BTW--Bif Naked, Aloe Blacc, Orchid Ensemble, Yasi, Natalie MacMaster, Gail Bowen, Adam Ndaro Solomon, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, Tanya Tagaq, Fergus Hambleton

Fri Feb 21 2020
Bif Naked

Multi-Gold and Platinum-selling Canadian rock star, author, songwriter, manager, producer, human and animal rights activist Bif Naked is packing the pain in her new single, “JIM” — available now!

“This is a song about loss, really,” she shares. “It’s the quintessential story of discovering a betrayal, and “JIM” is that villain. “It’s totally about pain, and facing it head-on. It’s about that disillusionment we all feel when someone turns into an imposter.”

Accompanying the release is “JIM”s official video which reveals Canada’s ‘Princess of Everything’ in her rightful throne, reigning rock supreme and as strong as ever. The track lands ahead of her forthcoming album, Champion— her eleventh studio release.

I’m still fighting, still swinging as a legacy artist, an O.G. At this stage of the game- I am a Champion” Bif says. “I have never allowed myself to be limited, and the direction of this new album was from experimenting and being fearless. I’m excited by it, and fiercely proud of these tracks.”

All-Girl Teen Pop Supergroup Girl Pow-R Land First JUNO Award Nomination for “This Is Us”

Fri Feb 21 2020
Girl Pow-R

Chart-topping and touring powerhouse Canadian all-girl teen pop band Girl Pow-R are once again inspiring young women across the country as they receive their first JUNO Award nomination for 2020 Children’s Album of the Year! 

The ceiling-shattering nod as one of the youngest acts to ever receive a nomination lands for their debut release, This Is Us — available now. 

Hot on the heels of the album’s critically acclaimed hits “Never Let Go” — which debuted on the iTunes Canada Children’s chart at #2 (second only to cultural force “Baby Shark” but ahead of genre mainstays such as Sharon, Lois & Bram, The Wiggles, and Raffi), and #15 in the U.S. — the album’s title track “This Is Us” has received more than 500,000 streams across all available platforms. 

Watch Girl Pow-R: This Is Us (Official Music Video):
https://youtu.be/pWmNaK3tlsM

Finding Dory In an Artist!

Fri Feb 21 2020
Peter Åstedt

I can just assume you have seen the movie “Finding Nemo”? Well in it you have the fish called Dory has a very short memory and can easily be distracted by something shiny. I was in a meeting with some industry people the other day and they compared artists with Dory. Not so nice, but unfortunately very accurate.

We were talking about some artist that was not very active. And the solution was to distract them with something shiny. But it must be something not harmful and shiny, they added. The thing is that the artist is always looking for the next thing. If they’re on a label and it’s not moving in full speed (it seldom does, and when it does they complain that it is going too fast) another label comes around and that label works like shiny things for Dory, gets the artist full attention for a little while. So, the dangerous part is that they would possibly go with the new label, but they need a shiny thing to keep going with the old label.

‘Princess of Everything’ Bif Naked Spares No Punch With New Single & Video “JIM”

Fri Feb 21 2020
‘Princess of Everything’ Bif Naked Spares No Punch With New Single & Video “JIM”

Bif Naked, the multi-Gold and Platinum-selling Canadian rock star, author, songwriter, manager, producer, human and animal rights activist is packing a punch towards pain in her new single, “JIM”.

“This is a song about loss, really,” she shares. “It’s the quintessential story of discovering a betrayal, and “JIM” is that villain. “It’s totally about pain, and facing it head-on. It’s about that disillusionment we all feel when someone turns into an imposter.”

Accompanying the release is “JIM”s official video which reveals Canada’s ‘Princess of Everything’ in her rightful throne, reigning rock supreme and as strong as ever. The track lands ahead of her forthcoming album, CHAMPION — her eleventh studio release.

Watch “JIM” here:
https://youtu.be/t0SKqhAKQy0

Mastering the Music Business Showcase Festival Kicks Off in Romania

Fri Feb 21, 2020

The fifth edition of the leading music conference and showcase festival in Romania, Mastering the Music Business (MMB) is taking place between 17-19 March 2020 in Bucharest. MMB is dedicated to all independent artists and professionals in the music industry. At MMB, key professionals from the local & international music business and related industries come together to discuss various relevant topics.

More than 500 attendants each year- successful artists, business managers, booking agents, record company execs, PR agents, online & digital specialists, advertisers, radio broadcasters, publishers, songwriters etc. – are exchanging know-how and ideas under the same roof.

