PMP NEWS

Toronto, ON (March 20, 2018) - Leaders & Icons is proud to announce that James Comey, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (2013-2017) will take part in a 45 minute, live and in-person, Q&A in Toronto on May 10, 2018 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Building (222 Bremner Blvd). 

The event will also include a 45 minute speech from Joanne Lipman, author, veteran journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of USA Today. This incredible event will be hosted by Lee Smart, Comedian, Actor and The Second City main-stage alumnus.

MAJOR LOVE UNVEIL LYRIC VIDEO FOR “TEAR IT DOWN” 

SELF-TITLED DEBUT LP TO BE RELEASED IN SPRING 2018

CANADIAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

“[Major Love] displays a mellifluent affinity for funky, pop-sensible rock music.” – Atwood Magazine

"One of Canada's premiere songwriters. With a voice like a clarion call [Colleen Brown] is one of our premiere singers, too.” - CBC


"The talents of this Edmonton-based vocalist [Colleen Brown] shine like a beacon." - Globe & Mail

“So thoughtful, so catchy, so good.” - Edmonton Journal (about Scenic Route to Alaska)

(October 27 – Toronto, ON) – Major Love – comprised of acclaimed Canadian recording artists Colleen Brown and Scenic Route To Alaska - have just premiered a lyric video for the track “Tear It Down” from their upcoming debut album due next Spring. Says Atwood Magazine about the song “…a jubilant, yet succinct ode to renovation and recreation, complete with an infectious chorus that’s begging to become an earworm.” Watch + Share lyric video HERE. The song is available to stream HERE and purchaseHERE.  

The groove-laden indie pop-rock collective came together over a shared appreciation of vintage Harmony guitars and sing-along pop/rock anthems after they found themselves on the same dimly lit stage in the east end of London, England, 7000 km from their shared hometown of Edmonton. The self-professed “band of bands” mutual respect for each other’s craft, and undeniable musical chemistry quickly evolved to studio time back on Canadian soil and within a month, Major Love had recorded the foundation of their first album together. The rest of their self-titled debut was tracked live off the floor during a summer heat wave in Edmonton’s True North Studios with producer/engineer Jesse Northey (Jesse and the Dandelions). Contributions followed from multi-instrumentalist Elijah Abrams with mixes and co-production by Toronto-based pedal steel guru Aaron Goldstein, along with Kenneth Meehan (Daniel Romano). The resulting 10 tracks thrive at the intersection between Brown’s resonant vocal expression and SRTA’s spirited swagger. 

Two of the tracks from Major’s Love’s upcoming LP have already been lauded for their song-craft. “Motherland” - a love-letter to Alberta - won a province-wide songwriting competition held by ATB Financial, while the powerful ballad “I Love All Of You” was a finalist in the international Unsigned Only Music Competition last month, in the “Adult Contemporary” category.

The refreshing collaboration comes from artists who have already managed to forge quite a career on their own terms. Colleen Brown, who is often compared to Joni Mitchell, and Carole King, has released an incredible 6 solo recordings and appeared on CBC q, Canada Live, Radio 2 Drive with Rich Terfry and her latest release premiered with CBC First Play. Brown has opened for several notable acts including Randy Newman, Jim Cuddy, Whitehorse, Rufus Wainwright, Frank Black, Buck 65 and Hawksley Workman. Meanwhile, Scenic Route to Alaska’s latest release, Long Walk Home has amassed 1.5 millions streams on Spotify and garnered them 2 nominations (Recording of the Year and Best Rock Artist) at the Western Canadian Music Awards, as well as winning 4 awards (Album of the Year / Group of the Year / Pop Recording of the Year / Indie Rock Recording of the Year) at the Edmonton Music Awards this year. They also enjoyed radio success with their single “Love Keeps” which reached #1 on CBC Radio 2 Top 20 and #21 on the Canada Alternative Rock Charts. 

More information will be announced when available. See below for upcoming show dates.

