Canadian Music News

As I continue my cross-country trip, I’ve been reflecting on some of my favorite Canadian music/musicians.  One person who came to mind is David Usher who, it seems, I’ve liked forever.  First he was in Moists back in 1992 and I will forever associate the album “Silver” (it went quadruple platinum) with certain events during my high school years and then he went solo with songs like “Alone in the Universe” and “Black, Black Heart.” 
His newest album “Wake Up and Say Goodbye” (2008) features the single I’m about to share with you.  Check out “Kill the Lights.”  It’s not …read more

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Growing up in Quebec, I knew all about Ginette Reno and her incredibly powerful voice.  Whether it be a new release on the charts or her take on Christmas classics, she was very much a part of my life. 
A native of Montreal, Reno released her first album at the age of 16 in 1962.  Since then, she has released more than five dozen albums and has earned countless awards, including three Juno Awards.  When she was just 36, she became the youngest person to ever be named to the Order of Canada and in the year 2000, she was …read more

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This Sam Roberts song, “Detroit ‘67,” is all rock-n-roll piano and I love it.  It really is a throw back to the era and he even sounds a bit like (dare I say) Billy Joel at times.  Having lived in Detroit for a period of time, I know how much musical history lives in that city and I think it’s cool that a crazy Canuck like Roberts thought to pay tribute.  It’s really different from his “Brother Down” which was the first I’d heard of him. 

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Carly Rae Jepsen released her debut album "Tug of War" yesterday and tonight she’ll be celebrating at her favorite Vancouver venue, The Media Club.  Her MySpace profile says that it’s open to everyone so, if you are in the area, make sure you check it out!
Have you heard the title track from the album?  It’s really good.  Check it out here: http://www.myspace.com/carlyraemusic
image used with permission
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I was just talking about how much I loved "Weak in the Knees" and Serena Ryder last week so I was pretty happy to get a press release about her upcoming album is it o.k.  I’m already anticipating the musical journey I’m going to embark on when I finally get my hands on a copy! 
EMI Music Canada will be releasing the album on November 11, 2008 and she’ll be celebrating the release at Toronto’s The Mod Club on November 19, 2008.  Tickets become available on October 4th at 10am through Ticketmaster outlets, Rotate This (call 416-870-8000 to charge by …read more

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Northern British Columbia’s, Alex Cuba, is a busy man!  I was there when his album, Agua del Pozo, won a Juno Award and now his single "Si Pero No" has been chosen as the "Pick of the Week" by iTunes and Starbucks.  That means that, starting on October 21, 2008, "Starbucks customers will receive an Alex Cuba download card directing them to iTunes for their free song. The cards will be distributed at approximately 700 Starbuck’s locations across Canada."  I’m not a huge Starbucks fan but I’m going to go get my card!  I hope you will too!
Then, on November …read more

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The young Filipina girl with the big voice, Charice Pempengco, who recently appeared on Oprah was able to fulfill another amazing dream – she performed with Celine Dion at Madison Square Garden in New York City earlier this month.  They sang “Because You Loved Me” and the crowd went crazy.  Charice was amazing – I got goosebumps!

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Michael Bublé will be only the third man ever to grace the cover of Chatelaine magazine here in Canada.  The first two were former prime minister, Pierre Trudeau, and hockey legend/current NHL coach, Wayne Gretzky. 
Michael seems to be taking it in stride.  Of being chosen for the cover, he said "I don’t see myself as someone who’s as important as Trudeau or as prolific as Wayne Gretzky."
Is it the crooner’s pouty lips?  His impish grin?  Maybe those soulful eyes?  Could be all of the above since the issue honors the "Men We Love."  Sounds great already!
So, does Michael subscribe …read more

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The song "Weak in the Knees" by Serena Ryder is one of my favorite in Canadian music this past year.  I had the opportunity to meet and mingle with her at the 2008 Juno Awards in Calgary this past April and she was an absolute doll (that’s us at left with Sophie Millman – it’s not the best picture but it was a crazy night).
I also loved with Canadian Idol winner, Theo Tams, covered this song this past season.  He did a great job at capturing the emotion of the words.

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This song, "Dr Blind" by Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton is unique and eerie, not something that comes as a surprise from Emily, lead singer of Metric. The video was a bit creepy for my taste, but regardless, I think there is something to be said for the creativity that some music videos lack, and this video is definitely not lacking.

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