Latest news with #Juno-nominated
Winnipeg Free Press
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Taking a shot
Romi Mayes wants to make live music an on-demand experience. Last month, the Winnipeg blues artist, event producer and booking agent launched Sure Shot Bookings, an online platform to help connect the public with musicians-for-hire across the country. 'It's kind of like SkipTheDishes, but for music,' Mayes says. SUPPLIED JD Edwards is one of the local musicians on the Sure Shot roster. Named after the Beastie Boys classic of the same name, Sure Shot currently has a roster of about 150 artists working in Manitoba, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Customers looking to book an act for a public, private or corporate event can submit a request and Mayes — currently the company's sole employee — will get to work liaising with the musician or band. 'For any event there is, live music is an enhancement. You choose who you want, when you want it and I try to facilitate that,' she says. Mayes is a Juno-nominated, Western Canadian Music Award-winning singer-songwriter who released her seventh studio album, Small Victories, last year. Event planning and logistics have always been part of her decades-long music career. 'Even as a teenager I was doing things, putting on talent shows, volunteering to help out at the synagogue. I didn't realize it was going to be such an important skill set that was also going to be my passion,' she says. When Mayes became a professional musician, she hosted local songwriter events, booked tours for other artists and co-ordinated outdoor concerts during the pandemic. She's been nominated several times for agent of the year by the Canadian Live Music Association. Sure Shot is the culmination of that experience and an attempt to create more industry opportunities. 'The goal is to bring live music to music lovers and to add work for fellow musicians. I see how hard it is to get work, to maintain work as an independent Canadian musician without really being able to expand into the U.S. anymore,' Mayes said. Beyond the current political climate down south, getting a work visa to perform in the United States is a long and expensive process and the dollar discrepancy can cut into profits made on the road. 'I'm hoping to get some more work out of it,' says JD Edwards, one of the Manitoba musicians on Sure Shot's roster. 'I'm not doing as much international touring as I have in the past, but I do like to stay connected with my community and I still love to perform. SUPPLIED Winnipeg musician and booking agent Romi Mayes has launched her own cross-country live music platform. 'I think any help artists can get to get gigs is gonna be good.' Mayes has tried to enlist artists from a range of backgrounds and genres. Other locals include Mitchell Makoons, Bobby Dove, Joe Curtis, Amber Epp, Rodrigo Muñoz, Sol James and the Sturgeons. Edwards is also looking forward to playing for audiences outside of his usual stomping grounds. Every Second Friday The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. 'People might not necessarily come out to the Times Change(d), they might not go out to other venues to see artists, so this will give more exposure,' he says. One such venue is the Bar Italia patio, where Edwards will be among several Sure Shot musicians performing in a new summer concert series beginning this weekend and running every Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. until July 13. Sure Shot offers 45- or 60-minute performance slots for virtually every kind of event — birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, yard parties, corporate functions, community events and cultural holidays. Bookings include liability insurance and rates are discounted for non-profit organizations. The musicians supply their own sound equipment. Visit for more information. Eva WasneyReporter Eva Wasney has been a reporter with the Free Press Arts & Life department since 2019. Read more about Eva. Every piece of reporting Eva produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Big Wreck to headline 2025 version of Cowapolooza
Multi-platinum, Juno-nominated rock powerhouse Big Wreck will take the stage in Southside Park as Woodstock's favourite summer festival returns on Aug. 8 and 9. Fronted by Toronto singer, songwriter and guitarist Ian Thorney, the band is known for their hit singles That Song, Blown Wide Open, The Oaf and Albatross. 'It was very well-received on social media and we've had great feedback, which is exciting,' said Kristen Brodhagen, Manager of Special Events for the city. 'With their unique brand of heavy-hitting live rock, Big Wreck will close out two exhilarating days of music and family-friendly entertainment! We're so excited to welcome attendees from Woodstock and beyond for another spectacular event as Cowapolooza marks its 22nd year,' she added. The free festival starts on Friday, Aug. 8 at 6 p.m. with country music performances from Coty Robinson, Ryan Langdon and Outlaw State of Mind, a Chris Stapleton tribute band. Once last year's event was over, the planning started immediately for this year's version. 'A lot of thought and research goes into selecting the headliner,' added Brodhagen. 'Like you said, I think this year will be an incredible concert. We are really looking forward to it.' Post-pandemic, the event has turned to a different genre of music, something she added was intentional. 'Sam Roberts band, Sloan, The Trews and now Big Wreck are in a different era than we used to have. We used to have headliners like April Wine, Trooper and Colin James. Maybe that shift after COVID kept the excitement going.' She added keeping the event free means there are no barriers for anyone to attend and people travel from far distances to come to the city and enjoy two days of family fun. 