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SXSW Music Announces First Keynote Speaker

For the first time ever, the South By Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference and Festival will offer multiple keynote speakers. SXSW is honored that the first to be announced is Tony Visconti. Mr. Visconti’s opening keynote will take place on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in Room 18ABCD of the the Austin Convention Center.

Tony Visconti has been hailed as one of the most important producers in the history of Rock and Pop. David Bowie’s “Young Americans” and “Heroes” are masterpieces, while “(Bang a Gong) Get It On” and “Cosmic Dancer” by T. Rex are true cornerstones of rock and roll.

Tony has recently co-produced David Bowie’s Blackstar CD, co-produced Esperanza Spalding’s upcoming Concord release Emily’s D+Evolution, and Daphne Guinness’s Optimist in Black.

2013 saw Bowie and Visconti’s production of Davie Bowie’s “Where Are We Now” along with the album The Next Day.

Previously, he produced Angelique Kidjo’s Djin Djin album earning Visconti his first Grammy for Best Contemporary World Music Album.

His autobiography, Bowie, Bolan and the Brooklyn Boy (Harper Collins UK) is an evocative overview of Visconti’s life, musical beginnings, and adventures in London with David Bowie, Marc Bolan, Thin Lizzy, Paul McCartney, and more.

The versatile Visconti has also produced albums by Thin Lizzy, Luscious Jackson, The Strawbs, U2, Kaiser Chiefs, Alejandro Escovedo, Gentle Giant, Mercury Rev, Sparks, Badfinger, The Alarm, and Morrissey.

Mr. Visconti’s keynote is open to all Music and Platinum registrants and registered showcasing artists. More keynotes will be announced in the near future.

The South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival is a six-day event held every March in Austin, Texas. The conference offers unmatched access to ideas and global viewpoints on an increasingly borderless industry. It aims to educate and inspire musicians and professionals alike, with sessions attended by over 30,000 registrants and showcasing artists. A large multi-industry trade show exhibition, Music Gear Expo and daytime stage performances round out the day while evenings are devoted to the SXSW Music Festival, which showcases 2,000 acts ranging from the unsigned to the iconic. The 30th annual event takes place March 15 – 20, 2016. For more information, please visit sxsw.com. To register for the event, please visit http://www.sxsw.com/attend.

Entertainment One Makes Strategic Investment in Sierra Pictures

Entertainment One (eOne) today announced that it will enhance its global film portfolio and international sales and distribution reach through a strategic equity investment in Sierra Pictures, led by Nick Meyer and Marc Schaberg.

The new partnership brings together two companies that share a commitment to delivering high-quality feature films for a global audience. Sierra Pictures will continue to operate autonomously, tapping into eOne’s global production and financing resources to support its expanding production slate which includes the current production of the elevated spy thriller, THE COLDEST CITY, starring Charlize Theron. As part of the agreement, the international sales and distribution of films produced and acquired by eOne Features, as well as eOne-distributed films from The Mark Gordon Company, will be handled by Sierra outside of Canada, the UK, Australia/New Zealand, Benelux and Spain, where eOne directly distributes films.

Sierra/Affinity, the joint international sales venture between Sierra Pictures, OddLot Entertainment and Bold Films, will continue to operate, exclusively representing films from Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Blumhouse International, OddLot Entertainment and Bold Films, as well as third party producers.

Building on its successful venture with The Mark Gordon Company and the launch of the recently-announced Amblin Partners with Steven Spielberg, Participant Media and Reliance Entertainment, the partnership with Sierra Pictures will see eOne further extend its ability to source high-quality films for distribution in major markets around the world. Seville International will continue to handle sales on arthouse films from Canada and around the world, under the joint stewardship of Meyer and eOne’s Patrick Roy.

“We are very pleased to expand our relationship with Sierra Pictures.  Nick and Marc have an impressive track record across film production, sales and distribution, making them industry standouts, and we have long-admired the strength of their business.  We are thrilled to partner with the Sierra team to source and produce new feature films for distribution around the world, and to leverage Sierra’s deep relationships to enhance the global potential of eOne’s film slate,” said Steve Bertram, President, Global Film Group, Entertainment One.

