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Country Artist Jeff Michaels Releases ‘Sittin’ Here On This Dock’ Celebrating Simple Joys

Eric Alper
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Country Artist Jeff Michaels Releases ‘Sittin’ Here On This Dock’ Celebrating Simple Joys

Jeff Michaels has released his brand-new single ‘Sittin’ Here On This Dock,’ offering listeners a warm escape into moments of ease, reflection, and celebration, blending Michaels’ country roots with vivid storytelling.

Born in Mississauga, Ontario, and now based in Cambridge, Ontario, Michaels has grown his career as both a bandleader and a solo artist. His years with The Southdowns gave him a foundation in performance and songwriting, while his solo work reflects his personal vision—country music rooted in sincerity and connection.

Following the release of his EP  ‘Down Here In Mexico’, Michaels has continued to shape a sound that draws on his Ontario upbringing and his love of country traditions. His music thrives on the balance of good times with friends and the grounding presence of home.

‘Sittin’ Here On This Dock’ paints a vivid picture of simple pleasures: casting a fishing line, sharing a drink with friends, and watching the sun set over the water. Its lyrics highlight the joy of stepping away from the rush of everyday life and leaning into time with the people and places that matter most.

The verses build images of laughter, music, and lake life, while the chorus captures a state of contentment with lines like, “Now I’m sittin’ here on this dock, poppin’ that bottle top. Slow and easy, that’s the life for me.” The song brings to life a familiar Canadian summer scene that resonates with listeners everywhere.

In his own words, Jeff Michaels explains: “This song came from my love for the outdoors and the times I’ve spent at the lake. It’s about slowing down, being present, and enjoying the company of friends. It’s the soundtrack to the kind of summer nights I want to hold onto.”

Michaels continues: “When I write, I want to share something real. With ‘Sittin’ Here On This Dock,’ I wanted to capture a feeling that so many of us know—the peace of sitting still and appreciating where you are.”

With his growing catalog, Michaels is building a reputation as an artist who crafts music that feels both timeless and personal. ‘Sittin’ Here On This Dock’ affirms his place as one of country music’s rising voices from Ontario.

From Nova Scotia to Ottawa: Glenn A Johnson Shares Decades of Songwriting in ‘Love and Loss: The Songs I Kept’

Eric Alper
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From Nova Scotia to Ottawa: Glenn A Johnson Shares Decades of Songwriting in ‘Love and Loss: The Songs I Kept’

Glenn A. Johnson releases his songwriter’s anthology ‘Love and Loss: The Songs I Kept’, a collection that draws deeply on his Nova Scotia roots and a lifetime of storytelling. Born in Halifax and raised in Liverpool, Glenn carries the spirit of the East Coast in every note—anchored by the pull of the ocean and the resilience of memory.

Though now based in Ottawa, Glenn’s heart remains tied to Nova Scotia’s South Shore. His music blends pop and light rock with folk traditions, carried by themes of longing, healing, and the enduring connection to home.

Produced and released under his label BalzaSteel Music, the songs are built not for spectacle but for connection with other artists and possibly for film and television. Glenn’s compositions are offerings to all listeners from the heart, crafted with honesty and care. Beyond listeners, he hopes to connect with performers who may need tailored pieces lyrically and musically.

The anthology features songs spanning decades of writing, including ‘Back To Nova Scotia,’ a heartfelt ode to his birthplace. With lines like “Nova Scotia skies of tartan blue / No matter where I roam, I’ll come back to you,” the song captures the ache of distance and the comfort of return.

Other tracks highlight different shades of love and struggle. ‘A Beautiful Tragedy’ reflects on relationships fractured by time and memory. ‘Can’t Hang It Up’ is an anthem for perseverance in music itself, acknowledging the hardships of the road while celebrating its healing power. ‘Silence Ain’t Peace’ speaks to justice, trauma, and truth with striking urgency.

Glenn’s journey to this release has been anything but ordinary. A drummer at heart, he composes melodies one-handed due to spinal nerve damage, relying on technology and AI tools to help bring his songs to life. “I’ve had many of the songs complete inside my head,” Glenn shares, “but only recently have I been able to record them in a way that others can hear and, hopefully, carry forward.”

