Century Surfers is an exciting brand new rock project out of Toronto featuring vocalist Roddy Colmer and guitarist Jamie Gutfreund.

After forming a fast friendship and bonding over their love of 90s rock artists such as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden, Colmer and Gutfreund started to write songs together. 

What initially started as a collaboration for Colmer’s upcoming solo record “Afterglow”, quickly spiraled into a different direction, pushing Colmer and Gutfreund to revisit the sounds of the 90s, with a modern approach, using current production techniques.

After a musically inspiring trip to Nashville, Gutfreund worked on a guitar riff that Colmer would later add his melodic muscles to and compose what would later become their debut single “The Storm”.

In order to bring “The Storm” to life, Century Surfers teamed up with veteran producer and current bass player for the multi platinum selling progressive rock group Saga, Dusty Chesterfield. Wearing their 90s grunge influences on their sleeves, “The Storm” has a darkly melodic verse, leading into a crushing chorus reminiscent of peak Stone Temple Pilots. 

54-40 have released a new video “Sublime Like Me” from their album, “Keep on Walking”.

Watch Lyric Video of “Sublime Like Me”
https://youtu.be/5zrGHZijnE4

From the band: “Sublime Like Me" is a love letter to the British Dark Wave bands of the 80s that we love.  The original demo of the song was fully-formed and identical in arrangement to the finished master, but Gavin Brown's production craftily modernized the track, while still nodding to its influences.”

The legendary Bruce Cockburn is releasing a video for "April In Memphis"  from his upcoming album Crowing Ignite, in honour of Martin Luther King on that tragic day April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bruce says, "The piece came into being on MLK Day 2019. It pretty much formed itself in the course of a practice session. It took the shape of a lament, more than a celebration, which set me to thinking of King’s murder, and the loss of a voice of wisdom, compassion and respect that we could really use about now. Hence the title. I think the video conveys the right sense of the poignant beauty, of the dignity, of the man and the spirituality that fueled him."

Watch Bruce Cockburn - April In Memphis (Official Video) here:
https://youtu.be/YVimpbPMguI

Spotify closed its second calendar quarter this year with 108m subscribers and 232m total Monthly Active Users (MAUs).

In a new financial update today (July 31), SPOT confirmed that its premium subs count was up 31% year on year (on the same three months, to end of June, in 2018) – but below the midpoint of its guidance range of 107-110m.

The 108m figure represents a climb of 8m on the 100m subscribers Spotify attracted in the prior quarter of this year.

Worth remembering: Apple revealed last month that Spotify rival Apple Music had recently passed the milestone of 60m paying subscribers, though this figure included free trialists.

Interestingly, Spotify noted to investors today: “We have reached an agreement with two of our four major label partners on the renewal of our global sound recording licenses, and are in active discussions with the other two.

TD Markham Jazz Festival has announced this year’s headlining acts set to perform among the 30+ free concerts across three stages this August 16th, 17th, and 18th. 

Fresh off her debut and JUNO Award-winning album win for So Here We Are, Alison Young will headline the Millennium Bandstand Friday, August 16th at 7:30 pm, ahead of LowDown Brass Band at 9:30 pm. 

On Saturday, August 17th at 9:00 pm, attendees will be treated to what the Jazz Advocate calls “Mr. Personality!” and the Montreal Gazette says is a “must-see live act” — JUNO Award-winning and internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, pianist and producer Michael Kaeshammer and his spellbinding, genre-bending new album, SOMETHING NEW. 

“Listening to Michael Kaeshammer play live is like looking through a window into one of the greatest musical minds in the world today.” — The Record

Another JUNO Award-winner is slated for banner status on the Millennium Bandstand Stage; renowned bassist, singer, and composer Brandi Disterheft will headline Sunday, August 18th at 5:00 pm. 

Marshall Potts recently posted in a blog about his career-changing experience as a Showcase Artist (June 4-7, 2019) at the most famous global music festival in the world, MIDEM, a yearly event in Cannes, France. Marshall talked about sometimes just having to just take that chance, go with your gut feeling, your blind faith, whatever you want to call it. Just go for it.

So this Canadian rocker took that chance and came back from MIDEM with a management contract with industry veteran, Sandy Graham of Entertainment Music Group (EMG).  Sandy personally has decades of experience in the music industry, having been in radio, records as well as a nightclub owner and manager. The team at EMG is proud to represent artists on a unique management level, giving the artist the final say and developing strategies on both a short term and long term basis.

“I am so grateful to have been invited to join Entertainment Music Group (EMG)”, says Marshall Potts. “Looking forward to an awesome new journey with some amazingly talented and above all decent Human Beings. The team there is all about the music and the artist’s needs.”

Translations matter, and just as lyrics boost engagement, translated lyrics boost engagement across language barriers.