'We welcome all demographics and it is a large focus of the event's marketing. We encourage families to attend all weekend, but specifically during Cowapolooza Kids. It's great to see the variety of ages that come through the park throughout the two days.' The fun continues on Saturday, Aug. 9, with Cowapolooza Kids from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., featuring action-packed pro wrestling matches, inflatables, outdoor games, a photobooth and more. Big Wreck will be joined by Harm and Ease and The Joel Dupuis Band for the finale on Saturday evening from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Throughout the weekend, festival goers can shop from marketplace vendors, grab a bite to eat from on-site food trucks, or enjoy a drink in the beverage garden with a view of the main stage. 'This year we're also proud to be creating a more sustainable event. We're looking for volunteers to join our new Green Team to help guests sort recyclables and garbage at our waste stations,' added Brodhagen. 'We're also encouraging attendees to bring their own reusable water bottles and reusable bags for shopping, as well as take eco-friendly transportation to the park with a free shuttle bus and on-site bike valet.' This event wouldn't be possible without our sponsors, including Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc., Zehrs Woodstock and more. You can find the full event schedule and apply to volunteer at . Follow the City of Woodstock on Facebook, X and Instagram for the latest updates.
CBC
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Pop singer Nia Nadurata reflects on writing her breakout track I Think I Like Your Girlfriend
The emerging singer-songwriter also discussed her debut EP on The Block Image | nia nadurata the block Caption: Nia Nadurata joined The Block's host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe in Toronto for an interview. (Robbie Serrano; graphic by CBC Music) Open Image in New Tab Media Audio | The Block : Nia Nadurata stops by The Block to talk about her debut EP, Still Living With My Parents and how she uses real life experiences to create relatable break up anthems. Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. Toronto pop singer-songwriter Nia Nadurata cut her teeth penning songs for Juno-nominated artists including Boslen and Nonso Amadi, before releasing her first official single, Drive Faster, in 2023. She followed it up with a second track, I Think I Like Your Girlfriend, and the hook-y, upbeat song took off: it now has more than a million streams on Spotify and is her most popular track to date. WATCH | The official music video for I Think I Like Your Girlfriend: Embed | YouTube Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. In a new interview with The Block 's host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe, Nadurata explains how a joke about her ex-boyfriend led her to write the infectious song. The full interview is available above and you can read an excerpt of their conversation below. You just heard one of my favourite tunes called I Think I Like Your Girlfriend from Toronto-based indie pop artist, Nia Nadurata, taken from her debut EP, Still Living With My Parents. Nia has been steadily working behind the scenes writing for some of your favourite artists, which we will get into, and has decided to step forward and release her own music. She's known for these cute, catchy, poppy, anthemic breakup songs... Welcome to the show. Thank you for having me. So that song is apparently based on a true story [and was] originally titled, Why Does Your Girlfriend Hate Me? Yes. So do you want to dive into that a little bit? Give us the backstory. Um, I mean, it was a really weird situation where I was just friends with somebody I used to see, which is sometimes a good thing, sometimes a bad thing. You never want there to be any bad blood, I guess. You don't? Well, I mean, no. I'm like, wait a little longer, my friend. Me personally, I would hate to have bad blood. But then I [wrote] a song about it. And then what do you expect from somebody? Did the song create bad blood? Honestly, the song for us, we actually got closer. Okay, wait, wait. I just need to say, so you and your ex remained friends? Yes. 15 South Asian Canadian artists to listen to right now And then following the release of this song, where he started dating someone else, you got even closer. Yes, of course. Of course, of, course, of course. They did break up on my release day. Did it have anything to do with you? That's none of my business, because by then it [was] actually not my relationship. I am just a singer, singing. Singing songs. How these Filipino Canadian hip-hop artists are creating a unique sound I love how you're just like, "I accept no responsibility for my actions." Hey, we listen and we don't judge! Honestly, I thought that it was one of these sort of queer anthems when I first heard it, it was like you had a crush on your ex's new girlfriend. Well, that was the whole joke about it, because the queer topic is something that I never really talked about in my family. So it would always just be a little joke that we would say like, "Oh, I like that guy. Maybe his girlfriend, too." And it would just be a joke that my cousins and I would say just to test the waters with our lola, just to see if she was listening. She wasn't. But that's all for the best of course, she loves the song. But we wrote it originally with the idea [of] why does your girlfriend hate me, because I was like, "I get that you don't want to be around somebody that your boyfriend used to see, but I think I'm being really nice." And I don't know why she doesn't like me. And then we thought that "why does your girlfriend hate me," would be a funny thing to say. And then I was like, maybe it's him, maybe he doesn't want me to be around her because he knows that her and I would hit it off. Like, look at us, we have the same taste, of course we would hit if off.
