Canadian Music News

Have you heard of Mojave?  I’ll admit that I hadn’t until I had the CD forwarded to me and I’ve got to say that I really loved what I heard.
Mojave is an acoustic band from Vancouver with a strong passion for music and environmental causes.  They donate a percentage of their album sales to environmental charities through “1% for the planet and offsets all carbon emissions through tree canada.”  When I hear that sort of thing, I’m immediately more willing to hear what kind of message a group is sending through their music.
The songs are haunting and just absolutely gorgeous.  …read more

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Juno-nominated Canadian singer-songwriter, Jeremy Fisher, will be hitting the road in the new year to continue to promote his debut album Back Porch Spirituals.  “This tour is going to be an interesting change for me. I’m excited for the focus of my performances to be on the songs that helped get my start in this industry. I feel like I’m able to get back to my roots as a musician and I really can’t wait to perform live and be on the road again!” says Fisher.
Here’s the track list:

The Devil Found A Friend In Me
Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Plenty …read more

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Hannah Georgas will be releasing her debut album The Beat Stuff on January 27, 2009 and will be embarking on a cross-Canada tour with Jeremy Fisher to kick things off. 
The Vancouver native recently won the Music BC Songbird West Singer/Songwriter Competition for 2008 with the title track from the album and, I’ve got to say that judging from what I’ve heard on her MySpace profile, I’m really intrigued and impressed.  I’m a real fan of the American indie star, Meiko, and Hannah really reminds me of her.  Hannah’s MySpace music player features the tracks “Mama’s Boy,” “Let’s Talk,” …read more

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Canadian trio, Heavy Jack, are pure rock and roll.  I haven’t listened to a new album in quite a while that made me feel like I was transported back to a time before I was even born but that’s how I felt when I listened to the group’s Multiply. 
The album kicks off with the high-energy track “Bushfire” that features a long guitar outro that you just don’t find too many places anymore.  I enjoyed it and was eager to hear more.  
“Blood Red Sun” is a drum-driven tune that borders on too repetitive but manages to work itself out …read more

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Finger Eleven will be performing at the Samsung New Year’s Eve celebration on the Rideau Canal in our nation’s capital! 
It sounds like it’s going to be a great night in Ottawa since the free event will feature a countdown to midnight with the Amanda Rheaume Band and Finger Eleven but will also include my other passion, hockey.  The World Junior Hockey Championship will be broadcast on four big-screen televisions on the canal’s Skateway.
What could be better than music, celebrations and hockey all together on New Year’s Eve?  Not much, in my opinion! 
image credit: Jeanne Dupuis

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Canadian crooner, Michael Bublé, recently told the Vancouver Sun that he can’t live without music or hockey” when discussing the announcement that he has become a minority-owner of the WHL Giants junior hockey team alongside Ron Toigo, Pat Quinn and the great Gordie Howe. 
The singer, who told an Australian television show that he wanted to be a hockey player growing up, has lofty goals for himself – he eventually wants to own the Vancouver Canucks NHL hockey team: “My goal, and it might be a ridiculously silly goal, is that I would love to own the Canucks one day …read more

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Kardinal Offishall’s “Set it Off” was already a hit but new life has been breathed into the hot track with the remix featuring raps by Dr. Dre and Clipse’s Pusha-T. 
According to Chart Attack, the remix was supposed to be released earlier this year but was pushed back along with Dre’s long-awaited album Detox. 
You can listen to the song here:

image: MuchMusic.com

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Canadian Idol has been cancelled for 2009.  According to the National Post, CTV released the following statement:“as a result of the current economic climate, production of Canadian Idol will rest for the 2009 year.”
Wow!  That’s huge news and, of course, a terrible sign for the Canadian economy.  I hope it comes back as other Idol shows have done who have taken a year off in the past (Germany, Russia and the Netherlands, for example).
image: CTV

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The Barenaked Ladies had to cancel two shows at Ottawa’s National Arts Centre on Saturday due to yet another hurtle was thrown their way.
The band explained (via their official website) that Ed Robertson’s mother "has been admitted suddenly to the hospital with a serious illness."  The shows will be rescheduled soon so you’ve got the choice of keeping your ticket (it will be honored) or getting a refund through Ticketmaster.
This is just the latest in a series of unfortunate events for BNL this year – lead singer Steven Page was arrested on several charges including drug possession and …read more

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The nominees for the 2009 Canadian Radio Awards have been announced.  Fans will be able to use an online voting system to cast ballots for their favorite in the "Fan’s Choice" category. 
I am torn between Hedley and Theory of a Deadman… actually, Finger Eleven looks like a good choice too.  Argh!  How great is that, though?  When making a decision is tough, you know it’s been a good year in Canadian music. 
It’s also cool to see so many former Canadian Idol contestants nominated.  Carly Rae Jepsen is nominated for "Sunshine on my Shoulders," which is a nice …read more

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