Sarah McLachlan will be hosting a concert this September in Stanley Park. All proceeds will benefit the Sarah McLachlan School of Music in Vancouver, “which aims to use the power of music to inspire youth in under-served communities by offering free music programs.” Sarah’s 2009 outdoor concert series “Summer Session” at Ambleside in West Vancouver [...]

This Saturday you can catch Nardwuar and his band, The Evaporators, at Neptoon Records as they play a free concert for their Busy Doing Nothing record release party. This new compilation album features international artists and local artists — like Franz Ferdinand, Andrew W.K., Kate Nash, The Cribs, and Jill Barber — covering nothing but [...]

Tonight a collection of Vancouver musical talent is gathering for a benefit show at the Commodore Ballroom. They’ll be playing in memory of Randy Ponzio and raising funds for his children. I asked Chris Brandt (Nimbus Recording) to contribute a few words about Randy: “Randy Ponzio was an inspirational artist, a dynamic musician, and a [...]

This morning a new non-profit organization launched in Vancouver with a focus on the therapeutic power of music. Music Heals will unite music therapy-related initiatives (such as the Music Therapy Ride) and support a wide range of music therapy services to communities across Canada. “(Music therapy) can make the difference between withdrawal and awareness, between [...]

I’m a “Beluga Grad” as Raffi called me — a person in my generation who grew up with the “Baby Beluga” album (although I’m more partial to “Down by the Bay and “Shake My Sillies Out”). We’d put Raffi records on before we danced around or as we were being tucked into bed at night. [...]

The Peak Performance Project, for the development of new and emerging BC music artists, announced their Top 5 Artists for 2011 this afternoon. Narrowed down from a field of twenty finalists, the placement of the Top 3 will remain a mystery until the grand finale event in November. Top 3 (in alphabetical order) The Boom [...]

The Shore 104 Song Search has returned for 2011 as the local radio station seeks out the best summer song in Vancouver that has been written and performed by home-grown talent. ShoreFest 2010 – Photo by John Bollwitt I spoke to Patrick Zulinov, Music and Programming Director at The Shore, about the new Song Search [...]

One of the most influential bands of the 1990s, Pearl Jam is celebrating its 20th anniversary by (among other things) heading out on a Canadian tour this summer. If that’s not enough to get Pearl Jam fanatics and grunge lovers excited, they will also be touring with special guests (and musical pioneers), Mudhoney. Source: Pearl [...]