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Blue Rodeo stamp
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Artists News
Music News Digest: Blue Rodeo Get Stamped, Just For You Music Launches with Gord Bamford Publishing Deal
Also this week: The Broken Social Scene documentary gets U.S. distribution, the Springtide and Roots North festivals announce lineups and more.
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Veteran Toronto roots-rock hitmakers Blue Rodeo have just received their own commemorative stamp from Canada Post, one honouring their contribution to Canadian music history. The stamp was launched at an invite-only event at The Opera House in Toronto, one featuring Whitehorse, Sam Polley and Fraser covering Blue Rodeo songs and reportedly plenty of schmoozing. The stamp depicts the current lineup of Blue Rodeo, led by co-founders-singer-songwriters Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy, alongside Mike Boguski, Jimmy Bowskill, Colin Cripps, Bazil Donovan and Glenn Milchem.
– Just For You Music (JFYM), a newly launched independent music publishing company, has announced its first signing: Canadian country artist and songwriter Gord Bamford. He has been inked to a global music publishing deal by JFYM founder and head Chris Giansante. He was a former senior executive and director overseeing the global finance and operations of ole, which was rebranded as Anthem Entertainment.
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“Chris and I have worked together before during his time at ole, and I’ve always respected his passion for supporting songwriters and championing great country music," Bamford says. "Songwriting has been at the heart of my career, and I know that with Just For You Music, I’m in the right hands to help take my music to new heights."
Bamford is a 26-time CCMA Award winner and 2-time CMA Global Country Artist Award recipient, and has registered over 100 million radio streams, 28 Top 10 singles, and multiple platinum and gold-certified albums. Back in 2020, Billboard Canada FYIreported that Bamford had signed both a recording and publishing deal with ole/Anthem.
Awards News
The 5th annual Canadian Sync Awards will be held as part of the Departure festival and conference in Toronto on May 6 at Annabel's Music Hall. The event will feature the inaugural THE HUEY Award, created to honour David Hayman, and is presented to an aspiring music supervisor who has a passion for the craft. All aspiring music supervisors from across the country are encouraged to apply by May 17. The Award will grant the recipient opportunities to speak with established Canadian music supervisors to learn the basics of the job. It will also include a $1,500.00 CDN honourarium. More info here.
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Festivals News
The main stage line-up for Roots North Music Festival, set to run in downtown Orillia, April 24-27, comprises Royal Wood, Jully Black, Nicolina, Gracie Ella and James Gray, all performing at St. Paul's Orillia and a full announcement of auxiliary venues is coming soon. Weekend main stage passes on sale now here.
– Springtide Music Festival in Uxbridge, Ontario, has just revealed the next wave of artists for the 2025 festival lineup taking place June 12-14. The event will kick off with a launch party on Thursday, June 12 at St. Andrew’s – Chalmers Church with Toronto soul band Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar, Plains Cree singer-songwriter Wyatt C. Louis, and local jazz artist Whitney Ross-Barris. New this year, Springtide is offering single venue ticket options for featured mainstage, matinee, and after-party showcases. The impressive lineup includes Päter, Casper Skulls, Cuff The Duke, Reuben & The Bullhorn Singers, Quique Escamilla, The Pairs, Lindy Vopnfjord, Sarah Beatty, Status/Non-Status, Torrance, The Burning Hell, Your Mom, Altered by Mom, Casper Skulls, Hollowsage & the Three Mile Islanders and Lost Faculty. More info here
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Industry News
It’s All Gonna Break, the well-received Canadian film documentary portrait of Toronto indie rock heroes Broken Social Scene, is now headed Stateside. Cargo Film & Releasing has picked up U.S. distribution rights to the doc, and, starting in May, It’s All Gonna Break will kick off a multi-city theatrical run with special event screenings across the U.S. Produced by Fathom Films, It’s All Gonna Break will debut on Crave in Canada following its U.S. theatrical run. It features deep archival footage and exclusive interviews with BSS members Kevin Drew, Feist, Emily Haines, Brendan Canning and more, exploring the band’s impact on indie rock and its lasting cultural influence.
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– The spring edition of the CBC Music Class Challenge presented by MusiCounts is now open. Educators from across Canada are invited to teach their students a Canadian song from a provided list for a chance to win prizes for their classes. The top 10 will be announced on Monday, June 2, and the winners and runners-up will be announced a week later. on Monday, June 9. Register here.
– Music PEI has announced June 30 as the next deadline for its Investment Program. Info and application forms here
– 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the Victoria Cougars’ 1925 Stanley Cup win. To mark the occasion, veteran rocker Thor has teamed up with Al Harlow, of Prism fame, for a cover of “Victoria” by The Kinks. Thor has also launched a limited-edition Victoria 1925 sportswear line, with merch available online and in select Vancouver shops including Neptoon Records. More info here.
Artists News
Last week, Mills Hardware in Hamilton hosted a double bill of highly talented, though under-valued, singer-songwriters. Leading off with a solo set was Katie Cruel (aka Kate Boothman), an artist who has recorded under different guises, including Sunbear. Leading off with the song behind her stage name, she focused on material from last year's album, Lost Vagus, impressing with eloquent songs delivered via a clear and strong voice, one with just enough grit to hold your attention. Her witty and charming stage banter is another plus.
Boothman then did double duty by adding backing vocals for Kandle. Now Montreal-based, Kandle's sound is more art-rock, than rootsy, and her dramatic vocal delivery and stage presence are compelling. She featured material from her recent independent album her fifth and one she co-produced and co-wrote with guitarist Jeff Mitchell. One humorous note: Apologizing for her name, Kandle blamed "my hippie parents." As her fans know, she's the daughter of 54-40 frontman Neil Osborne, and the pair collaborated on a duo album, A Family Curse, in 2022.
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