In other stories this week, the late Dave Bookman inspires a talent-studded benefit in Toronto, Brodie Schwendiman returns to the Hamilton club scene and international stars pay tribute to Triumph.
Max Kerman
Max Kerman, frontman of Arkells, has turned author. Published this week by Penguin Random House, Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress is a memoir that is also a motivational look at the creative process. In an interview with The Globe & Mail's Josh O'Kane, Kerman states "I make no claim to be good. The only claim I make is that I try hard.”
Spotify Audiobooks partnered with Kerman on an invite-only release last night (April 21) at Morning Parade Coffee Bar in Toronto, the coffee shop where he wrote most of the book. Kerman told stories about always being the guy to shoot his shot, including a night spent asking Shania Twain about her creative process (including how much she sleeps), and shared behind-the-scenes details about recording the audiobook.
He is now out on a book launch tour that begins in Toronto with an event on April 22 at Kerman's old high school Harbord Collegiate, followed by Calgary Word Fest (April 24), McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg (April 25) and ODDS Bar in Hamilton, April 27.
Described as one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most beloved songs, "Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary’s," will be inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (CSHF) at the 37th East Coast Music Awards Gala, in St. John’s on Thursday, May 8. As part of the ceremony, the song will be performed by the famed Newfoundland Celtic folk group, The Irish Descendants,
The ballad was written by native son Otto Kelland in 1947, and Con O’Brien, lead singer of The Irish Descendants, describes it as "the quintessential NL folk song. It embodies all the elements of this place that we cherish and hold dear. Of all the songs we have sung there is none more powerful than what we affectionately call The Cape. And I’m proud to say that Otto Kelland always said that The Irish Descendants version of his song was his favourite.”
The Irish Descendants’ version was a duet with Con O’Brien and best-selling vocalist John McDermott and was included on the 1997 gold-selling, Juno-winning recording, Gypsies and Lovers. Tickets for the 37th East Coast Music Awards Gala are on sale now at ECMA.com. The gala will also be livestreamed worldwide at ECMA.com.
– The Canadian Sync Awards are approaching rapidly, set for May 6 at Annabel’s Music Hall in Toronto, as part of The Departure Festival + Conference. The Guild of Music Supervisors, Canada (GMSC) have now announced the nominees and revealed that the 2025 Impact Award will be presented to Broken Social Scene. This award is bestowed upon an individual or group to celebrate a lifetime of contributions and influence on music, culture, community, self-expression and vision, as well as their profound prominence in the sync world. See a full nominees list here.
– On April 13, the 14th edition of the Niagara Music Awards were held in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Leading the winners list with two trophies apiece were blues artist Spencer MacKenzie and roots singer-songwriter Spencer Burton. Winner of the two global achievement awards were was pianist/composer Stephan Moccio and EDM star Rezz. See the full list of winners here.
The Misty City Music Festival is a new rock and country fest, set to take place Sept. 5 and 6 outside Niagara Falls Convention Centre on Stanley Avenue. Icelandic blues-rockers Kaleo will headline the first night, with emerging U.S. country star Riley Green topping the bill on Sept. 6. An extra nine 9 acts will play each day, with their details TBA.
– An impressive lineup of Canadian talent has been booked by Noisemaker Presents for the summer concert series at Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) in Burlington, Ontario. It will be launched by Allison Russell on July 2, followed by AHI and Logan Staats (July 9), Matt Andersen & Terra Lightfoot (July 17), The Strumbellas & Serena Ryder (July 31), Jeremie Albino (Aug. 14), Begonia (Aug. 20) and a potent double bill of Kathleen Edwards and Sloan on Aug. 28. Tickets here.
– Of note: Noisemaker, headed by Tim Des Islets, turns 10 this year and a June 12th celebratory concert at the Paris Presbyterian Church in its home base of Paris, Ontario, will feature Terra Lightfoot, Danny Michel, Digging Roots, Great Lake Swimmers, Joel Plaskett, Skydiggers, Splash'N Boots, Revive the Rose and The East Pointers. Tix here.
– The Harvest Music Festival in downtown Fredericton, P.E.I., turns 35 this year. The milestone anniversary edition runs Sept. 9-14, with a mix of some big U.S. headliners and plenty of East Coast and Canadian talent. Sat. Sept 13 features Melissa Etheridge & Indigo Girls in an early show, followed by Portugal. The Man with Karina Rykman in the evening. Other acts include punk veterans Gob, bluesmen Keith Hallett & Garrett Mason, Goose with The Big Fun Duo, The Head and The Heart, The Revivalists, Grace Bowers, Conor Fox, David Shaw and Jah’Mila. Tickets and passes here.
