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Honey Jam Is Searching The Country For Female Artists Ages 14 To 25

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Honey Jam is celebrating 30 years of developing some of Canada’s most compelling emerging artists, and they’re looking for the next generation right now. They want female artists between the ages of 14 and 25, representing every style imaginable: pop, hip hop, jazz, soca, R&B, gospel, rock, dancehall, blues, alternative, opera, and country. If you make music and you’re ready to be heard, this is the opportunity to pay attention to.

There’s a live audition happening in Toronto on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Live Nation Lounge, 2 Snooker Street, Liberty Village. Registration opens at 11am. You don’t need to be contacted or pre-approved in advance. Fill out the submission form, show up, and bring your best one minute. That’s all you need to walk in the door.

A few things to know before you go. Come prepared with a printed one-pager that includes your bio, a photo, contact info, and social media links. Honey Jam will provide a Yamaha 88-note weighted digital piano for the auditions, but full bands cannot be accommodated at this stage (if selected for the showcase, you’ll have access to the house band). Song choice matters: pick the same song you’d perform at the showcase. Original songs are encouraged. Covers are welcome, but bring your own voice to them.

Artists selected for the programme receive free access to music industry workshops, one-on-one vocal and performance coaching, mentoring and networking opportunities, promotional support, consideration for airplay on a major national radio station, and your bio and links on honeyjam.com for a full year. There are also opportunities for paid performances and much more.

This is a national search. Artists from every province are welcome to submit online if they can’t make the Toronto date. Head to honeyjam.com for the submission form and full details. Applications are open now.

Nicholas Brendon, Who Brought Xander Harris To Life On Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Dies At 54

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Nicholas Brendon, Who Brought Xander Harris To Life On Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Dies At 54

Nicholas Brendon, the actor who spent seven seasons as the heart and humor of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, died Friday, March 20, in his sleep. He was 54. His family confirmed the news, stating that he passed of natural causes. “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon,” the family said in a statement. “He lived with intensity, imagination, and heart.”

Born Nicholas Brendon Schultz in Los Angeles in 1971, he came to acting as a way to manage a stutter that had shaped much of his early life. It worked. He was cast as Xander Harris in 1997 and appeared in all but one of Buffy’s 144 episodes across seven seasons, earning Saturn Award nominations in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Xander was the everyman of the Scooby Gang, the one without powers, the one who showed up anyway. Brendon brought warmth, wit, and unexpected depth to the role, and audiences never forgot it.

Beyond Buffy, Brendon had a recurring role as FBI technical analyst Kevin Lynch on Criminal Minds, appeared alongside Bradley Cooper in the short-lived Fox series Kitchen Confidential, and starred in the cult film Psycho Beach Party. He remained a fixture at fan conventions for years, maintaining a genuine and generous connection with the audiences who grew up watching him.

In his later years, Brendon faced serious health challenges, including a heart attack, a congenital heart defect diagnosis, and multiple spinal surgeries stemming from cauda equina syndrome. He was open about his struggles with depression and substance abuse, and faced multiple arrests over the years. His family noted that at the time of his passing, he was receiving treatment, optimistic, and had found a new passion in painting and visual art.

Nicholas Brendon is survived by his identical twin brother, Kelly Donovan.

Shoes’ Gary Klebe Goes Solo With New Single “Room To Breathe” And Debut LP ‘Out Loud’ Due April 17

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Gary Klebe built his reputation as a founding member of Shoes, the pioneering power pop group who were recording DIY albums in their own living room back in 1977, years before punk made it fashionable. Now, more than five decades into that band’s run, Klebe steps out alone with “Room To Breathe,” the second single from his debut solo album ‘Out Loud,’ arriving April 17 via Black Vinyl Records.

This record is a genuine one-man operation. Klebe wrote every song alone and recorded almost everything himself, serving as engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist in his own basement studio, working nights and weekends around his ongoing work with Shoes. Drums were tracked in Nashville with John Richardson (Gin Blossoms, Badfinger, Tommy Keene), but the rest came together through vintage gear, favorite stompboxes, and decades of accumulated craft.

“Room To Breathe” opens ‘Out Loud’ with immediate urgency. Klebe describes it as a song about a man who has hit his tipping point, someone who finally understands that not making a decision is itself a decision. “He knows the time for action is in the here and now,” Klebe shares. “Gotta go. Gotta run. Gotta fly out of here.” Raw, distorted power chords collide with sharp pop melody, and the result is exactly what you’d hope from someone with Klebe’s track record.

