Music

Join the Aeolian for a live Phoenix Session recording with Rachel Beck now moved to the main hall! Featuring an opening set from Marty Kolls!

Canadian singer-songwriter Rachel Beck’s sophomore record, Stronger Than You Know, is an echoing cry-out from a forest, a chilling dance upon a grave, an arrow shooting straight to the heart. It is a call to strength. Intimate and close, the six-track EP, produced by Daniel Ledwell, is sonically decorated amidst compelling electronic rhythms and dreamy synth layers. Beck’s vocals float across the vivid, harmony-laden, ethereal soundscape for which she has become known.

Stronger Than You Know was celebrated as Music PEI's 2021 Album of the Year and nominated for three ECMAs: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Pop Recording of the Year. It follows Beck’s self-titled debut, which garnered​ multiple awards, including a SOCAN #1 Award for single Reckless Heart. In addition to hitting #1 on the CBC Music Top 20 Chart, Reckless Heart was named one of the Top 100 Canadian Songs of 2018 and ranked #4 on the All Canadian Fan Favourites of 2018 by CBC Music.

Maggie's Wake is a Canadian roots band that combines traditional Celtic instrumentation with a contemporary approach. Born from the ashes of Rant Maggie Rant, MW is an exciting collaboration between RMR co-founder Lindsay Schindler (fiddle, vocals) and Tara Dunphy (tin whistle, flute, fiddle, vocals), lead singer and songwriter of acclaimed country outfit, The Rizdales.  They are joined by a powerhouse band of Ontario's finest musicians, including Rob Larose on percussion, Andrew Kosty on bass and special guests Kyle Waymouth on guitar and banjo and Kenneth Palmer on guitar.

Recognized by his peers as one of Canada’s best performing songwriters, Lennie Gallant has released thirteen albums (10 in English and 3 in French) of original songs which have won him a host of awards and nominations from the JUNOs, Les Prix Eloizes, and The East Coast Music Awards, including 2017 ECMA Entertainer of the Year. His double CD of the 22 songs from his multimedia hit production, Searching For Abegweit, which ran for 173 shows, also won him an ECMA. He was named Canadian Folk Artist of The Year for 2016 and his song Peter’s Dream was voted one of the Top Ten East Coast Songs of All Time and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

London’s Newport Electric formed in 2014 and released their debut album “So It Goes” the following year to excellent reviews.

In 2018 they released their follow up “Thin Wild Mercury” culminating in a fantastic vinyl release show right here at Aeolian Hall.  This album garnered further attention and was greeted with even more positive reviews from Europe and the U.S., along with a 2019 FCLMA award for “Rock Band  of The Year”.

After a pandemic-related delay they are extremely excited to announce their new album “Discord And Harmony” set for release at this show right here at the Hall. The album will again be available in vinyl, cd or digital formats.

The album blasts right out of the gate with an updated version of a John Lee Hooker song called “Boom!”.  Lead singer John Couture explains: “we were working on this new song, but something just wasn’t quite right.  It was good but it wasn’t perfect…it needed something.  So we parked it until we stumbled upon the idea that the chorus for John Lee Hooker’s song “Boom Boom” would fit perfectly.  John Lee has been a big musical hero of mine for many years so I thought it was a perfect way to marry our music with his.  Hopefully anyone who enjoys our song will go seek out John Lee’s work as well”.

The album continues with high energy songs throughout the first side.  A fan favourite is “Devil’s Bargain”, a song inspired by a terrorist attack that has become all too familiar these days.  The lyrics are chilling at times: “Everybody is a time bomb/watch the seconds tick away…”.

Flip over the record and side two hits with a fantastic acoustic riff that builds up to a full band crescendo in a standout track called “I’m Alive”.

CONTINUE READING

For years, Maureen, Karen and Teresa have been captivating audiences with their highly woven sibling harmonies and endearing humour. With a mix of original songs, holiday classics, humorous recitations and a little Irish step-dancing, the evening is sure to ignite your holiday spirit. Don't miss the chance to delight in a Christmas tradition, cherished by so many!

2022 marks 25 years since The Ennis Sisters have been connecting to audiences across the world. From arts centres in their home province of Newfoundland to performing for International leaders and delegates at the 75th anniversary of D-Day on Juno Beach, their harmonies resonate with us all.

A Juno Award, multiple ECMA’s, Music Newfoundland & Labrador awards and a SOCAN for top grossing Canadian country song - along with endless accolades from fans and critics alike - tangible proof that they’ve tapped into something universal, beyond the notes on the page.

Flavoured by Celtic and traditional Newfoundland influences, Maureen, Karen and Teresa are known for their captivating sibling harmonies and their powerful, often humourous, storytelling. Their music offers a broad mix of original songs as well as uniquely interpreted tunes and ballads.

Live performance has been a staple of the Ennis’ experience, and continues to be. Proven road warriors since 1997, they gained underground notoriety before translating it into the global

success they’ve become - and they aren’t finished yet!

From a small town in Northern Ontario to lively crowds across England and Wales, André Bisson has proved that he has a message worth listening to. With a career that spans over 20 years, his musical resume includes 9 studio albums, countless awards, and sold out shows across Canada, US, UK, and Europe.

As the sole songwriter and arranger for a group that spans from 6-20 musicians, André has created his own musical brand infused with soul, roots, blues, and R&B. Using an eclectic combination of instruments, he creates a musical story that becomes the soundtrack for his lyrics.

Since first taking to the stage at age 15, André’s
love and dedication has always been to the live show. Combining his powerhouse vocals with a group of world class musicians, André makes it a priority to always give the audience an exciting, intense, and memorable musical experience. The connection between the musicians, the song, and the audience is always the ultimate goal.