Major Love 2017 Tour Dates:

10.27 - Kingston, ON @ The Toucan (10 PM, free show)

12.29 - Edmonton, AB @ The Needle Vinyl Tavern (w/ Nature Of and Eva Foote) *Purchase tickets HERE

SPECIAL ‘HORSESHOE 70TH CONCERT SERIES’ RUNS
SEPTEMBER 26 TO DECEMBER 31

​

SECOND PHASE OF B-DAY SHOWS ANNOUNCED FEATURING

MAX WEINBERG’S JUKEBOX, CONSTANTINES, SKYDIGGERS and MORE

​

NEW BOOK ‘The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern - A Complete History’

By David McPherson TO BE PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 23, 2017

​

(September 6, 2017 - Toronto, ON)  The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern marks its 70th birthday on December 6th, 2017, and is celebrating with a series of very special concerts billed as the Horseshoe 70th Concert Series kicking off Tuesday, September 26th and running until December 31st. The series features notable artists doing multiple night ‘underplay residencies’, as well as one night stands by artists who have performed at the famed Toronto venue in previous decades.

Announced today is the second phase of the Horseshoe 70th Concert Series featuring “Max Weinberg’s Jukebox” on Tuesday, October 10th. The Jukebox is a truly interactive experience from Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame drummer Max Weinberg where the audience gets to create in real time the set list he and his crack four piece group will perform that night. Weinberg, the driving rhythmic force propelling The E Street Band for 43 years, is also known to millions of fans for his 17-year stint as the bandleader and comedic foil to talk show host Conan O’Brien. Throughout his 50 year professional career Weinberg has played with some of the biggest and most diverse names in music-—James Brown, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, BB King, Tony Bennett, Ringo Starr, John Fogerty, Steve Winwood, and Sheryl Crow.

Also announced are shows from Toronto's folk rock outfit, Sun K, who will perform a no-cover evening, on Wed October 11th, as part of the private industry release for McPherson’s new book, JUNO and Platinum award-winning singer-guitarist-banjoist, Lisa LeBlanc, dynamic indie six-piece Fast Romantics, seminal indie rockers Constantines, and beloved veteran roots rockers, Skydiggers, who will hold their annual X-Mas fan lovefest as part of the Shoe’s 70th birthday celebrations.

Tickets to the licensed/19+ shows go on sale Thursday, September 7th at 10:00 am ET and will be available via Ticketfly, Rotate This, Soundscapes, and Horseshoe Tavern’s Box Office. See below for more details on each show and ticketing information.

The first phase of the Horseshoe 70th Concert Series was announced August 1st and features Billy Bragg, playing three SOLD OUT shows, DOA, Hollerado, The Pursuit of Happiness, Elliott Brood, and 54.40.

‘The ‘Shoe’, as it’s affectionaly known by locals, will celebrate the launch of David McPherson’s book, The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern: A Complete History, with a private media and industry launch on October 11th from 6:00-8:30 pm, followed by a no-cover night with Sun K.

David spent years talking to artists, managers, staff, and founder Jack Starr’s family, gathering decades of stories for the book, which is set for publication by Dundurn Press on September 23rd. The foreword for the book is written by Blue Rodeo’s Jim Cuddy. For more information, visit: http://horseshoetavernbook.com.

There are more b-day events and concert series to be announced including the once-every-10-years private industry party in DEC 2017, and a special concert by a longtime H-Shoe artist on the actual birthday!

THE HORSESHOE 70TH CONCERT SERIES is presented by INDIE88 and EXCLAIM!

