Born Rita Claire Mike-Murphy in Pangnirtung, Nunavut (population 1,500), electro-pop artist Riit writes deeply personal songs that incorporate throat singing and are intended to offer support to Indigenous youth.
Paul Gains
Leon Bridges
Leon Bridges seems completely overwhelmed by the attention he’s been receiving—and for good reason. Just two years ago, the singer was crooning for co-workers while working part-time at two restaurants in Fort Worth, Texas.
Joss Stone’s Total World Tour
Dancing across the stage, long blonde hair twirling, and barefooted no less, Joss Stone is a mesmerizing presence at Montreal’s Métropolis club.
Ludovico Einaudi
Audiences clearly adore Ludovico Einaudi, if the demands for encores and multiple standing ovations—which greeted him on his most recent North American tour—are any indication. Accompanied by a 10-piece orchestra, the Italian pianist and composer is expanding his popularity everywhere he goes.
Roch Voisine
On the strength of his appeal to a largely French-speaking audience, Roch Voisine has sold an incredible 12 million records since his career began in 1986 and delighted audiences globally with his sophisticated pop music.
Gotye’s Sonic Sound
It would be easy to dismiss Gotye as just another contemporary pop star appearing out of nowhere before quickly vanishing—but his career has a foundation. The ubiquitous “Somebody That I Used to Know” certainly propelled him upward.
Julio Iglesias
Hello Paul, this is Julio,” a voice on the phone announces in an unmistakably Spanish accent. “What can I tell you about me that people will want to know?” It’s a most unusual introduction and quite unexpected. For one thing, Julio Iglesias has dialed Canada 10 minutes earlier than planned, almost as if 1, a double CD released August 28 in Canada, is launching his career.
Tedeschi Trucks Band
The rain’s pouring down as Susan Tedeschi walks along Toronto’s Danforth Avenue holding an umbrella aloft. Three middle-aged men spot her from the shelter of a nearby sports bar, dash out onto the street requesting autographs and are delighted when she happily obliges.
John Butler Trio
John Butler spent years busking on the streets of Fremantle in Western Australia, which helped refine his guitar technique and taught him the art of performance. “It taught me a lot about the music industry,” he says. “You are the performer, you are the writer, you record it, and then you are the producer. You do the whole thing.”
Joss Stone
As Joss Stone tells it, 2011 was meant to be a year filled with road trips across Europe in her 1966 Volkswagen camper van, leisurely strolls through the hills near her home in Devon County in southwestern England, and time spent baking coconut and lime cupcakes. So much for the best-laid plans. Instead, the Grammy Award–winning soul singer released her fifth studio album, entitled LP1.
Josh Groban
Plummeting sales have beset the music industry, yet American pop singer Josh Groban retains a loyal worldwide following. The 30-year-old is anything but complacent. “It’s sobering to say the least. It’s a song-by-song industry now,” says Groban. “People aren’t really buying whole albums. I am really lucky that I have a fan base that is still interested in the whole record.”
Charlie Winston
Charlie Winston has seduced audiences across Europe over the past two years with his soulful voice and eclectic repertoire of jazz, flamenco, and folk music. Now it’s North America’s turn to catch on.
The Priests
A shiny black Suburban SUV pulls up in front of Toronto’s St. Basil’s Church, and out jump three of the world’s newest pop sensations. With a smile and a cheerful hello, Father Eugene O’Hagan, his brother Father Martin, and Father David Delargy look none the worse for wear after flying across the Atlantic less than 48 hours earlier.
Chess Champion Garry Kasparov
Gary Kasparov darts suddenly from the back seat of a Washington cab and springs through the front door smiling with his hand outstretched. “I have no other appointments today so we can take as much time as you need,” he gallantly announces. Just then I realise I am not the only one who has been waiting for Kasparov.
