Music BC

Music BC

The Weeknd  Facebook photo
April 14, 2022
by Kerry Doole

The Weeknd (pictured) leads a strong crop of Canadian nominees for the  2022 Billboard Music Awards, Erin Benjamin is up for an International Folk Music Award, and Daniel Caesar signs to Republic. Also in the news are CMW, Crown Lands, Mariposa, Alison Russell, The Ontario Festival of Small Halls, Cavendish Beach, Music BC, Crank Media, The Royal Conservatory, Tallies, Patrizia, Monique Barry, Mack MacKenzie, James Brown, The Northern Pikes, Sultans of String, and farewell Bob Luhtala and Chris Bailey.

January 27, 2021
by Kerry Doole

Everbloom Virtual Music Festival (pictured) is launched, Snotty Nose Rez Kids lead the noms for International Indigenous Hip-Hop Awards, and rapper Connor Price grabs attention. Also in the news are Block Heater, MusicNL Awards, SXSW, Donald Robins, Jacob Hoggard, Andrea Morris, Tami Neilson, goodboy noah, Let’s Hear It! Live, and the Jane LeBlanc Music Award.

Emanuel  Photo: Matt Barnes
December 6, 2020
by Kerry Doole

Emanuel (pictured) signs to Motown Records, Toronto musicians rally in support of the unhoused, and The Funk Hunters are certified Road Gold. Also in the news are Jon Box, Indie Weekly, The Weeknd, Evergreen Festival, Music BC, Glass Tiger, Cat Clyde, Micah Barnes, Stephan Moccio, Gowan and Stuck On Planet Earth, Kandle, Kaytranada, Tanya Tagaq, and farewell Andre Gagnon, Denise Jones, and Dick Alen.

May 29, 2020
by Kerry Doole

The 2021 Maple Blues Awards show will be virtual, this year’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival (pictured) heads online, and James Keast moves on from Exclaim!. Also in the news are Beth Anne Cole, The TD Markham Jazz Festival, CFMAs, Music BC, Canada Media Fund, David Myles, Crystal Shawanda, Haley Blais, Johnny A, and farewell Houdini.

Melanie Peterson Facebook photo
May 25, 2020
by Kerry Doole

The 2020 Canadian Songwriter Challenge is underway, Melanie Peterson (pictured) has a regular live stream, and Universal Honey’s debut is reissued. Also in the news are A2IM Indie Week, CIMA, Music BC, Evangeline Gentle, The Gord Downie Fund, Sierra Noble, DeeDee7, SaskMusic, Bob Dylan, Alberta Music, and farewell Mory Kanté and Bobby Digital.

Craig Cardiff
February 17, 2020
by FYI Staff

True North Records has signed Craig Cardiff (pictured), Brian Hetherman revives the Sonic Envy label, and a new song from Gordon Lightfoot. Also in the news are SoundCloud Creator Forum, Billie Eilish, Lennon Stella, The Golden Ticket, Music PEI, Music BC, and farewell Buzzy Linhart.

Skydiggers  Photo: Heather Pollock
February 12, 2020
by Kerry Doole

Skydiggers (pictured) celebrate a milestone anniversary, Drake gets Caffeinated, and Justin Bieber has good Intentions. Also in the news are Winterfolk, The Backstreet Boys, Adrian Sutherland,The Sam Roberts Band,  Music BC, and farewell Lyle Mays and Joseph Shabalala.

Gord Sinclair
January 13, 2020
by Kerry Doole

Gord Sinclair (pictured) makes a solo debut, Alan Doyle announces a new EP and tour, and The Hawk turns 85. Others in the news include the ACMA, January Music Meeting, Oz fires, Ayla Brook & The Sound Men, SaskMusic, Clifford Brewing Co., Ginger St. James, Sina Bathaie, Music BC, and A2IM.

Gord Downie  Photo: Canadian Living
December 16, 2019
by Kerry Doole

Gord Downie (pictured) has been named Ontario's first poet laureate, Billy Talent release a multi-part short film, and Alberta Music celebrates its 35th anniversary. Also in the news, the Be Kind Festival, Good Lovelies, Skydiggers, Silent Winters, The Dirty Nil, Music BC, Jenn Grant, Mélisande, Manitoba Music, and farewell Gershon Kingsley and Roy Loney.

Choir! Choir! Choir!
October 11, 2019
by Kerry Doole

Choir! Choir! Choir! ( pictured) to perform at the US-Mexico border on Sunday, a CIMA showcase at Folk Alliance 2020, and a Tribute to Gord Downie in Burlington. Also in the news are Music Nova Scotia, TSO, FACTOR, 2020 Music PEI Awards, CCMA Song Camp, Ontario Creates, Music BC, and farewell John McGuirk, Stephen Swid, and Molly Duncan.

Kardinal Offishall  Facebook photo
September 27, 2019
by FYI Staff

imagineNATIVE turns 20, Kardinal Offishall (pictured) hosts TEDxToronto, and a new John Coltrane album with Canadian roots. Also in the news are Mirvish musicals, Dave Bidini, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, ArtsCan Circle, OMF, NSMW, Cœur de pirate, Suzanne Jarvie, The Lifers, and Cavendish Beach Music Festival. With video.

Alexandra Stréliski   Photo: Raphael Ouellet
September 20, 2019
by Kerry Doole

Alexandra Stréliski (pictured) begins international touring, Drake is building fences, and Melissa McClelland joins the Women's Blues Revue. Others in the news include The Polaris Music Prize, CIMA, Jazzahead, ALGMS, Music Canada, Catherine MacLellan, Lost Cousins, Music BC, and farewell Larry Wallis.