Reggae artist and singer/songwriter Naomi Cowan hit the stage at El Mocambo in Toronto as part of the Lemmon Stage Discovery Series on November 16, 2021. Lemmon Stage, founded by live music mavens Lemmon Entertainment, in partnership with El Mocambo is supporting music industry recovery by providing an ongoing professional development platform for emerging artists. Lemmon Stage is the only year-long program at the El Mocambo, presenting live performance opportunities for new talent. Naomi Cowan is touted as one of the top rising female artists in Caribbean music. Cowan is the daughter of two influential figures in the reggae and gospel…
Author: Nadia Elkharadly
For a long time, Canadians yearningly looked on as our neighbours down south indulged their deepest shopping desires every year on Black Friday. Some would venture to the U.S. to brave the crowds and find the deals, while others would wait for Cyber Monday, a shopping holiday not bound by borders or travel time. But now Black Friday has come to Canada, and Canadians can enjoy extreme savings far closer to home. I want to highlight one homegrown brand doing Black Friday in style this year: la Vie en Rose. From loungewear to lingerie, la Vie en Rose has been…
Up until this fall, I lived in the same home for over 10 years. That also meant sleeping in the same bed, and on the same mattress, for the same amount of time. For years I shamefully neglected my sleep, both the quality and duration of it. I could be heard callously saying “I’ll sleep when I’m dead”. In truth, I didn’t know what I was missing. So when I moved into my new home just a couple of months ago, I decided it was time for a new bed as well. And, as it turns out, all I needed…
Hello, and welcome to The Reheat! Each week, I write a column summarizing the highlights of the podcast I co-host with Sadaf Ahsan. Our podcast, also titled The Reheat (what a coincidence!), re-examines the most salacious scandals of yester-year through a contemporary lens. Whether it’s a deep dive into Bennifer’s original love story from the 2000s or a meditation on the time princess Anne was almost kidnapped, we explain why each saga captured our imaginations back in the day. Sadaf and I also ask, would these stories be as scandalous if they happened in 2021? The answers to that question…
The ambiently beautiful, peace-seeking, and nature-reflecting new album by Tawni Bias strives to help listeners heal. While falling under the indie/alternative genre, Bias describes his body of work as being “made in layers that stick with a consistent energy that builds throughout. Orchestrated layers that leave you with something new and poignant for each returning listen.” This is in fact a true statement, as you can hear how well thought out the album is. Each time you hear the track list through, it feels like a brand new listening experience unveiling more complexities in its instrumentation. Expression through…
Whale and the Wolf hit the famous El Mocambo stage in Toronto as part of the Lemmon Stage Discovery Series on November 10, 2021. Lemmon Stage, founded by live music mavens Lemmon Entertainment, in partnership with El Mocambo is supporting music industry recovery by providing an ongoing professional development platform for emerging artists. Lemmon Stage is the only year-long program at the El Mocambo, presenting live performance opportunities for new talent. Alberta-based Whale and the Wolf is an independent band with 6 singles charting in the Top 40 for Canadian Active Rock, a Billboard Top 40 placement, 13 months of…
Get reborn with Blake Red’s latest single, “The Cradle”! The Chicago-based alternative rocker moves fans from darkness to light in this healing story on mental wellness. Becoming a voice and advocate for the cause, she has emerged more confident than ever by embracing the pain of anxiety and depression to cleanse the soul. Using her powerhouse vocals, insane guitar skills, and rejuvenating message, Red hopes to relate her experience with listeners around the globe. Exploring themes of redemption and resurrection, “The Cradle” is a story of rebirth. In it, Blake emerges a more confident, empowered artist with something important…
Hello, and welcome to The Reheat! Each week, I write a column summarizing the highlights of the podcast I co-host with Sadaf Ahsan. Our podcast, also titled The Reheat (what a coincidence!), re-examines the most salacious scandals of yester-year through a contemporary lens. Whether it’s a deep dive into Bennifer’s original love story from the 2000s or a meditation on the time princess Anne was almost kidnapped, we explain why each saga captured our imaginations back in the day. Sadaf and I also ask, would these stories be as scandalous if they happened in 2021? The answers to that question…
Singer-songwriter Brooklyn Doran has released a cathartic new breakup anthem with her latest single, Fuck That Guy. The track tells an all-too-relatable story of being involved in a toxic relationship but eventually moving on to the point where you can confidently say, “fuck that guy,” and knowing you’re better off without them. “Fuck That Guy is an anthem for anyone who has ever dated a shitty dude who did them wrong,” says Brooklyn, “The song is an upbeat and empowering folk-rock song that tells your ex to ‘go to hell.’ Pushing from folk into a decidedly more indie-rock space, the…
Louise Aubrie released her 5th studio album, “Antonio” Friday, October 15th and she has proven to be quite the jet-setter in splitting the album’s creation between London, New York, and Los Angeles. The indie-rock/pop singer-songwriter collaborated with world-class artists Boz Boorer, Frank Horovitch, Andy Woodard, and Roger Joseph Manning Jr to create a melodically hooky, dynamic piece of work with a unique storyline. The title is inspired by a line from the Jacques Brel song ‘La Chanson De Jacky’: “Même si on m’appelle Antonio” – “My name would be Antonio”. It’s a brilliant fantastical song about fame being fleeting, and imagining…
The latest release by the Sydney-based group of brothers, D.E.L, gives listeners a surreal and dreamy vibe as they explore ambient themes of life that surround us and the yearning to learn from one another. Between the soothing production and the compelling message, D.E.L brings a fresh take to techno-infused electronic pop. “Yoko” is an out of this world track that builds through the beautiful layering of bass-y synths and (heart)beats with tender vocals towards a rhythm that will have you grooving along in a mellow dance. This song should be placed in shows like Grey’s Anatomy, as the music…
“This is an anthem for anyone who’s ever been made to feel like their passion is pointless. Put the work in, people! Regardless of the goal, the experience alone will be worth it. Grab the reins and hold on tight.” – Delyn Grey Toronto-based alternative indie-rock artist, Delyn Grey has given us the song we all need right now. “Set Me Free” breaks through barriers both lyrically and musically with its strong message and punchy arrangement. Her gorgeous and strong vibrato, warm vocal texture, and bluntly forward expression makes this song a powerhouse tune we can all relate to. It…
JUNO Award winners, The Fretless, have teamed up with a handful of influential Canadian artists to bring us Open House, a collaborative new project pairing the rich texture of a string quartet with stunning vocal arrangements. Comprising of Ben Plotnick (Fiddle/Viola), Karrnnel Sawitsky (Fiddle/Viola), Eric Wright (Cello), and Trent Freeman (Fiddle/Viola), The Fretless released Open House October 22nd via Birthday Cake. Since April, the band has been releasing a beautiful collection of singles, with their version of Maggie Rogers’ Alaska featuring Taylor Ashton as the first one. Follow up singles included James Blake’s Retrograde featuring Ruth Moody, a collaboration with Dan Mangan on his single Troubled…
Hello, and welcome to The Reheat! Each week, I write a column summarizing the highlights of the podcast I co-host with Sadaf Ahsan. Our podcast, also titled The Reheat (what a coincidence!), re-examines the most salacious scandals of yester-year through a contemporary lens. Whether it’s a deep dive into Bennifer’s original love story from the 2000s or a meditation on the time princess Anne was almost kidnapped, we explain why each saga captured our imaginations back in the day. Sadaf and I also ask, would these stories be as scandalous if they happened in 2021? The answers to that question…