In other news this week, a new town hall to help Canadian artists with U.S. border issues, Martha Wainwright celebrates a milestone album anniversary, Auteur Research gets acquired & more.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Official Community, an artist-led data and e-commerce platform, has announced the acquisition of Auteur Research, the Hamilton-based music marketing and publicity firm founded by Adam Bentley.
In a statement, Ron Thomson, CEO of Official Community, explains that "This strategic move strengthens Official Community’s position as a leader in All Media Marketing, offering a unified, customizable platform for artists to grow their careers and deepen connections with fans. Artists need more than just visibility; they need meaningful engagement with their audience. By acquiring Auteur Research, we’re reinforcing our commitment to providing artists with a comprehensive approach to career growth — one that integrates marketing, PR, digital strategy, and fan engagement."
Auteur Research has driven marketing campaigns for the three Canadian major labels, high-profile indies Wax Records, Sonic Unyon Records and Dine Alone Records, and artists like Arkells, The Dirty Nil, Silverstein, Lights, Danko Jones, Big Wreck and Julian Taylor.
“In 2025, the need for diverse connectivity methods is more crucial than ever,” said Bentley. “Since founding Auteur Research, my mission has been to make sure real people hear the artists we represent. Partnering with Official Community is a powerful step forward — an opportunity to amplify that mission at scale.”
Bentley is also an active musician (Allegories) and producer (The Dirty Nil, Edgar Breau).
The City of Winnipeg has announced the naming of a section of the Disraeli Bridge Roadway to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, in tribute to one of the city’s most legendary rock bands. The honourary designation recognizes Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s (BTO) lasting contributions to music and their deep connection to the Winnipeg community. A dedication ceremony will be held April 18th at 1 pm, at the Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Education Centre, where members of the band, city officials and community leaders will unveil the new signage.
In a statement, Deputy Mayor Markus Chambers called Bachman-Turner Overdrive "part of the soundtrack of Winnipeg. Their music not only shaped a generation but also inspired countless artists across Canada and beyond. We’re proud to recognize their roots here in our city with this honourary naming.”
The hard rock veterans have begun their Back In Overdrive Tour 2025, consisting of 22 shows across Canada. It includes a show at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre on April 19, with April Wine and Headpins in support. Check out the itinerary here.
Gala SOCAN is returning to Montreal for SOCAN's 100th anniversary. On May 4, Montréal’s La TOHU will be the host of this event celebrating music creators and publishers from Québec and the rest of Canada’s Francophone community. The organization will award more than 100 trophies in 29 categories to artists and professionals for their work over the last two years, including Kaytranada, Charlotte Cardin, Banx & Ranx and more.
For a full list and more info head to socan.com
– The National Music Centre (NMC) has announced the 2025 recipients of the OHSOTO’KINO Recording Bursary: singer-songwriter Raymond Sewell and powwow and round dance artist Marlon Deschamps. Sewell is an I’nu singer-songwriter, poet, and English professor from Pabineau First Nation. Hailing from the Cree Nation of Maskwacis, Deschamps is a member of the acclaimed drum group Northern Cree, has contributed to nine Grammy-nominated albums and shared his music on world stages, including the New Orleans Jazz Festival and the 2017 Grammy Awards.
The Bursary offers recipients studio time in NMC’s recording spaces, along with access to its renowned “living collection” of rare musical instruments, all with the intention of producing a commercial release. The associated OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator fosters artistic growth by connecting emerging Indigenous artists with mentorship, career-building workshops, and live performance opportunities. NMC is also now accepting submissions for the next edition of the OHSOTO’KINO Music Incubator. Apply at studiobell.ca/ohsotokino by May 31.
– The City of Burlington has announced that acclaimed musician and community advocate Chris McKhool will be presented with the Key to the City on April 16, from 7-8 p.m. at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. McKhool is leader of award-winning global music group Sultans of String.
In a statement, The City notes that "McKhool’s commitment to equity, access, and the performing arts has had a transformative effect on Burlington’s cultural landscape. He has worked to remove barriers for youth in underserved neighbourhoods, collaborated with educators and presenters across the region, and created opportunities for meaningful dialogue through artistic expression." In 2024, McKhool was inducted into the Burlington Performing Arts Centre Hall of Fame. More info here.
– Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) recently entered two new inductees into the FEO Hall of Fame. They are festival manager and event planner Peter Gismondi, of Superior Events Group, and veteran festival founder, Pat Silver, who created the internationally praised SING! The Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival in 2011.
The VENUExVENUE Music Festival and Conference returns to London, Ontario, for its 2025 edition, running November 6–8. For the first time, more than 50 artists from across the country will be invited to showcase there. Submissions to join that group are now being accepted here by July 11.
– The highly-lauded PEI music venue Under the Spire has just announced its30th anniversary artist lineup. The season begins on June 20, with a solo show from Matt Andersen. He is followed by such award-winning folk artists as Rose Cousins, the Ennis Sisters, a triple bill featuring Catherine MacLellan, JP Cormier, and Dave Gunning, Inn Echo, Lawrence Maxwell and Irish Mythen. Classical performances include Measha Bruggergosman-Lee, Cheng2 Duo, Maritime Brass Quintet and Philip Chiu, and global music acts Tulua and Okavango African Orchestra will also perform. See the full lineup and purchase tickets here.
CIMA has announced a Zoom town hall on a very timely and important topic, Canadian Artists Performing in the United States. The trade org notes that "Shifting enforcement practices, particularly at the border, and the overall political climate coming out of the United States has caused some Canadian artists and their teams to cancel U.S. tours and shift travel plans. Many more are concerned and confused."
The session takes place onApril 22, 1:30 -3.00 p.m. and you can register here. CIMA's president & CEO, Andrew Cash will be joined by guests Lee Clark (Attorney at CoveyLaw), Will Spitz (Attorney at CoveyLaw) and Liana White (Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Musicians, "to help give a clearer picture of what to expect at the U.S. border and beyond."
Montreal singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her self-titled debut album. In a statement, she explains that "in many ways that record defined me, as well as launched me into a now over 20-year-long career that has made me who I am." Last month, that album was given its first-ever release on vinyl, and Wainwright is playing it in its entirety, plus new material, on her current tour featuring shows in Canada, the U.S. and England. The trek began March 21 in Hamilton and runs to May 31, including concerts in Montreal (April 25) and Toronto (May 11). Itinerary and tickets here.
– Acclaimed Toronto jazz-pop vocalist Genevieve Marentette (Gigi) has a show at Hugh's Room on April 17. It will showcase material from her recent album Songs of '69, one that reimagines classics released that year and has been praised by the likes of David Clayton-Thomas and Randy Bachman. Her A-list band features George Koller, Eric St-Laurent, Ben Wittman and new Juno winner Jeremy Ledbetter. Clela Errington opens. Tickets via Showpass.
– Aspart of his current Ride On tour, celebrating 50 years of live performances, 9x Juno and Grammy-winning blues artist and producer Colin Linden plays The Mule Spinner in Hamilton on April 22. He has previously played the venue both solo and as part of the roots super-trio, Blackie and The Rodeo Kings. Opening up will be longtime hometown hero Lori Yates, now relocated to Toronto and riding a wave of praise for her recent album Matador. Tickets here. See Linden's full itinerary here.
Metric
Also in the news this week: Joel Plaskett is surprised with a tribute album, Green Day makes a statement at Coachella, AI copyright fears & more.
Trans artists Bells Larsen and T. Thomason are pulling out of U.S. tour dates because of border fears, and the issue is grabbing attention on both sides of the border. That story has grabbed headlines this week, as have Coachella performances, AI backlash and an HYBE crackdown on deepfakes in South Korea resulting in multiple arrests.
