My new all-Canadian show The MAPL Tapes is off to a great start. I’ve initially started it out on three online radio stations, but this week it picks up two more, including one in Indianapolis! Every week I feature a Canadian artist, and I love involving the artists in the show in ways that make it personal for the listeners – though sadly it seems impossible to involve any artist signed by a major label. You can find all available playlists for the show, added to Mixcloud on weekends, at the following link: Mixcloud
In this edition of the Report, you can also check out my new music and retro picks of the week along with a record of the week from the host of online radio’s “Top 40 Timeline”, “Big Daddy” Russ Horton, plus “Modern Hype” online radio host DJ Hunter’s “Bop of the Week”. “The Musicman” James Rogers’ Classic Five takes us back to a fabulous year for pop music, 1970. Please do check out the playlist for show #4 of The MAPL Tapes. And I’ll take you back to the “My Space” days of 2009 with a BILLCS Top 30 Flashback Chart!
Reminder: Click on the photos to listen to the songs on Spotify.
MOONWOOD, “Casanova”
About the artist: Moonwood is a rock quartet from Sydney, Australia which has been featured in these blog pages several times. Their recent single “Where Are The Kids?” got to #12 on the BILLCS Top 30, while previous release “Curfew” got to #5.
About the record: It’s songs like “Casanova” that are going to take Moonwood far. It’s an edgy rocker once again featuring a fab vocal from Jake McCullough and a tight arrangement that makes all of the instrumentation stand out. The band let the song take shape during the writing process. Says Jake: “This one ended up being about putting people on pedestals, meeting your heroes, and learning that even the people you look up to will let you down. People are human. And sometimes the fall hurts more than the truth.” “Casanova” is full of hooks and power that should easily muster up attention from rock music fans around the world.
Other comments: Aussies reading these blog pages should watch for more live shows from Moonwood this year.
NICOLA NICOLETTI, “Shallow Game”
About the artist: You recently read about emerging talent and multilingual singer Nicola Nicoletti a while back with his bright and catchy single “Perfect’s Overrated”. The Czechia talent mixes strong stories with a variety of electronic pop backdrops, and has released his debut album Gilded.
About the record: “Shallow Game” is the second single release from Gilded, a much darker flip side to “Perfect’s Overrated” about the endless loop that are dating and other related social media apps. You can let your imagination run away with the lyrics a bit and treat the entire scenario like a “Squid Game” kind of scenario, but it all boils down to the fact that most people are looking for love, connection and monogamy. Nicola showcases his beautiful tenor in this song. Many will resonate with the familiarity in his story, and his production and arrangement are impeccable.
Other comments: DJ Hunter first introduced me to Nicola’s music, and his “Bop of the Week” below spotlights another song from Gilded.
EKONOVAH, KAGE, 7KY, “Icarus”
About the artists: Three rising electronic dance producers collaborate: Ekonovah hails from Phoenix and has already appeared on the BILLCS Top 30 three times. 7KY is a fellow American dance producer, while Kage hails from The Netherlands. Kage has been releasing music since 2018 and has played Tomorrowland.
About the record: “Icarus” is one of those tracks designed to make your mind wander while creating a memorable groove. And in this song, the bass synths are down and extremely dirty like I haven’t heard in quite some time. The producers have obviously created this one as a potential festival anthem, but in clubs the speakers will positively shake like they are about to jump out of the walls. Another interesting element about “Icarus” is that the producers all provide vocals. “Icarus” is one of the most intriguing electronic releases I’ve heard recently.
Other comments: “Icarus” also has loads of potential for sync use in video games, or sci-fi and horror films. Props to the producers for their outside-the-box creativity.
ANNA CLENDENING, “leaving you is hard”
About the artist: Anna Clendening is an L.A. singer/songwriter who is also a social media influencer on You Tube, a mental health advocate, and broke out as an America’s Got Talent contestant. She has collaborated with Illenium, Vicetone, Matoma, and John.k, and released several solo EP’s and singles for a major label up to 2024.
About the record: Anna’s stories are direct and personal, and she has a unique way of cutting to the chase without them becoming overcomplicated. “leaving you is hard” is about being lost in a quagmire of a relationship where you don’t know if you’re staying or leaving, but know when you’ve decided it’s over that it will suddenly be harder for the other person. Her vocal is vulnerable and knowing and the electronic backdrop with acoustic guitar is an ideal foil.
