Leon Bridges came onto the music scene when he released two demo songs on Soundcloud in late 2014. “Coming Home” received regular airplay on radio stations ranging from KKXT to London. It and “Lisa Sawyer” received more than 800,000 views and attracted the attention of more than 40 record labels with Bridges eventually signing with Columbia Records in December 2014. Bridges hails from Fort Worth, where he teamed up with members of fellow Texan band White Denim to produce his debut. He’s one of the most talked about new artists of the year and watch this video courtesy of KCRW to see why.
Nina Simone On Martin Luther King, Jr, Her Daughter, And Her Love Of Clothes
“I feel more alive now than I ever have in my life. I have a chance to live, as I’ve dreamed.” – Nina Simone in July, 1968
Lilian Terry had a national radio show in Italy–everyone from Ray Charles to Duke Ellington appeared on her show–and there was one person she always wanted to interview: Nina Simone.
But Lilian had heard Nina didn’t enjoy speaking with white people. Thankfully Lillian had a confidant in Max Roach, the legendary jazz drummer, who introduced Lillian to Nina at the Newport Festival in 1968.
“Lilian Terry comes from Egypt, ” Roach said. The was was true; Lilian was born in Cairo to a father from Malta and a mother from Italy.
With that simple introduction, Nina waved Lillian over. Soon they were talking about nefertitti and the pharoahs.
Nina even told Lilian she thought she’d been in Egypt in a previous life.
A few days later Lilian went to Nina’s house in Mt. Vernon, New York. They sat by the pool, the tape recorder was turned on, and the conversation continued.
Spotify: The Year In Numbers. Drake, Major Laser Share Honors
Spotify unveiled its annual Year in Music results on Tuesday, with Drake topping a crowded field to become the world’s most streamed artist. The rapper had over 1.8 billion streams and 46 million listeners.
The year’s most streamed female artist was Rihanna, with over 1 billion streams and 57 million listeners.
Digging deeper, Spotify said that Major Lazer’s “Lean On” (ft. MØ and DJ Snake) was not only the most streamed song of 2015, with over 540 million listens, but that it is now the most streamed song of all time. The year’s most streamed album was The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness, with 60 million listeners. Drake’s If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late was second. Justin Bieber set a record for the most streams in a single day, with 36 million on Nov. 13, the day his fourth album Purpose was released.
Overall, Spotify said 75 million listeners streamed over 20 billion hours of music this year.
Via Billboard
Laser Announce Night Driver album out January 29, 2015
Toronto’s Laser, the new group fronted by vocalist Lisa Lobsinger(Broken Social Scene), Paul Pfisterer (The Beauties) and Martin Davis Kinack (Transistor Sound & Lighting Co.), has announced the release of their debut full-length album, Night Driver, available on January 29, 2016 on Foreseen Entertainment.
Laser plays their first-ever live concerts December 8 supporting Rhye at Danforth Music Hall and December 19 at Phoenix Concert Theatre as support to Stars Set Yourself on Fire anniversary tour. Both shows are in Toronto with more tour dates to be announced.
The galactic dream-pop trio emerged this August with their debut single, “Leaving It Too Late” via SPIN, and its video via Exclaim, followed by a second single, “Do We All Feel It”, which premiered via NYLON in September, calling it “a kaleidoscopic tapestry of dancefloor-ready drum machines and steady keyboards.” Night Driver has already received a glowing 4/5 review from BUST Magazine, who stated the dreamy debut album “creates a moody atmosphere that sounds cool, yet exudes warmth.”
Laser’s sound takes cues from electronic and atmospheric albums and late night country drives from Lisa and Paul’s Toronto home to Marty’s remote “studio in the forest.” Their music is an example of both the synthetic and the analog, both city and forest, of an atmosphere creating a score for an introspective and meditative drive out of town.
Night Driver was written, recorded and produced by Laser at Casa Bonita Studio (Mono, ON) and The Cock Pit (Toronto, ON). Mastered by Martin Davis Kinack at Casa Bonita. And includes special appearances by Coenraad Bloemendaal, Blake Manning and Jud Ruhl. The live performances feature Julie Fader (Etiquette) and Dean Stone (Apostle of Hustle).
