rAlph
#NEWMUSIC: THE RAINBOW COLLECTIVE – “THIS LITTLE LIGHT”
“This Little Light” by The Rainbow Collective is out today via Hidden Pony Records/Universal Music Canada, along with the official music video. Comprising over 20 Canadian vocalists of diverse genres, identities, ages, races and genders brought together by singer/songwriter/advocate Theo Tams, The Rainbow Collective stands as a testament to strength, courage and pride. “This Little Light” is an anthem of hope that speaks to the struggles the 2SLGBTQIA+ community faces in an increasingly divided world. All proceeds from the song will support The 519 Community Centre’s Pay It No Mind Fund, which provides emergency financial aid to racialized Two-Spirit, trans and non-binary community members to cover essentials.
After facing months of homophobic messages and comments on his social media platforms, Tams wrote the song with Andrew (Marty) Martino and Liz Rodrigues. Tams recognized the privilege of having a support network he could turn to, but others around the globe aren’t so fortunate. It is a criminal offense to be gay in a third of countries in the world and 64 UN member states, and in six of these, being LGBTQ is punishable by the death penalty. In the U.S., Florida has passed a “don’t say gay” bill, making it illegal to talk about other sexual orientations in the school system. Alberta just passed legislation that directly puts trans/non-binary kids and teens in potentially unsafe environments.
Tams had originally planned to release the song as a solo single, but he felt compelled to expand his vision and began reaching out to fellow Canadian queer artists to join him in bringing the song to life. Soon enough, the Rainbow Collective was born.
“This is the story of all of us. We are artists. We are songwriters. We are queer and we are advocates in our community for the right to simply exist, to shine in the way we were all meant to,” says Tams. “I truly believe that every person who identifies under the rainbow umbrella will hear themselves in this song. We are up against some of the scariest legislature and proposed bills that we have seen in decades and all of this threatens not only our happiness but our safety as well. This song is an anthem, it is a message, it is a declaration, for every person who has ever felt silenced and pushed to the fringe of our society simply for being who they were meant to be. Some may feel silenced, but we are a whole collective willing to speak on their behaves until they have the confidence or find the safety needed to do so themselves. I want these kids and teens and young adults to know that being their authentic selves isn’t wrong; that they are enough, and worthy of a life of peace, happiness, respect and contentment.”
The Rainbow Collective includes:
Theo Tams (he/him; Coaldale, AB; Pop/R&B)
Amanda Rheaume (she/her; Métis Nation; Ottawa, ON; folk)
BAYLA (she/her; Montreal, QC; pop)
Billy Newton-Davis (he/him; Cleveland, OH; jazz)
Bryn (she/her; Toronto, ON; pop)
Chrisy Hurn of Basement Revolver (they/them; Hamilton, ON; indie rock)
Erica Fox (she/her/they; Toronto, ON; pop/rock)
Iskwē (she/her; Métis Nation; Winnipeg, MB; singer-songwriter)
Jeffery Straker (he/him; Punnichy, SK; folk/roots)
Kayla Diamond (she/her; Toronto, ON; dance/pop)
memyself&vi (she/her; Qatar; alt-pop)
Micah Barnes (he/him; Vienna, Austria; jazz)
Priyanka (she/her when in drag; Whitby, ON; dance-pop)
Ralph (she/her; Toronto, ON; alt-pop)
Raymond Salgado (he/him; Vancouver, BC; pop)
Ryland James (he/him; Deseronto, ON; pop)
Sebastian Gaskin (they/them/he/him; Tataskweyak Cree Nation; Toronto, ON; singer-songwriter)
Steven Taetz (he/him; AB; contemporary roots/jazz)
T. Thomason (he/him; Halifax, NS; pop)
Tafari Anthony (he/him; Toronto, ON; pop)
Your Hunni (they/them; Toronto, ON; indie pop)
Zenon (they/them; Calgary, AB; alt-R&B)
#NEWMUSIC: GOOD GRIEF PRESENTS: THE INNER CIRCLE: A SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE
For the first time ever, Toronto-based Songwriting Duo Good Grief hosted THE INNER CIRCLE: A SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE at The Drake Underground. The intimate event brought together on-stage some of this highly-sought-after Duo’s collaborators, to perform acoustic versions of their songs in a Songwriters’ Circle. Good Grief is comprised of Singer-Songwriters Bryn McCutcheon (also known as Bryn) and Kirstyn Johnson (also known as Aryss). After meeting a fateful Songwriters’ Camp, they’ve joined forces and have worked with some of the biggest emerging names including one of our faves, Lilyisthatyou.
Appearing at the event, which hopefully will launch into a Series, were Universal Music Canada Artists Reve and Sofia Camara, plus the amazing Ralph, whom we adore. Telling the audience the stories behind the songs, we got two rounds of songs from each of the special guests and Good Grief, including one round where the Artists performed their collaborations with the Duo. This was followed by individual sets from each McCutcheon and Johnson.
The City definitely needs more platforms to showcase emerging talent, test new material and of course, create a space for female voices in a supportive environment. This was just wonderful and most amazing of all, we got a chance to interact with these amazing Singer-Songwriters. Definitely an experience worth checking-out.
Some Snaps:
Highlights and performances:
Follow these Artists on IG for more:
#SPOTTED: ELIO IN TORONTO AT VELVET UNDERGROUND
I only recently discovered ELIO, but it has been nothing but love for this Welsh-born, Toronto-raised Singer/Songwriter who is on the tip of Pop greatness. For one, her management includes mentor Charli XCX who continues to thrive as a global sensation and coincidentally the star was just in town this week at Massey Hall. The two collaborated on Elio’s catchy track “Charger”, which actually is how I discovered her Music!
Elio played a packed house at intimate Velvet Underground on Queen West, the crowd which knew by heart many of her Bedroom Pop jams like Jackie Onassis, @elio.irl and latest single Vitamins. The twentysomething only during the Pandemic started putting-out Music and streams have tallied-in by the millions, stamping her a real force to be reckoned with. But more than that, her silky and emotive voice has an edge and she has a way of taking you away to another place as she sings about love, anxiety and escapism as a Gen-Z queen.
Playing for just under an hour, the Singer named after Timothée Chalamet‘s character in the Novel and Film CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, shows she’s still learning to connect with her audience after gaining her following online, but as the show progressed and she came into her own, she became one with the audience. Whether she has the Vocoder turned-on or is just singing with her guitar, Elio’s talent is undeniable.
Opening Act, Alexandra Porat, also from Toronto, warmed the crowd-up with her own brand of Pop sensibility. She premiered new Track Pity Party.
Spotted in the crowd was Porat‘s mentor and “sister”, Juno-nominated Singer/Songwriter Ralph whom we love and have been waiting to see live forever!
Some Snaps from the night:
Some of Elio’s top tracks:
(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#NEWMUSIC: RALPH – “GASOLINE”
Toronto Singer/Songwriter RALPH is doing big things, with an upcoming US Tour. While her hit “Gravity” earned her a Juno nomination, she actually has quite a bit of range with a Pop repertoire that ranges from up-tempo Dance Pop to heartfelt Balladry. Her latest single “Gasoline” is gorgeous and just what we need to guide us through this dreadful winter. Was so looking forward to a Toronto show but the most recent lockdown came, but hoping for a reschedule show soon!
(Photo/video credit: Rich Man Records)
For advertising opportunites please contact mrwill@mrwillwong.com