MMB 2020 in short:

BTW-Wes Carroll & Confabulation, PUP, Lexxicon, Jim Beard & John Herington, Sarah Slean & Hawksley Workman, DJ Ten, Taylor Abrahamse, Maja Bannerman, Die Antwood, Destroyer

Fri Feb 14 2020
Wes Carroll

Must be the season, but this week we’re awash in heartfelt love songs and social evaluations. A BC artist now based in Toronto, Wes Carroll and his band Confabulation have released their second studio album Elephant in the Sea. Much like their critically liked debut Off Empire, this one features five vocal tunes and five instrumentals. Genre-wise it messes with modern jazz, hip hop, soul and balladry.

Guitarist, vocalist, rapper and songwriter Carroll honed his craft at Vancouver Island University’s jazz studies program (2014) and is currently doing a master's in jazz performance at the University of Toronto. He walks a virtual tight-rope delicately balancing detailed arrangements with the power of spontaneity. He creates topical songs about issues including social justice, surveillance, mental health, climate change and the requisite love songs. In five years, while maintaining its jazz base, the band has stretched out to include hip-hop grooves, soul and electronica.

A Festival Needs Curation! Bigger Is Not Better!

Fri Feb 14 2020
Peter Åstedt

I just got an email from a band that has played one of the bigger showcase festivals in Europe. Before playing at that festival it was a mark that this artist was going somewhere. I met the booker from that festival last year at another festival who was talking about an act that really does well all over Europe and should easily make the lineup. The booker had a problem though that only around 20% was curated, the rest was bought up by export offices. So, it was hard to even get a band that should be on there.

And when I got the link of this artist today, I can really see it. This artist has no value right now. It is not interesting in any way for the festivals. And has no real leverage right now. A typical buy-in from an export office.

The Zombies “Still Got That Hunger” with New Release and Canadian Dates Announced

Fri Feb 14, 2020

Iconic British pop pioneers The Zombies announced a North American tour which includes three Southern U.S. dates in Baton Rouge, Birmingham and Biloxi, before heading North for eight shows in Canada.  These dates will follow the group's performances at sea aboard two popular music cruises - The Flower Power's 5th Anniversary Cruise and the On The Blue Cruise - both sailing the Caribbean Sea out of Miami.

The Zombies will perform selections from their 50+ year career, which began with the 1964 smash “She’s Not There”, and show no signs of slowing down.  In fact, the band will be debuting new material on this tour, as founding keyboardist Rod Argent shares: "We’re so excited because we’ve started to record tracks now for our next album, and we’ll definitely be including two or three of those new tracks in our live show!"

Watch The Zombies “She’s Not There”
Live on Hullabaloo 1965
https://youtu.be/_2hXBf1DakE

BTW-John Borra, Honey Harper, Nature Of, Marc Bolan, Tiny Fighter, Union Duke, Two Car Train, Ian Maksin & Zaria Band, Peter Hill and Pat Smith, Jessica Stuart w/ Andrea Kuzmich, Reuben & The Dark

Fri Feb 07 2020
John Borra

Terrible thing to say about a punk icon I know but John Borra really has matured like a fine wine. Toronto singer/songwriter Borra releases Blue Wine, his first solo album since 2002, which finds the long-time pillar of the city's alternative music scene shifting back to recording under his own name after three albums with his band Rattlesnake Choir. The album's 11 tracks show strong form with his writing and performing powers; on one hand, it’s exactly the kind of album you’d expect from one of the most influential figures within Toronto’s roots-rock scene – raw, melodic, and bursting with heart and soul. On the other hand, Blue Wine displays maturity and lyrical sophistication of an experienced artist. 

The Reason You Don’t Get Answers to Your Emails

Fri Feb 07 2020
Peter Åstedt

We received an email at our festival office the other day. First, with the totally wrong name of the festival. Sure, that can happen in a ‘cut and paste’. Then the letter continues by asking questions that are obviously on our homepage, things like what are the festival dates, what kind of genre do we prefer, how much do we pay for each band. Why should I go through the process of answering questions like this for a band that we probably are not interested in booking based on them not doing their research? So, I just write back providing a link to where all the info around our application process is. And also informed them what our real name is this.

To be honest, I think we are pretty good at answering these emails. We actually get thousands of just emails from bands/bookers/pr people just sending out from different mailing lists not knowing where and to whom they are sending. It’s all part of the game, and that is why I guess 99% are just deleting the emails and don’t answer them. We try at least to give you the right info even though we know it’s just another mass mail out and time-consuming on our part.

