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FYI

Prism Prize Eligible Video - Marker Starling: Waiting For Grace

The 2020 Prism Prize for Best Canadian Music Video was awarded to Peter Huang, for his clip for Jessie Reyez's Far Away. We will continue to profile noteworthy Canadian videos, including this one from a Toronto cult favourite who has collaborated with two English stars.

Prism Prize Eligible Video - Marker Starling: Waiting For Grace

By External Source

The 2020 Prism Prize for Best Canadian Music Video was awarded to Peter Huang, for his clip for Jessie Reyez's Far Away. We will continue to profile noteworthy Canadian videos, including this one from a Toronto cult favourite who has collaborated with two English stars.


Marker Starling ft. Laetitia Sadier - Waiting for Grace

Marker Starling is a Toronto trio led by songwriter and musician Chris A. Cummings, and featuring bassist Matt McLaren, and drummer Jay Anderson. Cummings, formerly known as Mantler, joined together with McLaren and Anderson in 2012, forming Marker Starling.

From the age of 7 to 20, Cummings studied classical piano, which highly influenced his style of music in his later career. “Music is a form of expression; It’s how I express myself. If it comes from the heart, you can never go wrong," he explains.

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The same goes for his song for Waiting for Grace ft. Laetitia Sadier, with a video following suit. Shot on the Toronto waterfront in one afternoon, the video opens with picturesque and peaceful views of a city that is otherwise loud and hectic. The video follows Cummings on a boat with a bouquet of flowers hoping to find a saving grace. It’s beautifully shot and gives you a perspective that you may otherwise not have on life and love. Of note: Sadler is a member of critically acclaimed English group Stereolab, while another top English musician, Sean O'Hagan (High Llamas) produced the track.

Video directed by Colin Medley

With Chris A. Cummings and Laetitia Sadier

Audio Production:

Produced by Sean O’Hagan

Written by Chris A. Cummings (SOCAN)

Engineered by Andy Ramsay

Mixed by Sean O’Hagan and Andy Ramsay

Recorded at Press Play Studios, London

Additional recording by Mason Le Long at The Tin, Coventry

Arranged by Everybody

Title card by Sharmila Banerjee

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Mastered by Noel Summerville at 3345 Mastering

Connor Blundell – backing vocals

Joe Carvell – bass

Chris A. Cummings – piano, Rhodes electric piano, vocals

Mason Le Long – backing vocals

Euan Rodger – drums

Andy Whitehead – guitar

Laetitia Sadier – guest vocalist

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Intro

Billboard Canada 2025 Power Players List Revealed

By Richard Trapunski, Rosie Long Decter, Peony Hirwani, Stefano Rebuli and Heather Taylor-Singh

Billboard Canada Power Players is back for a second year, and it comes at a pivotal time for Canadian music. Canadian Content regulations – a principle that built the domestic industry – are up for review for the first time in a generation, with ongoing hearings taking place with the CRTC. The Online Streaming Act, meanwhile, is attempting to regulate major foreign streaming services to contribute to CanCon as the CRTC once did for radio, but companies like Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music aren't taking it without a fight.

Those issues shadow the industry, which has both struggles and successes. The country was recently named the 8th largest music market in the world by the IFPI and Toronto has emerged as a marquee live music market. That's been reflected in the successes and investments in new venues by companies like Live Nation Canada, MLSE and Oak View Group, though some festivals and promoters outside of their orbit have gone public with their own struggles.

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