Music

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 8, 2022, left, and country singer Brad Paisley attends a ceremony honoring Carrie Underwood with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sept. 20, 2018, in Los Angeles. Paisley is releasing a new song called “Same Here,” that features Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the one-year anniversary of the Russian-Ukraine war. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)

Brad Paisley pens country song featuring Ukraine’s Zelenskyy

A year ago, country star Brad Paisley watched the news on television…

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appears in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sept. 8, 2022, left, and country singer Brad Paisley attends a ceremony honoring Carrie Underwood with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Sept. 20, 2018, in Los Angeles. Paisley is releasing a new song called “Same Here,” that features Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the one-year anniversary of the Russian-Ukraine war. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)
The McPherson Playhouse in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Walter Trout brings his rhythm of blues to B.C.’s capital

McPherson Playhouse prepares for March 11 show

  • Feb 21, 2023
The McPherson Playhouse in Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sebastian Gaskin (image provided)

Sebastian Gaskin gears up to wow Victoria with unique acoustic solo show

The 2021 Western Canadian Music Awards RB Artist of the Year performs at UVic on March 11

  • Feb 20, 2023
Sebastian Gaskin (image provided)
Vancouver Island University student and Nanaimo musician Mikaila Tombe is gathering data to explore the effects of various music styles on study participants and whether future research could lead to music-based learning aids and therapies. (Photo courtesy Doug Tombe/Tailgate Video)

Getting in tune: Island student researching music’s cognitive and healing effects

VIU’s Mikaila Tombe working on pilot study testing subjects’ responses to different types of music

Vancouver Island University student and Nanaimo musician Mikaila Tombe is gathering data to explore the effects of various music styles on study participants and whether future research could lead to music-based learning aids and therapies. (Photo courtesy Doug Tombe/Tailgate Video)
Lauren Spencer-Smith performs as the musical artist for the ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’ during the Feb. 14 episode on CBS. (Photo credit Terence Patrick/CBS)

Nanaimo’s Lauren Spencer-Smith sings about heartache on Valentine’s Day

Pop star performed Best Friend Breakup on ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’

Lauren Spencer-Smith performs as the musical artist for the ‘The Late Late Show with James Corden’ during the Feb. 14 episode on CBS. (Photo credit Terence Patrick/CBS)
Issamba Handouts

Issamba Showcase brings African rhythms to Victoria

World-renowned artists celebrate African culture as part of Black History Month

  • Feb 15, 2023
Issamba Handouts
(Black Press Media Creative)

Pharrell named new Louis Vuitton menswear creative director

Louis Vuitton has named multitalented singer-songwriter-philanthropist Pharrell Williams creative director of its…

(Black Press Media Creative)
Jasmine Colette and A.W. Cardinal in their home studio with their four coveted Maple Blues Awards for 2023. (Photo courtesy Blue Moon Marquee)

Blue Moon Marquee feeling upbeat after Maple Blues Awards sweep

Duo now stationed in the Cowichan Valley gaining fans in droves

Jasmine Colette and A.W. Cardinal in their home studio with their four coveted Maple Blues Awards for 2023. (Photo courtesy Blue Moon Marquee)
This combination of photos show album art for “Raven,” by Kelela, left, and “This Is Why” by Paramore. (Warp/Atlantic via AP)

New this week: ‘Your Place or Mine’ and ‘All That Breathes’

Presented this week’s new releases for your entertainment pleasure

This combination of photos show album art for “Raven,” by Kelela, left, and “This Is Why” by Paramore. (Warp/Atlantic via AP)
Beyonce accepts the award for best dance/electronic music album for "Renaissance" at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Beyonce emerges as Grammys queen Styles wins album honor

Beyonce sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony’s most decorated…

Beyonce accepts the award for best dance/electronic music album for "Renaissance" at the 65th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Lauren Spencer-Smith, seen performing in Toronto during last year’s Juno Awards broadcast, has been nominated for Artist of the Year and TikTok Juno Fan Choice for this year’s awards show in March. (iPhoto/CARAS photo)

Vancouver Island’s Lauren Spencer-Smith receives two Juno nominations

19-year-old pitted against Michael Bublé, The Weeknd, and Avril Lavigne for artist of the year

Lauren Spencer-Smith, seen performing in Toronto during last year’s Juno Awards broadcast, has been nominated for Artist of the Year and TikTok Juno Fan Choice for this year’s awards show in March. (iPhoto/CARAS photo)
This combination of photos shows promotional art for “Pamela: A Love Story,” premiering Jan. 31, and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” premiering Feb. 1, (Netflix/Netflix/Disney+/Netflix via AP)

