SIRIUS Backstage Pass
The SIRIUS Backstage Pass at Cineplex is a monthly music segment that introduces moviegoers to the latest and greatest Canadian talent on the music circuit. Each month we feature a new artist interview during the Cineplex pre-show to showcase and support homegrown talent. Now you can view the full-length versions of these interviews on our site. Check back each month for new installments.
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Thursday, November 29, 2010
This month, we talk with Small Sins, who are back after a couple of years on hiatus with their new album ‘Pot Calls Kettle Black’. Band members took time to work on other projects before coming together again to approach a new creative process as a band. In search of the perfect pop hook, Small Sins has focused on producing sounds with shimmering electro beats. With their first single “Déjà vu” featuring K-os, they look poised to make a splash on the Canadian scene and can’t wait to share their intense, decadent stage energy with fans across the country. For more information, please visit www.smallsinsmusic.com.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Vancouver-based singer/songwriter, Hannah Georgas, is quickly gaining attention for the unique blend of roots and pop she brings to life in the songs found on her debut album ‘This Is Good’. After receiving critical praise for her 2007 EP, Hannah’s touring took her to New York City, which prompted an invitation to write an original song for a Wal-Mart commercial, “You’ve Got A Place Called Home”. Hannah is now sharing her authentic and daring spirit with fans who can see her tour across Canada in November, as well as in her blog, which is full of great suggestions and her favourite bands. For more, check out www.hannahgeorgas.com
September 28, 2010
The always entertaining K-os continues his boundary-defying career with his latest release, ‘The Anchorman Mixtape’. Available as a digital download only, K-os skipped creating a physical record and focused on pulling together his favourite styles with quotes from the blockbuster movie, ‘Anchorman’. This mixtape features collaborations with hip-hop artist Drake and rocker Sebastien Grainger, among other Canadian talents, that lead him to explore avenues between rock, hip-hop and electro. Currently on tour in the US, K-os will return to Canada before the end of the year. For more information, please visit k-osmusic.com.
August 31, 2010
Dan Mangan, a 2010 Polaris Music Prize short list nominee, has made a loud entrance to the Canadian indie scene with his soft and unique blend of folk and pop. Compelling storytelling provides the backbone to tracks on his latest album, 'Nice, Nice, Very Nice,' that reveal a generous soul and a knack for creating charming hooks and rhythms that stay with you. Dan's hardworking and passionate spirit led him to take every gig possible over the last few years, which has worked out nicely as he is currently successfully taking over cities south of the border. SIRIUS was lucky enough to be treated to an acoustic performance during our interview in beautiful Vancouver and we look forward to hearing more from Dan. To learn more, please visit www.danmanganmusic.com.
August 10, 2010
The confident, hardworking spirit of Lulu Hughes comes shining through in her latest album, 'Lulu Hughes & the Montreal all city big band'. Creating an album with a jazz big band has been a longtime dream of Lulu's, which she finally treated herself to and the risks have paid off. For this new project, she picked legendary rock songs she enjoys and re-arranged them big band style to create a unique, fun and engaging sound. Friendly, warm and compelling, Lulu's intense vocals and rock'n'roll vibe have been known throughout Quebec and Europe for years and she's looking forward to sharing her latest work with her fans around the world. For more information, please visit www.star.ca/lulu
June 30, 2010
Stars is back with another album full of infectious pop hooks entitled 'The Five Ghosts'. After the triumph of their last album 'In Our Bedroom After The War', Stars has continued to blend beautiful vocal harmonies with fascinating storytelling to produce rich and textured songs. The fun they have creating music together is not only evident in their engaging melodies but in the amazing fact that they are celebrating their 10 year anniversary as a band. Catch Stars on tour across Canada, the USA and Europe this summer and fall, where they will share their latest songs as well as favourites over their past 10 years together. To hear more from Stars, visit www.myspace.com/stars
May 31, 2010
The singer-songwriter's newest album 'You I Wind Land and See' is gently making its way to the charts, featuring songs that show off his talent for bluesy hooks and folk arrangements that soulfully catch your ear. Surrounded by music and arts pretty much all his life, you can tell just by watching the way that Justin plays the acoustic guitar that his grounded soul breathes, eats and sleeps music. Justin is currently touring in North America with one important stop in France this summer to open for none other than the great Stevie Wonder. If you haven't yet discovered Justin's craft, you can visit www.justinnozuka.com
May 4, 2010
In today's widely infectious pop genre, Jets Overhead's classic ambient rock vibe is refreshing. After their critically acclaimed album "Bridges", the Victoria, BC quintet released their second opus titled "No Nations". With performances at the Sasquatch Festival in Washington State and one of the very few Canadian performances at this year's Coachella Music Festival in California, Jets Overhead is building its own successful milestones. For more info, visit: www.jetsoverhead.com
March 30, 2010
Interviewing Jully Black is a feel good moment of smiles and spoken truth. The Toronto native is driven, fun, and most of all, authentically sensitive. For her third album, "The Black Book", Jully pushed the boundaries and pushed them far. This interesting piece of work can no longer bear the etiquette of the "rhythm and blues" style that her previous albums did. And that's quite all right with Jully, as she prefers to explore a variety of genres both in the musical arrangements and with her vocals. Jully is currently wrapping up a cross Canada tour. For more info, visit www.jullyblack.com.
