The Power of Music

On the heels of Monday's horrible attacks in Boston most people around the world are at a loss for words.  That's because sometimes there are no words. Sometimes it's best left to the music.  Music is a very powerful thing when it comes to emotion and the human condition.

At last night's Yankees game in the Bronx that emotion came in the form of Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline'.  At the bottom of the 3rd the New York Yankees paid tribute to Boston by playing THEIR song.  A song that's been played at the bottom of the 8th at every Red Sox home game since 2002.  These 2 teams are arch rivals - and so this was the ultimate tribute to the city of Boston in their time of need. Watch this clip.

Tonight another powerful moment took place at the Boston Garden during the pre-game ceremony.  A tribute to the lives lost, first responders and citizens of Boston set to pictures and Philip Philips' hit 'Home'.  I had goosebumps watching this while that arena was on their feet with pride.  The crowd went on and took over the 'Star Spangled Banner' right after the tribute.  It was huge.  

I have friends from both Boston and New York.  They're among the hardest and most proud people I have ever met.  They would also give you the shirt off their back.  When you do something to them in their own backyard  - they come together and become stronger.  Watch this clip.

As a runner I've experienced the power and joy of seeing my family and friends at the end of a race. I've also had the pleasure of seeing my fiancé at the last few feet of a marathon. There's nothing but love from the runners and fans at that point.  It's a beautiful thing.

Our thoughts are with you Boston.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

My SXSW 2013

Austin from the Bat bridge

It's the craziest few days of music bookended by excitement and anxiety.  I've only been to SXSW twice - but am convinced it's the greatest Music Festival & Conference in the world.  

There's some things about Austin that suck, like late at nights on 6th street as the police are clearing the streets of crazy, but it's vital that industry folk continue to flock to Austin for the music.  It's the best place to learn about NEW music and re-live some classic names that help remind them why they got into this business in the first place.  SXSW is something everyone should go to at least once in their musical careers.   

Leake & the Police on Horseback at 2AM

SXSW is a place where new bands go with big dreams of being discovered.  It's where old bands go to reinvent themselves.  It's where massive artists go to create a buzz by playing a small venue.  It's a music city where you can see everything and the atmosphere is fantastic.

The impact is rarely immediate for artists showcasing at South By.  It takes a while and sometimes it never even comes to light - BUT if and when it does you can trace the roots back to SXSW showcases. 

2 years ago I saw The Naked and Famous, The Sheepdogs, Matt Nathanson, Tinie Tempah and Jamie Woon.  Not all became superstars - but I bet you know of at least one of these acts now.  The same goes for a wee ginger headed fella named Ed Sheeran that played at last year's festival.  

18 year old Jake Bugg from the UK

It's taken me a week and a half to write down all the bands I saw at this year's festival simply because there were so many.  Also because it was Canadian Music Week in Toronto this past week and the madness continued here.

Life's tough sometimes but I'm up for it.  I can't complain.

Here's a list of acts I had the pleasure of seeing this time around and hope to see again soon.  I hope you check out a few of them as well.

I'm going to start with the New Artists because SXSW truly is about music discovery.  

Jake Bugg:  I was dying to see this youngster since I first heard his name about a year ago. Props once again to Ashley Moore in my office for introducing me to his music.  He's 18 and a true rock star with the voice and sound of Buddy Holly meets Bob Dylan.  I sat with my jaw on the floor for his whole set as I watched him switch guitars on just about every song.  He didn't say one thing to the crowd - just sang the tunes with a serious face on.  It was perfect and exactly how I'd hope it would be.  I can't wait for North America to see him this summer.  He's that good I am sticking 2 song on here...

Frightened Rabbit:  I caught these guys at Rachel Ray's BBQ in the middle of the day at Stubbs.  It was the side stage and it was frickin hot outside.  Thankfully Rachel was handing out Blue Moons to cool the crowd as this Scottish band was about to slay them.  They're sonically fantastic and I'm pissed that I'll be missing them in Toronto this coming Sunday.  This video is one of the best things I've seen in a long time...

The 1975:  Well if you like perfect pop with a twist of 80s magic then this band are for you.  I loved seeing them at 'Red Eyed Fly'.  It was the perfect outdoor spot to catch these guys as the sun went down.  The best stage banter all week came from this lead singer as he introduced the first song.  "We locked ourselves in a house last summer and watched every John Hughes film - then recorded this album.  We hope you like it."  That says it all and if you work in television or advertising  - and are looking for the perfect songs for right now then you've found them.

Pickwick:  I stumbled across these guys by accident at first and had never heard their name before.  They were playing at the Virgin Mobile day party and they captured the attention of that whole house party and passers by on the street. It reminded me of The Flaming Lips meets Black Keys - and I loved it.  I caught them again at the festival conference when they performed at the radio day stage.  This song is killer...

