Entertainment
New Music you didn’t know you needed to hear… Or did you?
Music to get you through.
Quarantine is no match for the power of music. What an unprecedented time in our history where LIVE ENTERTAINMENT has come to a screeching halt. Sort of, I mean you can catch it Live Stream. While we are all grateful for such a platform where that can be a possibility, it simply can’t replace intimate in person Live Entertainment.
What are we left with? Well hey, thats up to us individually now isn’t it? WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS, that I’m sure of. I remember just simply listening to my favourite music until my cassettes didn’t work anymore or they were eaten every friggin time I’d try to give it a whirl. Just the act of listening to music could take up hours and hours of my day. Back then I would have done anything to have the access to music that I have now. It’s instant now. Any music we want at our finger tips. I say we start a movement where we dedicate some mental health time to listening to music. Bring back the ‘lay on the floor and stare at the ceiling’ kind of listening to music days.
Not only is it unbelievably therapeutic but there is so much NEW MUSIC right now that is so good!
Heres three albums that are sure to keep you busy, you’ve probably got them on repeat anyways:
1. Eternity Now – Big Sugar
Plain and simple, it’s hard to argue with the signature guitar and vocal sound of Gordie Johnson. Guys like me dream of attaining it daily. The energy Big Sugar produces on and off stage is remarkable. Rock n’ Roll fused with Reggae and Blues that lights a fire in your heart. This album is fresh and relevant. It’s always amazing to see how Big Sugar stays on top of the wave. Turn it up loud, grab a chair for the deck and take a little trip down the new Big Sugar highway that is ‘Eternity Now.’
2. Dog City – Matt Mays
Ooh wee! Matt Mays is one of the best songwriters we’ve been blessed with as Canadians. Matt has a way with words that will bypass everything and hit you right in the soul. This album is a simple raw record that Matt did himself during this quarantine time we’ve been told was the “new normal.” What a great concept on a record. Through the eyes of human kinds best friend. put the headphones on and take this one in with some fresh coffee and baileys. Or whatever…
3. Notes on a Conditional Form – The 1975
Not gonna lie… The 1975 was not an instant appreciation. I mean of course I respected their work etc. I just wasn’t into it. At first. After warming up to the indie weirdness that somehow has crossed into the mainstream I really started to enjoy them and found myself paying more and more attention to their music. Needless to say The 1975 is a trip all its own. Put this on and lay back on the couch, stare up and enjoy. So much to get lost in. Something different.
This weekend’s Jammin’ For a Cure concert raised more the $40,000 for Cancer Research, with funds raised being earmarked for the work of Dr. Michael Chu, a clinician scientist at the Cross Cancer Institute. His research is for a new treatment known as Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.
The 18 hour live performance was a great event. If you missed it, we have the links right here for you.
Friday: Click here
Saturday: Click here.
If you missed the show on the weekend, check it whenever you wish, and share it. The concert featured some really good performance from local, regional, national, and international artists. A highlight for me was El Niven and the Alibi. After doing some crazy tours, one from Tijuana to La Paz, performing fully amplified street concerts, and another from Edmonton to New York, across to L.A. and back to Edmonton. More than 400 shows over 3 years hones your skill, and this trio has a ton of skill.
Here’s a video they recently released called Likker. If you like the thoughts of a mash up between a 6’5″ Freddie Mercury, Frank Zappa, Commander Cody, and then you put an old worn telecaster in this volatile combination of a man’s hands, and say to him, go out and do something magical, and maybe just a bit crazy, then El Niven should appeal to you. Click here to learn more about El Niven and the Alibi.
Original story from March 26, 2021
I think we can all agree that few of us have been touched more by cancer than any other disease. One of the organizations trying to make a difference is the Cure Cancer Foundation, founded by a group of volunteers with a desire to more directly fund research and treatment programs.
And, what better way to raise money than with live music. Let’s face, it’s been an awful year without clubs and bars open, and no concerts and festivals. So maybe take a break from Netflix this weekend and take some time and catch some amazing talent, many of whom you’ve listened to in your favourite venue over the years. Many have been very busy creating new work during this last year and I’m sure you’ll hear some excellent new music throughout the weekend. In fact, here’s something recent from Brett Kissell.
Juno and multi-CCMA winner Clayton Bellamy
Jammin’ For a Cure is a live concert event taking place over 18 hours, starting tonight at 6 PM when Alberta’s own Brett Kissel kicks off a night of great music with artists that include Clayton Bellamy, Martin Kerr, and Jesse Roads. (The full list of talent and the schedule is below).
Saturday, the music begins at noon with Confounded Dials. Some excellent solo artists and bands will perform throughout the day, including Josh Sahunta, Dahlia and the Villains, Stephanie Harpe Experience, Maria Dunn, Stevon Kayla, and John Hewitt.
Alfie Zappacosta kicks of the evening slate of acts Saturday night at 6 PM followed by artists like Hailey Benedict, Bardic Form, Amy Metcalfe, Kesara Kimo and guest Evrlove, and runs right through to 11:40 PM with Canadian Coldwater Revival closing the show.