The first single “Not Tough Enough” set the tone, a hook-driven, guitar-heavy track that drew immediate praise. ‘Out Loud’ is eleven tracks of that same energy, personal, propulsive, and built entirely on feel. Shoes have never stopped making music, and this album proves Klebe hasn’t either.

‘Out Loud’ Tracklist:

  1. Room To Breathe
  2. Not Tough Enough
  3. Love Beyond
  4. Wrong All Along
  5. Eyes Open Wide
  6. Shake Me
  7. No Afterglow
  8. Bridges Are Burned
  9. Won’t Quit On You
  10. Invading My Space
  11. In A Heartbeat

Sleeping With Sirens Deliver Honest And Urgent New Single “An Ending In Itself”

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Sleeping With Sirens are back with “An Ending In Itself,” a new single produced by Will Yip (Turnstile, Circa Survive, Movements) and their first release with Rise Records since ‘Feel,’ which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. The track is driven by unrelenting angst and enormous melodies, and it hits with the kind of emotional directness that has kept this band relevant for fifteen years.

Frontman Kellin Quinn wrote the song as a direct response to the pressure of performing wellness in an era that rarely makes room for honesty. “This song is a love letter to anyone in the midst of struggle,” Quinn shares. “I think it’s important to have open dialogue and to ask for help when we need it. This song is about being brave enough to admit that we’re not always okay. No matter what you’re going through, there is hope.” That message lands with weight, and the music backs it up completely.

The band, Quinn on vocals, Nick Martin and newest member Tony Pizzuti on guitars, Justin Hills on bass, and Matty Best on drums, has built one of the more durable catalogs in modern alternative rock. Seven studio albums, thousands of shows, and a fanbase that keeps growing. Earlier Rise releases include ‘With Ears to See and Eyes to Hear’ and gold-certified ‘Let’s Cheers to This,’ which produced the platinum single “If You Can’t Hang.”

Fifteen years in, Sleeping With Sirens are finding new audiences while holding the ones they earned. “An Ending In Itself” is the kind of single that reminds you exactly why. The band hits the festival circuit this year with appearances at Welcome to Rockville, Warped Tour (DC, Long Beach, and Orlando), Inkcarceration, Louder Than Life, and Aftershock.

Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band Hit The Road This Summer On The “Keep The Party Going” Tour

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Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band are back on the road this summer, and they’re doing it right. The “Keep The Party Going” Tour kicks off July 9 in Bethlehem, PA, a 19-date run across major venues from Texas to Boston, led by 10-time CMA winner Mac McAnally alongside Scotty Emerick, Will Kimbrough, Peter Mayer, and Nadirah Shakoor sharing lead vocal duties. This is a band built for the stage, and they’ve been proving it for decades.

The Coral Reefer Band’s history with Jimmy Buffett stretches back to 1973. Most current members performed alongside him for over 30 years, across more than 40 tours and 30 albums. They didn’t just back Jimmy, they co-wrote with him, built the sound with him, and became as much a part of the Parrothead experience as the man himself. Before he passed in September 2023, Buffett asked his band to keep the party going. That’s exactly what this tour is.

The setlist will pull from the deep catalog of songs that defined Buffett’s career, with room for deep cuts and personal stories from musicians who were there for all of it. The tour also continues Buffett’s long-standing commitment to Singing for Change, his charity supporting grassroots community organizations across the country. This is a summer night done properly, singalongs included.

VIP packages are available for fans looking to go deeper, including soundcheck access, meet and greet opportunities with Mac McAnally and band members, premium seats, and exclusive gift items. Tickets are on sale now.

Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band “Keep The Party Going” Tour Dates:

Jul 9 – Bethlehem, PA – Wind Creek Event Center

Jul 10 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena

Jul 11 – Washington, DC – The Theater at MGM National Harbor

Jul 14 – Wilmington, NC – Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park

Jul 16 – Charlotte, NC – Truliant Amphitheater

Jul 18 – Atlanta, GA – Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park

Jul 19 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater

Jul 21 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP

Jul 23 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park

Jul 24 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Jul 25 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena

Jul 28 – Highland Park, IL – Ravinia

Jul 30 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park

Jul 31 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater

Aug 1 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

Aug 4 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

Aug 6 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater

Aug 7 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion

Aug 8 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion

GIMS, Sombr, Sofi Tukker, And Alessia Cara Lead Festival Fono’s Massive 2026 Quebec City Lineup

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Festival Fono returns to Quebec City from September 10 to 12, 2026, and the lineup is serious. Nearly 40 artists across three distinct stages on the Universite Laval campus, headlined by GIMS, Grammy-nominated sombr, Alessia Cara, Sofi Tukker, Angus & Julia Stone, Natasha Bedingfield, Chance Peña, Fredz, and Ariane Moffatt.

