Federal Lights joins the Aporia Records family. - Exclaim!

Imaginary Cities is carving out its global identity. - Huffington Post

Listen to Imaginary Cities discuss and perform new music. - CBC Radio Q

Imaginary Cities rises up on Fall of Romance. - Toronto Sun

Imaginary Cities to play legendary venue's final shows. - New York Observer

JP Hoe can't stay off the road. - Exclaim!

Twelve-year-old Fred Penner had licorice for brains. - Winnipeg Free Press

What books are on Fred Penner's nightstand? Find out. - CBC Scene

Curtis Nowosad heads off to school with a great parting gift. - Winnipeg Free Press

Bryce Pallister puts out a new album with a little help from Murray Pulver. - Portage Online

There is beauty in the darkness for Matt Epp. - LA Beat

KEN mode is a must see this summer. - M Live

Sons of York, Animal Teeth and others provide soundtrack for Bikefest. - Winnipeg Free Press

Tanya Tagaq can't seem to slow down. - Northern News Services

Calgary brings Del Barber to the stage for its Folk Festival. - CTV

Where did Del Barber escape to? - DNTO

Songs just pour out of Steve Bell. - The Beaumont News

Chic Gamine and Imaginary Cities say goodbye to a New Jersey legend. - Consequence of Sound

Watch Don Amero perform a song from Heart On My Sleeve. - Breakfast Television 

Germans are swinging their legs for Royal Canoe. - Festivalhooper

The Bros. Landreth, Jenny Berkel, and others basked in the sun at Back 40. - Pembina Today

Quinton Blair performs an early morning tune. - Breakfast Television

Doc Walker kicks up its boots for Craven Country Jamboree. - Artist Direct

Mise En Scene, The Noble Thiefs, and others grace the stage at Nextfest. - Edmonton Examiner

Camerata Nova end the season on a high note. - La Liberte

Sweet Alibi brings its sound to the East coast. - Halifax Musicphile

Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers hits the road, offer free songs. - New Canadian Music

The Bokononists wins best name for NXNE bands. - BlogTO

Check out The Lytics' video for "They Said". - Hip Hop Canada

The Color plays Morden's Block Party. - Pembina Today

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Mantioba Music does NXNE. - ChrisD.ca

Try not to lose control as you stream the new Matt Epp album. - Exclaim!

Fans are to thank for Matt Epp's new album. - The Gauntlet

Matt Epp shares the spotlight. - CBC Scene

Pinball with The F-Holes, The JD Edwards Band, and more. - Exclaim!

Red Moon Road and Jenny Berkel part of Back 40 Folk Festival. - CBC Scene

Canada Day at The Forks named Best Free Event. - Winnipeg Free Press

Abstract Artform hits the road on East coast tour. - New Music Weekly

Flo bids farwell to heartache. - Top 40 Charts

Imaginary Cities began by accident. - CBC Scene

New music from Imaginary Cities is worth checking out. - Creative Loafing

Imaginary Cities kicks off Fall of Romance release in Toronto. - Broadway World

Imaginary Cities gets adorable on Fall of Romance. - Paste Magazine

Two is company for Imaginary Cities. - CBC News

Imaginary Cities and The Weakerthans set to rock Calgary. - FFWD Weekly

Those Guys premiere new video. - CBC Scene

Jenny Berkel's performance provides contrast. - Cornwall Free News

Check out The Lytics' new video for "They Said". - Warp

The Lytics release video for "They Said". - Prefix

Get the first look at a new video from The Lytics. - Okay Player

Fred Penner is part of the Best of June. - The Grid

This German article possibly expresses love for Royal Canoe. - Die Welt

Royal Canoe plays Portland festival, MusicFestNW. - Stereogum

Listen up for new music from Royal Canoe in June. - Pop Matters

Royal Canoe among MusicFestNW performers. - Paste Magazine

Germany's May Field Derby adds Royal Canoe to lineup. - Musik Express

Don Amero heads back to Alberta. - Nation Talk

Mama mia! The Crooked Brothers head to Italy. - Lastampa.it

Cara Luft is queen of the castle. - AboutMyArea.co.uk

Shrewsbury Folk Festival get its wish for Cara Luft. - Shropshire Star

The Wailin' Jennys put on a southern drawl for Dolly Parton film soundtrack. - The f word

