By Kerry Doole
Industry news
CIMA has put out a call for submissions for its Business & Showcase Mission to FIMPRO 2024, Guadalajara, Mexico, Feb. 28 – March 2, 2024. Working with FIMPRO, CIMA, in partnership with Manitoba Music & MusicOntario, will organize the showcase and business initiative to Guadalajara, and CIMA will also organize a pre-event in Mexico City focusing on showcasing and networking for select mission participants. Applications are sought from export-ready Canadian independent companies with international experience. This opportunity is also open to showcasing artists who must be approved by the conference/festivals. Apply here by Nov. 24.
– Toronto streets are still buzzing with the knowledge that Neil Young and Crazy Horse recently managed to sneak into town for a secret Rivoli gig. The event, which was closed by The Arkells, was financed by Canada Goose co-founder, billionaire Dani Reiss, as part of his 50th birthday party, and the guest list was kept to the venue's 225 capacity. Andrew Bennett was one fan who caught wind of the November 4 celebration and stood behind the Rivoli stage doors with Stuart Sonshine, founder of the Young fan appreciation site Thrasher's Wheat. According to Bennett, the album Ragged Glory was played in its entirety - encored with Cinnamon Girl and Rockin' In The Free World - and Young had made the unusual request of having no alcohol being served in the building while he was performing. However, the rumour that Young's concert fee was a donation to The Bridge, which assists children with severe physical impairments and complex communication needs that was co-founded by the Toronto-born artist and his ex-wife Pegi, remains unsubstantiated. (Nick Krewen)
– On Nov. 16, the Four Chords and the Truth singer/songwriter showcase returns to TD Music Hall within the Allied Music Centre/Massey Hall complex in Toronto This bill comprises Stacey Ryan, Kyle McKearney, Candace Lacina and Mike Little (from The Hello Darlins), Dan Kanter, and host/curator Andrea England, plus a surprise guest or two. Tix here.
– The Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) have announced that their annual gala, Raising Our Voices, on Nov. 22, will feature Canadian artists Susan Aglukark (in person) and Alanis Morissette (virtually). More info here
– A GoFund campaign has been set up to assist Canadian country artist John (JK) Gulley. Earlier this month, he was severely injured during a game of pick-up hockey, fracturing his neck and dislodging vertebrae. He will be unable to work for some months, and he and his family need financial support. You can contribute here.
– The Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Song Exploder have announced Symphony Exploder: The Rite of Spring on April 4, 2024. The event features TSO Music Director Gustavo Gimeno in conversation with Hrishikesh Hirway — creator and host of the hit Netflix Series and Podcast Song Exploder — for the hit show’s first-ever live orchestral collaboration. Tix here.
– Toronto singer/songwriter and in-demand session vocalist Kathryn Rose has recently been earning international accolades and awards for her video, "Getting Along," a collaboration with Scott Dobson and Michael Phillip Wojewoda plus guest vocalist Julian Taylor. The clip recently won for Best Original Song and Best Director at the Prague International Music Video Awards, shortly after victories for Best Cinematography and Best Original Song at the Rome Music Video Awards.
– Last Sat., at The Corktown in Hamilton, Gene Champagne (The Killjoys, Teenage Head) headlined a potent rock 'n roll triple bill with his band The Un-Teens, alongside Spectacular Crash and Rocket and the Renegades. The night was a benefit for Hamilton Food Share, and Champagne reports it raised over $1K in cash and online donations and collected a pallet of food for the worthy charity.
– A Week of Sicilian Culture runs in Hamilton, Nov. 21-24, featuring a film, a play, and a notable guest speaker. The film, presented by Cinema Insieme, is La Stranezza, screening at he Playhouse Cinema on Nov. 21. Tix here. The play is the North American premiere of the live stage play The Disappearance of Majorana. presented on Nov. 23 and 24, with a crew and cast from Italy (tix here), and the guest speaker is Dr. Anthony Fauci, a world-renowned medical expert, who is featured at Liuna Station on Nov. 22. For tix call 905-522-7177.
Artists news
– Last week, Toronto indie rock heroes Lowest Of The Low trekked to Hamilton, attracting a full house to their show at Bridgeworks. Material from their new album, Welcome To The Plunderdome, was well-received, confirming that this is not a band mired in nostalgia. Of course, a few favourites from the classic LOTL album Shakespeare My Butt were reprised, prompting the crowd to burst into spontaneous singalongs. Low frontman Ron Hawkins was in fine form, and the show confirmed this is one of the few Canadian rock bands willing to tackle the social and political issues of the day. Bravo. LOTL play Onyx in Guelph on Dec. 15. Opening the show in spirited fashion was Orangeville's The Discarded, now beefed up to a quartet from its father and sons trio base.
– Canadian cellist Rufus Cappadocia is recognized as a true virtuoso of the instrument. At The Mule Spinner in Hamilton on Nov. 25, he presents Dreamscapes for solo cello, performing acoustic and electric music on modal compositions and improvisations drawing upon diverse musical traditions. Recommended. Tix here.
– East Coast pop songsmith Jon Mullane and popular veteran Alfie Zappacosta are teaming up for the Feels Like Christmas tour, heading to three Maritime cities this month: Fredericton (Nov. 23), New Glasgow, (Nov. 24), and Halifax (Nov. 25). Mullane has a new holiday album, Feels Like Christmas. Tix here.
– Vancouver-based synth-driven power-poppers Autogramm release their latest LP, Music That Humans Can Play, tomorrow (Nov. 17), on Stomp Records. Here's a new video for one of its tracks, shot and directed by Tyler McLeod on location at Sasquatch Mountain Resort in B.C..