Night Driver Track list:
1. Leaving It Too Late
2. Disco Night Driver
3. Do We All Feel It
4. Disconnect
5. Bleed You
6. Maniacs
7. Linda
Tour Dates:
12/08 – Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall w/ Rhye
12/19 – Toronto, ON @ Phoenix w/ Stars
The BBC “Sound Of 2016” Longlist Is Here!
he Sound Of list was started in 2003 with the aim to showcase the most exciting and innovative rising stars. It has gained a reputation as a democratic survey, giving a glimpse into the future of music and predicting some of the biggest acts in the world.
Previous winners include Adele, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, HAIM and Years & Years. The acts that appear on the Sound Of list are all hand-picked by a panel of impartial UK based experts from the music industry.
This year, 144 UK-based tastemakers were selected by BBC News to vote for their Sound Of 2016. The full list of the pundits is published online.
Although the panel includes a selection of the BBC’s most respected new music presenters and producers, the majority of the pundits are from newspapers, magazines, blogs, commercial radio & TV. This year’s list also includes organisers and bookers for some of the biggest UK music festivals like Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds and T in the Park, plus lead editorial figures and music curators at music streaming services such as YouTube, Spotify and Deezer.We hope to represent a huge spectrum of music from across the world, covering a diverse range of musical styles and backgrounds.
When selecting the pundits, the BBC’s looking for the most genuine and passionate music fans, whose day-job also involves showcasing the best new music to a wider audience. None of the pundits are paid for taking part.
Sound Of 2016 longlist
Izzy Bizu
Blossoms
Alessia Cara
Loyle Carner
Frances
Jack Garratt
J Hus
Dua Lipa
Mabel
Billie Marten
Mura Masa
NAO
Rat Boy
Section Boyz
WSTRN
Find out more and watch videos on the Sound Of 2016 site
My bet? Alessia Cara.
Simple Plan Unveils Details Of Long-Awaited Album “Taking One For The Team”
Atlantic recording group Simple Plan have unveiled details of their long awaited, new release. “TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM” – the multi-platinum band’s fifth studio full length and first new album in five years – will be available on February 19. Pre-order information will be announced shortly. Tickets for an extensive European tour go on sale this Friday, December 4.
From Simple Plan: “We are really excited to announce the first tour in support of our new album “Taking One For The Team, coming out on February 19th! These European shows will be the first of many international tours that we’ll be announcing. We can’t wait for our fans to hear the new album and to be back on the road.”
“TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM” is preceded by a trio of new songs, all featured on the forthcoming release. “Boom,” “I Don’t Want To Be Sad,” and the album’s lead single “I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed (feat. Nelly)” are currently available at all DSPs. “I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed (feat. Nelly)” is proving to be another multi-format hit for the Canadian pop-rockers. The companion video for “I Don’t Wanna Go To Bed (feat. Nelly)” was inspired by the popular 90’s TV series “Baywatch” and is highlighted by cameo from the show’s star David Hasselhoff.
“TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM” marks Simple Plan’s first new full length album since 2011’s internationally successful “GET YOUR HEART ON!” Produced by Brian Howes, that album found the ever-inventive combo joined by an array of like-minded artists, including All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo, and UK songstress Natasha Bedingfield. “Jet Lag,” the collection’s lead single, was an immediate worldwide smash, earning chart success and commercial milestones including 2x platinum certification in Canada.
“Summer Paradise” – the album’s next single, released in two distinct versions featuring Somali/Canadian rapper K’Naan and GRAMMY® Award-winning dancehall superstar Sean Paul – proved even more successful, ascending to the top 10 in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, Sweden, and Venezuela and earning gold, platinum, and multi-platinum sales in Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland.
“GET YOUR HEART ON!” also drew critical applause from all corners. People awarded the album three-out-of-four stars, noting that the band “explore new ground…yet remain edgy.” Entertainment Weekly commended Simple Plan for “augmenting their fidgety guitar assault with suburban reggae and club-friendly drum machines,” further hailing “Jet Lag” as “a loud and surprisingly lovely pop-punk pounder.” “The group sound recharged,” declared Alternative Press in its three-and-a-half starred lead review, praising the collection’s “buoyant energy” and “airtight power-pop hook(s).”