The festival unfolds across three purpose-built spaces. Vallee Beneva handles the marquee moments, including sombr’s first-ever Quebec City performance. Boise Coors Light brings a more adventurous mix, with NYC electronic duo Sofi Tukker, Congolese-Belgian singer-songwriter Lous & The Yakuza, and Australian electric folk duo Angus & Julia Stone among the highlights. Forêt Electro runs from site opening to close across two stages, completely reimagined for 2026 and dedicated entirely to electronic music.

“We wanted to build much more than a music lineup: a true end-of-summer experience,” says BLEUFEU President Nicolas Racine. Louis Bellavance, Vice-President of Content and Artistic Direction, adds that the program is built so each stage holds its own identity while naturally drawing audiences between spaces. The architecture of this lineup reflects exactly that thinking, and it shows.

Fono is also bringing back its After-Hours Shows, with three secret locations and three mystery artists offering contest winners exclusive late-night experiences. Three-day General Admission passes are on sale now at festivalfono.com, starting at $149 before taxes, with Universite Laval student passes available at $109. Prices hold until July 31, 2026.

Heavy Rock Upstarts Stud Farm Mafia Ask The Ultimate Question On Debut EP “Did You Have A Good Weekend?”

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Stud Farm Mafia arrived with a question and a six-track gut punch. The Oxford heavy rock four-piece released their debut EP “Did You Have a Good Weekend?” on March 17th, a self-released slab of baritone riffs, stop-start grooves, and shout-along choruses that sounds like a band who have been waiting for exactly this moment. The wait was worth it.

Recorded with David Radahd-Jones at Red City Recordings in Manchester, the EP takes a throwaway piece of Monday-morning small talk and turns it into something with real teeth. The guitars snap between clipped rhythm patterns and warped, twisting lines. The bass barges into the mid-range and carries hooks of its own. The drums favour bounce over bludgeon, and when the choruses hit they feel less like rock moments and more like slogans the room already knows.

The songs hit specific targets with precision. “Ten Past Ten” dismantles the 9-5 loop. “So Pretty” and “Gun Show” take aim at gym-floor toxic masculinity through falsetto hooks and rap-rock swagger. “S.O.S.” builds its main riff around Morse code and doubles as a charity track supporting ActionAid, turning doomscroll-era anxiety into something loud and strangely hopeful. This is heavy music with a brain and a smirk, and it works.

The band, Cole Bryant on vocals, Nath Digman on guitars, Rikard Ridemark on bass, and Luke Evans on drums, rebuilt from previous projects with one clear goal: make something that actually sounds like them. Heavier, funnier, and a lot more honest. “Did You Have a Good Weekend?” delivers on all three counts, and then some.

Atlus Drops 15-Track Label Debut ‘Art Of Letting Go’ And Hits The Road On The “RussellMania Tour”

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Atlus built this moment from the ground up. The Denver-raised singer-songwriter spent years writing lyrics behind the wheel of a commercial truck, balancing driving shifts, UPS runs, and rideshare work to fund studio time and support his family. That foundation shows on ‘Art of Letting Go,’ his 15-track label debut via BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, and it is out now.

The album is named after its title track, written in direct response to the loss of his sister to addiction. It doesn’t flinch. Blending country with rock, pop, and hip-hop, ‘Art of Letting Go’ covers the full range of Atlus’ story, from grief and survival to resilience and release. Produced primarily by Andrew Baylis, the record includes radio single “Devil Ain’t Done,” lead track “Spare Key,” and release day focus “Still Haven’t Stopped.” All three land with the kind of emotional directness that has driven Atlus past one billion on-demand streams.

“This time, with this album, it’s about moving through moments and experiences that shaped me as a person, as a brother, as a son, and as an artist,” Atlus shares. “My deepest hope is that someone out there hears these songs and connects with the stories and the music and feels like their load is a little lighter because we are sharing the experience.” That sincerity runs through every track on this record, and it hits.

