GWNtertainment #9 by Jaimie Vernon

* Congrats to Toronto’s John Acosta (formerly of Acosta-Russell) whose song “Let Me Be The One To” is featured prominently in the new Eddie Murphy film “Coming To America 2.”

* Congrats are in order to friends of GWN, The Kings, whose 1980 debut album on Elektra Records The Kings Are Here was certified Platinum (80,000 units sold) on March 1. Much of the album’s success stemmed from their massive hit single “This Beat Goes On/Switchin’ To Glide” which was certified Gold (40,000 units sold) on the same day. Meanwhile, the song’s official video now has nearly 4.4 million views. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxkjvKBPQjo

* Tune into Facebook live March 9th at 8:00 pm for ‘Reverse TDT’ which will feature 24 artists playing songs from the Ron Hawkins songbook including material from his legendary act Lowest Of the Low. http://www.facebook.com/lowestofthelow

* Walk Off The Earth, a music group whose career took off from a viral cover of “Somebody That I Used To Know” (the video currently has over 190 million views on YouTube), is selling the house where many of their songs and viral videos were recorded. The cottage-like post-WW2 home is nestled at the base of the Hamilton Escarpment. The house is listed for $799,900. Offers start Tuesday March 9. https://www.realtor.ca/real-estate/22886136/376-old-guelph-road-dundas

* Canadian-turned-Nashville music producer Fred Mollin has a new children’s album It’s Great To Be A Kid coming March 12 through Walt Disney Records. Mollin sings on four tracks, and has also enlisted the talents of Troy Johnson, Tania Hancheroff, and Caryn Richman. Mollin has produced and written children’s music since 1998 and has sold more than 3 million CDs which include Disney’s  Lullaby albums, Finding Nemo, Lilo & Stitch, Cars, Ratatouille, Pixar, High School Musical Live, and Billy Ray Cyrus and Miley Cyrus’ hit duet “Ready, Set, Don’t Go.”

* For the first time ever, all five Leslie Spit Treeo’s albums are now available digitally. Download from here:  http://lesliespittreeo.bandcamp.com

* We previously mentioned Wiklund vs. Wiklund’s “Learn About Livin'”and they’re already back with another new single/lyric video entitled “Dear Jim.” A brooding romp through an emotional landscape filled with heart wrenching vocals accompanied by soulful synth and keys. It’s a moody lullaby inspired by… a cat! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osPwH77mdV0

* The new AraPacis album (their 8th) entitled Waterdog is now available on the band’s Bandcamp website and their digital distributor Bullseye’s. The heavy rock duo features multi-instrumentalist Jerry Fielden and singer Michelle Macpherson. To fill out the sound they’ve also added bassist Jean Audet, and veteran keyboardist David Stone (Symphonic Slam, Rainbow, Max Webster) who co-writes several tracks.  https://bullseyecanada.bandcamp.com/album/waterdog

* Devin Bourque has a new single entitled “Decaf” and is the follow-up to November 2020’s “Demon” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UES3Lhl9DjU

* Alt-rock Toronto artist Delyn Grey is back following her break-out hit “Battle” with the next single “Ghost Town.” On the advice of producer Justin Abedin, who told her to “stop trying and just let it flow,” Grey went soul-searching. She holed up with her thoughts and the music of artists like Emily Haines and Amy Winehouse, and within a short week later, something clicked. The EP Disappointment Girl came alive over four months. The iconic Canadian singer-songwriter Bif Naked and her longtime collaborator, Karroll, heard Grey’s music and signed her to their artist and talent management division, Her Royal Majesty’s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3BF2wvmCcE

* Vancouver’s Mike Federici has unleashed another rocking single under the moniker Stars Unhinged entitled “Run.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJSSntAigF0

* Veteran Canadian electronic music wiz, Jim Lamarche, has teamed up with Shingo Nakamura, for a new single/video entitled “Rendezvous With Destiny.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=656DkfkMQs4

* At 50,000+ streams across platforms and rising, breakthrough Toronto pop-soul and trap-R & B artist Olenka plucks at the petals of long-distance love in this, her new single, “Purple Rose.”  “I recorded this single a while back, and it easily became my baby,” the Toronto-based singer/songwriter confides. “It was written about a relationship I had in the past; sometimes you meet someone who just inspires a sound…” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FPKeTqutIY

* Kingston, Ontario’s Abby Stewart released her new country video “Bless Your Heart” two weeks ago and it’s already racked up 13,500 views. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBR7_EMMyXA

* St. John’s, Newfoundland native Jamal Tinkov has a new single/video out of his heavy rock track entitled “Cruel Love.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7_7pSkiQ7A

[Apricity]
* Scottish-born Puslinch, Ontario-based singer/songwriter Apricity has released her debut single/video, the alt-rock track “All My Lies.” The 4:50 tune accompanies an atmospheric video directed by Jesse Read of Dropout Entertainment and Toronto Creative. The song and accompanying short film has already amassed more than 120,000+ streams across platforms including 90,000+ on YouTube alone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxE6Ks5GtEE