Read about those stories and more in our weekly roundup below:
Metric Backs Out of Tour, Citing ‘Sudden Production Decisions' from Team of Co-Headliner Bloc Party
Canadian band Metric has announced on social media that it is backing out of an upcoming tour with English band Bloc Party, but will still play a hometown show with Sam Roberts Band in place. – Canadian Press
Trans Musicians Are Cancelling U.S. Tour Dates Due To Trump's Gender ID Rules
Canadian trans artists are cancelling because of Trump's crackdown on immigration at the border. – Manisha Krishnan, Wired
Toronto Musicians Share Their Favourite Memories From the Dakota Tavern: ‘It Was Like Our Version of a Sunday Service’
Jason Collett, Ed Robertson, Charlotte Cornfield and more on nearly 20 years at the Dakota: “The first Toronto venue where I felt the true magic of time and place.” – Richie Assaly, Toronto Star
45th Montreal International Jazz Festival boasts ‘a modern twist’
With the Montreal International Jazz Festival turning 45 this year, programming director Maurin Auxéméry likes to joke that the city’s emblematic summer event is having its mid-life crisis. The city’s flagship festival presents more than 350 shows — from June 26 to July 5. –T’Cha Dunlevy, Montreal Gazette
Canadian Folk and Rock Stars Surprise Joel Plaskett With Tribute Album 'Songs From The Gang'
Arkells, Alan Doyle, Sloan, City and Colour, Jenn Grant, Julian Taylor and many more are putting their spin on the east coast songwriter's vast body of work. – Rosie Long Decter, Billboard Canada
Opera Atelier Co-founders Celebrate 40 years, Onstage and Off
Opera Atelier’s upcoming presentation of baroque masterpiece David and Jonathan at Toronto’s Koerner Hall is cause enough for celebration. The 40th anniversary of the company, co-founded by married joint artistic directors Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg and Marshall Pynkoski is another. – Brad Wheeler, Globe & Mail
After a Harrowing Spiral Into Darkness, Toronto Singer Cold Specks Returns with Breathtaking Comeback Album
Released nearly eight years after mental illness derailed her career, “Light for the Midnight” is a stripped-back soul record that sublimates pain into breathtaking beauty. – Richie Assaly, Toronto Star
Liberal Leader Mark Carney Nails his Nardwuar the Human Serviette Interview
If Nardwuar the Human Serviette truly is, as a wise person once suggested, the “litmus test for humanity”, then Mark Carney just passed with a gold-standard showing. – Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
Stratford Festival Gears Up for New Season Amid Succession Questions
As this year’s Stratford Festival inches closer, two crucial questions are circling: Who will take the top job in Canadian theatre when current artistic Antoni Cimolino steps down at the end of the 2026 season? And what sort of festival will they inherit when they start? – Aisling Murphy, Globe & Mail
Canadian Rock Veterans Headstones Sign To Dine Alone, Release New Single with City and Colour
With this signing, Headstones become labelmates with Dallas Green, who guests on the Hugh Dillon-fronted band's brand new single, "NAVIGATE." Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
A Fresh(Up) Approach to R&B in Hamilton
Sonic Unyon’s showcases have expanded to include hip hop, soul, electronic and roots performers. The dream is to eventually blossom into a full-fledged summer festival. – Sarah Jessica Rintjema, Hamilton City Magazine
Neil Young, Joan Baez & Maggie Rogers Perform at ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ Rally
The moment took place on Saturday (April 12) at the political rally hosted by Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. –Jessica Lynch, Billboard
Green Day Change 'Jesus of Suburbia' Lyrics to Make Israel-Palestine War Reference During Coachella 2025 Set
Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong used the band's Coachella debut to make a political statement that had the crowd cheering. – Entertainment Weekly
European Union’s Latest Draft AI Code of Practice Renders Copyright ‘Meaningless,’ Rightsholders Warn
A coalition of creatives including the IFPI, which represents the recording industry worldwide, said the third draft is “completely unacceptable” as it “undermines the objectives of the AI Act, contravenes EU law and ignores the intention of the EU legislator". – Mandy Dalugdug, Music Business Worldwide
Warner Music Group is Readying Its Superfan App – With Help From Ed Sheeran
Warner Music Group‘s long-promised superfan app is moving closer to reality, with a more sophisticated version now being tested by a select group of users, according to a new Wall Street Journal report. The app recruited Ed Sheeran as its first featured artist. – MBW
Music Can Lift Mood, Foster Community and Even Rewire Brains – But Does It Need to Have a Purpose?
The therapeutic role music can play is the focus of a string of new books and even an entire BBC radio station. But why can’t we just listen to music for music’s sake? Emily MacGregor, The Guardian
HYBE Deepfake Crackdown Sees Eight Arrested in South Korea
Company's CEO pledges 'zero-tolerance and no-settlement policy' over alleged crimes against its artists .– Murray Stassen, MBW
