New Music Recommendations

It's Saturday April 21st and that means it's Record Store Day around the world.  It's a chance for music lovers to re-live the joy of walking into shops to explore racks of vinyl and CDs in the hunt for an amazing album.  It's a day when artists and labels alike release special rarities that can only be found in the stores today.  It's simply a celebration of music culture for purists and music fans.

In a singles driven world - Record Store Day acts as a reminder that the songs we all love are not just one file in the iTunes music store.  They're not just a one off in a Spotify, Grooveshark, Rdio or Vevo play-list.  They're but one song amongst a collection in a body of work.

This past week I've fallen in love with some great new music.  It started with singles - but I've taken the time to live with the albums as well. Sometimes it's hard to find that time as there really are that many singles out there.  When you take that time you'll be pleasantly surprised how a single is really just the gateway to an album.

Here's a few artists I would like to recommend to you at this time. Their albums are out - and these are the lead singles from each.

Ben Howard - 'Key Your Head Up' from the album 'Every Kingdom'

Of Monsters and Men - 'Little Talks' from the album 'My Head Is An Animal'

Miike Snow - 'The Wave' from the album 'Happy To You'

Ed Sheeran - 'Lego House' from the album '+'

Here are a few singles from forthcoming albums coming out later this year.

Conor Maynard - 'Can't Say No'

Rita Ora - 'R.I.P.' featuring Tinie Tempah

Keane - 'Silenced By The Night'

I hope that at least one of these has intrigued you enough to dive deeper into the full album.  Trust me it's worth the time.

Enjoy!

Gregg

Blue Rodeo

The 41st annual Juno Awards took place in Canada's capital city of Ottawa on April 1st.  It's great when they're held outside Toronto as they instantly become that much more of an event and you can feel the excitement throughout the city. 


It's a strange thing as majority of the music industry operate out of the Toronto - but I guess that just makes us jaded and perhaps therefor we don't appreciated it as much as other cities do.


There were a million moments throughout the weekend that made me extremely proud to be working in the Canadian music industry.  From artists sharing the stage as part of Juno fest, celebrity sightings, late night hangs and collaborations on stages all over the city - it was fantastic.

My favourite part part of the weekend by far was but one tiny moment.  It was during Blue Rodeo's acceptance speech being inducted into Canada's Music Hall of Fame.  It was the moment Greg Keelor took the microphone and said something along the lines of...

"We're truly humbled to stand alongside such greats at this time.  From Paul Anka, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Buffy Sainte-Marie to name a few."

"When dinner's served in this great hall we know we won’t be sitting at the head table – but thank you for inviting us to the party."

It gave me goosebumps.  It was perfect and speaks volumes about the Canadian music business where it matters the most - through the eyes of our artists.  

I have no doubt in my mind that Blue Rodeo belong at the head table.  To be honest I think Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor should bookend Neil Young sitting at one end of that table.  These guys are just as important to the music history of our country as anyone who has received this induction before them.

Here are a few classic cuts from the band.  Give even one of them a spin and I know you'll agree that Blue Rodeo are a welcome addition to Canada's Music Hall of Fame.

'Bad Timing' from 1993's Five Days in July

'Try' from 1987's Outskirts

'Til I Am Myself Again' from 1990's Casino

'Lost Together' from 1992's Lost Together

Congratulations to Blue Rodeo and their team.  Thank you for the music.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

Rock And Roll Will Never Die

Hello,

Lynard Skynard made mention of Neil Young in their smash hit 'Sweet Home Alabama'.  Neil Young referenced Johnny Rotten in 'Hey Hey My My (Into The Black)' and Kurt Cobain quoted that same song in his suicide note to the world.  Rock and roll is one powerful medium with deep a authentic history.

There's times when the music business play catch-up on trends - and then try to cater to a particular style. The music is sometimes disguised as rock as it appears to be guitar driven - but there's always something missing.  It's beige, it's boring and been done to death.

No matter what flavour of the week comes and goes there will always be rock n' roll and you will know when it's real.

I'm super excited to say that right now feels like a time when rock music is finally raw and exciting again.  Here are 5 current singles that are making me feel this way - and if you give them a listen I think you'll agree.

I'm not saying there isn't room for all genres of music - I'm just excited about the current Rock And Roll that's being released.

"My my, hey hey
Rock and roll will never die
It's better to burn out
Than to fade away
My my, hey hey"

Thanks for reading/listening,

Gregg Stewart

5 People

Hi friends,


Each one of us can trace our musical journey's that brought us to where we are today.  It could have been a defining moment in our lives - or the people we met along the way that introduced us to new music. 
Either way there's likely a story to be told as to why it is that you will like a certain song, lyric or artist. Here are a few people and artists that have helped shape me over the years.


The Grade 8 Girls


When I was in grade 7 my class was split with the 8th grade students.  Most people were less than a year apart - but at that age 1 year made a HUGE difference.  For me it was an opportunity to hang with the cooler, older dudes while getting closer to the grade 8 girls.  


It was in an time when CFNY ruled the airwaves around Toronto and so these grade 8's were listening to the likes of Depeche Mode, Violent Femmes, House Martins and The Smiths.  This self-titled Violent Femmes album  had lyrics and sexual content that blew our young minds.  I can still remember every word of this album today as well as the CFNY road show that came and did a dance for the seniors.