MAX WEINBERG’S JUKEBOX

DATE: Tuesday, October 10, 2017

DOORS: 8:30pm

PRICE: $49.50 GA - $79.50 SEATED - $199.50 VIP MEET & GOLD CIRCLE SEATING

Advance at Ticketfly, HS Tavern Box Office, Rotate This & Soundscapes

ON SALE: Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 10:00am

*Licensed/19+

Purchase Tickets here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1556258

SUN K

DATE: Wednesday, October 11, 2017

DOORS: 8:30pm

PRICE: No Cover

*Licensed/19+

LISA LEBLANC

DATE: Thursday, November 16, 2017

DOORS: 8:30pm

PRICE: $15.50 Advance at Ticketfly, HS Tavern Box Office, Rotate This & Soundscapes

ON SALE: Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 10:00am

*Licensed/19+

Purchase Tickets here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1556275

FAST ROMANTICS

DATE: Saturday, November 18, 2017

DOORS: 9:00 pm

PRICE: $13.50 Advance at Ticketfly, HS Tavern Box Office, Rotate This & Soundscapes

ON SALE: Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 10:00am

*Licensed/19+

Purchase Tickets here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1556280

CONSTANTINES

DATE: Friday, December 15, 2017

DOORS: 9:00 pm

PRICE: $29.50 Advance at Ticketfly, HS Tavern Box Office, Rotate This & Soundscapes

ON SALE: Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 10:00am

*Licensed/19+

Purchase Tickets here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1556288

DATE: Saturday, December 16, 2017

DOORS: 9:00 pm

PRICE: $29.50 Advance at Ticketfly, HS Tavern Box Office, Rotate This & Soundscapes

ON SALE: Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 10:00am

*Licensed/19+

Purchase Tickets here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1556291

SKYDIGGERS – Annual X-Mas Concerts

DATE: Friday, December 22, 2017

DOORS: 9:00 pm

PRICE: $39.50 Advance at Ticketfly, HS Tavern Box Office, Rotate This & Soundscapes.

ON SALE: Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 10:00am

*Licensed/19+

Purchase Tickets here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1556294

DATE: Saturday, December 23, 2017

DOORS: 9:00 pm

PRICE: $39.50 Advance at Ticketfly, HS Tavern Box Office, Rotate This & Soundscapes.

ON SALE: Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 10:00am

*Licensed/19+

Purchase Tickets here: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1556300

More Horseshoe Tavern Birthday events and concert series to be announced in the coming weeks.

The Horseshoe Tavern: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

About The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern:

Although the building at 370 Queen St. W. was erected in 1861 as a blacksmith’s shop, the Tavern’s storied music history began in 1947 once provincial liquor laws were ushered in, permitting longtime owner Jack Starr to convert the commercial property into a restaurant-tavern. In the mid-50’s Starr re-converted the bar to the Country Roots n’ Rockabilly Music Tavern, a 500 seat live music venue featuring country and rockabilly acts. Notorious bank robbers The Boyd Gang were known to be regulars but more noteworthy, the venue began sealing its reputation as a cultural musical institution, booking country superstars like Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty, and Loretta Lynn to name a few. Stompin’ Tom Connors famously built his name at the Horseshoe playing extended residencies, and Starr became key in helping develop Canadian national and local acts like Ian and Sylvia Tyson and The Band.

Upon Starr’s retirement in the late 70’s, he rented the business to Toronto music promoters Gary Topp and Gary Cormier who quickly made a name for the venue by featuring a gamut of cutting edge and eclectic acts. The duo introduced Toronto to punk & new wave music like The Cramps, The Ramones, Talking Heads, MC-5, and famously bringing The Police to Canada for the first time. Unfortunately the Garys’ vision was miles ahead of its time and the venue closed under the weight of its own progression. Their final concert at the venue, known as the ‘Last Pogo’, became historic both for the music, the scene, and a documentary by filmmaker Colin Brunton.

Forgetting short stints as both another country club, and a strip club, an historic turn for the building occurred with the synthesis of Ken Sprackman closing the Hotel Isabella, deciding to drive cars to Florida while in-between occupations, and the building sitting empty. True story, Starr, an avid ‘snowbirder’ needed his car driven to Florida, Ken answered the call, they struck up a friendship, and before you know it, Ken became the next operator of the ‘Shoe. Really you can’t make this stuff up!

After Kenny modernized the bar for Starr, he was offered to buy the business, on one condition, Sprackman had to take Kingston resident Michael (X-Ray) Macrae, on as a partner. He had been bugging Starr for years to operate the venue. X-Ray introduced Kenny to his local friends Dan Aykroyd, and Richard Crook, and the four became the second generation owners of the H-Shoe Tavern.  

