8 Of The Best Quotes From Ben E. King

May 1, 2015

R&B and soul singer Ben E King, best known for the classic song Stand By Me, has died at the age of 76. King started his career in the late 1950s with The Drifters, singing hits including There Goes My Baby and Save The Last Dance For Me.
After going solo, he hit the US top five with Stand By Me in 1961.

It returned to the charts in the 1980s, including a three-week spell at number one in the UK following its use in the film of the same name and a TV advertising campaign.

I had the pleasure to work with him for his last album, Heart & Soul, back in 2010, and it was a thrill, to say the least. Impressively funny, kind, and still had the groove. He will be incredibly missed, so, in tribute, let’s take a look at 8 of his best quotes.

On the music industry today: “Those things don’t happen today. I feel sorry for the kids in the industry today. They have on sunglasses, eat caviar in jet planes, but they’ll never know the true feeling that we did.”

Except if you’re Alicia or John: “I do like what Alicia Keys and John Legend are doing. With their music, you keep your clothes on.”

On the feeling of fooling himself: “I still think my whole career was accidental. I didn’t pursue it. I feel like I’m cheating sometimes.”

On the choice of songs: “You were able to sing something they related to instantly, because it was part of what you felt. It was part of what you had already traveled through. It’s part of the people you were associating with daily. It was all of that.”

“We were doing things with a hundred per cent feeling. It wasn’t programmed. It wasn’t asked for. It wasn’t structured. It was just there. It was very raw. I don’t think the industry would allow that to happen again.”

“Yeah. I’m amateurish. I can play enough to write a song, or strum on a little guitar to write out a song. But, I don’t play well at all. I wouldn’t even attempt for a second to play in public.”

“Of course, the kids who had never heard of a person called Ben E. King were then aware of the name associated with the song. That gave a tremendous lift to me as an artist.”

…and my favourite quote, and it might be the best one ever told to me by an artist:

Ben E. King: Ignore everyone that says you can’t achieve your dreams.
Me: Is that what you did?
Ben: Yes, because I’m crazy.

RIP, Ben.

Billie Holiday Was A Pioneer Feminist, Writes Neneh Cherry

May 1, 2015

Marking the 100th Anniversary of Billie Holiday’s birth this year, Neneh Cherry introduces a special section in the new issue of MOJO (June 2015/ #259) with a personal story of the time her father Don came face to face with the legendary singer.

“As a kid, my dad, [jazz musician] Don Cherry, used to roller skate all over Los Angeles. Him and his best buddy would make their way down to a jazz club and stand out the back and watch the music through the slats in the windows,” she explains of her long connection to the jazz genius.

“One of these times, Billie Holiday was playing there. Between sets she opened the back door and found Don and his friend there. She gave them some money and asked them to go buy her some candy at the store. Then she looked down at my dad and said, ‘You sure is skinny. If there’s no bad luck, then there’s no luck at all.’”

“I’ve always felt that we owe so much to Billie Holiday and the great blues queens. They were real pioneer feminists who paved many roads for us. They made anything possible,” she writes. “Her story is deep and touching, and that lives on forever in her music. That was her gift to us.”

Get the new issue of MOJO to read the rest of our Billie Holiday feature. As another taster, here’s just one of the songs featured in their guide to her essential music: Strange Fruit.

https://youtu.be/h4ZyuULy9zs

Jimmy Kimmel Live’s Mash Up Mondays Are Back with IMAGINE REO SPEEDRAGONS

May 1, 2015

Jimmy Kimmel will unite REO Speedwagon and Imagine Dragons to a one-time-only performance of “Mash Up supergroup” IMAGINE REO SPEEDRAGONS. Featuring a secret hit track, the performance will air on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday, May 4, at 11:35 p.m. / 10:35 p.m. CT on ABC.

REO Speedwagons’ Kevin Cronin said, “I talked to Wayne from Imagine Dragons yesterday, and both our bands are totally psyched about doing the ‘Mash Up Monday.’ We all love Jimmy and we’re gonna play one of our favorites like it’s never been played before. IMAGINE REO SPEEDRAGONS is gonna f*ckin’ rock!”