“This partnership is an exciting development for Sierra Pictures as eOne has the resources and global footprint to provide further bedrock for the production and financing of our films. The deal also aligns us with one of the most active and forward-thinking companies operating in the global feature film industry,” noted Meyer and Schaberg.  “As we continue to grow Sierra, eOne will be an invaluable and complementary partner and we are excited to be working with Steve and his global film production and distribution leadership team to build a very strong slate of films.”

Documentary of the Life of Legendary Bassist Jaco Pastorius Gets Release Date

Although he is widely revered as one of the 20th Century’s most accomplished and innovative musicians, the brief and troubled life of Jaco Pastorius remains a mystery to many. It’s what prompted one of his most ardent fans, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, to produce the first documentary exploring Pastorius’ prodigious talent, personal adventures, and raw human vulnerability.

The end result, Jaco, co-directed by Paul Marchand and Stephen Kijak, will be released as a deluxe 2-disc DVD/Blu Ray package on November 27 through Conveyor Canada / Universal Music Canada. The film, which recently premiered at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (near Pastorius’ hometown), was made with the co-operation of the bassist’s family and features interviews with former collaborators such as Joni Mitchell and Herbie Hancock, along with admirers like Geddy Lee, Flea, and Sting.

Jaco tells the story of a kid from south Florida whose brash approach to playing electric bass revolutionized the instrument’s role in jazz during the 1970s, and became an influence on fellow bassists in all other genres from then on. Yet, like many other genius-level artists, Pastorius suffered from mental illness, which led his career to be derailed by substance abuse in the 1980s, and his tragic death in 1987 following a beating outside a Florida club.

Along with the 2hr documentary, the deluxe edition of Jaco contains an additional 1hr 40min disc of Extras, including 20 never-before-seen interviews, and footage from the 2015 “Jaco’s World” tribute concert at the Hollywood Bowl. There will also be an exclusive Black Friday Record Store edition, which adds the CD Mass InstruMENTALS by funk rockers Mass Mentals, comprised of 10 pieces composed by Robert Trujillo and Armand Sabal-Lecco.

The Trews Announce 2016 Canadian Acoustic Tour: Friends & Total Strangers Reissued As Expanded Deluxe CD and Double Vinyl

Canadian rockers The Trews are set to showcase their quieter side with an acoustic tour of western Canada and Ontario this coming February and March (see full schedule below).

To coincide with these dates, the band is re-issuing their 2009 live acoustic album Friends & Total Strangers in a deluxe expanded edition, out November 27, 2015 via Home Music Canada / Entertainment One. The remastered set will include four previously unreleased tracks from The Trews’ January 2009 sessions at Glenn Gould Studios in Toronto: “Every Inambition,” “Makin’ Sunshine,” “No Time For Later,” and “Not Ready To Go.” Friends & Total Strangers will also be available on vinyl for the first time, as a double LP (available on tour in 2016) that can be purchased online or at the shows.

Lead guitarist John-Angus MacDonald produced all tracks on Friends & Total Strangers and recent production credits include JUNO nominated album The Union by The Glorious Sons which spawned the #1 single, “The Contender” at Active Rock Radio (Mediabase) this past month.

The Trews have also confirmed that their Feb. 18 and 19 shows at Festival Place in Sherwood Park, Alberta, as well as the Feb. 20 date at Flames Central in Calgary, will include Black Crowes co-founder Rich Robinson as special guest on the bill. John-Angus MacDonald says, “we’re very excited that Rich Robinson will be joining us for those three dates. We are big fans of Rich’s solo work and are thrilled to have him on the bill with us. We did a little collaborating with Rich on the Thank You And I’m Sorry EP a couple years back and it will be great to play with him again.”

“As a band we are really looking forward to these upcoming acoustic dates. There’s been a new album since we last toured acoustically (2014’s The Trews) and we’ve been doing a lot of writing so there’s plenty of new material to draw on when compiling the set lists. It’s always a great way for us to shake things up.”