Eden James His Time Has Come

Fri Feb 07 2020
Black Book Eden James

There are many variables and components that go into making a hit artist. There is an element of luck of curse and timing that contribute to success after of course the main ingredient - talent. These include perseverance, patience, tenacity and surrounding yourself with the right people who share the vision.

Eden James is poised and ready to breakout after working tirelessly at his craft. The journey has seen James travel from Australia to London, England to his current location, New York City, USA.

“Growing up in Australia, I was drawn to the sound of the British bands and knew I had to go there to get the full effect of the music. So that was it, I packed up everything and moved to London, where I immediately felt at home and got immersed in the music and the scene. I was like a sponge and started really developing as a songwriter. Then it was off to New York City where I’ve been for over 9 years now. I’m  growing every day in my craft and my confidence here in The Big Apple.”

Legendary James Taylor To Release New Album American Standard

Fri Feb 07, 2020

Legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor releases his new album, American Standard on February 28th, 2020 via Fantasy Records. The album's lead track, the Gene De Paul / Sammy Cahn classic, "Teach Me Tonight”.

Watch the Official Video here: https://youtu.be/vbeQqteag_k

The new collection marks Taylor's 19th studio album and his first release since 2015's Before This World, his first #1 career album. On American Standard, Taylor infuses new sounds and fresh meaning into these timeless works of art, reimagining some of the most beloved songs of the 20th century and making them completely his own.

BTW Bif Naked, The Deadnotes, Matt Zaddy, Pia Fraus, Amanda Rheaume, Tony Allen/Hugh Masekela, Geneviève Gigi Marentette, Lisa Fischer, Wild T, Mark Bragg, Matt Minglewood

Fri Jan 31 2020
Bif Naked

Starting off this week with music for causes.

Gold and Platinum-selling

Canadian rock star, author, songwriter, manager, producer, and human and animal rights activist, yeah it’s Bif Naked and she’s got a brand new bag. It’s the launch of her new organic CBD boutique, MonaLisaHealing.com.

Touted as the ‘Renaissance of CBD’, the online e-com shop celebrated its North American debut throughout both Canada and the U.S. in the Fall of 2019.

“I finally followed my own advice,” Bif says of the passion-driven project developed with her longtime team at Her Royal Majesty’s Entertainment. She will discuss the premiere endeavour at Vancouver’s 2020 The Wellness Show this Saturday, February 1st and Sunday, February 2nd — each at 2:00 p.m. — for the panel “An Enlightening Discussion” (Saturday) and talk “Personally Taking Control & Managing Our Health Outcome” (Sunday).

You Can Always Trust Data

Fri Jan 31 2020
Peter Åstedt

Last week Swedish radio took off their Digilist, the top list over most streamed songs. This came to be after a couple of weeks with rumours around cheating. Then an artist did an experiment and showed in a big newspaper how easy it was to buy 100 000 streams in a two week period.

To be honest, I don’t know why this has up right now. Already in 2013, I knew about some serious cheating done on both iTunes and Spotify. My guess is that this is because the cheating has escalated so much that even the majors are beaten in the game.

“You can trust data”, was Jay Frank's comment.  And was said during Billboard’s new prize, The Jay Frank Award, to honour a digital music pioneer. And I would have loved to have a discussion with Jay around this situation, I still miss those talks. We had them before, so I somehow know the answer. When the Bulgarian guy was cheating a couple of years ago, we had that discussion. Jay just laughed and said, “it’s like pointing a finger against a lonely guy with a handgun while you have twenty-five super big cannons shooting in the background.”

Daryl Hall & John Oates Announce The 2020 Tour

Fri Jan 31, 2020

From the mid-'70s to the mid-'80s, Daryl Hall and John Oates scored six #1 singles, including "Rich Girl" (also #1 R&B), "Kiss on My List," "Private Eyes," "I Can't Go For That (No Can Do) (also #1 R&B), "Maneater" and "Out of Touch" from their six consecutive multi-platinum albums -- '76's Bigger Than Both of Us, '80's Voices, '81's Private Eyes, '82's H2O, '83's Rock N Soul, Part I and '84's Big Bam Boom. The era would also produce an additional five Top 10 singles, "Sara Smile," "One on One," "You Make My Dreams," "Say It Isn't So" and "Method of Modern Love." In 1987, the RIAA recognized Daryl Hall and John Oates as the top-selling duo in pop music history, a record they still hold today.