* Werth It released its 3rd single, “Rocket Me,” along with an accompanying video on March 2nd. The tune is also available on all digital platforms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAzf97zxCxo

* Calgary, Alberta’s Timothy J. has a great new tune out called “Olive (Don’t Lose Faith).” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4EOFjCqnw8

* Producer, engineer, musician, and man-about-town James Paul has returned with another installment of his atmospheric compositions under the moniker Homo Trans Futura. The new release is entitled Music for Spoken Word. https://homotransfutura.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-spoken-word

* Barrie, Ontario’s Pulsarz has a new COVID/Pandemic/Lockdown-centric single/video out called “Cold.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBooCjsd_Dk

* The debut album from Vancouver rockers Karnal Sinn entitled Proceed With Caution has been released. It features a touch of Classic Rock, melodic hooks, and a driving edge. The first single is “Karadawn” written by Robin Lei and Ray Roper (Stonebolt). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uelb1chcIA

* Four months after the release of their debut EP of the same name, Albertan musicians Al Brant and Dennis Meneely have released the title track, “Coming Days,” as the new single under the moniker Meneely Brant. The 5-song EP was recorded at Danlyn Studios in Sherwood Park, Alberta. Says Brant of the EP, “I’ve always gravitated towards rock and roll and that’s evident here.” Complimenting those words, Meneely said, “We’re carrying this torch for fusion rock…but that’s just who we are.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCMGzpw7iFA

* Toronto duo Eye Steal – Remi Monroe and Dani Blood – return with a new single/video “I Can’t Be There.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3FmvaNnk60

* Four year old Tipsy Records is hitting the ground running in 2021 with the bubbling bass synths and a sweet melody infused single/video “Lost Control” by Quebec electronic dance producer Kayliox and NYC-based singer/songwriter Victor Perry.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLSLcGg7ht4

* Denman Island’s Kevin Mitchell has released the new single/video “Prairie Sky.” Mitchell covers the guitar, vocals, and harmonica duties. He is accompanied by Marc Atkinson (guitar, bass, drum), Erika Bland (vocals), and James Emmerson (vocals). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU9_IEQ-0G0

* Versatile Rock is 4-piece from Kingston, Ontario consisting of Joe Deshane (vocals), Chris Turner (guitar), Jason Post (drums), and Terry Ritchie (bass, keyboards). Their new album is Live At Studio 29 and the lead-off single is “Deceitful.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDwvUV0BvCg

* 4-piece Edmonton act Evergreen is on Spotify now and are showcasing last year’s single/video “Juan de Fuca” recorded at the Royal Studio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEatwrtGH7E

* Vancouver’s Son of James – who call their sound Chynatruckerfunk – is the brain child of Shon Wong (the son of opera performers). The new single/video is “I Need You.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT59HeTzOjc

* Vancouver Christian Rock outfit Heart of Zion has released the single/video “You Matter from their new Mystery Cyber Superstar CD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-nfgLvitik

* New York-born/Moncton-based hip-hop artist Michael J. Foxx (not to be confused with the famous Canadian Hollywood actor Michael J. Fox) and Canadian singer-songwriter Sydney Sexton have just released their debut album Duality following a several singles in 2020. The duo spent the majority of 2020 together, writing, recording and releasing music in their home studio together. The album comprises ten original hip-hop/R & B tracks including “Pull Me In,” “Celebration,” and “Feeling You.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjQZATlT5hI

* Singer Rita Johns returns with the blues inspired “Story of The Blues” single/video featuring Caleb Miles (guitar), Allan Marnie (bass), Alex Porter (drims), and Bob Federer (keys, bass, keys). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS5Jua4D3rI

* The new one from British Columbia ensemble Washboard Union is “If She Only Knew.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLxGbJLDJN4

* Sean Bain has released a new single featuring guitarist Robert Farrell entitled “Our Code” as a tribute to veterans past, present, and future. Says Bain, “I couldn’t be more proud of this song and I’m honoured to be able to say I served 12 years in our Canadian Armed Forces. Thank you to all that made this song possible and a huge thank you to the many brave men and women that I had the privilege of serving with. Indeed, this song is for you.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAG7nxZVVXI

* Producer/Engineer/DJ Rummy has just released his latest, “Get Over It.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Woddr29Ak

* Danny Michael and his virtual ‘band’ Super Spreader has released a video cover of the Waterboys song “Whole of the Moon.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMoGkZ4v8zQ

* Marmora’s eclectic singer-songwriter Jef Leeson brings us a unique a cappella take on Five Man Electrical Band’s “Absolutely Right.” The track will be included on his forthcoming album Vocalings: The Canuckness due this week on all digital platforms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwKuoQ3V6EE

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Keep up the fight!
Jaimie Vernon, 2021

=JV=

Jaimie “Captain CanCon” Vernon has been president of the on again/off-again Bullseye Records of Canada since 1985. He wrote and published Great White Noise magazine in the ‘90s, has been a musician for 41 years, and recently discovered he’s been happily married for 24 years. He is also the author of The Canadian Pop Music Encyclopedia and editor of “Sunny Days: The Skip Prokop Story.” Available through Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Jaimie+Vernon