Despite challenges, Glenn’s work reflects the grit and generosity of Maritime culture. His songs mirror coastal landscapes—at once rough and beautiful, intimate, and expansive. They echo lighthouses, salt air, and the resilience of communities shaped by both hardship and joy.

The anthology continues the thread of his earlier release ‘Ocean Wave’, blending folk and country flavours with themes of love, memory, and belonging.

With ‘Love and Loss: The Songs I Kept,’ Glenn A. Johnson invites listeners into stories both deeply personal and universally resonant. From tender ballads to unflinching truths, his music carries the salt and soul of the East Coast wherever it travels.

Indie Pop Newcomer Alice Moore Releases Debut Single “Cigarettes” Ahead of Forthcoming EP ‘The Waiting’

Eric Alper
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Indie Pop Newcomer Alice Moore Releases Debut Single “Cigarettes” Ahead of Forthcoming EP ‘The Waiting’

Alice Moore has released her debut single “Cigarettes,” a track that unfolds like a hazy late-night confession. It marks the first glimpse of her forthcoming EP ‘The Waiting’, scheduled for October 3, 2025.

Moore grew up between Trois-Rivières and Drummondville, Quebec, places that shaped both her musical curiosity and her lyrical honesty. Her voice, drenched in intimacy, moves with ease through the moods of alternative indie pop, while her band gives the songs texture and atmosphere.

Her group includes Samuel Lessard on guitar, Léandre Bourgeois on keys, Ismaël Chagnon on drums, and James Forest on bass. Together, they form a constellation of sound that feels lived-in, pulling from the richness of Quebec’s indie traditions while carving something new.

“Cigarettes” begins with a stark admission—“Yesterday, I bought myself a pack of cigarettes, but I don’t smoke.” The line sets the tone for a track about love, contradiction, and the quiet moments of unraveling. The song balances restraint and release, drifting between vulnerability and resolve.

The lyrics echo discomfort, longing, and the fear of being alone. Lines like “Here I am today chain-smoking cigarettes while it’s spinning in my head” make the private feel universal, bringing listeners into a space both fragile and fearless.

In her own words, Alice Moore explains the creative process: “The first single ‘Cigarettes’ was almost left off the EP. My producer, Sam Mallais, convinced me it had something worth sharing, and I’m grateful. It grew into one of the most personal songs I’ve ever written.”

Recorded at Studio 345 in Sainte-Hélène-de-Bagot, Quebec, ‘The Waiting’ EP came together with friends, late nights, and a sense of collective energy. The band’s decision to track most instruments live gave the record a raw immediacy, making it feel more like a captured moment than a polished artifact.

Moore’s songwriting, rooted in the indie pop universe, explores themes of love, mental health, and the quiet edges of human experience. Her voice lingers on words the way memories linger on places—refusing to fade quickly.

With ‘The Waiting’ on the horizon, “Cigarettes” acts as the doorway into Moore’s world: sharp, soft, and unafraid to hold tension. It introduces an artist whose work lives in the spaces between solitude and connection, nostalgia and presence.

Alt-Country Folk Trio Diyet & The Love Soldiers Announce New Album ‘Seeds of Dreaming’ and 2025 Tour

Eric Alper
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Alt-Country Folk Trio Diyet & The Love Soldiers Announce New Album ‘Seeds of Dreaming’ and 2025 Tour

She was born in a tent and raised on the ancestral lands of the Kluane First Nation, surrounded by the wild beauty of the Yukon’s mountains and stories older than the map itself. Now, with her fourth album ‘Seeds of Dreaming’ on the horizon (dropping September 19, 2025), Diyet & The Love Soldiers are packing up the bass, the pedal steel, and a thousand ancestral harmonies for their biggest tour yet.

But let’s rewind. Before the festivals, before the awards, before she sang on national television and performed at Expo Osaka, Diyet van Lieshout was just a shy kid with a mind full of melodies. “I found music before I found my voice,” Diyet recalls. “And when I found the words, they came out singing.” Raised on ancestor stories and fed by Southern Tutchone, Tlingit, Japanese, and Scottish roots, she wandered through cities and back again — graduating from UVic with a degree in music performance before heading home to Kluane, where her real songs began.