Comprised of lead vocalist/guitarist Colin MacDonald, lead guitarist John-Angus MacDonald, bassist Jack Syperek and drummer Gavin Maguire, The Trews have been one of Canada’s most successful rock bands of the past decade, earning an incredible 16 Top 10 Rock radio singles (including two #1’s), two Gold-certified albums (House Of Ill Fame; Den Of Thieves), 2 Gold-certified singles (“Hold Me In Your Arms”; “Highway of Heroes”) and numerous JUNO Award nominations.

To date, The Trews have played over 1,000 shows worldwide, on their own as well as supporting the Rolling Stones, KISS, Robert Plant, Guns ‘n Roses, Kid Rock and Bruce Springsteen.

The Trews Canadian Acoustic Tour Dates 2016

February 13, 2016 Max Centre Drayton Valley, AB
February 14, 2016 Red Deer Memorial Centre Red Deer, AB
February 16, 2016 Performing Arts Centre Grande Prairie, AB
February 18, 2016 Festival Place Sherwood Park, AB
February 19, 2016 Festival Place Sherwood Park, AB
February 20, 2016 Flames Central Calgary, AB
February 21, 2016 Sundre Arts Centre Sundre, AB
February 23, 2016 Vic Juba Theatre Lloydminster, AB
February 24, 2016 Southminster United Church Lethbridge, AB
February 26, 2016 Casino Regina Regina, SK
February 27, 2016 Broadway Theatre Saskatoon,SK
March 2, 2016 The Living Arts Centre Mississauga, ON
March 3, 2016 Centre for the Performing Arts Oakville, ON
March 4, 2016 Centre for the Performing Arts Richmond Hill, ON
March 5, 2016 St.Clair College Capitol Theatre Chatham, ON
March 8, 2016 Charles W. Stockey Centre Parry Sound, ON
March 10, 2016 Performing Arts Centre St.Catherines, ON
March 11, 2016 Hamilton Public Library Hamilton, ON
March 12, 2016 London Music Hall London, ON

 

The Jeff Healey Estate Announces “Heal My Soul” Album and box Set Via Pledgemusic

Today, the Jeff Healey Estate announces the worldwide offering of Heal My Soul via PledgeMusic. The March 25th release is the first new, original Jeff Healey rock material in over 15 years. This incredible lost album features some of the most powerful and passionate performances Healey ever committed to record.

Launching this campaign is the Heal My Soul – 100 Watt Stack Edition box set via PledgeMusic. This limited edition set contains an impressive array of offers for fans. From exclusive and limited CD & vinyl music content to custom made Healey apparel, the commemorative box set and its components have been compiled with the participation and full approval of the Jeff Healey Estate to coincide with what would have been Healey’s 50th birthday on March 25th, 2016.

“In sharing this significant release, The Jeff Healey Estate is making a statement to the world,” says Cristie Healey, Executor/Co-Administrator of the Jeff Healey Estate. “Remarkable, musical treasures that Jeff left behind will be made available for us to experience for years to come. The unearthing of this lost album is a project that will highlight Jeff’s incredible talent. With this gift of never before released amazing music, we invite Jeff’s fans to join us in celebration of his 50th birthday.”

Roger Costa, Archivist/Co-Administrator of the Jeff Healey Estate adds, “coordinating the production of Heal My Soul has been an absolute labour of love for all involved and we are thrilled to be able to finally share this with the world.”

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 three, 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 totalled 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.

Healey died on March 2, 2008 at age 41 after a three-year battle with sarcoma cancer.

 

Jason McCoy Returns As Host Of The Country Music Association of Ontario Awards

The Country Music Association of Ontario (CMAO) is thrilled to announce Jason McCoy of The Road Hammers will return as host of the 2016 CMAO Awards (presented by Slaight Music) for the third year in a row. McCoy, an ever-engaging and entertaining host, is a popular fan and industry favourite and will bring his own brand of energy, quips and comedic timing to the night.

“It’s an honour to be returning as host of the CMAO’s. This year has been the best yet for Ontario artists, and it’s great to see so much support from the industry and fans alike.” McCoy says.