Honourable mentions in the new artist category go to Jam Master Jay's son, Little Green Cars, Darwin Deez, Monster Truck, Sky Ferreira, Michael Kiwanuka and Hanna Georgas.

There were many Established Artists to be seen and it was interesting to learn of the options at SXSW.  Some classics I had even forgotten about.  I checked out Diplo, Billy Bragg, The Sheepdogs, Pharcyde, City and Colour and these guys below...

Eagles of Death Metal

Ed Kawalchuck of Live

Third Eye Blind

Kenny Loggins

The other category is that of the Massive Artist.  These days it's very much about brands and big bands making a huge splash in Austin when the streets are packed with taste makers and industry people.  With that comes the bonus of having the chance to see some of the biggest names in the smallest of clubs.  These are stadium acts that may have not done a small venue for many many many years.  This year saw the likes of A Tribe Called Quest opening for Price, The Roots opening for Justin Timberlake and The Yeah Yeahs closing out the night for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.  

I was lucky enough to catch 2 big names including Dave Grohl's Sound City Players.  This is a super group comprised of artists that appeared in Dave's recent documentary film entitled 'Sound City'.  It was long and chalk full of hits.  Everyone from Stevie Nicks, Corey Taylor (Slipknot), Rick Springfield, Krist Novoselic (Nirvana) and John Fogerty were on stage.  Hearing some classic CCR at Stubbs was pretty epic.  

Dave Grohl was also the festival's keynote speaker that same day.  I was lucky enough to be in the room for his monumental address.  It gave me goosebumps and I've gone through the whole Nirvana catalogue since that morning.  Give it a listen here.  Inspired indeed.

My personal favourite moment was seeing Depeche Mode in a club.  This was the first band I'd ever seen in concert and so to see them 23 years later - as they re-introduce themselves to the world - was special.  I enjoyed the new material and the latest album is great.  But when they played 'Try Walking In My Shoes', 'Personal Jesus' and one of my all time favourite songs 'Enjoy The Silence' - I was in heaven.

It's now time to rest for 2014.  I hope you can make it down to Austin for this amazing cultural experience at one point in your lives.  Oh yeah don't forget to bring an appetite for Texas BBQ, Tacos, Bloody Marys and Beer.  

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg

Nostalgia

Nostalgia describes a sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.  

I had a few nostalgic moments like this today.  They  were triggered by a songs on the radio while driving. 

It's not often I drive these days but I needed to rent one for a few hours today.  I really only miss driving for one reason - and that is the ability to play music really loud flying down the highway.  It doesn't matter if it's the cheesiest pop track of all time or the most sentimental slow jam - it all sounds that much better when you have your hands on the wheel and foot on the gas peddle.

I chose to scan the radio for the first 5 minutes and stumbled across The 80s show on Boom FM.  I also lucked out because it wasn't just Duran Duran and your typical stuff.  I heard Kim Mitchell's 'All We Are' into Gino Vanelli's 'Wild Horses'.  These 2 songs transported me back to the mid 80s in the back of our family Buick driving along the 401 on a Sunday night.  The family was usually on our way back from an out of town hockey tournament and my Dad had the radio cranked to whatever station you could pick-up along the way.  The only song missing was Chicago's 'You're The Inspiration'.  Man I love that track.  These are fond memories I'll cherish forever.

On my return trip I heard Faith No More's classic song 'Epic'.  Wow was this song amazing the first time I heard it in 1990.  I remember buying the cassette for 'The Real Thing' at A&M Records in the Pickering mall in that summer.  It was on sale so I also grabbed Billy Idol's 'Charmed Life'.  I skateboarded to the mall and then went directly to my friend Patrick's house to hang out and listen to them both.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  It wasn't yesterday - that was 23 year's ago.

Peter Cetera - 'The Glory of Love'

Faith No More - 'Epic'

Billy Idol - 'Cradle of Love'

Gregg

Songs for the Weekend

It's been a while since I posted anything as my computer's been in the shop - but that hasn't stopped the world from creating some amazing music.  In fact the last little while has been truly amazing and diverse with new releases.

As the music industry prepares to embark on Austin, Texas for the annual SXSW - things start to get exciting again.  If you're like me living in Canada then you have the added bonus of both Canadian Music Week and The 2013 Juno Awards right on the heels of SXSW.  It's a busy time - but an awesome time to soak up what's happening through all genres of music.  I'm doing the trifecta and so am already planning a detox set to begin on Monday April 22nd.

In the meantime - it's all about sharpening your skills and listening to as much music as humanly possible to make the right choices as to who you should watch.

Here are some recommended tracks I want to share with you...

HAIM - 'Forever'

Sky Ferreira - 'Everything Is Embarrassing'

Foal's - 'My Number'

Frightened Rabbit - 'Woodpiles'

Jake Bugg - 'Seen It All'

The Weeknd - 'Twenty Eight' 

The Matinee - 'Young & Lazy'

Swedish House Mafia -'Don't Worry Child (Acoustic)'

Have a great weekend!

