‘The Right Time’ is here and now…these are the words that drive award winning smooth jazz artist Rob Tardik.

A 2010 Guitarist of the Year nominee for the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, his newest album, ‘The Right Time’, is a personal statement and glimpse into his life’s current musical direction, further showing the world his passion for life, music and the guitar.

If you enjoy instrumental music then expect Rob’s smooth guitar work to soothe your soul and provide the soundtrack to your lifestyle. Rob is destined to capture plenty of attention with his fantastic new musical offering, further growing his status as a rising artist in the current adult contemporary and smooth jazz music scene.

With diverse musical influences such as Larry Carlton, Al Di Meola, Paco De Lucia, George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Carlos Jobim, Sting to Eddie Van Halen, The Right Time is an amalgamation of these inspirations which have helped shape his musical voice on the guitar and are moving him forward as an artist.

The Right Time includes a lively balanced mixture of 12 tasty instrumental tracks featuring Rob and a stellar cast of musicians he has assembled for this CD. They bring back that feel and interaction of a real band working their musical magic together as one cohesive sonic unit!

The CD features nine new tracks and three off his previous CD, which have been re-massaged thoroughly to capture the excitement of Rob’s music with the melodic addition of saxophone player Carson Freeman and the lush piano work of Davor Jordanovski. Songs like, “That’s a Strut”, “Smoothy” and “You Know What I Mean” all pulsate with this new musical chemistry taking Rob’s music to another level.

New tracks like “Crusin”, “Frame of Mind”, “Bounce” and the CD’s title track, “The Right Time” further reinforce Rob’s ever tasteful melodic ear, always highlighted by his trademark liquid smooth guitar work! Finally the CD’s last track, “Waiting for Rain”, a beautiful serene song about personal growth, captures Rob’s passion for the nylon string guitar with its intimate finger style guitar playing.

An industry veteran, and highly respected guitarist, Rob has also recently co-partnered to launch MDR Music Productions, a new company that will help support his latest release by specializing in licensing new music for TV, film and radio opportunities. The company has already assembled a fantastic roster of new artists with an ever growing music production library and a dynamic new music publishing company.

With the new release of The Right Time, Canadian born Rob Tardik is poised to make a musically infectious return to concerts and radio worldwide, further establishing himself as a wonderful new growing artist in the adult contemporary music scene and continues to support his passion for the guitar and performing live music for audiences everywhere.

Rob’s latest CD is available on-line at www.robtardik.com.

Rob Tardik Official Website

Victoria B.C. atmospheric rockers Jets Overhead, are about to embark on a cross-Canadian tour as the support act for synthpop sensation LIGHTS.

The 17-date tour begins in Vancouver on Saturday November 7th, travels as far east as Montreal and ends in London, Ontario on December 3rd.

Jets Overhead are touring in support of their sophomore album No Nations, out now on Vapor Records.

Watch video – “Weathervanes” @ Pianos, NYC:

FREE Download: “I Should Be Born” MP3

Earlier this year the band travelled to Beijing, China for a series of festival dates and have also toured across the U.S., Canada and Europe sharing the stage with Sam Roberts, Our Lady Peace, Tegan and Sara, Broken Social Scene, The Dears, The Stills, The Temper Trap, The Dandy Warhols, Powderfinger and The Frames.

Jets Overhead have also performed at the prestigious Neil Young Bridge School Benefit as well as at the CMJ, SXSW and Bonnaroo music festivals.

November/December 2009 Tour Dates – support for LIGHTS

(Dates and information subject to change.)

Nov 07 2009 The Commodore Ballroom Vancouver, British Columbia
Nov 09 2009 Alix Goolden Hall Victoria, British Columbia
Nov 10 2009 Mary Irwin Theatre Kelowna, British Columbia
Nov 12 2009 MacEwan Ballroom Calgary, Alberta
Nov 13 2009 Myer Horowitz Theatre Edmonton, Alberta
Nov 14 2009 Red Deer Memorial Centre Red Deer, Alberta
Nov 16 2009 The Distrikt Regina, Saskatchewan
Nov 18 2009 Louis’ Pub Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Nov 19 2009 The Garrick Centre Winnipeg, Manitoba
Nov 20 2009 The Outpost Thunder Bay, Ontario
Nov 22 2009 Capitol Centre North Bay, Ontario
Nov 26 2009 Kool Haus Toronto, Ontario
Nov 27 2009 Bronson Centre Ottawa, Ontario
Nov 28 2009 Studio JPR Montreal, Quebec
Nov 30 2009 Studio Theatre Hamilton, Ontario
Dec 02 2009 Ale House Kingston, Ontario
Dec 03 2009 Music Hall London, Ontario