Other comments: Anna gave a wonderful and memorable performance opening up for Alexander Stewart on March 13 in Toronto. It was her first tour in seven years. Although she is an independent artist at present, her songs are timeless and relatable, and we will be hearing much more from her.
GLENN LEWIS, “Past Tense”
About the artist: Glenn Lewis is a Juno Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated Toronto-based R&B/pop singer/songwriter best known for his 2002 Canadian and US R&B hit “Don’t You Forget It” (which also reached #7 on the BILLCS Top 30) and its accompanying US Top 5 album World Outside My Window. He has collaborated with a variety of artists including Maestro Fresh-Wes, Kardinal Offishall, and DJ Jazzy Jeff, and has opened for Alicia Keys.
About the record: It’s always great to have fine Canadian talent like Glenn Lewis back in a new independent era, and if you’ve listened to music by artists like Daniel Caesar and Justin Nozuka over the years, you can hear his mark on local music. “Past Tense” has a light funky rhythm and an arrangement full of harmonies and ad libs that shows off his voice, which sounds a lot like Stevie Wonder in spots. Glenn has only released music sporadically during the last decade, and his last full album was in 2013. I’ll look forward to hearing where “Past Tense” takes Glenn next.
Other comments: Glenn’s father, Glen Ricketts, was the lead vocalist in seminal Toronto 1970’s R&B group Crack of Dawn.
CONLETH KANE, “Sometimes”
About the artist: Conleth Kane is a rising talent from Northern Ireland noted for his frequent and festive live performances in his country and the UK. He is a prominent figure within the LGBTQ+ community, and has been releasing music for most of the last decade.
About the record: Conleth has recently released a three-song EP called Erasure-esque in tribute to Andy Bell and Vince Clarke and in particular as an homage to their early 90’s ABBA-esque EP. His version of Erasure’s 1986 UK hit “Sometimes” shows how timeless Erasure’s music has become over the years. Supported on the track by vocalist Ava Lily, Conleth wisely does not try to copy Andy’s vocal and as a result will earn all the respect he needs from Erasure fans with this rendition. A goal to me with making covers is to try and outdo the original, and some simply cannot be outdone. Conleth recognizes this and puts his own stamp on the song while the studied arrangement is as close as it gets. Bravo!
Other comments: The Erasure-esque EP has been supported by Andy Bell and is produced by esteemed and prolific producers 7th Heaven. They have remixed Erasure songs before so if anyone is going to capture the essence of Erasure, it’s them!
AASH MEHTA, “Backseat Driver”
About the artist: Aash Mehta is a Chicago-based electronic producer whose style has extended from romantic pop through to driven house tracks and more esoteric instrumentals. I’ve written about his music numerous times during the last decade, most recently in 2023.
About the record: Aash returns with a vibrant techno-house track with “Backseat Driver”, an ideal track to blast while you’re… driving! Besides an intense rhythm, the track does have some taut moments which keep you listening. The uncredited female vocal has edge and power that is well-suited to the song. “Backseat Driver” would also work well in clubs with DJ’s who want to create a fun set.
Other comments: For another side of Aash’s talents, fans of softer instrumental electronic music can check out his recent EP And The Stars Always Knew.
SOPHIA GALATÉ, DENDE, “Just for a Moment”
About the artists: Sophia Galaté is an L.A.-born R&B singer who blends contemporary and traditional R&B styles. A lifelong performer, she has played live shows in most big North American cities. Dende is a Texas-born R&B artist of a similar bent musically.
About the record: “Just for a Moment” features two gorgeous performances, a fine arrangement of voice and instruments, and a lot of subtle moments that can easily make you ooh and ahh and might remind you of songs by Sade and Anita Baker. Vocally, neither Sophia nor Dende reminds me of anyone else in particular, but they mesh well together and are showcased beautifully separately, with Sophia’s powerful tones especially memorable.
Other comments: “Just for a Moment” is part of Sophia’s recent second studio album For My Own Entertainment. Coincidentally, for Toronto denizens, she performs at The Drake Underground tomorrow (March 19), and then she’s off to Chicago (20) and L.A. (25).
BILL’S NEW MUSIC PICK OF THE WEEK
My New Music Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, and now debuts each Wednesday at 10pm EST on The Big 20 on Halton Hills Radio Online.
It’s UK singer/songwriter/violinist Holly Humberstone with “To Love Somebody”
BILL’S RETRO PICK OF THE WEEK
My Retro Pick of the Week is a 5-7 minute radio segment that airs on several online radio stations around the world, including those mentioned above. It debuts Saturdays on Russ Horton’s Top 40 Timeline on UK National Radio at 1pm EST.
