Tour programme of The Who on their Europe Tour in 1975
Infographic: Canadians and Americans LOVE Nickelback, and here’s the proof
The fine folks at AccuRadio mined their data and calculated the total plays each province gave Nickelback in the last month, and, as it turns out, Canadians and Americans love their Nickelback. A LOT.
Nickelback proponents have plenty of evidence to point to that suggests that the band is more popular than outsiders may guess. Nickelback is one of the most commercially successful Canadian groups, having sold more than 50 million albums worldwide, and in 2006, Nickelback received the World Music Award for World’s Best Selling Rock Artist, beating out some other rock bands like Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Coldplay. Nickelback has released 35 singles worldwide, 22 of which have made a top-10 chart in the United States.
In the US, Nickelback can find their most ardent fans in Nevada. Las Vegas has welcomed Canadian talents such as Shania Twain and Celine Dion with open arms in the past; now, Nickelback joins their ranks. Wyoming residents are the second-biggest lovers of Nickelback, followed by Alaska, Idaho, and West Virginia. Fort Wayne, Indiana, boasts the third-highest concentration of Nickelback fans, and in 2014, South Dakota performed more searches for Nickelback than any other state (interestingly, however, North Dakota tops South Dakota in Nickelback fandom, coming in at eighth on their list).
James Murphy & 2ManyDJs Share “Despacio” Mix Exclusively For BBC Radio 1
James Murphy and 2ManyDJs dropped some serious money to create the 50,000-watt vinyl-only Despacio Soundsystem. It’s an impressive collection of eight eleven foot tall speaker stacks powered by forty-eight McIntosh amplifiers. At roughly $30,000.00 USD EACH, this was a serious step forward in sound engineering.
Despacio Soundsystem: From workshop to dancefloor from thevinylfactory on Vimeo.
The massive McIntosh system was built mainly for one-off events but has since toured all over the world backed by a handful of the best turntable DJs.
DJ Heidi sat in for B.Traits’ BBC Radio 1 show over the weekend and delivered a special surprise, a mix from Despacio.
‘Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck’ To Screen In Canadian Theatres In May
KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK invites you to experience Kurt’s life, art and mind through his own unique lens, bringing you as close to the generation-defining icon as it’s possible to get. This first ever, fully-authorized documentary feature blends Cobain’s personal archive of art, music (both his most famous and some that’s never been heard), written word, and never-before-seen home movies, with animation and revelatory interviews from his family and closest confidantes.
Following Kurt from his earliest years in Aberdeen, WA, through the height of his fame, it creates an intense and powerful cinematic insight into an artist who craved the spotlight even as he rejected the trappings of fame. Those of Kurt’s generation will learn things about him they never knew. Those who’ve discovered the man and his music more recently will understand what makes Kurt the lasting icon that he is. Just like the legendary frontman of Nirvana himself, KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK is authentic, visceral and unflinching. It will get into your head and stay there long after the end credits roll.
The film is being shown in 75 cinemas across the country, with screenings in all 10 provinces on May 7. For a full list of participating theatres, go here. To purchase tickets, go here.
Knxwledge Makes His Stones Throw Records Debut With Hud Dreams
Knxwledge (pronounced “knowledge”) is a 26 year old, Los Angeles based beat maker making his debut on Stones Throw, May 5, 2015, with the album Hud Dreems – 26 tracks of instrumental hip-hop.
Standing out in a sea of producers rising from the L.A. beat scene, the prolific artist and record collector produces his sound by creating a pastiche of soul, jazz and hip-hop that melts together in a style uniquely his own. He has produced for hip-hop powerhouse Kendrick Lamar on To Pimp a Butterfly, for Joey Badass on 1999, and has released dozens of remix and beat tape collections on his Bandcamp. He calls these his “light work.”
Knx has found a home on Stones Throw’s roster, working closely with Mndsgn and with Anderson Paak in an R&B/hip-hop collaboration as NxWorries, whose debut album will be released later this year.
Canadian Music Week First Major Music Festival LICENSED TO PLAY with SOCAN
With festival season fast approaching, Canadian Music Week (CMW) and SOCAN have partnered to achieve a first for Canada by awarding the major music conference and festival with a special LICENSED TO PLAY designation.
