Music News Digest: The Reklaws Appear on 'America's Got Talent,' Canadian Artists Head to Germany for Reeperbahn

Festivals news

Presented by the Canadian Independent Music Association (CIMA), the Canada House showcase returns to Hamburg and Berlin, Germany this September for the 2024 edition of the Reeperbahn Festival & Conference. Uwe in Hamburg hosts (formerly Kukuun) once again for two full days of showcases on September 19 and 20 starting midday and running right through until midnight.

The impressive list of 24 Canadian artists performing there comprises: Altered By Mom // Ammoye // Aysanabee // Bibi Club // Bleeker // Cadence Weapon// Devarrowal // Dominique Fils-Aimé // DVTR // Grimelda // Hotel Mira // Housewife // Ila Barker // Jesse Roper // Katie Tupper // Logan Richard // Pallmer // Sebastian Gaskin // Shaela Miller // Slow Spirit // Spookey Ruben // Super Duty Tough Work // Tara MacLean and Yoo Doo Right.

Showcase presenting partners are Alberta Music, Manitoba Music, M for Montreal, Music BC, MusicOntario/Ontario Creates, Music New Brunswick, Music PEI, Paper Bag Records, SaskMusic and Quebec Creates/SODEC. Canadian companies attending Reeperbahn can partake in two days of pre-events in Berlin on Sept 16 and 17, followed by a Meet the Canadians matchmaking session, in conjunction with Reeperbahn, with German industry in Hamburg. More info here.

Industry news

– Music PEI Week has announced its 2025 dates as March 4-8, with the Awards Gala on the Main Stage at the Confederation Centre of the Arts closing things out. Other events include the Songwriter of the Year Concert and Music Mosaic. Award submissions open on September 16 and run through November 4. More info here.

– The National Music Centre (NMC) has announced the six participants in the OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator program for Indigenous musicians. They are Brettyn Rose, Darrian Gerard, Grace Clark, Jarrid Lee, Kaeley Jade, and Osani Balkaran, all hailing from Western Canada or The North. The program kicks off later this month, with these artists converging on Studio Bell for five days to learn new skills, connect with music industry experts and hone their craft and professional chops. The program culminates in a live showcase and reception on October 4 at Studio Bell. Tickets here.

– A reminder that the Music Pro Summit online music conference is set to run Sept. 10-12. It features 50+ industry expert speakers, 20+ sessions, B2Bs, meet-ups and more. Register here.

– Hit Canadian country duo The Reklaws recently ventured onto the America’s Got Talent TV show in a bid to boost their exposure Stateside. Siblings Stuart and Jenna Walker were eliminated from the competition last week after their quarterfinals performance of “Long Live the Night" failed to secure enough fan votes. Earlier on, the four judges praised their song “People Don’t Talk About." Next up for The Reklaws: The CCMAs on September 14.

– Massey Hall has announced this year’s performers for the Women's Blues Revue, an annual calendar highlight for Toronto blues fans. That list comprises renowned vocalists Diana Braithwaite, Tanika Charles, Kellylee Evans, Rebecca Hennessy, Meghan Parnell and Crystal Shawanda, all backed by the elite The All-Star Women’s Blues Revue Band. The show takes place on Nov. 29. Tickets here or via 416-872-4255. For artist bios and general event information visit the official Women's Blues Revue web page.

– ADVANCE, Canada’s Black Music Business Collective, in partnership with The City of Toronto and The Slaight Family Foundation, has announced Year 2 of The B.A.G. (Black ADVANCEment Grant), which will inject over $200,000 into Canada’s Black-owned for- profit and non-for-profit businesses. ADVANCE funds are meant to financially assist Black-owned business professionals and entrepreneurs that support the music ecosystem at large. The B.A.G gives organizations and corporations an opportunity to receive a maximum of $80K (50% of total budget). There are 3 grants categories: Emerging, Elevating, Established. The application deadline is Sept. 16. You can apply here.

– On Sept. 8 (4-9 p.m.), LOLA bar in Toronto’s Kensington Market hosts the 8^th annual Kensington Kittypants Fundraiser, aimed at supporting community members with the often challenging costs of veterinarian care for their pets. Created by the late Barbette Kensington, the event boasts a formidable musical lineup, including Finny McConnell (The Mahones, Ultrabomb), The Mad Housewives, D'Arcy Good w/ Simon Bedford-James, David Hines w/ Ed Michael Roth and Shawn Santalucia. More info here.

Artists news

– In recent years, Montreal rock band The Damn Truth has been concentrating its efforts on the U.K. and Europe, with significant success. It is now Canada’s turn as the fiery combo plays its first cross-Canada tour in five years. The trek began on Sept. 4 in Cornwall, continuing through Ontario (including a Sept. 6 Toronto show at The Redwood) and out west until Sept. 28. An Oct. 17 show in Halifax is followed by five more Ontario gigs, Nov. 13-17. Coming out on Sept. 6 is a new single and video, "Love Outta Luck," produced by hard rock hitmaker Bob Rock (Metallica, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi), taken from the self-titled new album coming early next year. Check tour dates and tickets here.

– On August 23, The Secret Beach, the project led by Prairie-based songwriter Micah Erenberg, released the album, We Were Born Here, What’s Your Excuse?, on Victory Pool. The group started an extensive North American tour on July 28 and it will arrive in Ontario next month. Those shows are at Sadleir House in Peterborough (Oct. 8), Collective Arts in Hamilton (Oct. 11) and The Baby G in Toronto, Oct. 12. Tickets can be found HERE. Of note: The new album is produced by famed U.S. producer Rob Fraboni (Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys).

– Montreal pop singer-songwriter Flara K (aka Sam Martel) is making moves. She signed a co-publishing deal with Red Brick Songs a couple of years ago and has been co-writing and featuring alongside acts such as Edwin Raphael, Claire Ridgely, Matt Rogers of Fleece and Poolboy of Clay & Friends. Flara K’s first releases have garnered over a million streams and secured significant placements. She has just released a new track, "Woman Like Me."

– Fans of '90s Canadian hard rock may be interested to learn that Sven Gali are returning to the fray with a comeback album, Bombs and Battlescars, releasing on Sept. 13. The group's self-titled 1992 debut went gold and helped earn two Juno nominations, while the hit single/video, "Under The Influence," won the MuchMusic Best Metal Video Award in 1993. The new album features three remastered unreleased tracks from the band’s 90’s vault, and a cover of Triumph’s “Spellbound,” produced by Andy Curran, of Toronto rock peers Coney Hatch.

– Montreal power pop outfit Dany Laj and the Looks have just released a new track, "Meet Me On the Floor." Known as true road warriors, the band return to touring this fall. They trek from Northern Ontario to BC with K-Man & The 45s starting this month through mid-October, and then head out on their own until the end of October in the U.S., followed by November Canadian dates with Paul Collins’ Beat. Check their schedule here.