One small budget plus two cold winters equals a new album from Haunter. - The Uniter

JD Edwards Band and Fred Penner play Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival. - NOW Toronto

KEN mode hits road with fellow heavy music band. - Columbus Alive

Chic Gamine take the main stage in Ottawa on Canada Day. - Canada's Capital

Doc Walker to play Craven Country Jamboree. - CMR Nashville

Ridley Bent and Doc Walker lend a song. - Samaritan Mag

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A great flood of music music mentoring experience. - The Lance

The Prairie BBQ served up great music in the UK. - Louder Than War

Del Barber opens for Billy Bragg. - No Depression

Renée Lamoureux, Sons of York and more raise money for a Night For The Congo. - Winnipeg Free Press

Mise en Scene and The Lytics lend songs for cancer awareness. - Metro

The Vibrating Beds, Distances, and more unite for a great cause. - Stylus

Manitoba bands play a free show in support of Skate4Cancer. - Beatroute

Camerata Nova's latest inspiration is very close to home. - CBC Scene

Get a taste of the new Imaginary Cities album before it's released. - Paste Magazine

Imaginary Cities spills the details behind Fall of Romance. - CBC

Imaginary Cities's Rusty Matyas knows no bounds when it comes to love. - Biped Magazine

Imaginary Cities is a dreamy addition to this sampler. - Filter

Stream Fall of Romance by Imaginary Cities. - Exclaim!

Did we mention you can now stream the Imaginary Cities album? - MuchMusic

Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers gets creative on its new album. - CBC Scene

Comeback Kid keeps it simple. - Metro

Tanya Tagaq among performers at National Aboriginal Day. - CBC Scene

Lost Weekend among best acts to play Delaware this summer. - Delaware News Zap

Sol James premieres traffic inspired song, "Blue Skies and Barricades". - CBC

Jenny Berkel is part of a great mix of talent. - Standard Freeholder

Chic Gamine and JD Edwards Band help celebrate Toronto landmark. - Exclaim!

The Treble, JP Hoe, and Eagle Lake Owls discusses the importance of booking agents. - CBC Scene

Shotgun Jimmie is a lover of the land. - CBC Scene

Answers to questions you may or may not have had about Romi Mayes. - LP Hoopla

Doc Walker is set to perform a free show this July. - Winnipeg Free Press

Fred Penner rocks out for the kids. - Victoria News

Del Barber and Shotgun Jimmie take the stage at the Gateway Festival. - Exclaim!

Brooklyn's Northside Music Festival adds KEN mode to the lineup. - Brooklyn Magazine

Sierra Noble among the next generation of songwriters. - Baristanet

The Bros. Landreth, Red Moon Road, and others play Morden's Back 40. - ChrisD.ca

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Lost Weekend's video for "Let Me In" may give you pins and needles. - MTV Iggy

Eagle Lake Owls, Claire Morrison, and others are in the top 10. - Winnipeg Free Press

Kayla Luky is no stranger to NXNE. - Examiner

Imaginary Cities goes bigger on Fall of Romance. - CBC Scene

HBO's Less Than Kind set to feature an Imaginary Cities tune. - The Loop

Del Barber's Great Escape with Billy Bragg. - Death and Taxes Magazine

Del Barber plays among some great talent in the U.K. - Cochrane Eagle

Royal Canoe breaks down genre barriers. - Ear Gazm

Listen to "Bathtubs" by Royal Canoe. - Exclaim!

Noire hits the road on its first Western Canada tour. - Brave Words

Burlington festival adds Doc Walker to the lineup. - Exclaim!

