Music

A man and a woman stand in a room with art on the walls. They are holding a colourful painting. The man on the left has salt and pepper hair with tinted glasses. The woman on the right has long blond hair.

Gallery 244’s Carnival showcases creative community

June 6, 2024 by Rick Conrad

Sue and Chres Jensen moved to Nova Scotia from Alberta three years ago. Since then, they’ve carved out a distinctive space for the creative community at their gallery in Brooklyn.

They are the owners of an art gallery, Gallery 244, just outside Liverpool, and they are bringing together creative types of all kinds for an event they’re calling Carnival on Saturday.

The couple – Sue is a musician, Chres is a visual artist – wanted the event to be as individual as their gallery and the other artists they’ve met.

They opened the gallery a couple of years ago, turning a building that used to be a gas station into a space that now features work from half a dozen local artists. It also has a cozy music room in the old service station’s attached garage.

The free event at Gallery 244 will showcase art, music, poetry, henna body art, laser engraving, hula hooping and even some osteopathy.

Dozens of of people outside at a festival. There is a main stage, tents and vendors and people on camping chairs and towels.

Backyard Fest plays on in Nanaimo

May 15, 2024 by Lauryn Mackenzie

After almost cancelling for the year, downtown Nanaimo music festival Backyard Fest is once again rocking out over the May long weekend.

This is the fifth year running for the festival, which takes place in the backyard of the vintage music and stereo store Sound Heritage.

The festival originally started in 2017 as “Festival Lemieux” in memory of Anton Lemieux, son of the then Sound Heritage owner. Those who knew Anton decided to put on the festival in Anton’s honour and to raise awareness about drug use.

CHLY talks with Dave Read, an organizer for the festival along with being a downtown record shop owner and performer. CHLY speaks with him about this year’s festival and the hard work put in by festival organizers and City of Nanaimo staff to keep it going.

A man stands in front of a podium under the lights in a dark room. A band is behind him watching him talk. A graphic on the stage behind the musicians says "Capital Music Awards 2023"

Ottawa music industry facing ‘boom’ of new musicians according to local music coalition

April 30, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

The Ottawa Music Industry Coalition (OMIC) is seeing more musicians joining their coalition since the pandemic provided a period of creativity to aspiring artists.

Melanie Brulée, executive director of the OMIC is encouraged to see this level of growth.

The City of Ottawa is well known for its love of music, Brulée said, and that the love has grown more intense since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This growth within Ottawa allows for the Capital Music Awards to shine a spotlight on all Ottawa musicians, which will be held this year on May 16.

To hear more about the OMIC’s mission to grow a healthy music industry in Ottawa and the Capital Music Awards, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT FM interview with Melanie Brulée.

Mikhail Laxton sitting on a white three seater couch holding a guitar. A hat is face up beside him.

Mikhail Laxton’s debut album nominated for Capital Music Awards

April 30, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

Mikhail Laxton, an Ottawa based singer songwriter, has been nominated for the Capital Music Awards (CMA) after releasing his debut album in the summer of 2023.

The album, inspired by the loss of his loved ones, was created as a coping mechanism to help him get through his grief and songs dating back to 2020, when his grief was new and fresh, are featured on this album.

ELMNT FM had the chance to interview Mikhail Laxton regarding his recent nomination and how his loss affected his album. To hear what he had to say, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT FM interview.

A string of lights and multi-coloured bunting frame the photo which is taken from the point of view of the playing band. A crowd of 18 people watch the musicians playing.

All-Ages Music Shows Attracts Growing Audience

April 29, 2024 by Tori Weldon

Nearly thirty people showed up at the Sackville Commons on Friday night to watch three New Brunswick punk bands. There was a cover charge, but no one will be turned away. Not even kids.

A refreshing twist according to high school student, Seth Thomas. “A lot of the shows we have here are at Ducky’s or bars, so if I go I’d have to go with a parent,” said Seth. “And if I want to just hang out with my friends and go to a show, these all-ages shows are pretty awesome for that.”

This is exactly the reaction Glenn Barrington was hoping for when he started the all-ages music series in January. He planned to make the monthly events as accessible as possible. So, it isn’t just teenagers who are showing up.

“There’s been really good turnouts, somewhere around 50, 60 people have been coming out,” said Barrington.

Women in a white shirt sitting in a chair. There is a grey background behind her.

Amanda Martínez lanza su quinto álbum ‘Recuerdo’: Un viaje musical que celebra la vida y el legado de su padre

April 26, 2024 by Paula Videla-Rodriguez

Amanda Martínez nos lleva en un viaje íntimo a través de la creación de su quinto álbum, “Recuerdo”, que honra su herencia musical y el legado de su padre. El álbum marca una evolución en su estilo, fusionando ritmos afrocubanos y rumba flamenca, mientras, de acuerdo a Martinez, transmite un sentimiento de esperanza. Su carrera de más de veinte años la ha establecido como una figura destacada en la escena musical Canadiense, siendo un apoyo para nuevos talentos.

