Artist Spotlight

The Drake Effect

Story by Nick Krewen | July 24, 2014 For SOCAN Words and Music.   “Started from the bottom, now the whole team here.” So says Drake in “Started From the Bottom,” and that’s exactly how his big-bang explosion on the worldwide hip-hop scene has affected the fortunes of his whole team – more than 60 Canadian, Toronto-based songwriters, beat-makers, producers and other collaborators. Drake has almost single-handedly created an entire…


Music promoter Richard Flohil reflects on a six-decade career

Music promoter Richard Flohil reflects on a six-decade career He’s helped launch the careers of Loreena McKennitt and k.d. lang. At 80, he’s finally agreed to slow down his famously tireless pace. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Fri Jun 27 2014 Now that he’s turned 80, Richard Flohil swears he’s going to slow the pace a bit. What that actually means is anybody’s guess, because those who know the publicist…


Meet Beck’s dad, David Campbell, who has helped sell nearly 1 billion records

Meet Beck’s dad, David Campbell, who has helped sell nearly 1 billion records After five decades assisting on top-selling albums, including his famous son’s, the Toronto-born arranger decided to produce an album of his own. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Sat Jun 14 2014 You may think an artist, such as Beck, who has sold more than 10 million records, is a big deal, but meet the man who has…


Sean Lennon tours his psychedelic new sound

Sean Lennon tours his psychedelic new sound The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, a collaboration with his girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl, makes two stops in Toronto this month, including Tuesday at the Hoxton. By: Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Jun 02 2014   Three albums deep into The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, the musical venture he shares with Atlanta-born model and girlfriend Charlotte Kemp Muhl, Sean…


Remastering: The Art of the Sonic Facelift

June 02, 2014 Nick Krewen GRAMMY.com   When aging actors and actresses need a sip from the fountain of youth to sustain their Hollywood dreams, they call their plastic surgeons for a little nip n’ tuck. But when record companies or artists need to revitalize a classic album and freshen up its sound, it’s the mastering engineer who is the expert on their speed-dial, specifically for remastering purposes. It’s a…