Simple Plan has earned widespread acclaim and a global fan following for their genre-defying blend of classic punk energy and modern pop sonics. Since coming together in 1999, the Montreal-based combo has achieved worldwide sales in excess of 7 million, with releases including 2002’s RIAA 2x-platinum debut, “NO PADS, NO HELMETS…JUST BALLS,” 2004’s platinum-certified follow-up, “STILL NOT GETTING ANY,” and 2005’s “MTV HARD ROCK LIVE.” 2008’s “SIMPLE PLAN” proved an international blockbuster upon its release, reaching the #1 spot on the iTunes Store’s “Top Pop Albums” chart while also scoring top 3 successes in Mexico, Brazil, Japan, and the band’s native Canada. Furthermore, the album premiered in the top 10 in such far-away lands as Hong Kong, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, and Germany, with top 20 debuts in Spain, Finland, and France.
In addition to their studio forays and frequent touring, Simple Plan has long been involved in philanthropic efforts spearheaded by their own Simple Plan Foundation. Created in 2005, the Simple Plan Foundation supports a variety of social and medical organizations dedicated to helping young people in need. The Simple Plan Foundation has raised over 1.5 million dollars in donations to date.
Steven Wilson Announces North American Dates For 2016, New Interim Album “4 1/2”
After the phenomenal success of Steven Wilson’s Hand. Cannot. Erase. tour of North America earlier this year, he has announced that he will be returning for more live shows in March 2016.
Hand. Cannot. Erase. received universal praise from media and fans alike rewarding Steven Wilson his highest chart positions worldwide including USA – #39 Billboard Top 200, Canada #24, UK #13 ,Germany # 3, Netherlands #2 & Finland #4 national album charts.
January 22, 2016 will also see Steven Wilson releasing a new album – 4 ½, – so titled because it forms an interim release between Steven’s recently released fourth album Hand. Cannot. Erase. and the next studio album.
4 of the 6 tracks that form 4 ½ , originated during the sessions for Hand. Cannot. Erase., and one from the recording sessions for the previous album The Raven that Refused to Sing. The final track is a version of Don’t Hate Me, a song originally recorded by Porcupine Tree in 1998, and is based on a live recording made on the recent tour of Europe with additional recording later done in the studio. The vocals on this new version are sung as a duet between Steven and Ninet Tayeb.
4 ½ will be released by Kscope on CD, 180 gram vinyl, and blu-ray, with all formats housed in a beautiful die-cut sleeve photographed by Lasse Hoile and designed by Carl Glover. The blu-ray (audio only) edition includes high res stereo, a 5.1 mix of the album, and a bonus 5.1 mix of the new version of Lazarus (recently included on the Transience vinyl compilation). The vinyl edition will include a download code for the album in a choice of FLAC or mp3. The album will also be available digitally on 22nd January from Itunes, Amazon, Google Play & Apple Music.
Tues 1st March – Toronto, ON – Massey Hall
Weds 2nd March – Montreal, QC – St-Denis Theatre
Thurs 3rd March – Albany, NY – The Egg
Fri 4th March – Boston, MA – Orpheum Theatre
Sat 5th March – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
Mon 7th March – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
Tues 8th March – Chicago, IL – Vic Theatre
Get Ready For A LOT Of Jeff Healey Releases In 2016
Convexe Entertainment announced today it has formalized a partnership with the Jeff Healey Estate to launch a worldwide expansive release series of the revered Toronto guitarist’s body of work. Details about the agreement’s diverse array of projects, being compiled with full approval and participation of the Healey Estate, will be revealed in advance of March 25, 2016, the late artist’s birthday.
Peter Piasecki, President of Convexe Entertainment, said, “as Jeff would have been 50 in 2016, we are overjoyed and honoured to play a role in the celebration of his life and legacy with Cristie Healey, her family, and the Estate.”
“The Jeff Healey Estate is delighted at the launch of the new partnership with Convexe Entertainment. After years of careful planning, we feel as though we’re finally home. The mutual respect and unprecedented creative control we’ve been afforded will continue to drive our efforts to highlight and expand upon Jeff Healey’s rich legacy,” said Cristie Healey, Executor/Co-Administrator of the Jeff Healey Estate.
Jeff Healey is remembered as one of the most outstanding guitarists and performers of the past 30 years. He lost his sight during early childhood due to retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. Playing guitar since the age of 3, he developed the distinctive lap-style guitar technique that helped bring him international attention by his late teens. A Grammy nominee and JUNO Award winner, his five releases with The Jeff Healey Band totaled millions of sales worldwide. Over the course of his career, he also shared stages and earned the admiration of countless other musicians including B.B. King, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the Allman Brothers Band.
