Congrats to our latest CKXS Emerging Artists of the Month – Calgary, Alberta’s THE NEW ELECTRIC!
Every day at 4:20 pm listen in during WEEKDAZE with Jay Smith as we’ll preview some of the best new music coming out of Canada! If you like what you hear, vote for your favourite new artists. The winner each month will receive additional airplay and become a permanent part of the CKXS landscape.
AUGUST’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE MONTH – THE NEW ELECTRIC
The New Electric, based out of Calgary, Alberta have laid their foundation to become the next big thing in Pop / Alt. Since forming in 2013, the band has worked with Kevin ‘Chief’ Zaruk and Jeff Ojeda (at Chief Music Management: Florida Georgia Line, Dallas Smith, Head of the Herd) to put together an undeniable fresh new sound. In the summer of 2014, The New Electric got together with world-renowned producer Brian Howes (Hedley, Simple Plan, Boys Like Girls) to record their debut EP in sunny Los Angeles. Their breakthrough, catchy sound is sonically inspired by: Maroon 5, One Republic and Imagine Dragons.
The New Electric has finished recording their new EP and are due to release their debut single in 2015. Their melodically infused hooks are bound to grab your attention and inspire a new direction in the digital age of music. Follow The New Electric on their exciting new venture in 2015!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKZrDfehXMU
JULY’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE MONTH – TOMMY GREEN JR
After several seasons travelling and performing his solo show, “Songs and Stories,” to international audiences on cruise ships all over the world, Tommy Green Jr has returned to Halifax to release his debut album. His first solo project (self-titled “Tommy Green Jr”) showcases Tommy’s rich voice, skillful guitar playing, and memorable pop melodies. It was recorded with Darren Van Niekerk over two years at The Sonic Temple and Tim Jim’s Shed, and features 18 of his favourite musicians from Atlantic Canada.
CBC’s Bob Mersereau says “…it’s all intelligent pop with enough funk to put him square in the festival crowd, and lots of hooks and smooth jazz moments for folks who like excellent playing. Green Jr. deserves to smile over this album.”
The album’s first single, “It’s My Turn Now” inspired a hilarious and heartwarming music video about a young boy entering his school’s science fair with his own home-made jetpack!
JUNE’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE MONTH – ANDRES SIERRA
Andres Sierra is a Toronto based singer/songwriter and dance recording artist. Born in Toronto, Andres displayed an interest in music at a young age and was determined to fulfill his dream of becoming an International Recording Artist.
Coming from a musical family, Andres’ father took notice of his son’s musical abilities and enrolled him in professional vocal and piano lessons at age six at the prestigious Royal Conservatory School of Music. Aside from his technical training, he has attended some of the most recognized performing art schools in Canada.
As a singer/songwriter, he is becoming a go to artist for many world-class DJ/Producers and major corporate brands. Andres is currently working on his full-length album titled “Are You Ready” which is scheduled to be released in 2015. He will be collaborating with A-listed producers, songwriters and the Canadian production duo The Intellexz. Andres’ highly anticipated album will be young, fun and energetic, combining edgy electronic sounds with melodic heart filled vocals.
MAY’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE MONTH – ALEX CUBA
Alex Cuba is set to release Healer, his fifth studio album, and the first single “In 1,2,3,4” shows off Alex’s well-refined chops as a pop writer and more nuanced approach to Latin-pop arrangements – for a song about letting go of stress and celebrating life with the help of great music. The song features English lyrics by David Myles and is one of five bilingual duets on the album – another effort by Alex to expand his horizons and celebrate his bilingual, bicultural musical community in Canada.
Ever since he arrived in Canada, Cuban Canadian musical visionary Alex Cuba has been relishing his freedom from Cuban music constraints to reimagine the music of his homeland — by cutting back on the showmanship and dialing up the soul. It’s a style of innovation that has paradoxically earned him unprecedented success for a Canadian in the Latin music scene.
Over the past decade, Alex has earned a Grammy nomination, three Latin Grammys – as an artist, a songwriter and a video producer – two Junos, two SOCAN awards, and countless accolades from media around the world, who praise his innovation and soul.
APRIL’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE MONTH – DAVID MYLES
Like his trademark suit, David Myles’ music is timeless. Regardless of quickly passing trends and fads, it will persevere. From soulful, contemporary pop crooners to delicate, jazzy folk ditties, and down-home, back porch roots tunes to infectious hip-hop earworms, David’s only artistic constants are his always growing, shape shifting songwriting, and his exceptional ability to entertain.
David effortlessly injects any song with his irresistible energy, which has led him to numerous collaborations, most recently with the Latin Grammy award-winning Alex Cuba on “In 1-2-3-4” —a simmering toe-tapper infused with the heart of Havana’s dance floors. In 2012, he teamed up with Canadian hip hop star Classified and produced the JUNO award-winning, quadruple-platinum “Inner Ninja”, the biggest selling rap single in Canadian history. His endearing live charm, coupled with an uplifting sense of humour, has gained David an increasingly large fan base, and afforded him frequent festival appearances. In 2014, he became the host of CBC’s “East Coast Music Hour”, a new radio program and web portal dedicated to Atlantic Canadian music and music makers.
Hovering somewhere around a magic spot between James Taylor and Justin Timberlake, David’s diverse set of musical tools has garnered a staggering number of prestigious nominations and awards, including a JUNO and multiple Music Nova Scotia and ECMA awards in addition to numerous high profile music placements around the globe, from the US hit series “Parenthood”, to Australia’s popular “Packed to the Rafters”.
