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Brian Hughes
FYIFestivals News
Industry News
Music News Digest: SOCAN Cancels Grammy Events, GoFundMes Launched for L.A.-Based Canadian Musicians
Also this week: A Toronto hip-hop history celebration, a new intergenerational Canadian pop supergroup, festival news and much more.
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Festivals News
When it began two decades ago, London summer festival Rock The Park stressedclassic rock. It now features a four-night series of lineups, each focused on a separate genre. Organizers say that, in total, the concerts have drawn nearly 700,000 people to downtown’s Harris Park and raised an estimated $4 million for charities. Last year's edition featured a massive rain storm and the replacement of headliner Neil Young by Bryan Adams.
The 2025 edition will run from Wednesday July 9 to Saturday July 12. The closing night’s lineup of country acts has already been announced and features acclaimed U.S. country singer-songwriter Lee Brice and Canadian sibling duo The Reklaws. For tickets and more information, click here. Charity beneficiaries will be Children’s Health Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Anita May Music & Mental Health Fund.
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– Hamilton's Because Beer's winter craft beer & cider festival, Because Brrr, returns with two nights of sessions, Feb 28 + Mar 1, at Bridgeworks. The strong live music component features Born In The Eighties and My Son The Hurricane. Tickets here.
Industry News
– Multiple GoFundMe campaigns have been set up to help support L.A.-based Canadian musicians who have sustained huge losses in that area's fires. Formerly based in Toronto, percussionist-composer-recording artist-producer Morgan Doctor was a popular member of that city's music community, working with the likes of The Cliks, Toronto Tabla Ensemble, Chantal Kreviazuk, Lily Frost and more. The Altadena fire destroyed Doctor's home, recording studio and a lifetime of instruments and audio production gear. Contribute to her GoFundMe here.
– A former Torontonian, acclaimed jazz and world music guitarist-composer-producer-recording artist Brian Hughes also lost his home, music studio and virtually all his instruments in the Altadena fire. He has worked extensively with Loreena McKennitt, earning a Juno nomination as Producer of the Year in 1991 for her album The Visit, won seven SOCAN Jazz and Instrumental Composer of the Year awards and has released eight solo albums. Donate to his GoFundMe here.
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–Alongwith many other music industry companies and orgs, SOCAN has announced the cancellation of itsupcoming Grammy week events and celebrations. A statement explains that "The fires in L.A. continue to have a devastating effect on the city and its residents. It is out of respect for those impacted and the preservation of the local resources supporting the relief and recovery efforts that we make this decision."
– The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) will soon celebrate some of Toronto’s hidden talents at its special exhibit, Canadian Cyphers: Elements of Toronto Hip-Hop, running during this Black History Month. Starting Feb. 1, the exhibition will be open to the public at the City of Toronto Archives until the end of the month. From album covers to photographs and turntables, it explores the underrated history of Toronto hip-hop.
On Feb. 21, In partnership with the City of Toronto’s Music Office and Northside Hip Hop’s Mark Campbell, the CBMA presents the Black History Month Showcase at the City of Toronto Archives. Legendary hip-hop duo Dream Warriors, will make a special appearance alongside other surprise guests, DJs, and speakers. This is a free event with donations encouraged and will run from 6- 9 p.m. at 255 Spadina Rd.
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– The Hamilton Music Collective has revealed an impressive lineup for its winter jazz series this year. It launches on Feb. 6, with a tribute to Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue led by Pat LaBarbera. Noted jazz vocalist/radio host Heather Bambrick performs on February 27, followed by Grammy-nominated NYC saxophonist Adam Kolker on April 10 and the Tony Monaco B3 Organ Trio on April 24. Proceeds support the An Instrument For Every Child initiative. The series is sponsored by Incite Foundation for the Arts and Ontario Creates. Tickets here.
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– He Hijacked My Brain, a lavishly illustrated exploration of the fascinating life and career of veteran Toronto concert promoter Gary Topp (out via UXB Press), has been receiving rave reviews and strong sales. Topp and two members of the team behind the book, Stephen Perry and Fran Grasso, will be present for its Hamilton launch, set for Jan. 25 (5-7 p.m.) at The City & The City Books. Books for signing will be available at the store. More info here.
Artists News
– Billed as something of an intergenerational pop supergroup, new project The Syncopation Rebels comprises Martha and the Muffins' principals Martha Johnson and Mark Gane, British-based vocalist Chloe Kay (This Sound Will Save You), Toronto musician Alex Exists (The Nursery, The Ruby Spirit) and Kitchener-based hip-hop/Afrobeat artist and author John Orpheus. Together, they've delivered an imaginative reworking of Goldfrapp's 2005 hit, "Number 1." Check it out here.
– Veteran New Brunswick rock 'n rollers The Monoxides made a splash in the '90s, especially with their potent 1997 full-length debut, Galaxy of Stooges, produced by Moe Berg. They took a long break from recording, but continued performing live throughout the Maritimes, with their energy in performance making them a popular draw. The 2023 single “Let Her Know” marked the first new music from the quintet's first new music in 23 years, and they now return to the fray with this new cut. Of note: Monoxides co-founder Ken Kelley often contributed to FYIMusicNews.
– Juno-nominated jazz singer-songwriter Denielle Bassels is prepping the release of a new album, It Goes Like This, and has just released a second advance single, "Woman Like Me," co-written with her sister Amber. The track is described as "a bold and bluesy jazz anthem of self-empowerment and a celebration of individuality."
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