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Kurt Cobain and his band, Nirvana, spent only three years in the public eye, and they released only three studio albums. But what he accomplished before committing suicide 10 years ago Monday at age 27 – deciding it was “better to burn out than fade away,” as he quoted Neil Young in his suicide note – was remarkable. Beneath this bridge above the muddy banks of the Wishkah River, a troubled young Cobain would come to escape his unhappy home and the persistent gray drizzle of the Washington coast. Among the cracking concrete supports, he would smoke pot and drink… Read more »

Despite more than ten years difference in age, fellow Canadians Chantal Kreviazuk and Avril Lavigne formed a relationship of mutual respect and sisterhood – and become songwriting partners – after they met last summer. “We became really good friends, and no one knew we were writing together,” says Lavigne. “Every single night for two weeks, we would write a new song. And then I was like, ‘OK, I’m ready to record them.’” The pair co-wrote six songs on Lavigne’s forthcoming album, Under My Skin (due May 25th): “Slipped Away,” “Forgotten,” “Together,” “How Does It Feel,” “He Wasn’t” and “Who Knows.”… Read more »

Well, last year we bid a sad and final farewell to Molson Park in Barrie, a favourite summer concert/festival venue in Ontario for the past 20 years and the host of many past Edgefests. The 2003 Edgefest made history by being the last event to ever be held at the Park. But with Molson Park sadly out of the picture, the state of Edgefest’ s existence was left up in the air. We weren’t sure if there was even going to be another Edgefest, let alone where the next one would be held. But Edgefest 2004 is a go and… Read more »

Music industry insiders don’t hesitate to throw around weighty phrases like “paradigm shift” and “irrevocable change” when they discuss the current state of affairs in the American music business. Industry representatives met Thursday to hash out the latest developments and chart the course for their business as the South by Southwest Music Conference began in Austin. “People talk about how the record industry isn’t doing that well,” said Walter McDonough, a lawyer with Washington-based Future of Music Coalition. Still, he said, the music business is working in an entertainment industry that has recently developed three fast growing mediums: DVDs, digital… Read more »

Chart-toppers Westlife announced Tuesday that singer Bryan McFadden was quitting the group, a move that could signal the beginning of the end for the Irish boy-band. However, manager Louis Walsh insisted it was business as usual for the remaining four members, who are currently rehearsing for a mammoth world tour. McFadden, aged 23, said he was leaving to spend more time with wife Kerry, the recent winner of the British hit television show “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!” and their two young children. “It’s nothing to do with the guys,” he told a packed news conference in Dublin,… Read more »

Prince is taking that little red Corvette out of the garage again. On the heels of his blistering Grammy “Purple Rain” performance, the ’80s funk legend has announced he will hit the road with the New Power Generation for his first major arena tour in six years in support of his new CD, Musicology. To help hype the tour, Prince says the upcoming gigs may be the last time fans get to see him jam out some of the best-known hits live. That presumably means that tunes like “Little Red Corvette,” “1999” “Purple Rain,” When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go… Read more »

Singer Courtney Love showed up as scheduled in Los Angeles Superior Court Tuesday (February 17) for a hearing, prompting a judge to throw out an arrest warrant for her, according to the Associated Press. Judge Elden Fox issued the warrant last Tuesday (February 10) when Love failed to appear for the hearing, but allowed Love a week to comply before ordering her arrest. Judge Lisa Hart Cole dismissed the warrant Tuesday and scheduled Love’s next hearing for March 16. Love, who is known for being brash and outspoken, was reportedly reserved in court, answering only, “Yes, ma’am,” when the judge… Read more »

Michael Jackson’s music manager denied a report Thursday that Jackson is in financial trouble and must make a $70 million payment to a lender by Tuesday. Charles Koppelman said no payment was due in that amount to Bank of America or anyone else. The New York Times reported Thursday that Jackson, who is facing child-molestation charges in Santa Barbara County, owed $70 million to the bank under a loan agreement. Koppelman said in a phone interview that Jackson’s assets far exceed his debts but he declined to go into detail about the singer’s money. He said Jackson, like most people… Read more »

A year ago, Smile Empty Soul really were nowhere kids. With no album or single out yet, they were riding around in a dilapidated van that was crowded and playing in dilapidated clubs that weren’t. Now the bandmembers ride in a comfortable bus, get recognized even before they take the stage, and their single “Nowhere Kids” is blowing up at radio. Not only do Smile Empty Soul now have the luxury to travel in style, they can afford creature comforts and absurd indulgences. “We have a ridiculous amount of totally illegal fireworks on our bus,” bassist Ryan Martin admitted. “It’s… Read more »

Sometimes your big break comes easier than you imagined it would. Just ask the members of Finger Eleven. After six years, the Canadian quintet is finally getting its just desserts with “One Thing,” the second single from the band’s self-titled third album. While predecessor “Good Times,” a quick-tempo confrontational rocker, didn’t make much of an impact, “One Thing” is a gentle acoustic ballad that arrived with surprisingly little effort. “It came out pretty easily,” singer Scott Anderson said. “It’s the result of [guitarist] James [Black] and I going to a cottage with an acoustic guitar to try to finish up… Read more »