Music

This cover image released by Republic Records shows "Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)" by Taylor Swift. (Republic Records via AP)

‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’ is here. Here’s how to reconsider Taylor Swift’s transformative album

Her 2006 self-titled debut and 2008’s “Fearless” had inspired both acclaim and…

This cover image released by Republic Records shows "Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)" by Taylor Swift. (Republic Records via AP)
Lia Crowe photograph - Choir

All together now

The feel-good power of singing in a choir

  • Jun 30, 2023
Lia Crowe photograph - Choir
Adem Tepedelen has co-authored a grunge memoir with Steve Turner, guitarist for Seattle band Mudhoney. (Courtesy of Dave Skilling)

Victoria writer part of grunge memoir with legendary Mudhoney guitarist

The book features a foreword by Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard

Adem Tepedelen has co-authored a grunge memoir with Steve Turner, guitarist for Seattle band Mudhoney. (Courtesy of Dave Skilling)
Mohawk artist Logan Staats of Duncan is the recipient of SOCAN’s 2023 TD Indigenous Songwriters Award. Staats is being recognized for his song ‘Deadman’, and will be honoured at SOCAN’s Annual General Meeting in Vancouver later this June where he will have the opportunity to perform in front of industry professionals, other music creators, publishers, and music industry stakeholders. (Submitted photo)

Vancouver Islander wins 2023 TD Indigenous Songwriting Award

Duncan’s Logan Staats honoured for his latest single ‘Deadman’

Mohawk artist Logan Staats of Duncan is the recipient of SOCAN’s 2023 TD Indigenous Songwriters Award. Staats is being recognized for his song ‘Deadman’, and will be honoured at SOCAN’s Annual General Meeting in Vancouver later this June where he will have the opportunity to perform in front of industry professionals, other music creators, publishers, and music industry stakeholders. (Submitted photo)
A model shows sheets of postage stamps marking the 10th debut anniversary of K-pop band BTS at a post office in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 12, 2023. Post offices start selling the stamps Tuesday. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

BTS is 10 years old: Seoul landmarks to be lit up in purple to celebrate K-pop band’s anniversary

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Skyscrapers, bridges and other landmarks in South…

A model shows sheets of postage stamps marking the 10th debut anniversary of K-pop band BTS at a post office in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, June 12, 2023. Post offices start selling the stamps Tuesday. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
Frank Ludwig with other former Trooper bandmates Tommy Stewart and Doni Underhill at the induction ceremony in Calgary. (Photo courtesy Robert Stewart & Ray Connell)

‘We’re Here For a Good Time’ suits Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee

Famous former member of Trooper from Chemainus still making music

Frank Ludwig with other former Trooper bandmates Tommy Stewart and Doni Underhill at the induction ceremony in Calgary. (Photo courtesy Robert Stewart & Ray Connell)
Fiddelium members Norah Figueira, left, Ava Shaw, Ben Rainer and Olivia Crowhurst accepted the Young Performers of the Year award during the Canadian Folk Music Awards in Vancouver on April 1. (Submitted photo)

Nanaimo’s Fiddelium wins young performers’ honour at Canadian Folk Music Awards

Ensemble will perform year-end show at the Port Theatre later this month

Fiddelium members Norah Figueira, left, Ava Shaw, Ben Rainer and Olivia Crowhurst accepted the Young Performers of the Year award during the Canadian Folk Music Awards in Vancouver on April 1. (Submitted photo)
April is International Guitar Month. How much do you know about guitars and guitarists? (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about guitars and guitarists?

April is International Guitar Month

April is International Guitar Month. How much do you know about guitars and guitarists? (Black Press file photo)
Oktiv6 is a hip-hop artist from the Comox Valley. Photo by Lyndon Cassell Photography

Vancouver Island hip-hop artist singing attention to Island communities

Eric Ettinger’s Oktiv6 making music about the places he knows

Oktiv6 is a hip-hop artist from the Comox Valley. Photo by Lyndon Cassell Photography
FILE - Actor, singer and activist Harry Belafonte from the documentary film "Sing Your Song," poses for a portrait during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Victoria Will, file)

Harry Belafonte, activist and entertainer, dies at 96

Groundbreaking actor and singer became an activist, humanitarian

FILE - Actor, singer and activist Harry Belafonte from the documentary film "Sing Your Song," poses for a portrait during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah on Jan. 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Victoria Will, file)
Darren Nast returns to the local music scene after a 20-year hiatus. (Contributed photo)

