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Music News Digest: Indie Week 2026 Launches in Ottawa, TuneCore Names Tash Shah VP of Global Marketing
“TuneCore has always been a space for artists to distribute their music, but we know their journey begins long before that moment and continues far beyond it," she says. "I'm so excited to step into this role at a time when supporting that journey means more than ever, and look forward to leading our Global Marketing team as we build a brand that not only serves as an intrinsic part of the artists' creative community, but also helps them succeed on their own terms.”
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Miller adds, “Independent artists who are already building an audience need more than a place to upload music. They need a partner that helps them grow. Tash has spent three years understanding what those artists need, and she has the vision to make TuneCore the platform they choose to build their careers on. I’m excited to see her lead our global marketing team into this next chapter.”
Shah joined TuneCore in 2023 as vice president, international, where she led international strategy, held P&L responsibility for each market, and managed a world-class team of heads of TuneCore across 17 countries in Europe, APAC, LATAM and Africa. In her new position, Shah leads worldwide marketing strategy, spanning brand and creative, customer acquisition, lifecycle and retention and product marketing.
Tash Shah
— Indie Week is getting ready to roll in Ottawa. From Nov. 12-14, it presents three nights of showcases and two days of conference. Activities kick off on Nov. 12, 5-7 pm, with a pre-party and networking mixer at Lowertown. The free event features guest speakers David Silbaugh (Summerfest, USA), Marty Ro (WIN / Sound Republica, Korea) and André Noblat (COMA Festival / CEP, Brazil). RSVP here. The same venue hosts the official opening party at 7 pm, with showcasing artists including Emma Lamontagne, Emma Whale, Trampa, Spring Colours, CHASE THE BEAR, Merv xx Gotti, Leepeck, Michael Blakey, Winter Wilson. Paul Woida and Saving Pigeons. Check the full Indie Week schedule here.
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An Indie Week pre-party and artist showcase is also being held at The Rivoli in Toronto on Nov. 11. The musically diverse bill comprises Saskatchewan singer-songwriter Merv xx Gotti, pop-rock songstress Siobhan Bodrug, ECMA winner Andre Pettipas, Brazilian hard rockers Trampa (an Indie Week favourite) and post-hardcore outfit Ghostform. Tickets here.
Awards News
Music PEI has announced the Confederation Centre of the Arts as the presenting partner of Music PEI Week 2027, taking place February 26 to March 6.
Award nominees will be announced on Nov. 17, with more festival announcements to follow. More info here.
Industry News
Music Nova Scotia presents the return of the late night stage at Nova Scotia Music Week. Held at the Inn On Prince Truro’s Elm/Oak Room ,after showcases run from midnight to 2 am on Nov. 12 through Nov. 14. Artists appearing are Mat Hughes (Nov. 12), The Ordeals (Nov. 13) and The Smith Sisters (Nov. 14).
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— CIMA has put out a call for applications for its business mission to Eurosonic 2027, set for Jan.13-16, Groningen, Netherlands. The deadline to apply here is December 4. Learn more about Eurosonic here.
— Blue Jay Sessions has announced the second iteration of its newly introduced residency program, taking place in Banff. From Nov. 23 to 27, Canadian singer-songwriters Lucette, Alex Hughes, Kaiya Gamble and Annika Catharina will spend five days at the Mount Royal Hotel, writing new material in a collaborative environment. The week will culminate on Friday, Nov. 27, the week culminates with a public showcase in the Alberta Room, where all four artists will debut their newly written songs alongside popular favourites from their respective catalogues.
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— The fourth session of Let's Talk Burnout takes place at Hugh's Room Live in Toronto on Nov. 16 with the goal of boosting mental health in the music industry. The evening begins with an intimate performance by folk/roots star Tony Dekker (The Great Lake Swimmers) who then joins moderator Catherine Harrison (Revelios) for a real-talk conversation, along with other industry panelists from across the industry. The free event begins at 7 pm. Register here.
— Toronto impresario and filmmaker Jaymz Bee is hosting three screenings of his debut feature film, Magic Land, in Toronto this month. One was held at Fox Theatre on Monday and the next takes place on Nov. 11 at The Royal. Tickets here. There will then be a screening at Redwood Theatre in Toronto on Nov. 20. The film stars singer Irene Torres with cameos by such local musicians as John Finley, Great Bob Scott, Melleny Melody, Lori Cullen, Denielle Bassels, Barbra Lica, Robert Priest, Serafin LaRiviere, Ori Dagan, Vezi Tayyeb, Fred Spek, Bill McBirnie, Joanna Majoko, Sophia Perlman and Whitney Ross Barris. Check out the soundtrack here.
Artists News
Former co-founder of indie rock heroes The Lowest Of The Low, Stephen Stanley has since blossomed into an eloquent rootsy singer-songwriter. Backed by his drummer-less acoustic combo, No Electric, he is currently playing an eight-date tour of Ontario and Quebec, launched last Thursday at Clifford Brewery in Hamilton. Opening the show was Toronto singer-songwriter Jennifer Foster. Her set was primarily focused upon her recently-released album Powerlines, a highly personal record featuring reflections upon family and her upbringing on a New Brunswick farm. These were enhanced by her between-song stories about the subject matter, while her emotionally expressive vocals were neatly framed in David Celia’s guitar work.
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Foster later guested on a few songs by Stanley and his ace group, one he termed ''my dream band.'' It comprised bassist Jason Mercer (Ron Sexsmith,) guitarist Chris Bennett and Michael O’Grady (The Mahones) on accordion and tinwhistle. The latter’s work added a Celtic folk tinge to some of Stanley’s eloquent compositions. Stanley’s set featured material from across his post-Low career, including favourites ‘’Jimmy & The Moon,’’ ''Under The Mynah Bird'' and ‘’The Troubadour's Song,’’ as well as a preview of an upcoming single, ‘’Next To My Heart.'' Another set highlight was a rousing (and timely) version of the Clash classic ''I'm So Bored With The USA.'' Check here for upcoming Stanley shows.
— Perla Batalla is an internationally-acclaimed NYC-based singer-songwriter best known as a longtime backing singer for Leonard Cohen. She will pay tribute to her close friend and musical mentor with a Cohen-themed concert at the Richmond Hill Centre (10269 Yonge St.) on Nov. 24. Batalla informs Billboard Canada that ‘’the event is is a special celebration of the new Schroeder Ambulatory Centre, a facility funded by a famous Canadian philanthropist who is a big Leonard fan.’’ More info here.
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— The Greenbloods are a Hamilton-based folk-roots rock outfit comprising seasoned veterans of the local scene. They're headed by singer-songwriter/guitarist Tom Lawlor, former engineer at the famed Grant Ave studio, and the lineup includes such notables as Steve Sinnicks and CJ Altmann. An impressive lineup of guests on their new album, Greenbloods, includes Dave Clark (Rheostatics), Jimmy Hayes (Harlan Pepper) and Greg Brisco. The band have an album release show at The Mule Spinner on Nov. 13. Tickets here.
.— Formerly a key figure on the Toronto indie rock scene, adventurous singer-songwriter Selina Martin is now based in France. Her recent (and fifth) album, Time Spent Swimming, has received serious critical acclaim in North America and Europe and it debuted at number 1 on the NACC charts in the US. Martin is now back in Canada for a tour comprising three shows in Ontario (beginning on Nov. 14 at Hotel Wolfe Island), followed by an extensive tour of BC. Check her itinerary here. Martin performs with electric guitar and self-made curated backing tracks.
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