Canada, Concert reviews, Events, Guitar, Piano, Pop, Songwriter, Toronto, Voice March 23, 2015

Tobias Jesso Jr. captivates crowd in solo show: review

The young performer has plenty of room to grow, but the charisma he exudes is certainly half the battle in advancing his career. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Mar 23 2015 Tobias Jesso Jr. 3 stars At the Drake Hotel Underground, Sunday, March 22. Tobias Jesso Jr. knows how to charm his audience. About a half-hour prior to Sunday’s show at the Drake Underground, the 29-year-old Vancouver-born piano balladeer…

Arranger, Canada, Composer, Dance, DJ, Electronic, Engineer, JUNO, Mixer, Producer, Songwriter, Steely Dan March 12, 2015

The Mau5 That Roars…And Rules

Story by Nick Krewen | March 12, 2015 For SOCAN Words and Music.   He’s the mau5 that continues to roar. And rule. If the maxim “he who has the most toys wins” needs a living example as proof, then EDM superstar deadmau5 – a.k.a. Niagara Falls, ON, native son Joel Zimmerman – is it. Zimmerman’s recent relocation from a pricey downtown Toronto condo to a gargantuan, custom-sized mansion on…

California, Concert reviews, Pop, Television, United States, Voice March 9, 2015

Ariana Grande takes flight at the ACC: concert review

The young “Problem” singer proves she’s got longevity, with a surprisingly under-utilized voice and a large, smartly G-rated production. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Mar 09 2015   Ariana Grande 3 stars At the Air Canada Centre, March 8 Merchandisers did brisk business on plastic glow-in-the-dark cat ears Sunday night at the Air Canada Centre. The significance? At least a couple thousand girls — the audience was probably 90…

Alt. Rock, Arranger, British Columbia, Canada, Indie pop, JUNO, Producer, Songwriter February 25, 2015

Dan Mangan forges new frontiers with Blacksmith

The Juno-winning musician and songwriter rides a layered new album into Saturday’s Massey Hall show. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Wed Feb 25 2015 Dan Mangan is going deep. The 31-year-old eloquent, observant singer and songwriter has returned with a newly named band Blacksmith to introduce what’s arguably his finest album to date in Club Meds. The Smithers, B.C., native views the CD, his first since 2011’s Juno-winning Oh Fortune,…

Alberta, Arranger, British Columbia, Canada, Composer, Concert reviews, Grammy, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal, JUNO, Producer, Rock, Songwriter February 23, 2015

Nickelback powers down the pyrotechnics: concert review

The band’s return to the ACC finds the usual frenetic energy somewhat lacking, owing to less anthem-y new songs and a very chatty Chad Kroeger, though the execution of the set was technically flawless. Nick Krewen Music, Published on Mon Feb 23 2015 Nickelback 2.5 stars At the Air Canada Centre, Feb. 22. Nickelback has changed its performance tactic. Once a combo that used all the bells and whistles available…