The premature passing of Toronto radio personality, musician and concert promoter Dave 'Bookie' Bookman in 2019 left a large hole in the city's music scene, and he has certainly not been forgotten. That is shown in the star-studded lineup recently announced to play a benefit concert in Bookman's honour, at The Garrison on May 9. Last year, theLeft Of The Dial benefit raised money for The Daily Bread Food Bank and saw local luminaries covering The Replacements. This year sees the same charity benefit, with The Tragically Hip as the featured band. Let's Get Friendship Right will see performances by members of U.S. Girls, July Talk, Billy Talent, Hollerado, Great Lake Swimmers, Ace of Wands, Nicolette & the Nobodies and Skydiggers — as well as Talia Schlanger, Skye Wallace, John Borra, Shakura S'Aida, Ryan Wayne, Brendan Canning & Cynthia Tauro, Justin Rutledge, Kevin Hearn, Miss Emily, Hugh Christopher Brown, Kevin Hearn and more. Admission is free with a non-perishable food item.
– Welcome word on the street in Hamilton is that club booker Brodie Schwendiman is returning to action following the recent closure of The Casbah, long one of the city's most beloved club venues. He tells Billboard Canada that he has begun booking shows at The Bright Room, situated in the Staircase Cafe Theatre, with an emphasis on bands serving up adventurous 'outer sounds.' Initial bookings include post-rock band Ocean Monument (May 1), Toronto avant-country combo The Western Slang (May 9) and an album release show by local pop-rockers Slow Reader, launching Soft Eviction there on May 24. Check the show calendar here.
On Saturday (April 26), Schwendiman is bringing a talent-packed lineup to cafe Selo (13 Hess Street S.). Friends of Justine features local star bassist Justine 'The Bass Machine' Fischer, joined by noted area roots and blues artists Mary Simon, Matty Simpson and Spencer MacKenzie. Tickets here.
On June 6, a star-studded tribute album to Canadian hard rock legends Triumph, Magic Power: All Star Tribute to Triumph, will be released. The project was conceived by renowned producer Mike Clink (Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue and Whitesnake), and guest vocalists include Dee Snider, Dorothy, Sebastian Bach, Nancy Wilson, Joey Belladonna and Jeff Keith. Twisted Sister frontman Snider tackles Triumph classic "Lay It On The Line," and you can hear a preview of that cut here. Of note: On May 5, Coalition for Music Education's Music Monday cross-country sing-along will see thousands of Canadians join in singing and performing this year's anthem, Triumph's "Hold On," at their schools and other community events.
U.S. Girls
This week's new releases include albums from Skydiggers and Men I Trust. Check out our full calendar of Canadian albums.
The Canadian music calendar is filling with spring and summer releases.
There are a number of new artists with anticipated albums out this week. Indie-pop duo and Polaris Prize longlisters Bibi Club have released a deluxe edition of their Feu de Garde, while prolific (over 20 albums and EPs) Toronto roots-rock veterans Skydiggers have released Dreams & Second Chancesand acclaimed folk-rocker Ryan Wayne has put out his second solo outing, Functioning Dysfunctionals.
Emerging folk-roots outfit Robert Thomas & The Sessionmen deliver The Way We Roll, alt-pop duo Bestfriend return with Bestfriend Has An Identity Crisis, Sudbury singer-songwriter Kate Maki releases her seventh solo album, Impossible Knot,and Newfoundlandfolk duo Rube & Rake put out their third album, Good Time After Bad.
Critical favourite and Polaris Prize shortlister U.S. Girls (Meg Remy) has also announced she will release her next full-length album, Scratch It, on June 20 on Royal Mountain and 4AD. It is being described as "a rock and roll album that bleeds soul." The first single "Bookends" pays tribute to late Power Trip frontman Riley Gale, which ponders death as the equalizer for all human history.
– YouTube
Here is the full list of new and upcoming Canadian album releases.
1: Hermitess, Death & The Fool
1: The Vaniers, So Bad, So Good
1: Kevin Hearn, Portland Parish
2: Lights, A6
2: Goodnight Sunrise, GET A LIFE
2: Kelly Bado, Belles âmes (Good People) (Odd Doll Records)
2: Marie Dresselhuis, A Little Quiet At First
2: Lowest Of The Low, Over Years and Over Night (Sonic Envy)
2: Henry Burnz & WILLA, 418
2: Abigail Lapell, More Songs About Love
2: Propagandhi, At Peace (Epitaph)
2: The Lightning Struck, Century Storm
2: Tumble, Lost In Light
2: PUP, Who Will Look After The Dogs?
