FYI Music for Jun 29th, 2020 - Kim Mitchell, Dean Brody, Prism Prize

| Prism Prize Show Goes Virtual on July 23

The annual show celebrating the best of Canadian music videos and their creators will take place online this year. All previously announced Top 20 artists are in the running for the $20K Grand Prize. 

| Media Beat: June 29, 2020

In defence of Indie 88, Corus takes a big hit, Elon Musk's big pitch to connect rural Canada with high-speed internet service, unions target Postmedia and Canadaland, and the ongoing follies of Mark Zuckerberg.

| A Conversation With ..Kim Mitchell

The much-loved veteran, still doing his rock ‘n roll duty, recently signed to El Mocambo Records. Here he talks about his upcoming album, life in a pandemic, a love of Tom Petty, his stint as a star radio host, the stress of touring, and much more.

| The Weeknd's After Hours Returns To No. 1

It's the fifth week for The Weeknd at the top of the chart, Lady Gaga gracefully slips to 2nd place, and Lamb of God and Bob Dylan have two of this week's chart debuts.

| Dean Brody's 'Canadian Summer' Is A(nother) Slam Dunk Hit

(Pictured) Dean Brody's knack for writing songs with a solid gold hook continues unabated on Canadian Summer that references Muskoka and has a hint of a Beach Boys harmony in the chorus, American siblings' Adam, Jack, and Ryan Metzger have themselves a hit with a song that hints at the mayhem this summer in America, and Vancouver's Hotel Mira delivers a smartly written pop hit that is playful at heart.

| What Came In the Mail: Songs Seeking Champions

A small selection of unsolicited songs sent to FYI that are seeking champions.

| Five Questions With ... Midnight Shine's Adrian Sutherland

The Indigenous roots-rock band from Attawapiskat is releasing an expanded version of its debut album, James Bay. Its leader explains why here and discusses the relevance of its material, his songwriting, and the challenges faced by his community.

| Prism Prize Eligible Video: Bazarian-Sight Lines feat. Carmen Elle

The 2019 Prism Prize for Best Canadian Music Video was awarded to Kevan Funk, for his clip for Belle Game’s Low. We will continue to profile noteworthy Canadian videos, including this one from a Toronto composer that features a star guest vocalist.

| FYI Calendar of Grant and Funding Deadlines: June 29, 2020

Chasing some dollars to fund your next recording or cross-country tour? Hoping to enter your songs into a lucrative competition? Seeking showcase opportunities at festivals and conferences? Check our calendar and get into the groove. Keep in mind that pandemic fears are likely to threaten some of the events listed. The deadline for two programs from Music PEI (pictured) is July 10.

| Music News Digest, June 29, 2020

Alessia Cara (pictured) performs on the Junos tonight, Dine Alone and Dallas Green launch a charity raffle, and The SOCAN Foundation announces a new fund. Also in the news are Massey-Harris, the ECMAs, Indie Week 2020, Hamilton’s Canada Day concert, Dennis Ellsworth, drive-in shows, and farewell Graeme Williamson. With video.

| Music Biz Headlines, June 29, 2020

Allan Reid (pictured) discusses tonight’s virtual Juno Awards, the problems facing the return of live music, and Len hitmaker Marc Costanzo has a new venture. Others in the headlines include Gary Topp, Facebook,  Reeperbahn fest, Laurel Canyon, The Chicks, K-pop fans, Bob Dylan, Glastonbury,Haim, The Joel Plaskett Emergency, TSO, Rachel McAdams, Bandcamp, and Warren Haynes.