Music
Knowledge is power
The word ‘planet’ means wanderer,” the narrator says, explaining the captivating, wandering harmonies of Gustav Holst’s popular orchestral piece The Planets. “To the ancient world, the planets were the stars that changed position, that wandered from one place to ...
Getting to Yes
For those prog fans who may not have known, Rick Wakeman, arguably the most accomplished of the classic generation of prog keyboardists (still drawing...
After breaking from Wu-Tang, Ghostface Killah shines on his own
In the unlikely success story of the rap group/ militia/religious cult/consumer goods company the Wu-Tang Clan, Ghostface Killah has authored the unlikeliest individual success story...
Big Easy beats
Proving the old adage that patience pays off, the Frazier brothers — Keith and Phil — are finally breaking through into the national scene after plying their trade for 28 years. With their heavy, funky brand of New Orleans brass, the Rebirth Brass Band are now ...
Legendary guitarist Al Stewart rediscovers his obscurities
There was probably mud on their boots when they were marched out to the Katyn Forest that day in 1940...
Beneath the mask
In a post-Daft Punk world, putting on a mask to hide your identity has almost become a prerequisite for emerging DJs. SBTRKT, Deadmau5, Marshmello...
Renowned composer Jake Heggie works on his newest opera
It’s a wonderful life for Jake Heggie right now.
As the composer of two highly successful operas, Dead Man Walking (2000) and Moby Dick (2010),...
Mixing in a few clouds
Matt and Kim have made a career out of creating upbeat, catchy pop anthems that seem tailor-made to get concert crowds smiling, singing and...
Getting old, then new again
Jamie Shields, keyboardist and founder of theNEWDEAL, was enjoying a break from the brain-lock cold last week. Well, what passes for a break from it in Toronto, anyway...
The universe keeps smiling
It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that in his 75 years on this mortal coil, Graham Nash has lived the equivalent of multiple lifetimes....