Kenny and X-Ray re-invented the venue as we know it today. Sprackman managed the bar and revised venue operations, some of which impacted the entire Canadian Music industry. The duo introduced the ‘artist takes the door - the venue takes the bar’ booking policy - a radical move at the time which ultimately became the standard for local bookings in practically every original live music venue in the country. Similarly X-Ray focused on booking the music, he welcomed developing artists from St. John’s to Victoria, including The Watchmen, The Odds, Amanda Marshall, and with a focus on one emerging band from X-Ray’s hometown of Kingston, The Tragically Hip.

As the Toronto music scene began to coalesce next door at the Cameron House (which featured Handsome Ned and Jack Dekeyzer) and on Queen St with former punks like Greg Keelor, Jim Cuddy, and Bazil Donavan, who had a keen interest in Americana and Canadiana roots music. X-Ray also began importing the newest and best bands from Austin, Texas and the South. The Horseshoe quickly became the preferred touring showcase for new roots music, indie promoters, and was the go-to hangout for locals, music industry types and visiting celebrities.

Fast forward to the 90’s, when Jeff “JC” Cohen was hired by Kenny and X-Ray to lead the venue into the 21st  century. Cohen had the distinction of opening the country’s first dedicated all-ages venue, ‘One Step Beyond’ (in Ottawa) and his punk-a-fied alternative music bio includes stints as a booking agent (Rheostatics, One, Lowest of the Low, Big Sugar, Malhavoc, Mahones) working alongside Ralph James, talent buyer (Apocalypse Club and El Mocambo), and management consultant. (The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, 13 Engines, Big Rude Jake)  

Along with his then ‘assistant’ - and now ‘partner’ - Craig Laskey, the Horseshoe was given a shot of Garys like music adrenaline, cemented with initial bookings like Dick Dale, Link Wray, Olivia Tremor Control, the Oblivians, Neutral Milk Hotel, Wilco, the Old 97’s, Sunvolt, Neko Case, the Jayhawks, Golden Smog, and Whiskeytown/Ryan Adams’, while re-committing to being a national showcase for emerging Canadian artists like Nickelback, Great Big Sea, Joel Plaskett Emergency, and Big Wreck.

“I honestly thought Kenny and X-Ray would give us about the same short leash Starr gave the Garys,” says Cohen. “I thought our musical taste might be far too progressive for the venue, and Craig was always nervous about continually filling an entire week’s worth of bookings, but Kenny was extremely supportive from the get-go.

He let us update the way the ‘Shoe ticketed shows and promoted its brand, and X-Ray loved our re-commitment to cutting edge roots music from Texas. He literally made us to go to our first SXSW in 1996, picked up Steve Jordan and us at the airport, insisted we head over to the Green Mesquite for our first ever Texas meal, and taught us where and what we should be seeing. SXSW became our primary source of A&R; it’s been like 22 years, and we haven’t missed one yet.’

By 1998, the venue’s reputation had evolved into the quintessential local venue to catch emerging artists like The National, Death Cab For Cutie, Spoon, and Frank Turner, new recording release showcases for Billy Bragg, Bad Religion, The Dropkick Murphys, Soundtrack Of Our Lives, and Foster The People, and surprise performances from industry heavyweights like the Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Bryan Adams, Melissa Etheridge, The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, and Dead Weather.

Click HERE for a ‘short list’ of performers that have graced the venue over the years.

In the fall of 1998 Cohen was brought in as managing partner, Laskey took over the talent buying, before he too became an owner in the mid 2000’s, along with in house comptroller Naomi Montpetit.                    

Says Cohen, “We’re 3rd generation owners, having been given the opportunity by X-Ray and Kenny [Sprackman] to guide the venue into modern times, and not fuck it up. It’s been close to 23 years now and I think I did ok. The ’Shoe is not just still in business, but the venue is just as relevant, musically, and culturally speaking, as it ever was, if not even more so.”

