Music News Digest, April 13, 2018
Director X enters the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame, Ottawa adopts its first official music strategy and iLLvibe readies his new album. Also in the news are SOCAN, the ECMAs, Great Lake Swimmers, Halifax Jazz Festival, Pharis & Jason Romero, Sawdust City fest, Quebecois composers, Andie Duquette, and Redstone Winery. Videos added for your enjoyment.
By Kerry Doole
The City of Brampton, Ontario, has named new inductees to the Brampton Arts Walk of Fame. The list includes top film and music video director, Director X (formerly Little X). He has helmed some of Drake's top videos, including "Hotline Bling," as well as clips for French Montana, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, and many more. In 2016 he received the Prism Prize’s Special Achievement Award. He recently directed the feature film Superfly for Sony, Columbia Pictures, out in theatres in June.
– Earlier this week, Ottawa City Council adopted the first official music strategy for the City of Ottawa. This marks a significant step forward towards Ottawa becoming a music city of national and international acclaim. The plan presents concrete steps that can be taken in the next three years to move us significantly towards these goals. The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) is proud to have been the City of Ottawa's lead partner in delivering the strategy. Download the full report here
– To help celebrate their 30th anniversary in style, the East Coast Music Association, in partnership with Downtown Halifax Business Commission, is hosting the ECMA Argyle Street Fest in Halifax on May 5. The free all-ages event includes performances by Jenn Grant, The Once, Dylan Menzie, City Natives, and Villages. It runs noon - 3 pm.
– Hotly-tipped Toronto hip-hop artist iLLvibe releases his new album Antigravity via Heavy Aux/Fontana North on April 20. He launches it that night with a show at The Smiling Buddha in Toronto, with all proceeds of the show going to a local women's shelter.
– Between April 10 and May 9, SOCAN members who earned royalties in the 2017 calendar year can cast their votes to elect the 2018-2021 SOCAN Board of Directors. All eligible voters can log into their SOCAN online account to vote. More info here
– Folk-rock favourites Great Lake Swimmers have named Aug. 17 as the release date for their next full-length album, The Waves, The Wake, out via Nettwerk. A teaser EP, Side Effects, is out today. The album was recorded in a 145-year-old church in London, ON, with Chris Stringer (Timber Timbre) producing. After spring dates in Ontario, GLS embark on a Western tour, Sept. 13- 29.Itinerary here
– An already strong lineup for the Halifax Jazz Festival has been beefed up by the just-announced additions of Alvvays, Chaka Khan, Matt Andersen and The Mellotones, Whitehorse, and Nicholas Payton. They join the previously named War on Drugs, Daniel Caesar, Charlotte Day Wilson and Land of Talk. The fest runs July 11-14, with most shows going on sale today (April 13). Check the sked here
– Juno-winning BC folk duo Pharis & Jason Romero release a new album, Sweet Old Religion, on May 18, and a video for the title track has been completed. Summer touring begins at Cowichan Performing Arts Centre in Duncan BC on May 11, and includes fest dates. Itinerary here
– Independent music dynamo Miranda Mulholland launched the Sawdust City Music Festival in Gravenhurst, ON, last year and has announced an encore. This year's edition runs Aug. 3-5, and early performers announced include Good Lovelies, Rose Cousins, and Royal Wood. Venues include the town's Opera House. Full details here
– Eleven SOCAN #ComposersWhoScore are nominated in the Best Original Score category of the 2018 Gala des artisans Québec Cinéma. The awards will be broadcast live on May 29 at 7:00 pm, on ICI ARTV and the radio-canada.ca website.
The nominated #ComposersWhoScore are:
Michael Silver for Boost; Gyan Riley (BMI), Terry Riley (BMI) pour Hochelaga, Terre des Âmes; Patrice Dubuc, Gaetan Gravel, et les Dead Obies : Charles-André Vincelette, Pierre Savu-Massé, Vincent Banville, Gregory Beaudin, Jonathan Quirion, Jean-François Ruel for Chien de garde; Bertrand Chénier for Le problème d’infiltration; and Pierre-Philippe « Pilou » Côté for Les Affamés.
– Montreal country artist Andie Duquette has been eliciting US interest in her latest album Here We Are. Spectra Music Group has inked Duquette to a full U.S.-based deal and will release the album there on April 20. A semi-finalist in La Voix back in 2013, she has been working with producer Tino Izzo (Celine Dion, Bobby Bazini).
– Redstone Winery in Beamsville, ON, has announced its summer concert lineup. The six-show series is launched by The Sadies on June 8 and includes Fred Eaglesmith (July 19), area native Ron Sexsmith (Aug. 2), Royal Wood (Aug. 23), and Skydiggers (Sept. 7).