2: Reuben and The Bullhorn Singers, All These Roads
2: Moonshine, MS for Location, Vol. 6 ( Moonshine/ADA Warner)
2: Tean Dream, Shine
6: Lou-Adriane Cassidy, Triste Animal
6: Men I Trust, Equus Caballus
9: Kate Maki, Impossible Knot
9: Hanorah, Closer Than Hell (Ensoul Records)
9: Kara-Lis Coverdale, From Where You Came (Envision Records)
9: Bestfriend, Bestfriend Has An Identity Crisis (Nettwerk)
9: Ryan Wayne, Functioning Dysfunctionals
9: Skydiggers, Dreams & Second Chances
9: Robert Thomas & The Sessionmen, The Way We Roll
9: Rube & Rake, Good Times After Bad (LHM Records)
9: Tsundial, S/T
9: Skydiggers, Dreams & Second Chances
9: Bibi Club, FEU DE GARDE (LES BRAISES)- Deluxe edition (Secret City)
9: Preoccupations, Ill at Ease (Born Losers)
12: Mike Trask, Beet
14: Absolute Treat, Shattered Love (Victory Pool)
15: Wardrobe, Common Touch
16: Ensign Broderick, Come Down and Mirror Ring
16: Alex Henry Foster, A Nightfall Ritual (Hopeful Tragedy)
16: Chinese Medicine, The Trans Agenda (Twin Fang)
16: The Commoners, Live In The UK
16: Larry Kurtz & The Lawbreakers, Take A Ride
16: Shawny – Go Go Stop -Music & Movement for Kids
16: Tanika Charles, Reasons To Stay
16: Dan Mangan, Natural Light ( Arts & Crafts)
16: EKKSTACY, forever
20: Gordon Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane, Double Take
23: David Celia , Organica (vinyl edition)
23: New Chance, A Rock Unsteady, (We Are Time)
23: Cassia Hardy, In Relation (Mint Records)
23: Ryland James, Heart of Me( 21 Entertainment Group)
23: L.O.E (Last of Eden), I Was Not Magnificent
23: Flara K., Seasons
23: Two Hours Traffic, I Never See You Anymore
23: Stephane Archambault, Point
25: Alexander Gallant, Rubber Monster Suit (Tibet Street Records)
26: The Dirty Nil, Free Rein To Passions (Dine Alone)
27: Opal Dar, Birds Hurting Birds Who Hurt Birds
30: Amy Millan, I Went To Find You (Last Gang Records)
30: Mint Simon, Chimera
30: SamWoy, Even Sad Boys Like to Have Fun (Hidden Ship)
30: Foxwarren, 2 (Arts & Crafts)
3: Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira, Here To Stay
6: Born Ruffians, Beauty’s Pride (Wavy Haze Records)
6: Suzie Ungerleider, Among the Evergreens (MVKA)
6: Hannah Marcus, Ten Bones from a Virgin Graveyard ( Bar/None Records)
6: Ambre Ciel, still, there is the sea
6: Mother Mother, Nostalgia(Warner Music)
6: Monkey House, Crashbox (ALMA Records)
6: Nadah El Shazly, Laini Tani (Backward Music)
6: Curtis Nowosad, I Am Doing My Best ( La Reserve)
6: Various Artists, ANTHEMS: A Celebration of Broken Social Scene's You Forgot It In People (Arts & Crafts)
6: Ken Yates, Total Cinema
6: The Knocks and Dragonette, Revelation (Neon Gold Records / Futures / Virgin)
6: Dominique Fils-Aimé, Live At The Montreal International Jazz Festival
6: Steve Marriner, Hear My Heart (Cordova Bay Records)
6: Empanadas Ilegales, Sancocho Trifásico (We Are Time)
6: Ambre Ciel,still, there is the sea (Gondwana Records)
13:Common Holly, Anything Glass ( Paper Bag Records)
13: CHXMERAS,Second Sight
13: Sandra Sutter, Shadow Stories
13: Mike Elliott, Let You Go (Busted Flat Records)
13: Steven Taetz, Fruit
13: Yawn, wish i could've
13: APACALDA,There's a Shadow in my Room and it isn't Mine
20: Sunshine Makers, The Sun Still Shines (Lovetown Records)
20: Celeigh Cardinal, Boundless Possibilities – Deluxe Edition
20: Meggie Lennon, Desire Days ( Mothland)
20: Drives the Common Man, Grief and Purpose (Red Music Rising)
20: U.S. Girls, Scratch It
25: The Souljazz Orchestra, Manifesto (vinyl)
27: Royale Lynn, Black Magic (Epitaph Records)
27: Penny & The Pits, Liquid Compactor (Forward Music)
11: Tami Neilson, Neon Cowgirl (Outside)
11: Hughes, S/T
11: Karma Glider, From the Haze of a Revved Up Youth (Mothland)
22: JP LeBlanc, All In My Blood–Je l’ai dans le sang ( Acadian Connection)
25: The Dirty Nil The Lash (Dine Alone Records)
1: Debby Friday, The Starrr Of The Queen Of Life (Royal Mountain)
22: Chambers Deslauriers, Time To Ride (40 Below Records)
29: The Beaches, No Hard Feelings (AWAL)
12: Camilla Sparksss, ICU Run (On The Camper Records)