Jets Overhead Official Website

Justin Bieber performs Live on Today Shows stage Monday October 12, 2009

First two single releases, One Time and One Less Lonely Girl are simultaneous iTunes top 20 downloads

15-year-old Island Records artist draws 70 million YouTube video views, 14 million MySpace song streams

Debut My World to be released November 17, 2009 with production by The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, Midi-Mafia; Usher is guest star on “First Dance”

Justin Bieber, the soulful and precocious 15-year-old worldwide sensation whose first two single releases are currently both in the iTunes Top 20 full-song download chart, performed three songs live on the open-air Rockefeller Plaza stage of NBC’s Today Show this morning.

In Bieber’s three-song set list: the tough-and-tender, gold-certified “One Time;” the newly-released breezy singalong “One Less Lonely Girl,” which rocketed to No. 2 on the iTunes song download chart, selling over 32,000 copies in one day; and “Favorite Girl,” one more track featured on the upcoming Island Records debut MY WORLD.

The Today Show appearance brings Ontario-born Justin Bieber back to the scene of a fan-fueled mob happening just four weeks ago, when a planned intimate acoustic performance for 300 in the Rockefeller Center Nintendo store was overrun with 2,000 feverish followers.

Buy Music:

Justin Bieber on amazon.com

Justin Bieber on amazon.co.uk

Watch video: Justin Bieber “One Less Lonely Girl” behind the scenes:

In the holiday weekend run-up to the Monday morning appearance, fan frenzy has also been fanned by the posting of cover art for MY WORLD, scheduled for November 17, 2009 release, on Ryan Seacrest’s website.

The new “One Less Lonely Girl” video clip will be available for sale exclusively on iTunes today, October 12th. “One Time” is currently the No. 3 iTunes Top Video download, and has already been No. 1 on iTunes Canada.

MY WORLD, Justin’s debut on Island Records, features the writing and production of hit makers The-Dream, Tricky Stewart, and Midi-Mafia, plus a guest appearance by Usher on “First Dance.”

Justin Bieber has emerged as a global new media star getting bigger by the day, with 70 million YouTube.com video views (the first 10 million of them as an amateur, posting his own renditions of favorite Usher, Ne-Yo and Stevie Wonder songs) and nearly 14 million song streams of “One Time” on MySpace.com.

Born in Stratford, Ontario, Justin Bieber is a multi-talented pop/soul singer, as well as a self-taught musician on drums, guitar, piano, and trumpet.

While being introduced to the music industry in Atlanta by his manager Scooter Braun, he met multi-platinum superstar Usher, who signed him as a 13 year-old to his first professional deal, forming the joint-venture RBMG label with Braun and Antonio “L.A.” Reid, Chairman of Island Def Jam Music Group.

Justin Bieber MySpace
Justin Bieber YouTube
Justin Bieber Official Website

I’ve hobnobbed with Joe and Paul and Topper on a number of occasions throughout the late seventies and early eighties. I will one day write a book entitled “I Lost My Education To The Clash”. I have every record that they did, and have seen them all over the country all free because they were all about their fans. Joe or Cosmo or Johnny Green would always find a way of getting the traveling fans into the venue.

I was so blown away by this interview with The Clash in Canada. I had never seen it and it is one of the most random I have seen. I instantly wanted to share it with you. This is sort of what it was like to be at an after show with The Clash.

Watch The Clash 1979 Canadian TV backstage interview – video

YouTube Notes: Complete interview segment of the Clash backstage at the O’Keefe Centre in Toronto, Canada with the Undertones which was originally broadcast on CITY TV’s New Music Program in 1979. The New Music was hosted by J.D. Roberts (aka CNN’s John Roberts) and Jeanne Bekker (later host of Fashion Television). This clip includes the infamous concert aftermath with Cosmo Vinyl counting the ripped out seats at the venue. This rare interview was shown/re-broadcast during the Joe Strummer death coverage.

Buy Music:

The Clash on amazon.com

The Clash on amazon.co.uk

By: Dave Tommo

‘Saviour EP’ Now Available on iTunes and Streaming on Myspace

LIGHTS, the Toronto singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist crafts her own brand of sparkling, otherworldly synth-pop thanks to her knack for the keytar and upbeat melodies.

