Music News Digest, April 8, 2019

By Kerry Doole

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has released the second episode of Juno TV’s docu-series, Rising. The online content series, funded by Ontario Creates, examines the creative process behind various up-and-coming Canadian artists. Ottawa rap artist Night Lovell feature in this one. He is one of Canada's most prominent underground artists with a large following in North America, Asia, and Europe. His early breakthrough track, Dark Light, has 24.4M YouTube views.

 – Over 100 international delegates from the US, Canada, UK, Europe, and Australia will descend upon Charlottetown, PEI for the 31st celebration of the East Coast Music Awards: Festival and Conference, May 1-5. This is the largest Export Buyers Program Delegation in ECMA history. A complete list of the delegates and the industry conference schedule is available here

 – Just added to the Mariposa Folk Festival: Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, Stars, and Jeremy Fisher. The fest runs July 5-7 in Orillia, ON. Details here 

 – A highlight of Drake's show at London's O2 arena on Friday night was the surprise appearance of J Hus, a British rapper who used the opportunity to announce he'd just been released from prison. Hus was incarcerated last December following a charge of carrying a knife in public. The Guardian reports that Drake told the crowd: “I need you to stand up, because [we’re] about to celebrate one of our brothers tonight.” J Hus then performed his 2017 hit, "Did You See."

 – Tucker Lane is a roots-rock combo led by Leslie Stanwyck and Johnny Sinclair, formerly of the beloved The Pursuit Of Happiness and Universal Honey. Based in Saskatoon, they're heading to Ontario soon for shows at Hamilton's This Ain't Hollywood on April 17 and Toronto's Cadillac Lounge on April 18. Recommended.

 – The third edition of Calgary’s 420 Music & Arts Festival runs April 18-20. The fest celebrates the 420 culture with a selection of stoner, sludge and psychedelic music. The main event takes place at the County Line Saloon (1825 50 St SE) and features Crobot, Valley of the Sun, Disenchanter, Mark Deutrom's Bellringer, The Grudge, Great Electric Quest and more. 

 – Ozzy Osbourne has postponed his 2019 tour dates due to complications from a fall suffered in February that required surgery. He's currently under doctor’s care in LA as he recovers from flu complications. Rescheduled shows will begin next Feb., with stops including Montreal, Hamilton, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Dates here. Source: Live For Live Music

–  And You Thought You Were Normal , a documentary film about Canadian cult favourite Nash The Slash, has met its financing goal of $40K through an IndieGoGo campaign. The film is co-directed by Tim Kowalski and former King Cobb Steelie mainman Kevan Byrne. Those appearing are expected to include Gary Numan and Danielle Dax.

 – Now in its eighth year, the Loud As Hell metal fest returns to Dinosaur Downs, Drumheller, Aug. 2-4. Headlined by Goatwhore, the bill includes Anciients, Cloven Hoof, Planet Eater, Untimely Demise, BornBroken, Arrival of Autumn and Legacy. Tix here

– Music PEI has opened submissions to showcase on the Music PEI stages at this year’s Halifax Pop Explosion (HPX) and M for Montreal (M4M) Events. The application deadline is April 24. Applications for HPX here and for M4M here.  

 – Folk-rocker Tim Moxam has just released his sophomore album Marlborough Hall via Roaring Girl Records, and he plays a Toronto hometown show on April 9 at the Burdock, followed by a run of Ontario dates. Further details here  

– Pop singer-songwriter Scott Helman recently played an SRO hometown show at the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto as part of his 2019 cross-Canada tour. During a set break, Warner Music Canada surprised Helman with his third Canadian Gold award plaque, for the 2018 single “Hang Ups.” Source: Music Canada

RIP 

Bill Isles, an original member of the chart-topping R&B group The O'Jays, died from cancer last month at his Southern California home. He was 78. His funeral was held on April 6.

Isles and his childhood friends in Canton, Ohio, formed The Mascots in 1958 before changing the name to The Triumphs and releasing a single in 1961. The band changed its name to The O'Jays after getting pivotal advice from a Cleveland DJ named Eddie O'Jay.

Isles was featured on songs including "Lonely Drifter" and "Lipstick Traces" before he quit the group in 1965. Duane Isles says his father was The O'Jays' tour manager between 1971 and 1974, when the group released its biggest hits, "Love Train" and "Back Stabbers."

The O'Jays were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Source: AP