I have been invited to appear on this bill as well and I’m pretty pumped to strap on a guitar and perform on Saturday at 3:40 PM for a 20 minute set. Having lost my mom to ovarian cancer in 1994, I do what I can to help.
And a big shout out to Jon Beckett and his talented, experienced team at Edmonton’s Production World for making all of this possible.
Remember these are free concerts.
Here’s the link for Friday (tonight).
Here is the link for Saturday.
Friday Line up
6-6:40 PM Brett Kissel
7-7:40 PM FKB
7:40-8 PM Olivia Rose
8-8:40 PM Clayton Bellamy
8:40-9 PM Stevon and Kayla Artis
9-9:40 PM Martin Kerr
10-10:40 PM Jesse Roads
11-11:40 PM Guitarface
Saturday starting at noon
12-12:40 PM Confounded Dials
12:40-1 PM Tracy Lynn Byrne
1-1:40 PM Josh Sahunta
1:40-2 PM Brenda Dirk
2-2:40 PM Dahlia and the Villains
2:40-3 PM Kaylee Caura-Lee
3-3:40 PM Kane Incognito
3:40-4 PM Lloyd Lewis
4-4:40 PM Stephanie Harpe Experience
4:40-5 PM Maria Dunn
5-5:40 PM Stevon Kayla and the Heavenly Band
5:40-6 PM John Hewitt
6-6:40 PM Alfie Zappacosta
6:40-7 PM Hailey Benedict
7-7:40 PM Bardic Form
7:40-8 PM Amy Metcalfe
8-8:40 PM El Niven and the Alibi
8:40-9 PM Darrell Barr
9-9:40 PM Kesaro and Guest Artist Evrlove
9:40-10 PM Danny Floyd Cole
10-10:40 PM Jusjrdn and DJ Kwake
10:40-11 PM Mightberea
11-11:40 PM Canadian Coldwater Revival
The whole purpose is to raise money. Here’s the link to make a donation right now.
As well, there’s a host of great silent auction items you can bid on, from autographed jerseys to signed guitars. Click here to get started.
About Cure Cancer Foundation
Cancer doesn’t stop. No matter what’s going on in the world, Cancer is always there, hurting those we love. Jammin’ For A Cure will be raising money for Dr. Michael Chu, a clinician scientist at the Cross Cancer Institute, who is leading the charge with a new treatment known as Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy.
This therapy turbocharges the immune system to create killer immune cells that can wipe out cancers. This alters the patient’s own cells to be a new “barcode reader” and find the hiding cancer cells. This treatment is predicted to make the most significant difference in blood cancers such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, and lymphoma patients, even those with multiply relapsed cancers.
We want to help fund great research like this to help Albertans, and people everywhere, receive the treatment they need. Your support will provide hope to people who would otherwise die of their cancer – despite all the best-known treatments. You are giving people a better chance of a cancer-free outcome and more time with their families, friends, and loved ones.
Todayville is very happy to support this event. Click here to read more stories on Todayville.
It’s Friday!!! You know what that means right?
New music from our digital distributer pushers, it really is addictive isn’t it? Yes! So what does this particular release day look like? We’re gonna dive into the brand new single by a brand new Curtis Labelle!
Curtis is a musical genius. It’s true, he’s got that sort of crazy eyes, crazy heart and crazy soul kinda thing going on. In an incredible way. Watching Curtis Labelle perform on stage is a special thing on its own. To see him living it up and constantly adapting to the harsh climate that comes with this career choice is nothing short of medal worthy accomplishment.
Run Run Away the first offering from the new Curtis Labelle of 2021 under Allen Music Management is a clear indication that Curtis is just getting fired up. I remember when Curtis wrote this song. When I heard it I immediately looked at him and said “that’s the song. Do that.”
Form the first note, this song has a bounce that makes you wanna bop. Nygel Lauzon on the drums is super killer. Feeling that kick backing the Curtis Labelle heartbeat is straight fire. Nygel keeps it tight and really lays it down on this track. Matt Dubois and his bass playing on this track really showcase his straight groovin’ silkiness. Matt legitimately spreads butter all over this track, making it so smooth. Logan Klaus on Lead guitar placing explosives throughout the entire track and then like a complete reckless bad ass he slowly walks away leaving a trail of gasoline as a fuse, throwing a match at the exact needed moment to make it blaze and then bam! What an addition to the band!
Curtis Labelle at his finest. I am so excited to hear the vocals on this track jump off the page. Curtis has such a powerful delivery and its awesome to see it all shiny like a diamond. Lyrically this song is super cool and fun at the same time which isn’t always an easy task. I honestly think this is just Curtis Labelle being himself and it’s incredible.
The production on this track is so killer.
With JUNO Award Nominee, Mark Troyer (Evergreen Sound, Calgary, AB) at the helm you simply can’t go wrong. The mix and the final vibe of this track really feels good. All around we are greeted with top shelf quality awesomeness on this track. Don’t sleep on it. Go find Curtis Labelle everywhere and listen, like, follow and share all of it. The world will likely be a better place for it. You wanna make the world a better place don’t ya? Don’t ya?
Find Curtis Labelle online here: FACEBOOK / SPOTIFY / WEBSITE