Alan Cross 

I used to listen to Alan Cross' 'On-going History of New Music' on Sunday nights from 8 -10pm.  It was the highlight of my weekend as it was the last 2 hours of back-to-back 12 hour shifts working at Celestica on weekend's while going through school.  

Alan made music so exciting and was able to tell stories that gave me an even bigger appetite for music.   Mr. Cross opened my ears to many great albums and schooled me along the way.  I can credit Alan to introducing me to some of the greats whom I had only really heard of by name like Lou Reed, Joy Division and Skinny Puppy.

Steve Cranwell


Steve was the Vice President of Universal Island Def Jam when I worked there.  He was in it for all the right reasons and a perfect fit to lead a team in the music business.  He was David Bowie's biggest fan and had first hand stories about all the greats from Johnny Cash whipping a snowball at photographers in Calgary to some epic Stevie Nicks tours across Canada.  Steve knew I loved music and allowed me to grow within his team while teaching me everything he knew.  He was on-point with new music as well and introduced me to acts like Polyphonic Spree and Sigur Ros.

Billy Riordan


In 2003 I had a roommate named Billy.  He was a hipster, in the best way, but more importantly a huge music and movie buff.  He was forever in search of new music and rarely did I hear him play anything that wasn't.  He opened my mind to many of the great progressive acts at the time from The Postal Service to The Streets and this beauty from Clap Your Hands Say Yeah.

Zane Lowe


I think I say this man's name in conversation at least once a day.  He's by far the world's finest DJ and when he throws to a song he's deemed 'The Hottest Record In The World' it's as if time stands still.  He has a special way of making everything he talks about sound so exciting and new. 


I can't even count the bands he's introduced me to over the years - but I can without a doubt say that he's the biggest influence on me at this time in my life.  From Bombay Bicycle Club, Biffy Clyro, Plan B, Florence and the Machine to The Horrors it just gets better.  I strongly urge you to tune in one afternoon at 3pm ET - I promise that won't disappoint. Save this page.

Music is a gateway drug to even greater music :)  Let people's music tastes influence you - it makes this journey that much greater.


Thanks for reading/listening,


Gregg Stewart

Perfect Pop Songs

Art by: Phil Fung

Hi Friends,


Much like a delicious treat - the perfect pop song can stir-up feelings of guilt, regret and even embarrassment.  Perhaps a bit of an exaggeration - but I'm guilty of turning my own headphones down on the subway from fear that the people around me might be judging.  I do it less and less these days.


It's sometimes called a guilty pleasure and can even be classified as an ear-worm.  At the end of the day they're simply AMAZING songs designed for mass appeal and make people happy.


Be it a whistling hook like in Peter Bjorn and John's 'Young Folk' or Foster The People's 'Pumped Up Kicks' - an anthem like Jay Z's 'Empire State of Mind' or something with repetition like Martin Solveig's 'Hello' or Rihanna's 'Umbrella'.  These are all PERFECT pop songs.


Here are a few that have come out in recent years I love...

• Carly Rae Jepsen - 'Call Me Maybe' so big and about to get bigger :)
• Miley Cyrus - 'Party In The U.S.A.'
• LMFAO - 'Party Rock Anthem'
• Pitbull feat Neyo, Afro Jack and Nayer - 'Give Me Everything'
• The Backstreet Boys - 'I Want It That Way' *my personal favourite perfect pop song

Creating hits is no easy task and so if there's a secret formula then so be it.  Keep it coming - this stuff makes the masses sing, dance and smile.

Thanks for reading/listening

Gregg Stewart

New Music

Hi Friends,


I'm not sure what's going on - but 2012 has already started on a high note when it comes to new music releases.  Maybe it's The Grammys, The Brit Awards or just the time of year in general - but right now there's some damn good music coming out.


I'm going to keep this short and simply recommend 5 awesome tracks to you.  


Here they are...

Bahamas - 'Lost In The Light'

Emeli Sande - 'Heaven'

Lana Del Rey - 'This Is What Makes Us Girls'

Childish Gambino - 'Heartbeat'

Morning Parade - 'Us & Ourselves'

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

The Cure Mixed Up

Hi Friends,

I heard The Cure's 'Pictures of You' on NME radio today and was instantly transported back to 1990.  It was the summer between grade 8 and 9 for me when music was everything.

The Cure 'Mixed-Up' was a cassette in my older brother's collection at that time.  I remember fondly reading each and every lyric while playing the hell out of it on his ghetto blaster.  The strange thing was this was my first introduction to The Cure but the whole album was remixed.  This version of 'Pictures of You' was actually and 'Extended dub mix'.

I was already a massive fan of Depeche Mode at the time - so this was an easy addition to my repertoire.  Robert Smith was scary, daring and down right sad.  I loved every note of this album.

It's amazing how music has the ability to take you back, spark old emotions and do so in the most innocent of ways.  It's truly what keeps me going each day.

This is also why radio, television and a voice behind the music will always play a vital role in the business.  It's human emotion and recommendations that bring these memories and help create new ones.  My brother was my DJ and gateway to music growing up - I can't thank him enough for that.

This is a just a quick nostalgic post as I reflect upon the 13 year old version of myself.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg