Gracias a la Vida Project

Music provided sonic support for the world during 2020, and it is helping us move into a new year. For Toronto and Vancouver– based singer-songwriter, Gisun, this arrives via The Gracias a la Vida Project – a collaborative, philanthropic music initiative crossing an array of countries and communities. Today, Gisun launches the project with the release of Gracias a la Vida (thanks to life) – a special cover of Chilean singer Violeta Parra’s iconic 1966 song. Produced with friends and former colleagues from her time at the New School and beyond, Gisun gathered a diverse ensemble of five vocalists to create a unique take, each person contributing a verse with their own flair. The project is partnering with Music Heals is to bring attention to the importance of music therapy, where proceeds of the song will be donated to support their work and to encourage public involvement.

“Despite such a hard year, for all of us around the globe, we have been given the gift of family and togetherness during a time where plague has riddled us with separation and loneliness. It brings such happiness to be able to sing the words gracias a la vida, as we are grateful that it has given us a united family. This is a time where gratefulness can really help us heal, spiritually and physically. Through re-connectivity with others and ourselves, we have regained a deeper appreciation for community, family, and friends,” says the ensemble on The Gracias a la Vida Project. “Gracias a la Vida is an interesting song, because it stands in the midst of forking paths. On one hand, this song has become a global song of humanism and of hope. But on the other, this is the goodbye letter of songwriter Violeta Parra to the world. Being able to expand on the possibilities of collaborating with musicians from around the world has been a shining light.”

The Gracias a la Vida Project was developed in the early stages of the pandemic as Gisun reflected on daily gratitude. Throughout this very transformational year, she especially connected with the Mercedes Sosa version (Homenaje a Violeta Parra) of Gracias a la Vida. As it is one of the most widely covered Latin songs to date, Gisun brought an incredible team of artists, all within the Latin American Diaspora, to bring an array of styles and backgrounds into the fold; Montreal, Quebec’s Ada Lea, Italian-Congolese artist, Sans Soucis, and two artists based in New York: Bianca Muñiz, Joy Morales, and Guayaquil, Ecuador-based, Luz Pinos. In addition, guitarists, Stephen Orr and Alper Tuzcu, perform on the track.

Canadian singer-songwriter Gisun is influenced by her Uruguayan background and South Korean roots to showcase her own style of Latin and soul-inspired music. Her songs weave together stories that reflect distinct chapters and stages of life. Since 2017, she has released three EPs: Suspiras, Partes, and Fin, in collaboration with musicians and sound engineers in New York, Spain, Toronto, and Vancouver. Currently, Gisun is working on her first full-length album with musicians from all over the world.

The video was produced by Rodrigo Ferrat, compiling performance videos independently filmed by each artist. With an aim to reach a global audience, particularly connecting with Latin American communities, the music video includes closed captions in English, French, Italian, and Portuguese.

Music Heals increases access to music therapy for patients in children’s hospitals, seniors centres, palliative care, AIDS & HIV programs, at-risk youth, rehabilitation, and bereavement support. To date Music Heals has funded over 32,000 music therapy sessions. You can learn more about Music Heals and support the organization by donating or getting involved at musicheals.ca.

Lozen: Goal Digger (Album Release) Live Show

A Facebook Live stream from “Temple of Lozen” performing her Goal Digger album in it’s entirety. Listeners will be offered a hybrid musical experience blending both acoustic, unplugged, and electronic versions of the songs. Lozen will also be sharing in depth backstories behind the making of the record, followed by a Q&A period and a handcrafted Lozen Mandala Pendant Necklace giveaway.

a Million Dollars in Pennies – Online Album Release Concert

a Million Dollars in Pennies had a brand-new album in hand at the beginning of 2020. The album, Decade in Spin, sounds like folk, rock and country all blended up into something you could drink all weekend long. After playing two shows in support of the record, Mike and Steph Shaver added a baby to their family band, and then COVID hit.

With the prospect of playing live shows getting pushed further and further into the future, it’s time to share an album we are very proud of. This will be broadcast live from our living room on the Side Door platform.

So put on your comfies, grab a slice of your couch and let’s snuggle up virtually for a Sunday afternoon serenade.

To hear and download the complete album before the show, head on over to amilliondollarsinpennies.net

If you would like to see the show and tickets just aren’t in your budget these days, send us an email to amilliondollarsinpennies@gmail.com and we’d be happy to put you on the guest list.

Pyarr Eshgh Love with Neela and Tissa Rahim

A live stream concert featuring Neela and Tissa Rahim.

Stemming from a fierce, passionate artistry, Neela’s music explores the complexity of human emotions in the face of raw, sensual desire.

Tissa Rahim is an RnB songstress from a multi-generational family of Iranian musicians. She recently released her sophomore EP, Missing Love.

Lauren Mann Living Room Concert

Lauren Mann will be playing live from her living room to celebrate the release of her latest album Memory & Desire. There might also be a guest appearance from her cat, Maxine.

Memory & Desire was born out of uncertainty, and came from epiphanies of hope between the questions. It is an album for the liminal space, the in-between times of transition, caught between what was and what will be. As Lauren Mann’s fourth album, and decisively her most honest and vulnerable, Memory & Desire chronicles the years following her last release Dearestly (2016) with the ending of a marriage, the rediscovery of self, and the exploration of love, community, and meaning. It is, in a sense, a time capsule, but it is also a universal narrative of the human condition.

KELE FLEMING the song i’ll write for my whole life ALBUM RELEASE LIVESTREAM SHOW

Kele Fleming performs all of the songs from her fourth solo album The Song I’ll Write for My Whole Life for the very first time. Kele’s band, Ron Yamauchi (keyboards), Aaron Trory (bass), Scott Fletcher (guitar, banjitar), and Tony Lee (drums) perform with Kele and will be on hand for the after-party. The album was recorded live off the floor at the famous Warehouse studios in Vancouver’s Gastown and was engineered by Sheldon Zaharko who also engineered the broadcast.
The album is currently available for stream or download on the usual platforms. https://kelefleming.hearnow.com and also on Bandcamp https://kelefleming.bandcamp.com
#SONGWMWL

The 6FIGURE VISIONS | Online

INFLIGHT ENT in combination with SH STUDIOS brings the 6FIGURE VISIONS ‘lifestream’ concert event!! 💯

Celebrating Lil G6’s 6FIGURE VISIONS mixtape release, we’re offering a backstage experience for the music VIP to bump along-side the legend and his immediate crew. You can expect live presentations, performances, and a special instalment feature from INFLIGHT ENT.

Tune in for a playlist of your new favourite songs, insightful commentary from music industry insiders, and a message from the minds behind the mix.

There will be opportunity for direct engagement in Q&A, live mix breakdowns, beat development tricks, as well as a chance for local artists to win a feature spot on the next hot single. 🔥

This event is free, but the experience is priceless.