Another award gets added to Ali Fontaine's collection. - CBC Scene + FREE Download

Cara Luft heads across the pond for Mylor Summer Sessions. - This is Cornwall

Red Moon Road isn't happy with the proposed pipeline. - The Northern View

Chic Gamine announced as Rocky Mountain Folk Festival performer. - Denver Westword

The Noble Thiefs moves on from house parties  to U.K. warehouses. - Ellesmere Port Pioneer

Flying Fox and the Hunter Gatherers puts out a new EP. - Beacon News

Take Me To The Pilot's What Makes You gets reviewed. - Rock and Roll Report

Curtis Nowosad is a contender for On The Rise award. - Winnipeg Free Press

Oldfolks Home's personal transformation. - Quick Before It Melts

For Oldfolks Home, divorce is something to sing about. - Guelph Mercury

Don't you dare miss Shotgun Jimmie this weekend.  - Exclaim!

Shotgun Jimmie is a top pick for the weekend. - Fast Forward Weekly

Keri Latimer kicks off Carol Shields Festival. - Metro

Red Moon Road, The Bros. Landreth, and Jenny Berkel to play Black 40 Festival. - Pembina Today

The Bokononists and The Revival bring their noise to SCENE Fest. - Punk News

Fred Penner and Fubuki Daiko part of Centre for the Arts new season. - Fort Erie Times

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If you're into German articles on Royal Canoe, then you'll enjoy this. - Terrorverlag

Listen to Royal Canoe's new song, "Bathtubs". - Filter Magazine

Royal Canoe debuts "Bathtubs". - Pigeons & Planes

Ottawa's NAC adds Royal Canoe to it's programming. - Voir

Del Barber to play Philidelphia Folk Festival. - Leigh Valley Music

Kayla Luky is worth watching at NXNE. - Examiner

Mise En Scene, The Revival among top up-and-coming Canadian bands. - Clash Music

Oldfolks Home's breakup album ends on a happy note. - Winnipeg Free Press

Ruth Moody explores further on These Wilder Things. - Huffington Post

Ruth Moody isn't afraid of the dark. - No Depression

Vince Fontaine, C-Weed Band, and Ali Fontaine nominees for NAMA. - Indian Country Today

KEN mode hits the road. - Booklyn Vegan

From living rooms to the big stage, From Giants has grown. - CBC Scene

What do Imaginary Cities and coffee grinders have in common? - Broad Way World

Take Me To The Pilot goes back in time. - CBC Scene

The Noble Thiefs bring some soul to the U.K. - Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News

Keri Latimer picks songs for Mother's Day. - CBC Scene

Fred Penner brings the cat's meow to Kidsfest. - Winnipeg Free Press

Listen to Doc Walker talk about sports. - CISN fm

Doc Walker lends a hand with Morning for Hope. - Breakfast Television

Ridley Bent supports Corb Lund. - Penticton Western News

Sierra Noble featured on Justin Hines new release. - Top 40 Charts

Dan Frechette and Kayla Luky hit the road. - Leth News

The Duhks makes it on the list of indie music Monday. - Examiner

Trio Bembe set the soundtrack for Jewish singles to mingle. - Jewish Tribune

Watch Ryan Van Belleghem perform "Manitoba Winds". - Breakfast Television

Support Run For Rights by watching Cheering for the Bad Guy, Miss Rae, and more. - Stylus

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The Magnificent 7s' "new corners of bluegrass" - Exclaim!

Doc Walker to play nationally-televised Canadian Country Music Awards. - Winnipeg Free Press

Imaginary Cities' vocals "sugary sweet" at Lollapalooza. - Chicago Now

Les Jupes meet UK. UK meet Les Jupes. - Shout4Music

Del Barber hits #6 on national radio chart. - !earshot

New Propagandhi song = melodic blitzkrieg. - Exclaim!

