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FYI

Billboard Canada FYI Track Of The Week: MOONRIIVR, "Mother To Me"

Each week, Billboard Canada FYI spotlights one Canadian song on our radar. This week, a short and sweet tune from a new project led by Gavin Gardiner of the Wooden Sky.

MOONRIIVR

MOONRIIVR

Colin Medley

MOONRIIVR is a comparatively new project, but it features some experienced and notable members of the Canadian indie rock community. Joining vocalist Gavin Gardiner (The Wooden Sky) and guitarist "Champagne" James Robertson (Lindi Ortega, C&C Surf Factory) is the rhythm section of bassist Ben Whiteley (The Weather Station), and percussionist Lyle Molzan (Kathleen Edwards, Corb Lund).

The group's recently-released debut album, Vol. 1, came out a few months ago on Victory Pool. A video for one of its cuts, "Mother To Me," debuted this week, and it shows why MOONRIIVR is attracting attention.


"This song celebrates those relationships in life that are strong enough to withstand even the fiercest gales," says Gardiner. "I’ve been learning to accept that time changes everything and sometimes you just have to be ok with where you are today and let tomorrow be tomorrow."

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His sage sentiments are framed by his haunting vocals (Chris Isaak is an apt reference point) and the typically eloquent playing of Robertson, here featuring a Hawaiian-tinged twang. The result is a short (just 1:54) but very sweet treat.

MOONRIIVR got its start during the pandemic when Gardiner and Robertson found themselves with time on their hands and a chance to collaborate. The press bio notes that "Armed with a vintage Tascam 388 tape recorder, mellotron and a nylon string guitar the two got stuck in and quickly realized they had stumbled onto something special."

After writing and recording sessions at Robertson's family farm, the pair relocated to Gardiner's Toronto studio, All Day Coconut, added the rhythm section, and completed the musically eclectic, lyrically perceptive, and warm-sounding Vol. 1.

Definitely a project to watch in 2024, MOONRIIVR has upcoming shows at Bo's Bar and Grill in Red Deer (Jan. 25) and Edmonton's Winterruption Festival (Jan. 26). Ticket info here.

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Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour at The O2 Arena on Oct. 14, 2023 in London.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation

Madonna performs during opening night of The Celebration Tour at The O2 Arena on Oct. 14, 2023 in London.

Pride

Madonna Celebrates Trans Day of Visibility Alongside Alex Consani: ‘Thank You to All For Showing Up’

The Queen of Pop shared photos from a fashion show that benefitted Trans Justice Funding Project.

With Monday (March 31) marking the annual International Transgender Day of Visibility, pop superstar Madonna took a moment to celebrate the community with a post to her social media.

Sharing a series of photos from a fundraising fashion show she attended over the weekend to her Instagram account — including a photo with trans model Alex Consani — Madonna thanked her fans for continuing to show up in support of queer and trans people’s rights in 2025, while also celebrating yet another milestone in her career.

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.

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