Daryl Hall & John Oates

 

Rock Star & ‘Princess of Everything’ Bif Naked Launches International Organic CBD Brand, MonaLisa Healing

Fri Jan 31 2020
Bif Naked Photo Credit Coco and Kensington Photography

Gold and Platinum-selling Canadian rock star — not to mention author, songwriter, manager, producer, and human and animal rights activist — Bif Naked has unveiled a new venture under her expansive wing with the launch of her new organic CBD boutique, MonaLisaHealing.com. Bif is available for phoners now and select in-person interviews in the Toronto area

Touted as the ‘Renaissance of CBD’, the online e-com shop celebrated its North American debut throughout both Canada and the U.S. in the Fall of 2019.

Specializing in premium organic, triple lab tested and verified all-hemp cannabidiol, MonaLisa Healing is set to extend their exclusive product line to the United Kingdom and Europe this February, and Australia and New Zealand in April. The store currently offers a range of 30mL CBD tinctures in varying potencies, ranging from 750mg - 3000mg for $79.99 - $199.99 CAD respectively.

BTW-Denise Leslie, Audra, American Television, Micah Barnes, Elk Run & Riot, China Crisis/Rational Youth, TD Black History Month, Jamila & The Other Heroes, Harry Manx, Howard Jones Acoustic Trio, Jon Bryant, The Blue Stones

Fri Jan 24 2020
Denise Leslie

Kinda quirky, kinda dorky and all intriguing, Canadian artist Denise Leslie is on a mission “to bring the fun back to jazz” through fresh arrangements, unique musical interpretations, and magnetic charisma. She lays it all out on the Toronto-area vocalist’s debut solo album, One Fine Morning — and its premiere single, her take on Brit rockers Badfinger’s circa-1971 hit, “Day After Day” — both available now! Produced by award-winning producer and guitarist Bob McAlpine, One Fine Morning sits squarely at the ambitious intersection of jazz, R&B and rock, and features bassist Pat Collins, drummer Paul DeLong, pianist Don Baird, and horn players from Brass Transit and Lighthouse.

“This album is paying tribute to the music I cherished in my formative years,” Leslie shares of the release. “Particularly the 70s. The music of that time had a pureness,” she continues. “It was a time when music could really make a difference, and when melody was more integral to songwriting.”

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt Perform at Meridian Hall April 30

Fri Jan 24 2020
Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt Perform at Meridian Hall April 30

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt, two of America’s premier singer-songwriters, join forces for an acoustic evening backed by nothing but their superb voices, first-rate guitar playing and charming reminiscences.

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt will perform together at Meridian Hall (formerly the Sony Centre) on Thursday, April 30 at 8 PM. 

Tickets go on public sale this Saturday, January 25 at 10 AM. Tickets can be purchased online at meridianhall.com, by calling 416-366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754, and at select TO Live Box Offices.  Tickets range from $72.50 - $85.50 with limited Gold Circle at $99.50 (plus applicable fees and service charges).

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt’s previous Toronto appearances at Massey Hall (in 2008 and 2014) were both sold-out. These elegant, captivating meetings between cherished friends and collaborators make for dynamic song-and-story swaps that are difficult to resist.

Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival Celebrates 18 Years – February 21-23 2020

Fri Jan 24, 2020

Toronto is a music mecca for festivals and events in the spring and summer months, but the event that takes the same concept indoors is the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, giving music lovers a break from our sometimes harsh winter weather to congregate and enjoy live music at its best.

Winterfolk 2020 Volunteer PosterThis year the festival marks its 18th year of celebration along with an area change for the whole event.

The Algorithm Can’t Predict The Future!

Thu Jan 23 2020
Peter Åstedt

Well, the tech guys want us to believe that the algorithm is that magic thing that can actually predict the future in the big data world. Maybe in a George Orwell future, it can, but I really don’t want to live there.

I got this idea for this text from a press release of another company doing a site with an algorithm that goes on the mood. In this case for sync placements. For me, this feels like 2010 when several companies did the same thing. If you really want that search engine to go top Spotify then find the people that just want mood playlists. And yes, sad playlists are the most popular right after workout playlists. The problem that is now occurring on Spotify is that the audience is not really listening to the music they just use it as background music on other things. It’s like the music in the ceiling of the supermarket. It’s there but no one cares what it is;  you are too busy shopping.