $120 million while travelling.
The JUNO Awards have travelled coast to coast across Canada starting in St. John’s in 2002 (and again in 2010), followed by Ottawa (2003, 2012 and 2017), Edmonton (2004), Winnipeg (2005 and 2014), Halifax (2006), Saskatoon (2007), Calgary (2008 and 2016), Vancouver (2009 and 2018), Toronto (2011), Regina (2013), and Hamilton (2015).
Photo Gallery: Jake Owen at Niagara Falls’ Fallsview Casino
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Photo Gallery: Anthrax with Killswitch Engage and Havok at the London Music Hall
All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her at minismemories@hotmail.com
Short Cuts: The Best Songs Heard On January 27, 2018 From The Indie World
Kellen of Troy
When You Don’t Hear Goodbye
This is music as a constant companion and confirmation that sad songs really do say so much. Fans of Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Father John Misty, and Band of Horses will love this one.
Rory Webley
I’m Not The Only One (Sam Smith cover)
This is his first Youtube upload, and so I’m claiming him first when he becomes Australia’s biggest import. Keep it up, Rory, and anyone else out there who just want to sing because they love to sing.
Factor Chandelier
The Gospel (feat. Ceschi)
Saskatoon-based producer broke into the music scene as a DJ in 1998 (!!!), drawing early production inspiration from the West Coast underground. He’s likely seen – and heard – it all, and he continues to be imaginative, pushing the boundaries of hip-hop through a wide spectrum of moments in this track.
Hamster feat. Lee
Magic
Los Angeles-based Hamster has been producing pop and EDM tracks for rising stars in the LA scene over the last few years, and Lee continues the success of picking the very best here. Strong in the melody and dynamics department. While you’re waiting for the new Chainsmokers album, this ought to tie you over nicely.
The Watanabes
Over Romantic
In the 1990s the Walsh brothers were teenagers growing up in a tiny village in rural England, dreaming away their time in a room together writing heartfelt pop songs on second hand guitars. Twenty years later they find themselves in Tokyo, sharing a room together, sipping on green tea, while writing heartfelt pop songs on second hand guitars. Dave Crosby is a fan, and that should tell you how perfect their vocals are, and how The Everly Brothers live on in spirit in these two. Nashville and beyond awaits them.
Maddie Ross
Loners
A much-needed shot in the arm when it comes to singer-songwriters writing big, poppy choruses. I loved Juliana Hatfield and Liz Phair back in the day, and this would have been right up there in my repeat listens. As it’s 2018, I still listened to this on Spotify about a dozen times straight in pure delight. No wasted notes, just brilliant.
Clyde Kelly
Starvation
Hailing from Raleigh, NC, he counts OutKast, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The-Dream, and KiD CuDi among his primary influences. While those artists aren’t ready to hand off the gauntlet just yet, they should know he means business, and ready to take the leap to the big stage, like, now. If he can string together a number of these solid tunes, he’ll be closer than even he realizes.
Colour Tongues
Temper
Soon to be rated amongst Vancouver’s finest and most-loved bands, this quartet known for their upbeat choruses, technical power rhythms, and blending of different instrumental patterns that work alongside high-range vocals. Sublime.
Cove
Alive
This four-piece indie rock band from the UK is sharper than most, and a surprise as it’s only been 14 months since their debut single, Sunset. Steady drums, storming guitars, they could be contenders for breakout band of the year over there if this keeps up.
Watch Syd Barrett’s Sad And Depressing Video For “Effervescing Elephant”
An effervescing elephant / With tiny eyes, and great big trunk / Once whispered to the tiny ears / The ears of one inferior / That by next June he’d die, oh yeah!
Initial sales and reaction of Barrett’s first solo album, The Madcap Laughs, were deemed ‘not bad’ by EMI to sanction a second solo album. So, on February 24, 1970, a month after releasing Madcap, Barrett appeared on John Peel’s Top Gear radio show, where he performed only one song from the newly released album (Terrapin), three that would later be recorded for Barrett (Gigolo Aunt, Baby Lemonade and Effervescing Elephant.
Effervescing Elephant was pastiche of the verse form of Hilaire Belloc’s Cautionary Tales for Children. In contrast to some of his other songs mentioning one or two animals, Effervescing Elephant contains references to a whole jungle full of animals. The video he made for it is pretty sad and depressing, and rarely seen, so here you go, sunshine!
The Mechanics of being Big Bird
The heartwarming doc, I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story, chronicles the life of Caroll Spinney, the man who has been Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since 1969.
For over 4 decades, Caroll’s characters have been cherished by generations of children. At 81 years old, the tenacious and enthusiastic performer has no intention of slowing down. I AM BIG BIRD features incredible footage of Spinney’s earliest collaborations with Jim Henson as it traces Caroll’s journey from bullied child to celebrated performer. This loving portrait peels away the instances that inspired his creation of Big Bird and as the yellow feathers give way to grey hair, it is the man, not the puppet, who will steal your heart.