Two African American woman on stage in front of a mic. They are both wearing black clothing.

OKAN celebra su segundo premio Juno

April 24, 2024 by Paula Videla-Rodriguez

En esta exploración, nos adentramos en el viaje de OKAN, desde sus comienzos hasta su impacto en la escena musical y cultural de Canadá y Norteamérica. OKAN ha dejado su marca única en esta industria, especialmente conocida por mezclar hábilmente influencias musicales Cubanas y Canadienses.

Con tres nominaciones y dos victorias en los premios Juno, su reconocimiento en Canadá destaca su trayectoria y compromiso con la música.

Aysanabee, Indigenous singer songwriter, leaning against a white podium.

Aysanabee’s second-ever album nominated for three categories in 2024 Junos

March 22, 2024 by Vanessa Landriault

Aysanabee, an Oji-Cree singer-songwriter, is up for three nominations at the 2024 JUNOs with last year’s album release Here and Now.

His October 2023 released album has given him nominations for these categories: Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Alternative Album of the Year.

With these nominations, he is the most nominated out of the Indigenous artists up for JUNOs this year.

For more information on Aysanabee’s JUNO nominations, listen to the 95.7 ELMNT FM daily news brief.

"The Lost Love Letter to a Small Town," in lettering spans across the picture, with ELORA highlighted before a drawing of the town in rustic fall colours.

Nathan Sloniowski set to return to Elora on heels of new locally inspired album

March 22, 2024 by Riley Gillespie-Wilson

An artist with Elora roots, moving to the town as a young child, will now return to perform an album inspired by his Centre Wellington ties.

This won’t be Nathan Sloniowski’s first return to Elora, having visited with his wife, a Fergus-native, in recent years. The creative spirit, Sloniowski says, is alive and well.

Now, following the release of A lost Love Letter to a Small Town, Sloniowski added he believes a concert to raise funds for a local church would be a “neat way to give back.”

As he strums along to tunes ripe with references to Centre Wellington and its history, Sloniowski will be raising money to repair Elora-Knox Church’s broken steeple. The show, on June 8, isn’t the first on tour, but one the artist believes he’s sure to remember.

CICW caught up with Sloniowski to learn more about the record and upcoming show.

Woman standing, leaning on a chair on stage with a brightly lit sign in the background spelling Lula

Irene Torres y el encuentro de su voz a través de la música

March 18, 2024 by Paula Videla-Rodriguez

El miércoles 6 de marzo tuvimos la oportunidad de presenciar la distinguida voz de la cantante y compositora Irene Torres, quien lanzó su álbum debut solitario, TRAVESÍA, en Lula Lounge. Originaria de Lima, Perú, Irene nos lleva en un viaje de descubrimiento y profunda conexión con sus raíces a través de su música donde encontró su voz y sanación. Su nuevo album encapsula su viaje artístico y personal. Aunque ha enfrentado obstáculos a lo largo de su carrera, ahora se siente segura en su propia piel y define su propio camino en la música. Escucha su historia entera aquí.

A close up on a record player in black and white.

City launches new music strategy on a high note

March 14, 2024 by Christena Lawrie

After over a year of development and gaining approval from council in December of 2023, the Kingston Music Strategy is now being implemented with the help of a new Music Officer position.

The City has partnered with Tourism Kingston to expand the existing Music Commissioner Music position, held by Moira Demorest, to take the lead on implementing the strategy. Demorest is a pillar in the Kingston music scene, with over 20 years of experience in the industry.

“It’s an honour and a pleasure to take on the expanded role of Music Officer, and to have been a part of the creation of the Kingston Music Strategy,” says Demorest. “Kingston is poised for immense growth in all facets of the music community, from live performances to recording and production, and I’m excited to continue to promote that development.”

To oversee this process, Tourism Kingston and the City are asking community members to join the Kingston Music Advisory Committee. Community members can learn more about the Kingston Music Advisory Committee on the Tourism Kingston website.

A woman with long blonde hair plays an acoustic guitar and signs into a microphone. Behind her are two banners which are branded 'Beaumont Music Festival'

Beaumont Music Festival unveils 2024 lineup with mostly female acts

February 16, 2024 by Ryan Hunt

The Beaumont Music Festival, formally known as the Beaumont Blues and Roots Music Festival, held a launch event CKUA’s downtown Edmonton studio for the release of their new branding and lineup for the 2024 festival.

According to Jeremy Kornel, the Executive Director of the Beaumont Music Festival, the lineup is completely Canadian, and 70% of all the performances are female musicians with the second day featuring an all-female lineup.

The launch event featured performances from Martin Kerr and Olivia Street from King of Foxes, both who are slated to perform at the festival. The headliners for the festival feature The Beaches, Dear Rouge, and Headstones.

The festival runs on Friday June 21 and Saturday June 22 in the Four Seasons Park in Beaumont, and more information can be found on their website.