Read more about the venue’s history and various incarnations here: http://www.horseshoetavern.com/our-history/.

​

EVANESCENCE

  BRING THEIR SYNTHESIS TOUR TO TORONTO DECEMBER 8TH! 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NOVEMBER 28, 2017

   EVANESCENCE return to Ontario Canada this Dec. in support of SYNTHESIS, their fourth studio album, that came out last month. The group is in the middle of their “Synthesis Live” tour, which hits Toronto on December 08 and Windsor on December 09. Like the album, The “Synthesis Live” will feature a reimagining of some of EVANESCENCE’s best-loved songs with the spotlight on full orchestra and electronics.

​

“This is a total passion project for me. There are so many layers in our music, underneath the huge drums and guitars,” explains AMY LEE of EVANESCENCE. “I’ve always wanted to shine a light on some of the gorgeous David Campbell arrangements and programming elements in our songs, and that idea snowballed into completely re-doing them with full orchestra, not just strings, elaborate programming, and experimentation. This will be our first time touring with the orchestra and I’m so excited to perform this way-really focus on the vocals, and the emotion and the story we’ve built over the years. I’m also really excited about the new material on the album. Besides the two new songs, there are some really beautiful instrumental in-between moments. The whole thing flows like a big, dynamic soundtrack.”

 and every ticket sold will come with a download of the new album, SYNTHESIS.  Ticket buyers will receive songs, beginning with the stunning orchestral version of the band’s biggest hit, “Bring Me To Life,” which will be available immediately.  

A variety of VIP packages are available including a chance to meet and enjoy a champagne toast with the band, soundcheck, and receive exclusive merch items.  To see all tour packages, attend hereTickets can be purchased theirvisit: www.evanescence.com. Expect EVANESCENCE to announce an international tour soon. 

​

The two-time, GRAMMY® Award-winning group’s album SYNTHESIS  was produced Will Hunt and orchestra arranger and composer David Campbell. In addition to the re-imagined catalog songs, SYNTHESIS features two new EVANESCENCE songs.

EVANESCENCE intense live performances and timeless songwriting combined with a powerful live orchestra and electronica will truly deliver a transcendent experience.

​

​

Catch EVANESCENCE on “Synthesis Live” in the following cities:

​

Dec. 15 Reno, NV @ Silver Legacy
Dec. 13 Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
Dec. 11 Kansas City, MO @ KC Music Hall
Dec. 09 Windsor, ON @ Ceasar’s Windsor
Dec. 08 Toronto, ON @ Sony Centre for Performing Arts
Dec. 06 Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 05 Minneapolis, MN @ State Theatre
Dec. 03 St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House
Dec. 02 Carmel, IN @ The Palladium
Nov. 30 Chicago, IL @ Chicago TheatreResort and Casino
Dec. 16 San Francisco, CA @ Masonic Auditorium
Dec. 19 Portland, OR @ Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