CBC
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Celebrate the Juno Awards with events all over Vancouver this week
The biggest night in Canadian music is almost upon us, and that means some of Canada's best artists are landing in Vancouver for performances throughout the week. Not only will the city be boppin', but all kinds of other events are planned: a special taping of CBC's pop culture show Q, comedy and conversations about the music industry and local music scene. So, if you're in the city and looking to take advantage of all the hustle and bustle, the Junos will bring, we've got you covered. Here is a list of Juno events happening around Vancouver over the next few days. CBC's Q with Tom Power LIVE When: Thursday, March 27, doors open at 8 p.m. Where: The Hollywood Theatre, 3123 West Broadway Attend a special live taping of CBC's Q with Tom Power, featuring guest host CBC Vancouver's own Stephen Quinn. The taping will feature Sum 41 frontman Deryck Whibley, Aqyila, Peach Pit and comedian Darcy Michael. When: Thursday, March 27, at 6 p.m. Where: Vancouver Art Gallery Rooftop Pavilion, 750 Hornby St. This storytelling circle will bring together Indigenous artists to share their career journeys to help others gain insight into navigating the music industry, overcoming challenges and carving out a path as an artist. Juno Block Party When: Thursday, March 27 to Saturday, March 29 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Where: šxʷƛənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square (formerly the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) at 750 Hornby St. This year's Juno Block Party will feature a concert-style showcase with local and Juno-nominated artists, plus a night market featuring local vendors, food and that Juno energy in the heart of downtown Vancouver. Juno Comedy Show When: Thursday, March 27, doors open at 7 p.m. Where: Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St. The Juno Comedy Show, hosted by Richmond comedian Ola Dada, will feature performances by Courtney Gilmour, Debra DiGiovanni, Ivan Decker, Jess Salomon and Nathan Macintosh. Let's Hear It! @ the Carnegie Centre: Lunchtime Concert Series When: Friday, March 28, at 1 p.m. and Saturday, March 29, at 2 p.m. Where: Carnegie Community Centre, 401 Main St. A free lunchtime concert series brings live performances by Canadian talent and Juno nominees to the Downtown Eastside, as well as local opening acts, showcasing talent from within the community. Juno Songwriters' Circle When: Friday, March 28, at 7:30 p.m. Where: Centre in Vancouver for the Performing Arts, 777 Homer St. The songwriters' circle will feature performances from Juno-nominated artists, such as Alexander Stewart, Dylan Sinclair, Elisapie, Leif Vollebekk, Lowell, Luna Li, Nemahsis and Sarah Harmer. JunoFest When: Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, various times Where: Various venues in Vancouver JunoFest, presented by CBC Music and featuring over 100 artists at more than 10 venues is returning to the Junos this year. Spanning all genres from across the country, Friday night's lineup includes acts like Desirée Dawson, Devours, Jamie Fine, Northern Cree and Yukon Blonde, and on Saturday night, artists include Anciients, Cadence Weapon, Hey Ocean! and Sofia Camara. Juno Honouring Ceremony When: Saturday, March 29, 11 a.m. Where: Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St. This event, presented by Destination Indigenous, celebrates the diversity of Indigenous music and art. It will feature performances by Juno-nominated artists Adrian Sutherland and Brianna Lizotte. Junior Junos When: Saturday, March 29, 11 a.m. Where: šxʷƛənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square (formerly the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza) at 750 Hornby St. The Junior Junos will be hosted by Lisette Xavier from CBC Kids' Bestest Day Ever With My Best Friend and will feature music, storytelling and performances from Kym Gouchie, the Gumboot Kids and Will's Jams. Juno Stories from the Studio When: Saturday, March 29, doors at 10:30 a.m. Where: Annex, 823 Seymour St. Stories from the Studio promises a deeper understanding of the creative music process from highly successful music producers including Boi-1da, Aaron Paris and Akeel Henry. 