Sooke singer returns to music scene with new album and global ambitions

Singer-songwriter Darren Nast releases first single off album

Darren Nast returns to the local music scene after a 20-year hiatus. (Contributed photo)
A new song called “Heart On My Sleeve” has gained large attention online, but it’s using the work of Drake and The Weeknd without their consent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Jonathan Short

A new Drake x The Weeknd song just dropped – but it’s an AI fake

Copyright law around generative AI remains murky

A new song called “Heart On My Sleeve” has gained large attention online, but it’s using the work of Drake and The Weeknd without their consent. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Invision - Jonathan Short
Hawksley Workman plays the Osborne Bay Pub in Crofton Saturday, April 8. (Photo by Ivan Otis)

Canadian musician overwhelmed with audience reception on B.C. tour

Island dates ahead this week for Hawksley Workman

Hawksley Workman plays the Osborne Bay Pub in Crofton Saturday, April 8. (Photo by Ivan Otis)
George Millar and Ian Millar, lead singers of The Irish Rovers. Millar, an Irish Rover all his life, wrote the song Hey Boys Sing Us A Song as a response to the Covid-19 years, and includes the refrain “We all need some happiness back in our lives!” The song is nominated Canadian Folk Music Awards, SINGLE OF THE YEAR. (Hamish Burgess)

‘Absolutely wonderful’: Victoria Irish Rovers co-founder celebrates nomination

Popular Irish-Canadian band rings in 60 years of uplifting spirits with a tour, award nomination

George Millar and Ian Millar, lead singers of The Irish Rovers. Millar, an Irish Rover all his life, wrote the song Hey Boys Sing Us A Song as a response to the Covid-19 years, and includes the refrain “We all need some happiness back in our lives!” The song is nominated Canadian Folk Music Awards, SINGLE OF THE YEAR. (Hamish Burgess)
Jason Isbell performs in Victoria at the Royal Theatre on March 6, 2023. (Brendan Mayer/Black Press Media Staff)

U.S. woman brings ashes to Victoria to see Jason Isbell play on anniversary of partner’s death

Jason Isbell proves music can heal

Jason Isbell performs in Victoria at the Royal Theatre on March 6, 2023. (Brendan Mayer/Black Press Media Staff)
(Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

‘I’m worried about the other kids’: Girl testifies against piano teacher in Kelowna sex assault case

Neil Nein-Nein Wong is charged with the sexual assault of a child

(Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Comox Valley folk singer Pranatricks has just completed a staggered release of his 12-song debut album. Photo supplied

VIDEO: Pranatricks adds to the Comox Valley’s indie folk scene

The Comox Valley has a reputation as a hotbed for musicians, so…

Comox Valley folk singer Pranatricks has just completed a staggered release of his 12-song debut album. Photo supplied
More than 40 categories will be handed out at the Juno Opening Night Awards ceremony which takes place at the Edmonton Convention Centre, co-hosted by “Run the Burbs” star Andrew Phung and CBC Music’s Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe. Avril Lavigne performs on stage at the JUNO Awards on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arthur Mola-Invision-AP

The Weeknd wins big at pre-telecast Junos, Arkells take 6th group of the year award

Headline awards show airs live on Monday

More than 40 categories will be handed out at the Juno Opening Night Awards ceremony which takes place at the Edmonton Convention Centre, co-hosted by “Run the Burbs” star Andrew Phung and CBC Music’s Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe. Avril Lavigne performs on stage at the JUNO Awards on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the Budweiser Stage in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arthur Mola-Invision-AP
Teen Daze, a.k.a. Jamison Isaak, in his home studio in Chilliwack on Feb. 6, 2023. Teen Daze won a Juno Award on Saturday for Electronic Album of the Year, for his release, Interior. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)

Chilliwack artist, Horsefly duo among B.C. winners at opening night of the Juno Awards

The 2023 Juno Awards officially kicked off Saturday night in Edmonton, Alta.…

Teen Daze, a.k.a. Jamison Isaak, in his home studio in Chilliwack on Feb. 6, 2023. Teen Daze won a Juno Award on Saturday for Electronic Album of the Year, for his release, Interior. (Paul Henderson/ Chilliwack Progress)
Alexander Reyes, a Nanaimo-based hip-hop artist, is making waves after collaborating on a new song with Madchild, a member of the Swollen Members rap group. (Photo courtesy Alexander Reyes)

Nanaimo hip-hop artist collaborates with Swollen Members rapper on new single

Alexander Reyes’s All Good featured on Spotify

Alexander Reyes, a Nanaimo-based hip-hop artist, is making waves after collaborating on a new song with Madchild, a member of the Swollen Members rap group. (Photo courtesy Alexander Reyes)