www.evanescence.com

https://www.facebook.com/Evanescence

https://www.instagram.com/evanescenceofficial/?hl=en

https://play.spotify.com/artist/5nGIFgo0shDenQYSE0Sn7c

https://www.youtube.com/user/EvanescenceVEVO

https://twitter.com/evanescence

About EVANESCENCE

​

" (#36 U.S. Modern Rock, #23 U.K.). Fallen is one of only eight albums in the history of the chart to spend at least a year on the Billboard Top 50, it spent 104 weeks on the Billboard 200 and is #32 on the “Greatest of All Time, Billboard 200.” EVANESCENCE has won two GRAMMY Awards including “Best New Artist” and “Best Hard Rock Performance,” out of a total of seven career nominations. Following multiple worldwide tours, EVANESCENCE released their first live album, Anywhere But Home, which sold more than one million copies worldwide. Next, the band released their second studio album, The Open Door, which went on to sell more than five million copies. Their self-titled third album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart as well as achieving the #1 slot on the following Billboard charts: Rock Albums, Digital Albums, Alternative Albums and Hard Rock Albums. After touring European festivals and shows in 2016 and early 2017, EVANESCENCE--lead singer-songwriter and pianist AMY LEE, bassist TIM MCCORD, drummer WILL HUNT, lead guitarist/backing vocalist TROY MCLAWHORN and guitarist JEN MAJURA--will return with their fourth album and most ambitious release to date, titled SYNTHESIS. Due out November 10, Everybody's Fool" (#5 U.S. Modern Rock, #8 U.K.) and "Going Under. The able produced four singles total including "Daredevil" peaked at #7 in the U.S. and U.K., and both songs were featured in the soundtrack for the action movie My Immortal. The equally popular "WWE No Way Out 2003 as well as marking their first U.K. #1 hit single. The song also became the official theme for Billboard Hot 100), reached #5 on the 12 Stones of Paul McCoy," (feat. guest vocals from Bring Me to LifeFormed in the mid-90’s, the two-time GRAMMY Award-winning EVANESCENCE has three albums under their belt. The band was integral in establishing a global, critical mass for in rock. The group’s 2003 landmark debut album Fallen laid the foundation; spending 43 weeks on the Billboard Top 10 the album sold more than 17 million copies worldwide and was certified 7x platinum in the U.S. Debut single and global hit "2017 on BMG, the band is currently in the studio with producers Will Hunt and orchestra arranger and composer David Campbell, SYNTHESIS will feature two new EVANESCENCE songs in addition to fan favorites re-imagined with a live orchestra and electronica. EVANESCENCE will launch the “Synthesis Live” tour in North America on October 14; combining their intense live performances and timeless songwriting with a powerful live orchestra, the group will truly deliver a transcendent concert experience. 

A PERFECT CIRCLE RELEASE NEW SONG “THE DOOMED”

​

Toronto, ON – Oct. 17, 2017 – A Perfect Circle have released the new song, “The Doomed” (http://smarturl.it/TheDoomedVevo). The track is the first music to be heard from the multi-platinum outfit’s highly anticipated 2018 full-length.

“Fourteen years have passed since we released eMOTIVe,” said Maynard James Keenan. “A new release is long overdue. In light of this current difficult and polarized social, spiritual and political climate, we artist types need to open our big mouths and share the light a little louder.”

“Years of life experience has brought our music to this moment,” added Billy Howerdel. “We know where we came from. Deeply connected to the path we’re on.”

A Perfect Circle recently announced they had signed a worldwide recording deal with BMG and are in the studio working with producer Dave Sardy on the follow-up to 2004’s eMOTIVe.

“The Doomed” arrives as A Perfect Circle kick off the second leg of their first North American tour in six years, launching on Oct. 21 at the Aftershock festival.

Purchase or listen to “The Doomed” at this link: THE DOOMED.

*Tour dates:

October 21  Sacramento, CA  Aftershock Festival

October 23  Colorado Springs, CO  Broadmoor World Arena

October 25  Albuquerque, NM  Tingley Coliseum

October 26  El Paso, TX  Don Haskins Center

October 28  Toluca, Mexico  Knotfest Mexico

October 30  Knoxville, TN  Thompson-Boling Arena

November 1  Fairfax, VA  EagleBank Arena

November 2  Brooklyn, NY Barclays Center

November 4  Reading, PA  Santander Arena

November 5  Uncasville, CT  Mohegan Sun Arena

November 7  Camden, NJ  BB&T Pavilion

November 8  Boston, MA  Agganis Arena

November 10  Portland, ME  Cross Insurance Center

November 11 Albany, NY  Times Union Center

November 12  Syracuse, NY  The OnCenter Arena

November 14  Montreal, QC  Place Bell

November 15  Toronto, ON  Air Canada Centre

November 17  Pittsburgh, PA  Petersen Events Center

November 18  Cleveland, OH  Wolstein Center

November 19  Highland Heights, KY  BB&T Arena

November 21  Detroit, MI  Fox Theatre

November 22 Grand Rapids, MI  The DeltaPlex Arena

November 24  Chicago, IL  UIC Pavilion

November 25  St. Paul, MN  Xcel Energy Center