Also this week: The launch of a new music non-profit in Hamilton, submissions open for Canada House at The Great Escape and the full lineup for Nova Scotia Music Week.
That is a milestone anniversary for the Toronto bar and venue that has played a crucial role in the city's Queen Street West music, theatre and art scene since launching in 1981. As a music venue it played a major role in launching the careers of such stars as Blue Rodeo, Molly Johnson, Handsome Ned, Leslie Spit Treeo, Justin Rutledge, Whitney Rose and countless others and it is still going strong today.
To celebrate, the family-owned Cameron House is presenting a blockbuster month of programming in October, featuring much-loved veterans alongside emerging artists who perform there regularly. That includes the Jim Cuddy Family Band, Gordie Johnson (of Big Sugar), Molly Johnson, The Sadies, David Celia and Laura Hubert, with the younger contingent including Doghouse Orchestra, Devin Cuddy, Rebekah Hawker, Corin Raymond and Sameer Cash.
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An official Cameron House birthday celebration with house band Ferraro & Devin Cuddy and special guests is set for Oct. 3 and there's a Zeus album release party on Oct. 8. The month of shows is rounded out by a Handsome Ned tribute night (featuring Lori Yates) on Oct. 31. See the full calendar here.
Festivals News
Music Nova Scotia has announced the final round of artists that complete the full lineup performing at Nova Scotia Music Week, taking place in Truro/We’kwampekitk, from Nov. 12-15, 2026. Notable names include Beauts Cameron Nickerson, KAYO, Nicole Ariana, Postfun, Rich Aucoin, Sadie Skinner and The Dusty Halos. Check the full lineup here.
– The first round of artists performing at Indie Week 2026 will take place in Ottawa from Nov. 12-14, with 55 artists performing at various venues. The first round of participating acts has been named and it includes artists from Ottawa and across Ontario, along with artists from Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Quebec, Brazil, Estonia and the UK. Indie Week is a curated music festival and conference connecting artists, industry and music fans.
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The first-round lineup includes artists from Ottawa and across Ontario, as well as from Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Quebec, Brazil, Estonia and the U.K. Three Brazilian acts named are Trampa, Two Silent Decades and Dona Cislene. Early Bird wristbands are available now here.
Industry News
CIMA will return to The Great Escape in Brighton, U.K. in May 2027. The trade org will be hosting Canada House showcases on site and providing business opportunities for participating Canadian companies. Apply for a showcase slot here. The fest and conference runs May 12-15.
– On Monday evening at the Mule Spinner, HOMA (Hamilton Original Music Association) was officially launched. This new non-profit aimed at boosting live music in the city has been created by musician/producer Glen Marshall, co-founder and current operator of the Mule Spinner. This performance space and recording studio is at the heart of the new org and it will host monthly music and networking events (the last Monday of every month) designed to give local musicians a new forum and place to connect. It is off to a great start, with the launch event attracting a large crowd that included such notable local artists as Lily Sazz, Pip Kummel, Tor Lukasik-Foss, Bob Bryden and Jack Syperek (The Trews). Performing there were Niagara Falls singer-songwriter Nicole Cerminara and a new duo project, King-Parisien. More information here.
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Artists News
The loss of veteran local music journalist Lenny Stoutein 2024 is still being felt on the Toronto scene. His partner, acclaimed jazz/R&B singer Joanne Powell Pike, pays tribute to Stoute in her new track,''Lay Your Head Down,'' released on Sept. 22, the second anniversary of Stoute's passing. Co-written by Powell and guitarist Mike Freedman, it features Heather Bambrick, Kim Doolittle and Jono Grant on backup vocals; Allison Young on tenor sax and Jono Grant on all other instruments. Grant also produced, arranged, mixed, and mastered the recording.The result is a powerful homage to a departed love. Stream the track here.
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– At the recent 12th annual Josie Music Awards at the legendary Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Atlantic Canadian pop-rock singer-songwriter Jon Mullane won an award for music video of the year — performance focused, male — for the clip for his song ''Remember In November.'' The video was directed by Halifax filmmaker Martin Noel and filmed in various scenic locations throughout Nova Scotia. With over 100,000 submissions this year, the JMAs are significant awards in the independent music community.
– Critically-acclaimed Toronto-based saxophonist Tara Davidson releases a new album, The Reflection of an Echo (under the name of Tara Davidson's Marni Project) on Oct. 2. It is her ninth recording as a bandleader and six of her eight albums as a leader or co-leader (Carn Davidson 9) have been nominated by the Junos for jazz album of the year. She won a Juno in this category in 2020 as a member of Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop. Her top notch accompanists on the new record are Florian Hoefner (piano and accordion), Dan Fortin (acoustic bass) and Ethan Ardelli (drums). The ensemble launch the album with four nights at Toronto jazz hub The Rex, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1-3. Stream the title track here.
– London, Ontario's Maggie's Wake have become rising stars in roots music. Group principals Tara Dunphy and Lindsay Schindler made a mark in earlier outfits including, respectively, The Rizdales and Trent Severn. They won a 2025 Canadian Folk Music Award, were recently signed by U.K.’s Strada Music International and are launching their sophomore album,Lifelines, at Hugh's Room Live in Toronto on Oct. 25. Tickets are available here. Their eclectic sound draws upon folk, Celtic and country. Folk star David Francey guests on the album, which is produced by noted Canadian veteran Paul Mills.
