Music News Digest, Feb. 7, 2018
Arkells, Death From Above synced in Super Bowl, quadruple Juno nominee Jessie Reyez (pictured) set to perform on the show, along with Hedley and Daniel Caesar. Also making the news are CMW Awards, Whitehorse, Erin Costelo, Paul Simon, Sasquatch! Festival, C'est What, With Love, Shy Kids, and Chromeo. Videos included for your enjoyment.
By FYI Staff
Jessie Reyez, Daniel Caesar and Hedley have been announced as performers at the Juno Awards, to be held in Vancouver on March 25. Reyez is nominated for four trophies, Hedley three, and Caesar two. Michael Buble is the show host, and more performers are TBA.
– Last Gang/eOne had not one, but two synchs included in NBC's Sunday Super Bowl broadcast for two Canadian acts represented by the Canadian company in the US. First was Arkells' "Knocking at the Door" and Death From Above's "Freeze Me". The fact was not lost by the home-office team that blasted the news out on social media, generating even more notice for the bands. One can only imagine the financial reward that comes with this kind of network broadcast, and the massive promotional value to both acts and the company. Cheers to all!
– Nominations are now open for the 2018 Canadian Music and Broadcast Industry Awards. To be considered, companies are encouraged to submit their nominations online here. The deadline is Feb. 16. The awards are to be held May 10 at Rebel Nightclub in Toronto.
– Nominations are also now underway for the Allan Waters' Young Broadcaster of the Year Award in Honour of Steve Young. Now in its 10th year, this award recognizes Canada's outstanding young broadcasters, many of whom have gone on to major success. The winning recipient's travel, accommodation and CMW registration are paid for so they can receive this award in person. Anyone working in the industry can nominate any worthy broadcaster so long as they meet certain criteria. Deadline for entries is Feb. 16.
– There is no resting on any laurels for prolific roots duo Whitehorse. Yesterday they were nominated for a Juno in the Adult Alternative Album category, for Panther In The Dollhouse. After attending the Toronto press conference, the couple returned to the studio (Revolution Recording).
"We're recording The Northern South Volume 2," Melissa McClelland told FYI. This will be a sequel to their earlier EP of blues covers that won Whitehorse a Juno nomination last year. Look for some Slim Harpo, Howling Wolf, Jimmy Reed, and Willie Dixon songs on this one. "It's hard to get away from Willie Dixon," says Luke Doucet. "His songs are just so good."
– Nova Scotian soul singer Erin Costelo released her album Down Below, The Status Quo, in Canada in 2016, to critical kudos. It is soon to get a shot south of the border with a March 9 release on Compass Records. Costelo starts a short US tour, co-headlining with Shannon McNally, in Lexington, KY on March 21.
– Paul Simon has announced the North American dates for his swansong international trek, Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour. It kicks off at Vancouver's Rogers Arena on May 16, concluding in Nashville on June 20. The other Canadian dates are at Air Canada Centre in Toronto on June 12 and Bell Centre in Montreal on June 13.
– You can bet plenty of BC music fans will be heading over the border for the 2018 Sasquatch! Music Festival, May 25-27 at Washington's Gorge Amphitheatre. Live Nation has just announced the lineup, one featuring such big names as Bon Iver, the National, Modest Mouse, David Byrne, Tyler, the Creator, Ray Lamontagne, Anderson Paak & the Free Nationals, Spoon, and Neko Case. Canadian content includes Wolf Parade, Japandroids, Pup, The Weather Station, and Bread & Butter. Tix on sale Saturday.
– In a city in which music venues come and go at a rapid rate, Toronto's C'est What deserves real congrats for lasting 30 years. That milestone will be marked on Saturday (Feb. 10) with a musical party featuring local faves Blair Packham, Arlene Bishop, Stephen Stanley (Lowest Of The Low), Patrick Ballantyne, Adam Faux, Garage Baby, and C'est What staff band, Lamburger. That dish is this scribe's favourite on their menu.
– Toronto band Shy Kids release their sophomore album, In A State, Feb. 23 on Culvert Music. They preview it with a hometown Lee's Palace gig the night before and also have a New York City show set, March 25 at Baby's All Right. Here's the new video for the single, "I Was In New York."
shy kids - I was in New York from shy kids on Vimeo.
– Mental health is taking centre stage at a new event in Winnipeg tonight (Feb. 7). With Love, held at the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre, combines music and art in support of Inspire Community Outreach Inc., a local non-profit organization that supports provides to youth in Winnipeg living with mental health issues and neurological/cognitive differences. The event will feature Yes We Mystic, Blond as Lions, Vothra, and DJ Co-op alongside live art and dance.
– No release date has been set for Head Over Heels, the fifth full length from Montreal funksters Chromeo, but a spring/summer North American and European tour has been announced. It begins April 3 at The Commodore in Vancouver, closing out at Toronto's Danforth Music Hall on July 3. Fest dates include Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Primavera Sound. A full itinerary here. This new track features "The Dream".