“IMAGINE REO SPEEDRAGONS was destined to happen since the day Zeus thrust his mighty bolt to the earth,” said Imagine Dragon’s Dan Reynolds

In February, Jimmy Kimmel Live launched “Mash Up Mondays” (#mashupmondays) a series of one-of-a-kind musical performances that brings together two big name bands to perform one of their classics in “pun-happy” combinations. Previous “Mash Up Monday” include such stars as Weezer and ZZ Top, aka Wee-Z Top; Kenny G and Warren G; Morris Day & The HAIM; and Blackstreet alongside Aloe Blacc as Aloe Blaccstreet.

Magician Scares The Bejesus Out Of People On An Elevator

May 1, 2015

Andy Gross aka “SplitMan” returns as the magician cut in half magic trick elevator prank. How someone hasn’t died from a heart attack is beyond me.

DANIEL JOHNS (Silverchair) Announces Release Of Debut Solo Album, “Talk,” May 22;

May 1, 2015

Daniel Johns was ‘silent’ for 8 years, but today he announced that his long-awaited album will be called TALK. People can hear it May 22.

TALK will be launched with two special shows at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall on May 28 and 29 as part of the Vivid Festival in Australia.

In the meantime, there’s an uplifting and uptempo love song … “Cool On Fire” … co-written and produced by Lorde/Jarryd James collaborator Joel Little. That new single is released today. Listen to it here:

During those long, silent years there was lots of speculation about what Daniel was doing. The enigmatic singer/songwriter removed himself from radar. Rumors were rife.

“Some of the rumors were probably true,” he chuckles. Which ones? “Well, anyone who wants to listen to the new songs will figure it out pretty quick. It’s been an interesting ride.”

TALK tells that story in a brand new way. Gone are the big guitars and roaring rock vocals; in their place, urban beats and aching falsetto croons. Dollops of lush R&B are laced with cruisy electro flavors and some dark glitchy bedroom production touches to create a stylish take on modern soul.

Asked to explain this Bowie-esque genre hopping and he eventually says, “Music’s the best way I know to express how I think and feel but over time you don’t think and feel all the same things in the same ways so the music has to change.”

From teen grunge sensations, through orchestral rock to baroque pop, Daniel Johns was never scared to completely reinvent himself. Even so, there is a core thread that unites all of his work – a raw and unfiltered emotional honesty. A direct line can be drawn from his best ‘spill-your-guts’ ‘90s tunes, including “Israel’s Son” and “Ana’s Song” through later Silverchair classics such as “The Greatest View” and “Straight Lines” into new tracks like “Too Many” and “Preach.” All talk of dark days with a distinctly searing quality.

To borrow a line from TALK’s lyrical cornerstone, “Preach,” Daniel may “find it hard to breathe the truth,” but he’s never been afraid to sing it.

The eclectic mix of sounds and styles on this new album reflect the array of collaborators that he brought on board. Lorde and Broods producer/co-writer Joel Little brings his breezy grooves to key tracks like “Cool On Fire,” “Warm Hands” and the first song to be lifted off the album, “Aerial Love.” Melbourne underground duo Damn Moroda and influential writer/producer Louis School helped create tracks like “Goin’ On 16,” “We Are Golden,” “Too Many” and the epic “New York,” while Presets mainman (and co-writer of “Straight Lines”) Julian Hamilton helped pen two of the album’s most immediate moments – “By Your Side” and “Dissolve.”

But it is the songs created with local hip hop icons Styalz and M-Phazes that push the envelope farthest. Deep grooves such as “Imagination,” “Chained” and “Faithless” find Daniel stepping into “futuristic R&B” territory.

Throw in a few quieter moments like “Sleepwalker” and “Good Luck” and you’re left with a sprawling, but still densely packed, body of work. It’s highly musical and often highly confessional as one would expect from Daniel Johns and yet, at the same time, it’s still profoundly shocking; particularly to those accustomed to the instant gratification norms of most 21st century pop.