After confirming that more than 60 CMW music venues are licensed with SOCAN, CMW was presented with a special LICENSED TO PLAY designation from SOCAN – a version of the emblem that nearly 30,000 SOCAN-licensed businesses have so far received to show their support through fair licensing of music created by Canada’s songwriters and composers.
“Partnering with our friends at CMW was something that made perfect sense to us, and it’s our way of continuing to do what is right for music creators and their publishers,” said CEO Eric Baptiste. “CMW being the first festival to be LICENSED TO PLAY is a great accomplishment for Canadian music culture, our members, and the more than 125,000 licensed businesses that are part of music industry ecosystem in Canada.”
Now in its 33rd year, Canadian Music Week is one of the premier entertainment events in North America focusing on the business of music. From May 1st to 10th, Toronto will be buzzing with international and local music-makers and industry representatives from around the world.
“CMW believes in and upholds the rights of music creators to be compensated fairly for their work, so we enthusiastically got together with SOCAN on this industry first,” said CMW President Neill Dixon. “CMW is a significant platform for Canada’s musicians to gain exposure, and we are helping their careers by encouraging our showcase venues to play their part. We encourage other festivals and conferences to follow our lead. It’s the right thing to do for Canada’s music ecosystem.”
This year CMW is showcasing nearly 1,000 acts at more than 60 live venues across Toronto. Ninety-two percent of the Canadian acts performing at this year’s CMW include a SOCAN member.
While organizations that use music as part of their business are expected to abide by the law, constantly monitoring every one of Canada’s music-using businesses is not feasible. SOCAN works with businesses and their trade associations to encourage them to stay up-to-date with their music licenses that collectively are a major part of a songwriter, composer and music publisher’s livelihood through royalties, and a vital aspect of Canada’s music ecosystem.
Noel Gallagher tells a GREAT story about a night out with Russell Brand and Morrissey
I was in LA on holiday with Sara and the boys, and Russell [Brand] came to see us. And he goes, “What you doing tonight? I was with Morrissey last night, and he reckons we should go out for a drink.” So Russell’s texting him from my hotel room, saying, “It’s on,” and Morrissey’s texting back, going [does pitch-perfect, drawling Morrissey impression] “Wonderful. Tell him to bring his credit card.”
And we get to this gaff – this is like at seven in the evening – and I’m saying to Russell, “I’m up for it tonight, but I don’t want to keep Sara up all night, we’ll kick things in the head about two.” And Russell snorts. “2 o’clock? We’ll be out of here in 40 minutes! I can’t handle Morrissey for more than 40 minutes: he’s fucking mental!” So, we go in, and there he’s sat, and I could write a book on that night.
Russell doesn’t drink so me and Morrissey were roaring drunk. First thing, he got up and sort of shook my hand. I said, “Alright mate, how’re you doing?” because I’ve met him at awards ceremonies, I’ve been on planes with him going to festivals. He’d just cancelled all the gigs in South America because he had whatever it was. So I go, “I thought you just cancelled a load of gigs, I thought you were at death’s door.” And he said [raises eyebrows, does the voice again] “Yet here I am”.
So it just descended, and he was fucking hilarious. He doesn’t have a good word to say about anyone, anyone, anything. At one point he was asking [the voice again] “Who do we find funny?” and I was like, “I don’t know? Micky Flanagan?” and he’d just go [rolls eyes back in head, puts fingertips of stretched-out on table, shouts exasperatedly] “Micky Flanagan!!!!”. And I’d say, “What about Jack Dee?” and he’d just go [leans forward and shout] “He! Is! Not! FUNN-Y!” Russell was just so nervous, and Morrissey was going, “Come on, come on, can’t we drink champagne and get pissed.” It just went on for quite a while, and he was brilliant.
And I have to tell you this story. I was saying to him, “So, when you were with The Smiths, the melodies that you wrote… well, you had all these words, but your way with melody is quite unique, it’s not the blues and it’s not pop, so did you have all these songs before you met Johnny?”