Gregg

Tegan and Sara

When I started working at Universal Music in 2000 there were lots of showcases for staff.  Some in small venues and some at the office in the lunch room.  In the fall of 2000 a marketing manager sent an invitation for the staff to come and see twins Tegan and Sara play a few songs in the office.  That was the first I had heard their names and it wouldn't be the last.

The girls played a couple of acoustic songs from their album 'The Business Of Art' which was recorded in part at Hawksley Workman's own studios in Northern Ontario.  The girls could also boast that they were signed directly to Neil Young's label Vapor Records at that time.  It was their second album - but the start to a career that would garner them some serious attention and praise from music critics.  Not bad for for twins born in Calgary, Alberta.

The girls dropped by our studios this past week to promote their forthcoming album entitled 'Heartthrob' set for release on January 29th.  Here's our interview with the pretty and witty sisters...

There's so much music coming and going each day - so it's refreshing to sit back and reflect on an artist's career every once in a while.  Tegan and Sara have already released 6 full length albums making this new one their 7th.  They've grown and morphed over the years.  In recent years they've even collaborated with the likes of Tiesto and Morgan Page in the dance world.  From the sound of lead single 'Closer' it could be the final piece needed to becoming a household name around the world.  It's an amazing track on the heels of an amazing career and I hope they continue down this path.

Here are some of the hits I recommend you give a spin...

'Alligator' 

'Body Work'

'Back in Your Head'

'Feel It In My Bones'

'Living Room'

'Speak Slow'

Oh yeah they're also nominated for a Grammy Award at this year's show in February.  Their DVD 'Get Along' is up for 'Best Long Form Music Video'.  Good luck @teganandsara 

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg Stewart

Name A Better Song Than Stompa!

Is there a better song out there than Serena Ryder's 'Stompa'?  I personally don't think so because it has everything I could ever wish for in a rock song.  It starts out with a dirty guitar riff and a droning echo vocal sound in the background.  As Serena's vocals kick in you realize that this chick is bad ass.  The harmonies and back-up singing are perfect.  This is the best song in the world right now.

The first time I heard this track I instantly pictured Lykke Li  fronting The Black Keys in the basement of Toronto's Dakota Tavern.  That too me is pretty fucking magical.

I've enjoyed a few tracks by Serena in recent years but was more familiar with her name than I was her music.  The one song I recall most was a track called 'A Little Bit Of Red' heard here...

Serena Ryder's latest album entitled 'Harmony' is out now and features 9 other amazing tracks and I highly recommend you pick it up, download it or stream it.  Whatever you do start with 'Stompa' and thank me later.

Here are a few other beauty tracks I'd like to recommend you give a spin.  I am also very proud to say that they're all by Canadian artists.

Moka Only - 'Tighten Up'

• This guys is a Canadian legend in Hip Hop.  It's perfect.  He did vocals on many of Swollen Members big hits throughout the years - and was featured on many other tracks.  This is my favourite thing he's done and I can't wait to get my hands on this album now.

The Sheepdogs - 'Alright Ok'

• I want to get in a car and drive across the country smoking ciggys when I hear this track and I don't even smoke.  I am a fan of these guys and the whole new album is worth a spin.  They might be the hardest working acts in the country today and deserve everything that comes to them.  Go see them live you will agree with me I promise.

K-os - 'Nyce To Know You'

• I've heard 2 tracks from this album and it's fantastic.  I hope that the rest of it is equally if not better.  This guy has had a lengthy career thus far - but this seems like a new direction and I for one like where he's going.

Hollerado - 'Pick Me Up'

• This is one of the most whacked videos I've ever seen - but it doesn't matter because the song is killer.  The lyrics are great and this song really should be on charts around the world.  I'm pretty sure that acid has made a come back in Hollerado's camp.

Japandroids - 'The House That Heaven Built'

• I admit I slept on this one - but better late than never.  It came it as the #1 track on The Strombo Hundo and kicked me in the ass when I heard it there.  I had heard it before but needed to hear it in context like this.  Damn is this a killer rock track.

Thanks for reading/listening,

Gregg

5 Recommendations

It's early - but if the tail end of last year's music offerings are any indication then we have lots to look forward to in 2013.

I've already got a list started of artists I'm excited about.  I can't wait to hear their full albums once they come out.  Here's a quick list of artists to watch out for this year.

Tegan and Sara - 'Closer'

New album out on January 29th 

Hollerado - 'Pick Me Up'

New album out on February 12th 

Foals - 'Inhaler'

New album out on February 12th 

Joey Bada$$ - 'Waves'

Debut full length album due out in 2013

Biffy Clyro - 'Black Chandelier'

New album out on March 12th (in North America)

I'm certain that there's lots more great stuff to come and I for one am excited.

Happy New Year.

Gregg