With songs that have already garnered a collective 15 million plays on Myspace, Lights was also awarded the 2009 Juno (the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy Award) for New Artist of the Year.

Her first full collection of music, ‘The Listening’, which drops October 6, 2009 via Warner Bros. Records, expands on her sound, which she calls “inter-galactic electro” and describes as “simple lyrics juxtaposed with sounds harvested from the far reaches of my alternate universe.”

Watch “The Listening” Acoustic video:

The album includes a few songs already familiar to die-hard Lights fans, as well as plenty of new material including the first single, “Saviour,” a propulsive pop anthem that represents her charming musical essence.

In celebration of her forthcoming debut, fans can now exclusively stream her latest EP via Myspace (www.myspace.com/lights). ‘The Saviour’ EP, which features remixes from fellow Canadian upstarts, Colin Munroe and The Angry Kids, is also now available for purchase on iTunes.

Catch Lights as she opens for Keane and Stars of Track and Field this Fall!

Buy Music:

Lights on amazon.com

Lights 2009 Tour Dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

September 2009

11 Vancouver, BC – The Centre for the Performing Arts !
13 Edmonton, AL – Edmonton Event Centre !
14 Calgary, AL – MacEwan Hall !
16 Winnipeg, MAN – Burton Cummings Theatre !
17 Thunder Bay, ONT – Thunder Bay Community Auditorium !
19 Kitchener ONT – Centre In The Square !
20 Montreal, QUE – Metropolis !

October 2009

2 Philadelphia, PA – North Star Bar @
3 Baltimore, MD – Sonar @
4 Cambridge, MA – Middle East Upstairs @
6 New York, NY – Mercury Lounge @
7 Hartford, CT – Webster Underground @
9 Pittsburgh, PA – The Brillobox @
10 Detroit, MI – The Shelter @
11 Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop @
24 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
27 Minneapolis, MN – Triple Rock @
28 Chicago, IL – Subterranean @
30 Denver, CO – Hi Dive @
31 Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Court @

November 2009

3 West Hollywood, CA – Troubadour @
4 San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill @

! with Keane
@ with Stars of Track and Field

Artist: Lights
Album: The Listening
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Release Date: October 6th 2009

Lights MySpace
Lights Official Website
Lights on Twitter

Saskatoon’s The Sheepdogs will be touring Ontario and eastern Canada September and October leading up to the release of their new album in late 2009.

The band will kick off the string of tour dates with their performance at the Western Canadian Music Awards in Brandon, Manitoba on September 20th.

Their 2008 release The Sheepdogs’ Big Stand has been nominated for Independent Album of the Year at the WCMA’s.

Their tour will include some US dates, Halifax, and everywhere in between. It will also incorporate their 3 week residency at the legendary Dakota Tavern in Toronto, Ontario.

The Sheepdogs released The Sheepdogs’ Big Stand in April of 2008 and critics have been tripping over their lips ever since. The album has also been nominated for an XM Verge Album of the Year award and topped campus radio charts across our great country and the US.

The band is currently gearing up for the release of their 3rd LP. The band has shared stages with the likes of The Arkells, Matt Mays and el Torpedo, and Tricky Woo. Tour dates, download links, and more info below.

MINI BIO

Sporting the long hair and the scruffy beards of their musical forefathers, The Sheepdogs create old school rock and roll that moves and grooves.

Taking their cues from the Allman Brothers, Creedence, Humble Pie, and the Stones, these prairie boys have a sound that is completely faithful to their 70s rock roots, while remaining thoroughly original and fresh. Powerful vocals, a twin guitar attack, stacked harmonies, moody keys and steady grooves all blend together to form an engaging batch of originals.

After securing the reputation as the most exciting band to see in their hometown of Saskatoon (and being voted favourite local band by the readers of Planet S magazine), The Sheepdogs have taken their show on the road, playing over 100 shows in the last year across Canada.

They have appeared at notable festivals such as Junofest, the Western Canadian Music Awards, and the Red Gorilla Festival in Austin, TX. They have independently released two full-length albums Trying to Grow and The Sheepdogs’ Big Stand.

With no intentions of letting up, The Sheepdogs will be releasing their third album in late fall 2009 and heading back on the road to tour across Canada and beyond.

The Sheepdogs September/October 2009 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

Sept. 17 @ University of Brandon, BRANDON (*Rock the Block w. Default)
Sept. 19 @ The City Center Hotel, BRANDON (*WCMA festival)
Sept. 20 @ Western Canadian Music Awards Ceremony, BRANDON
Sept. 23 @ Dakota Tavern, TORONTO
Sept. 24 @ The Corktown, HAMILTON
Sept. 25 @ Call the Office, LONDON
Sept. 26 @ Two Doors Down, BRANTFORD
Sept. 27 @ Moonshine Café, OAKVILLE
Sept. 28 @ Arlene’s Grocery, NEW YORK
Sept. 29 @ The Parkside Lounge, NEW YORK
Sept. 30 @ Dakota Tavern, TORONTO
Oct. 1 @ The Capitol, FREDERICTON
Oct. 2 @ The Seahorse, HALIFAX
Oct. 3 @ Georges Roadhouse, SACKVILLE
Oct. 5 @ Zaphod Beeblebrox, OTTAWA
Oct. 6 @ The Red Dog, PETERBOROUGH
Oct. 7 @ Dakota Tavern, TORONTO
Oct. 9 @ Black Pirates Pub, THUNDER BAY
Oct. 10 @ The Times Change’d, WINNIPEG

Photo Credit: Shannon Heather

The Sheepdogs MySpace

The Demoroy’s will be available for free download on the band’s Myspace (www.myspace.com/thebandcorduroy) and on a Pay-What-You-Can basis at shows. Demoroy Volume 1 will be available for free download on Tuesday, September 7, 2009!

Demoroy Vol. 1 is the bands first recorded material since their 2007 self-titled EP. The Demoroy was recorded at Toronto’s Giant Studios (owned by Sebastien Grainger and Metric’s Jimmy Shaw) and produced by Dan Weston (Attack in Black).

MINI BIO

It’s been a long time coming for Toronto four piece, Corduroy. Developing their brand of haunting folklore tales laced with sweeping post rock guitars and group hum-a-longs, hasn’t been all that easy. Originally starting out as Whatever Happened to Corduroy? in 2007, the band released a well received debut self titled EP of their mixed and messy ideas that was blazing with promise. After dropping the wordy “whatever happened to” and some line up shifts, the band has developed a unique and delicate blend of indie rock. In fact, one could say Corduroy have found their calling. Unlike most bands, Corduroy cite influential songwriters like Bright Eyes, Pavement, Okkervil River, and Arcade Fire all in one song, and then manage to come out sounding entirely original and fresh. Each song stamped with the Corduroy sound and memorable punch, that will bring first time listeners back for more again and again.

It’s their winning anthems that brought them to a number of stages and festivals (most namely Cutting Edge Music Festival and Canadian Music Week) and playing alongside the top in Canadian indie talent like Oh No Forest Fires and Dinosaur Bones. The band has recently, and will continue to, put out new three song Demoroy releases, which will be available online and at shows from the band for free. The band holed up at Jimmy Shaw and Sebastien Grainger’s Giant Studios with producer Dan Weston (Attack in Black) and refined some of their most promising songwriting to date. The new year will bring the band to many new stages across the country and it won’t take long for these home-baked tracks to make a home out of Canada.

THE BUZZ

“There’s something beautiful about the restless yet calming voice of Corduroy’s Trevor Blumas, and the rest of the boys help complete a medley of rough acoustic symphonies, with quirky lyrical insertions, thunderous booms, and sporadic rock explosions.” – Martiniboys.com

“Anyone approaching Corduroy may find themselves pleasantly surprised.” – IHeartMusic.net

September 2009 tour dates

Sept. 9 @ The Drake Hotel, TORONTO (*TIFF launch party, invite only)
Sept. 25 @ Sneaky Dees, TORONTO (w. The Paint Movement, Make Your Exit)

Corduroy MySpace

Band’s Never Too Loud album is out September 8th

As the September 8th release of their new album ‘Never Too Loud’ approaches, the hard rock trio Danko Jones have announced they’ll join British punk icons The Damned for a fall U.S. tour.

After wrapping European festival shows in August, Danko Jones will begin the dates with The Damned October 21, 2009 in Cleveland and conclude November 1 in Portland (see itinerary below, more dates to be announced).

“The opportunity to go on tour with The Damned is an honor for us,” notes frontman Danko Jones. “We can’t wait to hit the road with them.”

On ‘Never Too Loud’ – set for release September 8 via Bad Taste Records/Caroline – the group teamed with Grammy Award-winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Coheed & Cambria, Stone Sour, Velvet Revolver). Danko Jones tapped John Garcia of Kyuss fame and punk legend Pete Stahl (Wool Scream, Goatsnake) for the six-minute Sabbath-influenced epic “Forest For The Trees.”

Watch “Code of the Road” video:

From first single and album opener “Code of the Road,” to the infectious melodies of “City Streets,” to the Bon Scott-channeling title track, “Never Too Loud” showcases the group’s adrenalized, raucous garage rock that encompasses everything that’s fun about hard rock past and present.

About Danko Jones:

Hailing from Toronto, the group – DANKO JONES (lead vocals/guitars), JOHN CALABRESE (bass), DAN CORNELIUS (drums) – have achieved hard rock hero status in Europe.

The group’s no-holds-barred performance style has made them beloved fixtures on the European festival circuit (Lowlands, Rock Im Park, Rock Am Ring, Wacken Open Air, Rock Werchter, Hultsfred, Leeds and Reading), which has helped the group achieve high chart positions (including a Top 10 position in the Swedish sales charts) and strong record sales across the continent.

The trio has gained recognition of like-minded music luminaries, with the Raconteurs covering their song “Samuel Sin,” being handpicked by the legendary Motorhead to join them on tour and opening for The Rolling Stones in their hometown of Toronto.

Danko Jones’ career now spans three U.S. album releases – including the previous We Sweat Blood 2005 and Sleep Is The Enemy 2006 (both on Razor & Tie) – as well as multiple Juno Award nominations.

SPIN hailed in a 4 out-of-5 star review of Sleep Is The Enemy: (”The world’s most entertaining hard rockers… “Riotous rock ‘n’ roll” / “Mean, dopey and, man, does this swing.”). Likewise, OUTBURN noted in an 8-out-of-10 CD review of the album, “This Canadian trio hits a grand slam home run with an album chock full of infectious melodies and arena sized rhythms that combine the fat riffage and drumming of AC/DC, the melodic sensibility of Thin Lizzy, and the boogie strut of Pat Travers…” Elsewhere MAXIM hailed DANKO JONES as: “Like AC/DC sniffing glue with Motley Crue,” while KERRANG! perhaps summarized it best “Danko Jones…might just be the best band in the world.”

Buy Music:

Danko Jones on amazon.com

Danko Jones on amazon.co.uk

Danko Jones 2009 tour dates:

(Dates and information subject to change.)

Fri 8/28 Winterthur, Switzerland Musikwoche
Sat 8/29 Varseveld, Netherlands Huntenpop
Wed 10/21 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues – Supporting The Damned
Thu 10/22 Cincinnati, OH Bogart’s – Supporting The Damned
Fri 10/23 Pittsburgh, PA Diesel – Supporting The Damned
Sat 10/24 Detroit, MI St. Andrew’s – Supporting The Damned
Mon 10/26 Chicago, IL The Metro – Supporting The Damned
Wed 10/28 Denver, CO Bluebird – Supporting The Damned
Thu 10/29 Salt Lake City, UT In The Venue – Supporting The Damned
Sat 10/31 Seattle, WA Showbox – Supporting The Damned
Sun 11/1 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom – Supporting The Damned

Danko Jones MySpace
Danko Jones Official Website

On August 11, 2009 Canadian rocker Zeke Galt took his band’s motto – Have a good time, All the time – to a whole new level by getting tattooed while plummeting to the Earth from 11,000 feet in the air.

The stunt, aimed at promoting his band, Surefire Machine, took place at the Edmonton Sky Dive Center and witnessed the thrill seeker jumping out of an airplane and getting the initials of his band – SFM – tattooed on his forearm.

Adding to the adrenaline, the ‘artist’ was a professional skydiver and not a professional tattoo artist.

“Everyone’s been asking me what could possibly drive someone to jump out of a plane and get tattooed, and the answer is simple: How many people can say they’ve done something like this? Apparently none in North America, and that feels unbelievable – every time I look at the initials I can’t help but be stoked,” commented the guitarist and added, “Only problem now is, I don’t know what to follow it up with!”

Successfully completing the feat Zeke has set a North American record for the first tandem free fall tattoo as well as a World Record.

Watch video: Zeke Galt – tandem free fall tattoo footage!!

(YouTube link)

Surefire Machine ison their third cross-Canadian escapade, perfectly titled the “Sinnin’ & Grinnin’” tour, to promote their self titled EP.

Surefire Machine “Sinnin’ & Grinnin’” Tour Dates (more dates to be announced)

(Dates and information subject to change.)