Les Jupes' Modern Myths is "pounding and introspective". - Glasswerk National

Salinas explores the politics of social struggle. - BlogTO

JP Hoe is a "diamond in the ruff". - UpVenue

The Magnificent 7s at Yonge-Dundas Square. - The Learning Curve

How do you say "Les Jupes" in French? Wait a minute...  - Music in Belgium

Arden Theatre to welcome Del Barber. - St. Albert Gazette

Ali Fontaine to play with Susan Aglukark at Planet IndigenUS. - Brantford Expositor

Trout Forest Music Fest features some of Manitoba's best. - CBC Scene

Del Barber to play Shelter Valley Folk Festival - Northumberland News

The "melodic hardcore" of Propagandhi. - Foreign Policy

Walle Larsson hits the Billboard charts. - CBC Scene

Sara Stasiuk talks about In The News and more with Jenna Khan. - Citytv

Les Jupes "are versed in expansive musical landscapes." - Female First

No Label Collective "an avalanche of creativity". - Stylus

Watch The Ripperz' new video by Exchange Media. - Uptown

Ruth Moody to play FolkWest. - Times Colonist

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Manitoba artists and industry have nine chances to win hardware when the Canadian Country Music Awards are handed out in Saskatoon this September, including four nominations for Portage La Prairie-raised country rockers Doc Walker.

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Imaginary Cities releases new EP and video, hits the road. - Exclaim!

The Weakerthans top the 6 Best Songs About Cats.  - The Riverfront Times

The Magnificent 7s are not luddites. - Beatroute

Al Simmons honoured with Order of Manitoba. - Winnipeg Free Press

Marti Sarbit of Imaginary Cities has a voice that's "truly one of a kind." - LA Music

Watch Romi Mayes' new video, Lucky Tonight. - Exclaim!

The future looks bright for Ryan Van Belleghem. - Kenora Daily Miner

Flyng Fox and the Hunter Gatherers talk about their live show. - Rage Regina

Erin Propp talks about her upcoming debut album. - Winnipeg Free Press

Cara Luft's Darlingford features "plaintive, often heart-aching vocals." - The Star Phoenix

Del Barber to play the Regina Folk Festival. - CBC Saskatchewan

Lessons in success from Imaginary Cities. - Pique News

Chic Gamine a folk fest best seller.  - Winnipeg Free Press

Doc Walker wows the PCU Centre. - Portage Daily Graphic

Newcomer impressed by Manitoba artists. - Uptown

Leonard Podolak of the Duhks to play Mission Folk Music Festival. - The Progress

Cara Luft was charming at Canada Day in London. - Music Vice

Madame Diva and Doc Walker's Steven Broadhurst, to play Frog Follies Festival. - Chris D

The Magnificent 7's have wide ranging appeal. - Calgary Herald

South Thunderbird and Dust Rhinos to play the Winnipeg Beach Bandstand. - Interlake Spectator

Del Barber added to the Winnipeg Folk Festival Concert Series. - Winnipeg Free Press

Ruth Moody to play the Hornby Festival. - Times Colonist

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Tracy Bone hopes Woman of Red will empower and help heal. - CBC Scene

Propagandhi's Less Talk, More Rock makes the top 10 Quintessentially Canadian Albums. - Exclaim!

Linda Koley makes her life-long dreams come true with, Two Miles South. - Winnipeg Free Press

Trio Bembe's music "brings out an indefinable pleasure." - Melodika

The Perms find inspiration in Bulgaria. - Vue Weekly

Kayla Luky is one to watch. - CBC Scene

Fred Penner loves playing to young adults. - Here New Brunswick

Take Me To The Pilot is "still growing and learning." - The Sudbury Star

Trio Bembe  to play the Multicultural Summer Festival. - Brandon Sun

Sierra Noble to play the 6th Annual Steen Charity Auction. - Chris D

Leanne Pearson wins Dauphins Countryfest Talent Contest. - Winnipeg Free Press

Doc Walker to headline the Portage Ex. - Portage Daily Graphic

Take Me To The Pilot's What Makes You, debuts at #3 on iTunes Canadian Pop Album Chart. - Kingston Herald

Chic Gamine at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival. - Democrat And Chronicle

