Music News Digest: Stars Will Unite To Celebrate Robbie Robertson in a Tribute Produced by Martin Scorsese
Also this week: Ron Paley earns the Order of Manitoba, Canadian acts Naya Ali and Nap Eyes sign new deals, plus news on festivals and conferences throughout Canada.
Robbie Robertson
The legacy of Canadian music legend Robbie Robertson will be celebrated via a star-studded concert in Los Angeles, Life is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson, at the Kia Forum on Oct. 17.
Canadians Allison Russell and Daniel Lanois will perform, alongside other major names including Eric Clapton, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples, (three veterans of the famed The Band documentary film The Last Waltz), Elvis Costello, Noah Kahan, Lucinda Williams, Eric Church, Taj Mahal, Nathaniel Rateliff and Margo Price. Longtime Robertson friend and collaborator Martin Scorsese is producing the show.
Tickets go on sale to the general public through Ticketmaster on Friday at 10 a.m. PT.
Head here for more info and the full list of performers.
Awards news
– A legendary figure on the Winnipeg jazz scene, Ron Paley was awarded the Order of Manitoba at an investiture ceremony at the Manitoba legislature on July 25. Paley has played with such major stars as Frank Sinatra. Now age 73, he told Canadian Press that being made a member of the order came as an “absolute surprise.” “Ron’s impact on the jazz scene in this city can’t be underestimated,” said Angela Heck, executive director of Jazz Winnipeg.
Festivals news
– Known as one of Canada's best free music fests, the annual Kitchener Blues Festival has a typically strong lineup for this year's edition, set for Aug. 8-11. The blues tag is a mite misleading, given that acts this year include The Pursuit Of Happiness, Wintersleep, The Box, The Kings, Elliott Brood, The Cooper Brothers and Barney Bentall. Amongst those flying the blues flag there will be Colin Linden, Ken Whiteley, Johnny Rawls, Shawn Kellerman and Conor Gains. Check the full list of performers here.
An Aug. 8 Kick-Off show with Colin James (with Matt Weidinger opening) functions as a fundraiser for the free fest. Tickets here.
Industry news
– Highly-rated Ethiopian-born, Canadian-raised hip-hop artistNaya Alihas just been signed to the label and booking rosters of Montreal music company Bonsound. After making a mark with her first EP, 2017's Higher Self, Ali gained international attention with a two-album project, Godspeed: Baptism (Prelude), (2020) and Godspeed: Elevated (2021). The latter release earned her the prestigious English Album of the Year award at the 44th ADISQ Gala in 2022 and the Rap Album of the Year award at the GAMIQ that same year.
– A musically and lyrically adventurous critical favourite, East Coast rock bandNap Eyes have announced that a fifth album, The Neon Gate , will be released on Oct. 18. The group recently signed a record deal (for Canada) with top Toronto-based indie label Paper Bag Records. Here's an advance track.
–Applications are now open for CIMA's showcase and business mission to UK Americana Music Week, held in Hackney, London, Jan. 20-23. The business initiative will connect Canadian biz representatives with U.K. industry, media and buyers through one on one meetings, round table sessions and networking events during the conference. The mission includes a showcase opportunity at the event in partnership with various provincial music industry associations. Apply by Aug. 23 here. Learn more about UK Americana Music Week here.
– The Canadian Folk Music Awards are seeking jurors for their 2025 Awards. If you have a background in music adjudicating or are in the industry as an artist / producer / distributor, etc., and are interested in being considered for selection as a CFMA juror, visit the CFMA website for more information and application form here. The deadline to apply is August 7.
– August 15 is the new (extended) deadline for Early Bird Registration pricing for the 37th annual Folk Alliance International Conference,taking place in Montreal, Feb. 19-23, at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth hotel. The return of the premier folk/roots conference to Canada is a welcome one. Register for FAI 2025 here.
– On Aug. 1, online at 11 a.m., Indie Week presents a free online workshop, Songistry Sessions: It Starts With A Song. It is conducted by hit songwriter and producer Justin Gray, who has generated 8 billion streams and over 40 million units sold via tracks he has worked on. Register here
– Made possible by the Catapult Collaboration and Kinaxis, submissions are now open for On The Haus: free recording sessions for artists in the ArtHaus Studio. 10 selected artists will each spend time in the Toronto recording studio with an engineer from the ArtHaus community. Submissions here close on July 31.
– A reminder that registration for the Contact East 2024 conference is now open. The event runs September 26-29 in Charlottetown, PEI, and features artist showcases, presenter sessions, one-to-one meetings and more. Check the conference schedule here and register here.
Artists news
– Rather than just basking in the glory of having her song "Golden" opening the CBC Olympic coverage last week, acclaimed Toronto singer-songwriter Andrea Ramolo is prepping for a busy month of shows in August. After three performances in Ottawa (Aug. 8-10), she has concerts in Montreal, Toronto, Owen Sound and Peterborough. These shows feature Ramolo with renowned Italian ensemble Kalascima, with whom she collaborated on her 2023 album The South, one that served as the soundtrack of a documentary of the same name. Highly recommended. Check her itinerary here.
– Veteran Toronto rocker Andy Curran (Coney Hatch) has just reissued his 1990 debut solo album, Whiskey and the Devil, as a limited-edition 30th-anniversary release through SING. The album includes a newly recorded version of "Lookin' For Love," a track originally meant for the debut album.
– Three local Hamilton bands shared a fun bill at Clifford Brewery last Sat. night, presented by Steelore. After a rather shambolic yet entertaining opening set from duo Cicada, another duo, The Squids, took the stage. They comprise popular local personality Sammy Squid (two-string guitar and vocals) and drummer/backing vocalist Pete Lambert, and they delivered a minimal punk/garage rock set that played well. Alongside some well-chosen covers ("Wooly Bully" and a Cramps classic) were Squid originals about Italian cold cuts, plumbers, talking to squirrels and "Stugats."
The Responsibles comprise veterans of the Hamilton scene, including ace guitarist Paul Coombs. They impressed with a set featuring original material that fused garage rock, classic rock and blues styles, played with skill and verve.
– Folk songsmith Ian North is receiving a positive response to his new album, Everything Is Incomplete. A video for the title cut is now out, and he plays an album release concert on Aug. 4 at Couchiching Craft Brewery in Orillia. Tickets here.