As a 25-year veteran of the entertainment industry and two-time CCMA Male Vocalist of the Year, McCoy is the king of reinvention. Growing up in the small town of Minesing, Ontario, McCoy admired the well-rounded artistry of the classic entertainers, from Roger Miller and Johnny Cash to Merle Haggard and Glen Campbell. Armed with a guitar and a dream, McCoy set out at the age of 19 to follow his own path to stardom. Together with The Road Hammers he has won five CCMAs. As a solo artist, he’s racked up multiple CCMA and CMA awards, along with a Gold album.

As creator and front man of The Road Hammers, McCoy took on the country rock genre and guided the band to unprecedented success throughout Canada and the United States, picking up a Platinum album, CCMA Group of the Year award, and a JUNO award along the way. The band are heading to Australia or the CMC Rocks Festival this March and were recently announced as performers at the first CMT Festival this July.

The Western Swing Authority also returns to the awards as the event’s house band. The award show will be held Monday, May 30, 2016, at the Flato Markham Theatre. For ticket information visit www.ticketbreak.com.

The CMAO was formed in 2007 by Rob MacArthur, founding patron Linda Wright, and a number of interested and enthusiastic individuals who thought it was time to have a voice for country music in Ontario. The Association brings together the talent and the industry professionals. Its mandate is to foster and support the growth and development of Ontario’s country music and its industry, provincially, nationally and internationally. The CMAO has now hosted three annual Awards Shows with the assistance of presenting sponsor Slaight Music. These sold-out events featured performances from Ontario’s top talent, including: Jason McCoy, Deric Ruttan, Jason Blaine, Tim Hicks, Tebey, Autumn Hill, Small Town Pistols, Michelle Wright, Marshall Dane and many more. The CMAO is also proud to have presented two highly successful two-day Road to Independence educational conferences, with the financial contribution of the OMDC and presenting sponsor CMT.

Watch Don Cheadle as Miles Davis in the first trailer to Miles Ahead

Miles Ahead, a new biopic about Miles Davis, is slated to hit theaters on April 1. The film marks the directorial debut of Don Cheadle, who also stars as the jazz legend. The film tells the story of a few lost days in the life of Miles Davis, the virtuoso, fighter and genius, as he bursts out of his silent period, conspires with a Rolling Stone writer (Ewan McGregor) to steal back his music, and relives the years he had with his great love, Frances Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi).

https://youtu.be/Bvt9LU45ruc

Lana Del Rey’s Isolated Vocals For Summertime Sadness

Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness” from her second studio album, Born to Die, reached the top ten in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. In the spring of 2013, “Summertime Sadness” became a number-one hit in Poland and Ukraine. Trap and house remixes of “Summertime Sadness” helped Del Rey break into the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. That chart is where Del Rey’s song became a modest hit and marked her first foray into the chart. On the accompanied Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, the single gave Del Rey her first US number-one single in August 2013. Earlier in 2012, the song also managed to become a rock hit in the US.

https://youtu.be/0M73bB5NsiI

SiriusXM Canada ranked one of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies on 2015 PROFIT 500 list

SiriusXM Canada, the country’s leading audio entertainment company, today announced it has been named one of Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies in Canadian Business and PROFIT Magazine’s 27th annual PROFIT 500 ranking. Ranking Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies by five-year revenue growth, the PROFIT 500 profiles the country’s most successful growth companies. Published in the October issue of Canadian Business and online at PROFITguide.com, the PROFIT 500 is Canada’s largest annual celebration of entrepreneurial achievement.

“In our 10th year of operations in Canada we are proud to once again be included in the annual PROFIT 500 ranking,” said Mark Redmond, President and CEO, Sirius XM Canada Inc. “We congratulate all of our fellow inductees and are honoured to be included with them in the ranks of the country’s top revenue performing companies and will continue to strive for operational excellence in our next 10 years.”

“The PROFIT 500 represent the highest tier of entrepreneurialism in Canada,” said James Cowan, Editor-in-chief of PROFIT and Canadian Business. “They should be lauded for the positive economic contributions they’ve made to their communities — and the entire country.  They are examples of what can be accomplished with innovation, discipline and determination.”