Tanya Tagaq collaborative artwork to be displayed at 18th Biennale of Sydney, Australia. - Vancouver Sun

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The Seed Organization is on the Top 5 MEME After Party Picks.  - Uptown

This Hisses talk about their upcoming album, Anhedonia. - Toro Magazine

John K. Samson's Provincial, makes the top ten albums of the year (so far). - Toronto Sun

Cannon Bros. and Shotgun Jimmie talk about Sled Island. - CBC Music

Leanne Pearson and Doc Walker's Chris Thorsteinson shine at Country in the Park. - Beausejour Review

Keri Latimer and Del Barber top the CJUM Folk/Roots Chart. - Earshot Online

Mise En Scene talk NXNE, their upcoming full-length, and the support provided by Manitoba Music. - Torontoist

Take Me To The Pilot is Basement Entertainment's Band of the Week. - Basement Entertainment

Joe Silva discusses the Manitoba Electronic Music Exhibition. - Winnipeg Free Press

Tanya Tagaq displays her art at Fehely Fine Arts Gallery. - Nunatsiaq Online

SitDownTracy's Twenty Something Winters is "difficult to forget." - Gray Owl Point

Amber Epp explains what makes The Cube so great. - Winnipeg Free Press

Fred Penner should be honoured on the Canada's Walk of Fame. - Daily Brew

Jay Nowicki of The Perpetators looks back on his career. - Uptown

Feed The Birds' Rheanna Melnick talks about playing music and baking sticky buns. - Gray Owl Point

Fred Penner, Ridley Bent, and Romi Mayes are set  to play the North Country Fair. - Edmonton Journal

Tanya Tagaq will perform at the First Peoples Cinema exhibit. - Winnipeg Free Press

Manitoba artists help celebrate National Aboriginal Day. - CBC Scene

Richard Gillis and Lucas Sader share the stage with international jazz stars. - Winnipeg Free Press

Doc Walker headlines the Ontario Festival of Cider. - Niagara This Week
 

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33 Manitoban artists and entrepreneurs land Western Canadian Music Awards nods. - CBC Manitoba Scene

Fifteen Manitoba bands head to NXNE. - Winnipeg Free Press

Madonna uses a Mira Black track for her Truth or Dare Fragrance. - CBC Manitoba Scene

Flo recounts her life changing and inspiring moments. - Uptown + FREE Download

Del Barber makes the Top 25 Best Neil Young Covers. - Consequence of Sound

Propagandhi finishes its new record. - Punk News

Jenny Berkel's debut album is "artful and emotional". - Americana-UK

JP Hoe is "anything but static and boring." - Scruffy The Yak

Federal Lights is "soothing and rousing" all at the same time. - CBC Radio 3

Johnny Dietrich discusses the difficulties of making money through music. - Portage Daily Graphic

The iconic Times Change(d) High and Lonesome Club may have to close its doors. - CBC Manitoba Scene

Local label  Pipe & Hat unveils NXNE showcase. - NXNE

Del Barber's Headwaters is a great ode to the calm prairie life. - The Lance

Flo takes a stand against bullying. - CBC Manitoba Scene

John K. Samson is set to play the star-studded Ottawa Folk Festival. - Ottawa Start
 

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We're introducing a new regular feature to the Manitoba Music news... CBC's Prairie Playlist. Ismaila Alfa, host of SCENE on air, brings the Prairie Playlist to Up To Speed, CBC Radio One, every weekday between 3 and 3:30 p.m. Every Friday, you can check right here to see who's on the week's list of great local talent. This week's 10 songs from 10 artists is after the jump...

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There will be lots of Manitoba talent on stage as Canada's music industry converges on the nation's capital for this year's JUNO festivities. The annual celebration, taking place in Ottawa, encompasses several events, including a music festival, hockey game, autograph signings, songwriters circle, and the awards themselves.

