One of the best places to be in July is Montreal. We have Jazzfest, the comedy fest and now there is Soulfest. Imagine four days of soul, R&B, funk, Motown, gospel and disco by some of the city’s best artists. I was lucky enough to catch the last two nights, where I was treated to a VIP seat with cocktails and a gift bag by the lovely Rémie Desir, who was part of Soulfest’s dynamic team.  On Saturday night, I got to witness Montreal‘s legendary Michelle Sweeney, who got the party started with Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out” and kept it hot with disco classics; “It’s Raining Men and “Di ..read more

The Montreal International Jazz Festival, aka the world’s largest jazz festival, had such a wide variety of shows this year that I wish I could have seen them all.  It seemed like there were more great free outdoor shows than there were in paid venues. Whether you like old-school jazz, hip-hop, country, soul, blues or new electronic music.  From the majestic Apashe to the timeless powerhouse Ekep Nkwelle, as well as the enigma that is André 3000, there was something for everyone.  Elisapie The outdoor stages, spread throughout the Quartier des Spectacles, provided a vibrant bac ..read more

There is more weight to a love song, when it’s autobiographical. You might know Brian Melo as the winner of season 5 of Canadian Idol. Brian just released In The Air, a song with deep meaning. In the video, we get a glimpse of the origin love story of Brian and his now wife Samantha Melo. “I wrote this song to capture the magical moment when my wife and I first met. We aimed to authentically depict our own story, and having Samantha play herself in the video made it even more special.” Is a long distance, cross border relationship possible? Watch the video and find out how the chapter ends…an ..read more

Will you suffer from OSHEAGA 2024 FOMO? What are some of the symptoms of Osheaga FOMO?   You missed out on one of the largest gatherings of single people on the island of Montreal.  Beautiful people everywhere! You didn’t enjoy past heroes performing classic or emerging artists you missed before their rocket ship to fame took off. You opted out of unleashing the fashion icon you are by creating the perfect outfit. You didn’t get to hang out with your friends, while listening to the hottest bands. You didn’t dance like no one is watching. You didn’t try late night food truc ..read more

Canadian pop-punk artist LØLØ recently marked a significant milestone in her burgeoning career: the release of her debut album, falling for robots & wishing i was one. Drawing comparisons to Paramore and Avril Lavigne, LØLØ has already garnered critical acclaim from outlets such as Paper Magazine, MTV, and Kerrang! With over 35 million Spotify streams, the Toronto-born, LA-based singer-songwriter is steadily gaining momentum. Last fall, LØLØ toured the UK and Europe with Against The Current, followed by a 31-date North American tour alongside Boys Like Girls, State Champs, and others. Her ..read more

Over the years, Papa Roach frontman Jacoby Shaddix has shared his struggles with addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. By doing so, he aims to break the stigma around mental health issues. The band’s latest contribution to this cause is their single “Leave A Light On (Talk Away The Dark).” Partnering with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the band is using this song to promote suicide prevention. The royalties from the single are being donated to AFSP indefinitely, alongside an initial donation of over $150,000 on behalf of ..read more

The Buoys’ debut album, Lustre, is the kind of raw, cathartic experience that only a band seasoned by years of gigging can produce. This Sydney quartet—Zoe Catterall on vocals and guitar, Hilary Geddes on lead guitar, Courtney Cunningham on bass, and Tess Wilkin on drums—has been on the cusp of something big for years, and with Lustre, they finally deliver on the promise of their early EPs. Recorded live together, the album celebrates The Buoys as one of Australia’s hardest-working live acts. The energy of their performances is palpable throughout the record, giving it a sense of immediacy an ..read more

Guitarist Jason Hook, best known for his time with Five Finger Death Punch, has announced his new band FLAT BLACK. Hook, who left Five Finger Death Punch in early 2020, has since teamed up with a trio of younger musicians to form the new group. They have signed with Fearless Records and are preparing to release their debut album, Dark Side of the Brain. The album, produced by Hook alongside Chris Collier (Korn), was recorded at Hook’s home studio and The Hideout in Las Vegas. Hook expressed his enthusiasm about the new project, saying, “No more people hounding me about when the album will be ..read more

It’s a busy night at Place des Arts; a veritable Aussie invasion in the middle of Francos de Montreal. Melbourne’s The Teskey Brothers have taken over the huge Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, and Sydney’s Angus & Julia Stone are in the smaller, more intimate Théâtre Maisonneuve; jackpot! First up is Ella Hunt, who arrives on stage to great cheers. Over the next 35 minutes, she proceeds to blow the room away. Her humility is infectious as she giggles, “Oh my goodness, thank you so much! I’ve never opened for anyone before!” After the magical “Mother’s Chair,” someone in the crowd cuts through the ..read more

Breaking out of another dry spell in terms of shows (almost a month since my last Montreal show!), it’s the first of a back-to-back to end the working week. On arriving inside Theatre Fairmount, New York-based Christopher Tignor is on stage. As he loops beats while alternating between violin plucks and triangle twangs, you can tell the crowd is already intrigued. His last two songs are more intricate, with extensive violin solos overlaid with a bass drum, creating a spooky, post-apocalyptic vibe that sets things up nicely for tonight’s headliners. Texans This Will Destroy You are in town cel ..read more