Music News Digest: Canadian Artists Valence, Jon Mullane & Jay Douglas Earn Awards

Awards news

The Grand Théâtre de Québec and its partners, the City of Québec, Solotech and De la Létourneau, are awarding the inaugural Bourse Karim-Ouellet to singer/songwriter Valence (Vincent Dufour). The prize was created last Sept., in memory of the late Quebec City-based singer-songwriter Karim Ouellet. It awards a $7,500 cash prize, plus consulting and publicity services from communications firm, and the opportunity for a paid performance at the Grand Théâtre de Québec in 2024. Applications for next year’s Bourse Karim-Ouellet open on Aug. 30, with a Dec. 1 deadline.

- Atlantic Canadian pop-rock singer/songwriter Jon Mullane has won the Best Male Solo Artist Award at the 2024 California Music Video & Film Awards, for his video for "The Sun in the Summertime." The video will be also spotlighted on TasteTV's television series, MUSIC CALIFORNIA, and on SHORT FILMS ON, both appearing on various PBS-affiliates in the U.S.. The retro beach inspired video for The Sun in the Summertime was shot on Bayswater Beach in Nova Scotia. Fittingly, Mullane's current EP is entitled California.

- The trophy case for beloved Toronto reggae/soul artist Jay Douglas keeps filling up. Earlier this month he was recognized with The Bob Marley Day Humanitarian Lifetime Award, followed soon after the Helen-Mabel-Rose Foundation Stone Award. The latter honour recognizes individuals whose work and ideas build community and lift consciousness. Douglas received the award at a Black History Month event at Verity Centre For Better Living in Toronto.

Industry news

- On March 13, Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom hosts a star-studded event termed A Celebration of Love for popular veteran local booking agent and artist manager Rob Pattee, of RPM Music Services. He has been diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, and his comrades and clients are saluting him with this concert. The lineup comprises Crystal Shawanda (managed by Pattee), Wide Mouth Mason, Daniel Powter, Hot Hot Heat, Washboard Union and Karen Lee Batten. Tickets here.

- Presented by CIMA, Alberta Music, Manitoba Music, MusicOntario, Music Nova Scotia & SaskMusic, the Canada House showcase at AMERICANAFEST 2024 will take place on Sept. 20. This is an opportunity for 8-9 Canadian bands to showcase to festival delegates and attendees, and submissions are now being accepted until May 3 here.

- One of the most prolific Canadian independent record labels, We Are Busy Bodies has just announced the launch of its new family music imprint, Busy Buddies, with the Feb. 29 release of A Song For Ira, the debut album by Harold and Ruth. The label describes the record as “a concept album featuring eight songs about growing up Jewish in Toronto with sounds of folk, rockabilly and some familiar tunes mixed in.” It is written and composed by Toronto artists Eric Warner (he is WABB’s main man) and Jason Craig.

- Showcase Applications are now open for Folk Music Ontario, described as “Canada’s largest annual conference devoted to the folk, roots, and traditional music community.” This year’s event will be held in Mississauga, from Oct. 3-6. International artists and artists based outside of Ontario are eligible to apply and showcase. The deadline to apply here is March 13.

Artist news

Next week, veteran Quebec metal band Voivod and American band Prong begin an extensive co-headline tour across North America. It runs Feb. 28 to March 24, with a March 6 date at Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom the only Canadian date set. Voivod recently released a 40th anniversary album, Morgöth Tales, via Century Media Records worldwide. Just out is a live video for one of its tracks, “Rebel Robot."

- Noted folk combo Vishtèn Connexions (Emmanuelle LeBlanc and Pascal Miousse) has been making a mark by releasing collaborative tracks and videos featuring some top Canadian artists. The latest is "Sauvage," with Juno-winning folk star Catherine MacLellan. Check it out here.

- Toronto singer/songwriter Andrea Ramolo has just released a new single, "Golden." She tells Billboard Canada that "it was born out of a very cool initiative spearheaded by the Songwriter's Association of Canada, Lisa Patterson, and Beau Cassidy to get more female and bipoc artists into networking, producing, and collaborative writing sessions over at Universal Studios in Toronto. It is a co-write between myself, Shanika Maria, and Anastasiya Petrova. Produced, mixed, and engineered by Ocevnside Clvb. Stream the track here.

- The popular Ontario-based folk trio Boreal comprises three acclaimed singer/songwriters (Katherine Wheatley, Tannis Slimmon, Angie Nussey), and they take the stage on March 9 with their show Songs of Renewal. This is Mariposa In Concert’s final show of the 2023-24 season and it takes place at St. Paul’s Centre, 62 Peter Street North, Orillia. Tickets here.

- Ontario guitarist/composer Terry Gomes has released a new track, "Eeza Gomes." The catchy mambo pop tune is dedicated to his late Guyanese aunt. The warm, sunny vibe is a nice tonic in these dog days of winter.