604 Decades Open House When: Saturday, March 29, doors open at noon Where: 604 Records Sound Stage, 795 East Cordova Street Vancouver's 604 Records will take a look back at the city's vast music history with performances by Movieland, Stephen Hamm Theremin Man and 64 Funny Cars. Admission is free. JunoFest Classical Showcase When: Saturday, March 29, doors open at 12:30 p.m. Where: CBC Vancouver's Studio 700, 700 Hamilton St. CBC Vancouver's own Gloria Macarenko will be hosting this delightful afternoon event, featuring Canadian composition and vocal talent. Entry is by donation, and seating is limited. Juno Awards Gala When: Saturday, March 29, doors open at 6 p.m. Where: Vancouver Convention Centre, West Building, 1055 Canada Place. CBC Music Mornings host Damhnait Doyle and Allegiance star Supinder Wraich will host the awards gala where dozens of Juno Awards will be handed out , and artists including Avenoir, Celeigh Cardinal, Nobro, Sebastian Gaskin and Allan Slaight Juno Master Class participant Haley Blais will perform. Junos Orange Carpet Fan Zone When: Sunday, March 30, at 1 p.m. Where: BC Place, 777 Pacific Blvd. A chance to see Canadian artists up close as they arrive for the awards ceremony. Snap some photos and wave to your favourite artists at this red carpet-style experience. The 2025 Juno Awards When: Sunday, March 30, 5 p.m./8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. AT Where: Rogers Arena in Vancouver This is it. The big night. Burnaby's Michael Bublé will return to the Junos' hosting chair and will even join in for a special performance with Elisapie, Jonita Gandhi, Maestro Fresh Wes and Roxane Bruneau. Canadian rock legends Sum 41 will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and Anne Murray — the most awarded Junos artist in Canadian history — will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. Catch live performances from Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Josh Ross, Nemahsis, Aqyila, Tia Wood, bbno$, Peach Pit, Chani Nattan, Inderpal Moga and Jazzy B. The Juno Awards will be broadcast and streamed live across Canada from 5 p.m./8 p.m. ET/9 p.m. AT on CBC-TV, CBC Gem, CBC Radio One, CBC Music, CBC Listen, and globally at and CBC Music's YouTube page. In addition to described video and closed captioning, CBC Gem will also offer ASL interpretation made available courtesy of the Disability Screen Office, CBC and Insight Productions with the support from the Canada Media Fund. Audience members at the show venue will have access to real-time captioning. Juno Awards After Party When: Sunday, March 30, 9 p.m. PT Where: Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville St. Celebrate everything Junos after the official awards show at a 19+ event on Vancouver's iconic Granville strip. Proceeds from the night go toward MusiCounts, the charity run by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences and the Junos.
CBC
19-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Nobro's Kathryn McCaughey on starting one of Canada's best punk bands
The lead singer of Nobro talks to Q's Tom Power about the band's Juno nomination The Montreal punk band Nobro is up for rock album of the year at the Junos Awards later this month. Lead singer and bass player Kathryn McCaughey joins Tom Power to share the story behind Nobro's song Where My Girls At off their Juno-nominated album, Set Your Pussy Free. WATCH | Official video for Where My Girls At:
