A Tribe Called Red to close out Hillside 2018

By Will McGuirk

No skipping out early at Hillside this year, nope, phone in something on Monday because the Halluci-Nation are taking over Sunday evening and it is going to be a spectacular celebration not to be missed.

A Tribe Called Red have been announced as the closer for the Guelph-based music festival taking place on Guelph Island July 13-15.

And thats in addition to one of the most exciting and varied line-up in some time with Destroyer, Lido Pimienta, Hollerado, Plants and Animals, U.S. Girls, Cadence Weapon, Tamarack, Chad VanGaalen as well as Slowcity.ca pals Mappe Of, Annie Sumi and Crown Lands.  Plus of course so much more, three days of so much more!

Check here for  highly recommended tickets. 

The Arkells champion the peoples of Hamilton in video for 'People's Champ'

By Will McGuirk

Hamilton hometown heroes The Arkells are travelling wide and far but are keeping their love for Steeltown alive nevertheless. If only every city had a team of champions such as these kids, repping their city at every opportunity. But you get back what you give and it much be something sweet the Arkells kats were raised on down there in the once termed Armpit of Canada because they give back and back and back and in their latest video, for "People's Champ", they give back some more and shout our some of their fave locations in the Hammer, bigging up their city yet again. 

The band have a hometown gig coming up - June 23 at the Tim Hortons Fields. The Rally will also see Ellevator, Bishop Briggs and Cold War KIds on the bill.

Julie Doiron, Dan Romano, Brad Weber, Dany Laj & the Looks and more added to River & Sky Festival

By Will McGuirk

River & Sky Music and Camping Festival is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a stylish line-up of alumni and fresh folks. Those already announced for the four-day bash in Field, On (July 19-22) include Chad VanGaalen, Born Ruffians, The Pack AD and Land of Talk.

But there's more coming including Julie Doiron, Dan Romana, Laura Savage, WHOOP-Szo, Walrus and Bernice. PLUS one of our faves we first met at River 'n Sky, the legendary Dany Laj & The Looks.

There are two stages, Main and Beach with an interactive art walk connecting the two. There are also late-night DJs; among them Coy Haste aka Brad Weber of Caribou.

There are of course local food and arts vendors but River & Sky has river swimming and saunas, what!!. Having gone several times I fully endorse y'all taking the trip north for this, #SeeTheNorth

I had an email interview with R&S festival director Peter Zwarich, read it here.

Mariposa bound Buffy Sainte-Marie wins two 2018 Indigenous Music Awards

By Will McGuirk

Iconic singer/songwriter Buffy Sainte-Marie won two awards at the Indigenous Music Awards held May 18 2018 in Winnipeg at the Club Regent Event Centre. The awards were presented during the Manito Ahbee Festival in 19 categories celebrating many different genres from across Turtle Island.

Buffy Sainte-Marie, who will be performing at the Mariposa Folk Festival this year, won for Best Folk Album, "Medicine Songs" and for Best Music Video for "The War Racket."

Go here for a full list of winners -> 

Wintersleep headlines Sandbanks Music Festival Sep 15

By Will McGuirk

I keep meaning to get out to Prince Edward County for the Sandbanks festival, maybe this will be the year. Wintersleep is enough of a draw for me, actually a day in the County is enough of a draw for me but a day with Wintersleep in the County, well, whats not to love?

This is the fifth year for the festival and along with Wintersleep, the line-up so far includes Gianna Lauren, Listen Up Kid, Ella Jade, Jeremy Kelly and Triples. More will be announced later. Tickets are $30 and of course as the County is also one foodie dreamscape there are local food trucks and local beverages. 

Tragically Hip bio book launch at Second Wedge Brewery, Uxbridge Jun 14

By Will McGuirk

Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge is hosting author Michael Barclay for a launch of his Hip bio, the Never-Ending Present. The book has been hovering on the best sellers list since it came out. I will be interviewing Michael, one of the nation's finest music writers and co-author of Have Not Been The Same, a history of Canadian indie music. Tickets are $20 which includes a $10 book coupon and a 12 oz pour. There will also be a Tragically Hip tribute band. Doors open 6:30pm, event starts 7 p.m. sharp.

HustleMe celebrates 1st anniversary May 15

By Will McGuirk

HustleMe's Rap Battle Of Entrepreneurship celebrates its first anniversary with a battle at the Moustache Club Tuesday May 14. The event is a live head to head competition between entrepreneurs. Each participant has a short window of time to pitch their business. Judges vote and those who get the nod go on to the round until there is one final winner.  Prize is a sweet grand ($1,000). 

The big event starts at 7:30. There is an afterparty beginning at 10 p.m. 

I talked with a previous winner, Samantha Stahkle of Ominous Games,  read her thoughts on the event here ->

Take me to church - Inglorious Women gather Friday May 11

Oshawa Opera is joining forces with Westminster United Church Outreach Committee for an all-women concert. The show is to raise awareness and funds for Luke's Place and was inspired in part by the #MeToo campaign.