It was in Burwash Landing, Yukon, that Diyet found her creative compass. Teaming up with her husband and drummer Robert van Lieshout and Juno-winning producer Bob Hamilton, Diyet formed The Love Soldiers. Their sound? A genre-fluid mix of alt-country, folk-rock, and roots with a traditional Tutchone soul. Think Emmylou Harris jamming with Norah Jones on a mountaintop.

Her new album ‘Seeds of Dreaming’ is the kind of record that could only be written by someone who’s walked in many worlds — modern and ancestral, loud and quiet, hopeful and haunted. The single “Give Me A Reason” sets the tone with a call for compassion in chaotic times. “There is a tension and a giddy rage that is barely contained,” Diyet shares. “How can we help each other to stand up, speak with good intentions, show compassion and build a wave so strong that we turn the tides?”

On ‘Old Mother,’ Diyet sings with awe and intimacy: ‘It was as if earth and sky were having an intimate conversation and I was its quiet observer.’ Her songs are diaries, declarations, and dreamscapes — like if Joni Mitchell wrote under the northern lights.

The song ‘Grandfather’s Country’ honors her Kluane heritage with the phrase Ásì Keyi — ‘My Grandfather’s Country.’ “This land is our family,” Diyet explains. “The story is etched into the trails, in the water that feeds the forest, and in the blood of the animals that feed us.” The track is a sonic pilgrimage, blending pedal steel and organ with ancestral memory.

The title track, ‘Seeds of Dreaming,’ plants a vision for Indigenous healing and global balance. ‘I’ve been told by Elders that we will play a key role in finding balance in the world again,’ Diyet shares. ‘But first, we must heal and balance ourselves.’ It’s not just a song. It’s a roadmap.

Recent years have seen the trio travel extensively across Canada, Alaska, the UK, Europe and most recently, Japan for Expo Osaka. From main stage festival slots to intimate folk clubs, Diyet & The Love Soldiers have proven they can fill a field or hush a room. Their performances shimmer with sincerity, grit, and heart.

In celebration of ‘Seeds of Dreaming’, Diyet & The Love Soldiers are hitting the road in fall 2025 with tour dates across Canada and the UK, including appearances at the Manchester Folk Festival and more to be announced.

Diyet isn’t chasing trends — she’s channeling truths. ‘I’ve always believed that music is medicine,’ she says. ‘And right now, we all need a little healing.’ From a tent in the Yukon to the world stage, Diyet’s story is still being written. But one thing’s for sure: she’s dreaming big, and she’s inviting us all to dream with her.

2025 Tour Dates:

September 10, 2025 – Skagway Arts Council, Skagway, AK, United States
September 12, 2025 – Chilkat Center, Haines, AK, United States
September 16, 2025 – Wright Auditorium, Petersburg, AK, United States
September 18, 2025 – The Nolan Center, Wrangell, AK, United States
October 16-17, 2025 – Folk Music Ontario, Ottawa, ON
November 18 – 21, 2025 – Mundial Montreal, Montreal, QC
November 25-26, 2025 – Come Together, Toronto, ON

New Jersey Artist-Producer MOJA Drops Euphoric New Single “I Feel Different”

Eric Alper
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New Jersey Artist-Producer MOJA Drops Euphoric New Single “I Feel Different”

New Jersey-based artist and producer MOJA returns with a lively and genre-blurring single titled “I Feel Different,” available now. Serving as a taste of his forthcoming project What’s Up With Him?, the track immerses listeners in the euphoric headspace MOJA describes as “that moment when you get that euphoric adrenaline rush.”

Blending a dynamic production style with vibrant lyricism, “I Feel Different” brings to life the whimsical, carefree feelings often sparked by youth, spontaneity, and self-discovery. MOJA explains the track was born after waking up following a night of edible-induced dreaming. “I sat in my studio and after playing around with chords on my keyboard I came up with the melody. Once I had the production, everything else came with it.”

The result is a track that feels immediate, adventurous, and emotionally honest—qualities that have come to define MOJA’s work. With a musical background shaped by playing trumpet in band, singing in church, and growing up in a Jamaican/Caribbean household, MOJA brings a multidimensional sound rooted in his personal experience.

“My name is MOJA. I am an independent recording artist & producer from New Jersey. My life is what I call ‘trapped in a world of sound,’” he shares. “I think my full-length project, I Was Curious, is a good starting point for new listeners.”

“I Feel Different” represents a bold step forward, building anticipation for what’s next as MOJA continues to craft a musical journey all his own.

London Artist J Keys Releases New Single “Struggle No More” Ahead of Forthcoming Multi-Genre Album

Eric Alper
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London Artist J Keys Releases New Single “Struggle No More” Ahead of Forthcoming Multi-Genre Album

London-based artist J Keys is back and making waves with his brand-new single, “Struggle No More.” Known for his lyrical storytelling and multi-genre versatility, J Keys once again delivers a standout track that speaks to perseverance, growth, and creative evolution. The release comes as he continues to build a reputation not just as a performer, but also as a seasoned songwriter for both himself and other notable names across the music industry.

Having spent over a decade honing his craft, J Keys has been writing music for himself and for other artists, contributing to a variety of genres and collaborating with influential figures along the way. His journey through different sounds and musical partnerships has only refined his artistry further. His ability to cross genres with ease is now culminating in a larger body of work—a multi-genre album currently in the works.

Over the years, J Keys has released a number of fan favorites, including “Addicted to You,” “Mad Money,” and “Reminisce.” Each release showcases a new layer of his artistic identity, solidifying his standing as a dynamic and forward-thinking artist.

With more than 40,000 followers on Instagram, he has built a loyal and growing fanbase that continues to rally around each new drop.

With “Struggle No More,” J Keys turns the page to a new chapter in his career—one that reflects his resilience, experience, and relentless drive to evolve. The track serves as a statement not only of musical creativity, but of personal strength.

As anticipation grows for his upcoming full-length project, J Keys remains focused on pushing boundaries and reaching new heights—both in his own music and in the hits he continues to write for others.

Queer Pop Artist Samsara Returns with Bold New Single “PUT ’EM UP!” and UK School Tour

Eric Alper
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Queer Pop Artist Samsara Returns with Bold New Single “PUT ’EM UP!” and UK School Tour

Queer pop artist Samsara returns with an explosive new single, “PUT ‘EM UP!”— available everywhere on Friday, May 30. This high-powered track doubles as a rallying cry for self-expression and is set to soundtrack a bold new chapter in the rising star’s career.

Known for her fearless lyrics and genre-defying sound, Samsara continues to blur boundaries with this release. “‘PUT ‘EM UP!’ is about standing your ground and celebrating who you are—loudly, ” she says. Following the energy of her previous single “Strike III, ” this latest offering blends anthemic vocals with a defiant beat, creating a sonic punch meant to uplift and inspire.

The single coincides with the launch of Samsara’s groundbreaking UK-wide school tour. At just 21, she becomes the first openly trans artist to bring original pop performances and real talk to students across the country. These appearances aim to foster conversations around LGBTQ+ identity, anti-bullying, and mental health—infusing every show with purpose beyond the music.

“I’m not just here to perform—I’m here to make sure the next generation doesn’t feel invisible, ” she explains.

Raised between Hong Kong, Singapore, Brisbane, and now based in London, Samsara’s global experience enriches her work. From performing and styling to social media for Vogue Hong Kong, she brings her multifaceted voice into every track and moment on stage.

With festival appearances and more releases to come, 2025 is shaping up to be Samsara’s biggest year yet.

Alt-Pop Rocker Wayne Natzel Debuts with Bold Album ‘Bring It On’ Featuring Lead Single “Let It Go”

Eric Alper
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Alt-Pop Rocker Wayne Natzel Debuts with Bold Album ‘Bring It On’ Featuring Lead Single “Let It Go”

UK-based artist Wayne Natzel makes a commanding entrance with his debut album, Bring It On, a collection that merges high-energy alt-pop/rock with deeply lived experiences. Anchored by the explosive lead single “Let It Go,” the project is as emotionally gripping as it is musically compelling, drawing influence from the likes of Arctic Monkeys, The Gorillaz, and The Foals, with occasional nods to the showmanship of Michael Jackson.

Natzel’s music feels built for the stadium, yet grounded in the personal. After a significant break from music to raise a family and face personal struggles—including the loss of his father in 2019—Wayne returned with renewed purpose. That journey manifests powerfully across the tracks of Bring It On, which explores themes such as grief, fatherhood, addiction recovery, and the pursuit of peace.

The track “Let It Go” is especially telling. “‘Let It Go’ was born from a real-life confrontation at work, but it quickly became an anthem about choosing peace over resentment,” shares Natzel. The track’s upcoming video is set to expand on that powerful narrative.

Beyond the music, Natzel’s identity adds further resonance to his work. With Indian, Polish, and Scottish heritage, he proudly advocates for mental health, men’s emotional openness, dyslexia awareness, and youth empowerment. He notes, “I realised music is not about age—it’s about drive and telling stories people can relate to.”

With Bring It On, Wayne Natzel doesn’t just introduce his sound—he presents his story. It’s bold, honest, and unafraid to tackle life’s biggest questions, with rhythm and heart in every beat.

Composer Max Richter Releases New Album ‘Sleep Circle’ and Largest-Ever London ‘SLEEP’ Performances

Eric Alper
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Composer Max Richter Releases New Album ‘Sleep Circle’ and Largest-Ever London ‘SLEEP’ Performances

Max Richter has released his brand new album ‘Sleep Circle’ to mark the tenth anniversary of his landmark project ‘SLEEP’.

You can listen to the first single from the new album, ‘Dream 11 / Moth-Like Stars Pt.2’, HERE.

Released in 2015 and co-conceived with his creative partner Yulia Mahr, Richter’s magnum opus, ‘SLEEP’, is regarded as one of the most ambitious and culturally significant classical music projects of the 21st century.  An 8 ½ hour musical enquiry into how sound and the sleeping mind interact, it explores the effects of subsonics and repetition to enhance slow wave sleep.

‘Sleep Circle’ is a hallucinatory 90-minute trip into the hypnagogic state – the time period when the brain transitions between a state of wakefulness and sleep and the state during which the individual dreams. Performing an abridged version of ‘SLEEP’ live in 2023 offered Richter new insights into his epic composition and led him to approach the songs with a more traditional architecture, resulting in this new recording being laid down at Studio Richter Mahr. The length is not arbitrary however; 90 minutes is the length of a typical REM cycle.

If ‘SLEEP’ provides the gateway to a full night’s sleep, ‘Sleep Circle’ provides the backdrop to a moment of complete deep sleep. The perfect mise-en-scene to dream.

Alongside the new album, Richter has also announced the largest ever performances of ‘SLEEP’ in London this September, marking the first time Richter has performed ‘SLEEP’ in the city since 2017.

The all-night performances of ‘SLEEP’ have become distinctive cultural events that challenge how we experience music; blurring the lines between concert and art installation and taking place in the world’s most iconic settings such as the Sydney Opera House, Philharmonie de Paris and The Great Wall of China.

The milestone tenth anniversary this September will see Richter bring this transcendental live experience to new audiences by playing the largest SLEEP shows to date at Alexandra Palace in London on Friday 5th & Saturday 6th September.

Inspired by Byung-Chul Han’s ‘The Burnout Society’, Richter conceived ‘SLEEP’ as an antidote to the restless urgency of modern life.. A landmark creation that merges music, neuroscience, art, and human experience in a truly unique way, ‘SLEEP’s remarkable impact meant it was the first classical record to reach 1 billion streams. It now stands at over 2.2 billion.

The ‘SLEEP’ app also continues to provide fans an extended experience at home, allowing listeners to make a unique and personal journey through the landscape of ‘SLEEP’ in a completely new way to help sleep, meditate and focus. The app now has over 500k+ downloads and has generated over 144 million streams to date.