September 3, 2009 8pm Toronto, ON The Hide Out
September 5, 2009 8pm New Minas, NS West Side Charlies w/ Disasterman
September 6, 2009 8pm Digby, NS Wharf Rat Biker Rally
September 23, 2009 8pm Toronto, ON The Central – performing at Toronto Independent Music Awards Live Showcase
October 7-11, 2009 Toronto, ON Indie Week (www.indieweek.com)

Surefire Machine MySpace
Facebook
Surefire Machine on Twitter

Following last week’s historic skydiving tattoo by Surefire Machine’s guitarist Zeke Galt at the Edmonton Skydive Center on August 11, 2009, SFM have finally released what everyone has been waiting for.

The photos to prove the craziness, the insanity and the historic feat of the first tandem freefall tattoo at 11,000 ft.

“I have to admit I’m relieved it’s over and that it worked out according to plan, almost. But one failed attempt ain’t that bad when you think I got to break a North American and a world record – I’d say that’s a pretty sweet accomplishment,” commented Zeke after the jump and laughed, “This is one story I’ll be telling at parties for a really, really long time!”

More pictures available via their myspace www.myspace.com/surefiremachine (Skydiving Tattoo Video Coming soon).

Currently revving their engines, Surefire Machine are on their third cross-Canadian escapade, perfectly titled the “Sinnin’ & Grinnin’” tour, to promote their self titled EP.

Surefire Machine “Sinnin’ & Grinnin’” Tour Dates (more dates to be announced)

(Dates and information subject to change.)

September 3, 2009 8pm Toronto, ON The Hide Out
September 5, 2009 8pm New Minas, NS West Side Charlies w/ Disasterman
September 6, 2009 8pm Digby, NS Wharf Rat Biker Rally
September 23, 2009 8pm Toronto, ON The Central – performing at Toronto Independent Music Awards Live Showcase
October 7-11, 2009 Toronto, ON Indie Week (www.indieweek.com)

Surefire Machine MySpace
Facebook
Surefire Machine on Twitter

Edmonton, August 11, 2009

Following the postponement of Surefire Machine guitarist’s history-making stunt at Edmonton’s Sky Dive Center from July 4th to August 11th – due to uncooperative weather and stolen camera gear – the time has finally come for Zeke to go through with his own version of a Jackass stunt by jumping out of a plane at 10,000 feet while getting tattooed.

“The hype surrounding this stunt has been insane and the pressure’s been building,” admits guitarist Zeke. “There’s no backing out now, but I’m completely stoked to see what happens – and to see what’s probably going to be the world’s shakiest tattoo,” he laughs.

As part of SFM’s “Sinnin’ and Grinnin’” tour the tattoo jump, as explained by Zeke, reflects the band’s motto in its entirety: “It’s simple – SFM’s motto is “Have a Good Time, All the Time” and that’s exactly what I’m doing.”

Currently revving their engines, Surefire Machine are on their third cross-Canadian escapade, perfectly titled the “Sinnin’ & Grinnin’” tour, to promote their self titled EP.

Surefire Machine 2009 “Sinnin’ & Grinnin’” tour dates (more dates to be announced):

(Dates and information subject to change.)

31-Jul-09 Coombs, BC The Frontiersman
01-Aug-09 Coombs, BC The Frontiersman
07-Aug-09 Rimbey, AB The Vault
08-Aug-09 Rimbey, AB The Vault
09-Aug-09 Edmonton, AB Blues On Whyte
12-Aug-09 Saskatoon, SK Buds on Broadway
13-Aug-09 Saskatoon, SK Buds on Broadway
14-Aug-09 Winnipeg, MB The Cavern
03-Sep-09 Toronto, ON The Hide Out
05-Sep-09 New Minas, NS West Side Charlies w/ Disasterman
06-Sep-09 Digby, NS Wharf Rat Biker Rally
23-Sep-09 Toronto, ON The Cenetral – performing at Toronto Independent Music Awards Live Showcase

“I’ve been searching for a great rock album. When I put on SFM’s self-titled album I couldn’t help but grin—I finally found one!” 4.5/5 – The Link – Montreal

“And the crowd goes wild!…Surefire Machine is a straight up, no gimmicks rock n’ roll band…A catchy chorus here and a mean riff there, this album is alcohol fueled with dreams of fast cars and raunchy bad girls.” – Absolute Underground Magazine

“WARNING: Repeated listening of Surefire Machine’s self-titled album may lead you to drink whiskey, get your girlfriend pregnant and rebel against every aspect of society.” – 4/5 Toronto Music Scene.ca

“A solid album.” – Fazer Magazine

“Surefire has managed to create an unpredictable Molotov cocktail of rock. If you’re looking for an album that will get your heart pumping, your blood racing and your adrenaline flowing, this is most definitely it.” – The Movementz.com

“As soon as the first riff starts on the band’s self titled debut, listeners will be hooked,” – Chris Dahlberg – Cosmosgaming.com

Surefire Machine MySpace
Facebook
Surefire Machine on Twitter

Ready for a kickin’ new summer jam? “My Love Was There” by The Junction may be just what you’ve been looking for.