In addition to his collaboration with Alex Cuba, 2015 will see David create even more music. He is currently in the studio with Classified working on a new EP and is set to release an acoustic collection of fan favourites in the US and UK later this year.
MARCH’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE MONTH – DAN TALEVSKI
Sometimes, things just click. They certainly have for Dan Talevski. At the tender age of 28, he’s already accomplished more than some artists twice his age. Millions of people have seen him sing on YouTube. He’s been signed to a major record label. Groomed for stardom alongside Justin Bieber. Toured with Backstreet Boys. Worked in the studio with will.i.am. Written songs for Shawn Desman, Danny Fernandes, Keshia Chante and others. And now, with Guilty as Sin, his debut single for eOne Music Canada, he’s poised to take his rightful place as Canada’s next musical sensation.
And it all began with a click.
“It was in 2007,” Talevski recalls. “I was just searching YouTube for Justin Timberlake’s video for What Goes Around Comes Around. I saw a couple of other people posting covers of the song — and had millions of views. It was like a lightbulb went on over my head. I posted a 47-second clip of myself singing the chorus, and when I woke up the next day I had about 500 views. That number went from hundreds to thousands to hundreds of thousands very quickly. Then I started getting fans emailing asking me to sing this song or that song. I started doing that and millions of views were pouring in weekly. It was awesome.”
Soon, it got even more surreal. A year to the day of his first posting as danjt87 — and after YouTube posted his first video of an original song on its main page — Talevski was whisked to Hollywood, where he became the first male artist signed to a major-label record deal via the Internet. Overnight, he was thrown into the star-maker machinery. “It was like going to college for an artist,” Talevski recalls. “It was gruelling, but it was an amazing experience. I was doing vocal training beside Justin Bieber in Atlanta. Then I moved to L.A., where I was dancing eight hours a day, working with a trainer and singing all night in the studio. Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas produced and rapped on a single for me. I worked with Timbaland. I just soaked it all up like a sponge.”
FEBRUARY’S EMERGING ARTIST(s) OF THE MONTH – MANDIA and TINA PUMFREY
MANDIA – Over the past two years, Ottawa Pop/R&B/Soul sensation Mandia Nantsios has released a quartet of phenomenally well-crafted, radio-friendly, memorable and danceable songs that point to the genuine rise of a new Canadian musical sensation.
Working in tandem with some of the top writers and producers in the music industry, many of whom clamoured for the chance to collaborate with this gifted 17-year-old Canadian songstress, the singles Never Again, One Last Time, Smile and Rising Up are indicative of the growing proficiency of Mandia as a songwriting force and her inescapable maturity and seasoning as a vocalist and performer.
She is also enthusiastic about using her talents for worthy causes. In the midst of an already jam-packed past year, Mandia was also asked to take part in a special tour entitled Call to Peace in the United States to perform alongside with Jacob Latimore, OMG Girlz and Trevor Jackson. This anti-bullying and anti-violence program features speakers and performers and was directed at teens.
All her hard work, dedication, and criss-crossing not only her home province, but the country and continent to work with the best in the business, have culminated in a collection of songs that will be released in early 2015 as Mandia’s first full-length album, entitled “Fractured Fairy Tales”.
TINA PUMFREY – My first full-length solo album, “Where God Is”, was released on December 4, 2014. It has been quite a journey getting here, but I wouldn’t change it!
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I loved my years of training in classical piano, and I tried my hand at a few other instruments. I went off to university and studied other things, but no matter what I have done since then, the music kept calling me, and has stayed with me. I enjoy my role in music ministry at two local churches, and I get to share my love of music with hundreds of students as an elementary school music teacher. Seven years in a local band led me to discover my voice, and a love for songwriting. Going solo several years ago allowed me to focus on my own music and spend more time with my family. I’m very thankful to my husband and my four children for their patience and their support! Last spring, I was lucky enough to meet the right people to form a new band. They are a talented, dedicated and creative bunch, and they were a great asset as we developed this album. I couldn’t have done it without them–thanks, Del, Eugene and Jim! I know there are plenty of musical good times ahead!
Music is my way to recharge, to be creative, to express my faith experience, and to connect with people. Sometimes creativity (and life!) is messy, and doesn’t fit into neat little boxes, which is where my blog comes in. Whatever brings you here, thank you for stopping by, and I hope you pick up a little something to take with you on your way. May God bless you in everything you do!
JANUARY’S EMERGING ARTIST OF THE MONTH – SANTA CLARA
Following the success of his national Top 70 debut single, “The Fool”, Santa Clara (Timothy Langley) has proved he is a committed and talented musician with international scope and appeal.
Hailing from Victoria, British Columbia. Santa Clara has been performing consistently, playing stages between Canada and the U.S. with acts such as Carly Rae Jepsen, Armchair Cynics, & Laurell.
Santa Clara is currently working on an electronic pop EP with producer Steve Kroeger which is slated for release under Prodigy Records in summer 2015. Co-writes for the album include Jeff Dawson (“Bad Day” by Daniel Powter), Robert Watt (ex-guitarist for Carly Rae Jepsen) Laurell (“Can’t Stop Falling” Top 10 in Canada), and Kuba Oms (“Electrolove” Top 20 in Canada).
In his spare time Tim works with the World Vision Artists Associates Program touring with a variety of artists from pop darling LIGHTS to country star Michelle Wright helping them raise awareness & gain support for children in the Third World.
FOR A FULL LIST OF FORMER EMERGING ARTIST WINNERS – CLICK HERE!
