Music

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.

Images of the moon cycle and herbs frame the words ‘Dream Rituals’.

Magic School expands to include adults

February 7, 2024 by Loni Taylor

Magic School began as kid’s camp in the summer of 2023, but the offerings became so popular, facilitator Rue MacDonald has expanded the curriculum to include adults this winter.

“Dream Rituals” is three-part series offered through the Women’s Centre.

“We’re gonna be weaving botanical art, music, movement, storytelling, folk herbalism and then learning about dream practice,” MacDonald says.

The timing of the series aligns with Imbolc, a Celtic time of year that means “in the belly.”

“It’s a very liminal time and a time when a lot of dreams come,” Rue explains.

The classes begin Feb. 9, from 12-2 p.m., and run every Friday through Feb. 23. To learn more, contact corteswomenscentre@gmail.com

The front window of a performance space with the wording "Espace Diffusion" and "Soif de Musique."

Espace Diffusion launches project to make culture more accessible

February 7, 2024 by Taylor McClure

Espace Diffusion has launched a new project entitled Connexion Culture with the goal of making cultural experiences more accessible to citizens in Brome-Missisquoi.

Espace Diffusion is a concert venue space in Cowansville that produces concerts, stand-up comedy shows, and more.

Recognizing that not everyone has the ability to attend live shows, the Espace Diffusion team wants citizens to “have an opportunity to thrive through different cultural experiences, not taking into account their age, gender, social or economic status,” noted Candice De Souza, the person responsible for communications at Espace Diffusion.

Providing more details on Connexion Culture, De Souza said that $1 of every ticket purchased through Espace Diffusion or Soif de Musique (an annual music festival), will go towards Connexion Culture. Those funds will then used to provide free tickets to shows at Espace Diffusion or to bring smaller entertainment to schools, retirement homes, and community organizations.

A women stands behind the payment bar, side hugging to other men that were working behind the bar

The Vault Cafe celebrates 10 years

January 26, 2024 by Lauryn Mackenzie

The Vault Cafe is a hub for coffee, concerts and community in the downtown Nanaimo area. After countless ups and downs, The Vault Cafe is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

CHLY speaks with Amanda Scott, owner of The Vault Cafe, who says she bought the cafe on a whim and has not looked back since. She talks about how through everything it is the community that the cafe brings in that keeps her going.

CHLY also speaks with Chris Thompson, a local performer who performs regularly at The Vault. He talks about the scene at the cafe and some shenanigans he and his band have gotten up to performing there.

A woman with light brown hair and wearing a black sweatshirt holds up a CD case.

Local musician Leeny Jones drops debut EP ‘Burn Out’

January 24, 2024 by Caleb Nickerson

A musician with Pontiac roots released her debut project earlier this month, and is excited to share it with the world.

Colleen “Leeny” Jones, who hails originally from L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, dropped her first EP Burn Out with a sold-out show at Irene’s Pub in Ottawa on January 12.

She said that the project has been in the works for over a year and two of the four songs, “Rotten Potatoes” and “Burn Out”, were released as singles in March and October 2023 respectively. She said mid-way through recording “Burn Out”, she knew it was going to be the title track for the EP.

Jones said that while she doesn’t have any concrete plans for her next release, she is busy writing music and excited to get in the studio with her bandmates soon.

You can listen to Burn Out on CHIP 101.9, as well as Bandcamp and online streaming services.