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US Politics Reshape Fast Romantic’s Creative Direction.

US Politics Reshape Fast Romantic’s Creative Direction.
By Keith Sharp When Fast Romantics’ Matthew Angus initially created the concept for his band’s new `American Love’ record, it was simply going to be a collection of love songs. But as the political climate changed drastically with the election of Donald Trump as the United States’ new president, Angus’s material underwent a total rewrite. “What happened was, that we... Read More

Lee Aaron at Deerfoot Inn and Casino – Calgary, Alberta

Lee Aaron at Deerfoot Inn and Casino – Calgary, Alberta
  by Lou Fiorito Saturday, April 15, 2017.   The Players:  Lee Aaron (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Sean Kelly (lead guitar, backing vocals), Dave Reimer (bass guitar, backing vocals) Kevin Saulnier (keyboards, rhythm guitar, backing vocals), John Cody (drums)   A power failure the day before at this venue left the heating and cooling systems in the building badly discombobulated,... Read More

Dune Rats New Release is Total Bullshit!

Dune Rats New Release is Total Bullshit!
By Keith Sharp Tell anyone in North America that something is `bullshit’, they are likely to get offended. But according to Dune Rats’ bassist Brett Jansch, the word bullshit is trending in his native Australia as meaning cool or positive. Hence the name of the Brisbane band’s second album `The Kids Will Know It’s Bullshit’ and their debut single, “Bullshit”.... Read More

CMAOntario 2017 Award Nominees Announced

CMAOntario 2017 Award Nominees Announced
The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAOntario) is pleased to announce the nominees for the fifth annual CMAOntario Awards. Presented by Slaight Music, with support from the Ontario Media Development Corporation, the awards recognize the talent and achievements of Ontario’s country music industry across 16 categories. Meghan Patrick leads the pack with seven nominations while James Barker Band, River Town... Read More

No Pads No Helmet…Just Simple Plan’s 15th Anniversary Tour

No Pads No Helmet…Just Simple Plan’s 15th Anniversary Tour
Multiplatinum Canadian pop-punk icons Simple Plan have announced a Canadian tour in celebration of the 15th anniversary of their 2X Platinum debut album No Pads, No Helmets….Just Balls. The band is currently in the midst of the first U.S. leg of the “No Pads, No Helmets….Just Balls 15th Anniversary Tour,” which sees the group performing their first album in its... Read More

Dallas Smith Chalks Up Second Consecutive No 1 Single With Side Effects

Dallas Smith Chalks Up Second Consecutive No 1 Single With Side Effects
Platinum selling country star, and 604 Records recording artist Dallas Smith has lots to celebrate as he notches his 3rd career #1 and second consecutive chart topper with the soaring hit “Side Effects” on both the Nielsen BDS and Mediabase Country radio airplay charts this week. Appealing to audiences far beyond the boundaries with sonic layers and a stadium sized... Read More

CMW: The Future Is Now

CMW: The Future Is Now
By Keith Sharp Canada’s Music Week music industry conference is about to stage it’s 35th annual event April 18-23 at Toronto’s Sheraton Centre Hotel. As CMW president Neill Dixon reflected during his annual state of the union address, much as changed in this industry since that first conference staged back in 1982. At that point, music was still purchased in... Read More

JUNO MANIA 2017 HITS THE CAPITAL

JUNO MANIA 2017 HITS THE CAPITAL
By Terry Steeves   The 46th Juno Awards found it’s home for the third time in Canada’s capital city of Ottawa, appropriately located as the nation celebrates its 150th birthday. And the third time was certainly the charm, as the city celebrated not only Canada’s Juno-nominated musicians, but also many national and local Canadian artists in a vast array of... Read More

Junos 2017 Really Made In Canada

Junos 2017 Really Made In Canada
By Keith Sharp The one thing you can say about Sunday’s 2017 Juno Awards staged at Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre is that it was typically Canadian – Eh! A tasteful opening salute to Indigenous People executed by Buffy Ste Marie and A Tribe Called Red, featuring Tagaq, television cameos by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and an impassioned eulogy for the... Read More