Throughout the years, André’s style and philosophy towards music has attracted attention in the music community. Since his first album release in 2009, Andre has gained notoriety with awards such as “Male Vocalist of the Year” - Hamilton Blues Awards, “Song of the Year” - Blues and Roots Radio, and a four time nominee at the Hamilton Arts Awards. André was also selected by the Grand River Blues Society to compete at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

With a dedication to the live show and a sound that is constantly growing and evolving, each performance is unique in its own way. It is these qualities that keep the audience engaged, excited and returning time and time again.

Andre will be releasing his new album in September 2022.

For over 25 years Hayden has been making music on his own terms and on his own schedule. The Polaris Prize and Juno nominee has produced, engineered and mixed most of his records at home, creating a world of his own, exploring themes ranging from love lost and found to bear maulings and home invasions. He is also the co-founder of Dream Serenade, an annual benefit concert every Fall at Toronto's Massey Hall for children with developmental and physical disabilities and their families established in 2014.

These upcoming Evening With Hayden shows will take place in intimate venues hand-picked by Hayden, performing catalogue classics and a sneak peek at new songs from his 9th album to be announced shortly.

Please follow along @haydendesser for album updates.

Chantal Kreviazuk, a two-time JUNO Award winner and Raine Maida — a four-time winner with Our Lady Peace — are one of Canada’s most influential cultural couples.

Kreviazuk made her critically acclaimed full-length debut, Under These Rocks and Stones, in 1997. Since then, the Winnipeg born singer-songwriter has released five more studio albums, and garnered five JUNO Award nominations. Maida has forged a dynamic career as a solo artist and the front man for the band Our Lady Peace, 25-time JUNO Award nominees, including winners for Rock Album of the Year in 2003 (Gravity) and 1998 (Clumsy).

The pair has also co-written countless hits for artists such as Kelly Clarkson, David Cook and Carrie Underwood.

While Kreviazuk and Maida are quick to lend their time to the studio and stage, they are equally committed to lending their help to those in need — both in Canada and internationally. In March, the couple received the 2014 Allan Waters Humanitarian Award that recognizing outstanding Canadian artists whose contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada.

“Not only am I able to express myself, and be able to play music for others and be creative for a living in life, but I can go to the next level and be a part of true greatness — the process of another human being’s healing, possibly playing even a small role in improving the quality of life of another,” Kreviazuk said.

War Child Canada is one of the many organizations the married couple has embraced. Kreviazuk is an honourary founder and active in various causes including women’s rights, war refugees and child education. Maida launched War Child’s Busking for Change program, in which Canadian musicians have raised money for children in the world’s most devastated regions, supporting initiatives such as the construction of schools in the Congo. Additionally the couple has recorded contributions for multiple benefit albums for War Child.

“I was first drawn to music because of the inherent ‘hope’ it provided me,” Maida said. “Social activism carries that same promise and the two together have shaped and taught me more than I could ever repay.”

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Royal Wood has established himself as a true musical talent. Since being proclaimed “Songwriter of the Year” by iTunes, Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft – maintaining an unmistakable identity while uncovering and reinventing his sound.

Royal has two albums that have debuted in the Top 30, multiple JUNO nominations, a 5-time Canadian Folk Music Award-nominee, and a #1 added song at Hot AC radio. His songs have been heard on high-profile sync placements like Grey’s Anatomy, and Private Practice.

His career finds him headlining world-class venues like Massey Hall and Roy Thompson  Hall in Toronto, The National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and The Winspear Centre in Edmonton. It also finds him supporting artists like Bonnie Raitt andDavid Gray on their national tours.

Royal Wood hasn’t let the pandemic slow him down. He and his wife Alison had their first child Henry John Royal. He released his “Live at Massey Hall” album on Jan 15th, 2021, and headlined live streams with several symphonies including Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Niagara Symphony in St. Catharines.

Now he is wrapping up his busy year by recording his new full studio album remotely in Toronto with Montreal-based producer Marcus Paquin (The National, Arcade Fire). The album features songs co-written with the powerhouse Linda Perry (Adele, Alicia Keys) and UK phenom Jamie Scott (Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber).  The new album will be released in Fall 2022 and will coincide with a national headline tour with dates that already include the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Massey Hall in Toronto.

Singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Royal Wood has established himself as a true musical talent. Since being proclaimed “Songwriter of the Year” by iTunes, Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft – maintaining an unmistakable identity while uncovering and reinventing his sound.

Royal has two albums that have debuted in the Top 30, multiple JUNO nominations, a 5-time Canadian Folk Music Award-nominee, and a #1 added song at Hot AC radio. His songs have been heard on high-profile sync placements like Grey’s Anatomy, and Private Practice.

His career finds him headlining world-class venues like Massey Hall and Roy Thompson  Hall in Toronto, The National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and The Winspear Centre in Edmonton. It also finds him supporting artists like Bonnie Raitt andDavid Gray on their national tours.

Royal Wood hasn’t let the pandemic slow him down. He and his wife Alison had their first child Henry John Royal. He released his “Live at Massey Hall” album on Jan 15th, 2021, and headlined live streams with several symphonies including Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony and the Niagara Symphony in St. Catharines.

Now he is wrapping up his busy year by recording his new full studio album remotely in Toronto with Montreal-based producer Marcus Paquin (The National, Arcade Fire). The album features songs co-written with the powerhouse Linda Perry (Adele, Alicia Keys) and UK phenom Jamie Scott (Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber).  The new album will be released in Fall 2022 and will coincide with a national headline tour with dates that already include the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and Massey Hall in Toronto.