February 26, 2010
Hawksley Workman is one of Canada's most versatile and impressive artists. His quirky, friendly cabaret rock performances have earned the Ontario native worldwide acclaim. His vocals and great sense for innovative and modern music arrangements created a buzz, which led to him producing numerous albums for Canadian artists, including Tegan and Sara, Justin Rutledge and Hey Rosetta!. His own latest creation is called 'MEAT'. This is planned to be a "double" project with its follow up 'MILK' to be released in April. We met up with Hawksley at his rehearsal studio in Toronto. For more info on upcoming shows, please visit:www.hawksleyworkman.com
January 29, 2010
If you do not know Basia's music, you are in for a treat. The multi-instrumentalist naturally made music her top priority when she decided to use some of her school loan money to record a mini-album. Her first album 'Oh My Darling' (2007) made the Polaris Music Prize short list and now she is back with a second record titled 'Heart of My Own'. With a wonderful mix of traditional vibes and pop sounds, Basia is taking this album out on the road for the next few months. For more info, please visit http://basiabulat.com/
December 17, 2009
To celebrate the New Year in a musical way, the SIRIUS Backstage Pass is bringing you a special feature on three talented up and coming Canadian artists to watch out for in 2010. If you have yet to discover K'NAAN, Hey Rosetta and The Hidden Cameras, now is your chance! For more information on these artists, visit: www.knaanmusic.ning.com // www.heyrosetta.com // www.thehiddencameras.com
November 27, 2009
One of our wittiest singer/songwriters is back with a new album titled Free. The Calgary native sat down with SIRIUS to chat about her 20 year career and how her music has evolved through it all. She is still in love with sad songs and has not lost her wicked sense of humour. Jann has "freed" herself in many ways and this tenth album is a testament to some of those special life experiences. For more info on Jann's cross-Canada tour, please visit: www.jannarden.com
November 10, 2009
The Vancouver rockers fourth album is finally out! Titled Comes and Goes, their new disc found a home with a new music label (EMI). After much hard work and a four year gap since their last release, Comes and Goes marks a new beginning for the band. They are more eager than ever to get back to their fans, take their new songs out on the road and rock the Canadian scene again. SIRIUS spoke to vocalist Dallas Smith for an update on the band's upcoming activities. For more info on their cross-Canada tour, please visit: www.defaultonline.com
October 01, 2009
Nineteen-year-old singer/songwriter, Sierra Noble, started her career at a very young age as a gifted fiddle player. She shared the stage with people like Bruce Cockburn, Hawksley Workman, Kevin Breit, Ashley MacIsaac and countless terrific players in her hometown Winnipeg. Ready to give her singing a try, she released a first EP titled Possibilities. We chatted with Sierra to learn more about her love of folk music as well as how she landed the opening act for Sir Paul McCartney. For more info on Sierra's upcoming activities, visit: www.sierranoble.ca
September 01, 2009
On Sept 21, the Polaris Music Prize gala will crown this year's best Canadian album based solely on artistic merit. We sat down with two of the Top Ten Short List Nominees: Elliott Brood and Great Lake Swimmers. Elliott Brood's newest album, Mountain Meadows, follows in the wonderful steps of their previous Juno-nominated release, Ambassador. Their sound is uniquely charming (just as they are) and delivers a raw, energetic alternative country dance sound. Great Lake Swimmers' most recent release, Lost Channels, was inspired by the Thousand Islands setting where the band journeyed while writing and recording the album. Kick back, relax and enjoy the soothing guitar arrangements and exceptional songwriting. For more info on these two nominees, visit: www.elliottbrood.ca and www.greatlakeswimmers.com.
August 03, 2009
The world renowned Queen of the turntables needed a new challenge: to get behind the microphone! Misstress Barbara's new album is called I'm No Human and she sat down with us to discuss the creative work behind her new beats and her decision to lend her voice to her poetic lyrics. Collaborations on this album include a track titled I'm Running featuring Sam Roberts. For more information, please visit: www.iturnem.com/misstressbarbara.htm
July 01, 2009
The guys from Alexis on Fire are back with a long-awaited fourth album, Old Crows/Young Cardinals. We caught up with Dallas Green and George Pettit in Toronto and they took us through the creative process of their dedicated love for hard-hitting chords as well as a look at their Warped Tour concert dates this summer.
For more info: www.theonlybandever.com
June 04, 2009
Sheila and Amanda of Dala have just released their fourth album titled Everyone is Someone. Their signature vocal harmonies and delicate, emotional arrangements will do nothing else than make you smile. The girls are taking this album on the road and we sat down with them to look at their journey to date as well as the one that awaits them. For more info, please visit: www.dalagirls.com
May 01, 2009
Beloved Canadian Rocker Joel Plaskett recently released a 3 disc package called THREE. The charismatic 2007 Polaris Prize nominee and numerous East Coast Awards winner sat down with SIRIUS to give us a run down of his past year working on his album (and his close relationship to the number three!) as well as a sneak peak into his highly anticipated tour this spring. For more info, please visit: www.joelplaskett.com.
April 01, 2009
The Ontario native's latest album Is it OK has earned rave reviews both from critics and audiences alike. Serena's raspy blues voice and raw emotional songwritting skills have earned her great respect though out the North American music circuit. SIRIUS had a fun (and in depth) chat about her last few months on the road and her well deserved success. For more info please visit: www.serenaryder.com