One the most influential and acclaimed composers of his generation, Richter is known for his ability to seamlessly blend traditional orchestrations with modern electronic elements. His unparalleled ability to translate profound human experiences into musical compositions has earned him a dedicated global following, with his catalogue amassing over three billion streams to date.

Beyond his solo endeavors, Richter’s is a prolific collaborator who has worked with esteemed creatives and visionaries across multiple disciplines. From scoring Dior shows for Kim Jones to composing for ballets choreographed by Wayne McGregor or his contributions to the world of cinema and TV with directors Denis Villeneuve, Martin Scorsese, and Ari Folman, Richter’s versatility knows no bounds.

Richter is co-founder of Studio Richter Mahr alongside his partner, visual artist Yulia Mahr. Set in the English countryside in Oxfordshire, Max and Yulia built the multimedia production studio inside a former farmhouse and have powered it with cutting-edge solar and heat-pump technology. Located within 31 acres of woodland, the duo have a huge passion for using the land to farm and provide a sustainable working environment, serving as a space where both emerging and established creatives can come to develop their work.

Max Richter SLEEP Live Dates 2025:

Fri 05/09/25 – London, UK – Alexandra Palace
Sat 06/09/25 – London, UK – Alexandra Palace

‘Sleep Circle’ Tracklist:

CD 1
01. Dream 11 / Moth-Like Stars Pt.1
02. Dream 11 / Moth-Like Stars Pt.2
03. Dream 11 / Moth-Like Stars Pt.3
04. Dream 11 / Moth-Like Stars Pt.4
05. Path 3 / Whose Name Is Written On Water Pt.1
06. Path 3 / Whose Name Is Written On Water Pt.2
07. Patterns / Solo Pt.1
08. Patterns / Solo Pt.2
09. Patterns / Solo Pt.3
10. Return Pt.1
11. Return Pt.2

CD 2
12. Dream 11 / Moth-Like Stars Pt. 5
13. Dream 11 / Moth-Like Stars Pt. 6
14. Dream 11 / Moth-Like Stars Pt. 7
15. Non-Eternal Pt.1
16. Non-Eternal Pt.2
17. Non-Eternal Pt.3
18. Chorale
19. Dream 0 Pt.1
20. Dream 0 Pt.2
21. Dream 0 Pt.3
22. Dream 0 Pt.4
23. Dream 0 Pt.5
24. Dream 0 Pt.6

Eliot King Smith, Audrey Martells, and Wade Tonken Release New Song “Josephine” Honoring Josephine Baker

Eric Alper
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0
Eliot King Smith, Audrey Martells, and Wade Tonken Release New Song “Josephine” Honoring Josephine Baker

 In the 1920s, faced with the grinding poverty and segregation of East St. Louis, Josephine Baker took her dancing and musical talents first to New York, and then, at 19, arrived in Paris to perform with the Folies Bergère. Entranced by her reception and treatment by French society, she rose to stardom almost immediately at the Folies. She starred in multiple films, and scored a big hit song that summed up her reverence for the freedom she experienced as a French citizen in contrast to the discrimination and segregation that black performers were subjected to in the US.

Now Eliot King Smith has teamed up with Audrey Martells (Chic, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston) and producer Wade Tonken (Jane Oliver, Robert Lamb, etc…) to bring you their song “Josephine”.

Eliot King Smith is a Seattle born musician and composer whose parents were both concert pianists. His first public recital was at age 6 and he is a big fan of R & B and artists like BB King and Aretha Franklin. Audrey Martells was born in London England, and has performed extensively on stage, on film and as a singer/songwriter. Her recording credits include Whitney Houston, Brandy, Britney Spears and Celine Dion. She is currently on tour with Nile Rodgers and Chic. Wade Tonken is a Producer, Composer, Recording Engineer, Sound Designer and Multi-Instrumentalist. Wade opened the NYC based Noize Factory recording studio where he collaborated with many artists including Jane Oliver, L L Cool J, and Robert Lamb of Chicago. His work has appeared on HBO, ABC, Nickelodeon, PBS, Sesame Workshop, CNN and Disney.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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