Aptly enough, the first songs to be lifted from TALK have already provoked mountains of online chatter. For every music lover excited to hear radically different work by Daniel there are a couple of others ‘trolling’ him for not endlessly churning out the same sounds since his mid-teens.

“I’ve always felt like most people hate everything I do, but thankfully there’s always been an enthusiastic minority who seem to ‘get’ it. That’s fine with me. Anything that appeals to everyone tends to suck anyway.”

“What’s funny is that when Silverchair released frogstomp most people went out of the way to tell me how much it sucked. Then when we made DIORAMA a few years later everyone started telling me how I should go back to making frogstomp. I guess now I’ll be told to go back and make DIORAMA again!”

“That was part of why I picked the album title too, by the way. I don’t really care what most people think. Let them talk.”

Diemonds Announce New Album Never Wanna Die, Signs with eOne Music Canada

May 1, 2015

Toronto’s Diemonds are extremely excited to announce the release of their new album ‘Never Wanna Die’ available August 14th 2015. The hard rock outfit locked themselves in the studio with Juno award winning Producer Eric Ratz (Monster Truck, Billy Talent) to meticulously craft the follow up to their debut record ‘The Bad Pack’.

“Working with Eric Ratz was a rad experience for us. We’ve never had the chance to work with a producer and he definitely helped us find the best way to showcase our new songs. We’ve come a long way since the last record, so we can’t wait to get this album out there!” – C.C. Diemond

The band has most recently licensed a deal with Entertainment One Canada through Underground Operations for release and is amped to get back to doing what they do best, hitting the road. They will kick off this cycle by premiering numerous tracks at their Canadian Music Week headline show, Midnight Friday May 8^th at The Hideout, 484 Queen W, Toronto ON. Album pre-sale info is coming soon.

Track Listing:

Never WannaDie
Hell Is Full
Over It
Ain’tThat Kinda Girl
Secret
Better Off Dead
Forever Untamed
Wild At Heart
Meet Your Maker
Save Your Life

“Risking their safety and sanity for rock n’ roll please welcome Toronto’s wild and young…” – Classic Rock Magazine

Diemonds calls downtown Toronto their home, but they live for criss-crossing the continent for weeks on end, armed with little more than their brand of original hard rock, their gear and a dream. With their 3^rd album ‘Never Wanna Die’ slated for release on August 14^th, 2015, the band continues to modernize their heavy rock n’ roll sound. This time, multiple Juno award-winner Eric Ratz (Monster Truck, Billy Talent) is in the producer chair. Remaining true to their sound, Diemonds takes lyrics that speak to the outcasts, wild childs, and misfits, and combines them with a hard-hitting live show, taking cues from the greats they look up to.

Priya Panda, the bands front woman, is the sultry singer that the music world has never been so poised for. Every time she steps on stage she walks the indeterminable fine line between class and crass. With her larger-than-life presence, she breaks every cultural, social, gender and sexual boundary known to hard rock. If the ever growing legions of the band’s loyal following, known as “Die-Hards”, are any indication, Priya and the rest of her bandmates are firmly carving their own path in music and hoards of rock fans are already along for the ride.

Diemonds’ previous full-length effort, “The Bad Pack”, was released October 2012 and has taken them on countless North American tours in support of it. Diemonds are known for their relentless touring schedule and their “leave everything on the stage” live show attitude. Notable tour stops at festivals include Heavy MTL, SXSW, NXNE, Vans Warped Tour, Rocklahoma, Seattle Hempfest and most recently The KISS Kruise w/ KISS & Cheap Trick. Additionally, there has been no shortage of support slots for legends like Slash, Steel Panther, Sebastian Bach, & many more!

Cancer Council and Peppa Pig team up to educate young Australians

May 1, 2015

Peppa Pig, through the brand’s licensor and distributor Entertainment One (eOne), has teamed up with Cancer Council to help teach children about sun protection, healthy living and staying active.

