Music News Digest: Stars Add Anniversary Dates for 'Set Yourself On Fire,' SOCAN Foundation Announces Young Songwriter Award Winners
Also this week: Nova Scotia Music Week, Deadmau5 to headline Contact Winter Music Festival, tributes to Rick Rose and Tommy Banks and more.
Stars (live at Ogden Theatre)
Awards news
For the sixth consecutive year, the SOCAN Foundation has revealed the winners of its annual award for young Canadian songwriters aged 21 and under, sponsored by SiriusXM Canada. Five young creators each received a $5,000 prize, while five other songwriters named Ones to Watch earned a $1,000 prize each.
The winners of the Young Canadian Songwriter Awards are Custie, DAPHNE, Kateryna Grace, Maude Sonier and Miss McLeod. Read more about the winners and hear their songs here.
Festival News
– Music Nova Scotia has added three special events to the Nova Scotia Music Week (NSMW) 2024 schedule. The Youth Showcase will take place on Friday, November 8 at The Old Orchard Inn’s Heritage Barn (Support4Culture Artist Lounge, doors open at 3:30pm). Those performing will be Alaina Therese, Chloe Rudolph, The Sh!t Goblins and Ziahz. Free for all passholders to attend.
The late-night stage returns to NSMW, November 7 and 8. MNS will host a lottery-style draw for showcasing artists and festival attendees alike to submit their names for the opportunity to play a 15 min set at The Old Orchard Inn’s Orchard Hall (doors open at midnight). Finally, the NSMW Closing Party takes place Nov. 9, also at The Orchard Hall with a performance by Rankin MacInnis & The Broken Reeds, featuring special guests. It is only open for all artist, delegate, and VIP pass holders to attend, subject to venue capacity. See the full festival schedule at nsmw.ca/festival-schedule
–California’s Seven Lions and Canadian electronic music star provocateur deadmau5 have been announced as the headliners for this year’s two-day Contact Winter Music Festival in Vancouver. Support for the 13th edition includes Eli Brown, Netsky, James Hype, Armnhmr, Bijou b2b Nostalgix, Max Styler, Seb C, Steph Tsunami, Joanna Magik, and Jaemo. The fest takes place at the Vancouver Convention Centre, December 27-28. Tickets to the general public are now on sale here.
Industry news
– The Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA) hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Oct. 24, welcoming members and industry stakeholders to observe the virtual election of the 2024-2027 Board of Directors. Board Chair Tim Potocic highlighted several key points from the last year, including funding challenges, the second annual Make it Music conference and an announcement that 2025 would celebrate CIMA's 50th anniversary. President Andrew Cash provided an update on the association’s initiatives and achievements over the past year, while offering insights into its strategic direction moving forward.
Members re-elected the following incumbent Directors to new 3-year terms: Kesi Smyth (604 Records), Kieran Roy (Arts & Crafts), Sandy Pandya (ArtHaus Media Inc / ArtHaus Community) and Shauna de Cartier (Six Shooter Records). Newly elected to the Board this year is Jeff Nedza (Cadence Music Group).
These Directors will be joining incumbents:
- Tim Potocic (Sonic Unyon Records)
- David Cox (CLK Creative Works)
- Simon Mortimer-Lamb (Nettwerk Music Group Inc.)
- Gord Dimitrieff (Aporia Records)
- Justin West (Secret City Records)
- Amanda Rheaume (Ishkode Records)
- Gourmet Délice (Bonsound)
- Meagan Davidson (Tiny Kingdom Music)
- Susan de Cartier (Starfish Entertainment)
- Daniel Turcotte (Monstercat)
In the weeks ahead, the newly elected Board will also appoint two additional Directors to one-year terms, with a focus on addressing imbalances and gaps in diversity.
– Set for Nov. 7 at Big Texas Niagara in Niagara Falls, ON, Dreaming Out Loud: A Songwriter's Tribute to Rick Rose pays homage to the late Rick Rose, a noted singer/songwriter and music school operator in the Niagara region. The event celebrates his life and work, and features guest appearances from some prominent musical comrades. Tickets here. Read about Rose in this Billboard Canada obituary.
Artists news
– Earlier this week, veteran Canadian indie rock favourites Stars announced an extension of North American tour dates in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their much-loved 2004 album, Set Yourself On Fire. The Juno-nominated release has sold platinum in Canada, and a special 20th Anniversary reissue is now available digitally and on vinyl via Arts & Crafts. Following a run of predominantly sold out shows this fall, Stars will continue on the road early next year, beginning with two shows at Racket in New York City, Feb. 6 and 7, and including April dates in Halifax, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary. See the full itinerary here. Tickets on sale Friday Nov. 1 here
– Tryptique is a new trio comprising three highly-regarded veterans of the Toronto jazz and world music scene, Fern Lindzon, Colleen Allen and George Koller. Lindzon describes the group as "a chamber ensemble with a diverse musical landscape and influences from Baroque to World music, standards, originals and music by Canadian composers." A self-titled debut album will be released on Nov. 15 on Koller's label, ZSAN Records, preceded by a performance at at the Jazz Bistro in Toronto on Nov. 14. Album streaming links here.
– On Nov. 22, The National Music Centre (NMC) in Calgary presents a star-studded evening of jazz in Studio Bell. The Senator: A Tribute to Tommy Banks is a concert by the acclaimed Hutchinson Andrew Trio, one serving as a tribute to legendary Canadian jazz artist (and Senator) Tommy Banks. It features special guests Al Muirhead, Pj Perry, Mallory Jane Chipman, Dave Laing and Jens Lindemann, all performing some of Banks' favourite tunes and originals inspired by his legacy. In 2023, Hutchinson Andrew Trio released a tribute album, also entitled The Senator: A Tribute to Tommy Banks, on independent jazz label Chronograph Records. Concert tickets on sale here.
