Devin Cuddy: A Musical Maverick with Heart and Soul

 When it comes to Canadian music, few artists can claim a legacy as rich and diverse as Devin Cuddy. A gifted musician, songwriter, and performer, Devin Cuddy is a shining star in his own right. His first album, Volume One, a blend of his love for New Orleans blues and

David Eisenstadt’s Second Book Explores 36 Canadian Musicians

 Title: Musicians Under the Radar: 36 Notable Canadian Jewish Performers Author: David Eisenstadt Published by: Adhemar Press ISBN: 9798389145696 Price: $20 After David Eisenstadt’s successful first book, Under the Radar: 30 Notable Canadian Jewish Musicians, he has now returned with his second book, Musicians Under the Radar: 36 Notable Canadian

Craig Stickland doesn’t waste a minute

 Music is a difficult career field, so Craig Stickland has kept surprisingly creative to keep his dream alive. In making his new record Starlit Afternoon, Stickland made a van to not only tour himself but record in the meanwhile. He's also acted, modeled and created furniture to subsidize his love

Local Soul Phenom Laura Gagnon Ready to Take on the World

 Photo credit: Barb Francisco Ottawa Life Magazine: Hello Laura! Tell us a little about your artist background and when you decided to do music as a career? Laura Gagnon: I first started training at the age of 8. My mom (Barbra Ann Gagnon), and Dad,(Paul Gagnon) put me in singing lessons to

Love Finds a Way for Ron Weiss

 Some people spend a life looking for true love. Ottawa musician Ron Weiss put a life on hold for it. Before there was the heart stopping, time freezing, world changing moment named Debbie, Weiss was on a fairly straight trajectory to becoming the singer-songwriter he'd always wanted to become even

Champagne, Guitars and Life on the Road

 Photos courtesy of Daniel Champagne Prodigy, virtuoso and the “finest guitar player of his generation” are just a couple of accolades that have been latched alongside the musical caravan that is Australian-born musician Daniel Champagne. When asked about what he thinks about all that, the twentysomthing doesn’t even pause to

Split Shift Becomes Split Personality for Area Resident

 What do you do you do when you have a long break between your split shift? Well, if you’re Doug Hempstead, you develop a split personality! CBC traffic reporter by day, musician by whenever he has the time for it, Hempstead isn’t at a loss for ways to occupy his

Honey & Rust

 Photo by Toni van Eeden. Before she learned to talk Johanne Beattie was sharing songs. She’d sit in her bike-seat humming gibberish melodies as her mother rode through town. At seven she was reluctantly enrolled in piano lessons. As it was with her singing, her mother saw a natural gift in

Lloyd Frost Provides Social Commentary with a Groove

 Photo courtesy of Ben Dionne © Blue Plazuela Music. Lloyd Frost has many tales to tell. Frost is a Montreal-born singer/songwriter and musician who lives and plays his songs in Ottawa. Lloyd has recently released The Sun Is Rising and Other True Stories, an 11 track album. People have told Frost that it

Ontario’s Newest Folk Star

 Fiddler, singer, and step dancer April Verch is emerging into Ontario’s music spotlight! Recognized for her blissful voice, lively dancing and striking performances, her upcoming appearance at the National Arts Centre (NAC) is not one to miss! With impressive reviews coming from newspapers like the Huffington Post and Toronto Star, there

Outstanding Obaaberima

 Photo credit: Jeremy Mimnagh Looking for something incredible to do this week? Head to the National Arts Centre to see its latest production Obaaberima. Playwright and actor Tawiah M'Carthy won a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best Outstanding Production in 2013 for his masterpiece. The play actually won three Doras in total:

A Song to Play, A Story to Tell

 Music has always been a part of Steve Bell’s life. His mother was a singer, songwriter and piano player and his father also fostered the family’s passion and love for music. “I have almost no memories of not being involved in music,” Bell says. “It’s always been a part of the

Pilar’s Picks: Julie Crochetière

 Canada definitely has talent. I’d love to introduce you to singer-songwriter Julie Crochetière, born and raised in Montreal. Her music tugs deep into your heart and each track has you feeling passionate emotions. Crochetière recently released her fourth solo album Counting Dreams, and you need to give it a listen to! I’m

Q&A With Amir Brandon: Winner of National Singer-Songwriter Competition

 Q:  You grew up in the Ottawa area. What are some of your favourite local places or favourite memories of your youth? A: My experience in Ottawa was probably a little different than most. I was raised in the countryside (Cumberland). My first best friend was my next-door neighbour; we

Musical Mayhem Goes beyond the Greenbelt

 It’s a fact – to make it as a musician, you have to tour. As a result, because a musician’s vocals and vibes need to be heard beyond home turf, many local bands are going beyond the greenbelt.  This month a slew of Ottawa bands are traveling to Montreal to