How Music Publishers Connect Their Writers

Story by Nick Krewen | December 13, 2012 For SOCAN Words and Music.   Back in 2006, when international classical crossover superstar Josh Groban was looking for new material for his album Awake,Canadian writer Thomas “Tawgs” Salter was up to the task. But landing the song “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)” in Groban’s lap wasn’t a slam-dunk, as Dave Quilico, vice-president, Creative, of Salter’s publisher, Sony/ATV Music Canada, recalls….


Passenger, a.k.a. Mike Rosenberg, grateful for Ed Sheeran’s support

Passenger returns to Toronto for Dec. 10 show at Phoenix. Singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg, alias Passenger, returns to Toronto to play the Phoenix on Dec. 10.   By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Fri Dec 07 2012     Sometime last month, folk songwriter Mike Rosenberg, a.k.a. Passenger, almost ended up in a German jail. It seems a female admirer handed him a bullet in honour of his…


Ian Hunter and Rant play Lee’s Palace Dec. 7

At 73, Ian Hunter is no longer a young dude. But that doesn’t mean there are times when he doesn’t feel like one. Rocker Ian Hunter plays Lee’s Palace Dec. 7 with his band Rant. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Dec 05 2012 At 73, Ian Hunter is no longer a young dude. But that doesn’t mean there are times when he doesn’t feel like…


Acclaimed musician Gary Burton on his partners through life, including Chick Corea

Gary Burton, vibraphonist and more, hits Koerner Hall on Dec. 5. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Wed Dec 05 2012 Gary Burton and Chick Corea have proven to be one of jazz music’s more enduring partnerships. Including 1972’s introductory Crystal Silence, the American vibraphone-and-piano duo has recorded seven albums together and netted themselves five Grammy Awards, as they’ve explored everything from fusion and chamber music to…


Mother Mother takes a trip to dark side – and to Kool Haus

B.C. band comes up with the accidental concept album, a testimonial to an outcast. By: Nick Krewen Special to the Star, Published on Fri Nov 30 2012 Well, Mother Mother certainly didn’t waste any time. A mere 18 months after the quirky Vancouver alt rock band issued its third album Eureka and relentlessly toured North America to support it, leader Ryan Guldemond led his troops back into the studio and…