Barenaked Ladies announce ‘Last Summer on Earth 2016’ Tour With OMD and Howard Jones

Barenaked Ladies are once again taking their boisterous live shows to audiences nationwide this summer announcing Last Summer on Earth 2016 featuring special guests OMD and Howard Jones.  The tour begins on June 3rd in Minneapolis, MN at The Cabooze.  Pre-sale tickets are available on February 3rd at 10am local time, followed by a public sale on February 5th at 10am local time.  VIP meet and greet packages will be available at every tour date and every ticket purchased will come with a digital copy of the forth-coming live album BNL Rocks Red Rocks plus an instant download of “ODDS ARE (live)”.   See full list of tour dates below…

LAST SUMMER ON EARTH 2016 w/ OMD and Howard Jones
6.03     Minneapolis, MN – The Cabooze
6.04     Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
6.05     Denver, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
6.08     Dayton, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights
6.09     Chicago, IL – Ravinia Pavilion **
6.10     Detroit, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre
6.11     Cleveland, OH – Jacob’s Pavilion at Nautica
6.13     New York, NY – SummerStage in in Central Park
6.14     Lewiston, NY – Artpark **
6.15     Vienna, VA – Wolf Trap Center for Performing Arts
6.17     Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
6.18     Philadelphia, PA – The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
6.19     Boston, MA – Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
6.20     Pittsburg, PA – Stage AE
6.24     Portland, ME – Maine State Pier
6.25     Wallingford, CT – The Oakdale Theatre
6.26     Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion *
6.28     Atlanta, GA – Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park
6.29     Charlotte, NC – Uptown Amphitheatre at the Music Factory
7.01     Charleston, SC – Volvo Cars Stadium
7.02     St Augustine, FL – St Augustine Amphitheatre
7.03     Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheatre
7.05     Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheatre
7.06     Cincinnati, OH – PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
7.08     Indianapolis, IN – Farm Bureau Insurance Lawn at White River St Park
7.12     Boise, ID – Hawk’s Memorial Stadium
7.15     Missoula, MT – Big Sky Brewing Company
7.16     Seattle, WA – Marymoor Amphitheatre
7.17     Portland, OR – Edgefield
7.19     Saratoga, CA – Mountain Winery **
7.20     San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
7.22     Las Vegas – Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
7.23     Sacramento, CA – Thunder Valley Casino Amphitheatre
7.24     Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre *

* indicates pre-sale Feb 10, public on-sale Feb 12
** indicates tickets on sale at a later date, check website for details

Last Summer on Earth 2016 coincides with the band’s upcoming album BNL Rocks Red Rocks, a live recording from the June 10th, 2015 show at Red Rocks Amphitheater during last year’s LSOE tour.  BNL Rocks Red Rocks features some of the multi-platinum band’s biggest hits “One Week,” “Pinch Me, “Brian Wilson,” “If I Had $1,000,000” plus songs from their last two records including “Odds Are” (from Grinning Streak) which hit #2 at iTunes, and the most recent single “Duct Tape Heart” from their latest album Silverball.  The record includes a special moment when Barenaked Ladies accompany Colin Hay to perform his #1 hit “Who Can It Be Now”, joined on stage by Blaise Garza of Violent Femmes to cover the famed saxophone solo, recognized around the world!

BNL Rocks Red Rocks captures the band’s prowess for combining great songs, impromptu hilarious banter, fan participation and musicianship that keeps music fans coming back for more.  BNL Rocks Red Rocks will be available on May 20th.

BNL ROCKS RED ROCKS   (Out May 20th, 2016)

  1. Get Back Up
  2. The Old Apartment
  3. Odds Are
  4. Gonna Walk
  5. Brian Wilson
  6. Who Can It Be Now
  7. Falling For The First Time
  8. Passcode
  9. Light Up My Room
  10. Duct Tape Heart
  11. Pinch Me
  12. Big Bang Theory Theme
  13. One Week
  14. If I Had $1,000,000
  15. Drawing
  16. Rock and Roll  
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That Eric Alper
6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week, a 16-time JUNO Award winner overseeing PR campaigns, and have also been truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

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