Leonard Cohen‘s latest album, Old Ideas, was released today. At the age of 77, nearly 45 years since the release of his first album, the mysterious Montreal native proves he’s still got it. We’re very excited to offer you a chance to win from an amazing prize pack, including Old Ideas either on CD or [...]
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The queen of gospel music, Mavis Staples, reigned majestically over a near full house at the Grand Theatre in Kingston last Tuesday evening. Given the history and experience Ms. Staples brings to the stage, one couldn’t help but feel privileged to be there. One just has to hear her enveloping, deep, powerful voice for a [...]
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The East Coast Music Award nominees were announced this week, and some artists and recordings appeared in many different categories. Jimmy Rankin had eight nominations, while David Myles and Matt Andersen each received five. The awards will be handed out during East Coast Music Week this April, in Moncton, New Brunswick. The full list of [...]
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Thursday, January 26 at Hugh’s Room in Toronto, we held a benefit for Andy Frank. The event was a huge success, generating enough funds to help Andy and Helen keep the wolf from the door for a while. Thanks to all the artists, sponsors, donors, helpers, staff and audience who made the evening possible. Featuring: [...]
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Our friend and Executive Producer, Andy Frank is facing a challenge right now, having learned that he has cancer of the colon. He’s inspiring everyone with his attitude, including his typically ‘frank’ writing on the subject on his blog, Cancer? My Arse!! Roots Music Canada is holding an all-star benefit concert, Raise the Roof and [...]
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Music PEI Week wrapped up this weekend with a gala awards show hosted by comedian Jonathan Torrens at the Confederation Centre in Charlottetown, with close to a thousand people in attendance. The thirteen musical performances included Al Tuck, who performed a song from his latest release, while Lennie Gallant closed the show with “Peter’s Dream” [...]
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Upon hearing the sad news of Etta James’ death earlier today, Steve Tennant sent along this recollection of seeing the legendary R&B singer perform live at the Ottawa Bluesfest back in 2006. I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about seeing one of my long-time favourite female singers, Etta James, at Bluesfest. Before [...]
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Becky Conlon spent the summer of 2011 traveling across Canada for a project she called the Roadtrip with Reason. Along the way, Becky volunteered at various non-profits across the country: food banks, literacy and youth-at-risk organizations, environmental alliances — and one folk festival. Here’s her experience. Ah, the Ottawa Folk Festival. What an experience! I spent [...]
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With our population of some 35 million potential blues lovers — you couldn’t find an audience more ripe or receptive to the blues. Problem is — as everyone who lives here knows — this huge country’s tiny population is spread across some 3,855,103 mi² of turf, which too often proves unfriendly to touring musicians. Many [...]
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Musicians looking to their fans to help foot the bill for a project is becoming more and more common (our friend Dave Cool over at Bandzoogle just posted a great piece full of tips on how to do this, by the way) but Toronto singer-songwriter Corin Raymond and his community of fans are doing things [...]
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