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FYI

Dennis Ellsworth: Stoned

A fitting song to spotlight as pot goes legal, this roots-pop track features jangly guitar, a catchy chorus, and amiable vocals from the acclaimed PEI songsmith.

Dennis Ellsworth: Stoned

By Kerry Doole

Dennis Ellsworth - "Stoned" (Indie): With cannabis being officially legalised across the land today (Oct. 17), it is a fitting time to dig into this recent track by much-lauded singer/songwriter Ellsworth.


"Stoned" is included on his acclaimed fifth solo album Things Change, released in April this year. Produced by Joel Plaskett, the record is described as Prince Edward Island native Ellsworth's love letter to his power pop heroes of the '90s, including Plaskett himself.

The track has a rootsy-pop feel, rather than the trippy psychedelia the title may suggest, and it features jangly guitar (courtesy Plaskett), a catchy chorus, and amiable vocals.

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The new album showcases a new sound for Ellsworth. In a press bio, he explains that “for years I wrote dark, smooth, romantic alt-country-ish type songs. I don’t know how I ever got there but I stuck with it for a while. I love those records, but I knew it was time I switched things up just to keep myself interested."

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Publicity: Jason Schneider Media

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Executive of the Week: Justin West of Secret City Records on the Secrets of Independent Music Success​
FYI

Executive of the Week: Justin West of Secret City Records on the Secrets of Independent Music Success​

The man behind one of Canada's most successful indie labels talks about the late-blooming success of French-language streaming record-holder Patrick Watson, why he builds long-term relationships with artists, and why it's important for the indie sector to work together.

Justin West is a leader and advocate in Canada’s independent music scene, but he didn’t plan it out that way. When he started his record label Secret City Records in Montreal in the mid-2000s, it was out of necessity. He had met an artist he loved and wanted to build a career with, and the label was a means to do it. That artist was Patrick Watson, and 20 years later he — and Secret City — are more successful than ever.

West — a multiple time Billboard Canada Power Player – leads one of the biggest indie labels in Canada while also advocating for the sector on multiple boards both locally and internationally. When we speak to him for this Executive of the Week interview, he’s just returned from Banff for the National Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Culture, and is a central figure in discussions around the Online Streaming Act and collective negotiations with online streaming platforms.

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