The power-packed trio from Toronto, Canada is poised to release their third album, ‘Another Link In The Chain’, featuring the catchy lead single “My Love Was There”. The album is being self-released and will be in-stores July 28, 2009.

The follow-up to their successful self-titled Universal Music release takes the band’s signature upbeat indie-pop groove and fuses it with melodic jazz elements to create an incredibly catchy sound.

Brent Jackson (guitar/vocals), Matt Jameson (bass) and Mike Taylor (drums) have been writing music together long enough to have found themselves a comfortable niche in the Canadian music scene.

Their uniquely upbeat approach caught the attention of acclaimed producers Gus van Go and Werner F (The Stills, The Trews, Priestess) who invited the boys to record with them in NYC. The result is a powerful and introspective album full of infectious, rock-oriented songs representing their most mature collection to date.

“My Love Was There” – the first single off the album – demands listeners move along to the hand-clapping beat provided by the rhythm section, while Brent’s vocals guide fans through an anthem charged sing along.

‘Another Link in the Chain’ reinvents The Junction’s staple hard-hitting choruses and anthem-like presence while keeping that key element that has won over fans and members of the media alike – creating big songs with a lot of heart.

UPCOMING SHOWS:
July 3, 2009 @ Mavericks, OTTAWA
July 4, 2009 @ L’Absynthe, MONTREAL
August 8, 2009 @ Rock the Mill, CAMBRIDGE

The Junction MySpace
The Junction Official Website

SIRIUS Canada, the country’s leading satellite radio company, has announced the launch of its national SIRIUS Face the Music Tour.

This Name That Tune style challenge will test Canadians’ music trivia knowledge at kiosks appearing at some of this summer’s hottest events as well as online, with the highest scorer winning an ultimate concert experience for two in New York or Los Angeles.

Kicking off with a media charity challenge at the SIRIUS Satellite Radio Stage at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre, the SIRIUS Face the Music Tour will test Canadians’ knowledge of artists and song titles from a wide variety of music genres, from the 1960s to today.

The tour will also highlight SIRIUS’ great entertainment value including sports, news, talk, entertainment and commercial-free music content. Additionally, Canadians can play along online at home at www.facethemusictour.com.

“Music lovers are often also music trivia buffs, and we love the idea of putting them to the test in this fun way,” said Janet Langille, Vice President, Marketing, SIRIUS Canada Inc. “The SIRIUS Face the Music Tour not only challenges Canadians’ musical knowledge, it also allows them to discover new artists and genres they might not be familiar with and gives them a chance to win amazing prizes. It’s also a great introduction to all the other great sports, news, talk and entertainment content available on SIRIUS.”

Those competing in the SIRIUS Face the Music Challenge, whether at a kiosk or online, will be faced with music-related questions on everything from 60s Pop Hits and 80s Hair Bands to Canadian Indie and 60s and 70s Country.

The SIRIUS Face the Music Tour 2009 will make stops at: Ottawa’s Canada Day Celebrations, the Calgary Stampeders home opener on Canada Day, the Collingwood Elvis Festival, the Merrit Mountain Music Festival, the Edmonton Grand Prix, Whistler’s Mountain West Music Fest, and Live Nation Concerts among others.

For more information, please visit:

Face the Music Tour Official Website

On April 14th, Outside Music releases Canadian singer-songwriter Matthew Barber’s album ‘Ghost Notes’.

Recently, ‘Ghost Notes’ was nominated for Juno’s Best Roots/Traditional Solo Album.

The Ottawa Express raves, “…Barber writes tunes as pure and natural as the raging, bruised carnal sentiments that drive them. Although his voice is mellow gold, his congenial melodies are sharp.” On May 13, 2009, Barber will perform at Brooklyn’s Union Hall opening up for Jill Sobule.