Toronto-based lyric licensing pioneers, LyricFind, have received funding from the Department of Canadian Heritage Creative Export Canada program to focus on and globalize Canadian content, using the power of lyrics and translation. The two-year project supports the licensing, transcription and translation of Canadian artists and songwriters’ lyrics, and monetizes their lyrics through LyricFind’s extensive roster of clients.

Toronto duo, Electric Youth — vocalist Bronwyn Griffin and multi-instrumentalist Austin Garrick — have released a new video for their single, ARAWA, the second off their forthcoming album, Memory Emotion. Watch it now here.

Thursday, July 18, 2019, Canada’s Walk of Fame announced the names of its 2019 Inductees today. The Inductees represent the organization’s pillars of recognition: Sports and Athletics; Arts and Entertainment; Business and Entrepreneurship; and Science, Technology and Innovation. Inductions will be held at Canada’s Walk of Fame Awards Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in Toronto on November 23, 2019, followed by a star-studded gala celebration. The show will be broadcast in December on CTV. 

The 2019 Canada’s Walk of Fame Inductees are:

Frank Gehry (Science, Technology and Innovation)

The world-renowned architect was responsible for some of the most important works of contemporary architecture across the globe including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Vitra Design Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Cindy Klassen (Sports and Athletics)

Three-time Olympian, six-time Olympic medallist long track speed skater and Canada’s all-time most-decorated Olympian, a title shared with cyclist and fellow speed skater, Clara Hughes.

Stevie Wonder is to undergo a kidney transplant. The 69-year-old singer told the crowd at a gig in London’s Hyde Park on 6 July that he would give three more concerts this summer before the operation in September.

He made the announcement after playing his 1972 hit 'Superstition', saying that he wanted to prevent rumours about his health from spreading. “I have a donor and it’s all good,” he said.

Wonder did not offer more information on his condition. Kidney failure and end-stage chronic kidney disease are among the most common reasons for needing a kidney replacement.

During his headline performance as part of the British Summer Time festival, Wonder covered John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s 'Imagine' – as Celine Dion did at the same festival the night before. “We’re going to keep singing this song until we all cut the bullshit,” he said.

Commenting on US politics, he said: “Those of you who know the right thing to do: do the right thing. Unity has never been this hard.”

Canada’s premiere one-of-a-kind music, arts and food festival — JAMBANA One World Festival — will mark its 11th year of celebrating the nation’s growing cultural diversity this August. 

Fans of Reggae, Afrobeat, Soca, Dancehall, Gospel, Dance and Comedy can expect to be entertained across two days of jam-packed programming, complemented by delicious food and interesting vendors and activities. 

Sunday, August 4th from 1:00 - 9:00 pm will feature fun for the whole family; JAMBANA attendees will have access to an all-encompassing, can’t-be-missed taste-based tour of the islands with premiere food vendors, along with arts and crafts, travel information, and more. Admission to the day’s events at Brampton’s Garden Square (12 Main St. N) is free for all ages. 

“Day 1 takes place at Garden Square, the very center of downtown Brampton, one of Canada’s fastest-growing immigrant populations,” says JAMBANA One World Festival Executive Producer Denise Jones. “It’s a great place to celebrate and lift up Canada’s diversity.

July 1959 was a pivotal month for the history of folk and country music. It was when Ian Tyson met Sylvia Fricker for the first time, which began a musical journey, both as a dynamic duo and with distinguished solo careers, that would help put Canadian country music on the map globally. In honour of the start of this historic musical collaboration, Stony Plain Records will be releasing Ian & Sylvia The Lost Tapes on  September 6^th; the day after their much-anticipated inductions as individual songwriters to the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, which will be presented on September 5^th at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre, during Country Music Week in Calgary, AB.
 

Acclaimed New England-based guitarist/singer Paul Gabriel announces an August 2 release date for his latest CD, Man of Many Blues, coming from Smoke Ring Records. Produced by Duke Robillard (who also guests on the new CD), Man of Many Blues was recorded at Lake West Studio in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, by Jack Gauthier, and also includes perennial Blues Music Award nominee Sugar Ray Norcia (of Sugar Ray & the Bluetones) as a special guest.

“This is one of the most special recordings I have ever done,” Gabriel says about the new album. “It’s being dedicated to my dear friend, Georgia Louis, the great 1960s Gospel and Blues singer; and it’s also special in that this is my sophomore recording with Duke Robillard producing.”

Pioneering Muscle Shoals musician Jerry Carrigan has moved on. Carrigan passed away on June 22nd in Chattanooga, Tennessee at age 75.

Another great CMAO was held on Sunday June 16, 2019, in Ottawa, at The National Arts Centre, hosted once again by the talented and funny Jason McCoy.