A passionate student of early jazz as well, Healey amassed a collection of over 30,000 78s from the 1920s and 1930s, and performed regularly with Jeff Healey’s Jazz Wizards, in which he played trumpet as well as guitar. Healey is also fondly remembered for his charity work in Toronto, lending his support to the Canadian Institute for the Blind, Sick Kids Hospital, and many other organizations. Jeff Healey died on March 2, 2008 at age 41 after a three-year battle with sarcoma cancer.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Sign Their Ground-Breaking Progressive Rock Catalogue To BMG
Emerson, Lake & Palmer – better known as ELP – one of the most influential bands of the progressive rock era, have signed their 40-million-album-selling catalogue to new model music company BMG. It is the biggest new catalogue deal to be struck by BMG since it announced this summer that Peter Stack, founder of respected catalogue company Union Square Music acquired by BMG in 2014, would become its worldwide Head of Catalogue.
The ELP deal includes rights to at least 17 albums by the super-group, including the groundbreaking top 5 debut album Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970), UK Number 1 Tarkus (1971) and probably their best known album Brain Salad Surgery, which reached Number 2 in 1973. It brings together rights previously split between North America and Europe, with BMG now holding rights for the World excluding South East Asia. Significantly, it promises a prestigious reissue campaign, with BMG gaining access to the prized ELP archive including original master tapes, demos, alternate versions, radio sessions, videos, rare photos / memorabilia and bootlegs, from artists who helped define ‘album rock’.
ELP were formed in 1970 by flamboyant keyboard player Keith Emerson (formerly of The Nice), singer and guitarist Greg Lake (formerly of King Crimson) and drummer/percussionist Carl Palmer (formerly of Atomic Rooster). Blending jazz and classical music with a wide-screen hard-rock style, ELP were one of the torchbearers of the progressive rock sound and were one of the most commercially successful bands of the 1970s. By 1974 they were as big as Led Zeppelin as a live draw.
Their first seven albums, all now to be re-issued by BMG, reached the UK Top 10 and US Top 20. Their third album, a live interpretation of Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures At An Exhibition, recorded at Newcastle City Hall and released in 1971, achieved the unprecedented feat of propelling a complete classical work into the UK Top 10.
Although fundamentally an albums band, ELP scored a UK Number 2 single in 1977 with their version of Aaron Copland’s ‘Fanfare For The Common Man’. BMG has also secured rights as part of the deal to Greg Lake’s evergreen ‘I Believe In Father Christmas’ which reached Number 2 in the UK in 1975 and so celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year.
Peter Stack, BMG Executive Vice-President Global Catalogue Recordings said: “ELP have created an extraordinary body of work which helped to define progressive rock, and we are delighted that they have placed their faith in BMG. We will give this catalogue the respect it truly deserves and can promise some exciting times ahead for both existing and future fans of Emerson, Lake and Palmer.”
ELP manager Stewart Young said: “ELP and myself are looking forward to the opportunity of working with BMG. This agreement brings our catalogue under one roof for the first time for the world outside South East Asia. BMG shares our belief that these works should be treated with the upmost respect, with reissues which offer the kind of quality that our fans deserve.”
They Might Be Giants Return With A Kids Album, Why? Because, That’s Why!
At last! TMBG is returning to the world of kids stuff! You might have heard some of the tracks previewed on Dial-A-Song, but we can now confirm the arrival of a fantastic set of 18 new songs called Why? What kind of album is Why? Well, it’s not bad for you but it’s not good for you either. It’s just about fun, like TMBG’s first kids album No! Why? is memorable songs in family-friendly package with none of that pandering aftertaste.
Like previous TMBG kid productions it’s a family affair with John Flansburgh’s wife Robin “Goldie” Goldwasser singing a couple of tracks, while bassist Danny Weinkauf, joined by his daughter, steps up to the mic for the song Elephants. Alison Cowles, the daughter longtime video animation collaborator David Cowles (The Mesopotamians, We Live in a Dump, Science is Real) has contributed all the illustrations for the album. Right out of the gate TMBG hits the listener with the odd brilliance of “Oh You Did” through the folkie charm of “Out of A Tree,” the full rocking of “Or So I Have Read” the perky “I Just Want to Dance,” and wrapping things up with the optimism of “Then The Kids Took Over.” Why? has everything to delight both kids and parents.