There’s nothing like a good dose of classic Elvis Presley with “Stuck on You” (1960)
“BIG DADDY” RUSS HORTON’S RECORD OF THE WEEK
“Big Daddy” Russ Horton is the host of the “Top 40 Timeline” radio program and owner of online station Halton Hills Radio Online. You can hear my Retro Pick of the Week which debuts every week on the “Top 40 Timeline”. Big Daddy’s record of the week can also be heard each week on “The Big 20”.
Big Daddy’s Record of the Week will return
DJ HUNTER’S BOP OF THE WEEK
DJ Hunter is the host of the online radio show “Modern Hype”, which can be heard on several online stations, and has now moved to Chicago-based Lake Radio Online where you can also hear my NewMusic Pick of the Week. Hunter is also on air Fridays on “Hot Hits with Hunter” on UK station Dodge Radio, and it too broadcasts the New Music Pick. Check the schedule for my New Music Pick of the Week on the blog home page near the bottom.
As mentioned above, Hunter opts for “You’re Not The Same” by Nicola Nicoletti from his album Gilded
“THE MUSICMAN” JAMES ROGERS’ CLASSIC FIVE
“The Musicman” James Rogers is the owner and host of The 3D Variety Show (6 – 9pm EST Tuesdays) where you can hear my Retro Pick of the Week on Tuesdays after 7pm EST. The Classic Five is “pop music 101” usually of the post-Beatles era – classics you need to know! Each title is linked to a Spotify stream of the song.
Michael Nesmith – Joanne
The Carpenters – Close To You
Bobby Sherman – Julie Do Ya Love Me
Eric Burdon & War – Spill The Wine
Three Dog Night – Out In The Country
Our featured performer in Show #4 is Canadian rock group T R I B Z, which features Juno Award winner Erroll Starr and ex-Moxy guitarist Earl Johnson.
You can find all available playlists for the show, added to Mixcloud on weekends, at the following link: Mixcloud
BILLCS TOP 30 FLASHBACK CHART – 2009
Ahhh the simpler times of the “My Space” era when music fans could all feel connected through artists they love, with those artists occasionally holding court on their pages without feeling gatekept. And while streaming services had started up, My Space would continue until the bottom completely fell out a few years later. It’s too bad that the owners of My Space let their audience get away. The site is still up but has been dormant since 2022. The chart was led by British singer Sam Taylor with my #1 song of 2009 from the soundtrack to the British 2008-09 TV show “Beautiful People”. Such a pity that he never got his due and pretty much vanished from the biz a few years later (he was rumoured to have had a tight-fisted manager).
01 01 RUN AWAY Sam Taylor & The BBC Orchestra
02 02 BROKEN Pierre
04 03 BREATHING YOUR LOVE Darin, Kat Deluna
05 04 RIGHT NOW Ryan Star
07 05 WE’RE HERE TO TELL YOU Duncan Sheik
10 06 BEFORE THE WORST The Script
09 07 HOW DO YOU SLEEP Jesse McCartney
03 08 RELEASE ME Agnes Carlsson
15 09 LAST TRAIN HOME Ryan Star
13 10 SPACEMAN Killers
18 11 WE LET HER DOWN Chris Isaak
12 12 MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU Kelly Clarkson
06 13 CROSS MY HEART Marianas Trench
08 14 MAD Ne-Yo
17 15 DOWN Val Emmich
11 16 RUN Leona Lewis
22 17 DANCE Darin
21 18 GET SHAKY (Brad Holland mix) Ian Carey Project
20 19 POCKET Sam Sparro
24 20 DEAD AND GONE T.I., Justin Timberlake
New 21 CHEATER OF THE YEAR Evan Taubenfeld
27 22 THE SWEETEST LOVE Robin Thicke
23 23 GOLDEN TRAIN Justin Nozuka
30 24 I WILL BE Leona Lewis
16 25 YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK Jon Mclaughlin
New 26 LOVE, ETC. Pet Shop Boys
14 27 BLACKOUT Gathania
New 28 GIVE IT TO ME RIGHT Melanie Fiona
19 29 WILL I STAY Colin Munroe, Wale, Dallas Austin
28 30 NEVER AGAIN The Midway State
BILLCSMUSIC BLOG 
You must be logged in to post a comment.