The children’s television favourite and global phenomenon, will sign-on as Cancer Council’s newest ambassador to encourage children to embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Acting CEO of Cancer Council Australia, Catherine Sullivan, said the world’s most famous pig is a welcome addition to Cancer Council’s stable of ambassadors: “Peppa Pig has a major influence on young children who watch the program. We are really excited that Peppa has agreed to be our latest ambassador and we hope a new generation of Australians will learn about sun safety, healthy living and the importance of being active.

“Lifestyles learnt in childhood can affect kids later in life, especially in cancers linked to sun exposure and obesity.”

TV personality Barry Du Bois said: “My twins Bennet and Arabella are obsessed with Peppa Pig, so it’s good to see Peppa join Cancer Council to help raise awareness of the fight against cancer and to help educate children about staying healthy. I’m sure Peppa will have a lasting positive effect on young Australians that they will take into adulthood.”

eOne and Cancer Council Australia have already launched a range of Peppa Pig sunscreens that have become best sellers in Coles Supermarkets. This success encouraged Peppa to get even more involved to engage and educate young Australians and their families.

Trish Padoin and Con Goutzoulas from eOne Licensing Australia, also attended the partnership announcement.

Trish Padoin said: “Cancer Council Australia is such a respected charity and their work raising cancer awareness and funding research, education and support services is vital. We hope that lending Peppa’s brand to their amazing work will not only help them raise more funds, but also help communicate their messages to more young Australians, and in turn, hopefully this will see them embrace healthy practices throughout their lives.”

This Is GREAT: The First Annual Spirit of Yorkville Festival In Toronto

Apr 30, 2015

The Spirit of Yorkville is the same spirit that moved an entire generation forward to the peace movement, the sexual revolution and the musical evolution. This spirit became the counter-culture when culture most needed to be countered. It blossomed in Haight-Ashbury San Francisco, in Greenwich Village New York, in Soho London and in Yorkville Village Toronto. It swirled through Woodstock; it spread throughout the world as a living breathing pulse of human aspirations.

While most of the colourful Yorkville Village Victorian buildings that once stood as testament to this spirit and housed its life are gone, the spirit remains and is a treasure we are going to celebrate with a Festival every year, beginning May 22 and 23 2015, here in Toronto. This date commemorates Toronto’s first Love-In at Queen’s Park in May 1967 when thousands of people joined together for love and peace. Buffy Sainte-Marie and Leonard Cohen sang that day, and many of Toronto’s unique young artists joined them, to celebrate that never to be forgotten Summer of Love.

It was there in the “Village” coffee houses, clubs and street corners that the true Spirit of Yorkville was born, and remains today as a vital reminder of how strongly Toronto influenced 60’s culture and Canada’s music scene.

The Festival will be presented in several musical and literary formats, from folk and rock to spoken word and poetry, all of which were in ample evidence in Yorkville throughout the 60’s. Many of the early members of the movement to establish Spirit of Yorkville as a community forum for ideas and art, are present in the founding group and are committed to seeing it continue as an annual event that will attract both Canadians and tourists alike to Toronto each year.

The performers include Betty Richardson, Beverlie Robertson, Brian Gladstone, Brian Master The Jewel 88.5 FM – MC For Saturday Night Rolls!, Cathy Young, David Marsden MC for Friday Night Rocks, Fergus Hambleton
George Olliver, Greg Godovitz, Joanne Crabtree, John Finley, Ken Whiteley, Klaas van Graft, Luke and the Apostles, Mike McDonald, Pat Little, Sebastian Agnello and Tony Quarrington.

In the true spirit of freedom and fun that hung in the air as thick as the marijuana smoke back then, the Festival will replicate some of the most iconic of Yorkville’s music. The Pilot Tavern on Cumberland St. a landmark in its own right, will play host to performances by legendary Yorkville musicians some of whom will reassemble for the first time in many years, while others will come so as not to miss the opportunity of jamming with one another again.

A limited number of tickets for the two evenings of musical concerts at the Pilot Tavern will go on sale in April. Events during the day will feature folk music, art and story telling.
This First Annual Spirit of Yorkville Festival 2015, will be a step towards establishing an annual event that will celebrate a time in the history of Toronto when artists, musicians, poets and even politicians gathered together to share a common vision for the future.

You can buy tickets here.