Western Swing Authority providing amazing back up music for all of the performances.

Meghan Patrick coming away the big winner with 5 awards under her belt and Tim Hicks and The Reklaws with 2 awards each.

The Winners of the 7th Annual CMAOntario Awards are:

SINGLE OF THE YEAR sponsored by PURE COUNTRY
“Feels Like That” – The Reklaws

ALBUM OF THE YEAR sponsored by COUNTRY 93.5
Country Music Made Me Do It – Meghan Patrick

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR sponsored by SOCAN
Meghan Patrick, Kelly Archer, Justin Weaver – “Walls Come Down”, Recorded by Meghan Patrick

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by Spring Tree Farm
Meghan Patrick

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR sponsored by ECAO/IBEW
Tim Hicks

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR sponsored by Country 103
The Reklaws

Scott Walker (born Noel Scott Engel) was an American-born British singer-songwriter, composer and record producer. Walker was known for his distinctive baritone voice and an unorthodox career path which took him from 1960s pop icon to the 21st-century avant-garde musician. Walker's success was largely in the United Kingdom, where his first three solo albums reached the top ten. He lived in the UK from 1965 and became a British citizen in 1970.

First coming to fame in the mid-1960s as the frontman of the pop music trio The Walker Brothers, Walker began a solo career with 1967's Scott, moving toward an increasingly challenging baroque pop style on late '60s albums such as Scott 3 (1969) and Scott 4 (1969).

Editor's Note: Since the writing of this article Kelly Jay has passed away. His daughter Shawna posted this on Facebook. "My mum called the big guy home to her this morning. Together forever. Dance among the stars. Sing your heart out to her (as she called you “the voice”) embrace one another and dad, kiss and hug her for me. Play the piano in front of all the angels. Watch your little girl tiff boogie the night away. RIP daddio"

Kelly Jay, Canada’s legendary band-mate of Crowbar fame has suffered a stroke which has no chance of recovery for him. His family is raising money for his funeral expenses in advance to celebrate his life at https://www.gofundme.com/kelly-jays-celebration-of-life

Please read their post here and considering donating for a rock n roll legend.

Dr. John, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a six-time Grammy winner, died Thursday June 6, 2019 morning from a heart attack, said publicist and social media manager Karen Beninato.

Dr. John, whose real name was Malcolm John Rebennack Jr, was 77.

Beninato's post on Dr. John's Facebook page said memorial arrangements will be announced.

Dr. John "created a unique blend of music which carried his home town, New Orleans, at its heart, as it was always in his heart," she wrote.

According to the Grammy website, Dr. John began his musical career working as a songwriter and guitarist in the 1950s. He later played keyboards for Aretha Franklin, the Rolling Stones and Van Morrison.

He told Smithsonian.com in 2009, that in 1960, or so, he got shot in a finger when he went to defend a bandmate who was being pistol-whipped.

Ali Hughes, Austrailian songstress, has made her way to Canada to present her acclaimed show Leonard Cohen Koans, a tribute to one of the world’s most celebrated and revered songwriters, Leonard Cohen.

Musically directed by award winning composer Daryl Wallis, backed by masterful jazz musicians, this electrifying, vigorous 90min narrative concert is Cohen like you've never heard before. It is an inspiring celebration of the spirit, music and poetry of one of the greatest songwriters of the modern age. Part-concert and part-homage, these exciting and original interpretations explore Cohen’s music through jazz, gospel and rock genres, cracking wide open the incredible musicality in his work.

Intertwined with excerpts of poetry and prose, and delivered through the lens of his Zen Buddhist spirituality LEONARD COHEN KOANS weaves a new pathway into your experience of this glorious Poet of the Holy Sinners. Accompanied by masterful Toronto pianist Adrean Farrugia, this electrifying, vigorous 90 minute narrative concert is Cohen like you’ve never heard before.

The Dakota Tavern will be hosting its first annual Detroit music festival, Detroit Does The Dakota. On June 1, four bands from Detroit will be taking the stage: Duende!, described as no pop, no style… strictly roots, Ryan Dillaha and the Miracle Men, soulful folk rock and roll., Rogue Satellites, post punk, intergalactic synth-rock and Betty Cooper Pop/rock/alternative.

Brought to our attention by the music man about town Cameron Carpenter, the rebirth of the Dakota is a breath of fresh air for live entertainment. Owner, Anthony xxx, also owns the popular Castro's in the Beach, which boasts live music every night of the week. Under new ownership, the Dakota is following in the path of the extremely successful Castro’s, focusing on live music. The lineup for the next few months is impressive and eclectic and exciting and brings back the Dakota to her full glory of the spot to go to see great talent. http://thedakotatavern.com/all-shows/

Love the Detroit sound? Don’t miss this one.