Pop

Blue Rodeo on the making of new album Many A Mile: ‘Everybody was willing to let go of how everything was before and it was really great’

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Sometimes fate intervenes in mysterious ways. For example, take Blue Rodeo: the creation of the Toronto collective’s new album Many A Mile, released Friday, was as much a surprise to the band’s co-founding songwriters Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor as anyone. Even though it’s been five years since their last studio effort, 1000 Arms, it seemed it would be another little while before…


Elton John talks about the magic of collaboration and his new album The Lockdown Sessions

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Sometimes no plans are the best plans.  According to British pop superstar Sir Elton John, his star-studded, upcoming 32nd studio album, The Lockdown Sessions,  out October 22, wouldn’t have happened without an invitation from Charlie Puth, the L.A.-based singer and songwriter of the hits “Marvin Gaye,” “Attention” and “How Long,” to write in his studio.  “I had no plans to make any music at all,…


Serena Ryder on touring, living hard and the mistakes that aren’t mistakes

By Nick Krewen Special To The Star        Serena Ryder knows all too well about the art of falling apart.        As a recording artist who used to tour relentlessly, the six-time Juno Award winner found the incessant grind of the road personally damaging, as she relied on a steady diet of drink, drugs and cigarettes to cope and carry on. “Being a touring musician can be one of the most draining…


The Weeknd does Canada proud in Super Bowl spectacle

Nick Krewen Special to the Star Touchdown! True to his word, Scarborough R&B superstar The Weeknd delivered a Super Bowl LV spectacle during the half-time show at Raymond James Stadium. Using hundreds of extras, a 40-piece choir, and enough fireworks to put July 4thcelebrations to shame,  one of the world’s biggest artists provided a dazzling performance that was glitzy and glamorous, and continued the cinematic theme of “The Character” he’s been…


The Weeknd promises to put on a ‘PG’ Super Bowl halftime show

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star Don’t worry about the little ones when it comes to watching the Super Bowl halftime show starring Scarborough R&B superstar The Weeknd. During a Thursday morning press conference held at Raymond James Stadium, in Tampa, Fla. — the site of Sunday’s Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the upcoming 12-minute spectacular The Weeknd will be…