And he says [preens] “I did”. And I was like, “Did you?” He said, “I had them on cassette”. And I said, “But you can’t play the guitar” He said, “No, no, but I had a little drum kit”. And I said, “What, a drum kit?” and he said, “Yes, yes, yes”. And I said, “What did you have a drum kit for?” and he said, “Well, not many people know this, but Rice Crispies once asked me to do a jingle for them”. So I said, “Really? Did you do it?” and he said, “No, no, no, I wouldn’t play it.” The he paused and leaned over, and said, “I wouldn’t wear the leather.” [erupts in laughter]
And you know what: he never asked me a single fucking question about why I was in LA, what I was doing, Oasis splitting up, nothing. When you’re with Morrissey, you’re in the court of Morrissey. But he’s a fucking uber-legend. What a top man.
Via The Quietus
Full lineup announced for 2015 TD Halifax Jazz Festival
The city of Halifax is the stage for the 29th edition of the TD Halifax Jazz Festival this summer, July 8 through 12. This year’s festival is bigger and more exciting than ever, with 14 stages throughout Halifax, from Dartmouth to Clayton Park, including the popular Main Stage on the Halifax Waterfront!
Jazz Festival Artistic Director Laura ‘Lulu’ Healy promises a thrilling lineup as the festival continues to present exciting and intriguing acts from the jazz world. Representing Canada are some of the country’s leading jazz musicians including Michael Kaeshammer, Ranee Lee, Kirk MacDonald, Roddy Ellias, and Robi Botos. The Main Stage lineup also includes Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, tUnE-yArDs, and Juan de Marcos & The Afro Cuban All-Stars. In addition, Healy adds, “We are excited to announce The Budos Band and Vox Sambou have been added to the Main Stage lineup.”
Artists from across the globe will be on hand to liven up the festival and bring the sounds of jazz to the streets of Halifax — the Bus Stop Theatre will present an eclectic series of acts includingMdou Moctar (Niger), Tin Men & The Telephone (The Netherlands), Nils Berg Cinemascope(Sweden) and Another Time, Another Place: Jerry Granelli, Jane Ira Bloom & Julian Priester (Halifax/New York/Seattle/Berlin).
Everyone is invited to get in on the fun, with free concerts on the Main Stage every day throughout the festival including local and touring musicians. “If you work downtown, you’ll be able to stop by when you leave your office to take in summer and the music,” says Healy. “We’ve also expanded our free programming to include a big band series at the Bandstand in the Halifax Public Gardens and a variety of music at the Hydrostone Park… This year we are showcasing the jazz elite from south of the border, including Joey DeFrancesco, Brian Blade, and Kenny Werner — in indoor venues such as Alderney Landing Theatre and the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium.
Free concerts and artist talks are also in store, showcasing venues throughout the city including the Halifax Central Library, Keshen Goodman Public Library, Alderney Gate Public Library, and Alliance Française. Beloved Halifax landmark Theodore the Tugboat will showcase children’s programming, including “Splash! Bang! Boom!,” a workshop that takes place while the boat sails Halifax Harbour. Educational programming also includes the ten-day Creative Music Workshop led by Jerry Granelli featuring special guest faculty members Jane Ira Bloom and Julian Priester.
Also featured are Pram Trio, Anteater, Alana Yorke, The New Bridge, and Party Boots, competing for the Stingray Rising Star Award. Based both on the results of an online fan vote and the decisions of a jury, one act will receive $3000 to help jumpstart their career.
Capping off the festivities is a free swing concert at the Main Stage Sunday evening, July 12 with the Gordon Webster Sextet featuring Brianna Thomas and festival fan favourite Alex Pangman.
Support for the TD Halifax Jazz Festival is provided by numerous corporate and community partners including TD, Waterfront Development Corporation and Westin Halifax. All ticketswill be on sale by the festival’s official provider etixnow.com through halifaxjazzfestival.ca starting Tuesday, April 21.
In addition to participating in all the great music and events,people can take an active role in the excitement by volunteering their time. Volunteer applications open May 5th. For more information about the TD Halifax Jazz Festival visit www.halifaxjazzfestival.ca.
Since 1987 the Halifax Jazz Festival, presented by the non-profit organization JazzEast, has organized a diverse range of musical and educational activities including the 2015 TD Halifax Jazz Festival. Follow ‘Halifax Jazz Festival’ on Facebook and Twitter @HFXJazzFest