New this week: Shania, ‘Princess Power’ and Pamela Anderson

A sampling of what is being freshly offered this week in the world of entertainment

This combination of photos shows promotional art for “Pamela: A Love Story,” premiering Jan. 31, and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” premiering Feb. 1, (Netflix/Netflix/Disney+/Netflix via AP)
Singer Libby Coulthard portrait photography by Lia Crowe

A songbird soars

Libby Coulthard finds her voice

  • Jan 25, 2023
Singer Libby Coulthard portrait photography by Lia Crowe
Doug Cox is the co-chair of the steering committee for the contemporary roots and traditional roots categories for the 2023 Juno Awards. The finalists for all 47 categories will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Photo by Terry Farrell

Juno committee co-chair one of many hats worn by Vancouver Island’s Doug Cox

Doug Cox is synonymous with the Vancouver Island musical arts community. If…

Doug Cox is the co-chair of the steering committee for the contemporary roots and traditional roots categories for the 2023 Juno Awards. The finalists for all 47 categories will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Photo by Terry Farrell
FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2016 file photo, Drake performs onstage in Toronto on Oct. 8, 2016. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File)

Drake delivers nostalgia, teases new music at Apollo show

Despite releasing 2 albums last year, the Canadian artist said he could release another soon

FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2016 file photo, Drake performs onstage in Toronto on Oct. 8, 2016. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File)
The Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Players and Chorus will host their annual Tea and Symphony concert on Sunday, Feb. 12. (Contributed)

Tea and Symphony a treat for the senses

Event takes place Feb. 12 at Sooke Community Hall

The Sooke Philharmonic Chamber Players and Chorus will host their annual Tea and Symphony concert on Sunday, Feb. 12. (Contributed)
Ian Tyson is shown during an interview with The Canadian Press in Toronto on Monday, Oct.18, 2010. Canadian folk legend Tyson, best known for the hit single “Four Strong Winds” as one half of Ian & Sylvia, has died at age 89.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

B.C.-born folk legend Ian Tyson, known for ‘Four Strong Winds’, dies

Tyson’s life was a whirlwind ride from B.C. private school to Alberta ranch living

Ian Tyson is shown during an interview with The Canadian Press in Toronto on Monday, Oct.18, 2010. Canadian folk legend Tyson, best known for the hit single “Four Strong Winds” as one half of Ian & Sylvia, has died at age 89.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Ian Tyson is shown during an interview with The Canadian Press in Toronto on Monday, Oct.18, 2010. Canadian folk legend Tyson, best known for the hit single “Four Strong Winds” as one half of Ian & Sylvia, has died at age 89.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Victoria-born folk legend Ian Tyson, known for ‘Four Strong Winds’, dies

Tyson’s life was a whirlwind ride from B.C. private school to Alberta ranch living

Ian Tyson is shown during an interview with The Canadian Press in Toronto on Monday, Oct.18, 2010. Canadian folk legend Tyson, best known for the hit single “Four Strong Winds” as one half of Ian & Sylvia, has died at age 89.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
This image released by Grapevine Public Relations shows Stark Sands, center, and the cast during a performance of “& Juliet.” (Matthew Murphy/Grapevine Public Relations via AP) This image released by Grapevine Public Relations shows Stark Sands, center, and the cast during a performance of “& Juliet.” (Matthew Murphy/Grapevine Public Relations via AP)

Broadway writer of ‘ Juliet’ builds show with huge pop hits

Original story uses ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as launch pad, mixes in biggest pop hits of past few decades

This image released by Grapevine Public Relations shows Stark Sands, center, and the cast during a performance of “& Juliet.” (Matthew Murphy/Grapevine Public Relations via AP) This image released by Grapevine Public Relations shows Stark Sands, center, and the cast during a performance of “& Juliet.” (Matthew Murphy/Grapevine Public Relations via AP)
Bob Dorobis plays his guitar at home in Middletown, N.J., on Dec. 4, 2022. Dorobis redoubled his efforts to learn fingerpicking during the pandemic. (Jeanann Dorobis via AP)

Music, exercise, gray hair: Pandemic practices that live on

Taking a look at some of the changes we made that seemed to stick around

Bob Dorobis plays his guitar at home in Middletown, N.J., on Dec. 4, 2022. Dorobis redoubled his efforts to learn fingerpicking during the pandemic. (Jeanann Dorobis via AP)