JUNOFest runs March 30-April 1 in various Ottawa venues, showcasing top Canadian talent and several of this year's award nominees. Aboriginal rock band Bruthers of Different Muthers (BODM) and noisecore outfit KEN Mode, both nominated for JUNOs this year, will hit Café Dekcuf on March 30 and 31, respectively. Balanced Records' Kasm and Seed Organization will be at The Mercury Lounge on March 31 with fellow label act Flying Down Thunder and Rise Ashen, who are nominated this year.

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Maybe we don't know what's in everyone's luggage, but at least one local band is coming back from Toronto's Canadian Music Week with some hardware. Portage la Prairie country trio Doc Walker was named Favourite Country Artist/Group of the Year at the Independent Music Awards ("The Indies") on the strength of its latest acclaimed recording, the JUNO Award-nominated 16 & 1. The band -- which includes Chris Thorsteinson, Murray Pulver, and Dave Wasyliw -- picked up the award when they were handed out at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel on March 24.

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Nominations for the Independent Music Awards, better known as The Indies, are out and there are some familiar Manitoba names on the list. KEN Mode, Doc Walker, and Imaginary Cities got nods from the 12th annual awards, which will be handed out at Toronto's Fairmont Royal York Hotel on March 24. KEN Mode, which got a 2012 JUNO Award nod for its critically-acclaimed album Venerable, is up for Metal Artist/Group or Duo of the Year. Fellow JUNO-nominee Doc Walker is nominated for Country Artist/Group or Duo of the Year. Indie soup/pop act Imaginary Cities, which is prepping for its latest European tour next month, is competing for Emerging Artist of the Year.

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Manitoba artists will have plenty of chances to pick up hardware when the 2012 JUNO Awards are handed out in Ottawa next month. The nominees for the 41st annual awards were announced by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) in Toronto early on February 7, streamed live on CTV’s website.

This year’s Manitoba nominees include JUNO alums, first time nominees, and some familiar expats, and span the genres from roots to metal to Aboriginal music.

Roots trio The Wailin' Jennys picked up their third JUNO nomination for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year for Bright Morning Stars (True North/Universal); they won the category in 2005 for their debut, 40 Days. They won a Western Canadian Music Award for Roots Duo/Group Recording of the Year and their producers, David Travers-Smith and Mark Howard, picked up the Canadian Folk Music Award for Producer of the Year for their work on Bright Morning Stars. The Toronto-based Travers-Smith also landed a Juno nod for Recording Engineer of the Year for his work on Bright Morning Stars song, “All the Stars”.

Portage la Prairie’s country rock favourites Doc Walker got a nod for Country Album of the Year for 16 & 1, their latest release on Open Road/Universal. The hard-touring trio picked up four Canadian Country Music Award nominations in September. This is Doc Walker’s sixth JUNO nomination; they won in 2009 for their album, Beautiful Life.

Noisecore outfit KEN Mode landed a nod in the new Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year category for Venerable (Profound Lore/Sonic Unyon/F>A>B). The band, which is currently on tour in Europe, was at the top of critics’ best-of lists and got attention from the likes of American tastemaker music site, Stereogum.

Rock act Bruthers of Different Muthers, or BODM, picked up a nod for Aboriginal Album of the Year for Speakers of Tomorrow. The nomination follows a win at the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards in November for Best Rock CD. Also up for an award in the Aboriginal category is One Nation, by Ottawa’s Rise Ashen and Flying Down Thunder, which was released Winnipeg label Balanced Records.

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Bluebird North is flying back into Winnipeg this month. Presented by the Songwriters Association of Canada, with the Manitoba Country Music Association and Manitoba Music, the latest edition hits The Park Theatre on February 2 and features performances by country singer/songwriters Murray Pulver (of Doc Walker), Ridley Bent, Mackenzie Porter, and Marc-Alan Barnette. Hosted by Jenna Khan of Citytv Breakfast Television, the event also features the addition of a Young Artists Showcase. Five young musicians: Brenton Thorvaldson, Brennan Wall, Karl Shewchuk, Kim Erickson and Shannon Patterson will get the chance to play a short set before the main stage acts come on. 

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