Music News Digest: Daniel Lanois' Secret Hometown Show, Cadence Weapon's New Toronto Residency

Awards news

Calgary's YYC Music Awards announced its 2024 winners at the ninth annual red carpet gala at the Grey Eagle Casino Event Centre on Sept. 29. Calgary and area musicians and industry leaders were honoured in 28 categories, including the first presentation of the Indigenous Artist of the Year (to Troy Kokol). Notable winners included The Royal Foundry, Jessica McMann, Miesha and The Spanks, MCC Studios, Edwardson and Pat Cuikani. See the full winners list here.

The gala included live performances from Kue Varo & The Only Hopes, Shane Ghostkeeper, Liz Christensen, and special collaborations by the Blues nominees John Rutherford, Erin Ross and Mark Dillon and Rap nominees K-Riz & The Family, bRavenous, KTheChosen, Tea Fannie and Tinywiings.

– A reminder that submissions for the 2025 East Coast Music Awards in St. John’s, NL will close on October 4. The full guidelines can be found on the ECMA website here.

Industry news

– The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has announced a landmark $15 million gift from the Barrett Family Foundation, one the org describes as "the largest pledge in the orchestra’s history and the most significant commitment ever made to support programming at a Canadian performing arts organization. This extraordinary gift will support the TSO’s community engagement and education programs, ensuring that the power of music continues to reach and inspire audiences of all ages across the city."

The TSO’s artistic community leadership role will now be named the Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador, with Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser in that position.

–On Friday night (Sept. 27) during the 'YEE HAW Fun-Raiser' at RendezViews in Toronto, hit country duo The Reklaws and the Walker family launched the 'Flo Walker Stardust Fund' in partnership with Kids Help Phone. The Fund honours the siblings' late mother, and it kicked off on what would have been her 60th birthday. An impressive $350K is already in the coffers, thanks to donations from family, friends, fans and partners and a gift from Craig Senyk Initiatives, matching up to $150K. The evening featured a discussion surrounding mental health hosted by PURE Country's Shannon Ella and closed out with a live show by The Reklaws.

– Platinum-selling and Juno-winning East Coast singer-songwriter and producer David Myles was recently appointed to the position of Cultural Fellow at the J Herbert Smith Centre at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton. The University reports that, in this role, "Myles will engage with students through multiple sessions focused on various aspects of creative and entrepreneurial development." On Facebook, Myles has reassured his fans that "I’m still gonna be a full time musician, so don’t worry!"

– CIMA has announced that submissions are now open for its Canada House showcase & business development opportunity at SXSW 2025 in Austin. Canada House will take over Swan Dive (615 Red River Street) for two full days of showcases & business events. Those interested in showcasing must complete both SXSW’s application form (here) and CIMA’s Canada House form (here). The deadline for these submissions is Nov. 15.

–The annual Amy Louie Grossman`s Music Scholarship (ALGMS) fundraiser takes place at Grossman`s Tavern in Toronto on November 26. The lineup features The Happy Pals, Frankie Foo, Danny Marks w/ Alec Fraser & Teddy Hawkins, The Hogtown Allstars w/ special guest Donnie Walsh and the 2024 Amy Louie Grossman`s Music Scholarship Winner. $20 suggested donation, all proceeds to support future ALGMS recipients. More info here.

Artists news

– Last Thursday, Daniel Lanois played a secret, invitation-only concert in Hamilton, the city in which the famed record producer, guitarist and singer-songwriter was raised. His trio's performance at The Mule Spinner was recorded and filmed for future use, and the choice of venue had emotional resonance for Lanois, for this acclaimed intimate recording and live music space was designed and established by his late brother, Bob Lanois, and Glen Marshall, who still operates it.

Lanois played for well over two hours, demonstrating his vast musical range. Opening ambient electronica segued into "Amazing Grace," and classics from his solo catalogue like like "The Maker," "Still Water" and "Silverado" were given fresh life. He is a man wearing many hats, but magical evening confirmed that, perhaps above all else, he is a genuine guitar virtuoso, dazzling on both electric and steel. Drummer-vocalist Jermaine Holmes and bassist-vocalist Jim Wilson were tasteful accompanists. It was no surprise that a large number of top Hamilton musicians were in the crowd, including recent Lanois collaborators Tom Wilson and Terra Lightfoot, as well as Toronto musicians Bob Wiseman and Andy Stochansky.

– On Thursday (Oct. 3), Polaris Prize-winning Canadian rapper/poet Cadence Weapon releases a deluxe edition of his recent album ROLLERCOASTER, via MNRK Music. This month he also hosts a residency interview and party series entitled The Entertainer with Cadence Weapon at Standard Time in Toronto, running every Thursday in October except Halloween. His packed list of guests includes fellow Polaris winners Debbie Friday, Owen Pallett and Lido Pimienta, with special guest DJ performances by Brendan Canning, Jacques Greene, Jeremy Greenspan and Automaticamore. Here's Cadence Weapon's new single.

– Montreal rock band The Last Mile has joined the roster of Thousand Islands Records. The group is now preparing the vinyl reissue of its out-of-print debut album, Respect The Frequency.

– Acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Andy Stochansky (known for work with Ani DiFranco, Goo Goo Dolls, Ferry Corsten and Dragonette) recently returned to Toronto after a long stint in Los Angeles. He told Billboard Canada recently that he's pleased to be back, and was thrilled at the response to his recent Cameron House residency. He is planning to release a new album, Poetry Of Birds, early next year, and has just put out a new single and video, "God's Tree."

– The 25^th anniversary deluxe edition re-release of Chantal Kreviazuk’s double platinum-selling album Colour Moving and Still comes out on Friday (Oct. 4), on double vinyl and digitally via Sony Music Entertainment Canada. This marks the first time the album has been made available on vinyl. The reissue features six previously unreleased live recordings. Kreviazuk soon embarks on a cross-Canada tour that includes a Nov. 8 show at Toronto's Massey Hall. Check the itinerary here.