Featured performers include Roberta Quilico, Emily Rocha, (Rev) Michelle Robinson, Emma Cullen, Jillian Carney, Joanne Averill-Rocha, Kristine Dandavino, Kalista Wilson, Cora Reid, Kinga Lizon, Marcelle Boisjoli.

Tickets: $10 online or at the door

Mariposa Festival releases daily schedule; 2018 lineup includes Nick Lowe, Buffy, Alan Doyle and Joel & Bill Plaskett

By Will McGuirk

The Grand Dame of Festivals, she's been dancing since 1961, has one fine weekend all scheduled up for 2018. Mariposa Festival, which takes place July 6, 7, 8 in Tudhope Park in Orillia, ON., has announced its daily headliners with Friday featuring Valdy and Walk Off The Earth and Sunday peaking with Bahamas and Buffy Sainte-Marie but for me its Saturday that is must do. Alan Doyle of Great Big Sea, Joel Plaskett and his pops Bill and the superb Lisa LeBlanc are all scheduled to play so its a guaranteed kitchen party but Mariposa goes even deeper bringing in Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets.

There are over 50 acts performing over several stages including Fred Eaglesmith and the Good Lovlies, Tami Neilson, Iskwe and Cecile Doo-Kindue. There are workshops, food vendors, an art alley, beer tent and one of the finest locations on the shores of Lake Couchiching.

Canadian Music Week: Where the Oshawa/Durham bands at?

By Will McGuirk

CMW kicked off Monday May 7 and continues right through until Sunday. Among the hundreds of acts playing there are a few well known acts but thats the key to CMW; its a showcase of the new, the emerging, the bubbling under. With scores of venues, affordable ticketing and a slew of activities and events such as panel discussions, award shows, trade shows, an international showcase focus on the USA for 2018, a hackathon, summits, and a film festival there's no excuse to not get out and enjoy the week. Go see the next big thing now and get the bragging rights. Some of the existing big things involved or performing include Mudhoney, Sloan, Nile Rodgers, Bob Lefsetz, Steve Horowitz and Denise Donlon.

Some of the Oshawa/Durham kats involved include

May 9 Beams @ Lee Palace, Lindi Ortega @ Mod Club

May 10 Jaunt @ Garrison, Do Good Badlies @ Dakota Tavern, West Hammock @ Adelaide Hall

May 11 Crown Lands @ Phoenix

May 12 Sarah Fazackerley @ Paddock, The Standstills @ Horseshoe

Lindi Ortega frees up 'Liberty', the title track for her new album

By Will McGuirk

Alt-country singer/songwriter Lindi Ortega has released the video for the titular track for her upcoming three act concept album, "Liberty."  In the press release Ortega says she wanted horses to be featured in the video as they represent freedom and strength to her. 

Ortega won't be travelling by horse on her album tour, although I'm guessing  she would dig that. Dates below the video.

04/05 - Ottawa, ON - The 27 Club
04/06 - Burnstown, ON - Neat Coffee Shop
04/07 - Kitchener, ON - Centre In The Square
04/09 - Toronto, ON - Mod Club Theatre
04/10 - London, ON - Aeolian Hall
04/11 - Hamilton, ON - Mills Hardware
04/12 - Kingston, ON - Queen’s Grad Club

Dizzy new track tells the love story of 'Joshua' then and now

By Will McGuirk

Our fave dreamers and Royal Mountain signees, Dizzy, have released a new track, "Joshua" prior to their expansive summer fest tour., next stop Paris France, o May 14. The track is a languid, contemplative number about heartbreak and then again not really. I am so looking forward to seeing Dizzy live soon in a field under the stars.

05/14 – Paris, FR @ Point Éphémère
05/15 – London, UK @ Bermondsey Social Club
05/16 – London, UK @ Omeara
05/17-18 – Brighton, UK @ Great Escape Festival
05/31 – Brooklyn, NY @ Elsewhere
06/02 – Toronto, ON @ Field Trip Festival
06/22 – Ottawa, ON @ Dragonboat Festival
07/15 – Quebec City, QC @ Festival D’été
09/02 – Hamilton, ON @ Rasberry Farm at Royal Botanical Gardens

Inside Insights with Doors Open Whitby, outside insights with Jane's Walk May 5

This weekend you can combine the wonders of a walk with a wander through Whitby's historic and architectural gems. Both Doors Open Whitby and Jane's Walk, (the annual tribute to urban visionary Jane Jacobs), are taking place on Saturday May 5. There are two organized walks to take part in; The Heritage Walking Tour which begins at the Centennial Building at 10 a.m. and will encompass the surrounding neighbourhood, and the Downtown Whitby Walk which will begin at the Whitby Library at 2 p.m. and takes in the city business core.

These Jane Walks marry up with Doors Open allowing participants to step in of the street into some of the more interesting and historic buildings along the way. There are sites open in other areas of Whitby including Trafalgar Castle, but 360 Insights, the Racic family home, Lynde House museum, the Jackson home on the corner of Hwy 12 and the 401 built in 1904, the Station Gallery and the Abilities Centre line up well enough to make it a good walk.