“Devil Ain’t Done” continues to climb country radio charts and reached the Top 5 in Australia. “Spare Key” features an appearance by artist and influencer Demps in its music video. “Still Haven’t Stopped” digs into the complicated weight of loving someone through active addiction. These aren’t radio filler. They are songs with real stakes, written by someone who lived them.

Atlus continues touring through 2026, joining Russell Dickerson on the “RussellMania Tour” this spring alongside festival appearances and headlining dates.

‘Art Of Letting Go’ Track Listing:

  1. Secondhand Smoke
  2. Devil Ain’t Done
  3. Still Haven’t Stopped
  4. Art of Letting Go
  5. Hold My Liquor
  6. Spare Key
  7. Sounds Like Alcohol
  8. Town Down
  9. IOD on YOU
  10. Roses
  11. Break Me First
  12. In The City
  13. Guilty
  14. Half The Bottle
  15. Baby Momma

Canadian Arts and Media Job Posts For March 20, 2026

3 Little Birds Interactive – Digital Media Buyer – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

56 Below Ltd. – Social Media Content Specialist – Calgary, AB – Full-time – Apply Here

AeroVision Canada Inc – Social Media Marketing Coordinator – Mount Uniacke, NS – Full-time – Apply Here

Arsenal Media – Directeur general – Quebec – Full-time – Apply Here

Artech LLC – Marketing Data Analyst – Toronto, ON – Contractor – Apply Here

Bank of Montreal – Lead, Media Sales – Toronto, ON – Part-time – Apply Here

Bell Canada – Manager, Media Strategy – Montreal, QC – Full-time – Apply Here

Bida Media – Junior Creative Strategist & Social Media Manager – Markham, ON – Part-time – Apply Here

Boomi – Global Social Media Editorial Advisor – Canada – Full-time – Apply Here

CanadaHelps – Social Media and Engagement Specialist – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Capital Group – Marketing Specialist Senior – Montreal, QC – Full-time – Apply Here

Civiconnect – Social Media Coordinator – Lincoln, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Classico Roma – Social Media Coordinator + Sales Associate – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Comet Yxlon – Digital Marketing Manager – Montreal, QC – Full-time – Apply Here

DelGate Logistics – Content Creator & Social Media Manager (Hybrid) – Vancouver, BC – Part-time – Apply Here

DESIGNME HAIR – Product Development & Product Marketing Intern – Montreal, QC – Full-time – Apply Here

DFUSE Production – Meta Media Buyer – Sainte-Therese, QC – Part-time – Apply Here

Destination British Columbia – Manager, Travel Media Relations – Vancouver, BC – Full-time – Apply Here

Fun Circle – Social Media Marketing and Design Specialist – Surrey, BC – Full-time – Apply Here

Groupe Dynamite – Coordinator, SEO – Mount Royal, QC – Full-time – Apply Here

Henry Schein One | Exan – Partnerships Marketing Manager – Surrey, BC – Full-time – Apply Here

HRC Global Services – Performance Media Manager – Mississauga, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Imperium Social – Video Editor – Kingston, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Info-Tech Research Group – Marketing Director – Canada – Full-time – Apply Here

Jagex – Social Media Manager – Cambridge, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

J. R. Social Society – Social Media Manager – Bolton, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Konstruct Digital – Paid Media Specialist – Calgary, AB – Full-time – Apply Here

Labatt Breweries of Canada – Senior Manager, Media & MarTech – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Mira – B2B Product Marketing Manager (HealthTech) – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Nautisme Quebec – Marketing and Communications Coordinator – Longueuil, QC – Full-time – Apply Here

New York Painting & Coating Ltd. – Social Media Marketing Coordinator – Surrey, BC – Full-time – Apply Here

Nike – Senior Manager, Partner Marketing – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Ontario Medical Association – Advisor, Media and Social Media – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Ouar – Social Media Intern (3-Month Contract) – Greater Sudbury, ON – Contract – Apply Here

Pinch Social – Social Media Marketing Manager – Ontario – Full-time – Apply Here

Quikr – Marketing Financial Analyst – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Realties Olymbec Inc – Digital Content and Marketing Coordinator – Quebec City, QC – Full-time – Apply Here