Download “Easily Bruised” MP3

Watch “And You Give” video from ‘Ghost Notes’:

Buy Music:

Matthew Barber on amazon.com

Matthew Barber on amazon.co.uk

Recorded and produced by Matthew Barber over six days at Bathouse Studio in Ontario, the songs on ‘Ghost Notes’ were cut mainly live-off-the-floor and entirely to analog tape.

Of the recording Barber states, “The Bathouse is a clubhouse style studio set in an old manor overlooking Lake Ontario, about a half hour from Kingston. We all lived in it for a week and barely left it. The arrangements had mostly been worked on ahead of time during various demo stages in the year or so prior to recording. Some tunes like “And You Give,” however, turned out unlike anything I had imagined going into the studio.” Barber continues, “I wanted the songs to hang together in a loose story of two lovers, from the perspective of one of them. While there are serious moments on the album and a feeling of emotional conflict, I feel as though it is ultimately hopeful, and ends on an uplifting note with ‘Our Voices.’”

Barber’s musical career began while attending Queens University in Kingston, Ontario. He later graduated from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario with a Masters in Philosophy. While attending McMaster he gained support from the committed Hamilton music community. Barber’s solo debut ‘Means and Ends’ was released in 2003 and attracted the attention of Warner Music Canada. He subsequently released the EP ‘The Story of Your Life’ in 2004 and his major-label debut ‘Sweet Nothing’ in 2005. Sweet Nothing’s single “Soft One” charted #5 on Canada’s adult contemporary radio. During this time Barber toured Canada with his band The Union Dues and as a solo performer.

Recently Barber completed a sold-out tour of Canada with his sister Jill Barber and a 5-week tour of Australia appearing at some of Australia’s biggest festivals including Woodford Folk Festival and Peats Ridge.

There is a positive review on The Huffington Post, “the music never panders on Ghost Notes whose best songs merge old school Harvard Square with a hipper Washington Square Park vibe”.

Some trivia: for Hockey fans, Matthew Barber was the goalie for the Rockers at the annual Juno Cup pitting musicians versus ex-NHL stars. This was the first year that the Rock beat the former players with Matthew stopping the shot in the shoot out. (as CBC radio Tweeted)

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Photo: Ozomatli, one of the headlining acts to play the Zune Concert Series Stage at the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival

Beginning today, March 11th, Zune Canada will conduct a month-long search to find Canada’s hottest undiscovered band or artist to perform at the Zune Concert Series, Canada’s biggest free outdoor music festival taking place April 17-26 during the 2009 TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival.

As part of its commitment to emerging Canadian artists, Zune is supporting musicians working to break out and gain industry exposure with the Zune Concert Series Competition. Bands and artists are invited to upload an original music track at www.zune.ca to enter the competition. Music fans will be able to listen and rate selected tracks from participating bands, and have the chance to win a trip for two to see the selected band play live at the 2009 TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival. The winner will be chosen by a panel of esteemed music industry experts on April 13th, 2009.

The winning band or artist will receive a coveted spot to perform on the Zune Concert Series Stage at the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard festival, sharing the bill with industry talents Ozomatli, The Stills, Metric, Ten Second Epic and DJ Z-Trip, among others.

The winner will also be awarded the opportunity to connect with Canadian music industry agents, A&R reps, and managers who will advise the band on what it takes to succeed in the highly competitive music industry.

The Zune Concert Series is a highly-anticipated highlight of the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, a huge celebration in Whistler, B.C. featuring 10 days and 10 nights of live concerts, art exhibits and big air comps in Canada’s infamous outdoor playground.

For more information on the Zune Concert Series, please visit www.zune.ca or www.whistler2009.com.

WHAT: Zune Concert Series Competition
WHEN: Zune Concert Series Competition: March 11 – April 7, 2009, winner will be selected on April 13, 2009; Zune Concert Series: April 17 – 26, 2009
WHERE: Submit Band Search entries online at Zune.ca; Listen and rate music tracks competing for top prize (more details on the official Zune.ca website)

Zune Concert Series will take place at the TELUS World Ski and Snowboard Festival, Whistler, B.C.

About Zune

Zune is Microsoft’s music and entertainment brand that provides an integrated digital entertainment experience. The Zune platform includes a line of portable digital media players, the Zune Software and Zune Social, created to help people discover music. Zune is part of Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division and supports the company’s software-based services vision to help drive innovation in the digital entertainment space. More information can be found online at http://www.zunenews.ca.

About Microsoft Canada

Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq “MSFT”) the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Visit Microsoft Canada’s web site at www.microsoft.ca.

Zune Canada

TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival 2009