Music News Digest: Hamilton Venue The Casbah Set To Close, Nova Scotia Music Awards Winners

Music Nova Scotia (MNS) has announced the 2024 Music Nova Scotia Music & Industry Award Winners. There were 29 awards, in 21 music and 8 industry categories, handed out at Awards Brunch on Nov. 10 at Acadia University’s Sheldon L. Fountain Learning Commons in Wolfville. Daniel James McFadyen took home three awards and Maggie Andrew followed closely with two award wins.

Other notable names in the winners circle included Old Man Luedecke, Symphony Nova Scotia, PINEO & LOEB, Elyse Aeryn,Rich Aucoin, Neon Dreams, P'tit Belliveau, HARMZ, Jah'Mila, Erin Costelo and Loviet. View the full winners list here.

– Earlier this month, veteran Canadian rockers Brighton Rock were inducted into the Niagara Falls Arts & Culture Wall of Fame. Brighton Rock released three albums and an EP, their most successful album being 1988's gold-certified Take a Deep Breath. Those on hand at the event included music industry veterans Ralph Alfonso, one of the band's former managers, and Bob Roper, the WEA Canada A&R head who signed them. Brighton Rock frontman Gerry McGhee (later head of Precision Record Pressing) died in 2020. He was represented at the induction by his wife Carla.

On Facebook, Alfonso recalled that "I was one of Brighton Rock's managers back in the '80s and came back in the early 2000s when they regrouped for special gigs, including their last ever appearance at Monsters of Rock 2019. I toured all through the U.S. and Canada with the guys; from biker bars and stripper joints to concert halls and beyond. It was a hard slog that paid off with gold records. Their albums are full of arena rock anthems worth rediscovering."

– On Nov. 10, the Manitoba Country Music Awards (MCMAs) were held at Club Regent in Winnipeg. The big winner on the night was Catie St. Germain, who took home four trophies. Other winners included Jade Turner, Desiree Dorion, Ryan Keown, Derek Peters, Quinton Blair and The Sean Taylor Band. Debbie Ross was indicted into the MCMA Hall of Fame. Check the complete winners list here.

Industry news

– The Hamilton music community is still reeling over the news that The Casbah, the city's busiest and most important music club venue since 2001, will close its doors in January 2025. This follows the recent sale of the building to a developer. The Casbah comprises two venues, The Main Hall (capacity 160) and The Lounge (capacity 60), and over the past two decades it has hosted international artists (a secret Pixies show is still talked about) alongside many top Canadian acts, while also diligently supporting local music talent.

At the helm since 2004, the venue's owner and booker Brodie Schwendiman promises it will go out with a bang, hosting many seasonal events and fundraisers as well as its usual array of eclectic music bookings. Read more about the venue here. Check out The Casbah calendar here. Bands and artists wanting to contact Schwendiman to explore the possibility of a final booking at The Casbah can email him at casbahbrodie@gmail.com.

– Rock The Halls: A Holiday Benefit Bash in support of Kids Help Phone is a benefit concert set to take place at the El Mocambo in Toronto on December 20. Presented by Canada’s Walk of Fame andRBC, the festive charity concert is headlined by Toronto-based duo YASSiN & Sean Terrio and will also feature performances from Canada’s Walk of Fame RBC Emerging Musician Program alumni Mindflip, Cassie Dasilva and Dallas plus special guests The Free Label. Tickets for the event here.

– Prairie rock 'n roll stars The Sheepdogs and Toronto roots-rockers The Commoners have teamed up for an extensive tour of the U.K. and Europe, one taking in eight countries from Nov. 9 to Dec. 5. Termed The Northern Rock Revival Tour, it includes a Nov. 29 date at the prestigious Planet Rockstock festival in Porthcawl, U.K.. Check the itinerary here.

– For many years now, various Toronto venues have hosted The Songs of Nick Drake, a series of concerts paying tribute to the late English cult hero and folk singer-songwriter. Local songsmith and music promoter Luke Jackson has produced and curated these shows, routinely attracting A-list Canadian artists to perform. After a long Covid-caused hiatus, this year, two shows are set for Hugh's Room, on Nov. 23 and 24, marking the 50th anniversary of Nick Drake’s death on November 25. 1974. Backed by an elite house band and string quartet, the vocalists paying homage here are Michelle Willis (David Crosby, Snarky Puppy), Kevin Kane (The Grapes of Wrath), Suzie Ungerleider, Kathryn Rose, Conor Gains and Trish Robb and Luke Jackson plus flutist Andrea Kovats. Tix for Nov. 24 Here. The Nov. 23 show is sold out.

Of note: The show also visits Stratford this year, with the same lineup plus local Barry James Payne performing at the Copperlight/Knox Church venue on Nov. 22. Tickets here.

– The Hamilton Musicians’ Guild has announced the 6th Annual Bob Pedler Memorial Fundraiser will take place December 1 from 1-6pm at Stonewalls. The strong lineup of local talent includes The Lowdown Dirty Mojos (with Lily Sazz), Big John and the Night Trippers, BackTrax, the Patti Payne Trio, HWY 6, Coalescence and Loralee McGuirl and the Soul Cats. All proceeds go to the Pedler fund which aids sick or injured musicians who are unable to perform.

– Renowned Toronto guitar teacher David Glabais has put together an ambitious fundraising concert set for Massey Hall on Nov. 15, with proceeds going to support The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (UHN). The charity has personal resonance for Glabais, a recent cancer survivor. Hosted by Jeanne Beker, the event features Glabais and his students performing a set list of classic rock and pop hits, backed by an A-list house band. Special guest performers include Whitehorse, Kiesza, Aqyila, Alex Porat, Skye Wallace, Billy Raffoul, Logan Staats and more. Tickets here.

Artists news

–Sarah McLachlan recently postponed her Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th anniversary tour, explaining via an Instagram post that "My voice is not recovering and I need to take the time to heal.” The tour was slated for 13 shows from Rama, Ont., to Victoria, celebrating the 30th anniversary of her smash hit (6 million copies sold) album, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. She does plan to reschedule the dates.

– On Nov. 25, father and sons Ontario punk/garage trio The Discarded release a new album, The Green Door (named after the cool Toronto studio at which it was recorded), preceded by a new single, "Going Down To The Beach." It may not be seasonally appropriate, but The Ramones meets The Beach Boys vibe is a cool one. The band's sixth full-length, the album is produced by John Critchley (13 Engines, Dan Mangan).

– Following up her French language LP ENCORE!, acclaimed jazz/pop/folk singer-songwriter Jill Barberreturns with fresh versions of three holiday classics available in both English and French. Now out is “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”/ “Vous êtes méchant, M.Grinch,” to be followed by “Sleigh Ride”/ Promenade en traîneau” (Dec 4) and “I’ll be Home for Christmas”/”C’est la nuit de Noël” (Dec 18).

– Halcyon Phase is an Ottawa-based duo comprising seasoned veterans Frank Smith (Sills & Smith) and noted producer, engineer and multi-instrumentalist Phillip Victor Bova. A musically progressive sophomore album, Critical Misunderstandings On The Precipice, came out recently and is deservedly notching some rave reviews. Here's one of the cuts, featuring a guest turn by Juno-winning vocalist Kellylee Evans.