Morrissey speaks on random subjects presented in sealed envelopes.
In this series of clips from IRS Records Presents the Cutting Edge, Morrissey was given random subjects presented in sealed envelopes, each containing a one-word topic, like “fashion,” “money,” “music,” and so forth. He was allowed to improvise and pontificate. Subjects include art, money and fashion. No band names, unfortunately, were in these envelopes.
Canadian Folk Music Awards winners announced
The winners of the Canadian Folk Music Awards (CFMA) were announced this evening at the 10th anniversary gala event in Ottawa, Ontario. Hosted by Shelagh Rogers (CBC Radio) and musician Benoit Bourque (La Bottine Souriante), Canada’s folk community came together after a bustling weekend of public events, which included two evenings of nominee showcases and various workshops.
Twenty awards were presented at the gala. British Columbia’s The Fretless, known for their high energy fiddle tunes, won the Ensemble of the Year award for their self-titled album. PEI’s Lennie Gallant, an Order of Canada recipient and much loved musical storyteller, won the Solo Artist of the Year award for Live Acoustic at The Carleton,recorded at the destination Halifax music venue. The New/Emerging Artist of the Year goes to Manitoba’s The Bros. Landreth (featuring band namesakes and siblings Joey & David Landreth alongside Alex Campbell and Ryan Voth) for their alt-country oeuvre Let It Lie. Manitoba’s exquisite and innovative Tanya Tagaq wins the Pushing the Boundaries award for her captivating album Animism. Saskatchewan second cousins Kacy and Clayton bring home the Young Performer of the Year award for their stunning album The Day Is Past & Gone.
Women dominated the songwriting categories this year. The English Songwriter of the Year was awarded to British Columbia’s Shari Ulrich for her finely crafted albumEverywhere I Go. The French Songwriter of the Year was awarded to New Brunswick-via-Quebec’s Les Hay Babies (Julie Aubé, Vivianne Roy and Katrine Noël) for their heartwarming album Mon Homesick Heart. Aboriginal Songwriter of the Year was awarded to Ontario’s Amanda Rheaume and John Macdonald for Amanda’s album Keep a Fire.
In the contemporary and traditional categories, Ontario’s The Strumbellas wonContemporary Album of the Year for We Still Move On Dance Floors and New Brunswick-via-Nova Scotia’s Matt Andersen won Contemporary Singer of the Yearfor his powerfully sung recording Weightless. Cape Breton, Nova Scotia fiddle supergroup Còig (which is pronounced Ko-ig and means five in Gaelic) formed of Chrissy Crowley, Rachel Davis, Colin Grant, Darren McMullen and Jason Roach won Traditional Album of the Year for Five. Quebec’s Mélisande was honoured with The Sue Goldberg Award for Traditional Singer of the Year for Mélisande [électrotrad] – Les métamorphoses.
The instrumental categories honoured Ontario banjoist Jayme Stone as Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year for his world travel inspired album The Other Side of the Air.Ontario acoustic string band The Andrew Collins Trio was named Instrumental Group of the Year for their album A Play On Words. (This was band member Joey Landreth’s second 2014 Canadian Folk Music Award of the evening as he is also a member of The Bros. Landreth.)
Children’s Album of the Year was awarded to the effervescent Manitoba-based Fred Penner for his album Where In The World. British Columbia supergroup The High Bar Gang, who boasts membership by Barney Bentall, Rob Becker, Wendy Bird, Angela Harris, Colin Nairne, Eric Reed and Shari Ulrich, won Vocal Group of the Year forLost and Undone: A Gospel Bluegrass Companion. (This was Shari Ulrich’s second 2014 Canadian Folk Music Award of the evening.)
The world music categories honoured Ontario multi-instrumentalist Quique Escamilla asWorld Music Artist of the Year whose album 500 Years of Night was influenced by his Mexican birthplace. Quebec-based group Moustafa Kouyaté & Romain Malagnouxwon World Group of the Year. Led by bandleader Romain, of French heritage, the album is a collaboration with Malian artist Moustafa Kouyaté (son of Grammy nominated artist Bassékou Kouyaté.)
The Producer of the Year was awarded to Nova Scotia’s Tom Terrell and Karl Falkenham for their work on City Ghosts by The Modern Grass.
Ottawa’s own Harvey Glatt was honoured by his folk community peers as this year’sUnsung Hero, a special award that highlights the exceptional contributions of an individual, group, or organization to the Canadian folk music scene.
Established by Canada’s burgeoning and internationally recognized folk music community, the Canadian Folk Music Awards is currently its 10th year. The 2015 edition will take place in Edmonton, Canada. For more information, visit folkawards.ca.
Video: Russell Simmons on the evolution of the music industry
GRAMMY U and All Def Digtial teamed up and interviewed Russell Simmons on the evolution of the music industry – a shift he believes has taken the industry away from a royalty based formula.
“Artists are finding all kind of ways to use their brand to earn money. Being a music star is a lot more than selling records, if not at all. If selling records was what the music business is about they would all move onto something else. They’re not counting their royalties as their income, they’re counting all of the things that they influence, all the multibillion dollar business that their branding and building and affecting. Music is still consumed today more than yesterday, still growing in terms of the way people consume it. More music all the time, it just keeps growing in terms of its influence in society and also its influence in various different businesses. So now that we can’t make royalties off of records we gotta go make them pay, that’s what the music business has to learn to do.
“The game hasn’t changed from a content standpoint. We keep creating content. Our ability to create more content at a cheaper price is obviously a very great advantage for us. People have ADD, I mean literally they have ADD, I’m wearing the hat. All Def Digital, to me, is the place that promotes freedom for artists. New directors, new writers, new artists, music artists, poets. It’s a place where people can express themselves in ways that the gatekeepers wouldn’t allow in the past. We curate it so that we give the best of what’s out there ‘cause it’s the Wild West, there’s just so much on the Internet. Someone has to curate. Someone has to produce. Someone has to mix the creative genius that’s on the Internet with more traditional resources and other talent. We gotta a lot of young, smart people. I’m just watching young, talented people who understand new media and that wouldn’t be given a chance at some big stupid company are here running this company and they’re gonna make a big success out of it while the old people watch.”
‘South Park’ Creators Animate the Teachings of Buddhist Philosopher Alan Watts
South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone have applied their well-known animation to the teachings of Alan Watts, a noted British-born philosopher who helped popularize Buddhism and other tenets of Eastern philosophy among Western audiences.
Apple Announces World AIDS Day 2014 Campaign for (RED)
To mark World AIDS Day 2014, Apple and leading app developers are inviting customers to help (RED) achieve the goal of an AIDS-free generation. For the next two weeks, a special section of the App Store called Apps for (RED) will offer 25 apps with exclusive new content where all proceeds will go directly to the Global Fund to fight AIDS. In addition, Apple will donate a portion of sales at Apple’s retail and online stores around the world on two of the biggest shopping days of the year: Friday, November 28 and Monday, December 1.
“Apple is a proud supporter of (RED) because we believe the gift of life is the most important gift anyone can give,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “For eight years, our customers have been helping fight AIDS in Africa by funding life-saving treatments which are having a profoundly positive impact. This year we are launching our biggest fundraising push yet with the participation of Apple’s retail and online stores, and some of the brightest minds in the App Store are lending their talents to the effort as well.”
Apple and App Store developers will generate donations for (RED) in several ways over the next two weeks:
• From Monday, November 24 through Sunday, December 7, the App Store’s Apps for (RED) campaign will feature 25 fan-favourite apps with exclusive new content. Every time a customer purchases a participating (PRODUCT)RED app or an exclusive In-App Purchase, all proceeds will go to the Global Fund.
• On Friday, November 28, Apple customers in the US will receive a special edition (RED) iTunes gift card with the purchase of select Apple products. For each gift card distributed, Apple will also donate a percentage to the Global Fund.
• On Monday, December 1— World AIDS Day—Apple will donate a portion of every sale at Apple’s retail and online stores to the Global Fund to fight AIDS.
“Apple isn’t just in the fight to end AIDS. They are setting a new bar for business, giving $75 million and counting to the Global Fund as part of their partnership with (RED),” said Bono, co-founder of (RED). “I couldn’t be prouder to work with them.”
Apps for (RED) marks the first-ever global App Store initiative in support of (RED). Participating developers have created (RED)-inspired content and experiences for their fans to enjoy, including:
• Angry Birds players can perfect their bird-flinging with (RED)’s Mighty Feathers and challenge themselves to a bonus golden egg level.
• Bubble Witch 2 Saga offers new (PRODUCT)RED levels across all 17 episodes of the game. Gold bar currency purchases will be donated to (RED).
• CSR Racing delivers new in-game thrills with the highly anticipated Mercedes Benz-AMG GT.
• Clash of Clans warriors can prepare for battle with special edition (PRODUCT)RED gems and display a (RED) badge of honor on the village’s town hall.
• Clear’s users can perfect their organizational skills with a new (PRODUCT)RED theme which appears automatically with all new downloads.
• Cut the Rope 2 unveils a wide selection of (PRODUCT)RED items including a new red hat, red touch print, red balloons and a red ginger cookie.
• Despicable Me: Minion Rush reveals a new Lifeguard minion that helps players boost their banana collection skills by 200 percent.
• DJay 2’s spin tables turn (RED) and offer DJs a special sound pack.
• FarmVille 2: Country Escape players can “Roll out the RED Carpet” and purchase limited-time items such as the Cozy Cow, St. Bernard and more.
• FIFA 15 Ultimate Team players can compete in a (RED) Tournament and Team of the Week event. All winners will be awarded football superstar and (RED) Ambassador Rafa Marquez.
• Frozen Free Fall unveils a magical new (RED) Challenge in the Kingdom of Arendelle, and offers an exclusive combined offer of 1 power-up, 1 snowball and 3 lives.
• GarageBand users can now purchase an exclusive collection of 300 guitar, bass, synth and drum loops to create even more amazing music.
• Kim Kardashian: Hollywood’s aspiring celebrity players can treat themselves to (PRODUCT)RED items including (BEATS)RED Solo2 headphones. Kris Jenner, the first family member to join Kim’s in-app world, will make her in-game debut on December 1.
• Head’s Up! competition heats up with an exclusive new deck featuring (RED) words.
• The Human Body debuts the Immune System feature, educating users on how the body fights pathogens. The accompanying handbook features a new section on HIV/AIDS.
• Kitchen Stories Cookbook will offer a special-edition holiday recipe pack, featuring dishes from renowned chefs Mario Batali, Martha Stewart, Luke Holden and Michael Lomonaco.
• Monument Valley offers a whole new chapter of Ida’s Journey, marking the final new feature of the game.
• Over customers have access to a wide selection of (PRODUCT)RED fonts and inspiring artwork, specially created by six artists. Users can share photos with the (RED) brackets overlay to help spread awareness.
• Paper by FiftyThree enthusiasts can enjoy a new (PRODUCT)RED Essentials Pack including Sketch, Outline, Write, Color and Mixer tools.
• Puzzle & Dragons players have exclusive access to the new (PRODUCT)RED magic stone.
• Rayman Fiesta Run introduces a new (RED) edition to their wacky Fiesta world, and players can purchase a pack of three new costumes for Rayman, Globox and Teensy characters.
• Star Walk 2 users can learn more about Mars with the comprehensive new RED Planet feature.
• Sims FreePlay features a special community challenge that unlocks various rewards, and players can purchase limited-edition (PRODUCT)RED items such as a swimming pool, party plane and piñata.
• Threes! turns (RED) with a limited-edition (PRODUCT)RED theme.
• Toca Boca paints Toca Town (RED)! Kids can discover new (RED) diamonds, sample (RED) ice cream in the app and look for other surprises throughout the game.
More information about Apple’s World AIDS Day 2014 campaign, including Apps for (RED), is available at www.apple.ca/red.
The Pretty Reckless’ Manager Gives Advice For Aspiring Musicians
Erica Ramon began working with him to help build the MGMT management company, where she worked with major artists including Thirty Second to Mars, Audra Mae and Kongos. Since moving to New York City and joining DAS, she has managed projects for artists including The Pretty Reckless, Jimmy Cliff, Danny Seth and Katy Tiz.
“I would give the same advice to the performers and to those seeking a career on the business side. Make sure you are committed to the work and that this is something you look forward to waking up to day in and day out. There are perks to this industry for sure, but the work is real and it is 24/7. It can be especially challenging because art is subjective. There is always a strategy in place, but at the end of the day, we all like what we like and we can’t always articulate what or why that is. As an artist, you’ve got to be married to the music.”
Via Music Consultant
Aimee Mann on Learning from The Beatles, Neil Young and Bob Dylan
From Salon:
The 11-year old I was had listened to lyrics in a pretty cursory way – sometimes getting them wrong, as people do. I just didn’t get the impression that whoever was writing the song had something definitive to say. Like “I Want to Hold Your Hand” is this very amorphous, whatever – it doesn’t seem like it needs to be paid attention to that much. It doesn’t seem like it’s particularly important to the writer. And here’s what’s key to me – it doesn’t seem like it’s that important to the writer. You don’t get the impression that whoever’s writing this really has something to say or really cares about the thing that they say. Here I am listening to you talk – which is so important – and you’re just not saying anything. You’ve yelled fire in a crowded theater, and there’s no fire.
And that informed the way I was listening to songs. Maybe a little later, when I heard Neil Young … And I think it was a while later before I heard any Dylan, and saw lyrics in yet another way – sort of poetic, but his craftsmanship is really incredible, his choice of language and use of words, specific kinds of words and interesting metaphors … That was all a revelation.
But the interesting thing for me was: You can talk about stuff, and only the people who care are going to notice. I thought that was really, really intriguing. And that little nugget of thought stayed with me for many years later, when I was trying to write my own songs, that was the ticket. Dylan is an amazing lyric writer. But I got it from that moment of listening to Gilbert O’Sullivan … Suicide, his parents dying, being left at the altar … that’s some heavy shit. In the context of this little pop song. This was intriguing – I thought, at some level, there’s a way to talk about things that you can’t talk about. But you sort of have deniability in a way – because only the people who listen will get it. The encryption key is, a listener who cares.