Salt XC – Media Supervisor – Canada – Full-time – Apply Here

Sobeys – Specialist Media – Mississauga, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Sound Ideas – Social Media Representative – Richmond Hill, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Stripe – Product Marketing Manager, Money Management – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Structube – Social Media Content Creator – Laval, QC – Full-time – Apply Here

TD Bank – Manager, Marketing Integrated Planning – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Tourism Calgary – Manager, Content & Social Media – Calgary, AB – Full-time – Apply Here

Venture for Canada – Senior Manager, Marketing – Toronto, ON – Full-time – Apply Here

Vimy HR – Digital Media Specialist – Vancouver, BC – Full-time – Apply Here

WPP Media – Media Planner – Vancouver, BC – Full-time – Apply Here

XenoraAI – Social Media Marketing Manager – Montreal, QC – Part-time – Apply Here

Duane Betts Announces ‘Isle Of Hope’ On Sun Records, Drops New Single “Down To Houston”

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Duane Betts has announced ‘Isle of Hope,’ his second solo album, arriving June 12 on Sun Records. Produced by Grammy Award-winner Dave Cobb and recorded in five days at Cobb’s Savannah studio, the record is ten tracks written with longtime collaborator Stoll Vaughan. The first single, “Down To Houston,” is out now, and it hits with the kind of unhurried confidence that defines Betts at his best.

The album was forged during one of the most significant periods of Betts’ life. While his career was thriving as both a solo artist and founding member of The Allman Betts Band, he lost his father and mentor, Dickey Betts. ‘Isle of Hope’ is the direct result of that reckoning. “With Isle of Hope, I wanted to show my life’s experiences,” Betts shares. “In these anxious times in the world, music is always a sanctuary and gives people a feeling of purpose and strength.”

The record features a tight band of serious players, Johnny Stachela and J.D. Simo on guitars, Brian Allen on bass, Philip Towns on keys, and Derrek Phillips on drums. Sun Records Chief Strategy Officer Dominic Pandiscia calls it “an all-time great album showcasing the depth of his songwriting and musicianship.” That’s not hyperbole. This is Betts operating at full creative capacity.

‘Isle of Hope’ follows his acclaimed 2023 debut ‘Wild & Precious Life,’ which featured Derek Trucks, Marcus King, and Nicki Bluhm. Betts has been road-tested for years, as co-founder of The Allman Betts Band and through relentless solo touring with his band Palmetto Motel. The upcoming run includes two nights at The Barns at Wolf Trap, stops at Capitol Theatre, Amaturo Theater, and select Allman Betts Band dates, among many others.

Isle Of Hope Tracklist:

  1. Heartache
  2. Reckless
  3. Into The Void
  4. Pills And Liquor
  5. Silver Afternoon
  6. Down To Houston
  7. Best Wishes
  8. Manatee River
  9. Winners of War
  10. Keep My Hands Clean

Duane Betts Confirmed Tour Dates:

March 21 – Kahului, HI – Maui Arts & Cultural Center (The Allman Betts Band)

March 22 – Honolulu, HI – Hawaii Theatre (The Allman Betts Band)

April 11 – Steamboat Springs, CO – Gondola Plaza Steamboat Ski Area

April 16 – Fairfield, CT – SHU Community Theatre

April 17 – Vienna, VA – The Barns at Wolf Trap

April 18 – Vienna, VA – The Barns at Wolf Trap

April 19 – Charleston, WV – Mountain Stage

April 21 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head on Stage

April 22 – Red Bank, NJ – The Vogel at Count Basie

April 23 – Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall

April 24 – Homer, NY – Homer Center for the Arts

April 25 – Buffalo, NY – University at Buffalo Center for the Arts

April 26 – State College, PA – The State Theatre

April 29 – Albany, NY – Swyer Theatre at The Egg

April 30 – Manchester, NH – The Rex Theatre

May 1 – Westhampton Beach, NY – Westhampton Beach PAC

May 2 – East Greenwich, RI – The Greenwich Odeum

May 3 – Norfolk, CT – Infinity Hall Norfolk

May 27 – Ponte Vedra Beach, FL – Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

May 28 – Stuart, FL – Lyric Theatre

May 29 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Amaturo Theater

May 30 – Bonita Springs, FL – Arts Bonita PAC

May 31 – Clearwater, FL – Capitol Theatre

June 6 – Vail, CO – Gerald Ford Amphitheater (Allman Betts Family Revival)

August 10 – Ocean City, NJ – Ocean City Music Pier

January 16 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – The Big Easy Cruise