Also this week: book store Sellers & Newell launches Lit Soc record label, Iceland Music comes to Canada, St. Michael’s Choir School celebrates 60 years at Massey Hall and more.
Alexisonfire are set to release House of Strombo (LIVE in Toronto, ON 2019) on Friday, Nov. 28, arriving digitally and on a range of limited physical formats to coincide with Record Store Day Black Friday. An intimate 2019 performance for the House of Strombo series, the set finds the band ripping through a career-spanning selection of songs. The artist exclusive variant will be available exclusively on Alexisonfire's webstore starting Nov. 28 at 10 am ET. The Dine Alone Exclusive will be available in-person at the Dine Alone Store (864 Eastern Ave., Toronto) on Nov. 28 between 9 am – 6 pm ET. Remaining stock will be sold on Dine Alone’s webstore on Nov. 29 at 10am ET. Here is a streaming link.
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Dine Alone Records is also releasing other new vinyl titles on Nov. 28, available in-store only at their Toronto store, prior to moving online on Nov. 29 at 10 am EST. More info here.
Festivals News
Toronto's biggest electronic and dance music festival VELD has just announced its 2026 lineup. Amongst those set to take to multiple stages at Toronto's Downsview Park, July 31 to Aug. 2, are Above & Beyond, Armin van Buuren, KX5 (deadmau5 & Kaskade), BeauzBlack Tiger Sex Machine | Boys Noize, Panteros666, Paper Skies, SLANDER, James Hype, Level Up, Levity, Charlotte de Witte, Malaa’s Alter Ego and many more.
Fans can sign up now at VeldMusicFestival.com for pre-sale access beginning today (Nov. 26) at 10 am ET, ahead of the general on-sale on Nov. 27, at 10 am ET. Read about VELD's 2025 edition here.
Industry News
CIMA has put out a call for applications to its business & showcase mission to FIMGDL 2026, February 25-28, in Guadalajara, Mexico. This is the trade org's sixth mission to Mexico surrounding the FIMGDL festival and conference, considered one of the most important music conferences in Mexico and Latin America. It features showcases and business sessions and meetings with important players in the local, national and international music industries including guests and speakers from all Latin American countries. It attracts over 1000+ professionals, primarily representatives of the independent industry. Apply here by Dec. 12.
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– Applications are now open here for Music BC's Artist and Business Travel Grants. Intake #1 supports eligible travel activities taking place between October 1, 2025 - March 31 2026. Intake #2 accepts applications from March 12, 2026.
– Last Friday, Jazz Bistro in Toronto was the setting for a music industry reception hosted by Iceland Music. It was partially aimed at promoting Record in Iceland, an initiative by Iceland Music in which foreign bands who record there can secure a refund of 25% of many of the costs, including travel. More info here. Some Canadian artists have reportedly already taken advantage of this program. The event also helped spread the word about the Reykjavik Jazz and Iceland Airwaves festivals, with fest reps in attendance.
The party also featured a super set by Icelandic jazz duo of renowned bassist Skuli Sverrison (he has worked with Bill Frisell, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed and more) and saxist Oskar Guðjonsson (ADHD), who came directly off a flight from Tokyo and fought off jet lag to deliver mellow stylings.
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A full house featured such industry notables as NXNE head Michael Hollett, Brian Hetherman, Richard Flohil, broadcasters Errol Nazareth and Walter Venafro, Toronto Jazz Festival head Josh Grossman, singer-songwriters Amanda Martinez and Lindy Vopnfjord (he has played the Airwaves Festival) and jazz musicians Dan Fortin, Drew Birston, Allison Au and Juno winner Ernesto Cervini. The reception was hosted by Siggi Baldursson, a founding member and drummer of '80s band The Sugarcubes, the first Icelandic group to grab international attention. They're best remembered as being led by Bjork, who coincidentally turned 60 on the same day as the party. In her honour, the DJ played a rare song, the debut 1977 single of a preteen Bjork (no, it's not a hidden gem!).
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– Toronto bookstore Sellers & Newell has long presented live music in many genres, but especially various forms of jazz and improvised music. In that latter category, it has hosted the likes of cellist Peggy Lee, Lori Freedman, Lina Allemano, John Oswald, Rob Clutton, Nick Fraser, Grammy-nominated bassist Stephan Crump, Canadian jazz legend Don Thompson and more.
Now S&N has branched out with the new Lit Soc Records label, featuring music recorded at their cozy 600 square foot storefront. Lit Soc's 001 catalogue number goes to a trio led by saxophonist and composer Patrick Smith and featuring guitarist Dan Pitt and drummer Lowell Whitty. Words Underlined comes out Dec. 12 on CD and digitally.
Artists News
Montreal folk-pop singer-songwriter Theo Day recently released a debut EP, Homegrown, launched via a reportedly successful performance at L’Escogriffe in Montreal. Advance cuts "Somewhere Shallow" and “Medicine Cabinet" scored strong streaming numbers and steady rotation on CBC Radio Canada and SiriusXM. Day is set to play an acoustic Toronto showcase at Encounter Studios in Toronto as part of POPCYCLE Live on Nov. 27. Tickets here. Here is a new focus track, "Little White Lies." .
– The holiday concert season is now upon us and lovers of choral music in Toronto have some excellent options. St. Michael’s Choir School is marking its 60th anniversary at Massey Hall with a Christmas concert, REJOICE! Jubilee Celebration, on Dec. 13. It will bring together more than three hundred male singers for an evening of music that blends seasonal favourites with global influences. Selections will be sung in Latin, German, English, Zulu, Yoruba and more. Tickets here.
– Also recommended is the
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Upper Canada Choristers’ Christmas concert, This Little Child, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. at Grace Church on-the-Hill, 300 Lonsdale Road, Toronto. Featuring carols and other seasonal music from the 15th century to the 21st, it has Laurie Evan Fraser conducting the mixed-voice choir and its Latin ensemble Cantemos, with pianist Hye Won (Cecilia) Lee and guest harpist Liane James. Tickets, $30, may be purchased from Eventbrite or at the door. The concert also streams live via the choir’s website.
